Company Culture is Something Not to Overlook During your Interview Process

By Edward Cruz, Director, Career Education

Earlier this month, my colleague discussed the ACC’s of interviewing (Adaptability, Communication and Critical Thinking Skills). I believe the points made are valuable, and you should read his blog to get more information. However, I wanted to take a moment to provide some additional thoughts to consider as you begin your search and go through the interview process.

In addition to the ACCs of interviewing, when searching for your position you also need to strongly consider company culture. At times, determining an organization’s culture can be difficult until you are further along in the search process. Let’s say you applied for a position that seems like a good fit and you went through the first round screening interview. A week or two passes and you receive the call you have been waiting for. You were moved onto round two! Congratulations! You made it! They STILL like you. That means the ACCs worked!

Now that you are preparing yourself for the office interview, you can expect to meet with one to two people or an entire department; it just depends on the organization’s interviewing method (tip: it could also reflect their culture so pay attention). Before you arrive for your interview you should take some time out to prepare your questions and do your homework on the organization. At the end of your interview, you will have an opportunity to ask questions of the interviewer. This is your chance, go for it! Learn about their culture by asking specific questions similar to these:

1.    Can you define your culture in 3 - 5 words?
2.    Can you explain how conflicts are handled within the team/office?
3.    How are accomplishments recognized by the department/organization?
4.    What is the leadership style of supervisors/managers at the organization?

Another thing you would what to key in on during your time at the organization is its values, both spoken and unspoken. Meaning, is what they are saying matching with what they are doing? Are these spoken values being reflected in your interactions with all levels of staff? Questions to consider when evaluating the organization’s values are:

1.    Are the values clearly stated or visible? Do not be afraid to ask them what their values are.
2.    How are staff interacting with each other?
3.    Are there undertones to the questions being asked by the interviewers or in the way they are responding to your questions?
4.    At the conclusion of the process, think about what the experience was like and how were you treated and made to feel.

In many instances, culture is often times overlooked. With this misstep you can find yourself in an environment that does not gel with your values and causes a great deal of dissonance. Do your homework ahead of time, be observant, and do not discredit your gut feelings during the entire interview process. In many cases, culture is not considered until well after the candidate accepted the position and has spent some time in the new role/organization. With this blog entry, you now you have some food for thought and can prepare yourself to make a well informed decision not only by the offered salary or job title, but something that may mean more to you in the long run and that’s the CULTURE. Good luck on finding your fit!

Phone Interview Preparation

By Vinessa Burnett, Toppel Peer Advisor

For most people, phone interviews can be a huge source of angst and awkwardness –and rightfully so. It can be hard talking to a stranger over the phone while trying to portray your best self. Somehow you have to say all the right things without using eye contact or a smile to help get your message across.

While phone interviews can certainly be difficult, there are definitely ways to prepare beforehand that can make them a little less stressful. Here are several tips that you’ll be able to use to your advantage next time you have a phone interview!

Useful Phone Interview Tips:

Relax and be yourself 
This is by far the most important tip! Before you answer the phone call take a couple of deep breaths and tell yourself, “I got this!” Once you’re on the phone, speak how you would normally speak and stay true to who you are when answering each question. Even through a phone line, if you relax and be yourself, your awesome personality will still come across!

Print out everything you need
The best part about a phone interview is that (unlike an in-person interview) you can have all the documents that you need right in front of you! Be sure to print out the following documents beforehand and have them visible so that you can refer to them throughout the interview:

• Print out your resume
• Print out the job description
• Print out any documents that you submitted as part of your application (ex: essays, cover letters, supplemental activities etc.)

Look up the company on Glassdoor.com and read what questions other people who interviewed for the position were asked. Copy these questions and type out your answer to them before the interview. When asked one of those questions, all you have to do is look on the page and your response is already there!

Take notes
Have a sheet of paper and a pen to take notes throughout the interview. Be sure to write down the interviewer(s) name(s) so that you can mention them towards the end. You never know what useful information your interviewer might have for you, such as important dates and next steps! Also, if you take notes as the interview progresses, you may be able to refer back to something that was previously stated.

