Curiosity killed the cat — but not in a job interview.
All your brain can think of is the squeaky door that leads to a scary man sitting in a chair. Heart pounding and hands sweating, you hold your breath, knowing once you walk in, you cannot go back.
Walking into a job evaluation is stressful, no matter how many times you have done it. Curiosity will be your best friend.
“So what can I do to set myself apart from everyone else?” Jeff Groeling, the department chair and professor of communication, asked. “...I like researching whatever the job is, so not just the job posting, but understand the area in which the person works: if it's a specific department, looking to see if there's a mission statement about the department. What are the values?”
But before making it past hiring, you may wonder if there are some tips or tricks to succeeding in a job evaluation.
Many students falsely assume they need experience before applying for a job on campus.
Senior Sara Maloney, a communications major, said it is most important to show your character and willingness to learn. Especially for college students, this is where you get the experience to put on your resume after college.
“You're in college, you probably haven't had a big job before, so this is the time to learn it,” senior Casey Bane, a PR marketing major, said. “Try new things. Don't be afraid to mess up.”
Groeling encourages students to dig into the expectations of the job. Asking questions will make you well-rounded and informed about your possible future position. Curiosity also makes you stand out from other candidates as invested and interested in the position.
But where do you get the resume?
The Calling and Career Office (CCO) prepares students for job interviews by helping with cover letters, resumes and headshots. They plan events that offer experiences for future employees to grow and learn before entering the evaluation process.
“(Some) processes are very specific and intentionally meant to grow you in a lot of ways,” Maloney said. “Whereas I think other places that you could interview at on campus are more meant to encourage you and kind of give you the next step that might be a little bit less intimidating.”
Being confident will give you a leg up in any job interview. An employer wants to hire someone they can rely on.
Employment on Taylor’s campus helps students learn how to balance school and work and grow connections. Whether it is the people you work with or serve, you will recognize more of the smiling faces on campus.
“I think in my time at Taylor, if I've ever had a concern, whether it's I have to go to the registrar for something or I'm really stressed out about something, they've always been mentors that I know that I can go to, and so I think that has been honestly monumental for my Taylor experience,” Maloney said.
Walk to your interview informed, curious and confident, knowing you did the work to get the job. That way, when the squeaky door opens, you can walk through knowing you are qualified for the position, never wishing to go back.
