I still remember my first interview; it was for a part-time job at Olympia Sports when I was 16, and I was absolutely terrified. I have always been somewhat of a strong writer because writing gives me time to think about my responses. If you were to ask me typical interview questions on paper, I would have no problem. However, on-the-spot-questions have never been my thing, and I always felt that those who were interviewing me were looking for a way to get me to fail. What is my most dreaded interview question, you ask? “Tell me about yourself.”

This question, while so simple, causes a fire to emerge inside of my brain (picture the episode of SpongeBob where his thoughts catch on fire and he is aimlessly sprinting around trying to put the flames out). What do they want to know about me? Do they want to know what is already on my resume? What is something interesting I have even done lately? What are my career aspirations? What are my hobbies? What is my name? Okay, maybe that one is taking it a little far, but you get the point — I freeze up. Big time.

This week at Indium Corporation, I overcame this fear. I had the opportunity to sit in on a phone screening with Talent Acquisition Supervisor Jim McCoy and, for the first time, I felt what it was like to be on the opposite side of an interview. This gave me a new perspective, and I realized that interviews aren’t so scary after all. Companies want to hire new employees, not scare them away. Additionally, all of the interns completed a DiSC Assessment training this week. During the training, we were introduced to our work styles and preferences. I now have a new list of things to discuss in a future interview! When an interviewer asks me about myself, I am now confident in sharing that I pride myself in the quality of my work, I have high expectations for myself, and I work best with others who will enforce those expectations. I am data-driven and do not give up until results are shown.

If you find yourself on the job-hunt any time soon, do not panic when an unknown number pops up on your screen. Potential employers are interested in what you have to say. They want to add to their team, and they want to help guide you toward success. Don’t understand a question? Ask for clarification. You can’t know everything about a company that you haven’t worked for! Lastly, if you want to discover your personal work style, I recommend completing a DiSC Assessment. Upon completion, you will have plenty of new elements to take into your next interview.

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” - Dale Carnegie

Go get that dream job — confidently!  

Here’s to the next 6 weeks,

Caitlin Miller