Career Services Offers Tips on Interviewing
Renee Tomasek
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: News
A small group of students made their way into the Willard Conference Room for the third seminar in the Backpack to Briefcase series on interviewing.
Although a number of aspects covered throughout the seminar seemed obvious to many students, Steve Cantine, director of career services, pointed out the most common mistakes students make while sitting through that once in a lifetime interview.
Cantine opened by explaining the different types of interviews, quickly shifting to an interview-gone-bad story.
Cantine recalled a male student landing an interview with a large, well-known company in which his hotel and other accommodations would be paid for by his potential employer.
The student attended the interview and it went great according to the employers. However, later that night the student decided to buy liquor from the hotel bar on his employer's tab.
Obviously this situation was a bit extreme, but Cantine stressed throughout the seminar to use common sense, as common sense mistakes are the most frequent.
First and foremost students should "know your industry and know the expectations" of that industry Cantine said.
A number of students approach an interview unaware of the industry they are venturing into and are unable to answer questions pertaining to the industry.
However, students must not expect to "hit a home run," because they become more prone to making mistakes, Cantine said.
Students must conduct their interview as if selling themselves to the employee, explaining qualifications they possess that make them the best candidate for the position desired.
Students should present themselves as a "one-person marketing team," Cantine said.
Cantine stressed that knowing one's resume is crucial and that being able to articulate one's accomplishments is essential for a successful interview.
During the seminar, Cantine also talked about preparation for the different types of interviews such as an interview conducted at an eatery. Employers conduct such interviews to evaluate how their potential employee behaves in different environments.
Cantine closed the seminar asking students to remember the following aspects: ask for the job during the interview, be familiar with acronym S.A.O.L - situation, action, outcome and learning - and send a thank you card within 48 hours of the interview.
"The most important thing I learned was to 'ask for the job' at the interview," said Rachael Missel, sophomore occupational therapy major, recalling the acronym she had just learned about in the seminar.
"I am terrible at interviewing and the seminar made me feel more confident because I can recognize specific things to work on," Missel said. "I also liked the idea of writing down situations in my life where I learned something significant so I have them ready to pull out for interviewing questions."
Although a number of aspects covered throughout the seminar seemed obvious to many students, Steve Cantine, director of career services, pointed out the most common mistakes students make while sitting through that once in a lifetime interview.
Cantine opened by explaining the different types of interviews, quickly shifting to an interview-gone-bad story.
Cantine recalled a male student landing an interview with a large, well-known company in which his hotel and other accommodations would be paid for by his potential employer.
The student attended the interview and it went great according to the employers. However, later that night the student decided to buy liquor from the hotel bar on his employer's tab.
Obviously this situation was a bit extreme, but Cantine stressed throughout the seminar to use common sense, as common sense mistakes are the most frequent.
First and foremost students should "know your industry and know the expectations" of that industry Cantine said.
A number of students approach an interview unaware of the industry they are venturing into and are unable to answer questions pertaining to the industry.
However, students must not expect to "hit a home run," because they become more prone to making mistakes, Cantine said.
Students must conduct their interview as if selling themselves to the employee, explaining qualifications they possess that make them the best candidate for the position desired.
Students should present themselves as a "one-person marketing team," Cantine said.
Cantine stressed that knowing one's resume is crucial and that being able to articulate one's accomplishments is essential for a successful interview.
During the seminar, Cantine also talked about preparation for the different types of interviews such as an interview conducted at an eatery. Employers conduct such interviews to evaluate how their potential employee behaves in different environments.
Cantine closed the seminar asking students to remember the following aspects: ask for the job during the interview, be familiar with acronym S.A.O.L - situation, action, outcome and learning - and send a thank you card within 48 hours of the interview.
"The most important thing I learned was to 'ask for the job' at the interview," said Rachael Missel, sophomore occupational therapy major, recalling the acronym she had just learned about in the seminar.
"I am terrible at interviewing and the seminar made me feel more confident because I can recognize specific things to work on," Missel said. "I also liked the idea of writing down situations in my life where I learned something significant so I have them ready to pull out for interviewing questions."
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