Close it the right way
Remember that a phone interview is also a chance for you to get to know the company. Always ask your interviewer(s) at least two to three questions at the end of the interview. These closing questions can be related to the position, the company, or the timeline of when you can expect to hear back. Lastly, make sure the interviewer hangs up first – do not hang up or say goodbye before they do!

Next time you have a phone interview… don’t freak out! Stay calm, cool, and collected by referring to the above tips. Best of luck!

Interviews Are Two-Way Streets!

By Trish Vega, Toppel Peer Advisor

Interviews can be nerve-wracking. There can be so many things to keep in mind in order to help sell yourself to your interviewer:  Am I sitting up straight? I gotta make sure I’m not using too many “ums”! Am I talking too fast?

But we can chill a little bit and take some pressure off. In a way, you are an interviewer too! Interviews are a great way to figure out if a company or position is a great fit for you and your professional development. Here’s how to make sure your potential opportunity can be a place for you to thrive.

It’s a Conversation, Not an Interrogation

Often, an interview can turn out to be a rattling off of questions and answers. Take this opportunity to make your interview time more of a conversation! For example, if your interviewer asks about your experience with writing blog posts, don’t be afraid to follow up with a question about what the company’s goals and aspirations are in terms of audience engagement. This will help you in a few ways: it would give you an insight to the company and how they work so you can discern if it is an environment for you, and it would also show that you have an interest in the company, making you more appealing to the employer. Additionally, this can help establish a rapport between you and your interviewer and leave a good impression.

Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

As your interview progresses, be on the lookout for any tidbits of information that signal what the work environment of the company is like. Do they mention travel? Overtime? Opportunities for advancement? If so, see if you can ask a question to get more information on those topics! With that in mind, here are some other questions we recommend asking to get a feel for whether a company is the right fit for you.

What qualities are you seeking in a candidate?

How would you describe the organization culture?

What are the best things about the job and the most challenging parts of this position?

What opportunities are there for me to develop?

What does a day in the office look like?

What goals do you have for the person who will serve this job?

Happy interviewing!

Ensuring Personal Safety When Attending an Interview

By Rebecca Graffam, Peer Advisor 

Most people do not think about safety issues in relation to job interviews, however, sometimes negative things happen that can be avoided with additional safety precautions.  Although this is not a major issue for most interviews, as a student living in the large city of Miami, I have found it is important to be hyper-vigilant and always trust my instincts. 

Therefore, I have compiled a list of precautions an interviewee can take in order to avoid a difficult or dangerous situation.

1.  Location

Find out where the interview will be held ahead of time.  You should avoid having interviews in a remote place unless you know the person well or can be with a group.  You can request that the interview take place in a public or official setting.  Additionally, there should be friends and/or family members that know where you will be going and for approximately how long.   

2.  Timing

Make sure the timing of your interview is not out of place for the job.  It is probably not a good idea to attend an interview at 9 PM for a receptionist daytime position.  If you do happen to be in a situation that you have to attend a nighttime interview, make sure to bring along a friend.  They could wait in the car or the lobby but make sure there is someone else there to help ensure safety.  

3.  Website

Take time to visit the firm’s website prior to the interview.  Though you may have done this in your interview preparation research, it is important to become familiar with the trustworthiness of the company and make sure nothing is out of place.  You can generally tell a sketchy website from an official one and this simple step can help save you from a compromising situation.

4.  Formality

An interview has the potential to be fun and comfortable, but not to the point at which you feel it is too informal or creepy.  If the interviewer starts asking inappropriate suggestions or suggests anything contrary to what you feel is suitable, inform the interviewer that you are leaving and go as quickly as possible.  Let the firm know of the incident as soon as you are in a safe place.

Stay safe University of Miami!

The Art of Interviewing, from a Career Advisor’s point of view…

By Ali Rodriguez, Director, Employer Relations

Over the years, I have interviewed many candidates for full time jobs, student internships, and professional positions. While working in higher education. I've learned a few things about what works, behaviors to avoid, and how to make a lasting positive impression.

