Navigating the job market is a challenging journey, from researching open opportunities and building your resume to the interview process. The transition of finding a job is a very exciting time but may have a lot of unknowns, especially when it comes to interviewing. Luckily, our recruiting expert, Lisa Kearney , is here to help!

Lisa has been with Parsons Corporation for over 16 years and has 25+ years of experience as a Talent Acquisition professional. She has worked with incredible colleagues, solving hard and meaningful challenges for diverse markets/projects around the globe. Her strategies are focused on targeted, proactive techniques that build long-term relationships with talent pools and deliver results.

She has interviewed over 8,500 candidates for our team! With that much experience, she knows exactly what interviewers are looking for out of candidates and has compiled a list of interview tips to better prepare you for this next step. Take a look!

In-Person Interview Tips

1. Research the company and positions you are interviewing for before the interview. Even talk to some of the company’s current employees.
2. Show what you have to offer. Pick your top three skills or experiences and decide how you will communicate them.
3. Showcase your problem-solving abilities, teamwork skills, adaptability, time management, communication, motivation, and values by highlighting academic projects, internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, and leadership roles in student organizations.
4. Think about YOUR questions in advance, and prepare intelligent questions to show your level of interest in the job. For example: What type of opportunities do you have for professional development and growth? Or What would you want to see me accomplish in the first 6 months?
5. Practice answering common interview subjects and telling stories to feel more confident, perhaps a mock interview with a career counselor.
6. Plan what to wear – ask the recruiter for the dress code. Is it business casual or formal?
7. Follow up after the interview - Send a thank you email to the hiring manager within a day - Reiterate your interest.
8. Bring several copies of your resume.
9. Get comfortable with video interviews, after the pandemic, these have become more and more common.
10. Don’t be late!

Video Interview Tips

Preparing for your video interview is just as important as preparing for that in-person interview. Whether it is your first video interview or your 50th, you still want to be prepared because no two interviews will be the same.

Check out some additional tips below!

1. Test your technology. Download and make sure you have an account for the platform they are using – set it up and get familiar with it, do a few test calls so you know the settings – don’t wait until the interview day. (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, and Webex are common platforms used for video interviews)
2. Test equipment 15 to 30 minutes before the interview, and check the video and sound to ensure everything is in working order. Charge your computer.
3. Plan what to wear – ask your recruiter for the dress code. Is it business casual or formal? First impressions are important.
4. Find a quiet spot. Mute yourself when needed – for example, if a dog barks – familiarize yourself with how to toggle mute off and on.
5. Analyze yourself –practice by recording in selfie mode, answering common questions, and noting your eye contact with the camera.
6. Introduce yourself, smile, be friendly and courteous, and respond to all questions professionally.
7. Don’t speak too fast; take breaths; there may be latency when communicating via video chat.
8. We want to see confidence, authenticity, and overall interest from candidates – body language is key – nod, smile, use facial expressions, sit up straight, stay focused, and be visibly engaged.
9. Do research. Look at the company website and get an understanding of their culture and values - the good thing about virtual is that you can subtly look at notes.
10. Be on time!

We can give you tips for your interview, but only you can prepare and be yourself. If you're reading this, you're already on the right path as it all starts with researching.

Get excited for this new chapter in your life; you got this!

Take these tips to your next interview at Parsons! Check out our open opportunities here and Imagine Next with us. #ParsonsCareers