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Featured Article
Interview Advice from Employers: Part I
March 1, 2002
We asked corporate recruiters interviewing at Berkeley, "If
you could give Cal students one piece of advice on interviewing,
what would it be?"
"Nothing is more of a turn-off than a candidate who knows nothing about the company and asks you to tell them about [it]." The most common piece of advice offered was: Do your homework and be prepared to talk in specific terms about your interest in the job and the employer. This may seem obvious, but it is amazing how many students come in to an interview and do not know what the job they are interviewing for entails. One question I ask is, "Why are you interviewing for this position?" I want to hear a well thought out, articulate response. Not, "I thought it looked interesting and you are a top tier company." The student who has read about our firm on the website and has put some thought into it ("I really identified with a few of your business principles and it made me feel as though I would be a good fit for your firm because...") is the one I'll remember. Research both the company and the position before the interview. As a recruiter, this extra step impresses me because it shows motivation and interest in my company and position. When a candidate comes in and just says, "Oh, I just want to work in a bank, it doesn't matter what I do," it turns me off immediately. "What have you done to prepare for the interview?" Answers that interviewers like are ones that show that the student is really thinking of how to be resourceful and ferret out information beyond that readily available on their website. Initiative and resourcefulness are critical skills that most employers view as key desirable attributes. People who look up alumni and make contact with them, attend presentations, read the Wall Street Journal, watch the markets, are involved in investment or other business-related clubs on campus or possibly even invest in their own portfolio are the ones that show the necessary dedication to really get noticed in an interview. "When I do interview workshops," said one interviewer, "I tell students that none of what I am telling them is terribly difficult -- but it does take time and dedication. So the students who take the time to do these things have an increased chance of coming out ahead." Your Resume Don't claim any expertise or skill on your resume that you do not feel comfortable discussing in an interview. Be aware of all the information you have included on the resume that you submitted for a given job (you likely have more than one version) and be prepared to explain it. Show Interest by Asking Good Questions I would recommend that students come to an interview prepared with a series of questions that demonstrates their interest in the type of work that the company performs as well as their personal knowledge about the field. Good, informed questions indicate that they've researched the company ahead of time and have an idea about how they might contribute to it. Interview Advice from Employers: Part II will appear next week. Topics covered include: how much of yourself to show through an interview, how to frame effective answers, and what to do after the interview.  Additional Resources
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