Heather Mordue is the Senior Manager of Marketing Analytics Operations for JCPenney. She manages a team of people that are responsible for all promotional offerings and customer selections along with the evaluation of company customer events.

According to Heather, these are three tips to help you ace any interview:

1) Come Prepared: There are a few elements that go into preparing for an interview. First and foremost, know your interview format—will you be asked to complete a case study or perform calculations, and how many rounds of interviews will you have? Try to find out who will be interviewing you, so you can learn about their background and professional experience. You should also research the company and position you are applying for. Once your research is done, perform mock interviews. However, avoid having a family member or friend interview you because people you know will not be conducting your actual interview. A school counselor, career advisor, or professor are great options. After you become confident answering interview questions, be sure to come up with questions to ask your interviewer. Lastly, know where the interview location is and plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early.

2) Dress for Success: Always dress better than the uniform at the place where you are interviewing. I suggest getting your outfit together the night before your interview, so it is one less thing you have to worry about the day of your interview. While your clothes can help you make a great first impression, do not forget to bring your confidence!  

3) Be Present: When you meet the interviewer, shake hands. Fully listen to all questions, answer with complete thoughts, and look the interviewer in the eye when talking. Be sure to thank them when you are done. Additionally, send a hand written thank you note to the interviewer after your interview—include something specific from your interview, so you stand out among the other candidates. 

Heather Mordue is the Senior Manager of Marketing Analytics Operations for JCPenney. She manages a team of people that are responsible for all promotional offerings and customer selections along with the evaluation of company customer events. If you get a JCPenney coupon in the mail, it is from Heather’s team! She has spent 16 years in the retail industry hiring and promoting several people to higher positions. Heather’s passion for mentoring and growing people has fueled her in every job she has had. When Heather is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and pups, running, and performing aerial arts.