Interview Tips from Lauren Berger aka The Intern Queen

by Ashley Lopez

Photo via Instagram (@internqueen)

The last semester of college is overwhelming. Aside from focusing on upcoming projects, exams and other assignments, seniors are hunting for job opportunities.

Lauren Berger is no stranger of the unknown. She managed 15 internships while in college and worked at Creative Artists Agency before venturing into the world of entrepreneurship, launching Intern Queen Inc. in 2009.

Intern Queen is a one stop destination for students looking for internships and career opportunities. Since job searching is in high gear as seniors are getting ready for graduation, Lauren Berger gave her tips on being prepared for an interview.

For starters, Lauren Berger stresses the importance of tailoring your resume to the job you are applying for. “I always advise students to print out the job descriptions,” says Berger. Highlight the keywords in the job description and make sure you incorporate them onto your resume. Sometimes there’s a machine scanning through the resumes, which are trying to find the key words for the job.

While applying for jobs, it’s important to be prepared for a phone interview because it can happen on a moment’s notice. Phone interviews are usually the first step before getting an in-person interview.

Be passionate during the phone interview because it can be difficult to hold an employer’s attention when you are not sitting directly in front of them. “Make sure you speak up and speak with confidence. You want to make sure you sound excited and passionate about the opportunity” says Berger.
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There are two common interview questions that students reach out to Lauren about. The first question in an interview is usually, “Tell me about yourself.” Many find it difficult to answer this simple question. Lauren recommends keeping your response short, sweet and to the point — then tie it back to the company.

The second common practice among interviewers is to ask about your weakness. Make a list of your basic weaknesses before the interview and select the most appropriate. Follow up on the response by telling them the three things you are doing to improve your weakness.

At the end of the interview, always ask questions. Asking questions shows that you are engaged and interested in the opportunity. “It’s really important to the employer for the potential employee to leave the interview with a solid understanding of the job,” says Berger.

Don’t forget to always send a thank you card. It’s crucial to show the interviewer your gratitude for their time. It is also an easy way to leave a great, lasting impression. An email works, but a handwritten note works better.
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For more interview and career tips, check out Lauren’s book All Work, No Pay. You can also visit her website (internqueen.com), follow her on Instagram (@internqueen) and find her on YouTube (www.youtube.com/Internqueen).