Marquette University Job Search Guide

Selling Yourself in an Interview

Selling Yourself in an Interview

Employers want to know • Can you successfully perform this job? (Your ability and suitability for the job) • Will you fit into the organization? (Your suitability for the company) • Will you stay for a reasonable amount of time? (This means three or more years) • What is your willingness to give time and quality effort to the job? You, the interviewee, must also be seeking some answers. • Will this position’s responsibilities fit well with who I am? • Will I be happy working in this industry? • Will I be a good match for this particular organization/department/manager?

The key to an effective interview is PREPARATION. Being unprepared for an interview indicates to an employer that you would probably be unprepared with your work assignments as well. Recruiters tell us that the main reason candidates fall short in an interview is that they don’t inspire confidence that they can or are willing to do the job. Confidence is rooted in knowledge, which is, in turn, rooted in preparation.

What should you prepare? • Knowledge of Yourself •

“Nothing great has ever been done without enthusiasm.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Knowledge of the Organization Verbal Communication Skills Non-verbal Communication Skills

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A Professional Appearance

What You Need to Know About the Employer Every employer expects you to know how to do research as a result of your education. Therefore, it is expected that you know as much as possible about his/her company. Research coupled with being able to ask pertinent questions and discuss the organization and field with some degree of familiarity will reflect your ability to be a self-starter.

Areas you could research include: • History of the organization •

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Philosophy

Prospects for growth or change

Types of products/services offered

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Major competitors Promotional activities

Reputation Locations

Size and organizational structure

Current industry trends/issues

Financial stability

Sources of information: • Reference USA: a database of 13 million companies and organizations. Searchable by geographic location, SIC codes, company size, etc. • EmployOn: Real-time search/match technology services to help job seekers find position openings. • Vault: The Internet's ultimate destination for insider company information, advice, and career management services.

“If they haven’t prepared for the interview by knowing about my company, it raises serious questions about how they would perform on the job.” ~ quote from an employer talking to Changing Times magazine

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Internship and Job Search Guide x Marquette University x Career Services Center