Hey guys! My name is Kamika. You may have seen me appear on Swob's social media platforms over the past couple of months. I am currently interning at Swob as a Marketing and Business Development Coordinator. I am currently a 4th year Media Business student. One of my most nerve-racking yet rewarding accomplishment to date is getting over be fear of *dun dun dun* INTERVIEWING. Interviews can be anxiety-inducing and overwhelming, but with preparation and confidence, they can be amazing experiences as well.

My initial approach to interviewing is understanding that it's not all about what I know but also about who I am as a person. Go into the interview being authentic and genuine to who you are. Displaying aspects of your personality throughout the interview will give the interviewer a quick look into who they could potentially be working with in the future. Be personable and ask a lot of questions. As much as this interview is about seeing if you are right for the job, it's also about whether this company aligns with your values and wants. Knowing about the industry and the company you're interviewing for will also give you a leg up compared to other candidates. I ensure that I look into the industry insights and the company's social media and website. If you are awarded the luxury of knowing who will be interviewing you, I recommend looking into that person's work on a platform like LinkedIn. The research will not only show that you took the time to prepare, but it also will, in turn, make you more confident. Often, a lack of confidence comes from being unequipped for the task at hand, so be prepared.

Coming directly out of an academic institution can sometimes make you feel like your underqualified for particular work because of your lack of workplace experience. This is far from the truth. Employers recognize that everyone has to start somewhere. How you market, yourself makes the difference and has made the difference for me. If an employer asks me how I would solve a particular problem, I would bring up real-life experiences from working on a specific project and how I was able to navigate it to what programs I've used to complete particular tasks. Academic knowledge is still experience.

All in all, don't put too much pressure on yourself! Interviewing takes practice just like anything else. Some end the way we would like, and others don't. This is all a part of the process to make you a better interviewee and help you work on many valuable life skills.

By: Kamika Hillocks
Marketing and Business Development Coordinator at Swob Inc.