Starting a new job can also mean new feelings of uncertainty. RSM strives to make sure all of our employees not only feel comfortable but also encouraged to ask questions and bring their authentic selves to work. Andrew Richards, a consulting associate in our Cincinnati office, shares what his experience was like when he first joined RSM. He also gives onboarding tips for future new hires.

While pursuing my degree in information technology, a consulting position never really crossed my mind since my coursework had a highly technical focus. This made me a bit nervous about entering this type of professional landscape, primarily stemming from a lack of education and experience about how to interact with clients and how business processes affect a technical solution.

My director was supportive during my onboarding process and kept an open line of communication with me in order to prepare my approach to future work. This included studying to become more familiar with our technical tools and meeting my new teammates.

When I started my first project, I was on a team that was very knowledgeable about the technical components we needed to complete the project and they were able to provide me with guidance along the way. During the project, I gained exposure to clients and began to understand that any technical solution we deliver is derived from discussions with business leaders.

I also felt supported to ask questions when I did not understand my requirements. I can attribute most of my initial success to the constant support provided to me during this project and getting outside of my comfort zone to learn new skills and tools. As a new hire, it’s important to remember that you’re not expected to know everything and there are people within your circle who will be more than happy to help out.

From having questions answered to getting feedback on project work, I always received the support I needed during my onboarding experience. My advice to any new hire is don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek help from your peers. In my first year at RSM, I have learned that everyone wants to see you succeed. If you’re struggling with something, speak up! RSM hires amazing people, but none of them are mind readers (at least not yet).

The post RSM onboarding experience: Support along the way appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you’re looking for a job, it might seem like every listing has a long, complicated set of requirements—ones that you mysteriously never seem to meet. But if you have the right foundational skills (like communication, the ability to learn quickly, and leadership capacity) then you’re a match for some incredible jobs.

At least that’s how Apex—one of the country’s leading technical recruiting firms—sees it. Their strategy of hiring for this kind of potential led them to adopt a policy of interviewing everyone who meets their straightforward list of requirements.

Here’s a look at their unique hiring philosophy and why they’re always seeking new talent.

Your Major Doesn’t Matter—These Qualities Do

What comprises Apex’s list of basic requirements? You have to have a bachelor’s degree (or be on your way to getting one before you would start work), authorization to work in the US, and you have to be willing to relocate to one of Apex’s available locations (which isn’t a huge deal, considering they have hundreds of offices around the country).

But these aren’t the qualities that make someone a great Apex employee.

More than anything, the team at Apex is looking for people who are resilient and money-motivated. One of the best parts of working as a Recruiter at Apex is that your success (and the size of your paycheck) depends on your ability to perform the job well. That’s why people who are motivated by that bonus, commission, and paycheck are the ones who are able to put the work in required to succeed.

People with these traits tend to do well in Apex’s flagship Recruiter role. And it makes sense, too, considering they work with client companies to find and match the right talent for hard-to-fill or high-demand roles. Success, however, isn’t only driven by effort and motivation. The job requires excellent interpersonal skills: You’re selling candidates on the opportunities and clients on the candidates—proving to both that you’ve made a match. It takes a combination of sales and recruiting skills to get the job done. That unique combination makes it difficult for any one major or mindset to really define the parameters of who can be a great recruiter.

Because most people who succeed in the industry hadn’t even heard of it before they got there, Apex doesn’t just scan resumes for majors, minors, and business internships. Instead they look for those key personality traits. This combination of grit and foundational skills can be found in any major or background.

How To Get Your Interview—And An Incredible Opportunity In The World Of Technical Recruiting

Because Apex is always expanding and promoting its employees internally, they’re constantly seeking new people to join. And the best way to determine whether a person has what it takes to be a Recruiter at Apex is to have a conversation with them. So, when you apply, Apex doesn’t just toss your resume into a pass-or-fail pile, if you meet the basic requirements, they’ll pick up the phone and call you.

And that’s it. Whether you have the right stuff is something you can show them in the interview.

Want a head start? Check out this list of common Recruiter interview questions and an index of all the industry terms and titles you’ll need to know.

Ready for your interview? Check out open opportunities at Apex on WayUp!

The post This Company Hires For Potential—That’s Why They Interview Everyone Who Meets These Requirements appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Congratulations, you made it past the first round of interviews! You showed them your potential, your enthusiasm, but even though they like you, they’re not 100 percent sold yet. That final, in-person interview is where you secure the offer.

You might think that technical or “hard” skills are the only ones that will impact your outcome, but that’s not the area in which most people make mistakes during their interviews. Foundational soft skills like interpersonal conduct, communication, and relationship building are also being assessed during every interview. These soft skills often translate to professional standards, which are important for every job, regardless of industry or experience.

Here are five ways to show professionalism in every interview, no matter the job or setting.

1. Keep Your Phone Off And Out Of Sight

Don’t answer the phone, respond to a text, or check a notification during the interview. No matter what. If you can’t pay attention to the task at hand for the length of an interview, then you’re sending them a bad signal about your potential productivity. It’s also extremely rude.

This is interviewing 101 stuff, but people still do it all the time. Don’t be one of them.

2. Smile And Be Grateful

Everyone gets nervous about interviews—but smiling and thanking everyone is a great way to project confidence and show respect for your interviewers. Thank everyone for their time and be sure to shake everyone’s hands and look them in the eye.

3. Show Up 10-15 Minutes Early

Interviews are an opportunity to demonstrate your preparedness and responsibility. Showing up 10-15 minutes early not only guarantees that you’ll be respecting your interviewer’s time, but it shows that you care enough to carefully plan your commute.

4. Don’t Interrupt Anyone While They’re Talking

We know your eager to please your interviewers, and they do, too. However, interrupting anyone immediately makes what you’re saying less valuable and diminishes your character. Listen carefully to what the interviewer or other participants (if it’s a group interview) are saying, and then give a thoughtful response. You want to be heard, but it’s not worth being rude.

5. Dress For Success

Underdressing for an interview can be a sign of apathy or disrespect. Plus, dressing neatly and formally can help you come off as professional and prepared. And who doesn’t feel more confident when they’re dressed up?

For any interview, even one in a non-traditional business environment, you should always aim to dress professionally. Think at least business casual and at most business formal. (No need to bust out the tuxedo or a full-length gown!) Need more specific instructions? Check out this guide’s “Business Casual” and “Business Formal” sections.

These Minor Details Can Help You Seal The Deal

Believe it or not, mastering these simple habits of politeness can put you ahead of the competition. For more interview tips and tricks, check out the WayUp Guide.

The post 5 Essential Ways To Show Professionalism During A Final-Round, In-Person Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ve spent countless hours studying, building your resume, and practicing your adult voice for interviews. But nothing can replace that split-second moment when your prospective employer sees your outfit.

Lucky for you, unlike all that other stuff, you can nail the perfect look in a single afternoon.

Yet not every interview calls for the same thing. To find the outfit and style that works for you and for them, you have to consider the industry and the setting. And above all you have to remember to be yourself. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to style, so make sure you’re being true to who you are.

Here are five looks that should carry you through the first hurdle of any interview.

Business Formal

Where it works: traditional corporations, grad schools, and professional/conservative offices

The key to nailing the business formal look is keeping your outfit clean and simple. And you can’t go wrong with a classic suit (think colors like black, gray, or navy), dress shoes, and a dress shirt.

If a suit isn’t available, a blazer and slacks can make for an equally confident look, as long as you stick to more traditional colors. And, of course, a high quality tie will bring the outfit together. If you’re especially adventurous, feel free to opt for a matching pocket square.

A blazer on top and a skirt/slacks with a simple white blouse is tried-and-true. There’s also the option of a classic black dress, which can be complemented with a colorful blazer.

Business Casual

Where it works: Start-ups, relaxed office environments, and everything in between

The business casual look is the most flexible in your arsenal. It can mean nice pants or a skirt; a simple blouse, quality flats, or slacks/chinos; or a dress shirt or oxford and well-kept dress shoes.

For places like start-ups and media companies, be sure to do some detective work online. See if you can find the company’s dress code on its website. You can also try scoping out their offices on social media.

What are the people wearing in the company’s promotional materials or Instagram Story? That’s how you should look when you arrive.

Pro tip: Feel free to ask the recruiter or hiring manager how you should dress.

Professional Creative

Where it works: Media companies, freelance interviews, agencies, and casual networking events

Sometimes your style can say a lot about your personal aesthetic, sparkling personality, and distinguishing qualities. Long story short: If you’re interviewing for a position in a creative field, it’s important to convey a sense of professionalism while still getting across what makes you unique.

Here’s where you can experiment with the business casual look. Try a different color blouse, button-down, or blazer, and throw in some well-coordinated accessories (tie/socks/pocket square/jewelry/watch).

Of course, sticking to the classics is always a good option. So, if that’s your style, then embrace it!

The Humanitarian

Where it works: Non-profits, museums/galleries, health care

The world of non-profit organizations contains many different standards for dress. Some offices are more formal, while others have no articulated dress code at all. (Again, you’re going to want to do some detective work on social media and the company’s website to see if you can ascertain how people in their offices dress.)

However, it’s always a safe bet to go for a sharp business casual look. Think nice pants, a simple blouse, and comfortable flats; that can also mean slacks, a dress shirt, and comfortable dress shoes you wouldn’t mind taking an office tour in. (Bowtie optional.)

The Coffee Networking Guru

Where it works: Coffee shops, networking events, business dinners

Networking over coffee can be a boon for your career. But you want to strike a balance between serious and professional, comfortable and hard-working.

So, what does that look like? You could opt for a polo shirt or dress shirt, slacks or chinos, and a comfortable pair of dress shoes or nice (and clean!!) sneakers. You might also go for dark-wash jeans, a simple blouse, and nice shoes.  

But no matter what, make sure you:

Ask before the interview. When you’re scheduling your in-person meetings, ask the hiring managers what the dress code is. They’ll give you the scoop so you can focus on your answers instead of your sartorial decisions.

Find out what the office is like. If you blanked on asking the hiring manager, then do some detective work. Check out the company’s website and social media channels to scope out the office style.

Iron, steam, and clean, clean, clean. Make sure your clothes are clean, your shirts and pants are ironed (or steamed), and everything is crisp and neat. These minor elements can signal a lot about your organizational skills and reliability.

Be yourself. Make sure whatever you’re wearing still speaks to YOU. Embrace your personal style and play around with how you can still be yourself while dressing for the new role.

The post Here’s How You Should Dress For 5 Different Types Of Interviews appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

One of the most common job interview questions for entry-level jobs and internships goes something like this: Where do you see yourself in five years? Answering this questions can be tricky—especially for young people who might have no idea.

This one question aims to gauge your ambition, your personal organization, and—for employers that really care about their employees—whether the position you’re interviewing for is one that can help you achieve your career goals. Hiring managers and recruiters might also want to see how you react under pressure.

But one of the great things about an internship, first job, or even second or third position is that you’re given the opportunity to learn a lot more about what you like and dislike. For many people, it’s only then that they actually figure out their long-term career goals.

The best answers to these questions will help you avoid a couple of red flag answers. First, it prevents you from sounding like you’re a slacker without any plan or ambition. Secondly, it shows that you don’t have too strict of an idea about what your life should be (basically that you’re inflexible and wrong for the position).

Here are some of they points in a perfect answer (with a sample answer to drive the point home). You’ll be able to knock this question without any specific short-term or long-term goals.

Talk About What You Hope To Gain, Rather Than A Specific Title Or Position

Your answer should be focused on skills, experience, and exposure—basically, everything that a job offers you other than money and benefits.

Even if you’re interviewing for a finance or consulting role and it’s well-known that after five years you should be in a role called “Senior Associate” or “Assistant Vice President,” focusing on a position or title could make you seem like you have a limited view of what work is. You don’t want to come off as someone obsessed with titles or power.

If a senior role is an ambition of yours, then emphasize that you’d love to gain management and leadership experience.

Relate Your Answer To The Role You’re Interviewing For (And What You’ll Add)

By focusing on what you hope to gain in terms of skills and experience, you’ll also demonstrate to the interviewer that you plan on adding a lot to the company. That way, any promotions that might come in the future will be earned and not just expected.

Use your answer as an opportunity to highlight specifically what you could gain from the role and how that benefits the company. Talk about how you’ll learn certain skills that will help you accomplish X or Y for your future team. This will show your ambitions are tangible and useful rather than just based on naiveté or a desire for money.

An Ideal Example Answer

In five years, my goal is to have gained both the skills and perspective necessary to contribute to projects on both a strategic and operational level. For example, through your company’s IT Leadership Development Program, I’ll be able to pick up both hard and soft skills. By becoming both a subject-matter expert on information technology and an experienced communicator and organizer, I’ll be in a position to help lead a group or a team—which I think is an important step on the road to having a fulfilling career.

The post How To Answer: ‘Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years’ (Even If You Have No Idea) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you have an upcoming job interview, it can feel like nothing else in the world matters. You’ve been researching the company, reading interview questions online, and checking out the company’s online profile 24/7 since you got that confirmation email. But sometimes, life happens and you have to cancel an interview.

Don’t freak out. This isn’t the end of the world and if handled properly, canceling an interview won’t affect your chances of getting the job. We promise.

Here’s how to properly and politely cancel a job interview.

How To Cancel An Interview (Even At The Last Minute)

Maybe you were so excited to schedule the interview, you forgot that you have an important class, study session, or exam during your job interview. Perhaps you’re really sick or you forgot that you have to hop on a flight that day. Maybe you got scheduled for a shift at your current job or internship at the last minute.

The job search process can be draining, and this interview seems like an olive branch from life. So, you really don’t want to burn any bridges or ruin your chances of getting the job. But having to reschedule your interview doesn’t have to be a catastrophe as long as you do the following things:

• Reach out to cancel as soon as possible to ensure you’re being respectful of their time
• Apologize and explain what went wrong (without rambling on or oversharing personal details)
• Offer options for a new interview time (try to check out the availability of your interviewer if you have access to their calendar through Calendly or a similar tool)

Stuff happens—and hiring managers and recruiters know this. And the good news is, they wouldn’t have reached out to you if they didn’t think you were a good fit or someone worthy of a possible job offer. So, they’re not going to give up on you so easily.

Example Cancellation Email (That Also Proposes A Reschedule)

Here’s an example of a polite and effective cancellation email that also proposes a rescheduled time:

Hi Matthew,

I’m so sorry to inconvenience you, but unfortunately I’m going to have to reschedule our conversation about the opportunity at Citizens Bank. I’m really excited about the opportunity and grateful for the chance to learn more, but I was scheduled last minute for a shift at my part-time job during our interview time slot.

I am, however, eager to reschedule. Do any of the following times work for you?

• Monday, 3/18 between 12 – 4pm ET
• Tuesday, 3/19 between 11am – 4pm ET
• Wednesday 3/20 between 9am – 4pm ET

Let me know if something during these time slots works for you. If not, please let me know about your availability and I’ll make sure to find something that works for both of us.

Thanks again for the opportunity and sorry for the inconvenience!

All the best,

________

And again, if you do have access to the recruiter or the hiring manager’s calendar, then be sure to find times that are clear on those calendars before you propose new times.

I know it seems like a strike against you, but canceling and rescheduling an interview doesn’t have to be the end of the road for you. In fact, your dream company is probably so excited by your resume that this won’t even be something you remember once you start working there.

Good luck and happy hunting!

The post How To Cancel A Job Interview (Without Ruining Your Chances) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it” before? When it comes to a job interview, we think it’s both what you say and how you say it. Showing enthusiasm during an interview is just as important as giving quality answers.

When you’re in the hiring process for a company, it’s important to show that you’re passionate about the position you’ve applied to, and the organization as a whole. Your enthusiasm must come through in your speaking voice, since it’s your only tool of communication during an interview. (Unless you choose to communicate through interpretive dance—and if so, more power to ya!) 

But sometimes it can be hard to gauge how you’re coming across to an interviewer. Maybe you think you sound as jolly as a Christmas elf, but to the interviewer, you sound bored and ready for your afternoon nap.

For this reason, we suggest you practice putting that pep-in-your-step (or in your voice, rather) in front of friends and family. Sit down with people you trust, and practice answering mock-interview questions with enthusiasm. Ask them for candid feedback on how you’re coming across, and whether or not they hear passion in your voice. You may be surprised by how much honesty comes your way.

So now that you’re equipped with these insider tips, you can walk into that interview with your head held high, ready to rock it. You’ll be sure to dazzle the interviewers with your unyielding enthusiasm. You’ll blow them away with your competitive drive. Now, enough talking—go land that job!

The post How To Show Enthusiasm During A Job Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

There’s a lot of advice about what you should be saying during your job interview, but something that’s often missing from interview tips and guides is what you shouldn’t say during an interview. And there are some things you should never say during any job interview—especially for internships and entry-level roles.

We’ve spoken to some of the most experienced intern and entry-level recruiters to come up with a list of things that you should never say during an interview. And don’t worry, we’ve included plenty of examples.

Check them out.

1. Don’t Talk About Leaving A Company Before You’re Even Hired

One of the great things about a lot of early-career opportunities is that they invest a lot of time and money into training you. “Invest,” however, is the operative word there. These companies, if they hire you, are planning on training and developing you as a professional so that you can do great work for them. They won’t be excited to hear you’re planning on leaving after a year, even if you are.

If you’re planning on going to grad school or taking time off to travel the world at some point down the line, it’s probably best not to mention it. It’s not something you need to table or hide forever, but once you’re actually hired you can find out more info. Some companies will actually pay for grad school for their employees or give them a sabbatical to travel the world after a couple years of service.

2. Don’t Mention LinkedIn/Facebook “Stalking” Your Interviewer (Even Though Everybody Does)

Recruiters know that you’re going to look them up beforehand. It’s just a part of any curious and prepared candidate’s research process. However, using impolite and tone-deaf phrasing like “stalking” can make you come off the wrong way.

If you have a great example or point on which you can relate to your interviewer, try saying something like, “I saw online that you also worked in the non-profit space. I found that my volunteer work at a non-profit really prepared me to handle customer service, because the importance of the work instilled a great sense of urgency in me.”

Remember, interviews aren’t just about skills and experience. They’re also important for determining whether you’re a “culture fit” (a.k.a. whether your personality would fit into the company’s style). Any possibility to avoid coming off as creepy or tone-deaf could go a long way toward assuring them that you’re a good person, just like they are.

3. Your Starbucks Order

Never, ever get caught doing anything besides giving the interviewers your full attention during a phone or video interview. This means don’t place an order at Starbucks or a restaurant, go to the bathroom, or do anything else besides interviewing while you’re on the call. This is a sign of blatant disrespect (at worst) or total ignorance (at best). You should always conduct your interviews in a quiet, private space where you won’t face any interruptions.

If you really can’t find somewhere other than a restaurant or cafe, just give your interviewers a heads up at the beginning of the call and apologize for any inconvenience.

4. Don’t Say That Another Company Is Your Dream Company

Who wouldn’t love to work for Tesla, NASA, or Google? Unfortunately, unless you’re interviewing with them, saying one is your “dream company” is a bad idea.

Recruiters know that not every great candidate is going to be 100 percent passionate about the company’s mission, even if they are passionate about the work, the team, or the opportunity. However, tons of candidates mention other companies—sometimes even competitors—as their “dream company” or somewhere they’d prefer to work.

This is insulting to the recruiter and the company. If you’re not enthusiastic about the role, even during the interview, then they can’t count on you to care six or even three months into the job.

5. Anything Controversial, Especially About Politics Or Religion

Much like a first date, a job interview isn’t the right time to dive into your most controversial views.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t be able to speak to your beliefs in general terms, but you should try to avoid controversial issues, especially those related to politics and religion.

These parts of your life are important, but telling someone you just met (who also decides your fate) about your personal views is never a good idea.

You can, however, bring up politics if it relates to the conversation. For example, if you volunteered for or led a political organization while you were in college, then that’s valuable experience that you should definitely bring up. Another great example is if you worked on a political campaign. Try to focus on the work you did rather than the more nuanced aspects of the issue or the candidate.

