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Reply With Quoteenthusiasm and willingness to learn
Just as the title says. If you were [or are] a hiring manager or interviewer, and you were to hire someone with only modest experience.. such as, say, a recent college grad....what would be the qualities/experiences/skills you'd find most compelling? Why?
enthusiasm and willingness to learn
True beauty is an exchange, not an observation. - Lucid Rog
Imagine you were an interviewer and you had two interviewees:
Number 1: Amazing grades but dull as dishwater, looks like all hes ever done is sat at home studying, no real life experience, no personality.
You would think, great hes got the brains for the Job, fits the job description but i dont think he would take the position to new levels as he lacks inspiration and
Number 2: Not amazing grades, Amazing 'go gettem' attitude, great interpersonal skills, willingness to learn as Fruity said, imagination and determination.
You would chose number 2 right?! Obvioulsy these are examples on extreme opposites of the scale but I think you get my drift!
I am quite good at bagging jobs, one interviewer asked me if I could have any job in the world, what would I like to do, I said "be a princess" she loved it!!! I got the job!
Another time I was asked "what would you do if I asked you to do something you really didnt want to do" I told her that I used to clean up sick in my old job at a nightclub and nothing could be worse than that. Again I got the Job!
Im not a graduate yet, and these examples are given for sales positions, but i think the principle is the same no matter what job you are going for! you should show imagination and that you arent afraid to get your hands dirty! Maybe some volunteering work would give you an edge?!
Theres more to life than being really really ridiculously goodlooking?
My coworkers and I have talked a lot about this because we do a lot of interviewing, some successful, sometimes the interviewees bomb.
When you're just starting out, it's hard to craft a resume that pops because you can't put a lot of relevant experience on there. Still, you should try to put as much on the page as you can. And if you can use numbers to document your achievements, all the better. But I think the cover letter is where you have a chance to get the interview if you don't have a ton of experience. Obviously you'd be applying to jobs that don't require a lot of experience so all the resumes are going to look somewhat similar in that regard. The cover letter should focus on what you can do for the company, not what the company can do for you. Try to draw on specific examples from your past, specific interests you have that show you're a good fit for the position.
Once you get the interview what's important is to demonstrate that you "get it". This is done by making cogent observations during the interview, connecting some dots, etc. Asking questions about their problems or challenges and describing what you think a good solution might be or how you've handled similar challenges in the past shows that you're a problem solver. Basically, what I've found is that being a good listener and asking relevant questions at the right time differentiates you as an applicant. When they ask about you, keep it professional and keep the focus of the discussion on the things about you you think will help their company.
Anyone can say "I'm a real go getter", "I love a challenge" etc. Demonstrating that you get it by asking the right questions and demonstrating that you care about their problems and have ideas on how to solve them is how you get a job.
Statistics are like prisoners, torture them long enough and they'll tell you whatever you want to hear.
Spike's Place
Awards:
one of the things that's a bit of a struggle in interviewing (imo), are the behavioral questions they may ask. i encourage you to study some of these questions and formulate a GOOD answer that connects your experiences with the position you're applying for. a quick google search came up with this:
Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion.
Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
Please discuss an important written document you were required to complete.
Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.
Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.
Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
Tell me about a difficult decision you've made in the last year.
Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.
Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.
Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.
Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.
Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.
Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
Please tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.
Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).
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now, I'm the same with Axe when it comes to interviewing. i don't think i've ever interviewed for a job and NOT gotten it.
however, since graduating, I've had one mock interview with the head of HR for an international pharmaceutical company, who said I interviewed great. and another REAL phone screening for a sales rep position.
this went alright, but he asked the behavioral questions and i was somewhat unprepared for it. i have enough to draw on in my employment experience to answer any of the questions, but i couldn't really connect wrangling a pig with selling rx drugsmade the guy laugh tho... and he said that he was asking the questions geared more towards recent grads or people with little/no sales experience.
interviewing is a bastard. i've got a dozen resumes to tweak and send out today, and hopefully i get one or two from that queue.
like the others have said, determination and drive are big factors when it comes to interviewing. i've had trouble with this as well. when my phone interviewer asked me why i wanted to work for that company, in my mind all i could think was good benefits and tuition reimbursement! what came out was some shit i read off the website about a "rich global pipeline and innovation"... i don't even know what i said. it was bunk. guy knew it, too.
so do your company research. hiring management LOVE to see someone who knows about the company.
a good company is going to be one that gives a shit about you, and you can't expect that to be a one way street.
GOOD LUCK!!! we allll need it.
'Cause I'm that fool that broke the key- I'm unlockable so don't check me- I got weight on my shoulders and things on my mind- The sky is falling and I'm falling behind... No shame in my game just par for the path- I try to hone my craft because at hand's the task- But I find I'm not playing with a full deck- I'm up to my neck like Toulouse Lautrec
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