Step 1: The initial contact

When the recruiter calls you to offer an interview, make sure you have your list of applications close-by. I’m always surprised when a candidate doesn’t remember applying to the job I am calling about. Also, demonstrate enthusiasm. I'm not implying you want to scream with joy over the phone, but be thankful and let that person know you are looking forward to the opportunity. If the organization reaches out by email, this can be more challenging, but it’s nice when a candidate is excited about an opportunity and shows it.

Step 2: The interview prep

If the interview is longer than an hour, ask for an itinerary. This will allow you to see who you'll meet with and plan accordingly. Research every person you will meet with, as you may discover helpful information. Prepare different questions for each person you meet with, and show specific interest in his/her job and background. I'm always impressed when a candidate knows where I went to college or specifics about my job. This shows that time and effort went into preparing for the big day.

Step 3: The interview is here

You've probably read about behavioral based interviewing, which interviewers use to determine how your past behaviors indicate future performance. What’s the best way to get a handle on these questions? Preparing examples in advance is important, and you should have many scenarios to discuss at the top of your head. Most importantly, you also want to research how recruiters in your field conduct interviews. Will there be a case study? What are some of those brain teasers? Should you bring a portfolio?

This goes without saying, but be professional. Dressing the part is easy, but how you interact with team members is critical to a successful interview. With that being said, don't get too comfortable during the interview. If you get a sense that the office culture is warm and welcoming, that’s wonderful; remember you are still auditioning for the part. Don’t act like you’re a part of the team just yet, but demonstrate that you are a good fit and would work well with others.

Step 4: The follow-up

Please, write a thank you note.  This seems so basic, yet so many candidates don't do it. Sending an email is fine, and it's important to demonstrate why you are the best fit for the job and reiterate what skills you bring to the table. I've had candidates interview with a group of 3-4 people, and then follow up with a group thank you email. This doesn't allow you to personalize the note in any way.  Take the time to connect with each person and that really will go a a long way.

Step 4: The offer

We all know that it’s a candidate’s market right now. Don’t take advantage of this. Be polite, follow up on all requests to interview, and evaluate all opportunities fairly. In an ideal world, you will have multiple offers (this is a whole different blog).  Negotiating the process can be tricky, and I highly recommend you talk to an advisor at the Toppel Career Center about the process. We are here to help as you secure that job or internship and have valuable resources as you work to achieve your career goals.

Questions from the Professionals

By Marian Li, Toppel Peer Advisor

Be honest. In the rare occasions that as students, we get to play the role of the professional/employer, do you ever feel that the part of the job interview where you ask the candidate, "Do you have any questions for me?" is almost always a waste of time? As the interviewer, it’s easy to tell that most candidates don't actually care about your answers; they just hope to make themselves look good by asking "smart" questions. To interviewees, what they ask is more important than the actual answer to their so-called “smart” questions. Great candidates ask questions they want answered because they're evaluating you, your company/organization – and whether they really want to work with you.

1. What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 60 to 90 days?

Great candidates want to hit the ground running. They don't want to spend weeks or months "getting to know the organization." They want to make a difference, right away.

2. What are the common attributes of your top performers?

Great candidates want to be great long-term employees. Every organization is different, and so are the key qualities of top performers in those organizations. Maybe your top performers work longer hours. Maybe creativity is more important than methodology. Maybe constantly landing new customers in new markets is more important than building long-term customer relationships. Great candidates want to know, because 1) they want to know if they fit, and 2) if they do fit, they want to be a top performer.

3. What are a few things that really drive results for the company?

In every job, some activities make a bigger difference than others. Although you have positions available, you want to find the right candidates, because that results in higher retention rates, lower training costs, and better overall productivity. Great candidates want to know what truly makes a difference. They know helping the company succeed means they succeed as well.

