Co-op Interviews: 3 Tips for Making a Strong Impression
It’s that time of year when students are applying for January co-op terms. After reviewing over a hundred co-op candidates over the past few years, I wanted to share a few tips and observations to help you ace your interview. Here are my three simple strategies that can make all the difference in your interview!
1. Know the Company & Its Mission
Understanding the company's purpose is one of the best ways to demonstrate your enthusiasm. I once interviewed a student who not only knew our mission but was also aware of one of our key customers! This level of insight shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
2. Understand the Role You’re Applying For
When we asked one applicant why they applied to the co-op role that we advertised, they told us, “It was really easy to apply through the university portal. It only needed a couple of clicks, and it went through.” While convenience is great, take a moment to express why this specific role excites you and how it aligns with your goals.
领英推荐
When applying to a position that involves hands-on work, highlight all the practical, hands-on tasks you've tackled—even if they weren’t from formal jobs. If you’ve spent time tinkering with appliances at home, fixing your car, or even troubleshooting household electronics, these experiences can be surprisingly relevant and add depth to your profile.
3. Be Ready to Talk About Your Experiences & Favorite Courses
We understand that students may not have extensive work experience yet, and that’s perfectly fine. Be prepared to describe your course projects, exhibiting your teamwork capabilities and your problem-solving skills. Talk about courses that influenced your thinking and the phenomena that you have learned. Elaborate on any other relevant work or extracurricular activities where you have made an impact. This shows employers what excites you and how you’re building the skills to succeed in the role.
With these three tips in mind, you’ll be ready to make a memorable impression and show employers that you’re serious about the opportunity. Best of luck!
Professor of Computer Science
3 个月This is an incredibly informative post! The tips you've shared are practical and highly relevant for students who are about to graduate and are preparing for interviews. Understanding the company and the role, as well as being able to articulate one's experiences, are crucial skills that can make a significant difference. Thank you for sharing this; it will help many students set themselves up for success!
Fuel Cell Stack Engineer | Flexible Graphite Bipolar Plates | Research & Development
3 个月Dan Tri Nguyen this may be useful information for you