Workshop Wednesday: Surviving an interview

The Troy University Office of Career Services held its third “Workshop Wednesday” on Feb. 4, which focused on educating students on how to successfully survive an interview. 

The third installment of the workshops, titled “Interviewing Like a Pro,” included a presentation that taught students how to prepare and dress appropriately for an interview and how to respond eloquently to tough questions. Students then paired up and practiced answering interview questions with one another.  

“One thing that I like to tell students is to calm your nerves,” said Director of Career Services Arminda McKee. “It’s a two-way street. 

“You’re there to see if the company is a good fit for you, and they are also trying to see if you are a good fit for them. It’s a transactional situation.” 

Assistant Director of Career Services Alicia Womack started the presentation with a shocking statistic. Womack said many employers across the state have told Career Services that almost half of recent college graduates do not seem prepared for job interviews.  

According to the presentation, students should know their job experiences, qualifications, skills and goals. They should also know the job description of the position they’re interviewing for and should research the company’s goals and values.  

Womack then taught students the difference between business casual and business professional attire. Business casual is recommended for career fairs, and business professional should be worn to job interviews.  

“Students need to know how to dress the part,” Womack said. “Show up in your business professional, look nice, wear a suit, those kinds of things.  

“They know that you’re professional and that you’re taking it seriously when you do that.”  

Students were then encouraged to use resources like Big Interview on my.troy.edu and to go to Career Services for mock interviews.  

“I think I'll start prepping more with the Big Interview website that was given for students to access,” said Ashlynn Purser, a junior sports management major from Panama City Beach, Florida. “I think I'm also going to apply for a mock interview and use career services as a tool, and then just review more challenges in my life that I've experienced to further apply them in the interview process.” 

Students without business professional attire can go to the Career Closet in John Robert Lewis Hall for three free pieces of professional business clothing. Those interested can walk in Monday through Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m., or can make an appointment through Handshake.  

The next workshop will be a Resume Blitz in Trojan Center room 119 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

on Feb. 18. Those interested in attending a Workshop Wednesday” event can check their Troy email for future dates or stop by Career Services in Eldridge Hall, room 124.  

Additionally, those interested in more information can follow Career Services on Instagram @troyucareer for more updates and can also stop by the office any weekday for help with resumes, mock interviews and more.