(If you’re really concerned, you can always anonymize it by saying something like, “I worked for a congressional candidate in my state’s fourth district in 2018 for a really competitive race. I did x, y, and z in order to accomplish this goal.”)

It’s okay to have values. It shows passion and intelligence. However, this is your first impression with someone and you should show them you know what is and isn’t appropriate to talk about at work.

Don’t Worry, You CAN Recover From Saying One Of These Things

Even if you said something found on this list, you can definitely recover. If you feel like it was really bad, then you could apologize in your follow-up email. However, if you feel it wasn’t an obvious point of tension or awkwardness, then just take some time in your follow-up email to reiterate how excited you are about the role, how much respect you have for the company, and how much you appreciate the recruiter taking time out of their busy day.

These tips are especially good for entry-level jobs and internships, but if you’re looking for a more senior role, then check out these similar articles.

And don’t forget to apply everything you’ve learned to that second or third round of interviews! For more career advice and interview tips, check out the WayUp Guide.

The post 5 Things You Should NEVER Say During An Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Recruiters who staff for sales positions are looking for highly competitive candidates.

One of the top reasons candidates fail in sales interviews is because they don’t come off as competitive enough. Companies recruiting for Sales positions also want someone who thrives in a metrics-driven environment.

Competitive people thrive in sales environments—even when that drive and ambition would be too much for another type of office. Here’s how you can show your competitive side without coming off as aggressive or rude.

Showing Your Competitive Edge (Without Being Rude)

Most of the time, telling people how competitive you are can make you seem harsh or rude. For many jobs, this is something you might want to hide or downplay during an interview (or maybe even talk about as a weakness). This isn’t the case for sales, though—in fact, showing your competitive edge is essential for securing a job offer.

As long as you’re focusing on your drive for success and how the spirit of competition helps you achieve your goals, then you should be in the safe zone.

During the interview, talk about times when you used your competitive drive to find success. Were you an athlete growing up? Were you the top salesperson at Footlocker? If so, what were your numbers?  Maybe you’re extremely motivated by hitting goals. Maybe you thrive in a commission-driven setting. Or maybe you just want to make a ton of money (Sounds nice, eh?).

However you decide to spin it, just be sure to drive home the point that you are competitive with a capital “C” (and that’s how you push yourself to succeed).

The post How To Show Your Competitive Edge In A Sales Interview (Without Coming Off As Aggressive) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Congrats, you landed an interview for a sales position—and you’ve been putting in the work to get ready.

You feel totally prepared: Your resume is clean, you’re dressed for success, you’ve rehearsed your answers to those commonly-asked interview questions, and you’ve researched the company so thoroughly you could write a book about them.

But when it comes to a sales interview, there are a couple of things that you absolutely have to nail to really ensure you crush the interview—and they’re not as intuitive as you might think.

In my experience as a Recruiting Manager, I’ve interviewed hundreds of applicants for sales roles, and these are two tips that—if followed—always ensure a successful interview.

Tip #1: There’s No Such Thing As Being Too Competitive

Recruiters who staff for sales positions are looking for highly competitive candidates.

One of the top reasons candidates fail in sales interviews is because they don’t come off as competitive enough. Companies recruiting for Sales positions also want someone who thrives in a metrics-driven environment.

This can be hard to understand, because being competitive is considered a harsher personality trait that you might want to hide during an interview. However, as long as you’re focusing on your drive for success and how the spirit of competition helps you achieve your goals, then you’re safe to talk about it.

In fact, for a sales interview, it’s an absolute must.

During the interview, be sure to talk about times when you used your competitive drive to find success. Were you an athlete growing up? Were you the top salesperson at Footlocker? If so, what were your numbers?  Maybe you’re extremely motivated by hitting goals. Maybe you thrive in a commission-driven setting. Or maybe you just want to make a ton of money (sounds nice, eh?).

However you decide to spin it, just be sure to drive home the point that you are competitive with a capital “C” (and that’s how you push yourself to succeed).

Tip #2: Enthusiasm Is Key

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it” before? Well, we think it’s both what you say and how you say it.

When you’re in the hiring process for a company, it’s important to show that you’re passionate about the position you’ve applied to, and the organization as a whole. Your enthusiasm must come through in your speaking voice, since it’s your only tool of communication during an interview. (Unless you choose to communicate through interpretive dance—and if so, power to ya!)

But sometimes, it can be hard to gauge how you’re coming across to an interviewer. Maybe you think you sound as jolly as a Christmas elf, but to the interviewer, you sound bored and ready for your afternoon nap.

For this reason, we suggest you practice putting that pep-in-your-step (or in your voice, rather) in front of friends and family. Sit down with people you trust and practice answering mock-interview questions with enthusiasm. Ask them for candid feedback on how you’re coming across and whether they hear passion in your voice. You may be surprised by how much honesty comes your way.

So now that you’re equipped with these insider tips, you can walk into that interview with your head held high, ready to rock it. You’ll be sure to dazzle the interviewers with your unyielding enthusiasm. You’ll blow them away with your competitive drive. Now, enough talking—go land that job!

The post 2 Tips to Help You Nail That Sales Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Want to nail your first interview? Take this advice from our CEO.

Liz Wessel was a former Associate Product Marketing Manager at Google for 2 years before starting WayUp to create more jobs for college students. As WayUp’s CEO, Liz has interviewed hundreds of candidates – some of whom impressed her, and some of whom…well, let’s just say they didn’t get a second-round interview.

Her method for a successful interview? REAF: research, enthusiasm, ask questions, and follow up. Here’s how you can rock and REAF your way into landing a second-round interview.

Research

There are the 3 things you should know like the back of your hand before you walk into your interview: the company, the job, and your interviewer.

“Look for 3 things that you think are going to surprise your interviewer – things you think the interviewer doesn’t even know about the company,” says Liz, who read a book about Google in preparation for her interview and ended up surprising her interviewer by referencing the name of the person who created Google’s logo. It made a positive impression that eventually led to her full-time offer.

When it comes to researching the job, Liz says to look employees up on the company website who have the same or a similar position title, or to find their LinkedIn or Twitter accounts. This will allow you to see what kinds of projects they’ve carried out in the role and help you to have a better understanding of what your responsibilities will be.

Finally, research the actual person you’ll be interviewing with. While you may not know who you’ll be interviewing with in advance, it’s ok to ask in order to find out. Look for information on the person and find out where they went to school and other fun facts about them. You may come across a commonality that you can naturally bring up during your interview to make a stronger connection!

Enthusiasm

Assuming your interviewer isn’t already in HR, people are volunteering their own time out of their work day to interview you–and there’s nothing worse than sacrificing time away from your work to meet with someone who doesn’t even want to be there. “[Candidates] try to play it cool,” Liz says. “I don’t want to hire you if you’re too cool for this company.”

You can convey enthusiasm through great posture and interview body language. Make sure you’re smiling and engaging with your interviewer. Make comments like, “I’m so excited to be meeting you!” and “Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with me!” Your positive attitude will go a long way.

Ask questions

You should have 3 questions minimum prepared for the end of your interview. An example of a bad question is, “If I weren’t going to get the role, what would the reason be for that?” because this type of question puts the interviewer in an awkward position. Instead, Liz recommends asking, “Where would I have the most opportunity to learn in this role?” to get feedback on your interview weaknesses.

Liz’s two favorite questions to receive are “What makes the employees at your company all-stars? and “What keeps you up at night?”  The first is great because it can give you insight into how you can be successful at the company – and the answer can help you display those traits during your second interview. “The second question shows me they care about the challenges the company is facing,” Liz adds.

Follow-up

There are two email addresses you should have by the end of an interview: the email of your recruiter and your interviewer. Assuming you already have access to your recruiter’s email, you can politely ask for your interviewer for his or her business card in case you’d like to follow up with any questions. If your interviewer says no, don’t take it personally. “They’re probably interviewing a lot of different candidates and don’t want to be spammed with 50 questions.”

Liz recommends you follow up over email thanking them for their time within 12 hours of the interview. For your email to the interviewer, Liz recommends adding in a “P.S.” that either makes the interviewer smile or reminds him or her of the commonalities you shared during your interview.

What if you don’t hear back? Liz says that you shouldn’t assume you’ll get a response immediately after your follow-up – and if you don’t, that doesn’t mean you didn’t get the job. “I didn’t receive an offer from Google until 2 or 3 months after I interviewed – let alone the 5 months it took from the time I submitted my application,” Liz said. However, if your interviewer says that you will hear back at the end of March and you haven’t heard back on April 1st, it’s ok to send a note asking about the status of your application.

With these tips, you can confidently walk into any interviewer prepared to answer questions about the role, the company, and how you can contribute to the business.

The post Former Googler and CEO of WayUp Shares Interview Secrets appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

How To Answer The Phone For An Interview

Be ready for the call. When you answer the phone for an interview, do so with great energy while remaining professional. The best calls begin with someone answering the phone saying, “Hello, this is _____.”

We can’t stress this enough. “Hello, this is Susan!” is an infinitely more professional way to answer a call than a simple “Hi.”

How NOT To Answer The Phone For An Interview

Do not answer the call and then need time to get situated. Make sure you’re not in a noisy location .

Before the interview begins, find somewhere where you can have an excellent chat about your experience and the opportunity you’ve applied to. If you need to reschedule your call, the interviewer will understand. People have busy lives. Providing as much advance notice as possible is helpful (and shows you really value communication).

This is a simple part of the phone interview experience and doing it well will set you up for success during the conversation. As the expression goes: You can only make a first impression once.

For more advanced phone interview tips, check out this guide from WayUp!

The post The Perfect Way To Answer The Phone For An Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Finding a new job is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions—this is especially true for recent grads. Even college seniors are in on the action as they hustle to find their perfect post-grad position.

Because of these trends, the competition is going to be fierce, so here are a few ways to ensure that you really stand out from the crowd in this busy application season and accomplish your goal.

1. Make A “Portfolio” Of Your Best Work

Whether or not you’re actually in (or hoping to enter) an industry that requires a portfolio of your work, it’s a huge advantage to have one. Even if it’s a large report you made or an important presentation you put together, it’s important to be able to show what you’ve done. And just having that kind of work ready isn’t enough. Most of the time, you won’t have the opportunity to directly show recruiters or interviewers the work. However, being able to speak to it, its importance for the business, and the results it produced are essential interviewing skills.

2. Update Your Resume

If you haven’t already, then you haven’t really begun your new job search. For many jobs, it’s the only thing that will truly get you in the door. Make sure that you hit all the essential points and know when to be flexible with it. Some jobs or industries might even require specific types of resumes (here’s how to know when).

3. Make Sure Your Online Profiles Capture Your Work

70 percent of employers are using your online presence to make decisions about hiring you. That means when you apply to a job, your online profiles are most likely being scoped out by hiring managers and recruiters. This means sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and—of course—your WayUp profile are all coming up in the search process.

This isn’t a bad thing, either. It’s another opportunity to showcase your wins, highlight your skills, and prove to them that you really ARE the best person for the job.

Of course, there are some social media rules you should absolutely follow (like not posting anything bad about previous employers or oversharing your personal/social life). But for the most part, online profiles are just another great shot at impressing your future employer.

4. Have A Good Answer to the “Why Do You Want A New Job” Question

This question is tricky to answer and will almost always come up when you’re seeking a new job while still employed.  Even if the answer is “I want to make more money” or “I have an insufferable boss who overworks me,” you should try to pitch it in a positive way as to avoid looking like a negative person or a bad employee.

We’ve crafted a video that answers this question exactly:

If you don’t have the time or the personal space to play a video, we’ll sum it up for you:

Your answer should be short and positive. You’ve appreciated the opportunities you’ve been given, but you want more responsibilities, room to grow, or to focus on a new industry.

5. Don’t Stop Applying

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: When you’re searching for a job, don’t stop applying. Of course, take your time and make sure you’re submitting quality applications, but most people make the mistake of not submitting enough applications. While the job market is hot right now, there are still only so many roles available to college students and recent grads. So, don’t give up if a new job (or even your first job) is something you really want.

Looking for more advice and killer career tips? Check out the WayUp blog and guide for more.

The post New Year, New Job? 5 Steps To Make Sure Your Next Job Is Better Than Your Last appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to jobs in sales, recruiting, and client services, there’s usually a good deal of phone calling involved. These are essential skills for roles like these and the great news: You probably have experience doing something like this before.

However, when you’re interviewing for these jobs, it’s important to be able to actually differentiate between the different types of phone calling you’ve done. This is true for a couple reasons:

1. You want to demonstrate an understanding of industry terms to show them you’re savvy and excited about the role.
2. You DO NOT want to misrepresent your experience.

To get a real handle on the differences, we spoke to a subject-matter expert and recruiting manager, Murphy. She’s currently working on a national sales/recruiting position for which both cold calling and warm calling are significant components of the job.

What Is Cold Calling?

As a recruiter for a national sales and recruiting role, Murphy has interviewed hundreds of candidates and has a keen understanding of the nuances between the two types of calls.

“Cold-calling is a sales tactic used to reach out to people or companies to entice them to buy a product or service or to donate to a cause they have not yet heard of,” she says. “Cold calling is used on people or companies a company or cause has deemed (through researching) to be a good fit to buy, use, or donate to them.”

This is experience you’re likely to have if you’ve ever worked for a service business, a non-profit, a political campaign, or even your school’s alumni relations office.

Here’s a good way to know if what you’re currently doing or have done is cold calling, according to Murphy: “If you are given a list of people who do not know you are going to reach out to them and do not know about the product, services, or causes you are educating them about, you are cold calling them.”

The “cold” aspect of it is the fact that this person or organization hasn’t heard of you or your company/product/service before.

What Is Warm Calling?

What, then, is warm calling?

“Warm-calling is reaching out to people or companies who have already expressed interest in or asked to be reached out to about the products, services, or causes you are working for,” Murphy explains.

This goes for more than just sales calls, too.

“If you are reaching out to people for feedback on their shopping experience, telling store loyalty members about new discounts or rewards, or reaching out to people who have requested a product demonstration, you are acting on a warm lead and, thus, warm calling them,” she adds.

Some people and companies think of calls that come after a cold email (similar to a cold call in that it’s an email/message sent without any prior contact) as warm calling, too. So, if this is something you’ve done, it’s okay to think of it as either cold or warm calling.

What Are The Key Differences?

Cold calling is calling someone or some group with whom you have had no previous contact in regard to your service, product, or company.

Warm calling is following up on another contact you’ve had with a prospective organization or customer.

There you have it. For any other burning questions, check out this list of the best first-round phone interview tips and the WayUp Guide.

The post The Difference Between ‘Cold Calling’ And ‘Warm Calling’ appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Searching for your summer internship or first job after college is obviously a nerve-racking experience—but it shouldn’t be.

With more digital platforms, online guides, and amazing companies hiring than ever before, it’s so easy to find your dream role at your dream company. Whether it’s your first job or an internship that you’re looking for, both can be amazing opportunities that pave the way for rewarding, life-long careers.

However, all of the possible benefits put a lot of pressure on the search process. Here are three tips for keeping calm during the job search process.

1. You Can Prepare More Than Ever Before

There’s not a type of job interview in the world that someone hasn’t already done—and they probably wrote a blog post about it. Even interviews for specific companies have reviews written for them on Glassdoor and similar sites. We’ve assembled guides on most types of interviews.

Even if you’re worried about the stuff that comes before interviewing, we’ve got you covered. We’ve got guides on resumes (even on how to make job-specific resumes). Don’t worry about stuff like cover letters, cold emailing, and networking events, either.

With all these resources online and (hopefully) better education standards than ever before, you have the ability to be fully prepared for any type of interview.

2. You Can (And Definitely Should) Apply To More Than Just A Few Jobs

It might not seem like it while you’re spending every day looking for just one of them, but there are so many jobs out there. Most recruiting experts will say that—even for top-tier, experienced talent—a healthy ratio of applications to interviews is to 10:1. In some places, that number is as high as 27 applications to get one job interview.

So, ask yourself, have you sent out 10 job applications yet? That’s just for one interview. You should really be thinking about sending out about 40-50 applications over the course of a few weeks.

One of the biggest mistakes people make in the job application process is that they simply don’t submit enough applications. Some people are tinkering perfectionists who just can’t seem to finish something to their standards. Others are just ignorant to the reality of the situation. But this isn’t bad news.

There are thousands of jobs out there. The goal is to find the right one for you. Don’t spend all your time obsessing over minor details for the three jobs you’ve decided you do really want. Take that passion you have for those jobs and find other ones just like them. You’re much better off finding your dream title and role and then applying to it at multiple companies you think are a great fit.

3. Businesses Are Looking For More Than Just Experience

If you’re a college student or recent grad, chances are you don’t have a ton of professional experience. That’s okay. In fact, for some companies, it’s actually what they’re looking for.

Entry-level jobs are called “entry-level” for a reason. They’re for people hoping to find their way into an industry or career path. They’re not for industry veterans or insiders—or even people with 3-5 years of experience. Entry-level jobs are for recent grads.

Some college students even worry that they will be blocked out from internships because of a lack of other internship experience. There are plenty of ways to get a job or internship when you don’t have experience. For example, highlighting skills on your resume gained from school projects, extracurricular activities, or volunteering.

More than anything, businesses want people who have done their research on the industry, have a demonstrated interest in their potential job, and have the curiosity and intelligence to learn. Show them these qualities, and it’s not all about who had the flashiest internship her junior year.

The Best Tip

Research the companies, make sure your resume and cover letter are set, and apply. However, the real trick is doing all this in about an hour (of actual focused work time). Don’t spend too much time worrying or even researching (you can save the bulk of your research for once you get the interview).

Have we squashed your fears yet? Need more career advice? Check out amazing companies and all-star advice on the WayUp blog.

The post BOO! Job Hunting Shouldn’t Be Scary: 3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Fear The Job Search Process appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Resumes are your first—and sometimes only—chance to show companies and recruiters what you have to offer. That’s why it’s so important that you put what companies are really looking for on your resume. However, different jobs look for different styles of resume, keywords, skills, numbers, and even formats. That’s why having a resume that’s tailored to the position (a job-specific resume) can be essential for landing that interview.

At the same time, nobody wants to make a new resume for every single application they send. But when should you make a job-specific resume? What kinds of jobs need specific resumes? We’ve answered these questions and more with our definitive guide on how and when to make a job-specific resume.

When To Make A Unique, Job-Specific Resume

Not sure what or when to put something new on your resume? Been staring at your computer for hours? Don’t worry. We’ve got the answer.

Making a unique resume for a certain type of job should always be done if one or more of the following three things are true:

• The job requires specific hard skills like programming, professional software, or legal knowledge.
• The job is largely measured by certain qualities like sales numbers, revenue, or growth.
• Your resume isn’t currently geared toward that job.

If any of these things are true, then it’s time to cook up a new resume. We’ll explain why with a few more concrete examples of this.

The Numbers-Heavy Resume

In sales, the thing that stands out to hiring managers more than anything is numbers.

Organized 50+ cold-calling marathons, Led team of 8 in a door-to-door fundraising campaign, and Generated $5,000 in revenue through sales of enterprise product—all leverage data points to showcase not only the content of your experience, but also the scale at which you worked.

Your performance is measured by numbers, especially dollar figures, in career tracks like account management, sales, and the like. That’s why having them on your resume for business development type roles is so important.

(Check out our complete guide on How To Make A Sales Resume.)

The Skills-Centric Resume

Similarly, jobs like Software Engineer and Business Intelligence Analyst are all about specific skills. That’s why you shouldn’t just list something like “Programming” or “Backend Programming” on your resume. Instead, you should have skills like PHP, SQL, Python, and Java and a list of projects that include links to Github or other online repositories of your code.

Projects and specific languages or disciplines are what matter in skill-centric jobs. Projects you’ve done are excellent ways of actually demonstrating this.

The Graphics-Heavy, Creative Resume

In many jobs, aesthetics matter. If you’re applying to be a designer, editor, or someone who works with visual content in any way, you should consider creating a more aesthetically pleasing resume.

Organization of skills, work, extracurricular, and academic activities in a way that effectively communicates your story is, in fact, a skill within itself. You should be able to demonstrate the ability to graphically arrange information in a way that pleases the eye and informs the reader. That’s why designers and visual creatives ought to make resumes that reflect this type of skill.

