Successful On-Campus Interviewing
Have you ever had an on-campus interview? Have you received a job offer? Have you ever been turned down for a job you wanted? Regardless of your answers, you can never be too prepared for an interview. A successful interview begins long before you arrive and ends well after you leave. How you prepare for an interview is as important as the interview itself. So here are some strategies for a successful on-campus interview, and hopefully, a bright professional future.
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
Do Your Research
The more you prepare for an interview the easier it will be. If you know what you're talking about, whether it's you or the company, you'll be more confident. Tap your campus career center for information, and take advantage of the Internet and your network of friends or professional contacts. Consider the work environment, training programs, growth/ opportunities, philosophy for promotions, marketing strategies, as well as the company's values when conducting your research. Most importantly, be sure you understand the job description for the position. This can give you specific insight into what to expect and how to prepare for the interview.
Know Yourself
Not only is it important to grasp the ins and outs of the prospective company, you must also have a handle on your work experience and education. Think in advance about your long-term goals and how your skills match a potential position. Also look at a company's culture and beliefs to match them with what's important to you. Be sure to review your resume and qualifications before the on-campus interview - you never know what questions will be asked.
Making a Good First Impression
As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression, and a neat and organized appearance can go a long way in an interview. Making sure your clothing is clean and pressed is half the battle. It's also smart to keep your look conservative, at least for the initial meeting. Even if you're not sure it's necessary, wear a suit to make a professional statement. Think of it as a wise investment. You'll be much more comfortable "overdressing" than if you appear too casual.
Do's and Don'ts
A few suggestions from the "real world": Show up early for your interview. Bring several copies of your resume. Don't chew gum. Be sure your phone is OFF. Don't watch the clock or your watch.
THE INTERVIEW
The First Five Minutes
The moment has arrived. You are at the interview. The first five minutes are critical so remember to smile and offer a firm handshake. Pay close attention to your nonverbal communication like p o s t u re, mannerisms and eye contact. Listen to all questions, and form u l a t e your answers using appropriate grammar and vocabulary. Lastly, show enthusiasm about the company and the opportunity.
Turn Negatives into Positives
Employers are going to search for your strengths but also want to know your weaknesses. They will ask difficult questions such as, "Describe a time when your team failed to meet a specific goal?" Avoid making negative statements and instead describe how the experience was turned into a positive.
Behavioral Interviewing
Behavioral Interviewing is a systematic approach to generating responses to rate job-related skills. The theory behind behavioral interviewing is that past or present behavior is the best indicator of future behavior. Many companies, including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, have embraced this approach to fair and efficient interviews. How does it work? Here's an example.
Sales ability is an important ingredient for individual and company success at Enterprise. An example of a question you might encounter if you found yourself interviewing for a position that looked for a sales competency may be:
"Give me a specific example of your best sales achievement."
Behavioral Interviewing is effective in measuring many competencies - including work ethic and flexibility. Here are some questions that may be asked to measure those:
"Describe a time when you had to sacrifice doing something you wanted to do in order to accomplish a goal or complete a task."
"Tell me about a specific time when you had your day scheduled and there was an unexpected change. How did you handle it?"
When posed with behavioral questions like the ones from Enterprise, use the STAR approach to provide complete answers.
Situation, state the specific past situation that you are recalling
Task, state the task that you had to accomplish
Action, state specifically what you did to accomplish the task
Result, state the result of your action
As you can see, this is where that preparation described earlier can really pay off. If you've researched the position and know the skills and competencies a recruiter is looking for, you'll be able to prepare some strong examples from your past experiences.
Finish Strong
All employers will give you the opportunity to ask questions at the end of your on-campus interview. Make sure you are prepared with questions about the company and the position-and it's ok to write them down. Before leaving, have a good handle on what the job entails, expectations the company has and the work environment. Asking about the next step in the hiring process shows you are interested. A strong closing can have a big impact. On the other hand, if at any time during the interview process you accept another offer or realize this is not the position for you, you should notify the recruiter by phone, letter or e-mail. Also, send "Thank-you" cards or letters to your interviewer (even via email will work). Thank them for their time, and express your interest in the position. If you have been told by the interviewer that you should hear back from them by a certain date, and have not, don't be afraid to follow up; however, be polite, express your interest, but don't be pushy.
The bottom line is to be prepared - from your appearance to your on-campus interview experience. You can only blame yourself if you don't put your best foot forward. It's only the biggest sale of your life.
