interview

Tag: interview

A Current Lawrentian’s Experience Interviewing

Through Big Interview, I had the opportunity to “interview” my fellow Career Peer Educators at the Career Center. We all recorder ourselves answering the sample interview questions, and then we were tasked to each write an article about our experience.

Throughout all the interviews I looked at, the strongest answers were always concise. That’s a huge challenge, especially on the fly in the middle of a conversation. Rambling is way easier than trying to slow down and think. However, slowing down is probably the best thing you can do. When you are more conscious of what you’re saying, you can make sure what you’re saying is relevant.

As well, being able to tie your ideas together is great. If the question is “what is your greatest strength?”, and your answer is “kindness”, you should consistently be relating your kindness to the workplace and how it is used as a strength. That sounds redundant, but it is really easy to just go on a tangent about how nice you are. Then, the employer doesn’t get the chance to see how your strength is actually applicable to what you would be doing.

Confidence is also a huge thing! And honestly if you aren’t feeling the most confident, faking it until you make it is a real thing. Interviewers judge your everything. Your clothes, attitude, tone of voice, and even how you sit matters. You want to exude confidence from the second you enter the building. There are some small ways one can implement this into practice. Smiling is a big one! Smile at the interviewer, the person who hands you your coffee, everyone. The way you walk matters as well, and walking with a smile automatically shifts people’s perception of you in a positive way. Some other quick ones would be walking straight, use a strong handshake, and don’t be afraid of eye contact. In my experience, one of the biggest things that exude confidence is being yourself. No one has fun in an interview where the interviewee is robotic and too curated. Find ways to show them your personality, while maintaining professionalism. It isn’t as hard as you’d think!

Nowadays, many interviews are online. In that case,obviously some things change. You have to keep the interviewer engaged! The easiest way to do that is with your words. Avoid rambling as previously mentioned and focus, really focus, on what you are saying. Not so much so that you’re speaking in chunks, but so that you are concise. Don’t be afraid to use your hands when you talk, as it can help the interviewer stay engaged, but monitor it. You don’t want to be flailing your arms or using hand motions where it doesn’t make the most sense. It takes thought and practice with intentionality to understand it, but this is also not as difficult as it seems.

If the thought of recording yourself and watching it back makes you not the happiest, don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Big Interview is a great tool for interviewing, and getting comfortable with feedback. All of my coworkers that I interviewed through this platform are people I see everyday. It really wasn’t weird watching their responses. If you keep a professional mindset, you really can get a lot out of it. I highly encourage you to give Big Interview a try!

Good luck Lawrentians!

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.

Ilan’s ’17 Eyes on Interviewing

I had the opportunity to interview Ilan Blanck ‘17 about his experience in interviewing. While at Lawrence University, Ilan majored in Guitar Performance and Music Composition, and was a part of several bands on campus. After a few music-related jobs, he found himself at The Music District in Fort Collins, Colorado. Here, Ilan is currently the Artist Development Assistant Manager. After being at this company for a few years, Ilan ended up interviewing his prospective coworkers. Since interviewing can easily be seen as intimidating and confusing, I think it will be beneficial to hear what an experienced interviewer has to say!

The first thing Ilan mentioned was the importance of having a relationship and connection with the industry you’re interviewing for. The Music District is, you guessed it, in the music industry. So, being passionate about listening to or making music is valuable, and visible in an interview. As well, having some kind of experience in your desired field is also important., but it doesn’t necessarily need to be professional. When Ilan was at the Con, he was in several bands, but he also managed them. He helped them book shows and even tours. This was not a job Ilan had, yet it is an incredibly important and relevant experience.

There is a huge emphasis on being knowledgeable about what role you’re interviewing for. If say a biology major who is not a musician and doesn’t really listen to music applied for a job at Spotify, that likely wouldn’t be the best fit right? In the music industry it isn’t uncommon for them to ask you about your favorite artists, especially smaller ones if the job is for local musicians. Ilan said it best when referencing The Music District: “Speak the language of what it means to be an indie artist fluently.”

While this piece of advice may seem basic, it’s true. Stand out! Don’t be generic. While interviewing Mr. Blanck, he recalled a time when he was interviewing someone as a part of a panel. There were maybe ten or so people in the room, all talking to the one individual. As an organization that is built on helping up-and-coming local indie artists, they asked them, “What’s your favorite local band?” The interviewee looked straight at one of the panel members and said that his favorite local band was the one the interviewer was a part of. Either that person did crazy investigative research on who would be interviewing them (not a bad idea either!) or they just had a genuine passion for local music. Years later, the story was memorable enough that Ilan told me about it last week. The more you know about the role you’re being interviewed for, the better. 

