6 Must-Know Interviewing Tips for Millennials

A video on Facebook recently went viral acknowledging the stereotypes of Millennials within an interview setting.  Some Millennials may fit this stereotype, but many are just average adults out of college trying to land their first job in their field. For either, here are some tips:

Prepare

• Clean your car.
  -Many employers will offer to take you out to lunch before or after the interview if they are interested. However, they have a tendency to "forget" their keys and have you drive in order to see the cleanliness of your car after research has shown the inside of your car is a reflection of your life. Clean car = clean life?

• Learn about the company, position, and their mission.

• Know your goals.

• Be ready to identify your strengths and areas for growth.

• Clean up your social media.

Overdress to Impress

• Please do not wear a golf shirt, cargo shorts, and flip-flops to an interview. And ladies, tights may look cute, but in the professional world, they may not help you out much.
  

• Women can, instead, wear tights underneath a dress with a nice necklace and low heels. Put some power lipstick on for attention and confidence, but don’t overdo it. Men, wear a suit jacket, dress pants, and nice shoes. There may be policies on facial hair, so maybe clean up your scruff a bit. Everyone: shower and smell nice.  
  ​

​Put your phone away. (Even in the waiting room or lobby.)

• If you’re trying to land a job in the corporate world or in the industry of the career of your dreams, you will want to put your phone in your pocket or in your purse, especially if the people interviewing you aren’t Millennials. In 2020, Millennials will be 3 out of the 4 higher ups in most companies,  but until then, it’s important to make a good impression on getting your foot in the door so that you have the opportunity to climb the ladder. Use your Maps to get there but put it away otherwise.
  

​Ask Questions

• What’s your company’s short-term and long-term development?
  -Asking these questions make them see that you did you homework and are looking at potentially growing within the company.

• What are the opportunities for growth in your company?

• Is there a variety of experiences or roles I can be involved in?
  -It’s important to know yourself. If you know you get bored easily, ask if there are a variety of roles or tasks that your position is responsible for and if you are able to be innovative and creative with new ideas.

• What is the your style of supervising your employees?
  -Asking what the supervisor’s style is can help you see if it is a good match. Does he/she do annual reviews instead of constant feedback?  Do they email when they need things done immediately or call? Learning these things in advance could prevent future conflicts.

Relax

• Dude, breathe.

• Know your worth.

• You’re seeing if the company is a good fit for your values, too.

• Ask for what you want.
  

​Respond

• Denial offer.

• Accepting their offer.

• Declining their offer.

• ​Reply back to all emails. You never know when you may want to interview with this company again.

Robin Helget, LMSW, CPT
Millennial Coach & Consultant
robin@kcresolve.com
785.408.7529

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