Beat the Competition

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Beat the Competition

• Get the job you want.

Yolander Albert
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What do some employers say about Duke students?
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Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek

• 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

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How can the -s be turned into s?

• Prepare Yourself
• Market Yourself
• Sell Yourself

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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.

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Informational Interview Questions

• How would you describe your companys 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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.).

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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.

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Types of Interviews

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

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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.

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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.).

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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?

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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.

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Questions