Hello! I am curious about the biggest mistakes new Liberal Arts graduates make when looking for a job (and/or career) and would appreciate your feedback. Thank you in advance! Mahrya
From United States, Oakland
From United States, Oakland
Mahrya:
That's a great question--I wish more job candidates would ask it!
In my humble opinion, and having done over 1500 interviews in my life--many on behalf of Fortune 500 companies-- I'd say simply that the number one mistake most candidates make is not being prepared for the interview.
So often, I'd find great candidates that could impress with schooling, personality, enthusiasm; were properly attired, and could engage you with their approach to the interview, but hadn't taken the time or energy to simply do a "Google" search of the company. They were clueless about what they might be able to do for the employer.
Any employer is always interested in finding great new employees, but he/she is also always interested in what you intend to do to justify your existence as an employee.
Think about it this way.
If I do research into your resume, and prepare for the interview with you, what type of a message does it send if you don't have well-prepared and well thought-through questions to pose to me?
You must take charge of your future, and one way to do that is to manage any interview in terms of what you know, what you can ask, what you can demonstrate; and to be able to highlight your competencies against what the employer needs and wants. If you've researched the employer, you'll know where to take your responses, and what questions to ask.
Also, be aware that all of life is an interview. Formal meetings with hiring officers are end results of interest expressed on one side or the other; life itself can prepare you for interviews--think about what you say to others; think about how you present yourself.
Simply put, would you hire you?
Good luck in your interviews! Let me know if I can assist further.
All the best.
Alan Guinn, Managing Director
The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc.
From United States, Bluff City
5That's a great question--I wish more job candidates would ask it!
In my humble opinion, and having done over 1500 interviews in my life--many on behalf of Fortune 500 companies-- I'd say simply that the number one mistake most candidates make is not being prepared for the interview.
So often, I'd find great candidates that could impress with schooling, personality, enthusiasm; were properly attired, and could engage you with their approach to the interview, but hadn't taken the time or energy to simply do a "Google" search of the company. They were clueless about what they might be able to do for the employer.
Any employer is always interested in finding great new employees, but he/she is also always interested in what you intend to do to justify your existence as an employee.
Think about it this way.
If I do research into your resume, and prepare for the interview with you, what type of a message does it send if you don't have well-prepared and well thought-through questions to pose to me?
You must take charge of your future, and one way to do that is to manage any interview in terms of what you know, what you can ask, what you can demonstrate; and to be able to highlight your competencies against what the employer needs and wants. If you've researched the employer, you'll know where to take your responses, and what questions to ask.
Also, be aware that all of life is an interview. Formal meetings with hiring officers are end results of interest expressed on one side or the other; life itself can prepare you for interviews--think about what you say to others; think about how you present yourself.
Simply put, would you hire you?
Good luck in your interviews! Let me know if I can assist further.
All the best.
Alan Guinn, Managing Director
The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc.
From United States, Bluff City
BIGGEST MISTAKES.
Liberal / Arts graduates make a number of mistakes
-lack of preparation of themselves
-lack of doing homework on the employer
-shallow understanding of a career for themselves.
-lack of knowledge on job opportunties
-only a minorities know their competence.
These are the 5 factors that stands out in my experience.
regards
LEO LINGHAM
From India, Mumbai
Liberal / Arts graduates make a number of mistakes
-lack of preparation of themselves
-lack of doing homework on the employer
-shallow understanding of a career for themselves.
-lack of knowledge on job opportunties
-only a minorities know their competence.
These are the 5 factors that stands out in my experience.
regards
LEO LINGHAM
From India, Mumbai
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10 Mistakes Managers Make During Job Interviews.doc