TTT #22: "Acing The Interview" with Charlotte Fitzpatrick
From being caught off-guard and not knowing how to respond to messing up an answer and losing an opportunity: these are just a part of the concerns that could cross your minds before an interview. The ability to display your skillsets, passions, and just who are you are all a test. And considering the amount of importance attached to an interview, one is bound to have some fears.
Charlotte Fitzpatrick got her first job at the age of fourteen at the local hairdresser’s. The interaction she had with diverse customers helped her come out of her bubble and build confidence. At nineteen, she worked at River Island during Christmas. She was expected to adjust to the high-paced work environment while meeting the set targets. Her ability to deal with pressure was further developed when she worked in Shark Hotel at Thorpe Park. And each of these initial experiences helped her have diverse additions to her skillsets and shaped her into who she today is. She got involved with Apprenticeships and is currently a Digital & Technological Solutions Degree Apprentice at BT.
Through the learnings she acquired from various fields, she talks about simple ways that could help us feel more prepared for any future interviews.
1. Research
Be it a company you want to intern with or a course you are applying to for university, you should know what it comprises of in concrete terms. This helps accentuate your interest in being a part of the institution you are applying for.
2. Embody the values the institution stands for
Having responses that align with the spirit of the institution is always a plus-point. While it does go into who you are as an individual, it simultaneously gives a hint of why you are a perfect fit for the opportunity.
3. Be prepared for the expected questions
Most interviewers will ask you reasons for wanting to be a part of the opportunity, for choosing you over other applicants, and more specific questions about your own field. Give some time to introspect, and prepare for some common questions.
4. Remain true to who you are
While following the various pieces of advice that you would come across, please remember that the interviewers want to know you, not the robotic version the process might force you to present.
You just got to be confident in yourself, and you’ve just got to think, well, I’ve got to this place for a reason.
Charlotte also talks about the underrepresentation of women in STEM. She looks up to the powerful women who have made their marks in this male-dominant field. But she believes that these examples should not be used to detract us from the fact that STEM is still unequal. Unless we accept this division, we would not be able to work towards making it inclusive.
