Top Ten Interview Tips

  • 1. Speak clearly. Watch the interviewer to be sure they understand (or appear to understand) what you are saying.
  • 2. Make full eye contact with the interviewer.
  • 3. Keep your answers short and to the point. This is not the time to be chatty.
  • 4. Be consistent. Since there may be multiple interviews with the company/agency, answer consistently throughout.
  • 5. Be friendly and human. Companies want to hire smart people who are likeable and whom they believe will "fit in" to their company's culture.
  • 6. Show your honest passion for the things you've done. Dullness in expressing your achievements reduces their importance to a listener.
  • 7. Be positive. Don't be negative at all. Who wants to hire a negative personality?
  • 8. Don't think that the above tips are so obvious that you ignore them and their significance.
  • 9. Consider taking notes. If the interview requires you to remember important things that the interviewer tells you, it's okay to take brief notes. It demonstrates your efficiency.
  • 10. Research the company/agency before the day of the interview. At a minimum, go to their Web site, perhaps elsewhere to learn more about the company you may go to work for. You may want to note some questions to ask the interviewer about the company. Many interviewers will ask you at the end of the interview if you have questions for them. Asking one or two relevant questions will show that you are prepared and that you are interested in the company.
  • 11. Bring along your favorite ad with you and be able to explain why you like it.
  • 12. Be prepared to talk about one or two valuable experiences in your life. Brevity is important, of course.
  • 13. Send a handwritten "thank you" note after the interview. Send an email although some believe emails are too impersonal.
  • 14. Show curiosity in advertising.
  • 15. Avoid "like" and "you guys" and "no problem."
  • 16. Dress in business attire. Better to overdress than under dress for interviews and company visits. Wear a suit. Dressing up is essential to show respect.
  • 17. Remember that you are representing The Gator Nation. Present yourself appropriately.

Practice an elevator speech. Consider mentioning three things that you want them to take away from your brief speech.

Note: Yes, we know we listed more than ten. Don't believe everything you read. Ever heard that before? Well, there you are. People in advertising exaggerate.