Kit Leffler

Although appearance may be the least important part of a person's qualifications for a job, it does affect the first impression of a potential employer.

I arrived early and read over the questions I printed out from the University Career Center’s Web site, www.ku.edu/~uces. I was a little nervous, but not too bad. I decided my black pants and teal blouse were professional enough and I was ready to get it over with. My finalized résumé, which was printed on gray granite paper, lay in the chair next to me. Once I went in, I was enthusiastic and full of confidence. I knew how to answer every question and I don’t think I stumbled over my words too badly. Overall, I thought it was a good first interview, but I didn’t get the job. That’s because it was a mock interview offered by the University Career Center. But it sure felt real.

Do Your Research

The mock interview is only one of the services the University Career Center offers. It’s also only one of the steps you should take when preparing for the job market. Susan Engle, one of the owners of Englewood Florist, 1011 Massachusetts St., says job candidates should research the company that is interviewing them. She says job candidates should know exactly what the company does and needs so they can sell themselves to the company through an interview. She says job candidates must be able to state exactly what they can do for the company, whether it’s through sales or by providing excellent customer service. “You’re selling yourself to that company,” Engle says. “You should be able to say, ‘I can do x, y, z for you.’”

Be Prepared

David Gaston, director of University Career Services, recommends preparing for an interview the way you prepare an essay: organize it with an introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction responds to the typical first statement, “Tell me about yourself.” Here you want to include specific reasons why you are a good fit for the company. In the body of the essay, provide anecdotes showing your skills and qualities that prove your qualifications for the position and for the company. Your conclusion tells interviewers what you want them to remember about you.

Gaston also says job candidates should be able to effectively communicate what skills and qualities they bring to an employer. “The interview is a time to close the sale,” Gaston says.

Knock ‘Em Dead

Enterprise Rent-A-Car hires more college graduates than any other company in the United States and estimates to hire 7,000 college graduates this upcoming year. “We look for candidates who possess integrity, honesty, leadership ability and a desire to grow professionally,” says Shelley Flones, recruiting supervisor of Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Kansas City, Mo. “Team players with a strong desire to provide exemplary customer service are an ideal fit.”

Flones says appearance is very important at an interview. Even if the company environment is casual or business casual, job candidates should dress to impress. She recommends a conservative suit that is clean, neat and pressed to make the right first impression.

Flones also recommends that job candidates practice their answers to decrease nervousness. She says they should identify the skills that are important to the position and find specific examples of situations when they have demonstrated those skills. A job candidate’s inability to discuss specific situations and their outcomes is a common mistake, Flones says. She suggests job candidates find exact situations that demonstrate their skills instead of speaking about them generally.

For example, don’t hesitate to mention the time you covered for your boss at the movie theater while he was out of town or when you gave the Heimlich to a girl choking on a french fry. Whatever the situation, make sure to highlight it.

Prepared Jayhawks

I asked these students what they have done to prepare themselves for job interviews.

Anthony Brown, Grandview, Mo. senior: “I went to University Career Services and had them look at my résumé and cover letter. I also had a mock interview and had informational interviews with different professional employers.”

Shannon Cline, Wichita senior: “I have been working to put together my portfolio and make sure it is ready to present to potential employers. I have also picked up information from Career Services about job interviewing tips.”