Preparing for Metro Link
How do I prepare?Know yourself
Review your skills and assets. Think about the skills that relate to this job and how you can demonstrate them. Decide what things you would like the interviewer to know about you. Know why you want the job for which you are interviewing.Know the organization
Learn what you can about the company or organization. Read company literature and talk to current employees. Find out all you can about the position for which you are applying. Go to Research for more details.Know interviewing
Review interviewing techniques. Practice describing past job experiences. Think about what you would do if an illegal or awkward question were asked. Attend Interviewing Workshops and sign up for a videotaped mock interview in Career Services.
Résumé and Cover LetterYou must submit a résumé for each employer that you will apply to.
Here are suggestions for preparing your résumé and cover letters:
Résumé
Your résumé should be targeted to the job you are interviewing for. If the position is a Financial Analyst, you'll want to highlight your skills and experiences that are applicable to this field. If the job is in publishing, you may want to emphasize different strengths. Your résumé should be perfect--review it with Career Services and have a friend double check for typos. For more detail, see Résumés.Cover letter
Submitting a cover letter with your résumé is required by all organizations and you must submit one with your résumé. Address the cover letter to the contact person listed for the organization. You can find the correct name in the who's coming window. Cover letters should also be targeted at a particular job--what skills and experiences make you especially qualified for this position. The cover letter is the place to tell the story that the more formal résumé may not. Again, no typos, use a laser writer and good paper! Don't forget to sign it. More help is available at Cover Letters.
Research: locating the resources you need
The Web
Check out the company/employer web pages linked to the "who's coming" section of this site. If the organization has a web site, the name of the organization will be highlighted and selecting the organization's name will bring you directly to their site. You may also want to check web pages of professional associations related to your career field. Check their web pages for job listings and helpful industry/field information. Also check out the following other resources found on the web:
University Library
Broader industry/field information: Do periodical or newspaper searches on keywords describing the industry or field (e.g.: media, publishing, paralegal, etc.).Employer Information: For publicly held companies, learn to use Lexis/Nexus to view company financial reports. For all kinds of employers, newspaper indexes should be consulted to see what kinds of articles, if any, have been printed about the employer in which you are interested.
Journals: Steep yourself in the language and issues of the field you are interested in pursuing by reading the kinds of materials people in your field read regularly.
Networking
Check with your Career Services Office for names of alumni working at the organization you are writing to. Consider tapping these people as well: friends and family; friends of family; family of friends; alumni of your high school; referrals from professors; people met during summer jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities; and professional associations.The Employer Directly
Don't hesitate to call the organization directly and ask for materials. In a large company, speak to someone in Human Resources or Personnel and ask for an annual report and any available college recruiting materials. In smaller organizations, ask for any brochures or reports that would assist you in learning about that employer.A final note
If, despite your hard work, you are still unable to get as much information as you'd like about an employer before an interview, don't hesitate to tell the interviewer about your research process -- you'll get credit for hard work and determination!Interview Day
Most interviews will be for 30 minutes--a "screening" interview. Your goal is to receive an invitation for a longer, possibly on-site interview. The preparation, however, is the same as for an on-site job interview.
Prospective employers will be looking for the answer to one question, "Why should I hire you?" The job seeker should be trying to decide whether to accept a position if offered while, at the same time, doing everything possible to secure that job offer. Those candidates who are well-prepared for interviewing are the most likely to succeed.
Look professional
First impressions will not get you a job, but can lose it for you. Men should wear suits, ties, polished shoes, and socks. Women should wear tailored dresses or suits, stockings, and pumps. Have a strong handshake. Look people in the eye. Never chew gum and don't smoke.Be punctual
Plan to arrive a full 30 minutes ahead. We will give your interview away to an alternate student if you are late! In the case of a real emergency, call on the day of the event (202) 939-4000 to explain. Ask to speak with one of the University representatives for Metro Link.Know Thyself!
The focus of the interview is on you, so be ready to articulate your interests, skills, and abilities. Be able to expand on any item on your resume. If it is available, review the job description and create your own list of skills that are important to the position. Prepare a one to two minute story describing each of the important aspects covered on your resume. Practice answering typical interview questions.Avoid back-to-back interviews
If this becomes necessary, discuss strategy with someone in your Career Services Office.Emphasize the positive
While past failures and shortcomings need not be volunteered, don't try to cover them up or sidestep them. Should recruiters ask about your failures, try to explain the circumstances, rather than blame others or make excuses.Relax
An interview can be a pleasant experience if you're prepared. Remember, however, that the interview may still be in progress when you are merely chatting with the recruiter. Such "relaxed" situations can be decisive.Follow-up
Always write a follow-up letter after an interview. While it appears on the surface merely to express your appreciation for the opportunity to talk with the interviewer, it also serves to remind the interviewer of your qualifications and interest in the job or career field. Finally, and not incidentally, it leaves a very favorable impression and could be the one factor that really makes you stand out from the crowd.
