#CJW

Tag: #CJW

My Experience as an Interviewer: Wardah Basil

Reviewing three Big Interview recordings as a Career Peer Educator gave me a different perspective on interviews. Watching the videos, I noticed that the strongest answers were the ones that followed a clear structure, especially the STAR method. The students who did well explained the situation quickly, talked about the task and the specific actions they took, and then ended with a clear result. Their answers felt easy to follow because they stayed focused on their own role and didn’t spend too much time on background details. One answer that stood out to me was when a student was asked what makes qualities make a good leader. Instead of just listing leadership traits, they said a good leader listens first and makes sure everyone on the team feels heard. They also talked about taking responsibility when things go wrong and giving credit to the team when things go right. It felt thoughtful and genuine, and it showed their perspective rather than just repeating common interview phrases.

Being a reviewer also helped me understand what makes an answer clear or confusing in recorded interviews. When someone jumps between ideas or forgets to explain the result, it becomes harder to follow, especially since there is no chance to ask follow-up questions in an asynchronous interview. The answers that worked best were the ones that clearly walked through what happened, what the student did, and what they learned from the experience. For students doing asynchronous interviews, I would suggest keeping answers structured, speaking a little slower, and looking at the camera so it feels more like a real conversation. It can also feel uncomfortable to watch yourself on video, but the goal isn’t to be perfect. Watching recordings and getting peer feedback is really just a way to notice what is working and what could be clearer next time. This experience reminded me that interviews are really about telling your story in a simple and honest way.

My Experience as an Interviewer: Nadika Sharma

Reviewing three recorded interviews helped me notice some clear patterns in the strongest answers. The best responses were structured and easy to follow, usually using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Students briefly explained the situation they were in, described what they did, and clearly shared the outcome. These answers were both concise and detailed, which made them easier to understand. As a reviewer, I also learned that interview answers are most convincing when they follow a clear flow. When someone explains what happened, what actions they took, and what the result was, the story becomes much clearer for the listener. If the order is mixed up, it can make the answer confusing. I also noticed that body language, eye contact, and enthusiasm in the voice make a big difference, especially in recorded interviews where the interviewer cannot interact in real time.

Thinking about asynchronous interviews from the interviewer’s perspective, it is important for students to stay engaged and energetic so the listener does not lose interest. Speaking clearly, keeping answers organized, and showing genuine interest in the question can make a big difference. Practicing beforehand, timing responses, and avoiding overly long answers can also help keep the interview engaging. For students who feel nervous watching their own recordings, I would encourage them to treat the video as a learning tool rather than something to judge themselves harshly for. Watching the recording can help identify small improvements in clarity, pacing, or body language. Peer feedback can also be very helpful because others may notice strengths you didn’t realize you had. Instead of focusing only on mistakes, students should look at what they did well and use feedback to gradually improve their interview skills.

Interviewing 101: Advice from Amelia Anderson ’14

I had the pleasure of interviewing Amelia Anderson ‘14 about her experience in interviewing intern candidates. While she is the current Director of the Bennett Prize and Curator of Women’s Art, this was during her time at EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association). 

The first piece of advice Amelia gave was to dress nice and don’t worry about overdressing. This is seemingly simple, but it really means a lot. In an interview, first impressions matter. You get about 20 minutes at the most to impress your interviewers, and they start analyzing you from the moment you walk in. By dressing up, even if it seems to be “too much”, you make a good first impression that you’re professional and you care about the position. Simple things such as making sure your shirt has no wrinkles, making sure it’s tucked in, and swapping your flannel for a clean button up can truly make a difference.

With first impressions, handshakes also matter. Some may think of handshaking as a bit old fashioned or even not as common since Covid-19, but making sure you have a strong handshake shows confidence. Walk into the room with your head held high and radiate confidence! Going to the interview, make sure to print out a copy of your resume, or a few in case you have multiple interviewers. In theory, they should already have read your resume and/or they should have it with them during. But by you handing it to them, it shows you’re prepared. 

