Entry by Nicole Goble, Director of Recruiting and Development in the financial services industry in Zionsville, IN
The biggest mistake students make when applying and interviewing for an internship and/or a full-time position is the effort spent researching the company and the career. We are very lucky to live in a time that allows us to access almost any piece of information we wish at the click of a button – this also leaves little room for employers to empathize with candidates who lack the preparation.
There are many ways students search for internships, including and certainly not limited to, career fairs, campus career centers, club and class company presentations, Indiana INTERNnet, and many others. The mistake lies when the proper research is not done prior to applying for these positions and then when getting the first interview, going into that first meeting.
To make the best impression in front of a company (whether it be in a club presentation or at a career fair), you must know what that company does. Almost every company you come in contact with is going to have a website – DIG into it: know the products, the service, what makes them stand out and their latest news. If they do not have a website, do a simple Google search and you are bound to find information pertaining to them. You can also search the Better Business Bureau, the city’s Chamber of Commerce or the local newspapers.
Online platforms are a great way to get your resume out there. Even better, the job posting usually has detailed information on company history, job descriptions, what they are looking for in a candidate and if they have one, their website for you to follow up on. Please read those.
After you apply, if your resume is in order and you fit the posting, it is likely the employer will contact you for a first interview. This is the part where you need to regurgitate all of that information on the phone that you spent time researching to ensure the employer will schedule the first interview when contacted. Side note: Please remember to change your voicemail outgoing message and remove the music that plays in place of the ringtone 🙂
The first interview is your chance to put your best foot forward and proof that what was seen on your resume and/or cover letter is good indicator of the person they would hire. There is almost always a portion of the interview that is left for the candidate to ask the employer questions. This could be the most important part. For you, it allows the employer to determine if the position and company values align with what you are looking for in a career. For the employer, it allows them to see how well prepared the candidate is, how articulate they are in asking the questions, and what is most important to them. This can be debated, but my advice is to never ask about money or compensation in the first interview. Good questions are focused around the company’s core values and mission statement, the culture within that office or organization, positions the company took on hot topics within that industry, and the list goes on and on.
The time you spent researching will allow you not only to have more productive interviews, but will get you in the door for that first interview more often than not (and hopefully, even called back for a second)!
