Interviewing Tips

By Bob Travers, Principal

Cheryl Lickfeld, our Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, recently wrote a blog (Do you REALLY want to work here?) that received a lot attention regarding the fundamentals of submitting a résumé and cover letter when applying for a job at Travers Collins.

I would like to follow-up Cheryl’s blog by providing some advice to recent college graduates who are preparing for the job interview process.

First, I’d like to mention that it never ceases to amaze me how well-qualified college graduates are often unprepared for a job interview.  If you are interviewing for a job with a marketing communications company whose business is telling their clients’ unique stories, you should be prepared to tell yours too.

We all understand that as new graduates, your résumé may be brief, but there are a few suggestions I would like to make.  For starters you’ll have a leg up if your résumé clearly conveys your major or course work relative to the job you are interviewing for.  Also, conveying your work experience or volunteer experience related to your course work certainly is a plus.  Grade point average, solid references, extra curricular activities and community service are all to your advantage.  And don’t put “references upon request” on your résumé.  Make it easy for the interviewer to call your references.  It’s more than likely they are interviewing several people for the position; requiring the interviewer call you to find out your references is extra work for them.  Whatever your unique experience is that sets you apart should also be on your résumé and communicated in the interview.

Over the years I have interviewed a lot of young people and I have seen pretty much all the mistakes they make.  So if you do what’s on the following list it’s a good bet you’ll have the advantage over the other people who are interviewing for the job you covet.

INTERVIEWING

• Be prepared
• Dress for success. Conservative dress. (Males) Ironed shirt. Wear a tie. Look neat. Clean polished shoes.
• Arrive 15 minutes before the interview.
• Make sure you understand what the company does and why you want to work there.  Spend time researching the company.
• Have several clean copies of your résumé, a pen and a pad to take notes.
• Look the person in the eye, smile and give them a firm handshake.
• Be genuinely glad to meet the interviewer.
• Speak up. Be confident, not cocky.
• Sit upright; look alert and interested throughout your interview. Try and get your interviewer to describe the position early in the interview so you can apply your background, skills and why you are right for the job. Stress your achievements.
• Don't answer with a simple yes or no. Explain whenever possible.
• Don't lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. Don't over answer questions.
• Ask questions about the position.
• Don't inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses etc. on the first interview.
• Let them know you tried to find out as much about their organization as possible via their website, library, etc. (make sure you do it so you are prepared).
• Be prepared to tell the interviewer why you want to work for their organization.
• If you’ve already been in the job market make sure you have rational, believable reasons why you left your former employer.  Don't be evasive, or make excuses. 
• Ask the interviewer for their business card and follow-up with a thank you note or email right away.
• Make sure the thank you letter you send has proper grammar and no spelling errors. Don’t count on spell check.
• At the end of the interview make sure you let the interviewer know you are confident you could do an excellent job in the position described to you and that you are looking forward to their decision.
• Bring writing samples or a portfolio if appropriate. 
• Remember to be prepared. (I can’t say that enough). Be a good listener.  Follow up with a letter.

Good luck.

Comments

[mark wisz]

Nice piece. Obvious to you and I that have been working for years but not obvious to the kids out there.... I am shocked at the number of typos I see on resumes as well as getting resumes sent to the wrong company (with the wrong company and contact name on top).