Your Guide to Interview Confidence
March 05, 2026
You’re looking for your first internship, but there’s one thing: to get accepted, you first need to get past the screening process. If interviews aren’t your strong suit, this guide will help you prepare — and build your confidence along the way.
Shift Your Mindset
Clear your mind of negative thoughts before walking into the interview. Interviews are a normal part of every professional journey, and the person sitting across from you is human too. That’s already something you have in common.
Stay Grounded
As a journalist, I do a lot of talking, and sometimes I feel nervous in front of the camera. When that happens, I catch myself fidgeting or stumbling over my words.
During my internship at a local news station, the general manager gave me advice that stuck with me. He introduced me to grounding techniques — simple strategies that help calm your nerves and refocus your thoughts before high-pressure moments.
Grounding techniques bring your attention back to the present moment. Before an interview, try taking a few slow breaths and focusing on something simple — your breathing, your posture, or the feeling of your feet on the ground. Small actions like this can calm your nerves and help you walk into the interview feeling more focused and in control.
Answer With Confidence
Take a deep breath, slow things down, and approach the interview as a conversation rather than an interrogation. When you focus on connection instead of perfection, confidence follows.
Avoid walking in with a memorized script. Preparation is your foundation, but the goal is to sound confident and natural — not rehearsed. Let the conversation flow.
Do Your Homework
Before your interview, take time to research the company — what they do, what their mission is, and how the role fits into your goals. This helps you answer questions with confidence and decide if the company is right for you.
Come with Questions
Interviewing is a two-way conversation. Come with your own questions prepared — about the team, the role, or what success looks like in the position — to show genuine interest and learn if it’s the right fit for you.
The STAR Method
The LSU Career Center recommends using the STAR Method to help you stay structured without losing your personality:
- Situation: Provide background on what was happening and context the interviewer needs to understand the scenario.
- Task: Explain the tasks you were responsible for.
- Action: Describe the specific actions you took (you should spend the most time here).
- Result: Share the outcome and what you learned — whether the result was positive or challenging.
Dress to Impress
When you look good, you feel good. It’s that simple.
The Career Center offers free professional clothing through the Tailored Tiger Professional Clothing Closet. Book an appointment through Handshake to start building your professional wardrobe.
Take the Next Step
Don’t overcomplicate it. You’ve got this.
If you want to feel even more prepared, consider scheduling a mock interview through Quinncia. Practicing your responses in a low-pressure environment allows you to refine your answers and receive helpful feedback before the real thing.
Remember, every interview is a learning experience. The more you practice, the more confident and comfortable you’ll become.
For more information, check out the LSU Career Center's Resume and Interview Guide.
MORE INFORMATION ON INTERVIEW PREP
About the LSU Career Center
Our team is committed to ensuring every student has ample opportunities to gain experience, grow their network, and communicate their aptitude for a chosen career long before graduation. We believe LSU students are unparalleled in their potential to step into leadership, solve problems, and elevate the workforce for the benefit of all.