Episode 5: In-Person Interview Tips

Leaving The Nest

In the age of technology and video calls, I’m sure the burning question on every job applicant’s mind is “do in-person interviews matter anymore?”

In short, yes! Even though in-person interviews have been less prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m confident they will come back stronger than ever.

Truthfully, I believe most employers want to meet with job applicants in person. As a job seeker, it’s important to get out there and meet the people you will be interviewing with.

That’s not to say technology and video interviews don’t have their place. Video interviews can still help develop a valuable skill set and can give some great alternatives to the face-to-face interview, but there’s nothing quite like the original in-person interview.

Today, we will be wrapping up our discussion on interviewing. So far, we’ve touched on phone interviews, video interviews, and in this episode, we will be covering the good old fashioned in-person interview.

In this episode, we’ll be covering some of the tips and tricks every job applicant should know in order to make a great lasting impression for their next in-person interview.

This is Leaving the Nest and my name is Kathleen Pellegrino from ROCS Grad Staffing. Our mission is to help you find a job out of college and thrive in the real world.

Enjoy!

In This Episode:[00:40] - Kathleen introduces the topic of today’s episode: in-person interviews.

[02:08] - Before we start with in-person interviews, Kathleen answers a question about generic voicemails versus custom voicemails.

[03:31] - We’re reminded why getting an in-person interview is a win in and of itself.

[03:55] - How do we prepare for an in-person interview?

[06:07] - We learn why LinkedIn can be a valuable source of information when preparing for an interview.

[07:50] - Besides researching the company’s online presence, Kathleen shares what questions about travel and parking we need to know when preparing.

[09:35] - Kathleen reveals the best time when arriving for an in-person interview.

[10:55] - The ROCS One Minute Rule, according to Kathleen.

[13:40] - Kathleen reminds us that interviewers are still people and understand the troubles of travel in the DC Metro area.

[14:50] - Kathleen shares a story about an appointment she was worried about because of a nail in her car’s tire.

[15:51] - The most important thing we need to know about interviews is punctuality. Kathleen explains why.

[16:40] - What should we wear for an in-person interview?

[18:00] - What accessories should we bring to an interview, and what should we leave in the car?

[20:19] - We learn why bringing water into an interview can be hit or miss.

[22:17] - Once we arrive in the reception area for our interview, Kathleen gives recommendations for how we should introduce ourselves to the receptionist and what information we need to know before the interview begins.

[23:11] - Kathleen lists out each of the items job seekers should bring to an interview and touches on best practices for cell phones.

[25:39] - Kathleen gives a few reminders when interviewees are waiting for an interview to begin.

[27:15] - These are the best practices we should follow when the interviewer finally walks into the room.

[28:42] - The importance of the question “Tell me about yourself,” according to Kathleen.

[30:20] - What is the best way to take notes during an in-person interview?

[31:20] - Kathleen recaps all of the skills she expects from every job applicant.

[32:44] - Kathleen gives a few pointers for when the interview wraps up.

Resources: ROCS Grad Staffing

Connect with Kathleen: [e-mail]

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Call: 703-579-6677