Anderson also added that interviewing is kind of like dating. And when you really think about it, it’s very true. First impressions are crucial and the smallest things can make you wish it was over. It’s also about finding the perfect fit, for both parties. You want to make sure as an interviewee, you ask questions. What is a typical day in this role like? What is the work culture amongst the workers? What specific attributes would make someone successful in this role? These are some of my personal favorites, as they go deeper than “how much would I be paid?” (though that is important) and you can learn a lot from the interviewers’ answers. 

Now, what questions would they want to ask you? When I asked Amelia, she had a couple really strong ones that came to mind. How do you handle stressful situations? What was a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how did you fix it? Describe a time when you feel like you failed. These questions are all about your personal responses to situations you would likely encounter at some point in your employment. They want to know if you have conflict resolution skills as well as the ability to learn and grow from mistakes. In your answer, try and focus on the result and what you learned, and how you would apply that to the specific position you’re interviewing for.

Lastly, interviewing is all about you. In my conversation with Amelia, we talked a lot about truly being yourself. You need to come off as more than just another body in the workforce. Humanize yourself. Amelia brought up talking about your interests outside of work. Think about your hobbies and the things you enjoy. Find a way to connect with the interviewer on a professional and personal level. For me, I love to get my nails done, so I always go out of my way to comment on the nails of the person talking with me. Usually then they notice mine and then we have a good two minutes of conversation. Obviously this doesn’t work for every interviewer, but something like that is good to have under your sleeve. 

Overall, interviewing can be stressful and anxiety-inducing. Hopefully, Amelia Anderson’s advice eases that, even if just a little. Always remember to just be yourself and give it your all.

Inside the Mind of a Hiring Manager: A Q&A with Jake Cline (M3 Insurance) 

Landing a job in today’s market requires more than just a degree – it requires strategy, consistency, and hard work. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jake Cline, a Talent Acquisition Manager at M3 Insurance, and discuss how students can navigate the application and interview process. 

Jake hires for competitive roles in Sales, Data, and Business. Here is a brief breakdown of our conversation and his unfiltered advice for student applicants. 

Q: What are the specific things you look for in an applicant’s resume? 

Jake suggests that the resume should be no more than a page for easier readability. He also added that he looks for clean formatting that highlights on-campus jobs, office, or work experience, and said that he highly values a student’s campus involvement, including involvement in clubs or organizations, and various related events. 

An applicant’s technical skills and specific projects mentioned in the resume also grab his attention, and he loves to see the applicant’s professional and personal experience where they have used and implemented their skills. 

Q: What do you expect to hear from a student during the actual interview? 

Jake mentioned that he looks for detail-oriented ambiverts. An applicant should have done their homework – get a summary of the company’s background and understand the job description inside and out. 

He also said that preparation is the key, and that an applicant should have at least 6 to 7 questions ready about the role and the company, so that they can ask at least one by the end of the interview and not say you’ve already answered all my questions. Not asking a question is taken as a red flag by the hiring managers. Always try to connect with the interviewer; research about them on LinkedIn beforehand to find possible common interests. Also, if it’s an in-person interview, look proper and come prepared with notebooks and ideas. Look ready! 

Q: What is something that makes an applicant truly stand out to you? 

Jake mentioned that an applicant following up after they submit the application and interviews is valuable to him and reflects the responsive and responsible personality of the applicant. He also said, “You are not being annoying when you check in or follow up; we actually appreciate it”. Sending a thank you note and checking in regularly shows you’re serious. Also, a professional pro-tip is to try to connect with the interviewee and always ask for their contact information or ask for their business before you leave the interview. 

Q: How would you describe the current job market for “Early Talent”? 

Jake has observed that it is high traffic right now for entry-level positions and sees a real lack of networking from candidates. The market is difficult, especially for business majors, and suggests that one should find a niche in the career they want to be in. 

The biggest piece of advice that he had was to secure a position before you graduate. Not having one could look like a red flag to interviewers in the future. He also suggests having real salary expectations for the region in which the company is based. A Wisconsin-based company cannot match the salary level of a company based in New York or Chicago. He also believes it is totally fine to start low, work your way up, and make sure you actually fit the parameters for the job you’re applying for. 