Consider using color, multi-column formatting, and even a photo in this kind of resume.

Word of warning: If you are still applying to non-creative jobs or even creative jobs at massive companies, their application systems might fail to recognize your resume. Make sure to check whether or not their digital system will accept uniquely formatted files.

This guide should help you craft whatever kind of resume you might need.

For everything else career-related and spotlights on amazing companies, check out the WayUp blog.

The post How (And When) To Make A Job-Specific Resume appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

How many times have you been preparing for an interview (or even sitting in the actual interview) and thought, ‘What if I could just read their minds and find out what they want me to say?’

Well, OppenheimerFunds—home to one of the most competitive financial services internship programs in the country—has heard your cries. The global asset management firm gave us an exclusive look into what its interviewers look for during those critical few minutes you get with them.

Here are five things that OppenheimerFunds wants you to do during an interview.

1. Know Thy Company

OppenheimerFunds is a company that’s always on the cutting edge of its field. It has changed the face of asset management with innovative funds and continues to do so by investing in new kinds of FinTech.

This means there’s plenty of opportunity for you to show that you’re knowledgeable about the business, where’s it been, and where it’s headed. You don’t have to write the book on OppenheimerFunds. But make sure you check out its website, read pertinent articles, and familiarize yourself with its history. Know what the new products and initiatives are, and make sure you understand the industry.

After all, if you’re going to be adding value to the team, you have to know what value means for that team in the first place.

2. Be Prepared To Discuss How This Position Sets Up Your Future Goals

OppenheimerFunds isn’t a massive company. With around 2,200 employees, it makes sure that it invests in every person it hires—full-time or intern. That’s why you have to be sure that you can spell out—to a reasonable degree—what working at OF would mean for your career.

But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a 30-year plan (or even a 10-year plan). Just be honest about how the company help you. If you’re unsure about what you want to do in the future, think hard about why OF is the right stepping stone. For example, you could say, “OF would be a great fit because I’m interested in building a career in public finance. Learning more about the company’s infrastructure fund would help me understand the industry while utilizing my talent for investment.”

This way, you’ll make sure that when your interviewer asks you why you want the position, you don’t just say, “Because I need a job.” or “Because I want to work in finance.”

3. Show That Your Skills Can Help The Company Grow

The best internships and entry-level jobs aren’t just about your development. They’re about contributing to the company’s mission. This is a blessing and a burden, because it means you have real responsibilities.

To show you’re ready for this, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have the skills and the ability to handle the job. At this stage of your life, you’re not going to be able to talk about your extensive professional experience. But you can communicate soft skills like interpersonal communication, detail-orientation, and analytical problem-solving. Just be prepared to give examples, whether they’re from previous internships, part-time jobs, the classroom, extracurricular activities, or even hobbies.

These types of broad skills make you a versatile and exceptional candidate for a company like OF, which invests so much to train and educate its employees.

4. Show That You’re Always Learning

To work at a company that invests in your future, you need to be genuinely receptive to actually growing. You have to make sure that your interviewer knows that you’re a quick study and a dedicated learner. This is so critical for any entry-level job or internship because, regardless of your achievements, you still have so much to learn.

A fast learner who admits she has plenty to learn is always more appealing to an interviewer than someone—no matter how impressive—who prematurely claims to be an expert.

5. Do NOT Gloss Over The Details

All of this only matters if you’re on time, appropriately dressed, showcase your experience, and actively engage with what the interviewer(s) is/are saying.

So much of the interview process is demonstrating that you’re a person who can listen, understand, and engage with the people and places around you. Don’t get in your own head and BE PRESENT! That means not only answering but also asking the right questions.

Are you a detail-oriented, proactive, and soon-to-be expert who wants to start a career in an innovative asset management firm? Then check out opportunities from OppenheimerFunds on WayUp right now!

The post This Company Wants You To Do These 5 Things During Your Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What do brands like Dove, Axe, Ben & Jerry’s, and Lipton have in common? In addition to selling amazing products, they’re all brands under Unilever, a historic company that truly cares about not only changing the lives of its consumers, but also giving back to the people who work at its worldwide locations.

We sat down with three Unilever interns, Vince, Taylor, and Raj, to discuss several of the amazing opportunities open to them. And if you want to get all of these incredible perks, we’ve got great news: Unilever is hiring interns right now on WayUp!

1. Interns Can Take a Shuttle to Work

Many interns and employees commute from other places to Unilever’s Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey headquarters. To make it easier for them, the company offers a shuttle from several New York locations to the offices.

“It’s a really cool resource because there’s wifi on the shuttle so you can get some work done, and it’s also a great place to meet full-time employees and other interns,” says Vince.

2. Interns Can Take Advantage of Unilever’s Flexible Work Policy

Unilever has an agile work policy that allows employees to from wherever they feel is best for them. Interns are able to take advantage of this initiative, which includes being able to use shared spaces like a meditation room and couch areas as well as the option to work from home on Fridays.

“It’s something I really enjoy because I can’t stay in a closed room for a long period of time,” explains Taylor, “I feel like it’s beneficial to move around, meet new people, [and] meet up with people to get advice and go over projects. It helps me out a lot.”

3. Interns Have the Opportunity to Take Part in the Unilever Future Leaders Program

Many students apply to become part of the Unilever Future Leaders Program (UFLP) after college graduation to gain valuable professional experience. Members of UFLP rotate through several roles over the course of three years, and they get to travel and work with global brands, all while getting insight on how to become a top-notch leader; this prepares them for a managerial role within Unilever once the program is complete.

“The company encourages us to go out and seek new experiences so that even on our own, we’re really developing ourselves,” Vince adds.

Furthermore, many current interns have managers and other colleagues who are or were part of the UFLP program, so they can gain inspiration and insight from people who’ve been there before them.

4. Interns Get a Full Schedule of Events (and Get to Interact With One Another)

Unilever knows how important it is that interns build a network with one another, even if they don’t necessarily work on the same team. To facilitate those bonds, the company lines up a series of events for interns to attend over the course of their time at Unilever. These range from professional networking get-togethers to more recreational activities.

For example, interns went to the Fancy Food Show in New York, and they absolutely loved the experience. “You get exposed to every country with different vendors showing off their brands,” Raj says when talking about the experience. “It’s a lot of fun!”

5. Interns Get Special Professional Development Opportunities

Unilever truly treats its interns as part of the team, allowing them to sit in on high-level strategy meetings for their brands, discuss their career paths with other professionals, and attend trainings at its partner companies, like Google.

“It’s interesting how Unilever will introduce us to these other companies because they want us to learn,” explains Taylor. “That’s really selfless; they want their interns to get the [most] out of the whole summer, so I benefitted a lot from it.”

6. All-you-can-eat ICE CREAM!

Yes, you heard us right: One of the best perks Unilever’s interns enjoy is free ice cream! From Ben & Jerry’s to Breyers, Unilever has you covered.

If all of these perks sound like the makings of the best internship experience ever, you’re in luck. Click here to learn more about Unilever and apply for open roles! 

The post These Interns Reveal The 6 Best Perks Of Working At Unilever appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This post originally appeared on the IBM Jobs Blog. In it, Laura Varela, a student at SUNY Oneonta and former IBM Marketing and Communications intern, debunks three common misconceptions about interning for a big company like IBM.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my experience as an IBM intern, as well as certain misconceptions about internships in general. Ten weeks into my internship, here are my realizations and advice on how to make your internship experience successful.

Myth #1: At a large company, you’re only intern #363920474
Truth: Some people may flinch at being called an “intern,” thinking about coffee runs and evil copy machines. But over a 10-week program, IBM offers internships that parallel the responsibilities of a first “real job”.

As an intern, I gained hands-on experience and was in direct communication with everyone from managers to senior executives. I was challenged on a daily basis, and our work had a real-life impact, and we were able to see the ripples of our daily tasks across other departments. Not once did I wish my day would go faster. If anything, I wished I had more time to do a coffee run!

Myth #2: You’ll be stuck in whatever internship position they offer you
If there’s anything college students don’t want, it’s a static way of life. We’re afraid that our office jobs will become boring very quickly. However, the most productive element of my internship was the opportunity to view how a large organization works.

My managers were quick to realize that I had a desire to learn more about our team and its effect across the company. I was assigned to support an important announcement involving people and departments across the company. The experience taught me about the immense coordination it takes to make news happen.

You should never be shy about asking to learn and do more. Internships exist to provide opportunities, and it’s up to us interns to seek them out!

Myth #3: Internships at large corporations are only good for your resume
At a time when employers’ hiring requirements continue to increase, an IBM internship on your resume can certainly catch their eye. But a bullet point on your resume will only take you so far. From my first day at IBM, the internship offered me opportunity after opportunity to apply my knowledge and learn new things. I built new skills, hard and soft, that not only related to my day-to-day, but will follow me to the professional workforce. I saw how managers and executives worked and how they recognized a job well done. IBM will certainly be a line on my resume, but it was also an incredible experience that I know has prepared me for my next professional step.

Tips for Succeeding at Your Own Internship

In preparation for your own internship, be it at IBM or elsewhere, be prepared, do your homework, think about how to show your strengths, be clear on your objectives, and learn about the company and its leaders in advance.

Here’s some great advice that was given to us by IBM Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Peluso:

1. Surround yourself with great leaders. Make yourself known to them and listen to what they have to say because their wisdom gained from experience will help shape you.

2. Create balance. Your time is important, and you should strike a healthy balance between your work and personal life. By doing so, you will gain a thoughtfulness of time, and your work will be stronger.

3. Have a genuine passion for what you do. Your attitude plays a massive role in how this internship affects you. Be excited to learn and work, and ask yourself: “what can I contribute?”

See yourself at IBM? Learn more about the company on WayUp!

The post What’s It Really Like To Intern At A Big Company Like IBM? A Former Intern Separates Fact from Fiction appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

College happens in a blink of an eye and before you know it you’re sending out graduation announcements. You only have one internship under your belt and you’re afraid that your low GPA will stand in the way of obtaining your dream postgraduate entry-level or internship position. What could you do?

In a recent study, we discovered that 67 percent of employers think GPA is important in student recruiting. If you are interested in interning or working in fields like finance, law, engineering, or computer science, an exceptional GPA is usually required in obtaining a position. Often times hiring managers utilize the GPA to assess problem solving skills and predict applicant success.

If you weren’t the best student in college, struggled maintaining a part-time job, or were buried under too many extracurricular activities, try applying these helpful tips to overcome the upperclassmen “GPA Blues.”

1. Leave your GPA off of your Resume.

Don’t include your GPA unless it is exceptional or the employer specifically asks. In general, if you need a certain GPA to apply, recruiters look for applicants with a 3.0 or greater. Is your major GPA higher? If so, include that score instead.

2. Perfect your Application.

Compensate your low GPA score with a strong resume application. To dazzle hiring managers, demonstrate that you are a well-rounded student with ambition, skill, and leadership ability!

• Tailor your resume by adding action words detailed on the job description. List phrases like “quick thinking” or “complex problem solving” to demonstrate your communication and technical skills.

• Create a cover letter that tells your story. Express why you are interested in the company and how you will deliver.

• Add work samples (if required) to your application and make sure to list links to any digital portfolios or personal websites.

3. Get Referred.

“Employee referrals have the highest applicant-to-hire conversion rate – only 7% apply, but this accounts for 40% of all hires.”

An employee referral is the easiest way to separate your resume from the rest. This is your chance to practice your networking skills  in order to boost your application, ultimately landing you the job. Tap into your professional network, and use peers or professors as resources for referrals.  Don’t forget, if you’re referred to a position, mention it in your cover letter. This acts as a “built in recommendation.”

4. Focus on better opportunities that are a better fit for you.

Unfortunately, various firms are strict on GPA requirements. If they require a 3.5, and you have a 2.7, your chances may be slim to none. Apply for internships and entry-level jobs that are flexible with GPA scores, and match your abilities. If you excel at these jobs, you might be able to circle back around to the company you first wished to work for. Seek a counselor who can help you reevaluate your options. You definitely won’t be the first to waltz into the career center with a GPA question.

At the end of the day, if you are unhappy with your GPA, CHANGE IT! Even if you are in the first semester of your junior year or last semester of your senior year, each grade counts. Take your GPA seriously, but understand that it is not everything when applying for certain roles.

Are you screwed? Not exactly. Every internship you apply for won’t require you to list your GPA and many companies who were strict on GPA scores are now evolving. One major company being Google:

“Google famously used to ask everyone for a transcript and G.P.A.’s and test scores, but we don’t anymore, unless you’re just a few years out of school. We found that they don’t predict anything.” – Laszlo Bock, Google’s Senior Vice President for People Operations

The post “Am I Screwed?” Applying For Internships With A Low GPA appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You did it- you got the interview! You found the perfect attire for making a strong first impression. You’ve stayed up late researching every piece of information on the company you can find. And you’ve practiced your answers to the most common interview questions at least one hundred times. Then the big day comes….and you completely blow it.

Interviews are high pressure situations, and no matter how much we prepare, sometimes they just don’t go well. We get stuck in traffic causing us to be late, our nerves overtake us and we freeze on a question, or we just don’t connect with the interviewer.

There are so many things that can go wrong during an interview. But the good news is that, most of the time, not all is lost! Here are some of the most common mistakes made and how you can recover from them.

You Were Late

This is definitely not an ideal way to start off an interview. But if handled correctly, it’s absolutely a mistake you can recover from. To avoid this in the first place, be sure to plan your route ahead of time and give yourself a little extra time on the big day in case the unexpected happens.

But even the best laid plans can’t always get us there in time. The best way to handle being late is to be honest about what happened. Acknowledge it right off the bat. Apologize for it and take responsibility, even if you feel the situation was out of your control. But be sure to not turn it into an excuse.

Use this opportunity to demonstrate ownership to the hiring manager. It’s a chance to prove that you can handle stressful and less-than-ideal situations gracefully, accept your mistakes, and put your best foot forward to turn it around.

You Weren’t Prepared

Preparation is the key to interview success. When a candidate comes in unprepared to answer questions surrounding an opportunity, it’s a signal to the hiring manager that they aren’t truly interested in the job or perhaps aren’t even qualified.

Interview preparation should go beyond a simple google search and a glance at the company website. Time should be set aside to investigate company culture, understand the organization’s mission and values, catch up on recent news articles and press releases, and understand the job description like the back of your own hand.

But even after hours of in-depth preparation, it’s still possible to get an interview question that completely throws you off. Sometimes this is even done on purpose.

When this happens to you, the key is to stay calm and to not panic. If you get a question you’re not prepared to answer, simply ask if you can have a moment to think it through. To buy yourself some extra time, you can always ask to have the question repeated or you can ask clarifying questions. This is a great way to give the hiring manager insight into your thought process while gaining additional information that you can use to formulate your answer.

If you don’t manage to pull it together and leave the interview feeling like you missed an opportunity on a question, don’t give up yet! Follow up thank you notes are a great place to provide additional answers and a wonderful way to show the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the role and that you care about making a great impression.

You Rambled

Of all the mistakes made during interviews, rambling may just be the most common. It’s a habit for many people, especially during stressful situations.

Practicing your answers in the days leading up to your interview can help with this. But what if, after all that practice, your nerves still get the best of you?

The first step is to learn to recognize the signs that you’re beginning to ramble. Does your interviewer seem bored? Is your mouth a little dry from talking too much? Have you lost your train of thought? These are all signs that you’re not getting to the point quickly enough.

A good rule of thumb is that it should take you no longer than two minutes to provide a solid answer to an interview question. To ensure that you’re keeping your answers concise, be sure to practice them ahead of time, using a watch to track how long each response takes.

If you recognize that you’ve begun to ramble once you’re in the interview, don’t be afraid to stop yourself. Apologize that you’re a little nervous and that you seemed to have gotten off track. Take a deep breath, ask for a moment to gather your thoughts if you need it, and continue on with a straightforward and concise answer. Your interviewer will appreciate the fact that you stopped yourself to provide clarity.

You Appeared to Be Too Nervous

It’s completely normal to feel nervous during an interview. So there’s nothing wrong with walking into one a little jittery. But it can become a problem if your nerves completely take over, preventing you from understanding questions and providing clear answers.

The best thing you can do to avoid this is to prepare for the interview beforehand. Taking the time to practice tough questions and to plan a way to demonstrate your skills can minimize nerves. If you feel your heart starting to beat a little faster and your palms getting a little sweaty, the first step is to just simply take a few deep breaths.

The next thing is to recognize that the interviewer knows exactly how you feel. Don’t forget that they’ve been in your shoes before, interviewing with this same company! Try breaking the ice with them by having a casual conversation about their weekend plans or even about the weather. This is a great way to get things started before you dive into the interview itself.

If you’re still nervous after this initial chat, that’s okay too. Hiring managers actually appreciate when candidates are jittery because it demonstrates a passion for the role. Just don’t let it get in the way of providing strong answers.

What If You Can’t Recover?

Interview mistakes are very common and perfectly normal. And most can be recovered from. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that most hiring managers are perfectly willing to look past many of these errors listed here. But every once in awhile, an interview gone wrong just can’t be turned around and you have to move on.

But even if you can’t get a hiring manager to overlook your mistakes, there are several things you can do to help you do better next time.

Take time to reflect on the experience, focusing not only on what went wrong but also on what went right. Recognize what you did well and where you were able to successfully demonstrate your strengths. Think through the questions you struggled with. Now that you aren’t in a high pressure situation, how would you answer them? This is a great way to help you prepare yourself for next time.

This story was written by StudySoup, a peer-to-peer learning marketplace that connects top students in the class with those who need a little help. Top students can upload their notes and study guides to the StudySoup Marketplace, providing their peers with helpful materials while also earning some extra cash.

The post How To Recover From An Interview Gone Wrong appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Accenture Federal Services helps clients solve their toughest problems the first time—and change how people work and live. What is it like to work at Accenture Federal Services? Watch this video to find out!

Learn more about AFS here: How this Federal Services Company Supports Women Leaders

Transcript:

Maya: Accenture, they basically sold me a dream.

Xavier: If I could describe Accenture Federal in one word it would be innovation.

Celia: Accenture has been a great place to start my career.

Xavier: The first thing I would say is if you enjoy helping others then this is a place for you.

Maya: And in our case it’s like helping our client get to what they need because essentially we’re all consultants. Consultants help people we solve problems.

Xavier: We develop technology. We’re helping other corporations succeed as well as the government. So what attracted me to AFS is the fact that my full time helping others is helping the nation.

Maya: I think Accenture Federal Services is in a very interesting intersection between private business solution and public sector work. It’s a really cool space to be in.

Xavier: But also because of the professional development opportunities and the technical development. I’ve been sponsored on two certifications. So it’s kind of changed me to become a better person and it’s also a change for me to be more effective at the things that I do.

Celia: Coming out of college I really did not know what I wanted to do and so what was so appealing about Accenture was that I could have so many different roles all while having the same job and working for the same company.

Maya: One thing that you see here is you see a lot of women executives when I see managing directors or senior managers who are women who look like me I’m like oh and one day I can get there you know.

Xavier: You gotta learn to love change and in order to really thrive here.

Maya: No one I feel is left out.

Celia: Accenture has been a really great foundation for my career development.

The post Video: Life At Accenture Federal Services appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

EY has an ambition to build a #betterworkingworld. Watch Ken Bouyer, explain what it takes to create an Inclusive Culture at EY.

EY has an ambition to build a #betterworkingworld. Will it begin with you?

CHECK OUT THEIR OPEN ROLES

Transcript;

Ken Bouyer: Why is diversity important. I think at the heart of the matter for us and I think about what we stand for as a firm it’s frankly we want to build a better working world.

As it relates to our teams and this is critical for our people. Ultimately we need high performing teams to really work with our clients.

You have the highest performing teams when you have diversity amongst those teams.

It’s critical to innovation when you think about the product. When you think about Uber or when you think about Airbnb.

These disrupters as we call them without a doubt it’s about diversity of thought and perspective driving that innovation.

When you can bring those different points of view again to the clients that’s how we’re going to make a significant impact. That’s why this firm invests so much in D & I.

