Students
need to master the interview
By Oscar Montealegre
On-line Forty-Niner
“Tell
me about yourself.”
“What job related skills have you developed?”
“Do you prefer to work under supervision
or on your own?”
These are the types of questions employers
are eagerly waiting to ask students once
they are ready to explore and enter the
job market.
However, tackling these notorious questions
takes a skill that really is not taught
in classes, a skill known as interviewing.
The interview is a meeting between two parties
who are getting information from each other.
However, the employer usually has the advantage
because he or she is deciding whether the
applicant is qualified to work for the company.
“Before the interview one must be very prepared
and confident if he wants to succeed and
impress the employer,” Ruby Leavell-Hartley,
career counselor from the Career Development
Center, said. “Also, it is important that
he researches the company and how one’s
skills could relate to the company.”
Kimberly Franklin, internship advisor from
the Career Development Center said, employers
are looking for students that are confident
and eager to join the company.
“Confidence comes in handy, because if you
go in nervous they could easily detect that
and it can possibly cost you the job,” Franklin
said. “It is also very important to dress
to impress. First impressions are really
important.”
An interview seminar can be helpful, but
many students are too overloaded with schoolwork
and jobs to have the time.
“The worst part of the job process is the
interview, but once you learn a few skills
then you could go in and get interviewed
with much more confidence,” Amanda Riel,
senior international relations major, said.
The Career Development Center has expert
counselors that can help and advice students
on interviewing techniques. In addition,
there are seminars that are sporadically
held on campus that focus on interviewing
techniques.
Leavell- Hartley recommends a few tips for
students who are going to be engaging in
the realm of the interview.
•
Be prepared and confident during the interview.
Be yourself and try to show enthusiasm.
•
Be professionally dressed and well-groomed.
Remember, first impressions are very important.
•
Communicate well to the employers.
•
Learn information about the employer. Why
does a particular position interest you?
How does the position relate to you?
•
Finish strong. Tell the employer that you
are excited about the position and why.
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