4. How do you plan to deal with...?

Every business/organization faces a major challenge: technological changes, competitors entering the market, shifting economic trends. So while some candidates may see your company as a stepping stone, they still hope for growth and advancement; if they do eventually leave, they want it to be on their terms and not because you were forced out of business. Great candidates don't just want to know what you think; they want to know what you plan to do, and how they will fit into those plans.

Mini Mock Interview…What’s It All About?

By Kiernan King, Toppel Peer Advisor

Interviews are a necessary component of the job application process and Toppel offers a service to help make that process run a tad smoother; The Mini Mock Interview. To obtain one, simply come to the office for walk-in advising and meet with a fantastic peer advisor or graduate assistant. Getting ready for Medical School? Preparing for Graduate School? Hoping to land your dream job? We offer mock interviews in all of these areas Monday through Friday 10am – 4:30pm. 

Interviews will always begin with the dreaded, “Tell Me About Yourself” question. To answer such, one must stay relevant and keep the answer professional. Consider these five easy steps:

1. Be Gracious. (Thank them for taking the time out of their day to meet with you)
2. “My name is ____.” It’s never a bad idea to remind the employers who they’re potentially hiring.
3. “I’m originally from…” Geographic relevance goes a long way and is one of the easiest ways to connect with someone.
4. Use connecting words. “I’m currently a _____ at _____.” Here you can list your title and where your most recent and relevant experience comes from.
5. “And this is what I do…” The final step is the trickiest yet most important. Here you need to explain step 4 with a brief example of why they should consider hiring you over someone else.

Remember, the elevator pitch should be less than three minutes. Be careful not to overdo it. Be articulate, use general phrases. Your rhetoric and ability to summarize will be graded here.

• “What do you know about our company?” The easiest way to answer this question: research, research, research! Gather all of the information you can because it will show the employer you’re truly interested in working there which will also impress them. If the least you do is read their Wikipedia page, you’ll know that much more about that company. Also see if you can find a story about the company in your local newspaper. Information on current events can give you a leg up on the competition.

• You will be challenged on your previous experiences. Not only do you need to research the company, but be sure to go back through your own résumé and remind yourself of the many experiences you’ve had, your responsibilities there, and what you accomplished. Be sure to “flip” any negative aspects about these positions into positive ones.

• Be sure to highlight your interpersonal skills. These can always be backed up by hard skills listed on your résumé, but in order for your personality to really shine you need to refer to examples of how you positively impacted a colleague, peer or client.

• Midway through the interview we may pause and asses the number of “ums” and “likes” said. This critique is only to help you avoid saying these words and to get you feeling comfortable with a little bit of natural silence. A note about your body language may be mentioned as well.

• When employees ask you about your strengths, a good formula to go with is to start with a word. Turn that word into a sentence and then make that sentence become a story. Avoid cliché answers and be sure to say a skill for a weakness and not personality traits because skills can be taught and adjusted more easily than habits.

IMPORTANT: have a minimum of 3 questions to ask an employer at the end of an interview! One can be an overarching question, one can be related to what they find rewarding/challenging and one may be about opportunities for growth within the company, for example. Be sure to never ask anything personal.

Final tips: invest in resume paper and bring about 5 copies to an interview, go easy on the cologne, perfume, practice a firm handshake, be sure to iron your shirt and know how to tie a tie! While dressing professional is not required here, if you choose to do so we can offer a note or two on your outfit.

Don’t approach this mock interview, or any interview, like a test that you studied for the night before. You don’t want to sound rehearsed and the best thing to do is be yourself. The peer advisors and graduate assistants will listen to your answers and will provide honest feedback. Come see us, we don’t bite! 

So, You’re Really Good at Interviewing? Prove It.

By Kiernan King, Toppel Peer Advisor

Getting to the interview stage is one of the hardest parts in the job process because it means that something about your resume really stuck out to an employer and they’d like to call you in to get to know you better.

This is your time to shine.

The power really is in your own hands at this point because how you perform on interview day will determine whether or not you’re offered the position.

The key is to understand exactly what they’re looking for. Here are some steps to take if you want to improve your chances of success:

Do your homework.

