The Day of Your Interview

Tips & tricks, reassurance, and technique.

Get your ducks in order!

Preparation can make you less anxious and stressed and more comfortable and confident. Have the ease of checking off the boxes by reviewing tips that will set you up for success!

Keep Reading to Learn:

Professional etiquette on early arrival, dress, and more
Materials you should have in-hand arriving at the interview
Breathing techniques

Interview Checklist

Review One Last Time

Take a moment to review the job description and your notes on the company before your interview.

Refreshing your memory will reduce stress.

Pump the Breaks

Wait to put your interview outfit on as long as possible.

Sometimes you may need to wear it to class, etc. but try to avoid that - there's less of a chance of a spill, or worse: a dropped sharpie.

Organize Your Materials

Make sure you have a padfolio or folder with copies of your resume (printed on resume paper) and a pad of paper and pen/pencil.

Don't be afraid to take notes about what you learn during the interview

Show Your Preparation

Bring along the list of questions you have prepared for the interviewer(s)

Map Out the Commute

Check your planned route to the interview (whether you're driving, walking, taking a rideshare, or the bus) and evaluate how long it's going to take.

Plan an extra 15-20 minutes. You never know what might end up delaying you!

Take a Deep Breath!

It's hard to imagine doing, but taking some time to decompress right before an interview can help you perform better in the interview itself. This is why we stress arriving early to your interview so that you don't feel rushed or out of breath.

Speaking of breaths, take a few. While you are waiting, try the 4-7-8 breathing technique to bring yourself a little bit of calm.

Exhale. Then, breathe in through your nose for a count of 4.

Hold that breath for a count of 7.

Exhale through your mouth for a count of 8.

Repeat as needed.

You can do this exercise anywhere, anytime, with your eyes open or closed. Some people like to do breathing exercises or short meditations in their cars before interviews!

Next Steps

Plan and organize

Curious about more topics? Reach out to the Career Development Center to talk to a Career Educator.