It’s about us It’s about our business And more importantly it’s about our people.

The post Video: What does it take to create an inclusive culture? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

These Unilever BRAND MANAGERS are responsible for getting AXE products into grocery stores across the country.

Unilever has a simple but clear purpose – to make sustainable living commonplace. They believe this is the best long-term way for the business to grow.

Check out all of Unilever’s open jobs!

Transcript; 

Kevin: From a brand manager standpoint it’s probably the closest you can get to really being be the center spoke of wheel and working a little bit on everything.

Sophie: It’s definitely challenging at times but it’s really cool to see everything come together at the end

Kevin: I think the that Unilever’s is actually a house of brands right is something as kind of not always thought about. You’ll think about the Axe company or the Dove company, but actually we are all working at Unilever.

Sophie: I was looking to marketing like throughout business school and really liked the idea of something more entrepreneurial that was both creative and quantitative.

Kevin: So there are two ways that we look at marketing and Unilever. There’s local marketing and then there’s global marketing. so I work from the local side where I’m very close to day and a P&L. So are we performing. How much are we selling. How much profit are we actually making.

Sophie: I love interacting with people so working with all sorts of different people and they’re kind of the experts in their field.

Kevin: I have individual goals for my campaign is on your campaign meeting its business case. But also are you pushing the brand in certain areas so you know you may be doing well and how that brand situated now, but are you pushing us from a digital standpoint or are you making sure that we’re hitting our target customers.

Sophie: Everyone knows what AXE is when you talk about it, it’s a huge brand. So it’s really fun to work on and see like a different part of personal care and what male grooming is like.

Kevin: Well I mean ultimately I’m a competitive person.

Kevin: So to be in a space where you don’t live in a vacuum like you live in this fluid environment where there’s always something happening I think it’s something that you Unilever cherishes because that’s the nature of what it is that you want to do want to compete. You want to make sure that you’re working on a business that successful.

The post Video: What does an AXE Brand Manager do? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

“What was your biggest challenge, and how did you handle it?”

For this St. John’s University senior, the answer to that common interview question is definitely being a contestant on Survivor.

Just ahead of the Survivor season premiere on Wednesday, we chatted with contestant and WayUp user Desiree Afuye all about the show, being a college student, and what’s next for her in her career.

Check out our interview with Desiree below:

WayUp: Thanks so much for speaking with us today, Desiree! Before we get into it, we just have to ask: What is more difficult, studying for finals, or Survivor?

Desiree: Survivor without a doubt. At least with the way I “study.”

W: And what about finding a job?

D: I have to say, the entertainment and media fields are so competitive. But, I’m a fighter and finding opportunities in these fields doesn’t phase me as much as it could. With a strong mindset, finding the right job could be easy. I know that the opportunities I want will come my way.

W: Is there something you wished you learned in college that would have helped you on the show?

D: I wish I learned how to improve my social and networking skills. Not only is it essential in business but it makes or breaks your game on Survivor if you have difficulties building solid relationships.

W: Having done something as challenging as Survivor, do you have any advice for college students who might feel overwhelmed balancing tuition bills, classes, a social life, and more?

D: Finding your balance is key. Put aside time in the week to do things just for you and focus on those things and the feelings attached to them. When you feel better you attract better and can do greater things than you expected.

W: We know that you’re a communications major, do you think this helped you communicate with the other contestants on the show?

D: I think being a communications major definitely helped me decipher my castmates and put myself in their shoes while looking at things from their perspective.

W: You know that joke “What would you bring to a desert island?” Did you bring anything with you to Fiji? Is there anything you didn’t bring that you wish you did?

D: I wish I brought a tall chocolate man to hold me at night whenever it got cold. Cause Fiji at night gets cold (I couldn’t believe it either!)

W: We thought it was boiling hot there?

D: Nope, at night it gets really chilly.

W: Good to know for our next trip ;). So, what’s next for you after Survivor? Is there any other big risk or life change you are planning to tackle next?

D: I’m moving from New York and finding a new home in either Los Angeles or Paris. I want to start a career in the creative field. Acting, modeling, and directing have always been dreams of mind.

W: So would you say your dream job is to work in entertainment?

D: Yes. I truly am pursuing my dreams to be an actress and model right now.

W: That’s incredible. Now, most importantly: Would you mind telling us what is your favorite Beyonce song and why? We heard Bey is your favorite artist…

D: Irreplaceable…because…c’mon. If I had to use one word to describe myself, it would be just that.

The post Not Your Average Senior Year: Meet The College Student Starring On Survivor appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When Kian Nowrouzi’s high school classmates were busy with video games and frequent trips to the mall, he was trading stocks and playing the market.

Anyone who knew him probably wasn’t too surprised when Kian found himself drawn toward economics in college, which he studied while an undergrad. One class led to another, which led to another, and soon he was hooked on behavioral economics, which focuses on the psychological and social factors that affect economic decisions.

In the lead-up to graduation, he knew he wanted to continue working within the field, but he wasn’t sure how to do that. Then he discovered Thermo Fisher Scientific, landing an interview with their Finance Leadership Development Program. He approached the meeting the way you’d probably expect him to: strategically and analytically.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR JOBS AT THERMO FISHER!

“Before my interview, I started digging into the Thermo Fisher site and reading articles,” he says. “Oil prices were collapsing right around the time of my interview, and I was meeting with someone who worked in the plastics department.”

With oil on his mind, Kian was reminded of a report he had come across that outlined the number of plastic products Thermo Fisher makes every year. To show he’d done his homework, he brought up the report and asked if the change in oil prices had affected production levels.

The good news was, the impact was minimal. The better news? He wowed the interviewer in the process.

He, of course, got the job.

Since his first day a year and a half ago, it’s been non-stop learning and career growth for Kian. Through the rotational program, he’s had the opportunity to work in three different Thermo Fisher locations in two different states, and he’s about to take on a fourth role.

Thanks to the unique format of the program, Kian essentially gets to work four jobs in less time than most people spend in a single job. Not many recent grads can say they’ve done that. “[Leading up to graduation], my experience was similar to a lot of recent grads,” he says. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do because I hadn’t done anything yet.” The format of the Leadership Development Program enabled him to figure out what he wanted to do—and what he didn’t.

The other thing he’s learned? How to adapt to new environments and challenges. In a rotational program, like the one at Thermo Fisher, you have six months to learn a new role, understand the office culture, and make new connections before moving on to another job—and perhaps another state.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR JOBS AT THERMO FISHER!

When he moved for his job from his hometown of Boston to Pittsburgh, Kian says the transition took some adjusting. But figuring out how to take on a new role and a new city was well worth the challenge. And since his first rotation in cost accounting, which had him working on-site at a manufacturing plant, Kian has channeled his passion for behavioral economics into his career.

Kian knew that putting together a scientific instrument requires a long list of steps from start to finish. If someone misses a step, it costs the company money. So Kian pulled from what he learned about human behavior and finance and devised a solution that made checking off every step of the process a whole lot easier—and more cost-effective for the company.

And what does Kian do when he’s not solving behavioral science problems? Google his name, and you might stumble upon his photography website. In Kian’s world, finance and photography aren’t all that different. “There’s space for art in finance—if you know where to look for it,” he says. For him, that might mean transforming spreadsheets filled with financial data into visual stories that help his Thermo Fisher co-workers make smarter decisions.

While Kian joined the Finance Leadership Development Program, the company also has undergraduate programs in finance, information technology, operations, procurement, and sales, and graduate-level programs in general management and human resources. Check out their open positions on WayUp to apply!

—

Thermo Fisher Scientific is the world leader in serving science.  They offer services and products that help customers around the globe in laboratories, in clinics, on production lines, and out in the field.

The post A Question I Asked During My Interview Helped Me Land The Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When Bridget Reichenbach was finishing her psychology degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she figured grad school would be her next step, so she took a year off from school to figure out what she’d study post-college.

But as she was pondering what academic route to take, she got a message from a Qualtrics recruiter. The rest is history (and not the kind a liberal arts major would study in grad school), and she now works there as a Corporate Recruiter.

Recently valued at $2.5 billion, Qualtrics is one of the hottest companies in the world. Their software allows organizations to manage the four core experiences of business—customer, product, employee, and brand experiences—on one platform. They also happen to be hiring for their Product Specialist role, which starts with a deep-dive into Qualtrics’ software and ultimately gives new hires the chance to work with enterprise-level clients. After 10-18 months, you get to join a brand-new Qualtrics team and get crackin’ on solving big problems.

Are you thinking, “I want in! How do I get this gig?” (We know you are.) Well, Bridget was kind enough to give us the scoop on the “Do’s and “Don’ts of how to land this job. Here are four of her most helpful insider tips.

APPLY TO WORK AT QUALTRICS

1. DON’T think you can coast through your phone screening. 

That initial phone screen with a recruiter might not be the most intense phase of your interview, but don’t underestimate the value of this initial conversation. “The recruiter is going to be your champion throughout the interview process,” Bridget says. Her advice? Show that you’re genuinely invested in landing the job, and the recruiter will be invested in helping you land it.

2. DO make it clear you’ve done your research. 

“It’s not enough to memorize the Product Specialist job listing,” Bridget says. “Before you come in for an interview, make sure you know the Qualtrics story—things like our products and our achievements as a company so far. Most entry-level candidates don’t do that research, so this is your chance to stand out.”

In other words, don’t waste valuable interview time asking about the company’s story. Instead, use it to show why you’re qualified for the job.

APPLY TO WORK AT QUALTRICS

3. DO play to your strengths.

Qualtrics does hire a lot of STEM majors as Product Specialists. But Bridget says the company values a balance of both super-technical hires and less-technical team members who are great problem solvers and work well with clients.

Translation: if you’re a liberal arts major and aren’t too technically savvy, that’s okay! Focus instead on sharing real examples of how you never back down from a challenge and talk about the amazing job or internship experience you got in college.

4. DON’T ask generic questions at the end. 

It might be tempting to recycle your interview questions, especially if you’re interviewing for a few different roles at the same time. But according to Bridget, simply having something to ask isn’t enough. She recommends preparing at least three questions that are specific to Qualtrics. One of her dream candidate questions? “Ask me how growing 50 percent year-over-year for the past three years has affected the culture at our company,” she says. THAT will leave a lasting impression.

Ready to join the Qualtrics team? They’re hiring now!

Qualtrics is a single system of record for all experience data, allowing organizations to manage the four core experiences of business—customer, product, employee, and brand experiences—on one platform. Over 8,500 enterprises worldwide, including more than 75 percent of the Fortune 100 and 99 of the top 100 U.S. business schools, rely on Qualtrics.

The post A Recruiter At One Of The Country’s Hottest Startups Reveals 4 Secrets To Acing Your Job Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Hi, I’m Megan! As a college senior going into my last semester of college at Syracuse University, I’ve spent far too many hours over the past few months trying to figure out what I want to do after graduation.

The conclusion? I still don’t know! In fact, not only am I unsure of the industry I want to be in, but I’m also not sure of what kind of role I want or even what type of company I want to work for.

If you’re facing this dilemma, too, don’t worry. It’s alright. The only thing we can do is begin learning what we like, and what we don’t like (as well as what we’re good at, and what we’re bad at!). If you’re like me and still figuring it out, I recommend trying these steps to help narrow your choices down, and gain a better understanding of what your professional preferences might be!

1. Take a career exploration class.

A little career research now could save you lots of time in the future!

Many schools actually offer career exploration classes. These are courses in which you take a variety of personality and aptitude tests to determine your strengths and weaknesses to use as a jumping off point for further career research. Jenna, a Digital Marketing Associate at WayUp, said that taking a career exploration class was instrumental in helping her find out that she was interested in marketing. She learned that because she is both analytical and creative, digital marketing would be an ideal industry to explore!

2. Attend as many panel events as you can.

Channel your inner Leslie Knope and make the most of your time by attending panels.

If your school doesn’t offer a career exploration course, try seeking out on-campus career panels for the different fields you are interested in. Most departments will host panels with professionals in a variety of different roles, so it’s an easy way to get information about careers you might not have even known existed! I’ve gone to several career panels for public relations, advertising and even entrepreneurship, and always come away with ideas for roles to look into, as well as some new professional contacts to build my network!

3. Job shadow someone working in the field you are interested in.

Make sure to ask lots of questions at your job shadow!

Once you’ve identified a role or company that sparks your interest, see if you can set up a job shadow with someone who has this job. They could be a family friend, someone your professor introduced you to, or an alumnus from your school. Alumni are often eager to help, and are a great resource to leverage throughout your time in school. So far I’ve shadowed employees in PR, product design, and content creation!

Use your time at the job shadow to learn what that individual does, and ask specific questions to see if their position might also be a fit for you. In addition, be sure to speak with other people at the office. You never know, you might shadow one person, but be really intrigued by a role on a different team altogether!

4. Intern!

It might take a few internships before you find the right fit for you!

A good internship is the best way to learn about a certain position or company. I’ve found it helpful to keep notes about the different tasks I’ve done throughout the day at my internship so that when it’s over, I can quickly look through and determine what aspects I liked and which I didn’t. This can be a great jumping off point to determine if you’d like to do something similar in the future or try something different!

It’s more than okay to be overwhelmed by the job search as you’re approaching graduation. However, taking the initiative to reach out to a new contact or attend a particular panel are just some of the ways you’ll figure out what you want to do in your career.

Over the past three and a half years I’ve slowly been getting closer to figuring it out. Going into my last semester, I’m going to continue keeping an ear out for possible jobs I’d like after graduation, attend a few career fairs and reach out to some of my networking contacts as graduation draws nearer. I’m confident that this semester I’ll be able to build on my past experiences and find the right job fit for me!

You got this!

The post I’m a College Senior Who’s Still Figuring out What I Want to Do after Graduation—and I’m Okay with That appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

“A lot of people feel like they have to apply to jobs that match their major exactly. But that isn’t true. As a Sports and Exercise Science Major, I had two internships that sparked my interest in sales and ultimately led me to the Management Training Program at Penske.”  – Natalie Britt, University of Central Florida Grad and Management Trainee at Penske Truck Leasing.

If you think your major dictates what field you’ll end up working in after you graduate, then Natalie Britt, a management trainee at Penske Truck Leasing, has a message for you: Think again.

Her own story proves as much. She went from majoring in sports and exercise science at the University of Central Florida to working at Penske, a company that spans continents and revolves (literally) around more than 260,000 vehicles. Since she’s not helping those trucks rehab from sports injuries (at least as far as we can tell), how, exactly, did she get from there to here?

We went straight to the source to find out more about her experience and learn what advice she has for anyone hoping to follow in her footsteps (or, um, tire tracks).

Your major and past internships weren’t an exact match to the Management Training Program job description. How did you show you were qualified?

When I interviewed, I knew I had a good GPA. I worked hard, and I was able to graduate in four years— even after changing my major. But it was my internships that really helped.

Every chance I had during my interviews, I brought up my internships and how they related to the job. I talked about my experience selling physical therapy equipment and how I loved talking to people. I also talked about my sales internship with a professor who was opening his own business. I did a bunch of cold-calling for him, presented results, and was able to show how my work directly led to his company’s success.

You applied to a lot of companies after graduation. Why did you ultimately choose Penske?

When I went in for my first few interviews, I really loved the people who worked there. I know that sometimes in the corporate world, employees don’t feel as appreciated, but what struck me in my interviews was that everyone was trying to win me over—not just the other way around. The benefits like a 401k, health insurance, and the opportunity to spend a week at Penske’s corporate headquarters after a few months at the company really stood out.

So, what do you do in your role?

I help make sure our truck-leasing business runs smoothly. Right now, there are a lot of reports to run and customers to call about getting trucks in for maintenance. I have 400 trucks to account for, and I get a lot of calls from customers with questions. It’s a lot of quick thinking to make decisions that will make the customer happy. It’s fascinating and fast-paced, and my day flies by.

Do you feel like you have a lot of career opportunities there?

Career advancement happens fast here, especially if you’re willing to relocate. I’m finishing my tenth month at Penske now, and soon I’ll become a manager and apply to higher-level roles. I want to move up in sales, and when I do I’ll get a company car, phone, computer, more benefits, and commission. There are also a bunch of different routes I can take. I can work my way up through B2B sales, consumer sales, or the service department. You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do, but if you do like sales this is a great place to be.

Any advice for someone considering the Management Training Program? How can they know if it’s the right fit?

It’s a lot of people interaction, so if you like talking on the phone and handling uncomfortable situations sometimes, it might be a fit for you. You need to be able to take on a lot of tasks and focus on more than one thing at a time. The program is a good fit for someone who wants to work in sales and operations, or has background knowledge in trucks and wants to get into the service side with mechanical work.

What would you say to people who don’t think a truck-leasing company is the right fit for them?

I was set on doing pharmaceutical sales, and I thought everything else wasn’t a good match for me. I was close-minded and skeptical at first, but there are a lot of things Penske offers that many companies don’t Definitely give it a shot and apply. Penske is a big company and a great way to make connections. Plus, a lot of  people I work under have been with the company for 30 years, and that’s because they do a lot for employees.

See yourself building a career at Penske? They’re hiring now, so head over to WayUp to apply!

The post I Landed a Job that Has Absolutely Nothing To Do With My College Major—Here’s How appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We all know how stressful and scary interviews can be. You don’t know what hiring managers are going to ask, how much you should know about the company and so many other things. Before you start getting all worked up, take a deep breath and remember that ultimately, if it is meant to be, it will be.

Below are five things I’ve done before heading into nerve-wracking job interviews, and they really helped me keep calm.

1. Remember that employers already like what they see.

Chances are you’ve already given a hiring manager your resume and cover letter, and you’ve made it to the next round! While it’s definitely important to be prepared for some difficult questions about yourself and the company (you can use the WayUp Guide to prepare here), it’s important to remember that the employer’s already shown interest in you and wants to hear all about your experiences. That’s why you’re here in the first place!

2. Do something beforehand that makes you feel confident.

So, you’re about to walk into a room to impress a bunch of strangers. Make sure you can walk into that room like you just won a Grammy. Okay, maybe that’s a bit excessive, but treat yo’ self beforehand, so that you walk in there feeling your best.

Indulging in some of the things you love is a great way to feel awesome before an interview. Listening to your favorite hype song or sneaking a piece of chocolate may make all the difference. As the old saying goes, look good to feel good.

3. Give yourself plenty of time.

Try and wake up at least two hours before the interview. You don’t want to leave a groggy first impression now, do you? Make yourself a nice cup of coffee (if coffee is your thing) and something to eat so you’re as alert as possible. Take some time to go over your notes, and minimize any possible pre-interview morning anxieties.

4. Use Google to your advantage.

You have all the answers on the world-wide-web right at your fingertips. Use it. Research the company beforehand to look into common interview questions (again, did we mention we have all that information for you here?). Remember, there’s no excuse for a lack of preparation, especially in the digital age. You’ll have some peace of mind knowing you looked up everything you could.

5. Get some help meditating.

If you just can’t get rid of those pre-interview jitters, check out some meditation apps. Once again, take advantage of all the billions of resources technology provides at your fingertips! My favorite is the Calm app, but another great one is Headspace.

Remember, this interview is just one tiny part of your life story. If this job doesn’t happen to work out, there will be plenty more opportunities for you down the line. Regardless, this is a learning experience, and you’re going to rock it!

The post Here’s Everything You Need To Prepare For A Nerve-Racking Job Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

My name’s Brandon Santulli and I’m an Executive Assistant (EA) here at WayUp. This is the story of what happened when I wore mismatched socks to my interview with Liz Wessel, CEO of the company.

In 2015, I graduated from The King’s College in NYC with a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE). A couple years after graduating, I knew I wanted to enter the world of tech—despite my non-tech major. Once I found out I landed an EA interview with WayUp’s CEO, I knew I’d have to get creative in order to get my foot in the door.

I wasn’t about to take 30 minutes with Liz for granted, so to stand out and prove I was serious about this opportunity, I decided to learn as much as possible about her. Anyone can go into an interview and list generic information pulled from the company website. Those who are truly dedicated to making an impression need to work harder with their preparations and study up.  Cue the Rocky theme.