Good preparation demonstrates that you’re serious about landing the role. Get to know as much as you possibly can about the firm and think about what you want to say in the interview. Researching will also bring up questions that you definitely need to be asking at the end.

Set the right tone.

Employers are on the look-out for people who are confident, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. You may be the most qualified and experienced person, but none of that will matter if your attitude is wrong.

Sell yourself.

Before you go into the interview you should draw up a list of key attributes and think about the main points you want to make about yourself. Have an elevator pitch? If not, draft one. If so, practice it; fine tune it. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

Listen.

It is important to pay attention to the questions they are asking so that you know exactly what you’re responding to. Failing to do so is one of the most common mistakes potential employees make, be unique and don’t do this! Interviewers are asking questions that look for a particular piece of information, and if you fail to present with such than you are simply doing yourself a disservice.

Recruiting is crucial for companies because getting the wrong person can have serious detriments to that company’s culture and overall message. Bosses want people who will fit straight into the existing group with minimum fuss and challenges to overcome. Getting rejected isn’t always a bad thing, it could just mean that the skills you’ve developed may be better suited elsewhere.

Show that you’re a team player who can be relied upon from your first day on the job!

Remember that Toppel conducts Practice and Mini-Mock interviews. Attend an interview workshop, schedule an appointment or simply come for walk-in advising and interview with our peer advisors or graduate assistants! 

Why and How You Should Take Full Advantage of On Campus Recruiting

By Monique Beaupre, Toppel Peer Advisor

What exactly is On Campus Recruiting? 

Representatives from local, national and international businesses and industries, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, military services, human services, and school systems visit the campus to meet with students and to interview and discuss career opportunities with students. After applying to openings via HireACane, students may be scheduled for individual interviews with visiting employer representatives.

Why you should participate

They already want you! Many representatives are taking their own time to seek ‘Canes to fill their open positions. They’ve heard how awesome you are and therefore have invested time into recruiting you specifically. 

This is your opportunity at face-time with employers. Rather than merely submitting your application online among hundreds of qualified applicants, you’ll meet face-to-face with company representatives. Take advantage of your chance to express your interest and enthusiasm in a recruiting company.

How you can make the most of On Campus Recruiting

Simply attend information sessions and apply for interviews! Find the On Campus Recruiting calendar here: http://www.sa.miami.edu/toppel/mainSite/Students/programs.aspx. You can go the extra mile by approaching the representative after their presentation and following up with them via email before your interview.

Dedicate at least 15-30 minutes to researching an On Campus Recruiter before visiting them. Look for available positions. Companies come to campus to answer your questions, so it’s okay to ask what opportunities are available. However, you’ll stand out if you approach them with, “I’m interested in [open position] because...” If you arrive better informed, you put yourself a step ahead of the game.

Dress to impress. For interviews, business professional attire is a no-brainer. However, students commonly mistaken their shorts and flip-flops as appropriate for company information sessions. They should be dressed in business casual attire for these events, so they can make the best impression possible when shaking hands with the speaker after the session.

Win Over the Interviewer in 5 Easy Steps

By: Emmy Petit-Frere, Peer Advisor 

“So, tell me about yourself?” If that’s not the most dreaded question asked in an interview, I don’t know what is.  You’d think it would come easy to tell someone (who knows nothing about you) a little bit about yourself, but it’s not. This person is your possible future employer! Everything you say counts; even the ‘um(s), ‘like(s)’, and those awkward blank stares when you don’t know how to answer a question. So let me help you out a little bit with some tips beyond the conventional, “dress for success, “ “be on time,” and “make eye contact” advice that have helped me get through a couple of interviews.

1. Be personable; be yourself.

Need I say more? Be you, and just that. You want to impress your future employer, but don’t lose yourself in the process. Rather than transforming yourself to your possible future employer’s criteria, key in on the elements of your personality, experience, and work ethic that will benefit the company’s culture.

