|
Job Interview at Prestigious Public Relations Firm Scheduled
I am interviewing for a Financial Analyst Intern position at a top-notch NYC public relations firm.
So far, I have had quite a bit of luck with at least getting an interview at this firm. The recruiter must have e-mailed me the day after I sent my resume in, and the day after I did the phone interview with her, she scheduled an in-person interview with me, with the VP of Finance and a Senior Financial Analyst.
She explained that they are look for people, who are highly ambitious, hungry, and motivated. How exactly does one show these things?
This is very exciting for me, because I have done research on the company. They are the fourth most successful public relations firm on the market, and have been around since 1923. Their work is also highly creative and innovative. Plus, they are highly involved in Corporate Social Responsibility. The firm participated in Room to Read (a charity that attempts to fix the growing problem of gender inequality and illiteracy in Asian Pacific schools, in addition to South Africa), and they encourage their employees to donate to multiple other charities. Additionally they have worked with high profile clients, including in the private and public sectors, but also do pro-bono and volunteer work.
Another thing that I like is the possible opportunity that it presents. While it would be wonderful to list on my resume that I interned at such a top-notch company, I also have the opportunity to succeed with this company. It is more than just a summer internship, they like to keep their interns into the fall and spring semesters, where they work 15 to 20 hours a week, and after graduation interns are often offered full-time positions.
I have a few questions as to how I should handle myself during the interview. Come this fall, I will be the president of my university’s Management Information Systems/Management Information Technology club.
One of the things that I would like to do is work on a fundraiser to attempt to close the digital divide in local communities by earning money for a charity that offers computers to children in inner-city neighborhoods in the USA, so that they can gain the skills essential to succeed in the work force and in college.
Also, it would make it possible for their parents to complete their GED from home, and/or possibly attend online classes towards an Associates’ degree or a Bachelors’ degree in an attempt to provide a better lives for their families, as well as take tutorials on how to use essential office software. I feel like this may solve the problem of income inequality in the US. Should I mention this?
Is it also okay to mention how I may have encouraged one of the economics professors to teach a course on digital currency, as the head of the Honors Advisory Board? After having a conversation with him regarding his idea of the technology, I e-mailed the idea to him. He said that he would talk it over with the Director of the Honors’ program. This achievement was important because while I feel like it is important for undergraduate and graduate students to expose themselves to new areas, an advanced honors business elective has not been offered in over 10 years, which has made some of the business students feel unwelcome and complain. As an honors student and a business major, who sympathized with these students, I worried about the possible lack of diversity in the program. Should I mention that?
Prior to transferring to my current college, I, also, served as the President of the History Club. At the time I was still unsure as to what I wanted to do for my career, and I like learning about history, although it is not the right career path for me, and I was just concerned about making new friends. Although the club had been formed prior to my entrance, it was because of my efforts to promote it that made it possible for the club to be fully established and recognized by the Student Government Association. During this time I was awarded for my efforts in leadership and service.
One of the things that I am concerned about is that while I am strongly interested in finance, because I am worried that it may seem like I am not passionate about my field.
I love my major because it offers me versatility, there’s opportunities for future financial analysts in several industries (I have seen fashion, healthcare, marketing, banking, sports, and others highly interested in hiring these workers), and unlike some jobs, with the growing problem of machines increasing their capabilities, it will take a longer time to replace us. Also, finance is a high in demand area. I do not want to enter the field because of the money, as so many of the other people in my major do, but because I love problem solving, looking at and analyzing data, accounting, working with numbers, and economics. At the same time, I also love technology, and I believe that it is our responsibility as a community, not so much the government’s (I believe that too many people abuse government entitlements, and I believe that only businesses should receive them), to help honest, hard-working people, who want to make life better for themselves, out of hard times, and allow children unique opportunities.
Should I mention my achievements and ambitions in these areas, or should I worry about it not making me seem as though I am passionate about my major. Along with these things, I have also volunteered at the local hospital, been inducted into two honors societies, Phi Theta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma, and served as a Peer Mentor. Does anyone have any suggestions as to whether or not I should mention all of this stuff?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Job Searches?
Lets start with the interview:
How to dress.
You are going to wear a suit. I assume it is a dress or skirt. You do not want the skirt being too short. Office style is different than casual style. You want your skirt to be longer than what is the standard for your age at school. No more than an inch or two above your knee. You should not sit there constantly tugging your skirt down.
DO NOT WEAR A WATCH. If you are not wearing a watch you have no reason to be looking at it. Worst mistake an interviewee can make is to look at their watch.
I'm sure you are very pretty with out makeup so go easy with any you want to wear. Some lip gloss and eyeliner is all you should need.
Talking to the receptionist is nice but remember the receptionist is there to greet you, announce you have arrived and then get back to the work he or she has to do. Engaging them in conversation is not always a good thing. If you did not do so in the other interviews it is not something you should do now.
Arrive early by 5 to 10 minutes so that you are there when they are ready for you. My Commanding Officer in the Air Force told us if we had an appointment with him and were not there 5 minutes early we were late. I have used that principal my entire life and I have gaged others by it as well. Worst thing you can do is keep people waiting. If somehow you get stuck in traffic, and it happens. You call and advise them with an offer to reschedule rather than keep them waiting. Do not leave them wondering where you are.
Most importantly is to relax and be yourself, they want to see how you will fit in. There is one question I always asked and was always asked when interviewing. If you have not been asked this question already you may be asked it next week. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Honesty is what has to be the base of the answer to the question.
The question is: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? Or Why do you want this position?
Just relax and be yourself.
Showing enthusiasm.
I would say given how far and how fast you have gone in the process you are doing so without even knowing it. It started with the phone interview. Enthusiasm is something heard in you voice first and how you answer the questions second.
Try not to be too wordy in you answers to the any one question. If the person interviewing wants you to expand on an answer they will ask. At this level don't be shocked if a question asked is off topic. Asking of topic questions help them find out more about you as a person. The questions will come from parts of your resume on past jobs, social activities or sports you are interested in, community service activities you listed or even the college you are attending.
Listen to the question and answer the question honestly as you know the activity they ask about. Try to answer with the same level of enthusiasm.
There is one question I always asked and was always asked when interviewing. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Honesty is what has to be the base of the answer to the question.
The question is: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? Or Why do you want this position?
This is where you get to talk about all the research you have done on this company and why you want to work for them, what you would like to be doing and where you would like to grow with them.
Good luck.
]
More Questions: |