As a Career Peer Educator at Lawrence, I wanted to understand what actually goes on in an employer’s mind during interviews, especially for students who are just starting out. So, I spoke with Catiel Galindo, a Lawrence alum currently working in Human Resources at Medline Industries. Talking to her gave me a much clearer (and honestly reassuring) perspective on what matters most when applying for jobs and internships.
One of the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Catiel was that employers are not expecting you to know everything.
What they actually look for:
- A willingness to learn
- Curiosity
- Openness to feedback
- Taking initiative
Mindset Matters
She emphasized that especially for students mindset matters more than experience. In her words, it’s about showing that you’re someone who is ready to grow, not someone who already has all the answers. I asked her something I think a lot of students wonder: Can employers tell when we’re just applying everywhere vs. actually interested? Her answer: Yes, almost always.
She said genuine interest shows through:
- Doing basic research about the company
- Understanding the role
- Asking thoughtful questions
- Connecting the job to your own goals
On the other hand, generic answers make it obvious when someone didn’t prepare. A simple tip she shared: when answering “Why this role?”, focus on how your skills connect to the position, not just what you want from it.
LinkedIn Profile Matters:
Another thing she stressed was keeping your LinkedIn updated. She described LinkedIn as a “digital resume” and often, it’s one of the first things employers check.
Make sure your profile includes:
- Your major and education
- Any internships, jobs, or campus involvement
- Relevant skills
Even if you don’t have a ton of experience yet, showing what you have done clearly makes a big difference. I also asked what stands out on student resumes, and her answer was interesting, it’s not about having the most experience.
Instead, she looks for:
- Clear and simple formatting
- Relevant experiences (even part-time jobs, clubs, volunteer work)
- Bullet points that explain what you actually did or learned
Basically, it’s about how you present your experience, not just what you’ve done.
Her advice honestly made interviews feel a lot less intimidating:
- Prepare, but don’t try to be perfect
- Be yourself
- Be honest about what you’re still learning
- Show curiosity and willingness to grow
She reminded me that employers already know this might be your first interview, they’re more focused on your attitude and communication than perfection.
Where to start from?
Here are a few easy things you can do:
- Update your LinkedIn
- Practice answering “Why this role?”
- Look up the company before applying
- Visit the Career Center help
So next time you walk into an interview, remember that you’re not there to be perfect, you’re there to be interesting. Be curious, be real, and let them see who you actually are.