Congratulations on becoming a Challenge Detroit finalist! You are probably flooded with feelings of enthusiasm, excitement, curiosity, and nervousness\u2026 and that\u2019s okay because you\u2019re certainly not alone. The Interview Trip will be a great opportunity to network, explore, learn, and have fun in Detroit!<\/p>\n
Along with the other finalists, you will interview with leading companies from the greater Detroit area, hear from some of the city\u2019s young leaders, and meet an outstanding group of talented individuals driven on making an impact in Detroit. To help you prepare for this next adventure in the application process, we\u2019ve compiled a list of top tips to get the most out of your Challenge Detroit Interview Trip experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1) Be Open-Minded<\/b><\/p>\n It\u2019s a rare opportunity to interview with multiple companies in a single day. Make the most of it! You may have requested an interview with some of the companies you will meet with. In other cases, the companies requested you. And, in some cases, we made an interview match between candidates and companies because we \u00a0believe you could be a great fit for each other. Regardless, every company you interview with is \u00a0interested in the possibility of hiring you. Take each interview as a chance to learn about the host company and what you can offer them.<\/p>\n 2) Practice Telling Your Story<\/b><\/p>\n Each interview will be about 30-minutes long\u2026 that is not a lot of time to leave a lasting impression. The candidates that are able to best articulate their message will resonate most with our host companies. Your pitch<\/i> needs to be authentic yet relevant to the company you are interviewing with, so do your homework and prepare questions, too.<\/p>\n 3) Etiquette Matters<\/b><\/p>\n Your attitude and behavior towards others is as important as your resume, experience and technical abilities. Body language speaks volumes, so be sure to be business professional at all times. Everything from your phone use, social media presence, and conversational tone are important attributes to your professional appearance. Remember to smile!<\/p>\n 4) Make New Friends<\/b><\/p>\n Where else will you get to meet so many amazing individuals during a two-day trip Detroit? Make the most of this unique experience and meet as many other finalists as you can. This professional network will be invaluable down the road as you develop your career and personal life.<\/p>\n 5) Read up on Design Thinking<\/b><\/p>\n The world’s leading organizations use design thinking to develop innovative solutions when solving complex problems. Challenge Detroit uses this same human-centered design approach when working on impact challenges with our non-profit partners. On Friday (May 9) you will get to experience the design thinking process in a mini-challenge simulation led by current Fellows.<\/p>\n