How to Ace an Interview: 5 Tips from a Harvard Career Advisor

Learn how to prepare for your next interview with these 5 tips from career services advisor Linda Spencer.

Spencer discusses the following strategies in-depth so you can feel more confident throughout the interview process:

1. Do your research.
2. Practice your responses.
3. Make a good first impression.
4. Prepare for different types of interviews.
5. Determine next steps and follow through on them.

Linda Spencer is the assistant director of the Office of Career Services at Harvard.

[iDontEvenLiftBro]

I'm watching this for an interview at Subway haha. Wish me luck

[LeonHoward]

i did not pass my interview, thats why i came here. to learn, move forward and succeed

[Jurgonkitfok]

I passed my phone interview. I'm now watching this for my in person interview at Tesla.

Wish me luck! and I wish you all success in your future endeavors!

[mightyowl]

It was posted 7 years ago but look at the quality! She even covered skype interviews, which is super relevant even today. One of the best and succinct talks out there...

[markstingraypasta]

I watched this about 40 minutes before an online interview, wrote down some notes from the vid and got the job😌 overall 10/10

[sarahsy]

by using the guide I ended up with 2 job offers, one which I have accepted and I am still currently holding ... I must say I am very impressed.

[TheAngieIshmael]

Guys pray for me, being interviewed for veterinary assistant today!

[Vic]

Great advice. I would have also mentioned to ask relevant questions related to the job description/expectations to the interviewer at the end of the interview. A few good questions to ask:

1) What are some expectations I can accomplish in the first 3 months?
2) How is success measured, and how can I exceed expectations?
3) What are some challenges a person in this role may have to overcome?

I usually ask these 3 questions at the end. Best of luck everyone!

[noblewolf]

Watching this for my first job. Wish my luck at Duncan Donuts!!

[mackciszek]

I applied for a position as a lifeguard at a public pool. The interview is tomorrow and this helped a lot!

[MaheenA]

Watching this for a job as a lab assistant. Wish me luck

[Indeed]

Great explanation of the three different types of interviews!

[strongyang]

I'm doomed as a socially awkward person

[emmaashworth]

Watching this for my interview today!! Ahh I'm kinda nervous because it's my first one ever for my first job

[scarethebean]

I’m interviewing at Disney, I’ve wanted to work there for so long. I genuinely can’t wait. I’m beyond nervous, wish me luck.

[kaiyah]

This helped so much, I know I'm going to ace the interview at the job of my dreams. I'd love to work at Walgreens since I know my cousin went from the bottom of the barrel to assistant manager in less than two years. If he can do it, I can do it to. Walgreens is a good place to have a career. It will give me an opportunity to work on my customer service skills and management skills since I am a business management major in school.

[Rada.Laykova]

Watching this for a skype interview with General Motors Financial tomorrow, wish me luck !

[PsE]

I was so to little clouded and closed on my career and after watch this i feel like i got some clarity on the front and im really thankful for that!!

[michaeltaylor]

This is a very powerful and truthful way to have an interview go in your favor. I could not have stated it any better or professionally. However, one of the major aspects of the Career Advisor's tips, is trying to make yourself comfortable with the interview, which would contain being yourself, and this helps by collecting the research data she advised (most companies do not mind if you have little notes with you for reference / i.e., 3x5 cards or a neatly typed sheets, in a little business folder, etc.). In other words, you will be ready to answer questions knowledgeably or a bit more informed, resulting in more of a smooth transitioning through the interview, and be in a better state of comfort on your part, that would minimize the stress level or nervous feeling/appearance (simply because you psychologically have a feeling of being better prepared, which makes a huge difference). Good Luck, You Got This!!

[thevinceberry]

I always get choke up from nerves in the interview and forget everything I had research.