Kevin O’Connor A friend currently is attending a 2-week pharmaceutical sales training program where he’s surrounded by former athletes. During the interview process, he was asked questions about his participation in sports in high school and college. He now knows this particular company places a premium on people who know how to compete. Two executive…… Continue reading Smart Athletes Get Attention of This CEO
Tag: job interview
Don’t Drink and Interview
I’ll never forget the job interview I had many years ago with a PR agency head who was a regular at a New York club. Seconds after sitting down for lunch, two martinis were delivered to the table–one for him and one for me. Minutes later, a second was delivered. Thankfully, the third arrived as…… Continue reading Don’t Drink and Interview
Avoid Becoming a Nuisance Through Limited, But Effective Follow-Up
Q. Your recent post discusses when to follow up after sending a resume to an agency, but how and when do you do so after an initial interview? What’s expected by hiring managers? -HG A. Before the initial interview ends, the hiring manager or HR manager normally asks if you have any questions. At that…… Continue reading Avoid Becoming a Nuisance Through Limited, But Effective Follow-Up
Be Prepared for Conversation, Not Interview
A new 2010 graduate told me about a non-traditional job interview for which he feels he was unprepared. The prospective employer spent the entire hour asking and following-up on questions about the candidate’s hometown, summer jobs and extra curricular activities–not one question about his college curriculum or experience relevant to the job opening. Fortunately, the applicant launched…… Continue reading Be Prepared for Conversation, Not Interview
Punctuality Required if You Want the Job
When you’re lucky enough to land an interview in this tough job market, it’s critically important to show up on time. That seems obvious, but in the past few weeks I’ve heard several horror stories about tardy applicants. One graduating senior who had the rare distinction of having two interviews on the same day,…… Continue reading Punctuality Required if You Want the Job
OK to Say: “I Don’t Know”
During a break at the recent Arthur Page Society conference, I talked with an agency head and corporate PR VP about the incredible talent coming out of college PR programs. We agreed that entry-level hiring decisions are hard to make, so the “little things” become increasingly important. Actually, the “little things” are deal makers or breakers…… Continue reading OK to Say: “I Don’t Know”
‘Six Ways to Make People Like You’
After conducting an interview last week, I came across a PR Week column by Korn/Ferry EVP Don Spetner that confirmed why the interview made me so uncomfortable. The applicant hadn’t mastered the personality basics to succeed in business–or at least in her job search. During the interview, the applicant appeared obsessed with discussing the dysfunction of her former boss and colleagues. Even…… Continue reading ‘Six Ways to Make People Like You’
Dining Etiquette Improves Job Chances
Both women and men can benefit from reading the insightful New York Times interview Sunday with Qwest chief operating officer Teresa Taylor. Taylor confirms the importance of being a good listener in business, and she provides an interesting look into how she evaluates job candidates. Among her most important decision makers: dining etiquette. “I never hire somebody without…… Continue reading Dining Etiquette Improves Job Chances
Lessons From Dream Interview That Wasn’t
Aubrey Mondi Throughout college, I completed internships, worked hard, and frequently contacted acquaintances at PR agencies seeking advice on how to prepare myself to land an agency job upon graduation. I thought I was doing everything I could or at least doing a decent job of it. Recently, my hard work paid off…… Continue reading Lessons From Dream Interview That Wasn’t
Multiple Interviews Becoming the Norm
Q. I managed to get through the HR process at an agency and met the hiring manager during my second round of interviews, Now, I’ve been asked to return for a half day of interviews with at least six people in the practice area where the job is located. Since this is the furthest I’ve made…… Continue reading Multiple Interviews Becoming the Norm