2. Talk.

Pretty obvious, right? No, but seriously, talk! The best way to avoid those hard to answer and often times awkward questions is to answer them before they ask! My favorite interview thus far started out as a conversation about my shoes which then led to my interest in sports, to my love for traveling, to my passion for learning/speaking multiple languages, to a load of skills I had. Had I been asked, “what skills do you obtain that will benefit this company,” I would have probably forgotten to mention many of my skill sets or just gone completely blank. Interactive conversation allows for the interview to be comfortable, genuine, and effective.

3. Tie in your experiences.

I’ve found that this makes answering some of those tough questions so much easier! Here’s an example: Often, employers ask, “How do you approach situations of conflict in the work setting?” This can be a hard question to answer, especially for those of us who have never really had a real job; after all we’re just college students. You have more experience than you think- use it! We’ve all had that dreaded college group project (which somehow ends up being an individual/less than the full group effort LOL), an affiliation or leadership role within a club, volunteer work, or even a Federal Work study job. These are all valid experiences to tie into your responses. Be prepared to use your experiences to answer your interviewers questions.

4. Be memorable.

Stop mentioning things that are already on your resume! If the employer hadn’t already scrutinized your resume enough prior to your interview, you wouldn’t be there in the first place. This interview is where you make the lasting impression; this is where you put a face to the resume. You want to be able to be memorable enough that the possible employer can pick up your resume the next day and say, “Emmy! That’s the short girl with the crooked dimples who loves to travel!” My height (or lack thereof), crooked dimples, and love for travel seem to ALWAYS make it into my interview conversations. Sometimes it’s a story, a physical feature, or just your personality that catches the interviewer’s attention. Whatever it is, use it and be memorable!

5. Do your research

Learn about the company, and use your knowledge to not only show your interest, but to aid in keeping the conversation going, tying in your skill set to the company’s needs, and to most importantly impress your interviewer! Go prepared!

Well, these are just some tips that have helped me in my interviews with employers. Don’t forget the conventional tips as well! I’m sure you know them by heart (Be on time, dress for success, eye contact, firm handshake, blah blah blah.) The most important thing is that you PRACTICE! Interviews aren’t always easy, but you can make them easier with a little practice. Lucky for you, Toppel Career Center offers interviewing workshops and mock interviews where you can run through and practice your interview skills. Visit HireACane.com to find out when workshops or mock interviews will be offered. Good luck and remember, everybody wants to hire a Cane! :) 

 

Interview Faux Pas

By: Robert Vanisko

At the Toppel Career Center, we have tons of advice for students who are interviewing for jobs and internships. Today, however, we are going to focus on what not to do when interviewing for a job or internship.

Being underdressed: When attending any type of career related event, one of the worst things you can do is show up underdressed. Whether it is a job interview, career fair, networking event, etc. showing up underdressed will make you stick out like a sore, unprofessional, thumb.

Showing up late to an interview: There are few things that can kill your chances of getting a job faster than showing up late to an interview. In a job interview, employers want to see if you are going to be a good fit with their company. No matter what your excuse is, showing up late immediately throws up a red flag and makes you seem like an unreliable employee. 

Obnoxious name-dropping: While you may have friends in high places, make sure you are not obnoxious about it when dropping names. While these contacts may be very helpful in getting your foot in the door, you need to make sure you don’t come across as arrogant in the interview.

Bad mouthing former bosses and co-workers: While you may feel that some of your past career failures have been the result of your former bosses and co-workers, a job interview is not the time to say it. This makes you come across as selfish and not a team player. Plus, you never know who the person interviewing you is friends with.

Having your phone turned on: Even if you have it on vibrate, nothing says “I don’t care about this interview” more than having your cell phone turned on and distracting from the interview. Having a cellphone ring or vibrate mid-interview can quickly turn the tide of an interview against you, either by throwing you off while you are trying to answer a question or by angering the interviewer. While cell phones have been working their way more and more into everyday life, they still have no place in an interview.

Luckily for you, you now know to not do any of these things when interviewing for a job or internship. If you have any more questions regarding interviews or any other part of the application process, feel free to come to Toppel for an Interviewing Skills Workshop or a Mini-Mock Interview.