Fortunately, after a quick Google search, I discovered Liz was involved in most of WayUp’s press opportunities. This left me with a mountain of podcasts filled with useful information. During my daily runs the week before the interview, I listened to every podcast Liz was featured on, taking mental notes of peculiar facts. Two that stood out were:

1. She never wears matching socks and
2. She studied Japanese

Fast forward to the interview. After going through the standard motions (“what’s your greatest weakness?,” “why WayUp?,” “tell me about a time you made a mistake,” etc.) Liz and I were coming to the end of our conversation.

Before parting ways, the following conversation ensued:

Me: “I was just wondering, do you still wear mismatched socks every day?”
Liz: [Taken aback a moment] “I do. Great research.”
Me: “Well, after hearing you talk about it on a podcast, I thought I’d give it a try today.”

I then showed off my one blue and white polka dot sock and one Union Jack sock. It was a hit.

Liz let out a genuine laugh and said, “that is one of the top three things I’ve ever seen someone do in an interview!” After saying goodbye, I immediately sent a thank-you email with the subject line “Arigatou Gozaimasu”—“thank you” in Japanese.

The rest is history. I got an offer to be the Executive Assistant to Liz and a couple other C-Suite leaders, and have been in the role since September 2017. Liz told me later on that I really stood out among the other candidates because of my research. After all, the best assistants do their homework and often stand out because of the attention they pay to details.

To summarize, the main thing you should take away from this is to study and prepare before an interview. As a recent grad trying to enter the workforce, you have years of experience studying for papers, quizzes, and tests. Preparing for an interview should be no different. By “study” I don’t mean the basics like what job you’re applying for and the name of the company. You need to go beyond the surface level to uncover unique bits of knowledge that showcase your passion for the company, desire to become a part of it, and appreciation of quirky socks.

The post How Wearing Mismatched Socks Helped Me Land a Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Mechanical engineer Melodie Seto hasn’t given up on her dream of becoming an astronaut. Melodie applied to the rigorous NASA selection process two years ago, and though she’s fallen short to stiff competition so far, she still dreams of one day going to space. In the meantime, she’s building a wealth of experience and skills through her work at Nevada-based aerospace and defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC).

In her engineering role at SNC, Melodie and her teammates develop aircraft technologies that protect the lives of U.S. service members. She also installs aircraft systems and participates in flight tests. We talked to Melodie about her job at SNC, her sources of inspiration, and her advice for aspiring engineers entering the workforce.

What do you do as a Mechanical Engineer at SNC?

As a mechanical engineer at SNC, I build aircraft systems that help protect service members in the line of duty. I’m able to work on a project from various aspects; these include system design, assembly, and testing. When it comes to flight tests, I have the opportunity to visit military bases, work with our defense customers, and install systems onto an aircraft. The technical challenges of designing those systems and implementing them for tests is one of the greatest things I have experienced at SNC.

How can someone just starting their career figure out if a specific engineering program is the right fit?

As a college student or recent grad, I would ask about the kind of work environment a company has and how the teams are structured. Is there a lot of computer work or will you get hands-on experience? I would also ask about the impact a company wants to make on their industry. Asking questions regarding what you are looking for in a company will help you find something that will challenge you and hold your interest.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I find inspiration through working with my teammates. The ability to work with such intelligent people is really what makes working at SNC exciting. Since the team supports many different projects, there is a wealth of knowledge and a variety of specializations. Much of my inspiration comes from being able to see how other people perform those tasks. Hearing their perspective on a design inspires me to see a problem in a different way, helping me to find a solution to a problem.

What are some of the most memorable experiences you’ve had at SNC so far?

We were in a time crunch to finish a system before performing a flight test for a customer. Under the stresses of schedule and producing a working system, the team worked hard to meet the deadline. It was memorable to see the team’s dedication and desire for the success of the system.

Looking back, how have you grown professionally since joining SNC?

Engineering skills can be obtained by studying, reading, being mentored, and on the job training. One thing I have actively tried to work on are my interpersonal skills, like emotional intelligence. Interacting with people and building rapport helps with communication and collaboration inside and outside the group. It helps move projects along, and I meet people from different business areas and groups that have helped in my career development.

What advice do you have for aspiring engineers?

If it’s what you want to do, just go for it. If I were hiring someone for an internship or their first job out of college, I would say that knowing what the company does is critical. If you have any projects you’ve worked on, print them out and bring them with you. Most of the interns we hire are juniors or seniors who are right in the middle of working on a project, so they have something tangible to share. Beyond that, show that you’re involved in clubs and other activities in or outside of school. Don’t be afraid about your level of engineering knowledge and understand that those skills come with experience.

See yourself building a career at Sierra Nevada Corporation? They’re hiring now, so check out their open roles on WayUp and apply!

The post Melodie Seto Always Dreamed Of Becoming An Astronaut. Her Current Job Is Pretty Close appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Recently, we teamed up with three former OppenheimerFunds interns who shared what it’s like to work for the global asset management firm. Today’s post is from Gianluca Casapietra, a student at University of California, Santa Cruz, majoring in Math and Economics. Gianluca interned for the Global Equities team in New York City. Here’s what he had to say about his experience.

It would be unjust to single out a particular internship experience as “most memorable”. The combination of small experiences like lunch with analysts and talking with portfolio managers has significantly changed how I view companies—and how I determine whether a company is a good investment in my career. If I had to pick the most valuable thing I learned, it’s not some financial model, but how to think.

OppenheimerFunds stands out because it has a long-term investment bias. That means no one is thinking only as far as the next quarter. Because of this, you’re able to spend a lot of time thinking bigger about where the world is heading. Some people may view finance and Wall Street as boring and numbers-oriented, but what I found while working there was that it’s very academically and intellectually stimulating. My conversations with co-workers are similar to those I’d have with professors at my university.

What I value most about my internship is how much I’ve grown. I had a lot to learn about accounting and corporate finance when I joined, and I think that’s a good thing. No matter how much experience you have when you start an internship here, it won’t change how valuable the position is for your future career.

Ready to start your career at OppenheimerFunds? Head over to WayUp to explore open positions. 

More from OppenheimerFunds:
How This Intern Landed a Full-time Engineering Job
How to Stand Out as an OppenheimerFunds Intern
4 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Interning at OppenheimerFunds

The post Intern Diary: Why My OppenheimerFunds Internship Was Different appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Just a few years ago, if you told candidates from JPMorgan Chase’s Technology Analyst Program that they’d be working at a bank after graduation, they wouldn’t have believed you. After all, they majored in information technology and information management systems—not finance. So what changed? We’ll let them answer that. This three-part series takes you inside the tech careers of JPMorgan Chase employees. First up: Alyssa Alleyne-Atherly

What do you do at JPMorgan Chase?

I just finished my first year as a Software Engineer in the Technology Analyst Program, a program for recent college grads that ends with a job placement in a specific department. Software engineers in the program focus on improving the design, analytics, development, coding, and testing of JPMorgan Chase’s software and products. Right now, I’m focused on automation, which is where technology is moving. It’s a hot topic and we are looking at new ways to deliver on this for our clients and customers.

If someone told you a few years ago that you’d be working for a bank, what would your response have been?

I always associated a job at a bank with being a teller. I never realized there were so many opportunities for a technology career. Until you’re in it, you don’t really think about all the technical work that goes into a transaction. It’s this technical work that allows us to creatively support millions of customers, clients, and employees worldwide.

Can you give an example or two of how JPMorgan Chase has helped you grow as a professional since you joined?

When it comes to technology, you have the opportunity to wear so many different hats here. We have an agile work environment where we’re always interacting with team members, learning from each other, and working to solve problems together. You might expect to find this type of environment at a startup, not at a large firm. But, it definitely exists at JPMorgan Chase.

What are some of the coolest things JPMorgan Chase does with technology? 

We’re using machine learning to help make recommendations for investment banking and to help review legal documents. On the consumer side, we were the first company to implement cashing checks by taking a picture of them. Now, you can even access Chase ATMs without using your debit card.

Ready to start your technology career at JPMorgan Chase? They’re hiring on WayUp now!

The post JPMorgan Chase Tech Career Spotlight: Meet Software Engineer Alyssa Alleyne-Atherly appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to setting up interns and employees for success, not all companies are created equal. In fact, one in particular stands out: Infor. We asked a few team members at Infor how their company helps them succeed. Here’s what they had to say:

A Supportive and Encouraging Environment

Eva Fine, a former Infor intern on the education team and a student at Washington University in St. Louis, says she was always trusted to complete all of her responsibilities efficiently and effectively. “Though I had not been exposed to this type of work before, the full-time employees on my team trained me very patiently, and then trusted me to work independently to complete all of my work. Though they were always available for questions, I appreciated this trust and felt proud when I was successful.”

Networking Opportunities

“Being involved in LEAP (Leaders of the Education Alliance Program) has helped me network with professionals in many areas at Infor,” says Chad Behnke, a sales rep who graduated from Concordia University with an MBA. LEAP is Infor’s 18-month, on-the-job training program for new associates. And since Infor employees work in just about every industry you can think of, there’s always someone new to talk to and something new to learn.  

Access to Leadership

One activity that stood out to Eva from her summer interning at Infor was the Scholar Lunches, where company leaders would share their professional backgrounds and the projects they were working on. “This inspired us and let us see how their paths led them to their positions at Infor,” she says.

Room to Grow

“Infor has a tremendous amount of courses and resources available to employees,” says Alyssa Barry, an Infor Value Engineering consultant who graduated from Brandeis University with a master’s in international business. “I can be selective and take courses that might be beneficial to my career on my own time.”

Opportunities to continue learning and growing are available outside the company, too. “I plan on taking advantage of the tuition reimbursement plan here to continue educating myself in pursuit of another master’s degree,” Chad told us.

The Chance to Make a Company-Wide Impact

Tyler Henn, a security management major at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, interned with the business innovation and technology information risk team at Infor. “We were in charge of protecting the company from threats like malware and social engineering,” he says. Tyler was in charge of creating content for future awareness trainings, educating employees about security risks, and working alongside his manager to update security policies. 

Ready to join a company that’s invested in your success? Infor is hiring now, so head over to WayUp, check out their open jobs, and apply!

The post What Does it Mean to Invest in Employee Success? These Team Members Have the Answer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Think you know what it’s like to work in financial services? Does that opinion include things like long hours, a stressful environment and intense competition with your coworkers? Well, we’re here to tell you that not all financial services firms are created equal. Despite that reputation, you can still find a job in financial services that’s full of friendly coworkers, engaging projects and plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. That’s why life at global asset management firm OppenheimerFunds will probably surprise you (in a good way, of course). Read on to find out what it’s like to be an intern on the OppenheimerFunds team.

You’ll Get Hands-On Experience

Yes, even as an intern. Throughout the OppenheimerFunds internship program, interns work together on a summer project that’s incredibly relevant to the business. One group might research and choose companies to invest in, then pitch their recommendations to the investment team. In the technology department, interns get to pitch an idea for an investment app to the OppenheimerFunds technology team, then work on turning their idea into a real, working app.

Your Hard Work WILL Get Noticed

Everyone wants to see their work make an impact and there’s nothing more frustrating than feeling like “just another employee” (or intern). That’s why the team at OppenheimerFunds makes sure everyone is recognized for their achievements and can see how their work is making the company better. It certainly helps that OppenheimerFunds is a smaller firm, too. Here’s a great example of this approach in action: all interns get to present their final projects to the CTO, and several interns may walk away from that presentation with full-time job offers.

You’ll Have a Strong Support System

OppenheimerFunds has an impressive intern mentorship program that pairs interns with an employee in their department who graduated from college two or three years ago (which means they were also an intern recently). Having a go-to person to share their own career path and answer any questions makes navigating a brand-new internship way more fulfilling. Each mentor goes through a company training program to help them be a great resource throughout the summer. Another great source of support? OppenheimerFunds runs a weekly Senior Leadership Series for interns where ten company leaders (one per week) joins interns at the lunch table to share advice, talk about their jobs and answer questions.

It’s Not All Work

Chances are, you’ll make friends with your fellow interns just by working together on summer projects and being in the office together for 10 weeks. But OppenheimerFunds goes one step further for its interns with a whole suite of summer social activities like basketball games, bowling and happy hours. It’s all in place to help interns increase their networking skills and feel like an integral part of the OppenheimerFunds team.

See yourself at OppenheimerFunds? They’re hiring now for positions like Client Services Associate and Financial Analyst. Head over to WayUp and apply!

The post Financial Services Spotlight: What It’s Like to Intern at OppenheimerFunds appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s the 4th of July and that means that it’s the season of barbeques, fireworks, family time and…networking? Believe it or not, there are many subtle, but effective ways that you can boost your job search over the holiday and still have a good time. Check out these quick tips to keep your motivation alive and well throughout this long weekend.

1. Discuss job opportunities with family.

Networking with career professionals can be intimidating, especially if you’re shy, but talking to family? Piece of cake. If you’re going to a family BBQ this weekend, use your family members as a resource to learn more about an industry you’re interested in or any job openings they might know about. You can even simply ask them advice about the working world or ask them more about what their jobs entail. These people are close to you and they want to help! Your family will be happy to discuss jobs and internships with you, so don’t be afraid to bring up the topic.

2. Brainstorm with your friends.

Just like family, friends are a great resource for your job search. Are you going to see fireworks or sit around a bonfire with your friends for the 4th? Use your time with them to do a little brainstorming! Your friends are closer in age to you and will be able to tell you some of the specific ins and outs of the job hunt for college students or recent grads. Some of them may be interning right now or working at an awesome company and will be able to share their experiences with you. Since they know you so well, your friends can even help you figure out what you’re looking for in a position or a company, so take advantage of the opportunity over the holiday.

3. Take the time to think about your career goals.

Having some downtime over a holiday weekend is a perfect chance to take a step back and decide what you’d like to get out of an internship or job experience. If you’re feeling extremely dedicated, you can even apply to a few positions that catch your eye. What’s most important though, is to give yourself the chance to evaluate your dreams, your goals and also maybe any dealbreakers regarding your job hunt. Once the holiday is over, if you have even just a little bit more of an idea of what your dream job looks like, you’ve used your downtime well.

While you’re busy keeping the momentum of your job search going, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy yourself as well. Your friends and family are part of your network, so you never know what may happen. Maybe your friend’s brother is looking for an intern or maybe your aunt’s friend’s company is hiring. The 4th of July might be a time for some well-deserved relaxation, but don’t discount its networking opportunities either.

The post 3 Quick Tips For Boosting Your Job Search Over the 4th of July appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You carefully filled out the application and prepared for hours for your interview. You thought the interview went really well until you receive that email in your inbox that says, “the position has been filled.” It’s impossible not to be upset about a negative response, especially when it’s an internship you really wanted, maybe even your dream internship, but that doesn’t mean you should let it get you down. Everyone has been rejected from a job or two and it’s not an indication of failure.

Stay proactive even when faced with rejection

It can be extremely difficult to not immediately think the worst, but it’s important to remember that rejection is a natural part of life. The way that you think about it determines how you will use a rejection to fuel your actions. If you weren’t given the position because your skillset didn’t fit with what they were looking for, maybe the position was completely different than what you were expecting. The key takeaway from an internship rejection is to move forward with a positive mind and the will to continue giving the job search your all. A proactive step you can take is to apply to more internships or apply to internships that align better with your qualifications. Another important factor to keep in mind is that if you put in your best effort during the application process, you will find an internship eventually, so don’t worry too much.

Don’t take it personally

Although it’s not easy, try not to take it too personally. There are thousands of applications and possibly dozens of interviews. You could have been a great candidate, but maybe there was someone who had a little more experience or whose major was a closer fit. A rejection doesn’t mean that you had an awful resume or that your interview went terribly. Hunting for internships is competitive, so you might receive a few rejections before you receive an offer and that’s okay.

An internship rejection isn’t the end of the world. You’ve just got to keep your head held high and continue doing your research. Maybe even ask for feedback about why you didn’t get the internship so you can improve your skills for future applications and interviews. Even though rejection doesn’t seem like a positive occurrence, there is always something you can learn from it and now you know what to do better for next time.

The post How to Overcome an Internship Rejection appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

With startup culture becoming increasingly popular thanks in part to their reputation for having a laid-back work environment, many non-startup companies are also opting for a shift towards a more casual atmosphere. For many companies, this is seen most clearly in the dress code. Despite this shift, in many offices, dress codes do still apply. And when they do, you want to respect them. To help, our consultants shared their best advice about dressing appropriately for work—no matter what job you have.

1. For finance jobs, formal is best.

Kyra Cordrey, a Director at Michael Page Finance & Consultancy, works in the finance industry, where it is customary for everyone to dress in business formal attire. The main exception is boutique consultancies, where employees mirror the style of their client base. As a general rule, your best bet is to dress conservatively.

2. For legal teams and law firms, the dress code varies from one company to the next, so do your research first.

You might expect that much of the legal profession adheres to a business-professional dress code. This is an industry norm—especially in top-tier practices. But as David Forsdyke, a Managing Director at Michael Page Legal, explains many legal teams and law firms are now trying to demonstrate a more flexible approach. This is often reflected in the dress code, which is transitioning to business casual, rather than business professional. For in-house legal teams in a creative industry like digital or media, the legal team usually adopts a more casual approach, dressing like the rest of their colleagues.

3. In logistics, your style of dress depends on your role at the company.

Logistics has diverse working environments since these jobs are often based around depots, warehouses and transport offices. It is a hands-on industry, so formal suits and smart attire are unusual. Ben Lyons, an Operating Director at Michael Page Logistics, tells us that even in an industry where formal attire is not the norm, you rarely meet senior-level people who are casually dressed.

4. In creative industries, feel free to show off your personality—but not at the expense of looking unprofessional.

Not every industry subscribes to traditional dress codes. Jobs in the creative sector, such as digital jobs, are much less likely to abide by standard dress codes. Since it’s a creative industry, you have more freedom to wear fashion-forward or colorful pieces. Still, Katie Self, a manager at Page Executive Digital and a specialist in the agency and digital creative sectors, tells us that even in an industry where dress codes are more relaxed, it’s still important to dress to impress.

5. In fashion, channel your company’s brand.

Fashion is another industry where traditional dress codes are almost non-existent. Nicola Wensley, a Director at Page Executive, is a specialist in the fashion sector. She tells us that, more often than not, the internal dress code reflects the company’s product. For example, companies that sell contemporary clothing will be wearing next season’s fashion items to work. In fashion, part of your job can be interacting with PR and attending industry events. Therefore, what you wear is important because it demonstrates that you truly embody the brand, which is especially important if you’re making product and styling decisions.

From finance to fashion, one thing is clear: how you dress for work is important. Whatever you do, wherever you work, your attire can be a significant part of your identity and a key factor in how you are perceived throughout your relationship with a company.

Want to join the dress code (and recruiting) pros at Michael Page?Want to join the dress code (and recruiting) pros at Michael Page? They’re hiring on WayUp now for positions like executive recruiter, recruitment consultant and business development executive.

The post 5 Michael Page Consultants Share Their Best Advice for Dressing for Work appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Making a unique, first impression is difficult to pull off. While sending in resumes to a company you would like to work for is a simple feat, going on to the next round and having a face-to-face conversation with a potential employer is a whole different story.

The best way to learn is from other people’s mistakes, and lucky for you, eight fellow students have been asked by yours truly to share some embarrassing true tales that’ll help you further prepare for any upcoming interviews.

1. Losing The Job Over Lateness

“I was having an interview with a representative of a tech company and it was scheduled for 2pm. Given that it was only 15 minutes away, I left at 1:40. Unfortunately, I hit some traffic on the way there and ended up parking right at 2pm. I rushed my butt inside the building and checked my watch for it to read 2:02pm. When I asked a young receptionist I was here for my interview, she smiled at me and said, ‘Interviews are only for people who are here on time. You lost the job.’ Thinking her smile meant that she was joking, I laughed. Her smile faded and she literally said, ‘Dude, I didn’t know losing your job was comedic.’ I had never been roasted harder than by that receptionist.” – Richard, University of California, San Diego ‘16

Being on time is actually about being five to 10 minutes early. You never want to risk losing your interview time or simply coming in late even by a minute, because that really is the first impression. While you also don’t want to show up ridiculously early for an interview, don’t be afraid to show up at the office with several minutes to spare; it never hurts.

