Amanda Morrison
26-09-2013, 10:43
This fantastic presentation is being passed around the interwebs this morning:
http://www.slideshare.net/markrotoole/congratulations-graduate-eleven-reasons-why-i-will-never-hire-you
While it is mainly targeting new college grads, you should be practicing your interviewing skills as early and as often in your career as possible. The truth is that practice makes perfect, and it sometimes takes a lot of practice to be an effective and impressive interviewee. The jobseekers who will beat you are the ones who treat job searching as a job in itself.
One of the best things my FIRST mentor ever did for me was teach me a proper handshake, and I've had more comments on my handshake in interviews than you would believe. I am sitting in my current job because I was the only candidate to send a thank-you note to my interviewers. At a previous interview, they interrupted me mid-sentence to ask me to tell a joke. This interview tactic was already familiar to me and I was able to repeat something I'd heard on Mythbusters the night before - and ended up landing the job because I was the only candidate with an answer. The little things do matter.
Don't forget that while your mentors are there to assist you in your STEM education, they're also valuable resources for life lessons and advice. Ask them to interview you for a position on the team. Practice your answers in front of a mirror. Look into their eyes as they speak. Practice your handshake. Let others review your resume and give you feedback. Your mentors are there to guide you, and they'll be able to help you fine tune your presentation.
Utilize your mentors and learn from them. Ask questions. Be proactive. Remember - chance favors the prepared mind.
http://www.slideshare.net/markrotoole/congratulations-graduate-eleven-reasons-why-i-will-never-hire-you
While it is mainly targeting new college grads, you should be practicing your interviewing skills as early and as often in your career as possible. The truth is that practice makes perfect, and it sometimes takes a lot of practice to be an effective and impressive interviewee. The jobseekers who will beat you are the ones who treat job searching as a job in itself.
One of the best things my FIRST mentor ever did for me was teach me a proper handshake, and I've had more comments on my handshake in interviews than you would believe. I am sitting in my current job because I was the only candidate to send a thank-you note to my interviewers. At a previous interview, they interrupted me mid-sentence to ask me to tell a joke. This interview tactic was already familiar to me and I was able to repeat something I'd heard on Mythbusters the night before - and ended up landing the job because I was the only candidate with an answer. The little things do matter.
Don't forget that while your mentors are there to assist you in your STEM education, they're also valuable resources for life lessons and advice. Ask them to interview you for a position on the team. Practice your answers in front of a mirror. Look into their eyes as they speak. Practice your handshake. Let others review your resume and give you feedback. Your mentors are there to guide you, and they'll be able to help you fine tune your presentation.
Utilize your mentors and learn from them. Ask questions. Be proactive. Remember - chance favors the prepared mind.