Acing College and Job Applications
- Joy Pamnani
- May 10, 2017
- 4 min read
College applications and job interviews are coming up soon. Need advice on how to prepare a good resume and ace the interview?
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Building your resume
1. List em’ all!
The first step in application of any job or degree is preparing a good resume. I always suggest starting off with listing out all possible skills, languages, achievements, work and volunteer experiences you have onto a piece of paper.
This is also a good time to gather all your certificates and reference letters to plan out a good portfolio.
2. Organization mode
The next step involves analyzing the requirements of your applications and organizing information for your resume and portfolio accordingly. When good quality applications are customized to the requirements of the job or degree at hand, the right documents help the interviewer see why you’re the right candidate.
Let’s say you’re applying for a business degree at one university and a back-up arts degree at another. Work experience as a marketing intern should go in your business portfolio. But winning an award at an essay writing competition would probably fit better on the arts resume.
As you build up both, you’ll see specific skills oriented to different applications appear more clear to the interviewer, giving you better chances of success.
3. The job title matters
The good thing about internships is that you’re often exposed to different tasks at the office. And that’s something you can take advantage of, in your resume.
If you’ve worked as an intern, you’re probably done a lot of things at the office. From filing documents and posting on the firm’s social media pages, all the way to making world-class coffee for your boss every morning and helping film a commercial for the company.
Instead of putting down “Summer Intern”, you can define your role as Admin Worker, Social Media Manager, Master Coffee Chef or even Assistant Film Producer. Choose one that best suits your application.
4. Confidential Recommendations
If you’ve got spare time, consider more specific, confidential recommendations.
Confidential recommendations are commonly known as letters directly to the interviewer or employer. In other words, a letter where the applicant waives his/her right to see the letter.
Because of the honesty at hand, these recommendations generally carry more weight than public recommendations. If you’re sure of receiving positive comments, they can be very convincing to potential employers.
4. Be creative
Some jobs or degrees embrace creativity, or other skills. Try to make use of your resume to prove you have these skills.
Say you’re going in for a course about graphic design, consider using Photoshop to graphically design a creative resume.
5. Your online presence
Interviewers sometimes Google up people coming in for an interview. Think about Googling yourself up few days before the interview, and see if you’ve got an online profile that looks attractive to an employer.
It also helps to have your profile on a website like Linkedin or a separate page highlighting your achievements.
The Interview
1. Brainstorm Possible Questions
It takes time, but saves stress. Before the interview, brainstorm possible questions.
“Why are you interested in this degree? What makes you stand out from other candidates?” are typical interview questions you’ll always hear, and it helps to brainstorm key ideas you’d want to express in response to these questions, especially depending on the position at hand.
2. The basics
This might be a no-brainer, but take some time to do research about what you’re applying for.
If it’s a school or degree, what makes them special? Who are the professors, and what do they teach? If it’s a job, what’s the history of this company? What is the significance of my position?
Integrating facts of research into your answers will show the interviewer you’re interested in their position. Imagine an employer hearing you explain your skills using the exact terms posted in the job description. Convincing, huh?
In addition, going the extra mile for a better interview can reflect hard work.
3. Current issue in your industry
Fake news is an important issue in the journalism industry today, and you’ll have a hearty discussion with a journalism professor if you come to the interview with an interest in the issue and suggestions on solutions to the problem.
Similarly, it helps to do research on current issues in the field of your study or job, and bring up your opinions or suggestions in the interview discussion. It shows the interviewer you’re an active learner and have something to bring to the table if hired.
4. Answering to the Weaknesses
The goal of an interview is for the other side to get an understanding of your personal character – the good and the bad. And it can be scary answering to a question about personal weaknesses in the stressful context of an interview. But those that perform best are open about their flaws and discuss progress.
When asked about your weaknesses, it’s important to pick out the right ones to talk about. In other words, weaknesses that are minor and have little effect on the job or position you’re applying for. If you’re applying for an accounting job or degree, you’re obviously not going to say “I’m weak at math”.
Others like to choose weaknesses that put a positive spin on the reply, like “I’m a perfectionist”, implying quality work will get done. It can also help to show you’re working towards improving on your weaknesses to reflect a sense of responsibility to the interviewer.
5. Use of stories
Facts tell, stories sell. A popular tool in public speaking is the use of stories, which often applies to interviews too.
One of the best ways to prove a point in an interview is to tell a story about your personal experience. If the interviewer asks you why your speaking skills stand out, tell him that one time you spoke in front of 300 people at your school assembly.
They’re simple recounts, but prove very effective in showing off skills.
6. Questions for the Interviewer
Don’t forget to ask questions to the interviewer before you leave. These questions should reflect the fact that you’re engaged and curious about the position, and ready to hop on anytime.
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