2. Wearing The Wrong Clothes

“Dress to impress, no matter what the job is. I picked up a position at a local restaurant my freshman year of high school, and given that it wasn’t a huge corporate job or anything, I thought I would just go with some slacks and a nice Hawaiian button-up. I got totally called out in the interview by the boss, asking if that’s how I typically dressed up for interviews and he looked very offended. I didn’t get the job, unsurprisingly to me.” – Gabe, Pepperdine University ‘14

Look the part! And even at times when it seems like you don’t need to go full suit, make sure to dress up and look classy. Not sure how to dress for your particular industry or company size? Check out our tips on the WayUp Guide.

3. Not Preparing At All

“Can anyone sympathize with me in thinking how to answer ‘Tell me about yourself’? That is the most difficult question in the world to nail. And when my interviewer asked me that on one occasion, I was holding ‘Uhhhhhhhhhhhh’ for at least 10 seconds. And don’t even get me started on ‘What are your biggest weaknesses?’ Do not say I don’t have any like I did, because pretentiousness is not looked highly upon in the workplace!” – Steven, University of California, Santa Barbara ‘18

Make sure to research common questions asked in interviews because it will definitely come to your advantage knowing what to say and have an idea of what to say. Do this a few nights in advance so you can at least have topics, thoughts, and anecdotes to have in your mind in case a potential employer asks.

And good news: We mapped out how to answer the most common interview questions in our WayUp Guide.

4. Not Giving A Good Handshake

“My film crew got the opportunity to work with a popular director in our county and we had to meet up with him. Apparently, without me even knowing, I left the guy hanging on his handshake from the get-go because I saw something on the ground when we went into his office to meet him. For the rest of the interview, I felt a cold presence from him and I didn’t know until after when my other crew members told me.” – Kyle, Arizona State University ‘14

A strong handshake goes a long way. Wipe the sweaty palms off and rub your hands together right before the interview to get that warm, comforting feeling with your handshake. And don’t be afraid to initiate it!

5. Forgetting Good Body Language

“During my interview, I was definitely tense since this was one of the four accounting firms I wanted to work at. The interviewer also seemed to notice so he simply said to relax and that being nervous is normal. Maybe due to the amount of anxiety I was having, I took the comment a little too literally and slouched very low on my chair. While he didn’t point it on during the actual interview, the recruiter put in a snarky comment on the end saying, ‘I didn’t really appreciate the lack of posture you were giving me,’ and I actually didn’t end up getting the job. Although it probably wasn’t the full reason, I suspect the lack of strong body language had something to do with it.” – Maggie, University of California, Berkeley ‘16

While relaxing is important during the interviews, relaxing too much with a lack of strong body language can show apathy and lack of concern. Although you would not want to overdo this, keep your body straight, put up hands on your lap, and make sure you’re giving the interviewer your full attention.

6. Not Paying Attention

“Always listen and let the interviewer say what he or she needs to say! At my first interview at a funds management company, I wanted to show the interviewer I was really paying attention and attentive, so I just kept saying ‘Yeah’ literally after every five words the interviewer said, so much to the point where she told me to stop and that it was irritating. It was just really awkward after that.” – Sean, Texas A&M University ‘18

You have to make that connection with your interviewer and show that you’re there to listen and follow directions. Listen to when you’re being spoken to and never cut off what your employer has to say; feel free to even wait a second or two before answering. Keep eye contact as well so the interviewer knows he or she has your attention.

7. Giving Off The Wrong Vibe

“Make sure to have the confidence when you’re going into your interview and not be nervous to the point where you lose the job just like that. At one of the first job interviews I had, I wanted to seem eager for the job, but at the same time humble and modest. That kind of attitude cost me big, because the whole interview went well until the end when I said, ‘If I don’t get this job, it’s okay! I’m sure there are better people out there for me, and I’m just happy for the opportunity’ to the employer. This lack of faith in myself kind of gave off the wrong impression to her I think, making her believe I probably didn’t want the job enough. I didn’t get it after having a solid interview, so I believe that to be my biggest fault.” – Julie, San Francisco State University ‘17

Assume you’re good enough to obtain the position you’re interviewing for; you wouldn’t be applying unless you truly believed you could do a good job right?

8. Asking Strange Questions

“Make sure to have questions ready to ask your interviewer to show interest, but also make sure to have the right questions. I watched a lot of YouTube videos and read online forums that all said ask questions at the end of the interview because it’ll show interest. My naive self, however, did not know what specific questions were to be asked, so I asked questions such as ‘What do you like to do in your free time?’ and ‘Where did you get your earrings from?’ The interviewer looked very uncomfortable, and since then, I have made sure to keep my questions job-related, not personal.” – Kate, Biola University ’18

The question portion may be one of the most underrated parts of the interview that can stand you out from the rest. Where can you get a list of questions to ask your interviewer? You guessed it: The WayUp guide has everything you need.

If one were to take anything from this article, just know that being confident and prepared for your interview is key. Ask others who have gone through the same process about their experiences, study beforehand, and even do mock interviews to make sure you’re giving off the best impression. You’ll nail it!

The post 8 Students Share Their Most Humiliating Job Interview Stories (and What You Can Learn) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What’s it like to intern at global beauty brand L’Oréal? The company shared some cool moments from its summer 2016 internship program.

At L’Oréal We…

Do not all work in research labs! Here at R&I, we have computer scientists, too. While our computer scientists may not have the snazzy lab coats and stylish gear that lab scientists have, they have their own cool gear. The Digital Incubator features many prominent computers in a modern lounge that embodies the hallmarks of design and elegance.

From here, our computer scientists conjure the newest concepts in innovation, such as the L’Oréal Makeup Genius app, which ensures you can experience makeup without applying it directly.

At L’Oréal We…

Change the way we think about makeup. In my interview for this internship, I remember being asked: “If you were to work in the mascara lab, would you be okay with wearing mascara at work?” To which I responded: “Uhhh…sure?” I’d never thought about wearing makeup before, but now that I work on making new foundations, I try it on all the time. In the makeup labs, we are always modifying formulas and evaluating them on our own skin!

In the picture are all of the different formulas I have made and tested so far this summer! On my face are some different shades of other L’Oréal products for contrast.

Of course we can scientifically create makeup that is waterproof and sweat-proof. but one of the most important aspects to makeup in pre-development is how it feels. If it doesn’t feel good when you put it on and wear it, then the consumer won’t wear it either – pretty simple! We are designing products that the consumer will enjoy while catering to her wants and needs.

Pre-development is the section of R&I between Applied Research and Development. We take new technology from Applied Research and try to incorporate it in new formulas that we know the consumer will want.

The post What’s It Like to Intern at L’Oreal? Here Are a Few Snapshots appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

“Is it really important?”- one of the most common questions every interviewee asks when it comes to sending a thank you letter after a job interview. Well, YES, it is vital to post a thank you letter to your job interviewer, especially when you have sensed a positive stance on their part. It’s true that after the interview is over, it’s the interview panel and HR manager who are to decide the next step, but a thank you letter from your part can play a huge role in motivating that decision in your favor.

A hiring manager is a busy person as he has too many potential applicants before him, and it’s not possible for him to remember you after interviewing so many candidates. In such a situation, you need to take an extra step to remind him about you, and a Thank You Letter will do the job for you.

How to format a thank you letter?

2 types of letters

It’s best to send 2 thank you letters after the job interview. The first would be a handwritten note and the second would be a thank you email. My previous boss revealed to me that it was my handwritten note that made him seal the deal in my favor over a sea of other applicants. There is certainly an unmatched warmth in a handwritten note that shows you think and care for the company. The handwritten notes are no more than 3-4 lines, while the emails can be elaborate and descriptive.

Meaningful opening paragraph

The opening paragraph of your letter is a vital part and can make or break the deal for you. Start the paragraph with your note of thanks in the first line and mention the level of comfort you had in his/her presence. Pack it (don’t stuff) with heartfelt compliments to pique interest for the reader, which will prompt him/her to read further. Follow this tip for both your handwritten note and thank you email.

Mention points you discussed

As mentioned earlier, your interviewer is a busy person and it’s common for him to forget you, even if you had a great discussion with him. If you feel that there was a certain aspect of your discussion that impressed him, bring on that topic in the letter. This will remind him of the positive impression he had about you, potentially leading to have the decision in your favor. Your handwritten note should be brief, with the mention that you two had a hearty discussion on a certain topic. However, don’t elaborate the points there as you should leave that for the thank you email.

Mention how you would be helpful

This point is for your thank you email. You must mention how your specific experience and skills would be helpful for the particular designation you have applied for. Also, state that you are positive about being a valuable resource to the organization. The letter needs to ooze confidence on your part.

Know the timing

When it comes to your handwritten note, make sure to send it within 24 – 48 hours of the interview. The thank you email would be sent later, say, after a week. When you are sending the email, always send it during business hours. Emails sent at odd hours are unprofessional and would only attract a negative impression.

Tips for the closing paragraph

End your letter by thanking the interviewer again. Mention that you are looking forward to hearing from him/her, and you are ready to offer any additional details further, if needed. Basically, the closing paragraph would sum up the overall content of your thank you letter.

You have to maintain a direct straightforward, yet humble tone throughout the thank you letter. It’s a professional document. Hence, only use the relevant lingo and jargons; do not use any slang or casual phrases. Finally, a thank you letter does not confirm your selection but shows that you are well brought up, educated and somebody actually willing to work for the company – which certainly heightens the chances of getting the ball in your court.

Author Bio

Lisa is a designer by profession and writer by choice, she writes for almost all topics but design career and design are her favorites. Apart from these she also volunteers at few animal rescue centers.

The post How to Format a Thank You Letter After a Job Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

First impressions are everything, and the struggle to put your best foot forward is never more real than during job interviews.

And while all job interviews can be intimidating, phone interviews can often be the most daunting of them all. After all, how do you know you’re making a good impression if you can’t physically see your interviewer? How will you pick up on facial cues and body language? How can you seem prepared without reading notes? If you’re not sure, here are several key things that’ll help you ace that phone interview.

1. Start Strong

Since you won’t be able to make a physical first impression, you need to kill it on your vocal one. Answer the phone confidently as if you’re expecting it to be your future employer. Have a brief yet effective introduction for yourself prepared and let them know right off the bat that you are ready for this interview.

For example, if you were to be interviewing for a job at WayUp you could say “Hi [name of interviewer], I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with you about becoming a [position] at WayUp!” This tells the interviewer that you know what you want, and you’re enthusiastic.

2. Do Your Homework

This should be a basic rule of thumb for any interview, but being prepared to talk shop with a phone interviewer can be even more challenging. In person, you can observe an office and make conversation based on the environment. In this case, any conversation you make needs to be planned.

However, not being in a physical office offers you an advantage: You can keep notes on hand about important aspects of a company and the position. While you still don’t want to read off of what you wrote, you may get a couple of cues you wouldn’t otherwise get during an in-person interview.

3. Be Clear and Concise

Phone interviews are particularly hard because you cannot read the interviewer’s body language. Even on Skype interviews, you can tell how a person is feeling to some extent.

Because of this, it’s crucial that you remain upbeat and clear when you speak. This means no mumbling, “ums” or slang. Refer to the interviewer however he or she is introduced to you, avoid stammering and speak confidently.

Another pro tip: Stand up while you’re speaking; sitting down may cause you to slouch or feel tired. And hey, strike a power pose if you’re feeling it.

4. Let Them Finish

Nothing is worse than an awkward phone conversation. To avoid cutting off an interviewer, be patient and give him or her some time to breathe. Be eager to answer, but be sure that the other person is done talking first.

People will often chime in with more thoughts after they finish their sentences, so that extra second or two is crucial and trust me, hiring managers are used to this when conducting phone interviews!

5. Don’t Let The Call Drag On

“You hang up!”

“No, you hang up!”

This is the last thing you want happening on an interview call. If an employer seems like they are wrapping up your conversation, let him or her do it. Final impressions can be as influential as the first. As long as you are sure an interviewer is looking to hang up, be sure to thank him or her for taking the time, express your interest in the position and let him or her know you are looking forward to hearing from them in the near future. Be polite and be professional, and you will be remembered.

Next time you’re preparing for a phone interview, don’t stress about not being face-to-face, rejoice in the advantages you’ve gained. Have your notes ready, get comfortable and make that call. If you do it right, it could be the call that lands you your dream job.

The post How to Make an Awesome First Impression Over a Phone Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Going into a job interview can be scary, even terrifying. There’s certainly a lot of pressure no matter what role you’re up for; you want to make a good impression, sound knowledgeable and informed and most importantly, get the job, but so much could go wrong.

It’s all pretty intimidating, but knowing these seven simple tips will help to improve your performance and confidence levels!

1. Do Your Homework Ahead of Time

By simply googling the company, you can gain some helpful insights into what the company expects of its employees and the goods or services they provide. This will also prepare you for what you’ll be facing in the interview and makes you look good if you get asked questions specific to the company.

Looking into the company may also give you some questions to ask your interviewers. You can also be prepared by rehearsing some answers to common interview questions and things that you think might be asked in your interview. Here are some examples of what to look for when you’re doing your research:

• What are the responsibilities of the role you are pursuing? How does that role fit into the company at large?
• Who are the important people in the company?
• What is the company’s history?
• What direction is the company currently headed in and how will you fit into that?
• Do past employees have anything positive or negative to say about the workplace?
• What does the company’s social media and larger digital presence look like?

2. Dress Appropriately

This is so much more than dressing “professionally.” How you dress in an interview reflects how prepared and knowledgeable you are about the role you are pursuing.

In terms of general don’ts, avoid wearing jeans and clothing with tears or holes. If you have no idea where a company falls on the spectrum of formality, you can never go wrong wearing a nice button-down shirt, slacks or skirt, and dress shoes. Feel free to add any accessories or jewelry that are minimal but show personality. And remember: If you’re unsure of how to dress, it’s always better to dress up rather than down, but be careful not to go too far (for example, don’t wear a ballgown to the interview!).

I would also recommend checking out a company’s website and social media pages to see what employees are wearing in those photos.

And if you need more tips, our WayUp Guide has more tips for how to dress for a more traditional corporate setting versus a smaller startup company.

3. Open With a Firm Handshake

I cannot stress the importance of this enough! Your handshake is one thing you should definitely practice ahead of time, as it’s crucial you get it right. If you don’t, you’ll spend the remainder of the interview trying to repair a poor first impression instead of adding to it.

For a good handshake, make sure you are grasping the person’s hand firmly; don’t give a soft squeeze or go all dead-hand on someone. Try to avoid clammy and damp hands as well as overly dry hands. Make sure you maintain eye contact during the whole handshake, which will usually last two to three seconds. Also, beware of using scented lotions or other products, as some people might be allergic to them – and that definitely won’t leave a good impression!

4. Repeat the Question at the Beginning of Your Answer

This will make sure that you understood the question you’re being asked and will give you some time to think of an answer. If the question has multiple parts, break it down and repeat each section with its respective answer.

For example, a common question is to list your greatest strength and weakness. Obviously, no one wants to tell a possible employer about their weaknesses, but how you answer will paint a picture of how you deal with it and are working to improve it. If possible, try to list your weakness first, but make it clear that that’s what you’re doing. I usually follow that by telling interviewers what I’m doing to improve that particular quality. Next, tell the interviewer that you’re moving on to address the strength question. This one can also be tricky because you don’t want to sound like you’re bragging, but you also shouldn’t sell yourself short.

(If you want help answering questions about your greatest strengths and weaknesses, we have comprehensive guides to those here and here!)

5. Don’t Forget to Ask the Interviewer Questions

This goes back to having done your homework. Asking questions shows that you know a little about what you’re getting into and that you’re willing to learn. This also breaks up the interview so that the interviewers aren’t the only ones asking questions. Your goal is to create a conversation with the interviewer so that he or she can get to know you on a more personal level.

This would also be the time to ask about the things that weren’t listed on the job posting, like what a typical day at the company in this role looks like as well as some problems the company has faced and how it plans to move forward in the future.

6. Remember to Relax

This is probably the hardest thing to do during an interview because everyone’s nervous. However, like the handshake, smiling and showing that you’re comfortable creates a good impression and shows that you’re friendly and open to meeting new people.

This also relates to being aware of your body language throughout the interview. Avoid fidgeting or anything that would distract from your answers. I always make sure when I go into an interview that my hair is pulled back and out of the way so I’m not tempted to play with it. Make sure your nails are well-trimmed so that you’re not picking at them, and shave or trim any facial hair if you need to. Be mindful of where your hands are placed, preferably in sight, and that you’re not rocking in your chair, especially if it’s a swivel chair. Avoid crossing your legs if possible and definitely don’t slouch. Your whole body language should be positive and focused.

7. Thank Your Interviewers

After an interview is over, it can be easy to rush out and heave a huge sigh of relief, but there’s one thing you need to make sure you do first: Thank the interviewer(s). Everything about your interview should be genuine, but this especially. This is your closing impression because chances are, you’re not going to encounter these people again until you get the job there.

Before I leave the interview, I always make sure to include a handshake with my thank you and address each interviewer by name when I thank them. I’ll also throw in a line like “Thanks for taking time out of your day to meet with me” or “I look forward to hearing from you.” After you get home and the stress of the interview is over, send them an email or even a personal note thanking them again (if you need help with this, here’s some advice on how to write a great thank you note!). Even if you don’t get the job, this looks very professional and creates a lasting positive impression of you.

Nothing beats practice and experience when it comes to rocking an interview, so make sure you prepare before going into an interview and remember these crucial points. There are a lot of do’s and don’ts, so it’s important to remember why you’re applying for this job and why they should hire you. You have lots of valuable and unique skills and experiences, so don’t sell yourself short!

The post 7 Strategies That’ll Take Your Job Interviews to the Next Level appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

No matter how many of them you have been on, interviews are a nerve-wracking experience for everyone. Though you might not be able to rid yourself of the jitters entirely, you can make any interview less stressful with ample preparation, and who better to use as a preparation role model than Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope?

Even though Leslie can be extremely tenacious, she did get the job at the Pawnee Parks Department even after yelling at the hiring manager and future boss, Ron Swanson. Here are seven interview tips from Leslie Knope that’ll help you land the job.

1. Research, Research, Research

It is never a good idea to go into an interview and wing it. Researching a company and its work environment can make any interview more enjoyable. It can be awkward when a hiring manager gives you time to ask questions and you have no questions to ask, and likewise, it can be off-putting if you do not have any company or industry-specific inquiries.

A brief analysis of a company’s website and social media handles can inspire some questions about the organization. Don’t be afraid to write these questions down in a notebook. If you find something about a company that could be completed more efficiently, or if you have an idea for a new company product, scribble it in your notepad. If you’re prompted, hiring managers will be impressed by both your knowledge of the company and enthusiasm to work.

2. Stay Organized

You can’t leave a good impression if you’re shuffling through papers when you enter the conference room. A lot of hiring managers request applicants to bring copies of their resume, portfolio samples and even supplemental application materials. It would be embarrassing to hand out your resumes to the hiring manager after they have been wrinkled or bent in your bag.

Getting organized for an interview can take quite a bit of time and effort. Take a tip from Leslie Knope and get a professional folder or padfolio to organize all of your interview materials (and your notes). A “padfolio” will help keep your papers flat, plus it looks super professional. Take it from Leslie, who always impresses with her detailed binders.

3. Treat Yo’self

The best way to ease your nerves is to enjoy one of your favorite meals the night and/or morning before the interview. Giving yourself a small treat can boost your self-confidence. Just make sure it’s something light that won’t make you feel gross while you’re talking to a hiring manager!

4. Prepare With Friends

While your bestie can’t come to your interview with you, he or she can help you prepare for your big day. Hiring managers can throw you a lot of curveballs during an interview, so instead of stumbling on your own words, have your friends ask you some tough questions about your past jobs and internships. While it is important to practice answering difficult questions, it is more important to cultivate answers to a variety of questions.

