After receiving word that I had landed an interview at a company that attended the Texas A&M Sales career fair, my nerves were at an all-time high. As a senior Community Health major that has only ever held a part-time job, I did not know what to expect. In addition to this, my major was not supposed to lead me on a path to sales, which I was sure they were aware of. Putting myself out there was hard. After receiving plenty of help in preparation for this interview, I created a cover letter and practiced answering possible interview questions
Not only was making a good first impression important to me, but this was a phone interview, meaning a positive first impression could be even more difficult. I was not sure how they were supposed to see my passion, my personality, and my strengths through a simple 30-minute phone conversation.
Although the interview did not go perfect, the experience in itself was full of lessons. First, it provided me valuable interviewing experience, especially considering it was a phone interview, which was completely foreign to me. Secondly, the experience allowed me to get to know myself a little better. After the interview, I began thinking more about what my strengths actually were and how I could use them in the work force. Finally, I got practice answering situational questions, which I never would have expected to have been asked. I can now prepare for these situational questions in interviews to come.
Overall, overcoming my nerves and taking the time to interview with this particular company was a very positive experience for me. I may not have gotten the job, but the journey did not end there. This is just the beginning and I now feel more prepared in all the endeavors to come.