TUESDAY JANUARY 26, 2016
Acing your interview: A guide to answering the most dreaded interview questions.
INSIDE NEWS:
ELLYN GIBBS Staff Writer During every job interview, there are certain questions that make most of us cringe. Here are some tips on how to answer them without damaging your chance to secure the job. What is your greatest weakness? Honesty is an awesome trait, but your job interview is not church confession. You don’t need to blurt out that story about how you once were a whole hour late to work because you thought it was Saturday. You also don’t need to share your tendency of making paper airplanes out of office memos and shooting them at your coworkers. You can turn even a weakness into something that will be beneficial to your new position. Read the job description over several times before your interview. Choose something from the list of employee requirements that you have little experience with, such as working a type of software, or running certain reports. This is
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Page 3 “Handshake man - women” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by flazingo_photos not a weakness to your character; it’s only a weakness in your technical skill set. Make sure you mention that you are eager to learn this new skill, because if that is the case, your employer will recognize that your “weakness” is not a problem at all. Why do you want this job? Some people are lucky enough to do what they love, nine to five, and they’re willing to work for next to nothing. Most of us apply to jobs for the money we’ll make because of them. This is not a sufficient response for an interview question. Again, it’s important that you read the job description
over before your interview. Think sincerely about what you could offer your new employer and organization. How will your presence change the company? How would you fill in the blanks to answers that begin with, “I believe I could bring your company...” or “I’m excited to begin working with…” Use specific duties from the job description. This will communicate that you’ve been thinking hard about not only what you’ll gain from the job, but what you can offer. Tell me about yourself. It’s easy to freeze up when asked this question. However, it’s not as hard to answer as you think. Even though you are a very complex hu-
man being, be sensitive to what your new employer really wants to hear. They are probably not interested in the number of siblings you have or how much you adore the Vikings. Instead, talk about things that will aid you in this new job. What is your experience with the skills you need for this job? What is your favorite part of this career field? Telling stories and examples is good too, as long as you keep them short and to the point. A little preparation goes a long way. Good luck with your next interview, and don’t forget to relax and be yourself.
SPORTS:
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A&E:
Are you dressing for a successful interview?
GABE HEWITT Staff Writer Whether it’s for a retail job or an internship, dressing properly for an interview is crucial to getting a job. According to Communication Studies Instructor Amber Allen, interviewers are assessing candidates from the first moment they see them. “How you dress is your first impression and the interviewer is expecting you to be dressed appropriately,” she
said. “This is the first test and you want to make sure you pass it.” Allen teaches a course called Professional Communication and Interviewing in which she covers how to communicate in the contemporary business world. One unit of the course is spent on job interviewing and mock interviews. “The biggest mistake is being dressed too casually,” she said. Researching the context of the job can help decide what attire to wear to the interview. For men, a dress shirt and tie is a safe option. For women, blouses and long skirts. If there’s any doubt of what to wear, ask the employer. They may ask for a conservative, business casual, business, or
just casual. “The whole ‘wearing a suit to every interview’ is a something of the past. Many companies today embrace a more casual attire so if you arrive in a full suit, it will be difficult for the interviewer to imagine you fitting the position which is a key part to landing the job,” Allen said. The Career Development Center (CDC) in the Wigley Administration Building helps students with the interview process, including help with what to wear. Students can go in for a walk-in appointment or schedule one to receive job interview advice. Several tips listed on their department website include not using too perfume or cologne, limiting jewelry and wearing appropriately colored panty-
hose and socks. The CDC also has advice for students on a tight budget. They recommend purchasing clothing with multiuse potential, investing in clothing pieces that can be combined with others for a business or casual look and looking for lightweight fabrics that can wore year-round. “I would recommend that [students] start with what’s in their closet already,” Allen said. “Many people already have what they need but they just need to alter them to make them appropriate an interview. Having a skirt of pant hemmed will cost around $10
ATTIRE Page 6
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INDEX: EDITORIAL................... 4 SPORTS........................ 9 A&E............................... 12 EMPLOYMENT..... 14
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