Overall, being genuine and yourself is key to interviewing success. Add knowledge and experience to that, and you’ve just become the ideal candidate.

Mastering the Art of Interviewing Newsmakers: A Guide for Journalists

As objective journalism becomes harder and harder to find, journalists with the skill and desire to conduct fair interviews with newsmakers are in high demand. These interviews can provide valuable insights, uncover hidden stories, and bring important issues to light. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how journalists can effectively interview newsmakers.

Preparation: The Foundation of a Successful Interview

Research Thoroughly: Before the interview, gather as much information as possible about the newsmaker. Understand their background, recent activities, and the context of their involvement in the news. This preparation allows you to ask informed and relevant questions.

Set Clear Objectives: Define what you hope to achieve with the interview. Are you looking to clarify facts, get a personal perspective, or uncover new information? Clear objectives help structure your questions and keep the interview focused.

Develop a Question Flow: Organize your questions in a logical sequence. Start with broader questions to ease into the conversation, then move to more specific and probing questions. This approach helps the interviewee feel comfortable and opens up more detailed responses.

Crafting Effective Questions

Open-Ended Questions: These questions encourage detailed responses and provide deeper insights. For example, instead of asking, “Did you support the policy?” ask, “What are your thoughts on the policy and its impact?”

Closed-Ended Questions: Use these sparingly to confirm specific facts. They are useful for getting clear, concise answers but can limit the depth of the conversation.

Behavioral Questions: These questions focus on past actions and experiences, revealing how the newsmaker has handled situations before. For example, “Can you describe a time when you faced significant opposition to one of your policies and how you managed that situation?”

Situational Questions: Present hypothetical scenarios to understand how the newsmaker might respond to future events. For example, “If you were elected, how would you address the current economic challenges facing the nation?”

Why and What Questions: Use “Why” questions to explore motivations and “What” questions to delve into specifics. For example, “Why did you decide to take this approach?” and “What were the key factors in your decision?”

Active Listening and Follow-Up

Listen Actively: Pay close attention to the interviewee’s responses. Active listening helps you pick up on nuances and follow up on interesting points.

Ask Follow-Up Questions: If the interviewee mentions something intriguing, ask them to elaborate. For example, “You mentioned facing resistance—can you tell me more about that?”

Seek Clarification: If a response is vague or unclear, ask for clarification. For example, “You mentioned you would improve the economy by creating opportunities. Can you tell me what that means? What does that look like? How will you do so?”

Creating a Comfortable Environment

Build Rapport: Start with light, casual conversation to ease any tension. Establishing a connection early on makes the interviewee feel more at ease and open.

Maintain Neutrality: Avoid inserting your own opinions, especially in sensitive discussions. Neutral body language and tone help the interviewee feel comfortable sharing openly.

Set Expectations: Outline how long the interview will take and what you plan to cover. If recording, ensure the interviewee is comfortable with it.

Avoiding Leading and Loaded Questions

Leading Questions: Avoid suggesting the answer you’re hoping for. For example, ask “What are your thoughts on how the new policy affects small businesses?” instead of “Don’t you think the new policy is unfair to small businesses?”

Loaded Questions: Avoid assumptions. For example, ask “How has your administration responded to the concerns about rising crime rates in the city?” instead of “Why did your administration fail to address the rising crime rates in the city?”

Ending the Interview

Reflection: Ask if there’s anything else the interviewee would like to add. This can bring up valuable points you might have missed.

Next Steps: Outline any follow-up actions and timelines. This leaves the interviewee with a clear sense of direction.

By following these steps, journalists can conduct effective and engaging interviews with newsmakers, uncovering valuable insights and crafting compelling stories.

Sources:

12 dos and don’ts of journalistic interviews | International Journalists’ Network (ijnet.org)

An illustrated guide to the basics of interviewing – Poynter

Interviewing Techniques | Journalism Study Guide by HyperWrite (hyperwriteai.com)

How to Spend Your Winter Break Productively

Winter break is a great time to relax and recharge after a busy fall term. But it can also be a valuable opportunity to prepare for your future career goals. If you are planning to have an internship next summer, here are some tips on how to spend your winter break productively.

