83 / 100
HBCU Careers Magazine
83
For instance, inmost communities, there are several second hand stores that carry a large selection
of men and women clothing. Such as the Goodwill or other consignment stores. Generally,
depending on your area, you can get pants, coat, skirt, and/or shirt relatively cheap and in many
cases, less than $30. Even if you are one that leans toward fashion trendiness, these stores have
a decent inventory of designer and name brand items.
Prepare for the Interview
Now, you are almost ready to hear the words “You are hired”, but before this can be a forgone
conclusion, you need to WOW the hiring manager who is trying to fill the vacant position with
the person who not only has the qualifications but also who is well-suited for the organizational
culture. So, you need to be prepared by finding out as much as you can about the company
such as their products, services, culture, competitors, history, leadership, and current challenges.
While most of this information may be available on the company website, you may need to dig a
little deeper.
Also, you need to be able to talk about yourself in regards to your skills, abilities, and achievements.
This is something that some may have difficulty conveying because it is not always easy to talk
about yourself without coming across as narcissistic or egotistical. But, the decision makers need
to know the value you bring to the company if hired.
Prior to the interview, you should make a list of questions you would like to ask. These questions
should demonstrate your interest in both the job and the company.
Some example questions include:
• What are the daily responsibilities of this job?
• What is the company’s five-year plan?
• How has technology affected their business model?
To impress the hiring manager, you need to be bold and confident. You need to send a positive
message through your body language by maintaining eye contact, have a firm handshake,
listen carefully, welcome questions with a smile –
even the difficult ones
, and be honest. When
responding to a question, it would be helpful to pause a moment before sharing your answer. If
you do not understand the question, ask for it to be repeated. Once the interview is over, you
need to send everyone a Thank You note. These small details will help you stand out over the
other applicants.
So, there you have it. If you abide by these simple tips, you will be sure to land your first job quickly
and avoid the pitfalls made by many graduates. Congratulations on completing your degree and
happy job hunting!