Q: How important is networking, and how should students get started? 

Jake believes that networking is very important, and you can always start from the campus level by attending career fairs, joining fraternities, and getting active in clubs and organizations. 

He believes that you need to present yourself and get in front of the employees, and also work on gaining real experiences at the same time to demonstrate your fit for the role. He also said, “Pave your own path – no one is going to show up at your door, and network as much as you can, start small, and build from there.” 

Key Takeaways: 

Talking with Jake made one thing very clear: experience and effort will always be valued when you submit an application. Whether it’s having 7 questions ready for an interview or showing up to every Career Fair on campus, the students who do the work will be the ones getting the offers in this current job market. 

Computer Science major and Data Science & Mathematics minor at Lawrence University, and the President of the Lawrence University Data Science Club. Connect with Sabin on LinkedIn

Entry Level Jobs for the CJW Career Community 

Starting your job search with a background in Communication, Journalism, and Writing opens doors to careers that shape how people understand the world. Figuring out which path to take could feel overwhelming at first – something all college students go through. However, your time at Lawrence – writing stories, analysing media, creating digital content, performing, producing a podcast, or working on publications – can prove to be a powerful and versatile skill set. Now, let us explore what “entry-level” roles can look like for a freshly graduated Lawrentian in the CJW career field and how to begin navigating that first step towards a career in Communication, Journalism, and Written Arts. 

Where CJW Graduates Can Go 

Career paths in CJW are broad – and that’s a major advantage. While some students directly jump into journalism or media, there is a possibility for a career in marketing, publishing, nonprofit media and communications, or digital storytelling. Here are a few common paths for recent graduates: 

  • Journalism and Media: Graduates can start off as news reporters, editorial assistants, production assistants, or social media producers for newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV networks, or digital media outlets. These roles allow you to develop your voice while gaining experience in research, interviewing, editing, and storytelling.  
  • Public Relations and Strategic Communications: Beginner-friendly roles such as PR assistant, communications coordinator, or media relations assistant involve writing press releases, managing social media, and assisting companies to communicate effectively with the target audience. Such jobs are common in agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and universities.  
  • Marketing and Content Creation: CJW graduates can step into roles like content creator, copywriter, marketing assistant, or digital content coordinator. These positions focus on managing websites, campaigns, email marketing, and social media using strategic creativity. 
  • Publishing and Editing: If you enjoy writing arts extensively, you can join roles where you can shape written content as an editor, assistant, proofreader, or publishing assistant, which offers hands-on experience in editing manuscripts, fact-checking, and working with authors and production teams. 
  • Arts, Culture, and Nonprofits: Various museums, theaters, advocacy organizations, and community groups also need strong communicators. Positions like communications associate or outreach coordinator allow you to tell meaningful stories that support a mission or cause.  

In all of these career paths, the employers value the same core traits CJW students develop at Lawrence (i.e., strong writing, creativity, versatility, campus involvement, adaptability, and the ability to communicate clearly with different audiences). 

Skills That Set You Apart 

CJW students stand out because of their ability to tell and write stories that make an impact on the public. Employers are always looking for candidates who can write clearly and structurally, think creatively, and adapt their voice for different platforms and audiences – something that Lawrence provides you with in your undergraduate journey. 

Your experience of writing for a campus publication, producing a podcast, creating digital media for clubs and organizations on/off campus, working on a major writing project, or communications focused internship can speak for you when you begin applying to entry level positions out there in the real world. Portfolios, writing samples, and media projects can prove to be a strong asset in your application as it shows your work, and not just academia part of things. 

Your communication skills, with critical thinking and creativity, make you an asset in any organization that needs to share ideas effectively. 

You just need to be presentable with what you’ve done so far to better your chances in any job.  

Where to Start Looking 

Finding your first job often comes down to using your networks and campus resources strategically. 