Tip 1: Apply for internships early

Many summer internships have deadlines in January or February, so don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Start researching potential internships that match your interests, skills, and goals. You can use online platforms like Handshake, Glassdoor, Indeed, or LinkedIn to find internships in various fields and locations. You can also ask the Career Center for recommendations or referrals.

Tip 2: Update your resume and cover letter

Your resume and cover letter are the first impressions you make on potential employers, so make sure they are clear, relevant, and professional. Highlight your academic achievements, work experiences, skills, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate your fit for the internship. Use action verbs, quantify your results, and tailor your documents to each internship you apply for. You can also use online tools like VMock to help you create and proofread your resume and cover letter.

Tip 3: Learn new skills or improve existing ones

Winter break is a perfect time to learn new skills or improve existing ones that can boost your resume and prepare you for your internship. You can take online courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or edX that offer a variety of topics and levels. You can also read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or join online communities that relate to your field of interest. Learning new skills or improving existing ones can help you stand out from other applicants and show your initiative and curiosity.

Tip 4: Network with professionals and peers

Networking is a powerful way to expand your connections, learn from others, and discover new opportunities. You can network with professionals and peers in your field by attending online events, webinars, or workshops that interest you. You can also reach out to Lawrence alumni, mentors, or contacts from previous internships or jobs and ask them for advice or feedback. Use social media platforms like LinkedIn follow influencers, join groups, or participate in discussions that relate to your field.

Tip 5: Prepare for interviews

If you get invited for an interview, congratulations! That means you have passed the first screening and have a chance to impress the employer with your personality and potential. To prepare for the interview, research the company and the role, practice common interview questions and scenarios, dress appropriately, and be punctual. You can use online platforms like Big Interview to help you practice and improve your interview skills.

Conclusion

Winter break is not only a time to rest and have fun, but also a time to plan ahead and get ready for your summer internship. By following these tips, you can spend your winter break productively and increase your chances of landing your dream internship. Good luck!

NACE Career Excellence Spotlight – Critical Thinking

Kyle Gierman is a Senior student studying Economics and Data Science. This summer, he had the opportunity to work as an intern at JP Morgan, an American financial services firm.

This article’s NACE competency focus is Critical Thinking. We had the opportunity to speak to Kyle about how he was able to use his Critical Thinking skills to succeed in his internship. Here is what we asked him.

Describe a project or task where you had to gather and analyze data to make an important decision. What methods did you use, and what was the outcome? 

At JPMorgan Chase & Co, I was tasked with the critical project of streamlining dataflows to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of our macroeconomic calculators for the Investment Banking team. This project was crucial for making informed financial decisions and ensuring that our data was not only accurate but also up to date.

To tackle this challenge, I leveraged Alteryx, a powerful data integration and analytics tool. Alteryx allowed me to automate and optimize various data processes, significantly reducing processing time which was a problem in the past. I designed workflows within Alteryx to gather data from multiple sources, clean and transform it, and then integrate it to send to the Investment Banking team. By automating these processes, we were able to eliminate manual data entry errors and reduce the risk of human error, thereby improving data accuracy and reliability.

One of the key outcomes of leveraging Alteryx was the huge reduction in processing time. Previously, it took a considerable amount of time to manually collect, clean, and update the data required for our macroeconomic calculators. With Alteryx, we were able to cut down processing time significantly, allowing us to provide more timely updates to our calculators. This was particularly important in the fast-paced financial industry, where up-to-the-minute data can make a substantial difference in decision-making.

To ensure the quality and accuracy of the data, I also used Excel as a complementary tool. I created pivot tables and cross-referenced the data processed through Alteryx with the original source files. This double-checking process helped identify any discrepancies, allowing for immediate correction.

In the end, the project was a success. By streamlining dataflows with Alteryx and implementing data validation using Excel, we not only reduced processing time but also improved data accuracy and timeliness.

Kyle Gierman ’24

Critical thinking was a fundamental aspect of every stage of the project, from recognizing the problem to designing solutions, evaluating tools, and ensuring ongoing data quality. Critical thinking is an essential skill for problem-solving and decision-making in complex projects like this one.

And you? Are you showcasing your critical thinking skills on your resume? How would you answer that same question?

If you would like to know more or have questions on how you could showcase your skills on your resume or in an interview, feel free to email me (oliver.decroock@lawrence.edu) or schedule an appointment here.

Oliver De Croock ’24, Student-Athlete at Lawrence University majoring in Economics and Data Science. Oliver works as a Career Peer Educator at the Career Center and is the President of the Lawrence University Business Networking Club. Connect with Oliver on LinkedIn.