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Internship and Job Search Guide
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Marquette University
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Career Services Center
“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
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
•
Knowledge of the Organization
•
Verbal Communication Skills
•
Non-verbal Communication Skills
•
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
•
Types of products/services offered
•
Reputation
•
Locations
•
Size and organizational structure
•
Financial stability
•
Philosophy
•
Prospects for growth or change
•
Major competitors
•
Promotional activities
•
Current industry trends/issues
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.
“Nothing great has ever been done
without enthusiasm.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson