how to take a job interview

How to Take a Job Interview Kirby W. Stanat To succeed in campus job interviews, you have to know w

HowtoTakeaJobInterview KirbyW.Stanat Tosucceedincampusjobinterviews,youhavetoknowwherethatrecruiterisingfrom.The simpleansweristhatheisingfromcorporateheadquarters. Thatmaysoundobvious,butitisasignificantpointthattoomanystudentsdonotconsider. TherecruiterisnotafreespiritashefliesfromBerkeleytoNewHaven,fromChapelHillto Boulder.He’sonaninvisibleleashtotheoffice,andifheisworthhissalary,heismentallyin corporateheadquartersallthetimehe’sontheroad. Ifyoucanfixthatinyourmind—thatwhenyouwalkintothatbare-walledcubicleinthe placementcenteryouarewalkingintoabranchofficeofSears,BendixorGeneralMotors—you canavoidalotoflittlemistakesandmaybesomebigones. If,forexample,youassumethatbecausetheinterviewisoncampustherecruiterexpectsyou tolookandactlikeastudent,you’reinforashock.Astudentissomebodywhodrinksbeer,wears bluejeansandthrowsaFrisbee.NorecruiterhasjobsforstudentFrisbeewhizzes. AcoolspringdayinlateMarch,SamDavis,agoodrecruiterwhohasbeenonthecollege circuitforyears,isonmycampustalkingtocandidates.Heesouttothewaitingareatomeetthe studentwhosignedupforan11o’clockinterview.I’mstandinginthedoorwayofmyoffice takinginthescene. Samcallsthecandidate:“SidneyStudent.”TheresitsSidney.He’sata45degreeangle,his feetareintheaisle,andhe’salmostlyingdown.He’swearingwell-polishedbrownshoes,a tastefulpairofbrownpants,alightbrownshirt,andagoodlookingtie.Unfortunately,hetopsoff thiswell-coordinatedoutfitwithhisJoe’sTavernClassASoftballChampionshipjacket,which hasabigwovenemblemovertheheart. Ifthatisn’tbadenough,inhislefthandisacigaretteandinhisrighthandisahalf-eaten apple. WhenSamcallshisname,thekidiscaughtoffguard.Heditchesthecigaretteinanashtray, strugglestohisfeet,andtransferstheapplefromtherighttothelefthand.Applejuiceis everywhere,soSidwipeshishandontheseatofhispantsandshakeshandswithSam. Sam,whobynowisclosetohavingastroke,givesmethatwhat-do-I-have-herelookandhas theyoungmanfollowhimintotheinterviewingroom. Thesituationdeterioratesevenfurther—intopureLaurelandHardy.Thekidisstuckwiththe half-eatenapple,doesn’tknowwhattodowithit,andobviouslyissufferingsomedisfort.He carriestheappleintotheinterviewingroomwithhimandplacesitintheashtrayonthe desk—rightontopofSam’sfreshlylitcigarette. minutes....ewlastsfiveminutes.... Letusmoveinforacloserlookathowthecampusrecruiteroperates. Let’s....youhavea10o’clockappointmentwiththerecruiterfromtheXYZCorporation. Therecruitergetsridofthecandidateinfrontofyouatabout5minutesto10,jotsdownafew