Consider answering questions about your weaknesses, strengths, specific projects and about your hobbies. A lot of candidates get caught up when hiring managers ask them to talk about themselves. The question is very open-ended, so it can catch anyone by surprise. It’s important to test different answers from what you like to do in your free time and how it relates to your past jobs or even your dream job.

If you want to conduct your mock interview in true Leslie Knope style, you could even wear your go-to interview attire. If you don’t have a favorite interview outfit, your friends can judge your professional wear during an informal fashion show.

5. Give Yourself a Pep Talk

Some self encouragement can go a long way. Along with aiding in relaxation, pep talks can also help kickstart your endorphins and dopamine levels. Rehearsing your best motivational speech to yourself could be the key to landing the job.

As corny as it might seem, pep talks in front of a mirror can boost your confidence before an interview, a meeting and even a presentation. Tell your reflection how you would be a valuable member to that company. Don’t hold back; tell yourself how your superb scrapbooking can increase your future employer’s revenue.

Even if you aren’t comfortable talking to yourself in front of mirror, you can still give yourself a pep talk. Try writing some skills that you have mastered or attributes that make you a good employee and team player. Jot down some adjectives and adverbs that describe you and your work. Read this list back to yourself, or have a friend read it back to you.

6. Stay Optimistic

The days leading up to an interview can give any qualified candidate a healthy dose of doubt. Nevertheless, it is important to channel Leslie Knope’s enthusiasm, so you can stay optimistic. Think of how many jobs and internships you’ve accrued and how you have learned from them. Focusing on how far you have come since your first job can give you a positive mindset.

Even if you’ve never had a job before, try to think of accomplishments you’ve acquired through your extracurricular activities or even your hobbies. You can also use any examples of your accolades and attributes to talk about yourself during an interview.

7. Get Some Sleep (Just Not Too Much)

Being well rested for an interview is arguably the most important preparation tip. Although everyone yawns, hiring managers can view yawning as a sign of boredom or disrespect during an interview. Getting between eight and nine hours of restful sleep can make you feel more alert. Just make sure you do not get too much sleep, because excessive sleep can have the same effect as sleep deprivation.

Most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate after a successful interview. Even if you don’t feel like you aced your interview, you should still rejoice. Practice makes perfect with interviews. There is always something to be learned from each interview experience, so pat yourself on the back for continuing to grow and learn. Now, channel your inner Knope and party on!

The post 7 Ways to Channel Your Inner Leslie Knope When Preparing for an Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you’ve ever been a dog owner yourself, you’ve probably noticed that dogs can be the craziest characters. But no one knows this better than the dog sitters who care for pets through Rover, the community where people can find, list, and book neighborhood dog lovers to watch their pets.

So, what are some of the most ridiculous experiences Rover sitters have had hanging out with dogs all day? Here are five great ones.

1. The Squirrels Had Better Watch Out

“I would have to say that the craziest experience [with a dog] I have had as a dog sitter was Layla. Such a sweetie pie she is, but such a terror with squirrels! We were at Capitol Park in Downtown Sacramento, and she was having her treat, when these squirrels started inching up to her, one and then three, then a couple more, all looking at her treat. First she stared at them with her head tilted to the right, almost out of sheer confusion, and then a tilt to the left, and then the right, and then bam! She bolts at them and starts running in circles since she was on a leash tied to the bench we were sitting at. There were so many circles, and bouts of talking, and confused head tilts…it was hilarious!” – Sandra; Sacramento, California

2. Romeo and Juliet: Dog Edition

“I once watched a puppy with another dog and they fell in love with each other. It was so sad separating the two at the end of it. That kind of puppy love melts your heart.” – Marianne; Baltimore, Maryland

3. Dog or Wolf?

“I watch a huge dog named Taro who looks like a wolf. I’ve had people stop their cars and pull over to comment on him before, but one day I was walking Taro and my pitbull down the street when a lady stops and says, “I saw you and thought to myself, My goodness this girl is just walking a pitbull and a wolf down the street!” It was really funny and I explained that he’s not actually a wolf!” – Samantha; Birmingham, Alabama

4. Hide and Go Seek

“One of the craziest, silliest experiences I’ve had was with a beagle named Quinn. Quinn was super smart, even mischievous at times, but she loved company and being around people. Every day that I watched her, we would play hide and seek in the evening. After dinner, I would hide somewhere in the apartment until she sought me out, which never took long for her. Then I’d distract her long enough for me to hide somewhere else, and the hunt was on again. After a few rounds, it would end in us sitting on the balcony together, each on our own loveseat across from each other until the sun went down.” – Melissa; Mountain View, California

Want to get in on the action? Rover is looking for motivated dog sitters to take on some of the fun animals (and get paid doing it!). You can see if you qualify now on WayUp.

The post 5 Rover Dog Sitters Share Their Craziest Stories From the Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

 This article is sponsored by Ogilvy & Mather, which is hiring Client Finance Analyst, Assistant Media Planner, Assistant Account Executive, and Community Manager positions on WayUp.

No one knows a company better than its employees, and if you’re looking for a company where its team members can’t say enough good things, look no further than creative advertising, marketing, and public relations agency Ogilvy & Mather. This organization puts a great deal of attention into how its employees feel about their work, and needless to say, it’s paying off.

Five team members are weighing in on their favorite things about working for the company, and if you like what they have to say, there’s a good chance you would enjoy working at Ogilvy too! Ogilvy is always on the hunt for top talent, and the team is hiring Client Finance Analyst, Assistant Media Planner, Assistant Account Executive, and Community Manager positions on WayUp now.

1. You Get Loads of Professional Development

“Depending on your account, there can be opportunities to collaborate with other departments like strategic planning, creative, account management as well as international offices. The work provides opportunities for innovation and learning, as the digital media space is dynamic and constantly evolving. Our management cares about our employees and their growth. There are a variety of cultural opportunities: training and development courses, professional groups, and lectures and happy hours.” – Angela, Group Planning Director

By working with a number of people in different timezones and combining that with so many different programs and courses available, you’ll become a well-rounded professional in no time.

2. You Work With First Rate Teams

“My favorite part of my job is working with the most talented and bright individuals. You learn so much here from the people around you, and you have a ton of fun while you’re doing it!” – Lindy, Digital Product Manager

Most of us spend more time during the workweek with our co-workers than we do our families or personal friends. Shouldn’t you love the people you work with?

3. You Join a Historic Brand

“I feel lucky to work at an agency like Ogilvy, where our brand’s proud legacy and strong culture are revered throughout the industry. As a recruiter, the rich heritage of the company allows me to focus on my favorite part of my job: Collaborating with our brilliant leadership to find and hire the best talent for their teams, then watching proudly as those employees flourish within the company.” – Lauren, Recruiter

It’s great to walk into work knowing that the work you do isn’t just respected at your company but also by the industry as a whole.

4. You Contribute to a Lively Office Culture

“My favorite part of working at Ogilvy is the office culture. It’s refreshing to be around so many people who are equally as passionate and dedicated to their jobs as I am. I feel as though everyone here tries to make each other more efficient and successful, resulting in the agency benefiting as a whole. The work itself is challenging at times, but knowing that I’m working to promote such a powerhouse of a client makes it worth it. Ogilvy has really created a workspace that is conducive to success, and I consider myself lucky to have been hired here.” – Stephanie, Assistant Media Planner

Young professionals are constantly thinking about if they’re challenged in the right ways at work, and every day at Ogilvy will give you the opportunity to take on new projects and initiatives.

5. You Do Impactful Work

“I love what I do, and I especially love doing what I do at Ogilvy! It’s great to be able to work in a relaxed and highly creative atmosphere. I love walking away feeling that my work has truly made an impact.” – Jessica, Recruiter

Whether it’s seeing their work on a billboard or brainstorming ideas with a new client, employees at Ogilvy are excited about the fact that their work can impact thousands (if not millions) of people.

6. You Receive Encouragement to Be Your Best

“The best part of working at Ogilvy is the freedom to be creative and the opportunity to get involved in such a variety of projects. The constant [encouragement] to learn and adapt to new campaigns and projects keeps things interesting, and [it] means that [I’m] always improving to stay on top of things.” – Addison, Technology Manager

It’s important to join a company that pushes you to grow and be the best professional possible, and Ogilvy does this every day.

Want to get all of these benefits and so much more? Head to WayUp now to apply for Ogilvy & Mather’s Client Finance Analyst, Assistant Media Planner, Assistant Account Executive, and Community Manager positions now!

The post 6 Employees Tell You Their Favorite Parts of Working at Ogilvy & Mather appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Job interviews are stressful enough as it is: Your hands sweat the whole time, you stumble through your answers and you develop a stutter that came without warning, so don’t even get me started on what you should be doing before you even head to an interview.

Some might overlook the entire interview preparation process, but as a college senior who has been to dozens of interviews, I have plenty of horror stories that could’ve been easily avoided had I taken more time pre-interview to get it together. Trust me, you don’t want to repeat what I did.

1. I Missed an Interview and Then Lied About It

After applying and hearing back for an internship at a local radio station during finals week of my junior year, I ended up missing the scheduled interview because I mixed up the days. After reading the email confirming the interview and not writing it down, I ended up realizing it only an hour after it was supposed to happen.

I told the employer that a final had ran late, so I couldn’t make it that afternoon and rescheduled for a later date. Moral of the story? Triple-check when your interviews are (WayUp actually has an interviewing scheduling tool), and more than anything, don’t lie!

2. I Wore a T-Shirt With Half-Naked Marilyn Monroe on It

Over the summer, I usually live and work somewhere other than where I go to school, and employers usually want to interview people in April or May. It would be a bit of a commute to interview across the country and make it back for class all in the same day, so thankfully, some employers will agree to a video interview.

This all seems straightforward enough, but in my case, I not only forgot what time the interview was, but because of this, I also had to rush to the interview donning a t-shirt that had a scantily clad celebrity on it.

That day, I wore a shirt featuring a half-naked Marilyn Monroe but planned on changing well before my interview that afternoon. In the span of a minute, my dog began to uncontrollably bark at the innocent UPS man at the door and my future employer video-called me for our interview. He not only saw my black lab barking like Cujo but also the unmistakable figure of Marilyn printed on my body.

Note to self: On the day of an interview, don’t wear a shirt featuring half-naked Marilyn.

On top of noting down when the interview is scheduled, if you have a video call interview scheduled, don’t wear anything scandalous. Stick to the professional clothing as much as you can that day because they could end up calling earlier than you expected.

3. I Didn’t Research a Company Beforehand (and Almost Joined a Scam)

Last summer, I applied to a position with a company that was looking for active participants interested in helping with the protection of Minnesota’s ecosystems. Of course, the Captain Planet inside me screamed with excitement and I agreed to an interview without even really looking into the company.

That was a mistake.

Showing up to an interview without knowing exactly what the company does would be like showing up to a midterm without having ever showed up for class. This is also a very good time to recommend at least looking into employee reviews that you can find with a simple Google search.

After doing the research after my interview, it turns out, the company that had reached out to me lures optimistic college students in with hopes of saving the world and what not, but it doesn’t actually do anything outdoors other than make employees canvass in local communities. This meant going door-to-door asking people if they would like to donate and learn more about protecting their local ecosystems from pollution and construction projects. They also had thousands of one-star ratings all across the board and were known to fire people if they didn’t meet their quotas of signatures each week.

The bottom line? Lots of time and energy would’ve been saved on my part and their part if I’d just headed to Google before heading over the the job application and subsequent interview.

4. I Lied on My Resume

While working at a call center for a test scheduling company one summer, it was mildly embarrassing to explain to my supervisor that my fluency in Spanish and French that were listed on my resume extended to the comprehension of two semesters of each in school.

During the interview, I knew I was under-qualified for the position so I added a couple things that I thought would make me look better. I was far from fluent in both French and Spanish, and once I started the job, I’d forward all of the non-English calls I got to some other representative. Part of the reason I had to eventually go to my boss was out of guilt for not being able to help those innocent callers, but also because there had been a growing number of Spanish calls being forwarded around to tellers and nobody knew who was doing it. Yikes.

Lying on your resume is a horrible practice that could lead you to becoming the office embarrassment for a place you don’t even work at. Noting that you have skills and experience you actually don’t have in your arsenal could lead to some pretty awful situations. You’ll be put on the spot and have to make a stage exit similar to Ashlee Simpson getting caught lip-syncing her own songs on Saturday Night Live.

5. I Came Off Too Cocky

If I were an employer, humility would be one of the golden traits that I would look for in a future employee. Nobody likes the overly cocky office tool who talks about his weekends partying with D-list celebrities and puts on his sunglasses before leaving the building. Don’t be that guy.

While interviewing with the owners of a quirky hat shop in a hipster-populated area of Minneapolis, I didn’t realize until after that I had talked myself up way more than what was necessary. I had answered every one of their questions while somehow making it relevant to something about me (and not in a good “self-promotion is awesome!” way).

I am far from the D-list-celebrity-partying-sunglasses-in-the-office guy, but I had just come from working in a leadership position elsewhere, and I was still living off of my past glory. The hiring managers had apparently thought the same thing and didn’t offer me a position after thinking I could just survive off of my ego.

Cockiness can be a very hard trait to overcome because, like myself, you’re proud of all the accomplishments you’ve achieved so far in life. We all get that you’re proud, but don’t live in the past. Employers are looking for those interested in making a change in their life with the help of their company. They don’t care about all of the great things that happened in your last job; they’re looking for someone open to new experiences and looking to the future. It’s not healthy to be living in the past, and it can also deter you from getting that much desired job.

Everyone has their own interview horror story, but it’s important to realize what went wrong and how you can improve for the future. Learning from your mistakes and making sure no careless errors are made could land you the dream job you’ve always wanted. As for me? Let’s just say I’m googling companies way earlier now, and I put that Marilyn Monroe t-shirt in the back of my closet.

The post 5 Totally Avoidable (and Utterly Cringe-Worthy) Mistakes I’ve Made In Job Interviews appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Tomorrow’s the big job interview and you need a quick refresher on tips and tricks to set yourself apart from the others. Quickly surfing the internet, you find that there are thousands of articles handing out perfectly crafted answers to the most basic and expected interview questions.  

However, there is one answer to a question you can’t simply steal from the internet: The infamous “elevator pitch,” a broader version of the good, old-fashioned “Tell me about yourself.” It’s a basic question commonly mistaken as a slam dunk (after all, you know how to talk about yourself, right?), but it can throw even the best interviewees off their game. You may ask yourself, where do I begin?  What is my interviewer looking for in my answer? Thanks to the elevator pitch, you’ll have all your questions (and your interviewer’s) answered, all in one.

First Thing’s First, Remember to Keep It Short ‘n’ Sweet

Because your future employer doesn’t need a history lesson about your past, merely sprinkle the highlights, preferably the ones best representative of your skill set, goals and work ethic.  

Introducing the elusive elevator pitch, where you pretend you’re in an elevator with your interviewer and have roughly 30 seconds to leave the best possible impression of yourself before reaching your hypothetical floor.

Just like being on a date, your interviewer wants to know what your intentions are. Are you going to be in it for the long haul or is this all fun and games for you? A good place to start is to articulate your goals in the context of the industry of the job you’re applying for.

Ask yourself, what is it that you’re striving for? Buying a big house one day and sleeping on a pile of cash is not a goal, but a fantasy. A goal is something to be achieved in growing as an individual or a milestone to be reached in order to measure your progress and success. A well-developed goal is one that is specific but reachable and broad enough to guarantee a little wiggle room.  

Now that you’re thinking about the point of your elevator pitch, here’s how to break it down in 30 seconds.

Seconds 0-10: So, What’s the Plan?

Once you’ve established your goals, explain your plan of action in 10 seconds. How do you expect to get where you want to go? This is the point in which you display your ideas for the future, driven by your insatiable will to succeed, fueled by the harbored passion already invested in your interest for the industry. What are you doing to make these goals your reality?

Seconds 10-20: Great Ideas, But Why Do We Need You?

In the next 10-15 seconds, explain what exactly makes you crucial to any operation. Why can’t this employer just take your ideas and hire somebody else to execute them? You need to figure out what makes you indispensable to the team. Allow your uniqueness to shine through; what is it that got you here today? As far as I know, you have access to the internet in order to read this article, so you must be doing pretty well.

Second 20-30: Wait, Who Are You Again?

Finally, in your last 5-10 seconds, end with something memorable, something that leaves your interviewer reeling even after the interview is long over and he or she is sitting silently in their dimly lit kitchen over a late night cup of tea.

One of my favorite ways is to leave them with a question or comment centered on genuine interest in the job. A good question would be one that shows your interviewer you’re definitely wanting to excel; it can also make you seem knowledgable regardless of your qualifications.

If you’re lacking experience, for example, a good follow up question when you’re applying to a local government-related position would be, “I have experience collaborating with others and taking leadership roles in social projects through my Rotary volunteer club; would it be difficult to jump right into facilitating policymaking on a larger scale?” It can leave an impression on your interviewer that you are prepared and capable and that you know exactly what you’re talking about.

With this breakdown of the elevator pitch, you’ll be able to confidently paint the picture of yourself, where you’ve been, who are you now and where you’re headed, all with the potential employer in mind, therefore, aligning with what he or she is looking for in a future employee.  

Here’s an Example

“I am a [academic year] student at [name of college]. I was involved in set design and costume making for student run play productions in our drama department. I’m really interested in working on more of the creative and administrative sides of technical theater and was set manager for our most recent musical. I love the collaboration and teamwork behind set designing and modeled our last set for [insert production name] after my own grandmother’s living room. Because I’ve worked on these smaller projects in smaller venues, I’m wondering how different the pace is when applying what I’ve already learned to a much larger production, hence why I was so interested in [name of role].”

Feel free to head to the WayUp Guide for more information and examples.

Cheers to never being tongue-tied again.

The post How to Answer One of the Hardest Interview Questions in 30 Seconds appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether we would like to admit it or not, all of us make mistakes in interviews. The key to acing your I-Banking Interview is to avoid the mistakes that students frequently commit. However, in order to do this you need to understand what those common traps are so that you can prepare and learn from the mistakes of others. This is why we wrote “The Ultimate Guide to Wall Street & Silicon Valley Careers”, to give you a glimpse into how it should be done from folks who have been there!

In this blog post, we will dive deeper into the advice given in Chapter 3: Interview Questions & Suggested Answers. Here are the 3 most critical interview mistakes to avoid in order to land the job.

(Ever made one worse? Own up to it and share in the comments section!)

Mistake # 1 – Lack of Preparation

This tops the list of I-Banking Interview mistakes. Most of the candidates are not well prepared for facing the Investment Banking interview. The problem primarily lies with the technical questions. Candidate needs to be prepared to answer questions about valuation techniques, basic accounting, and formulas in MS Excel without wasting too much time.

Mistake # 2 – Too Prepared or “Robotic”

Second on the list is sounding too rehearsed in your interviews. Candidates memorize the answers to the level that for interviewer it becomes very easy to identify that whether candidate is speaking naturally or just giving a memorized story. An interview must come across as a natural conversation and not a script. How else is the interviewer supposed to assess whether or not you are a cultural fit for the bank? You should strive to remember high level points while studying, but not a word for word response.

Mistake #3 – No research of the company

If you are in the middle of an interview and you have not done enough research on the bank itself then, you are committing the third big mistake. One should do proper company analysis, its competitors, market position, company culture, and anything else that will help set you apart from other candidates.

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Got it? Good! Now go get started prepping to crush your interview for a prestigious summer internship!

The post 3 Interview Mistakes to Avoid in Finance appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you want to have your summer internship locked down early in the school year and also want to ensure that it’s an incredible experience, you’re in luck: Unilever, the company behind iconic brands like Dove, Ben & Jerry’s, and, now Dollar Shave Club, is hiring summer interns right now.

Why are interns so excited to work at Unilever headquarters? We’ll give them a chance to have the floor and tell you themselves why their internships are WayUp-approved.

1. Unilever Gives Interns Real Work

You’ve probably heard horror stories of interns spending the summer grabbing coffee and taking their boss’ laundry to get dry cleaned (yikes!). Unilever, however, understands the impressive capabilities of its interns and gives them serious work. In fact, each intern gets his or her own personal project to complete by the end of the summer that’ll have a real impact on the business.

