Beat the Competition

1. Beat the Competition Get the job you want. Yolander Albert

2. What do some employers say about Duke students?

3. Communication skills (verbal and written) Honesty/integrity Teamwork skills (works well with others) Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) Motivation/initiative Strong work ethic Analytical skills Flexibility/adaptability Computer skills Organizational skill *According to National Association of Colleges and Employers Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek*

4. How can the -’s be turned into +’s? • Prepare Yourself • Market Yourself • Sell Yourself

5. Prepare Yourself… • Research the industry in which you are interviewing. • Read trade publications in the industry regularly. • Conduct informational interviews with Duke alum or others in the industry. • Review the website of the company with which you are interviewing and their competitors’ sites. • Do job shadowing during the school year, during holiday breaks, or during spring break.

6. Informational Interview Questions • How would you describe your company’s philosophy in conducting business? • Who are some of the major customers/clients that you deal with and what is your responsibility with them (if any)? • What is the most challenging part of your role and how do you handle it? • How can I best prepare for a career in this industry? • What type of development have you had on the job (professional, personal, etc.)? • What is the recruitment process/How can I get in the door? • What part of your Duke/college education best prepared you for this position?

7. Prepare Yourself…. • Take coursework related to the field • Add electives to your curriculum that show interest in the field. • Take online courses to supplement the curriculum. • Take advantage of study abroad classes related to the field. • Explore workshops offered through career organizations.

8. Prepare Yourself…. • Learn the language • Know the career paths for people in the industry (entry-level to executive). • Be familiar with commonly used acronyms, concepts, models, etc. • Know the professional associations in the field and join the student chapter if one exists. • Learn the technology most commonly used in the field.

9. Market Yourself…. • Perfect your resume • Focus on what is important and relevant to the field (e.g.-creativity, leadership, public speaking, writing, etc.). • Review with a professional. • Make sure that it is well-formatted ( i.e. - easy to read, transmittable in most software, clean and error-free). • Use a format that is widely accepted in the industry.

10. Market Yourself… • Cover Letter • Focus on why your resume should be read (give a brief snapshot of your qualifications). • Show knowledge of the company and culture by how you write (become familiar with what is widely accepted in the industry). • Refer to the qualifications mentioned in the job description that you possess. • Be confident, not arrogant. • Show a passion for the organizations and why you would be the perfect hire. • Correct grammar and spelling are ESSENTIAL.

11. Market Yourself… • Career Fairs/Info Sessions • Dress the part and have insightful questions to ask (think outside of the obvious). • Visit organizations that you may not have considered. • Introduce yourself to key people….first impressions do last. • Research the organizations prior to the fair or session and have a targeted approach to the event. • Get in a couple of good, open-ended questions and leave room for others to talk. • Get business cards of people you meet and follow up with an email. If you promise to send follow-up information, do so the next day. • Come early, respect personal space and make sure your personal hygiene is acceptable (low/no perfume, effective antiperspirant, good breath mints, etc.).

12. Sell Yourself… • Interviews • Show enthusiasm, personality, confidence and intelligence. • Be prepared to discuss anything on your resume. • Relate your experiences to the position. • Practice types of interviews: Behavioral, Case, Informational. • Have insightful questions for the interviewer.

13. Types of Interviews • Behavioral: focuses on past behavior as a predictor of future performance. Answers should follow the STAR approach (Situation, Tasks, Action, Results).

14. Types of Interviews… • Case: focuses on analyzing and providing possible solutions for a business problem. Answers should include clarifying the problem, considering variables involved in solving, formulating recommended options, and presenting possible solutions.

15. Types of Interviews… • Informational: focuses on attributes and experiences that the interviewee has been involved in. Answers should include succinct story-telling in a linear approach and should focus on what the interviewer is seeking to evaluate (leadership, creativity, initiative, well-roundedness, etc.).

16. Questions for the interviewer… 1. What does it take to exceed expectations in this position/company? 2. Can you tell me how different departments at the company work together? • In what ways does this position fit into the broader plans at the company? • What might the biggest challenge be in this position and how have people in the past overcome it? • How does the company decide what direction the business will take over the next 5 years?

17. Sell Yourself…. • Office Visits/Sell Days • Speak the language. The interviews and info sessions are over..you should be more aware of the culture at this point. • Represent yourself professionally. • Meet and follow up with key people involved in the visit. • Have questions prepared just in case. You can never learn too much about the organization. • Be observant and show interest/enthusiasm for the things you see and the people you meet. • Formally thank the coordinator of the visit. • Treat each person you meet with the utmost respect, regardless of their position at the company.

18. Questions…