Everyone talks about elevator pitches and the 7 seconds it takes to form an impression of a candidate. Often times, students don’t have the ability to practice impromptu speaking because of the lack of opportunities available in college. Here’s a thought: If you think of the number of new people you meet each week in college, you’ll find that you’re constantly introducing yourself to people who will, just like an employer, make some judgment about you. Use these opportunities to practice speaking to people who all have different personality types. In my opinion, this is key for interviews, especially if you’re interviewing with many different people.

1) Pay attention to the body language of the person you’re speaking to

Is the person really expressive? Is she using her hands often?

2) Watch for changes in facial expressions

Is the person interested at all in what you’re saying? (Hint: If she’s not, change the topic ASAP!)

3) Keep track of key areas the person refers back to often so that you can respond appropriately

If this person has a strong interest in skateboarding, for example, coming up with personal experiences and/or interest areas related to skateboarding will probably make the person happy.

Being really observant of how other people are responding to you and changing your behavior accordingly can really make a difference.

Practice, practice, practice!

An interview can take 10 minutes, an hour, or somewhere in between. Because you’re not establishing a long-term relationship with your interviewer (not yet, at least), mirroring your interviewer’s personality and also showcasing your strengths might mean the difference between an offer and a rejection.