One of the questions I get as a word-nerd — aside from “hey-can-you-edit-my-resume” — is my top job interview tips for communicating on the fly.

Why are these 6 tips different? Because I want you to Google. I want you to research that company. Research interview questions online and practice them! But these tips I’m giving? These are interview tips I’ve not seen on any Pinterest page or Levo link. They’re an unabashed mix of Alabama pageant coaching tricks tied up with years of PR communication agency and consulting work.

Blame it on the pageant — I mean, Junior Miss scholarship program — days, about I’ve always adored job interviews in the creative field I landed in. I’ve packed these interview communication tips up in enough Gmail convos for lots of buddies, so why not lay it all out in a blog post?

Here are 6 communication tips for job interviews in the creative field.

1. Write down 3 points. Bring them up no matter what.

Ok, so this one does involve some writing first: jot down the top 3 things you’d like to waltz away from each interviewer satisfied he or she knows about you. We remember things in sets of threes — no matter where the conversation meanders, you’ll stay on-message for each interviewee. For example, mine would be

1. I’m a journalism-PR-girl turned copywriter for creatives
2. My word passion keeps going as I’m bananas about calligraphy
3. Seeing women walk into their call and work from a place of rest — not hustle — is my favorite part of my storytelling job.

Now, no matter the questions, I’ll wrangle these close-to-heart fun-facts into each interview. Like salt, I’ll sprinkle each grain in, whether it’s a segway into an answer to “what’s your biggest opportunity for growth,” or “where do you see yourself in five years.”

2. Always be able to answer “do you have any questions for us?”

Always. You can have the same question for each interviewee, but at least have 1-2 prepped. And friend, make them heartfelt and honest! Maybe company culture strikes your fancy, or it’s how the company gives back.

3. Warm up your face muscles and mouth before.

In Junior Miss days, I’d find a corner and stretch my face all kinds of crazy before gabbing before the judges. Still works! Sit in your car and move your jaw and nose all around if it helps.

4. Have thank you note paper in your car, write a note when you get to your car, take it back into the secretary.*

* – repeat for each interviewee. Especially in today’s digital world of creative industries, letting your wheelhouse and personality glow offline is so important. I’ll take this step a bit further and recommend full-personal branding for creatives — from your resume and online portfolio, to your thank you notes: have a logo and show that you know branding matters.

5. Paint a picture with your words.

Imagery, people! Remember those 3 fun-facts? Come up with descriptive anecdotes to back ’em. Remember that at our core, we’re a story-telling species. Even our brain tells stories to us while we sleep! You may just use one, but have positive, descriptive stories of your experience on hand.

6. Overdress. Yes, even in the creative industry.

You only get one chance to make a first impression.

What do you think?

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