After Undergrad Comes the Job Interview...
One of the best things from the past year has been talking to our college and post-college students, many of whom we’ve known since they were twelve, as they prepare for GREs and GMATs. And just as we want to provide our middle and high schoolers with access to the best advice that we don’t give (we like to stick to what we are good at!), we also want to provide insights to our adult students…
With that in mind, we are so excited to introduce Jeff Chapski**, who is bringing his expertise to your college graduates, with his advice on how to ace your job interview...
Yes, that’s right: ask great questions. Most job candidates focus on answering the questions that are asked in an interview, and may not think about asking their own questions. Yet, at some point in the interview, you will likely hear, “Do you have any questions for me?” This question may be your best opportunity to distinguish yourself from the competition.
By asking intelligent and relevant questions, you are demonstrating your interest in the role and in the organization. It does take work on your part to come up with thoughtful questions, but by doing the research necessary to ask a high-quality question, you ensure that you...
Clearly state “I want this role and I am willing to work for it” through your actions.
Demonstrate a level of humility and professional maturity. Questions reinforce that you don’t know everything, and being curious and open to learning are very positive qualities in a job candidate.
Choose the best job for you. Every interview is an opportunity to learn more about yourself as a professional. While it’s unlikely that you’ll learn everything there is to know before you’re in the role, knowing as much as possible will improve your chances of finding the best job for you at this moment.
For a candidate in a job interview, a GREAT question is one in which you cannot find the answer through simple online research. For example, “Where does your company do business?” or “How many employees do you have?” are not GREAT questions in many cases because the answers are easily found online. Questions like these are kind of like saying, “I did not prepare for this interview because I don’t care about this job”(which is not a winning strategy). Instead, here are a few examples of GREAT questions that show you are invested in learning about this role:
“How have your competitors responded to the product/service you recently launched?”
“ What are the most significant trends in your industry, and how are they affecting your business?”
“What do you like most about working in this organization?”
Your goal is to learn everything you can about the industry, the organization, and its products, services, and customers, and you can actually do your research as if you were writing a paper for one of your college classes:
Use primary sources (e.g., the organization’s website, LinkedIn, annual reports, etc.) and secondary sources (e.g., articles, industry reports, etc.) to collect as much information as you can.
Speak with current or former employees of the organization, or even people who work in either the same or related industries.
And don’t forget to research the person with whom you will interview if you are given their name before the interview!
Asking GREAT questions is an important part of the interview process. With a little preparation and practice, you can be sure to stand out from the crowd and land your ideal job.
According to a Harvard Business Review article, “For job candidates, asking questions such as 'What am I not asking you that I should?' can signal competence, build rapport, and unlock key pieces of information about the position.”
Thinking about what comes after college? Just reach out to your program director, and we can connect you to Jeff** and talk all things grad school testing. We’re so delighted to continue to be part of your children’s lives, long after they receive their college tee from us.
**Jeff Chapski is a Certified Career Services Provider™ (CCSP) and the founder of Career Ready Coaching. He provides individualized coaching that creates accountability, builds confidence and empowers college students and recent graduates to take control of their college-to-career transition. Jeff is the author of "Career-ology: The Art & Science of a Successful Career."