Here are a few places to get started: 

  • Career Center: The career center should be one of the first stops for Lawrence students when they begin their career search. It is one of the best resources Lawrence offers, which is run by friendly and helpful staff. You can book appointments for resume, cover letter help, portfolio reviews, mock interviews, and career advising. Career Peer Educators(CPEs) and Career Advisors can help you tailor your materials for media, writing, and communication roles. 
  • Handshake: Lawrence’s official job search platform – Handshake – regularly lists opportunities in journalism, marketing, communications, publishing, and media productions. 
  • Alumni Connections (Networking): Lawrence University has an incredibly strong and supportive alumni network. Reaching out to alumni working in media, PR, publishing, or marketing can lead to informational interviews, mentorship, referrals, and job leads. 
  • Career Center Events: Follow the “@lawrencecareercenter” Instagram page and look out for panels, workshops, employer info sessions, and career fairs related to CJW fields can be a good idea. Career fairs and alumni panels are great opportunities to learn what employers are looking for and is a great way to start your professional networking journey. 
  • Industry Job Boards: Websites like Mediabistro, JournalismJobs, Ed2010, and LinkedIn can be helpful to look for entry-level positions in writing, editing, media, and communications. 
  • Newsletters and Professional Organizations: Subscribing to industry/campus newsletters and joining organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) or Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), etc., can bring you in the loop with new opportunities and keep you updated about trends in the field. 

Building Early Experience 

In CJW fields, experience, projects, and work samples matter. Internships with media outlets, marketing departments, publishers, nonprofits, or campus offices can help you build a strong portfolio. 

Campus involvement reflects very well on your resume. Writing for student publications, managing social media for an organization, contributing to blogs, or helping with event promotion demonstrates real-world communication skills. Freelance work, personal blogs, podcasts, or creative writing projects can also help you strengthen your portfolio and showcase your initiative. 

Even small projects can lead to big opportunities when they reflect your creativity, voice, and work ethic. 

Conclusion 

Pursuing a career in communication, journalism, or writing doesn’t mean knowing what you want to do or what you want to be from day one; these fields are very open and allow you to explore what you actually like. Your path might lead you to a newsroom, a publishing house, a marketing agency, or a non-profit organization – and it may evolve multiple times along the way. 

What matters most is your ability to be connected to your basics, which is tell meaningful stories, connect with audiences, and communicate ideas clearly. Your time at Lawrence has prepared you to do exactly that – and the world needs those fearless voices now more than ever. 

Computer Science major and Data Science & Mathematics minor at Lawrence University, and the President of the Lawrence University Data Science Club. Connect with Sabin on LinkedIn

Insights from Malcolm Davis ’23 : HR Perspective on Interviewees

I spoke with Malcolm Davis, who graduated from Lawrence University in 2023 with majors in Government and Music. He currently works as an HR Generalist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he provides HR support across his unit. He shared how his liberal arts background at Lawrence helped him build strong communication and critical thinking skills that are useful in HR work.

Malcolm entered UW–Madison through a two-year HR rotational program. The program included four rotations, each lasting about six months, where he worked with different HR teams across the university. This allowed him to see how HR functions in different units and build a broad skill set. After completing his final rotation, he was transitioned directly into his current HR Generalist role.

When discussing communication skills in interviews, Malcolm emphasized that conversation matters a lot, especially for nervous or less experienced candidates. Communication is evaluated from the very beginning, including how confidently someone answers the phone, greets the interviewer, asks questions, and structures their responses. He strongly recommended using structured frameworks like the STAR method or PAR (Problem, Action, Result) to tell clear and compelling stories.

Malcolm also explained that interview behavior can strongly influence hiring decisions, especially in later rounds. Paying attention to instructions is critical. For example, not reading an email carefully about camera preferences can be a negative signal. He advised candidates to ask questions if they are confused and to always ask at least three thoughtful questions about the role, the organization, or next steps.

Finally, he shared an example of a candidate whose resume did not seem very strong at first because she lacked direct HR experience. However, during the interview, she gave a compelling story about her work as a Resident Assistant, connecting it to HR skills like policy enforcement, documentation, and follow-up. By clearly explaining her experience using the STAR method, she stood out as a strong candidate. This highlights that you don’t need to be nervous if you don’t have direct experience with the roles you are applying to. If you can explain your skills in a compelling way, you can still be eligible for the position.