What No One Teaches College Students About Interviewing

by | Oct 19, 2026

job interviews

The Iced Coffee Debate Isn’t About Coffee

By Beth Hendler-Grunt, President and Founder, Next Great Step
As quoted in Forbes

When Forbes asked me about the viral iced coffee debate, I said, “No, don’t bring it.” After 11 years of coaching students into internships and first jobs, I can tell you the coffee is not the issue. Most students were never taught how to interview. Parents, that doesn’t reflect on your child. It is a gap nobody filled.

In this article:

The Coffee Is a Symptom

As I told Forbes, the coffee is a symptom of a bigger issue. Many Gen Z candidates lost years of practice during the pandemic. Some have never had an in-person interview or stepped into a corporate office.

Most students I meet are bright and hardworking. For 16 years, school gave them a syllabus, a rubric, and fast grades. Nobody taught them the unspoken rules of the workplace. Landing an interview is hard enough right now, so don’t give anyone a reason to judge you before you speak.

Interview Do’s

Here is what I tell every student I coach about preparing for an interview.

Before

  1. Research the company and write down 3 things that excite you. Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn and read recent news.
  2. Highlight the key skills in the job description. Prepare and practice a short story for each one.
  3. Plan your outfit head to toe. Even at a casual workplace, dress professionally.
  4. Map your route and leave extra time for traffic.
  5. Interviewing on video? Test your tech the day before, look at the camera, and use a clean background.

During

  1. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early.
  2. Bring a padfolio with your resume, a notepad, and a pen.
  3. Shake hands, make eye contact, and smile.
  4. Take notes.
  5. Ask about the role, how they define success, and which skills matter most.

After

  1. Send a thank you within 24 hours, by email and handwritten.
  2. Connect with every interviewer on LinkedIn.
  3. If you miss their timeline, follow up weekly with something useful.

A Student Who Kept Coming in Second

I coached a student who made it to the second or third round again and again for entry-level analyst roles, but never got the offer. His résumé was strong, and he interviewed well. The problem was that every answer was about him.

When we sat down, we changed one thing. Before each interview, he put himself in the employer’s shoes and asked what they were trying to accomplish. Then he tied each of his skills to a problem he could solve for them. He stopped saying “this job would be great for me” and started showing he was focused on helping them win.

He landed an entry-level analyst offer within three weeks.

Parents, if your student keeps getting to the final rounds, this is often the gap. It is fixable, and it is rarely about talent.

Interview Don’ts

  1. Don’t bring a drink. Finish your coffee on the way in.
  2. Don’t touch your phone. Silence it and keep it out of sight.
  3. Don’t ask “What does the company do?” It tells them you skipped the homework.
  4. Don’t make it about what you want. Employers want to know how you will help them reach their goals, not what the job will do for you.
  5. Don’t speak badly about a past boss, professor, or team.
  6. Don’t give vague answers. Use a specific story every time.
  7. Don’t skip the follow-up. Silence after an interview costs candidates offers.

What Employers Tell Me

I talk with campus recruiters constantly. Beyond polish, here is what they want to see:

  • Motivation over GPA. They hire the student who wants the job and shows it.
  • Soft skills. Communication, collaboration, and critical thinking outweigh technical skills.
  • Initiative. They want people who figure things out without being managed.
  • AI use. They expect you to have tried it and to explain how.

Recruiters start earlier every year, and most families find out too late. If your student has an interview coming up, don’t wait. Want to learn more about how we help students and grads prep for interviews? Let’s talk via a Complimentary Consultation or call 973-577-6161.

Interview Q&A

Should you bring a drink to a job interview?
No. Finish your coffee on the way in.

Should you accept water or coffee if it’s offered?
Water is fine. But throw away your cup before you leave.

What should you bring?
A padfolio with extra resumes, a notepad, and a pen. Keep your phone silenced and out of sight.

Why do students reach final rounds but not get the offer?
Their answers focus on what they want, not what the employer needs. Tie each skill to a problem you can solve for them.

How soon should you send a thank-you?
Within 24 hours, by email.

How do you follow up?
After their timeline passes, follow up weekly with something useful, like an article or podcast you think can help them. If you have tried several times, close with “Please pardon my persistence.”

What do employers want in entry-level candidates?
Motivation, communication, critical thinking, and initiative.

Do employers expect new grads to use AI?
Yes. Be ready to explain how you have used it.

When should students start preparing?
Early. Recruiting starts sooner than most families realize.