If at first you don’t succeed…

Hello again. I apologize for my absence on the blog scene. Needless to say, the month of October has proven to be a whirlwind! I’m proud to say that we, the UIC Business Career Center, have hosted 21 companies on campus this month. Firms such as Deloitte, Caterpillar and Enova have not only posted their internship and job opportunities on our UIC Careers site, they’ve come to campus in an attempt to aggressively recruit our students!

These firms and more engage our students in a number of ways. This month was chock full of office hours and on-campus interviews. Office hours provide a way for students and professionals to informally chat in an intimate setting. Although informal, we still suggest that students prepare for said meeting as if it were an interview. On-campus interviews are pretty much self explanatory. Firms conduct their first-round interviews on site in Douglas Hall. We find that students appreciate on campus interviews and feel as if they have a home-court advantage!

Interviewing is tough, especially if this is your first go at it. Please see below for some tips and tricks. Stick to the script and you may get it right on the first take!

• Know the location, day, date and time of your interview. Show up 10 minutes early!
• Dress for success. Guys- A navy or grey, well-fitting suit is all you need. Leave the gold cuff links at home. Ladies – Navy or grey pant suit. Black works as well. Keep it classy!
• Research the company. Know their profile and background. What are their future goals and plans? You should be able to talk in depth about the industry, the organization and the position you’re applying for.
• Have 3 solid questions ready for the interviewer. Ask about the company’s future prospects. Also, bond with your interviewer by inquiring about their role within the company and their history. Lastly, ask questions about things that we’re discussed in the interview itself. Feel free to ask for clarification if anything was unclear.
• Anticipate tough questions. Practice your answers beforehand so you don’t stumble during the interview. Come prepared with at least 3 specific examples for any possible behavioral question that you may encounter.
• RELAX AND BE YOURSELF- Grades are important, but so is your personality. You’ve made it this far, now it’s time to shine. Know your value and how to convey what you bring to the table. Thank the employer for their time. Wait for your offer!

Lastly, “If at first you don’t succeed – Dust yourself off and try again!’

Need to chat? My office hours are on Mondays between 4 and 6pm. You can also reach me at nbernal@uic.edu

Nicolas Bernal

Associate Director

Corporate Engagement