I'll ask the questions here...actually, i'm just gonna tell you, questions take too long

So you’ve picked your college, you’ve taken your classes, you’ve researched and studied your way to a shot at an internship or a job. So…now what?

First, let’s talk about dress. Obviously, wear a suite. Ladies, I don’t’ exactly know what the equivalent for a suite is for a woman but…whatever it is, wear that. Look profession, no showing off any more than you would show your father. The interviewer needs to respect you and think you’re a capable young person. You must dress such that you exude confidence and capacity. I don’t know about you guys, but I instantly feel like the man when I put on a suite. It’s totally physiological but hell, it works. Ladies, like I said, not very good with woman’s fashion but…yea…wear the same thing…

Second, let’s talk about the company. You should research your company as best you can and the position you’re trying for best you can. If it’s an undisclosed position, research that department. If you don’t know the department…well, just know the company inside out and backwards. Look up the most recent news (obviously financial ones first but other news worthy events too) and be able to give your opinion on each subject (make sure it’s not a stupid opinion; everyone is entitled to their opinion…but you can have a wrong opinion).

Thirdly, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. Typically, colleges have mock interview practice sessions and USE THEM. If you excel at presentations and don’t easily get nervous, then you’re at an advantage over other people. I’m fortunate I don’t get nervous for public speaking. I’m also insane so…there’s a trade-off…but... you need to get to the point where you are perfectly comfortable in an interview setting and the best way of doing that is to practice interviewing until you’re comfortable.

Fourthly, in the interview, a few tips. Don’t be swayed by odd questions like “how many taxis are there in New York City” or “how many phone booths are there in Manhattan”. They might ask weird questions but the point of the question isn’t for you to answer the question correctly but to show them your thought process. Example: for how many phone booths in Manhattan, you could say “well, there are like 12 or so avenues and 80 or so streets across so…that means there should be like 960 intersections. I can assume there would be like 2 at each corner so that’s 8 per intersection…that makes about 7,680 phone booths.” Now the actual number could be (+) or (-) a billion off…but if you use sound logic in finding the answer, they’ll like you. Also, be calm and confident, that’s just always good advice. Don’t make any insensitive jokes or insult the person inadvertently. Be as polite as possible. Depending on the person (go by your feel on this one), possibly use “sir” or “m’am” to show your respect. And remember, no matter how dumb the interviewer is, make them feel like you respect them as much as your mother and father.

Lastly, remember that this is an interview for them as well so come with a few questions yourself. Have at least one, even if you think it’s not a very elaborate one. The fact that you have a question is more important than anything else really, shows that you researched and prepared (ironically because they know that their website can’t tell them everything, you have a question about the company or the job makes you sound like your more serious in considering it).

So, how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice.