Your daily life is your Temple and your Religion.
Whenever you enter into it take with you, your all.
Take the plough and the forge and the mallet and the lute,
The things that you have fashioned in neccessity or for delight.
For in reverie you cannot rise above your achievements nor fall lower than your failures .
And take with you all men;
For in adoration you cannot fly higher than their hopes nor humble yourself lower than their despair.
And if you would know God ,be not therefore a solver of riddles.
Rather look about you and you shall see Him playing with your children.
And look into space; you shall see Him walking in the cloud ,out stretching His arms in the lightening and descending in the rain.
You shall see Him smiling in flowers, then rising and waving His hands in trees.
Khalil Gibran
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
PAIN
Your pain is breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding
Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain
And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life,
your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;
And you would accept the seasons of your heart ,even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.
And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.
Much of your pain is self - chosen.
It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.
Therefore trust your physician , and drink his remedy in silence and tranquilty:
For his hand , though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the unseen,And the cup he brings,though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of clay which the potter has moistened with His own sacred tears.
Khalil Gibran
Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain
And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life,
your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;
And you would accept the seasons of your heart ,even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.
And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.
Much of your pain is self - chosen.
It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.
Therefore trust your physician , and drink his remedy in silence and tranquilty:
For his hand , though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the unseen,And the cup he brings,though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of clay which the potter has moistened with His own sacred tears.
Khalil Gibran
Thursday, June 19, 2008
from conversations with god
Nothing can happen,nothing can occur in your life which is not a precisely perfect opportunity for you to heal something ,create something ,or experience something that you wish to heal, create or experience in order to be Who You Really Are.
From conversations with God
You Teach what you have to learn
It is not necessary to have achieved perfection to speak of perfection
It is not necessary to have achieved Mastery to speak of mastery
It is not necessary to have reached highest level of evolution to speak of the highest level of evolution
It is not necessary to have achieved perfection to speak of perfection
It is not necessary to have achieved Mastery to speak of mastery
It is not necessary to have reached highest level of evolution to speak of the highest level of evolution
Monday, June 16, 2008
College to Corporate
Resumes & Interviews
How College Students Can Avoid Getting “Whittled Out”
In a struggling economy, hiring managers get flooded with resumes for job openings. How can you avoid being whittled out of the candidate mix in the early stages?
Pay attention to detail—You probably have sent out dozens of resumes and may be tempted to cut corners by, for instance, by not proofreading your cover letter, failing to include information the hiring manager asked for, or beginning a cover letter "Dear Sir or Madam" when the hiring manager's name is on the company web site. The moral to this story? Take the time to make sure the correspondence and information you send is correct and error-free.
Do the basics—Proofread for spelling, grammar, and tone, and make sure you have followed the instructions of the employer. Firing off an e-mail is a convenient method of communication. However, don't let the sloppy nature and informality of e-mail correspondence seep into your ommunications—whether it's e-mailed or written—with potential employers.
Construct an effective resume—Organize the information in a logical fashion and keep descriptions clear and to the point. Include as much work experience as possible, even if it obviously doesn't relate to the job you are seeking. Also, use a simple, easy-to-read font.
Customize your response—Address the hiring manager directly, and include the name of the company and the position for which it is hiring in your cover letter/e-mail response.
Make it easy for the hiring manager—Use your name and the word "resume" in the e-mail header so it's easy to identify. If the employer asks for information—such as references or writing samples—make sure to provide it.
Focus on what you take to the employer, not what you want from the job—This is an opportunity for you to market yourself and stand out from the other candidates. What can you do to make the hiring manager's life easier? What can you do to help the company?
Be professional—You won't be taken seriously if they don't have e-mail or voice mail/answering machine. If you don't have e-mail, for instance, free accounts are available through Yahoo! and Hotmail. Provide the recruiter with a cell phone number if your voice mail/answering machine doesn't pick up when you are online. Also, it's a good idea for you to ditch the cute e-mail address or voice mail/answering machine messages in favor of ones that are more professional.
Your Guide to Resume Writing
How to Prepare an Effective Resume
1. Resume Essentials
Before you write, take time to do a self-assessment on paper. Outline your skills and abilities as well as your work experience and extracurricular activities. This will make it easier to prepare a thorough resume.
2. The Content of Your Resume
Name, address, telephone, e-mail address, web site address
All your contact information should go at the top of your resume.
· Avoid nicknames.
· Use a permanent address. Use your parents' address, a friend's address, or the address you plan to use after graduation.
· Use a permanent telephone number and include the area code. If you have an answering machine, record a neutral greeting.
· Add your e-mail address. Many employers will find it useful. (Note: Choose an e-mail address that sounds professional.)
· Include your web site address only if the web page reflects your professional ambitions.
Objective or Summary
An objective tells potential employers the sort of work you're hoping to do.
· Be specific about the job you want. For example: To obtain an entry-level position within a financial institution requiring strong analytical and organizational skills.
· Tailor your objective to each employer you target/every job you seek.
Education
New graduates without a lot of work experience should list their educational information first. Alumni can list it after the work experience section.
· Your most recent educational information is listed first.
· Include your degree (A.S., B.S., B.A., etc.), major, institution attended, minor/concentration.
· Add your grade point average (GPA) if it is higher than 3.0.
· Mention academic honors.
Work Experience
Briefly give the employer an overview of work that has taught you skills. Use action words to describe your job duties. Include your work experience in reverse chronological order—that is, put your last job first and work backward to your first, relevant job. Include:
· Title of position,
· Name of organization
· Location of work (town, state)
· Dates of employment
· Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and achievements.
Other information
A staff member at your career services office can advise you on other information to add to your resume. You may want to add:
· Key or special skills or competencies,
· Leadership experience in volunteer organizations,
· Participation in sports.
References
Ask people if they are willing to serve as references before you give their names to a potential employer.
Do not include your reference information on your resume. You may note at the bottom of your resume: "References furnished on request."
3. Resume Checkup
You've written your resume. It's time to have it reviewed and critiqued by a career counselor. You can also take the following steps to ensure quality:
Content:
· Run a spell check on your computer before anyone sees your resume.
· Get a friend (an English major would do nicely) to do a grammar review.
· Ask another friend to proofread. The more people who see your resume, the more likely that misspelled words and awkward phrases will be seen (and corrected).
Design:
These tips will make your resume easier to read and/or scan into an employer's data base.
· Use white or off-white paper.
· Use 8-1/2- x 11-inch paper.
· Print on one side of the paper.
· Use a font size of 10 to 14 points.
· Use nondecorative typefaces.
· Choose one typeface and stick to it.
· Avoid italics, script, and underlined words.
· Do not use horizontal or vertical lines, graphics, or shading.
· Do not fold or staple your resume.
· If you must mail your resume, put it in a large envelope.
Action Words
Use action words to describe your experience and accomplishments. Here are some actions words to use:
achieved
acquired
adapted
addressed
administered
analyzed
anticipated
assembled
assisted
audited
budgeted
calculated
centralized
changed
collaborated
composed
condensed
conducted
constructed
contracted
converted
coordinated
created
cultivated
demonstrated
designed
developed
devised
discovered
doubled
drafted
edited
eliminated
enforced
established
evaluated
expanded
explained
forecasted
formed
founded
generated
guided
hired
implemented
improved
informed
insured
interpreted
interviewed
launched
maintained
managed
marketed
minimized
motivated
negotiated
obtained
operated
organized
originated
oversaw
performed
planned
prevented
produced
programmed
promoted
provided
publicized
published
recruited
reorganized
reported
researched
resolved
reviewed
selected
separated
set up
simplified
solved
surveyed
staffed
supervise
taught
tested
trained
used
A third-party recruiter may be helpful to you in your job search, but be a wise consumer. Read all materials carefully. Ask questions. Ask your career services office staff for information. Ask a lawyer to read any contracts you are asked to sign. Here are some general questions you may want to ask:
How many job openings are there for someone in my field? If you have the opportunity, inquire about the positions being filled or the number of openings related to your field. These are important questions because, in some instances, recruiters may not really have the type or number of openings they advertise. They may be more interested in adding your name to their candidate pool as a means of attracting more employers or clients to their services. Or they may be collecting resumes from students for potential job opportunities. Your school may or may not not allow third-party recruiters to interview students unless they are trying to fill actual job openings.
How is this information being used? A third-party recruiter is allowed legally to share your resume with the contract employer for positions that you are actually seeking. The recruiter must tell you, in clear terms, that your materials and information will not be shared outside the organization or used for any purpose other than with the company they represent at the time they interview you. The third-party recruiter cannot sell your information to anyone else. You may choose to authorize the recruiter to share your data elsewhere, but your authorization should be given to the recruiter in writing.
Are candidates treated equally and fairly? If you are qualified for the job opportunity, the third-party recruiter must pass your information to employers without regard to your race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Who pays the fee? Before you agree to anything or sign a contract, ask the recruiter who will pay the fee
Four Sample Resumes
Resume #2
Resume #3
Resume #4
Sample Resume for Applying for an Internship
SANDI L. SOPHOMORE
Local Address111 Baker StreetNewark, DE 19711(302) 555-9876sls@udel.edu
Permanent Address100 Main StreetAnywhere, NJ 01234(215) 555-8765 sls01@aol.com
OBJECTIVE
An internship in public relations that would allow me to develop my skills, while contributing to organizational goals.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in English, May 2004University of DelawareNewark, DECourse work in News Writing, Oral Communication, and Computers
G.P.A.= 3.29/4.0
High School Diploma, June 2000St. Mark's High SchoolWilmington, DE
G.P.A.=3.14
EXPERIENCE
Customer Service, Newark Video, Newark, DE (Fall 2000) Help more than 150 patrons weekly. Operate the cash register and close store. Voted employee of the month twice. Set up window displays.
Lifeguard, Blake Swim Club, Anytown, NJ (Summers 2000, 2001) Promoted to head lifeguard. Gave swim lessons to toddlers.
Server, Friendly's Restaurant, Anytown, NJ (September 1998-May, 1999) Provided excellent service to patrons. Trained new employees.
ACTIVITIES
Volunteer for Big Sisters (Fall 1999 to present) Chorus (Fall 1998 to present) Intramural Tennis (September 2001) News Reporter, Skylark (High School Newspaper) (1998 to 2000)
SKILLS
Microsoft Office: Word, Power Point, Excel; basic knowledge of HTML.
Add Up Your Qualifications
Whatever you're planning to do with your summer—a summer job, an internship, a volunteer opportunity—you'll probably gain some skills that you can highlight on your resume or in interviews during your job search. Use the chart below to journal your experiences—and add it to your job-search preparation diary.
The first column lists the qualities and skills employers say they look for in new hires, according to the Job Outlook 2005—Student Version. Use the next column to list specific instances when and how you used a skill.
Desired Skills
Examples of Skill Used
Communication skills (verbal)
Communication skills (written)
Honesty/integrity
Interpersonal skills (relate well to others)
Strong work ethic
Teamwork skills (work well with others)
Analytical skills
Motivation/initiative
Flexibility/adaptability
Computer skills
Detail oriented
Facts to Gather Before Interviewing
It pays to research a company before you arrive for an interview. Employers say that they are interested in candidates who ask intelligent questions and are able to make intelligent conversation based on what they know about the organization. They are unimpressed by candidates who know nothing about the company, what the company does, or the position being offered.
· Key people in the organization
· Major products or services
· Size in terms of sales and employees
· Locations other than your community
· Organizational structure of the company
· Major competitors
· View of the company by clients, suppliers, and competition
· Latest news reports on the company or on local or national news that affects the company
· Learn as much as you can about the company beforehand—know its products and services, its profit margin, its management, its culture, its dress code, and anything else you can think of. Good sources are your career services center, a college or public library, and the Internet.
· Do practice interviews. Many career services centers offer workshops, mock interviews, or one-on-one coaching. Some even make videotapes of mock interviews.
· Think about how your experience in work, classes, and activities can relate to the job you’re seeking.
· Allow plenty of time to get to the interview and, if possible, visit the site in advance and time how long it takes to get there.
· Plan your interview attire in advance and make sure your clothing is pressed, your shoes are shined, and your hair and nails are well groomed.
· Bring extra copies of your resume and a list of references.
· Speak slowly and clearly and don’t be afraid to pause for a moment to collect your thoughts.
· Be honest. Don’t try to cover up mistakes. Instead, focus on how you learned from them.
· Be assertive. Remember that the interview is a way for you to learn if the job is right for you.
· Ask the interviewer for a business card and send a thank-you note or e-mail as soon as possible.
Appropriate Attire Is a Must
The clothing you wear to your interview should make you look like you will fit in at your prospective employer. When in doubt, err on the side of conservatism, suggest the experts. Even if the company has a "business casual" dress policy, you're better off dressing a bit on the stuffy side than in taking a gamble only to find that your idea of casual doesn't match that of your prospective employer.
For Men
Traditional business attire means a dark, conservative suit and a white, long-sleeved (even in summer), pressed dress shirt.
Ties should be silk and coordinate well with the suit. Avoid flashy patterns on ties—the job interview isn't the time to prove how much of an individualist you are.
If you wear an earring (or several), remove it before the interview.
For Women
Traditional business attire is a conservative suit or dress.
Avoid wearing jewelry and makeup that are showy or distracting.
Forget the excessively long fingernails—they, too, are distracting. If you wear nail polish, make sure it's a subtle color and neatly done.
For Everyone
Avoid wearing too much cologne or perfume.
Your hair should be clean and well-groomed.
Shoes should be polished and coordinate with your suit or dress.
An interview isn't a beauty contest, but how you dress and your overall appearance almost always get noticed by the interviewer. Don't give the interviewer a chance to rule you out because you didn't feel like ironing your shirt or polishing your shoes. Dress in a business-like, professional manner, and you'll be sure to fit in wherever you interview.
10 Steps to a Successful Interview
Arrive on time.
Introduce yourself in a courteous manner.
Read company materials while you wait.
Have a firm handshake.
Listen.
Use body language to show interest.
Smile, nod, give nonverbal feedback to the interviewer.
Ask about the next step in the process.
Thank the interviewer.
· Write a thank-you letter to anyone you have spoken to.
Some Situations
You’ve allowed plenty of time to make it to your interview. But there’s an accident on the freeway and traffic comes to a standstill right in front of you! Or, you find the address, but all the parking garages are full and you can’t find a place to park. You know you cannot get there in time.
What do you do?
Get to a phone as quickly as you can. Call the interviewer, briefly explain the situation, and say that you will get there as quickly as humanly possible. When you arrive, apologize for causing any inconvenience and briefly reaffirm the reason for your lateness. Then, move to the business at hand. A lengthy blow-by-blow account of your adventure is not necessary or helpful!
Don’t assign blame or denigrating the “idiots” who caused/contributed to the situation.
(By the way, because you never know what may go wrong, we suggest that you always give yourself at least a 30-minute cushion. You may need it!)
You want the position a lot, so you are very enthusiastic in sharing information about your skills and abilities. You open your mouth to say something else and out comes a spray of saliva.
Relax! First of all, it’s possible that the interviewer hasn’t seen. At the first opportunity (while the interviewer is looking elsewhere), surreptitiously swipe the dribbles off the interviewer’s desk with your hand.
If the interviewer has noticed, just say “I'm sorry!” and wipe it off.
Spit happens!
You’re feeling good. Confident. The interview is going well. Then, the interviewer asks you a question and you have absolutely no idea what to say. You can’t just not answer the question, so what can you do?
First, don’t try to “wing it.” You can dig a hole for yourself very quickly. Honesty is the best policy. Admit that you don’t have an answer. This is the safest course.
If the question is one that you’d like to think about, it is perfectly fine to say, “I need a minute to think about that,” and then give your answer. If you need a little more information in order to respond, you may request that as well.
The interviewer gives you a cup of coffee and just as you’re sitting down, the coffee spills on the floor.
Accidents happen and how you handle the situation can make you a memorable job candidate!
Apologize and acknowledge your total embarrassment. Then offer to help in the clean up.
As in any other such uncomfortable situation, remain as poised as possible — and do not let this ruin the Interview
SOME QUESTIONS
What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
The question is designed to help the interviewer know if the job seeker will be happy in that position, or if he or she wants to work in it only as long as it takes to find something “better.”
How do you make yourself indispensable to a company?
Talk about both technical and interpersonal competence
What’s your greatest strength?
Don’t just talk about your strength—relate it to the position
What’s your greatest weakness?
Say something along the lines of, ‘I have difficulty with this thing, and these are the strategies I use to get around it,” For example, you could say, ‘I’m not the most organized of individuals, so I always answer my e-mails and phone calls right away. I’m aware of the problem and I have strategies to deal with it
Tell me about a time when your course load was heavy. How did you complete all your work?
generally are looking for an answer like, ‘Last semester I was taking 21 credits, so I made sure I had a day planner and mapped out all my assignments,
Tell me about a time when you had to accomplish a task with someone who was particularly difficult to get along with.
want to hear something that shows the candidate has the ability to be sensitive to the needs of others but can still influence them,” Don’t say ‘I just avoided them’ or ‘They made me cry.’”
How do you accept direction and, at the same time, maintain a critical stance regarding your ideas and values?
pointing out that with good interpersonal skills honed on the job can understand how to walk that fine line.
How to Behave in a Behavior-Based Interview
Following is a list of typical behavior-based questions, courtesy of Lombardi and The Ultimate Job Search Kit by Damir Joseph Stimac. Competencies sought by the interviewer are listed in parentheses:
Describe a situation in which you had to use reference materials to write a research paper. What was the topic? What journals did you read? (research/written communication)
Give me a specific example of a time when a co-worker or classmate criticized your work in front of others. How did you respond? How has that event shaped the way you communicate with others? (oral communication.
Give me a specific example of a time when you sold your supervisor or professor on an idea or concept. How did you proceed? What was the result? (assertiveness)
Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects. How do you track your progress so that you can meet deadlines? How do you stay focused? (commitment to task)
Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company or class was facing. What was the challenge? What role did others play? (creativity and imagination)
Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome? (decision making)
Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together. How did you accomplish this? What was the outcome? (teamwork)
Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn? (time management)
Describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a co-worker or classmate understand a task. How did you assist them? What was the result? (flexibility)
Describe two specific goals you set for yourself and how successful you were in meeting them. What factors led to your success in meeting your goals? (goal setting)
Your next interview may not be face-to-face with a potential employer. You may make your first impression on a hiring manager by telephone.
Many organizations use telephone interviewing during the hiring process, saying it saves money, takes less time than a live interview, and allows an employer to interview candidates from a wider geographical area.
Here are tips from employers on how to prepare for your phone interview:
Be prepared:
Have a copy of your resume, transcript, and the job description in front of you during the interview.
Keep a log of companies and titles of jobs you've applied for, which will help you be better prepared if you are called unexpectedly.
Attend phone interview workshops and participate in mock phone interviews offered by your career center.
Practice, practice, practice.
Be professional:
Record a professional message for your answering machine or voice mail.
Have a "canned" response ready for a recruiter if you're caught off guard.
Turn off music or the TV during the interview.
· Don't eat, drink, or chew gum during the interview.
Don't type on your computer during the interview.
Don't put an interviewer on hold to take call waiting.
Be personable:
Be enthusiastic-show interest in the position and the organization.
Ask pertinent questions about the job and company, not just about salary, benefits, and/or hours.
Talk slowly and show self-confidence.
Thank the interviewer for his or her time.
On-Campus Interview
Because an on-campus interview happens “at home,” you may feel complacent about it. After all, the recruiter is coming to you. All you have to do is walk across campus and talk about your skills and experiences for a half-hour or so.
So what’s the big deal? The big deal is:
The campus interview is a real interview—it’s not just practice.
Employers make real hiring decisions based on how you well you present yourself and articulate what you have to offer. You may not get a chance to talk to the employer again.
You have real competition: The other students on the schedule have taken the same courses, learned the same skills, and gotten the same advice from advisers. These students are your competition for the job! Without serious preparation, you’ll look like “just another student” instead the right candidate for the job.
You will have only 30 minutes to “sell” yourself to the recruiter.
How can you stand out from the group of interviewees and earn an invitation for a second interview? Here are some pointers that may give you an advantage in this competition.
Show up on time. Basic advice? Obvious to anyone? Yes. But it’s something many students don’t do. Don’t keep the interviewer waiting. And don’t be a “no-show.”
Dress appropriately! The old saying about “first impressions” is right. Lack of concern about your appearance sends the message that this interview doesn’t really matter to you. It takes a brilliant interview to overcome an initial negative impression!
Show that you have done your research. Never go into an interview and try to wing it. (That may work on some tests—but it’s disastrous in an interview!) Before your interview, learn about the company, its products and/or services, and its way of doing business. Gather as much information as you can about the position for which you will be interviewing.Then—and this is the important part—use that information! You must help the interviewer see how your skills and background are a good match for the company and the job. (Need some help with this part? Call your school’s career services center and ask about participating in mock interviews.)
Articulate what makes you special. If you are on the interview schedule, you probably have the basic requirements for the job—but so does everyone else on the schedule!Think about the skills and/or experiences that you have that set you apart from the pack. Don’t be afraid to bring these up—not in an egotistical way, but in the context of responding to questions. Be prepared to talk about what you can bring to this position and to the company.
Avoid one word answers! Answering “yes” or “no” to a question doesn’t cut it! Interviews are a proving ground for the verbal communication skills that are essential to most jobs and highly prized by employers. You must show that you can communicate effectively. Take your one-word answer a step further by adding an explanatory sentence or so.When possible, use relevant examples to expand on your answers. Mention examples from courses you have taken, experience that you have had in internships or at a summer job, and illustrations from teams and student groups that you belonged to.
Exhibit enthusiasm. You’d be surprised by how much a little enthusiasm counts. Few things are more disheartening to an interviewer than a candidate who does not seem to be at all excited about the company or agency and/or the position. What is it about this company or this position that made you want this interview? Let the recruiter know!
Have some thoughtful questions. Toward the end of an interview, an interviewer will often ask, “Do you have any questions for me?”The cop-out answer is, “No, you answered all of them.”The right answer is to prepare several questions in advance. These questions could relate to responsibilities of the position, the profile of people who have been successful in the position, or some recent development at the company that you gleaned from your research. You may also ask when you might expect to hear from them. Not only will you gain valuable information, but the recruiter will know you cared enough to prepare for the interview.
Show your appreciation for the interview. As you are leaving the interview, take the time to shake the interviewer’s hand and say “thank you” for the opportunity to discuss this position. You may also say that you are excited about the position (if you are!).And don’t forget to write a thank-you note to the interviewer afterward. This gets your name back in front of the person who will decide whether you’ll be invited for a second interview and gives you one more chance to say that you’re the right candidate for the job.
The on-campus interview can open the door to future opportunities—or it can slam the door shut with an employer. It should be an interactive, focused exchange of information in a very brief time frame. By following these few guidelines, you can increase the chances that this interview will lead to your second interview and perhaps your first step in your career after graduation.
Dining With Prospective Employers
Utensil etiquette
As a rule of thumb, when you face a full battalion of knives, forks, and spoons, work from the outside in. In other words, use the flatware the furthest from the plate first. Exception: The salad fork is usually closest to the plate.
Used utensils must never touch the surface of the table or the tablecloth because they might make the cloth dirty. Even the clean handles of your fork and knife should not touch the table.
At the end of a course, place your used utensil on a flat dish. Do not leave a fork or spoon in a bowl or cup (that’s why there’s usually a flat dish under the soup bowl!) where it might flip and assault your host.
Between bites, your utensils should rest on the edge of our plate. Your knife rests on the back of your plate; your fork sits on the side of your plate. When you are finished, place your knife and fork so they lie horizontally across the center of the plate. The blade of your knife should face toward you.
Napkin rules
As soon as you are seated, put your napkin in your lap. Sometimes, at very formal restaurants, the waiter may do this for you.
Treat your napkin very gently during the meal. Do not crumple it or wad it into a knot. If you use your napkin (and you should), gently dab at your lips. Etiquette books say (we’re not making this up), your napkin should not get dirty in the dining process. It is meant to catch food from falling into your lap (which, of course, it won’t) and it should gently dust the crumbs from your lips.
When you are finished, place your napkin next to your plate. Do not refold it. Do not leave it on the chair.
Handling those awkward moments...
You bite into an olive and discover a pit. Your last bite of fish had a bone in it. You didn’t realize just how fatty the meat was. Now, you’re not sure you can swallow what’s in your mouth.
No noise and no faces allowed—but you don’t have to swallow the inedible. If you need to remove something from your mouth, shift into reverse. Carefully, and with your hand close to your mouth, drop the olive pit into the palm of your hand and put the pit on your plate. Remove the fish bone using two fingers like a pair of tweezers. Set the bone on the edge of your plate. If you think the sight of your chewed meat is going to make your fellow diners gag, bring your napkin to your lips and remove the meat.
A thank you goes a long way
Write a thank-you note to your host, emphasizing your appreciation for the opportunity to talk about the job (or learn about the organization or meet prospective colleagues) over a meal.
Group discussions
Some companies have a group discussion (GD) before the candidates meet the interview panel. The GD may help to show your capability in initiating an idea, your skills in listening or steering a group. To the selection panel it may also serve as a filter helping it to eliminate a few more candidates, thereby narrowing the contest.
Dos and don'ts: If you know in advance a job selection process includes a group discussion, practice mock GDs with a group of friends. Ask them to suggest a surprise topic. This helps to hone your quick thinking and collating skills.
Dos:
In the few minutes given for preparation, jot down a few ideas.
Take the lead and try to initiate the discussion. If this does not happen, do not panic. You don't necessarily have to be the first off the block.
Make your points in a concise and clear manner.
Speak in a modulated voice, addressing the group, letting your eye sweep across the group.
If the GD is being dominated by one or two people, wait for a sag in their conversation. Even these two may not be able to sustain the discussion with fresh ideas. If one or two participants are not able to get an edge in, see to it that they get a chance to express themselves.
If the discussion is going off track try to bring it on track. Interviewers are looking for leadership qualities in candidates.
Provide a new slant to the discussion. In case all the points you had in mind have been expressed already, try to rephrase an important observation or provide a quick statistic, theory or a management tenet to illustrate it.
When the rest of the group are hounding out your suggestion, or have weakened their argument, try to steer it to a new angle in the issue, without looking defeated.
If you are alert you will get your word in. Even if you speak for a minute a couple of times and have introduced a new idea or a twist to the discussion, you have succeeded in your task.
Show that you are with the group with your body language. Sit erect, look alert. Have a pleasant demeanour. Look at the speaker while listening. Keep your cool.
Don'ts:
Don't shout. GDs often tend to become shouting matches. A few of the group tend to aggressively speak all the time. This does not mean that the selection committee is impressed by them.
You may oppose a view, or take objection to a speaker's words, but don't let it get into a prolonged argument. Don't be rude to another speaker.
Don't repeat yourself for the sake of speaking.
Don't withdraw from the discussion. If you don't speak out, you automatically get eliminated.
Don't panic.
A group discussion can be an exhausting experience. So don't come for a GD on an empty stomach.
Remember that even a person with average intelligence and communication skills can impress in a GD if he has prepared well and is attentive through the process.
How to use a portfolio in an interview
Many career counselors advise students and new graduates to take a portfolio of work with them to job interviews. Your portfolio holds evidence of your experience—examples and copies—of anything you've worked on and/or accomplished in school, at a job, or in volunteer work. For many students, a portfolio offers a comfortable way of demonstrating ability with "real life" examples.
Artists and news reporters, for example, traditionally use portfolios to showcase their work. A graphic artist working as a web designer, for example, might bring printouts of the development of a web site from initial drawings through completion. An artist going into advertising might bring samples of ad campaigns. Reporters bring "clips" of stories they have had published. A reporter's portfolio might include several articles as they were submitted to an editor plus the finished, published product in order to demonstrate that they've had experience writing stories and that the stories were publishable.
You can ask a number of people what to include in your portfolio—e.g., a career counselor, a faculty mentor, an adviser or mentor from your field. Many will be happy to look through your portfolio and critique your selections. However, having the right ingredients in your portfolio isn't enough. The key to success is presenting the contents at the right time during your interview.
One Size Doesn't Fit All
Make Your Portfolio Stand Out
While the number of items in your portfolio will vary according to your interviews, Perman says:
If the job description you are matching is comprehensive, you'll include more items than if the job description is fairly general.
Add a list of short- and long-term goals to your portfolio. When an employer asks about those goals, you can demonstrate that you have thought about them by pulling out your list.
One portfolio won't work for all interviews (although you'll probably use many of the same pieces for your interviews). And, there is no "right" number of items to include in your portfolio. Remember—you don't have to show everything you've brought, but you also don't want your portfolio to be so thick and full that it looks as if you've brought everything you have ever accomplished.
To prepare your portfolio for an interview, review the job description and choose examples of your work that relate to the skills the job requires. Then, review the pieces you've selected to include in the portfolio for this specific interview and order them within your portfolio according to topic. You want to be as organized as possible so that you can avoid shuffling through your papers to find examples.
If you can, practice answering questions while pulling out examples from your portfolio. Contact your career services office to see if you can participate in mock interviews to practice your presentation skills.
It's Show-and-Tell Time
Using your portfolio during the interview is like a grownup version of show-and-tell. Remember: There's a right time and a wrong time to present your portfolio or its contents to an interviewer.
Don't hand over your portfolio at the beginning of the interview—the employer will be tempted to look through it while talking to you and may not give you his or her full attention. Or, the employer will listen to you and not see the great examples of work you've included.
Don't save your portfolio until the end of the interview. The employer may have a very limited amount of time to spend with each job candidate, so he or she may not have time to skim through your portfolio before the next interview. Your portfolio will go in a briefcase to be examined later (if at all), at which time your work will not make a good connection to your interview.
Also, don't put original documents into your portfolio—sometimes employers ask to take your portfolio with them. Make copies of everything that you include and be prepared to leave this copy of your portfolio upon request.
Here's how your presentation should work:
The interviewer will ask you a question.
Take a moment to think about your answer—and to pinpoint (in your mind) something in your portfolio that relates specifically to your answer.
Answer the question. Then say, "I have an example of this in my portfolio."
Next, open your portfolio and find the document as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Introduce the document to the interviewer. You might say something like, "During my internship at XYZ Company, I designed a widget supply chain that streamlined the process for my department. I have a drawing of the process that I believe demonstrates the skills we have been talking about."
Whip out your document. Then, be quiet. Wait for the employer to look up (this is a signal that the employer has finished examining your document) or until the employer asks a question about your work.
Or, if the silence is too uncomfortable, you can point out specifics of the example you are showing.
The interview will then naturally flow to another questions—and another example from you.
At the end of the interview, when the employer asks "Is there anything else you want to share with us?" you can show a project that you feel especially proud of from your portfolio. Or, you can ask the interviewer, "Can I share with you any other items from my portfolio?"
How College Students Can Avoid Getting “Whittled Out”
In a struggling economy, hiring managers get flooded with resumes for job openings. How can you avoid being whittled out of the candidate mix in the early stages?
Pay attention to detail—You probably have sent out dozens of resumes and may be tempted to cut corners by, for instance, by not proofreading your cover letter, failing to include information the hiring manager asked for, or beginning a cover letter "Dear Sir or Madam" when the hiring manager's name is on the company web site. The moral to this story? Take the time to make sure the correspondence and information you send is correct and error-free.
Do the basics—Proofread for spelling, grammar, and tone, and make sure you have followed the instructions of the employer. Firing off an e-mail is a convenient method of communication. However, don't let the sloppy nature and informality of e-mail correspondence seep into your ommunications—whether it's e-mailed or written—with potential employers.
Construct an effective resume—Organize the information in a logical fashion and keep descriptions clear and to the point. Include as much work experience as possible, even if it obviously doesn't relate to the job you are seeking. Also, use a simple, easy-to-read font.
Customize your response—Address the hiring manager directly, and include the name of the company and the position for which it is hiring in your cover letter/e-mail response.
Make it easy for the hiring manager—Use your name and the word "resume" in the e-mail header so it's easy to identify. If the employer asks for information—such as references or writing samples—make sure to provide it.
Focus on what you take to the employer, not what you want from the job—This is an opportunity for you to market yourself and stand out from the other candidates. What can you do to make the hiring manager's life easier? What can you do to help the company?
Be professional—You won't be taken seriously if they don't have e-mail or voice mail/answering machine. If you don't have e-mail, for instance, free accounts are available through Yahoo! and Hotmail. Provide the recruiter with a cell phone number if your voice mail/answering machine doesn't pick up when you are online. Also, it's a good idea for you to ditch the cute e-mail address or voice mail/answering machine messages in favor of ones that are more professional.
Your Guide to Resume Writing
How to Prepare an Effective Resume
1. Resume Essentials
Before you write, take time to do a self-assessment on paper. Outline your skills and abilities as well as your work experience and extracurricular activities. This will make it easier to prepare a thorough resume.
2. The Content of Your Resume
Name, address, telephone, e-mail address, web site address
All your contact information should go at the top of your resume.
· Avoid nicknames.
· Use a permanent address. Use your parents' address, a friend's address, or the address you plan to use after graduation.
· Use a permanent telephone number and include the area code. If you have an answering machine, record a neutral greeting.
· Add your e-mail address. Many employers will find it useful. (Note: Choose an e-mail address that sounds professional.)
· Include your web site address only if the web page reflects your professional ambitions.
Objective or Summary
An objective tells potential employers the sort of work you're hoping to do.
· Be specific about the job you want. For example: To obtain an entry-level position within a financial institution requiring strong analytical and organizational skills.
· Tailor your objective to each employer you target/every job you seek.
Education
New graduates without a lot of work experience should list their educational information first. Alumni can list it after the work experience section.
· Your most recent educational information is listed first.
· Include your degree (A.S., B.S., B.A., etc.), major, institution attended, minor/concentration.
· Add your grade point average (GPA) if it is higher than 3.0.
· Mention academic honors.
Work Experience
Briefly give the employer an overview of work that has taught you skills. Use action words to describe your job duties. Include your work experience in reverse chronological order—that is, put your last job first and work backward to your first, relevant job. Include:
· Title of position,
· Name of organization
· Location of work (town, state)
· Dates of employment
· Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and achievements.
Other information
A staff member at your career services office can advise you on other information to add to your resume. You may want to add:
· Key or special skills or competencies,
· Leadership experience in volunteer organizations,
· Participation in sports.
References
Ask people if they are willing to serve as references before you give their names to a potential employer.
Do not include your reference information on your resume. You may note at the bottom of your resume: "References furnished on request."
3. Resume Checkup
You've written your resume. It's time to have it reviewed and critiqued by a career counselor. You can also take the following steps to ensure quality:
Content:
· Run a spell check on your computer before anyone sees your resume.
· Get a friend (an English major would do nicely) to do a grammar review.
· Ask another friend to proofread. The more people who see your resume, the more likely that misspelled words and awkward phrases will be seen (and corrected).
Design:
These tips will make your resume easier to read and/or scan into an employer's data base.
· Use white or off-white paper.
· Use 8-1/2- x 11-inch paper.
· Print on one side of the paper.
· Use a font size of 10 to 14 points.
· Use nondecorative typefaces.
· Choose one typeface and stick to it.
· Avoid italics, script, and underlined words.
· Do not use horizontal or vertical lines, graphics, or shading.
· Do not fold or staple your resume.
· If you must mail your resume, put it in a large envelope.
Action Words
Use action words to describe your experience and accomplishments. Here are some actions words to use:
achieved
acquired
adapted
addressed
administered
analyzed
anticipated
assembled
assisted
audited
budgeted
calculated
centralized
changed
collaborated
composed
condensed
conducted
constructed
contracted
converted
coordinated
created
cultivated
demonstrated
designed
developed
devised
discovered
doubled
drafted
edited
eliminated
enforced
established
evaluated
expanded
explained
forecasted
formed
founded
generated
guided
hired
implemented
improved
informed
insured
interpreted
interviewed
launched
maintained
managed
marketed
minimized
motivated
negotiated
obtained
operated
organized
originated
oversaw
performed
planned
prevented
produced
programmed
promoted
provided
publicized
published
recruited
reorganized
reported
researched
resolved
reviewed
selected
separated
set up
simplified
solved
surveyed
staffed
supervise
taught
tested
trained
used
A third-party recruiter may be helpful to you in your job search, but be a wise consumer. Read all materials carefully. Ask questions. Ask your career services office staff for information. Ask a lawyer to read any contracts you are asked to sign. Here are some general questions you may want to ask:
How many job openings are there for someone in my field? If you have the opportunity, inquire about the positions being filled or the number of openings related to your field. These are important questions because, in some instances, recruiters may not really have the type or number of openings they advertise. They may be more interested in adding your name to their candidate pool as a means of attracting more employers or clients to their services. Or they may be collecting resumes from students for potential job opportunities. Your school may or may not not allow third-party recruiters to interview students unless they are trying to fill actual job openings.
How is this information being used? A third-party recruiter is allowed legally to share your resume with the contract employer for positions that you are actually seeking. The recruiter must tell you, in clear terms, that your materials and information will not be shared outside the organization or used for any purpose other than with the company they represent at the time they interview you. The third-party recruiter cannot sell your information to anyone else. You may choose to authorize the recruiter to share your data elsewhere, but your authorization should be given to the recruiter in writing.
Are candidates treated equally and fairly? If you are qualified for the job opportunity, the third-party recruiter must pass your information to employers without regard to your race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Who pays the fee? Before you agree to anything or sign a contract, ask the recruiter who will pay the fee
Four Sample Resumes
Resume #2
Resume #3
Resume #4
Sample Resume for Applying for an Internship
SANDI L. SOPHOMORE
Local Address111 Baker StreetNewark, DE 19711(302) 555-9876sls@udel.edu
Permanent Address100 Main StreetAnywhere, NJ 01234(215) 555-8765 sls01@aol.com
OBJECTIVE
An internship in public relations that would allow me to develop my skills, while contributing to organizational goals.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in English, May 2004University of DelawareNewark, DECourse work in News Writing, Oral Communication, and Computers
G.P.A.= 3.29/4.0
High School Diploma, June 2000St. Mark's High SchoolWilmington, DE
G.P.A.=3.14
EXPERIENCE
Customer Service, Newark Video, Newark, DE (Fall 2000) Help more than 150 patrons weekly. Operate the cash register and close store. Voted employee of the month twice. Set up window displays.
Lifeguard, Blake Swim Club, Anytown, NJ (Summers 2000, 2001) Promoted to head lifeguard. Gave swim lessons to toddlers.
Server, Friendly's Restaurant, Anytown, NJ (September 1998-May, 1999) Provided excellent service to patrons. Trained new employees.
ACTIVITIES
Volunteer for Big Sisters (Fall 1999 to present) Chorus (Fall 1998 to present) Intramural Tennis (September 2001) News Reporter, Skylark (High School Newspaper) (1998 to 2000)
SKILLS
Microsoft Office: Word, Power Point, Excel; basic knowledge of HTML.
Add Up Your Qualifications
Whatever you're planning to do with your summer—a summer job, an internship, a volunteer opportunity—you'll probably gain some skills that you can highlight on your resume or in interviews during your job search. Use the chart below to journal your experiences—and add it to your job-search preparation diary.
The first column lists the qualities and skills employers say they look for in new hires, according to the Job Outlook 2005—Student Version. Use the next column to list specific instances when and how you used a skill.
Desired Skills
Examples of Skill Used
Communication skills (verbal)
Communication skills (written)
Honesty/integrity
Interpersonal skills (relate well to others)
Strong work ethic
Teamwork skills (work well with others)
Analytical skills
Motivation/initiative
Flexibility/adaptability
Computer skills
Detail oriented
Facts to Gather Before Interviewing
It pays to research a company before you arrive for an interview. Employers say that they are interested in candidates who ask intelligent questions and are able to make intelligent conversation based on what they know about the organization. They are unimpressed by candidates who know nothing about the company, what the company does, or the position being offered.
· Key people in the organization
· Major products or services
· Size in terms of sales and employees
· Locations other than your community
· Organizational structure of the company
· Major competitors
· View of the company by clients, suppliers, and competition
· Latest news reports on the company or on local or national news that affects the company
· Learn as much as you can about the company beforehand—know its products and services, its profit margin, its management, its culture, its dress code, and anything else you can think of. Good sources are your career services center, a college or public library, and the Internet.
· Do practice interviews. Many career services centers offer workshops, mock interviews, or one-on-one coaching. Some even make videotapes of mock interviews.
· Think about how your experience in work, classes, and activities can relate to the job you’re seeking.
· Allow plenty of time to get to the interview and, if possible, visit the site in advance and time how long it takes to get there.
· Plan your interview attire in advance and make sure your clothing is pressed, your shoes are shined, and your hair and nails are well groomed.
· Bring extra copies of your resume and a list of references.
· Speak slowly and clearly and don’t be afraid to pause for a moment to collect your thoughts.
· Be honest. Don’t try to cover up mistakes. Instead, focus on how you learned from them.
· Be assertive. Remember that the interview is a way for you to learn if the job is right for you.
· Ask the interviewer for a business card and send a thank-you note or e-mail as soon as possible.
Appropriate Attire Is a Must
The clothing you wear to your interview should make you look like you will fit in at your prospective employer. When in doubt, err on the side of conservatism, suggest the experts. Even if the company has a "business casual" dress policy, you're better off dressing a bit on the stuffy side than in taking a gamble only to find that your idea of casual doesn't match that of your prospective employer.
For Men
Traditional business attire means a dark, conservative suit and a white, long-sleeved (even in summer), pressed dress shirt.
Ties should be silk and coordinate well with the suit. Avoid flashy patterns on ties—the job interview isn't the time to prove how much of an individualist you are.
If you wear an earring (or several), remove it before the interview.
For Women
Traditional business attire is a conservative suit or dress.
Avoid wearing jewelry and makeup that are showy or distracting.
Forget the excessively long fingernails—they, too, are distracting. If you wear nail polish, make sure it's a subtle color and neatly done.
For Everyone
Avoid wearing too much cologne or perfume.
Your hair should be clean and well-groomed.
Shoes should be polished and coordinate with your suit or dress.
An interview isn't a beauty contest, but how you dress and your overall appearance almost always get noticed by the interviewer. Don't give the interviewer a chance to rule you out because you didn't feel like ironing your shirt or polishing your shoes. Dress in a business-like, professional manner, and you'll be sure to fit in wherever you interview.
10 Steps to a Successful Interview
Arrive on time.
Introduce yourself in a courteous manner.
Read company materials while you wait.
Have a firm handshake.
Listen.
Use body language to show interest.
Smile, nod, give nonverbal feedback to the interviewer.
Ask about the next step in the process.
Thank the interviewer.
· Write a thank-you letter to anyone you have spoken to.
Some Situations
You’ve allowed plenty of time to make it to your interview. But there’s an accident on the freeway and traffic comes to a standstill right in front of you! Or, you find the address, but all the parking garages are full and you can’t find a place to park. You know you cannot get there in time.
What do you do?
Get to a phone as quickly as you can. Call the interviewer, briefly explain the situation, and say that you will get there as quickly as humanly possible. When you arrive, apologize for causing any inconvenience and briefly reaffirm the reason for your lateness. Then, move to the business at hand. A lengthy blow-by-blow account of your adventure is not necessary or helpful!
Don’t assign blame or denigrating the “idiots” who caused/contributed to the situation.
(By the way, because you never know what may go wrong, we suggest that you always give yourself at least a 30-minute cushion. You may need it!)
You want the position a lot, so you are very enthusiastic in sharing information about your skills and abilities. You open your mouth to say something else and out comes a spray of saliva.
Relax! First of all, it’s possible that the interviewer hasn’t seen. At the first opportunity (while the interviewer is looking elsewhere), surreptitiously swipe the dribbles off the interviewer’s desk with your hand.
If the interviewer has noticed, just say “I'm sorry!” and wipe it off.
Spit happens!
You’re feeling good. Confident. The interview is going well. Then, the interviewer asks you a question and you have absolutely no idea what to say. You can’t just not answer the question, so what can you do?
First, don’t try to “wing it.” You can dig a hole for yourself very quickly. Honesty is the best policy. Admit that you don’t have an answer. This is the safest course.
If the question is one that you’d like to think about, it is perfectly fine to say, “I need a minute to think about that,” and then give your answer. If you need a little more information in order to respond, you may request that as well.
The interviewer gives you a cup of coffee and just as you’re sitting down, the coffee spills on the floor.
Accidents happen and how you handle the situation can make you a memorable job candidate!
Apologize and acknowledge your total embarrassment. Then offer to help in the clean up.
As in any other such uncomfortable situation, remain as poised as possible — and do not let this ruin the Interview
SOME QUESTIONS
What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
The question is designed to help the interviewer know if the job seeker will be happy in that position, or if he or she wants to work in it only as long as it takes to find something “better.”
How do you make yourself indispensable to a company?
Talk about both technical and interpersonal competence
What’s your greatest strength?
Don’t just talk about your strength—relate it to the position
What’s your greatest weakness?
Say something along the lines of, ‘I have difficulty with this thing, and these are the strategies I use to get around it,” For example, you could say, ‘I’m not the most organized of individuals, so I always answer my e-mails and phone calls right away. I’m aware of the problem and I have strategies to deal with it
Tell me about a time when your course load was heavy. How did you complete all your work?
generally are looking for an answer like, ‘Last semester I was taking 21 credits, so I made sure I had a day planner and mapped out all my assignments,
Tell me about a time when you had to accomplish a task with someone who was particularly difficult to get along with.
want to hear something that shows the candidate has the ability to be sensitive to the needs of others but can still influence them,” Don’t say ‘I just avoided them’ or ‘They made me cry.’”
How do you accept direction and, at the same time, maintain a critical stance regarding your ideas and values?
pointing out that with good interpersonal skills honed on the job can understand how to walk that fine line.
How to Behave in a Behavior-Based Interview
Following is a list of typical behavior-based questions, courtesy of Lombardi and The Ultimate Job Search Kit by Damir Joseph Stimac. Competencies sought by the interviewer are listed in parentheses:
Describe a situation in which you had to use reference materials to write a research paper. What was the topic? What journals did you read? (research/written communication)
Give me a specific example of a time when a co-worker or classmate criticized your work in front of others. How did you respond? How has that event shaped the way you communicate with others? (oral communication.
Give me a specific example of a time when you sold your supervisor or professor on an idea or concept. How did you proceed? What was the result? (assertiveness)
Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects. How do you track your progress so that you can meet deadlines? How do you stay focused? (commitment to task)
Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company or class was facing. What was the challenge? What role did others play? (creativity and imagination)
Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome? (decision making)
Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together. How did you accomplish this? What was the outcome? (teamwork)
Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn? (time management)
Describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a co-worker or classmate understand a task. How did you assist them? What was the result? (flexibility)
Describe two specific goals you set for yourself and how successful you were in meeting them. What factors led to your success in meeting your goals? (goal setting)
Your next interview may not be face-to-face with a potential employer. You may make your first impression on a hiring manager by telephone.
Many organizations use telephone interviewing during the hiring process, saying it saves money, takes less time than a live interview, and allows an employer to interview candidates from a wider geographical area.
Here are tips from employers on how to prepare for your phone interview:
Be prepared:
Have a copy of your resume, transcript, and the job description in front of you during the interview.
Keep a log of companies and titles of jobs you've applied for, which will help you be better prepared if you are called unexpectedly.
Attend phone interview workshops and participate in mock phone interviews offered by your career center.
Practice, practice, practice.
Be professional:
Record a professional message for your answering machine or voice mail.
Have a "canned" response ready for a recruiter if you're caught off guard.
Turn off music or the TV during the interview.
· Don't eat, drink, or chew gum during the interview.
Don't type on your computer during the interview.
Don't put an interviewer on hold to take call waiting.
Be personable:
Be enthusiastic-show interest in the position and the organization.
Ask pertinent questions about the job and company, not just about salary, benefits, and/or hours.
Talk slowly and show self-confidence.
Thank the interviewer for his or her time.
On-Campus Interview
Because an on-campus interview happens “at home,” you may feel complacent about it. After all, the recruiter is coming to you. All you have to do is walk across campus and talk about your skills and experiences for a half-hour or so.
So what’s the big deal? The big deal is:
The campus interview is a real interview—it’s not just practice.
Employers make real hiring decisions based on how you well you present yourself and articulate what you have to offer. You may not get a chance to talk to the employer again.
You have real competition: The other students on the schedule have taken the same courses, learned the same skills, and gotten the same advice from advisers. These students are your competition for the job! Without serious preparation, you’ll look like “just another student” instead the right candidate for the job.
You will have only 30 minutes to “sell” yourself to the recruiter.
How can you stand out from the group of interviewees and earn an invitation for a second interview? Here are some pointers that may give you an advantage in this competition.
Show up on time. Basic advice? Obvious to anyone? Yes. But it’s something many students don’t do. Don’t keep the interviewer waiting. And don’t be a “no-show.”
Dress appropriately! The old saying about “first impressions” is right. Lack of concern about your appearance sends the message that this interview doesn’t really matter to you. It takes a brilliant interview to overcome an initial negative impression!
Show that you have done your research. Never go into an interview and try to wing it. (That may work on some tests—but it’s disastrous in an interview!) Before your interview, learn about the company, its products and/or services, and its way of doing business. Gather as much information as you can about the position for which you will be interviewing.Then—and this is the important part—use that information! You must help the interviewer see how your skills and background are a good match for the company and the job. (Need some help with this part? Call your school’s career services center and ask about participating in mock interviews.)
Articulate what makes you special. If you are on the interview schedule, you probably have the basic requirements for the job—but so does everyone else on the schedule!Think about the skills and/or experiences that you have that set you apart from the pack. Don’t be afraid to bring these up—not in an egotistical way, but in the context of responding to questions. Be prepared to talk about what you can bring to this position and to the company.
Avoid one word answers! Answering “yes” or “no” to a question doesn’t cut it! Interviews are a proving ground for the verbal communication skills that are essential to most jobs and highly prized by employers. You must show that you can communicate effectively. Take your one-word answer a step further by adding an explanatory sentence or so.When possible, use relevant examples to expand on your answers. Mention examples from courses you have taken, experience that you have had in internships or at a summer job, and illustrations from teams and student groups that you belonged to.
Exhibit enthusiasm. You’d be surprised by how much a little enthusiasm counts. Few things are more disheartening to an interviewer than a candidate who does not seem to be at all excited about the company or agency and/or the position. What is it about this company or this position that made you want this interview? Let the recruiter know!
Have some thoughtful questions. Toward the end of an interview, an interviewer will often ask, “Do you have any questions for me?”The cop-out answer is, “No, you answered all of them.”The right answer is to prepare several questions in advance. These questions could relate to responsibilities of the position, the profile of people who have been successful in the position, or some recent development at the company that you gleaned from your research. You may also ask when you might expect to hear from them. Not only will you gain valuable information, but the recruiter will know you cared enough to prepare for the interview.
Show your appreciation for the interview. As you are leaving the interview, take the time to shake the interviewer’s hand and say “thank you” for the opportunity to discuss this position. You may also say that you are excited about the position (if you are!).And don’t forget to write a thank-you note to the interviewer afterward. This gets your name back in front of the person who will decide whether you’ll be invited for a second interview and gives you one more chance to say that you’re the right candidate for the job.
The on-campus interview can open the door to future opportunities—or it can slam the door shut with an employer. It should be an interactive, focused exchange of information in a very brief time frame. By following these few guidelines, you can increase the chances that this interview will lead to your second interview and perhaps your first step in your career after graduation.
Dining With Prospective Employers
Utensil etiquette
As a rule of thumb, when you face a full battalion of knives, forks, and spoons, work from the outside in. In other words, use the flatware the furthest from the plate first. Exception: The salad fork is usually closest to the plate.
Used utensils must never touch the surface of the table or the tablecloth because they might make the cloth dirty. Even the clean handles of your fork and knife should not touch the table.
At the end of a course, place your used utensil on a flat dish. Do not leave a fork or spoon in a bowl or cup (that’s why there’s usually a flat dish under the soup bowl!) where it might flip and assault your host.
Between bites, your utensils should rest on the edge of our plate. Your knife rests on the back of your plate; your fork sits on the side of your plate. When you are finished, place your knife and fork so they lie horizontally across the center of the plate. The blade of your knife should face toward you.
Napkin rules
As soon as you are seated, put your napkin in your lap. Sometimes, at very formal restaurants, the waiter may do this for you.
Treat your napkin very gently during the meal. Do not crumple it or wad it into a knot. If you use your napkin (and you should), gently dab at your lips. Etiquette books say (we’re not making this up), your napkin should not get dirty in the dining process. It is meant to catch food from falling into your lap (which, of course, it won’t) and it should gently dust the crumbs from your lips.
When you are finished, place your napkin next to your plate. Do not refold it. Do not leave it on the chair.
Handling those awkward moments...
You bite into an olive and discover a pit. Your last bite of fish had a bone in it. You didn’t realize just how fatty the meat was. Now, you’re not sure you can swallow what’s in your mouth.
No noise and no faces allowed—but you don’t have to swallow the inedible. If you need to remove something from your mouth, shift into reverse. Carefully, and with your hand close to your mouth, drop the olive pit into the palm of your hand and put the pit on your plate. Remove the fish bone using two fingers like a pair of tweezers. Set the bone on the edge of your plate. If you think the sight of your chewed meat is going to make your fellow diners gag, bring your napkin to your lips and remove the meat.
A thank you goes a long way
Write a thank-you note to your host, emphasizing your appreciation for the opportunity to talk about the job (or learn about the organization or meet prospective colleagues) over a meal.
Group discussions
Some companies have a group discussion (GD) before the candidates meet the interview panel. The GD may help to show your capability in initiating an idea, your skills in listening or steering a group. To the selection panel it may also serve as a filter helping it to eliminate a few more candidates, thereby narrowing the contest.
Dos and don'ts: If you know in advance a job selection process includes a group discussion, practice mock GDs with a group of friends. Ask them to suggest a surprise topic. This helps to hone your quick thinking and collating skills.
Dos:
In the few minutes given for preparation, jot down a few ideas.
Take the lead and try to initiate the discussion. If this does not happen, do not panic. You don't necessarily have to be the first off the block.
Make your points in a concise and clear manner.
Speak in a modulated voice, addressing the group, letting your eye sweep across the group.
If the GD is being dominated by one or two people, wait for a sag in their conversation. Even these two may not be able to sustain the discussion with fresh ideas. If one or two participants are not able to get an edge in, see to it that they get a chance to express themselves.
If the discussion is going off track try to bring it on track. Interviewers are looking for leadership qualities in candidates.
Provide a new slant to the discussion. In case all the points you had in mind have been expressed already, try to rephrase an important observation or provide a quick statistic, theory or a management tenet to illustrate it.
When the rest of the group are hounding out your suggestion, or have weakened their argument, try to steer it to a new angle in the issue, without looking defeated.
If you are alert you will get your word in. Even if you speak for a minute a couple of times and have introduced a new idea or a twist to the discussion, you have succeeded in your task.
Show that you are with the group with your body language. Sit erect, look alert. Have a pleasant demeanour. Look at the speaker while listening. Keep your cool.
Don'ts:
Don't shout. GDs often tend to become shouting matches. A few of the group tend to aggressively speak all the time. This does not mean that the selection committee is impressed by them.
You may oppose a view, or take objection to a speaker's words, but don't let it get into a prolonged argument. Don't be rude to another speaker.
Don't repeat yourself for the sake of speaking.
Don't withdraw from the discussion. If you don't speak out, you automatically get eliminated.
Don't panic.
A group discussion can be an exhausting experience. So don't come for a GD on an empty stomach.
Remember that even a person with average intelligence and communication skills can impress in a GD if he has prepared well and is attentive through the process.
How to use a portfolio in an interview
Many career counselors advise students and new graduates to take a portfolio of work with them to job interviews. Your portfolio holds evidence of your experience—examples and copies—of anything you've worked on and/or accomplished in school, at a job, or in volunteer work. For many students, a portfolio offers a comfortable way of demonstrating ability with "real life" examples.
Artists and news reporters, for example, traditionally use portfolios to showcase their work. A graphic artist working as a web designer, for example, might bring printouts of the development of a web site from initial drawings through completion. An artist going into advertising might bring samples of ad campaigns. Reporters bring "clips" of stories they have had published. A reporter's portfolio might include several articles as they were submitted to an editor plus the finished, published product in order to demonstrate that they've had experience writing stories and that the stories were publishable.
You can ask a number of people what to include in your portfolio—e.g., a career counselor, a faculty mentor, an adviser or mentor from your field. Many will be happy to look through your portfolio and critique your selections. However, having the right ingredients in your portfolio isn't enough. The key to success is presenting the contents at the right time during your interview.
One Size Doesn't Fit All
Make Your Portfolio Stand Out
While the number of items in your portfolio will vary according to your interviews, Perman says:
If the job description you are matching is comprehensive, you'll include more items than if the job description is fairly general.
Add a list of short- and long-term goals to your portfolio. When an employer asks about those goals, you can demonstrate that you have thought about them by pulling out your list.
One portfolio won't work for all interviews (although you'll probably use many of the same pieces for your interviews). And, there is no "right" number of items to include in your portfolio. Remember—you don't have to show everything you've brought, but you also don't want your portfolio to be so thick and full that it looks as if you've brought everything you have ever accomplished.
To prepare your portfolio for an interview, review the job description and choose examples of your work that relate to the skills the job requires. Then, review the pieces you've selected to include in the portfolio for this specific interview and order them within your portfolio according to topic. You want to be as organized as possible so that you can avoid shuffling through your papers to find examples.
If you can, practice answering questions while pulling out examples from your portfolio. Contact your career services office to see if you can participate in mock interviews to practice your presentation skills.
It's Show-and-Tell Time
Using your portfolio during the interview is like a grownup version of show-and-tell. Remember: There's a right time and a wrong time to present your portfolio or its contents to an interviewer.
Don't hand over your portfolio at the beginning of the interview—the employer will be tempted to look through it while talking to you and may not give you his or her full attention. Or, the employer will listen to you and not see the great examples of work you've included.
Don't save your portfolio until the end of the interview. The employer may have a very limited amount of time to spend with each job candidate, so he or she may not have time to skim through your portfolio before the next interview. Your portfolio will go in a briefcase to be examined later (if at all), at which time your work will not make a good connection to your interview.
Also, don't put original documents into your portfolio—sometimes employers ask to take your portfolio with them. Make copies of everything that you include and be prepared to leave this copy of your portfolio upon request.
Here's how your presentation should work:
The interviewer will ask you a question.
Take a moment to think about your answer—and to pinpoint (in your mind) something in your portfolio that relates specifically to your answer.
Answer the question. Then say, "I have an example of this in my portfolio."
Next, open your portfolio and find the document as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Introduce the document to the interviewer. You might say something like, "During my internship at XYZ Company, I designed a widget supply chain that streamlined the process for my department. I have a drawing of the process that I believe demonstrates the skills we have been talking about."
Whip out your document. Then, be quiet. Wait for the employer to look up (this is a signal that the employer has finished examining your document) or until the employer asks a question about your work.
Or, if the silence is too uncomfortable, you can point out specifics of the example you are showing.
The interview will then naturally flow to another questions—and another example from you.
At the end of the interview, when the employer asks "Is there anything else you want to share with us?" you can show a project that you feel especially proud of from your portfolio. Or, you can ask the interviewer, "Can I share with you any other items from my portfolio?"
MIND MAPPING
Mind Maps
A Powerful Approach to Note TakingRelated variants: Spray Diagrams, Spider Diagrams, Spidograms, Spidergrams and Mindmaps
Mind Map™ is a trade mark of the Buzan Organization
Mind Mapping is a useful technique that improves the way you take notes, and supports and enhances your creative problem solving. By using Mind Maps, you can quickly identify and understand the structure of a subject and the way that pieces of information fit together, as well as recording the raw facts contained in normal notes. More than this, Mind Maps provide a structure which encourages creative problem solving, and they hold information in a format that your mind finds easy to remember and quick to review.
Popularized by Tony Buzan, Mind Maps abandon the list format of conventional note taking. They do this in favor of a two-dimensional structure. As such, a good Mind Map shows the 'shape' of the subject, the relative importance of individual points, and the way in which facts relate to one another.Mind Maps are more compact than conventional notes, often taking up one side of paper. This helps you to make associations easily. And if you find out more information after you have drawn the main Mind Map, then you can easily add it in.
Mind Maps are also useful for:
Summarizing information;
Consolidating information from different research sources;
Thinking through complex problems; and
Presenting information in a format that shows the overall structure of your subject.
What's more, they are very quick to review as you can often refresh information in your mind just by glancing at one. In the same way, they can be effective mnemonics: Remembering the shape and structure of a Mind Map can give you the cues you need to remember the information within it. As such, they engage much more of your brain in the process of assimilating and connecting facts, compared with conventional notes.
Drawing Simple Mind Maps
The original Mind Tools site was planned and researched using Mind Maps. They are too large to publish here, however part of one is shown below. This shows research into time management skills:
Figure 1: An Example Mind Map
To make notes on a subject using a Mind Map, draw it in the following way:
1. Write the title of the subject you're exploring in the center of the page, and draw a circle around it. This is shown by the circle marked 1 in Figure 1, above.
2. As you come across major subdivisions or subheadings of the topic (or important facts that relate to the subject) draw lines out from this circle. Label these lines with these subdivisions or subheadings. These are shown by the lines marked 2 in Figure 1.
3. As you "burrow" into the subject and uncover another level of information (further subheadings, or individual facts) belonging to the subheadings above, draw these as lines linked to the subheading lines. These are shown by the lines marked 3 in Figure 1.
4. Finally, for individual facts or ideas, draw lines out from the appropriate heading line and label them. These are shown by the lines marked 4 in Figure 1.
As you come across new information, link it in to the Mind Map appropriately.
A complete Mind Map may have main topic lines radiating in all directions from the center. Sub-topics and facts will branch off these, like branches and twigs from the trunk of a tree. You do not need to worry about the structure produced, as this will evolve as you develop your mind map.Note that the idea of numbered 'levels' in Figure 1 is only used to explain how the Mind Map was created. All we are showing is that major headings radiate from the center, with lower level headings and facts branching off from the higher level headings.While drawing Mind Maps by hand is appropriate in many cases, software tools like MindGenius improve the process by helping to you to produce presentation quality Concept Maps, which can easily be edited, distributed and redrafted.
Improving your Mind Maps
Once you understand how to make notes in the Mind Map format, you can develop your own conventions to take them further. The following suggestions may help to increase their effectiveness:
Use single words or simple phrases for information: Most words in normal writing are padding: They convey facts in the correct context, and in a format that is pleasant to read. In your own Mind Maps, single strong words and meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently. Excess words just clutter the Mind Map.
Print words: Joined up or indistinct writing can be more difficult to read.
Use color to separate different ideas: This will help you to separate ideas where necessary. It also makes your Mind Map easier to remember. Color also helps to show the organization of the subject.
Use symbols and images: Where a symbol or picture means something to you, use it. Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively than words.
Using cross-linkages: Information in one part of the Mind Map may relate to another part. Here you can draw in lines to show the cross-linkages. This helps you to see how one part of the subject connects with another.
Key points:
Mind Mapping is an extremely effective method of taking notes. Mind Maps show not only facts, but also the overall structure of a subject and the relative importance of individual parts of it. They help you to associate ideas and make connections that might not otherwise make.If you do any form of research or note taking, try experimenting with Mind Maps. You will find them highly effective!
A Powerful Approach to Note TakingRelated variants: Spray Diagrams, Spider Diagrams, Spidograms, Spidergrams and Mindmaps
Mind Map™ is a trade mark of the Buzan Organization
Mind Mapping is a useful technique that improves the way you take notes, and supports and enhances your creative problem solving. By using Mind Maps, you can quickly identify and understand the structure of a subject and the way that pieces of information fit together, as well as recording the raw facts contained in normal notes. More than this, Mind Maps provide a structure which encourages creative problem solving, and they hold information in a format that your mind finds easy to remember and quick to review.
Popularized by Tony Buzan, Mind Maps abandon the list format of conventional note taking. They do this in favor of a two-dimensional structure. As such, a good Mind Map shows the 'shape' of the subject, the relative importance of individual points, and the way in which facts relate to one another.Mind Maps are more compact than conventional notes, often taking up one side of paper. This helps you to make associations easily. And if you find out more information after you have drawn the main Mind Map, then you can easily add it in.
Mind Maps are also useful for:
Summarizing information;
Consolidating information from different research sources;
Thinking through complex problems; and
Presenting information in a format that shows the overall structure of your subject.
What's more, they are very quick to review as you can often refresh information in your mind just by glancing at one. In the same way, they can be effective mnemonics: Remembering the shape and structure of a Mind Map can give you the cues you need to remember the information within it. As such, they engage much more of your brain in the process of assimilating and connecting facts, compared with conventional notes.
Drawing Simple Mind Maps
The original Mind Tools site was planned and researched using Mind Maps. They are too large to publish here, however part of one is shown below. This shows research into time management skills:
Figure 1: An Example Mind Map
To make notes on a subject using a Mind Map, draw it in the following way:
1. Write the title of the subject you're exploring in the center of the page, and draw a circle around it. This is shown by the circle marked 1 in Figure 1, above.
2. As you come across major subdivisions or subheadings of the topic (or important facts that relate to the subject) draw lines out from this circle. Label these lines with these subdivisions or subheadings. These are shown by the lines marked 2 in Figure 1.
3. As you "burrow" into the subject and uncover another level of information (further subheadings, or individual facts) belonging to the subheadings above, draw these as lines linked to the subheading lines. These are shown by the lines marked 3 in Figure 1.
4. Finally, for individual facts or ideas, draw lines out from the appropriate heading line and label them. These are shown by the lines marked 4 in Figure 1.
As you come across new information, link it in to the Mind Map appropriately.
A complete Mind Map may have main topic lines radiating in all directions from the center. Sub-topics and facts will branch off these, like branches and twigs from the trunk of a tree. You do not need to worry about the structure produced, as this will evolve as you develop your mind map.Note that the idea of numbered 'levels' in Figure 1 is only used to explain how the Mind Map was created. All we are showing is that major headings radiate from the center, with lower level headings and facts branching off from the higher level headings.While drawing Mind Maps by hand is appropriate in many cases, software tools like MindGenius improve the process by helping to you to produce presentation quality Concept Maps, which can easily be edited, distributed and redrafted.
Improving your Mind Maps
Once you understand how to make notes in the Mind Map format, you can develop your own conventions to take them further. The following suggestions may help to increase their effectiveness:
Use single words or simple phrases for information: Most words in normal writing are padding: They convey facts in the correct context, and in a format that is pleasant to read. In your own Mind Maps, single strong words and meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently. Excess words just clutter the Mind Map.
Print words: Joined up or indistinct writing can be more difficult to read.
Use color to separate different ideas: This will help you to separate ideas where necessary. It also makes your Mind Map easier to remember. Color also helps to show the organization of the subject.
Use symbols and images: Where a symbol or picture means something to you, use it. Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively than words.
Using cross-linkages: Information in one part of the Mind Map may relate to another part. Here you can draw in lines to show the cross-linkages. This helps you to see how one part of the subject connects with another.
Key points:
Mind Mapping is an extremely effective method of taking notes. Mind Maps show not only facts, but also the overall structure of a subject and the relative importance of individual parts of it. They help you to associate ideas and make connections that might not otherwise make.If you do any form of research or note taking, try experimenting with Mind Maps. You will find them highly effective!
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