“I study sustainable development at school, and my project focuses on the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan and allows me to understand how sustainability can actually be used in the real business world,” says Auriane, a Customer Development Intern. “That’s what I find most important.”

2. Unilever Invests in Its Interns’ Careers and Happiness

Unilever understands the importance of investing in its interns’ career trajectories and enthusiasm. In addition to offering a rotational training program after college called the Unilever Future Leaders Program, the company also gives its interns plenty to do during their summer internship, from volunteerism to food events.

“Unilever really focuses on community service, and as an intern, we had the opportunity to go do community service events with our team,” explains Jaritza, a Volume Collections Intern, who loved getting to hang out with her colleagues in a different setting.

The company also keeps interns’ on-site happiness in mind by providing a number of perks in its headquarters, including a gym, salon, and free ice cream (yes, free!).

3. Unilever Cares About Its Interns’ Perspectives

Above all, Unilever understands that its interns have valuable insights to give, and those are always taken seriously. “People here often are asking you for your own opinion and really expect you to come with your own point of view,” says Gordon, a Marketing Intern.

Working for a company that cares about hearing your thoughts is a valuable experience in it of itself, so if you want the opportunity to impact an organization, Unilever could be right for you.

Applications are due ASAP! Check out Unilever’s job listings for internship positions in supply chain, food science, customer development, marketing, and more.

The post The People Behind Dove and Ben & Jerry’s Are Hiring Summer Interns Right Now appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you’re looking for full-time opportunities after graduation, it can be confusing to figure out where the best place is to relocate. After all, just because a city is big doesn’t mean it has the best entry-level jobs available, nor the biggest abundance of opportunities, but now, there’s data to back up where you should be going instead.

Abodo, an apartment hunting startup, recently conducted a study on five industries that are growing well above national industry average of 4.47% in the country’s top 25 cities:

• Community and social service
• Computer science and mathematics
• Healthcare
• Construction and extraction
• Arts, design, entertainment, sports and media

The results? There may be more interesting cities to go to for your career than you think.

For example, if you want to go into arts and media, cities like Seattle, Columbus and Denver are incredibly viable options that you may not have even known had rich media scenes.

What are some open job listings in unconventional places currently looking for recent grads? Here are a few places that might be perfect for you:

• Ogilvy & Mather wants a Community Manager based in Chicago.
• Paradeigm is looking for a Graphic Designer in San Diego.
• Traipse is on the hunt for a Communications and Creative Content Associate in Staunton, Virginia.

Or, if you’re looking for a computer science job, did you know that Phoenix, Dallas, Boston and Denver also have great opportunities for you to check out? 

If you’re looking for potential opportunities in these cities, here are a few options you can apply for right now on WayUp:

• TripAdvisor is hiring Software Engineers in Boston.
• Adobe is looking for Technical Engineers and Data Scientists in a number of cities, including Seattle.
• Keyence Corporation is looking for Technical Sales Representatives across the nation.

Long story short? There are plenty of amazing cities in the U.S. that can give you a great start to your career (and also keep your cost of living down). There’s no reason to feel like you have to be in a certain city to be successful.

And if you want to see the rest of the research, check out Abodo’s findings here.

The post Are You Job Searching in the Wrong City for Your Industry? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You probably know that Starbucks serves one incredible Pumpkin Spice Latte, but there’s a lot more to the company than serving coffee and tea. We talked to several employees, who are also enrolled in the Starbucks’ College Achievement Plan, about their favorite aspects  of working for the iconic brand.

1. The Impact

“I love working at Starbucks because I know that I am making an impact on the [employees] wearing the green apron and the customers who come to our stores. It is exciting to see these crazy and new concepts come to life in our stores.” – Kyle, Business (Global Leadership) major

By working at Starbucks, you have the opportunity to better people’s lives every day, and because Starbucks has so much variety in what stores offer, there’s never a dull moment (or season) at work.

2. The Supportive Community

“The most rewarding part of my job is being able to help partners grow and develop. I am passionate about the Starbucks College Achievement Plan and love engaging and supporting our partners during their journey to graduation.” – Ashley, Mass Communications and Media Studies major

To recap, Starbucks offers an incredible partnership with Arizona State University that provides full tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Even better, the opportunity is open to all Starbucks employees who work an average of 20 hours per week and don’t already have a bachelor’s degree.

3. The Values-Driven Mission

“I love coming to work for a company that reinvests in my development both inside and outside of work. A lot of companies have great mission statements, but at Starbucks we live that mission and our values every day!” – Rob, Communications major

Whether it’s making a difference in a customer’s day, taking part in local volunteer events, or investing in the farming communities where they source the coffee from, Starbucks is all about improving the lives of people and the communities they serve.

4. The Extra Perks

“I love the culture at Starbucks. I love my pound of coffee every week and my free Spotify account. I use Spotify playlists for studying.” – Melissa, Organizational Leadership major

There’s a fun fact you might not have known: Starbucks gives all employees a free pound of coffee every week! In addition, the company offers health benefits, free food and drinks, stock, and a premium Spotify account. Dreams really do come true.

Does Starbucks sound like the perfect workplace for you? There’s more good news coming your way: The company is hiring motivated baristas here right now.

Starbucks is dedicated to helping 25,000 employees graduate by 2025 by providing full tuition reimbursement for a bachelor’s degree via Arizona State University’s online program. You only have to work an average of 20 hours per week to access this exciting benefit as well as many others (free drinks, free food, health coverage, 401k, stock, and a free Premium Spotify account to name a few!). You can learn more about the Starbucks College Achievement Plan here.

Starbucks Barista-Approved Drink Combo: “Grande Americano with 1 pump of white mocha and a splash of soy milk.” – Rob, Communications major

Barista Application Tip!

Did you know you can submit your application to up to 5 stores at one time? In order to stand out after submitting your application, stop by the store(s) you applied to and introduce yourself to the manager or shift supervisor. Let them know you recently applied and what excites you about the opportunity. If you don’t get a call for an interview within 60 days, you can re-apply to the same or different stores. Good luck!

The post 4 Employees Share What They Love About Working for Starbucks appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

 This article is sponsored by Aramark, which is now hiring for its leadership programs in food, tech, human resources, finance, and facilities on WayUp.

The hiring process is becoming more and more technologically advanced, and nowadays, it’s not uncommon to be part of a video interview instead of interviewing at an actual office, as it saves money, allows hiring managers to differentiate candidates more quickly, and allows companies to interview more people in a shorter amount of time.

A lot of questions come up when it comes to video interviews: What does one even look like, and how is it different from an in-person interview?

Lucky for you, recruiters at Aramark, a food service, facilities, and uniform services provider, are here to give you the lowdown on the do’s and don’ts of rocking any video interview you find yourself.

What’s a Video Interview?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of video interviews, it’s important to understand the two types of video interviews you can encounter.

The first is a video conference, where you’ll have a live interview session with someone (or multiple people) from a company. The second is a pre-recorded online interview, where your responses will be recorded, and someone will review them later to decide whether or not to move you further in the hiring process.

Now onto the do’s and don’ts…

DO Research the Company Beforehand

Think a video interview means you can skip the preparation and google or look up something on the fly because you’re not in the room with your interviewer? Think again. You’re still seen by recruiters when you’re on the video call (they can even hear you typing!), and they’ll immediately know if you’re not paying attention or came to the interview unprepared.

Research everything you can about the opportunity before your interview, including the company, the position, the position’s responsibilities, and your potential boss(es) and/or co-workers.

DO Be Strategic About Where You Have Your Interview

You can’t hold your video interview anywhere; it actually takes a lot of planning to make sure that you’ve found the perfect place.

Find a private space where you can chat without distractions (for instance, if you’re on a campus, reserve a small study room in the library), and make sure the wall behind you is presentable with no objects, posters, or photos in the background. If there are people who could disturb you (like roommates playing loud music in your house), give them the heads up to keep it down.

Additionally, check your internet connection and ability to sign onto the platform where your interview will be hosted. The last thing you want to deal with is spotty wifi or a failed login while you’re trying to tell a recruiter why you want to work for his or her company.

DO Maintain Your Professionalism

Just because you’re not having your interview in a physical office space doesn’t mean you can slack on your professionalism.

Aramark’s recruiters have noticed that often students will start off speaking and acting professionally and will then start using slang and losing enthusiasm as the interview goes on. Regardless of the type of company you’re interviewing for, remember that you’re speaking to professionals, not friends.

And while you might be tempted, don’t just dress appropriately from the waist up. There’s a fair chance you may need to stand up or move, and you don’t want your interviewers to see your Game of Thrones pajama bottoms mixed with your best button-down shirt and blazer.

DON’T Read Off of Your Computer Screen

Because you’re in a video interview, you may think it’s okay to write out answers to potential interview questions or map out other responses on your screen for reference. Stay away from this!

Instead, it’s all about preparing and practicing your answers beforehand so that they sound natural when you’re in your interview. Work on responses to behavior-based questions (“Describe a time when…” or “What would you do in a situation where…”) instead of trying to guess what you’ll specifically be asked.

DON’T Be Afraid to Ask Your Interviewer to Repeat the Question

Didn’t understand what a recruiter just asked you? It’s okay to pause and ask, “Can you please repeat that?” Or, if you’re in a live video conference, ask the interviewer to rephrase or clarify the part of the question that’s confusing you. It’s better to ask than to not answer the question (or to answer the wrong question).

DON’T Forget to Be Personable

Two of the biggest things students forget to do during video interviews, according to Aramark’s recruiters? Smile and make eye contact. When you’re talking to screen, it may be more difficult to pick up on a social cues or think about your own. While you don’t have to be grinning from ear to ear and staring wide-eyed at the screen throughout the entire interview, you also don’t want to seem robotic.

Above all, let your personality shine throughout the interview, even if it’s not face-to-face.

Video interviews definitely don’t have to be intimidating or scary. Just like any other interview, come in prepared, look polished, and act professionally. There’s no way a recruiter will be able to say no.

Cover image courtesy of Flickr.

The post 6 Do’s and Don’ts of Video Interviews That Most People Don’t Know appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you’re a college student applying for a part-time job or internship or a recent grad looking for that first full-time job, it can be frustrating to get to the final stages of the hiring process only to get a “nope, sorry” from an employer.

You’re absolutely qualified for the position and had great interviews, so what could’ve possibly gone wrong? Here are three small things you might be doing that are keeping you from getting that offer letter.

1. You Slacked Off on Professionalism

Regardless of how cool a company seems or how chill the hiring manager claims to be, neither of these are excuses for slacking off on your professionalism, especially as you get towards the end of the hiring process.

What are some ways you might be letting a little too loose when you’re interviewing with and talking to a company? Here are several common ones:

• You didn’t match the dress code of the office.
• You treated the hiring manager like a friend instead of a professional and potential employer.
• Your email correspondence was too lax.

No matter who you’re chatting with, remember to keep it polished: Make sure your outfit fits the more formal end of the office dress code, treat every person you meet with the utmost respect, and stay away from slang and emojis.

2. You Were Too Enthusiastic (Or Didn’t Seem Enthusiastic Enough)

One of the trickiest balancing acts of the hiring process is showing that you’re excited and motivated but not coming across as over-eager or creepy. Sending an employer that extra follow-up email could land you an opportunity, but sending too many follow-ups could just as easily lose you that same opportunity.

Where’s the fine line? Here’s a quick primer on everything you need to know about staying in touch with someone who might hire you:

• By all means email a potential employer if that person reaches out to you first, and make sure you do so in a timely manner (preferably within 24 hours)
• Haven’t heard back from someone in a while? You’re free to follow up after five to seven days, and don’t hesitate to reiterate your excitement about the position in your message.
• If you have any important questions for an employer about the position or its responsibilities, it’s okay to email and ask; just make sure your email is short and straightforward.

Other than that, there’s no need keep reaching out to check in.

3. You Didn’t Send a (Good) Thank-You Note

Thank-you notes are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, many employers will take you out of the running for a job if you don’t send one in a timely manner after an interview. But on the other hand, if you send a thank-you note that’s typo-ridden or gives off the wrong vibe, it can also lead to the end of your quest to get hired.

The trick to writing a great thank-you note? Keep it short ‘n’ sweet. Here’s a quick breakdown of the anatomy of the perfect thank-you note or email (and check out our template here):

• Sentence 1: Thank the hiring manager for taking the time to interview you.
• Sentence 2: Highlight one or two things that stuck out from the conversation.
• Sentence 3: Thank the person again, mention that you’re happy to answer any further questions, and say that you look forward to hearing from the company soon.

And before you send it? You know how we feel about this: Proofread, proofread, proofread.

It’s easy to get caught up in the end of the hiring process, but by keeping these three important things in mind as you’re finishing up your job search, nothing will stand in the way of that hiring manager sending you an offer letter.

The post 3 Small Things That Are Keeping You From Getting Hired appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you’re a student or recent grad searching for that perfect internship or job, the job hunt can be a grind. The question is, are you being as effective as you could be? Is there anything that the most successful young hires are doing that you can learn from?

Lucky for all the young people out there looking for jobs and internships, 3 NYU students who all got hired using WayUp are each sharing their biggest job search tip for their peers who are still on the hunt.

These 3 students were in your shoes not long ago and hustled their way up (pun intended). So, we sat down with them to talk about their experience and what helped them stand out from the crowd.

1. You Don’t Have to Take Any Job or Internship

“If there’s one thing that you absolutely want from your job, hold out; you’ll get it. I had to wait until the middle of summer to get a job that would pay me and also provide me with a valuable experience, and I’m glad that I did. It was really worth it.” – Hannah Starke, NYU ‘19, Community Outreach/Marketing Intern at Sp0n

Hannah is a member of NYU’s class of 2019 and is studying in multiple departments, including Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Communication and Media Studies. As someone seeking a job in the fashion or entertainment industry, she knew that finding a paid marketing position might be tough, but she brings up an important point here: If there’s something that’s a must-have for you when it comes to a job or internship, it’s okay to hold out for it.

While you don’t want to put too many non-negotiables on your list (“I want a paid part-time internship at Chanel in the fashion closet with flexible hours and no menial tasks, or else I don’t want anything!”), having one or two things you absolutely need is perfectly reasonable. In fact, giving yourself parameters can actually make it easier to find jobs and internships you’re qualified for and excited to take on.

What could potential “must-haves” include other than money? Here are several options:

• Flexible work hours
• A specific company size
• Commitment to ongoing mentorship from a supervisor or boss

That said, holding out comes with a crucial caveat: You’ll probably have to broaden your search to include opportunities in other fields or departments. This is where our next tip comes in.

(And if you’re a New York-based college student looking for an enriching marketing experience, Sp0n, the same company that hired Hannah, is looking for campus reps this fall, who can make $15/hour. Click here to apply.)

2. Keep an Open Mind

“Start early and apply to a lot of different positions, even if it doesn’t exactly fit with your field. You never know what you could be qualified for and what kind jobs you’ll end up enjoying; it could influence what you do in the future. Don’t confine yourself too much. Keep it broad.” – Emily Cole, NYU ‘18, Marketing Intern at Red Velvet NYC

Emily is part of NYU class of 2018 and is majoring in psychology. She was most excited to get a marketing summer internship at Red Velvet, an NYC-based startup in the desert industry (yum), because she felt that the internship would provide her with a skill set she could apply across all different industries.

Emily’s advice is a great best practice when you’re at the start of your career because you don’t want to pigeon-hole yourself or refuse to look at anything that isn’t in a certain industry or department in a company. Instead, take a wise tip from President Obama and focus on the skills you want to gain instead of the title you’re hoping for.

For instance, if you wanted a paid marketing internship in fashion (which are extremely competitive and often come with no monetary compensation), you can still learn similar foundational skills from marketing internships in other fields, like tech or media, and get your must-haves. The product or service you’re selling might be different (and maybe not as glamorous), but the expertise you’ll gain can get you where you want to go in the future.

You may not be able to put “fashion intern” on your WayUp profile just yet, but as Emily notes, by not limiting yourself now, you’re opening up that possibility as you continue your career.

3. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job

“Make your resume short and sweet. A lot of people want to show all the sides of themselves, but for every single job, you don’t need every single side of yourself; you want the side the employer wants. Make your resume tailored to the job you’re applying for. So if you’re applying for an outreach job, add your marketing experience. If you want a tutoring job, add your educational expertise.”  – Bryan Kay, NYU ‘20, Outreach Intern at The Farm

In Bryan’s case, he knew that he wanted to work at a startup that focused on content strategy, so as he applied to companies like The Farm in a very tactful way. As Bryan notes, you might feel the need to overcompensate on your resume by adding in every single thing you’ve ever done. However, when employers are looking your previous positions, accomplishments and skills, they do so in a matter of seconds. Skip the fluff and give them what they want to know.

Don’t have any outright work experience in the field you’re applying to? Include past experiences that illustrate transferrable skills.

For instance, if you’re applying to work in outreach like Bryan, you can include the fact that you created and ran your sports team’s social media accounts in college and built a bigger following than any other extracurricular group on campus. It may not be “formal” outreach experience in an office environment, but it’s more likely to get you hired than listing several unrelated positions on your resume.

Want more resume tips that’ll make a huge impact and get you hired? We’ve got 37 of them that’ll each take you five minutes or less here.

Armed with these 3 tips, you’re well on your way to becoming one of our kick-butt WayUp Bosses, a crew of amazing students and recent grads who’ve gotten hired and are taking the professional world by storm.

Got hired using WayUp? You can be featured in an article like Hannah, Emily and Bryan by filling out a brief survey here.

The post 3 Students Who Landed Dream Internships Share Their Biggest Job Search Tip appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Job interviews are an intimidating but necessary part of the job search process, as they allow potential employers to get a sense of how you’ll fit at their company and give you the opportunity to see how you really feel about a company in real life and not just from its website.

But what if your job interview doesn’t go exactly as planned? Luckily, plenty of other people have been there.

Five professionals are breaking down their most avoidable job interview mistakes and what they learned from them. And once you’re done, you’ll be able to put your best foot forward every time.

1. Bashing a Previous Employer

My biggest job interview mistake was when I was trying to move on from my first job out of college. Like many new grads, I had taken the first position that paid a salary and was remotely connected to my degree, and after six months, I was more than ready to move on.

I somehow landed an interview at a well-known media website, and when the hiring manager asked me why I wanted to leave my current job, I unloaded everything I hated about the [previous] company and its management. I knew it was wrong (you never bash an employer during an interview!), but I was so fed up with the place that I couldn’t seem to stop myself from ranting.

The interviewer could tell I was pretty young and was kind about the situation, and even sympathized with my plight. But she ended the interview noting that I “might not be ready” for this job; she said I should take some time to think about what I really wanted in my career, rather than trying to take any job as an escape route. That advice always stuck with me, and now I’m in a job I love because of it! – Nicole

File this under huge career no-no’s: Never bad-mouth previous or present employers. It never turns out well for the person talking trash, and it says way more about you than it does about the company you’re ranting about.

2. Not Researching Direct Supervisors Beforehand

When I was just out of college and looking for my first job in New York while still living in Georgia, I had a phone interview for an Executive Assistant position at Forbes, where I would have been directly reporting to two editors in particular. When my interviewer, a person in HR, asked me what I knew about the editors I’d be working under, I didn’t have anything to say because I hadn’t researched them AT ALL. I spent more time reading about the history of Forbes and its modern editorial content, which was fine but really not that related to the position I was interviewing for. I stumbled through some kind of answer, but it was really embarrassing, and I didn’t have a second interview.

Basically, I learned that I need to pay more attention to the job description/specifics, not the company in general (although that’s definitely ALWAYS a plus). Also, to plan for the job I’m actually interviewing for, not the job that I maybe wish I was interviewing for).

And always research the person you’re interviewing with and the person who will be your direct supervisor if you can. – Stephanie

Make sure you don’t just research the company as a whole; think about what you’ll need to know about your potential supervisor(s) and the role itself. Then ask yourself: How can I eloquently show that I know these details in my interview?

What are some things to look up in advance? We’ve outlined this in point #2 of this article on putting your best foot forward when initially applying to jobs.

3. Not Handling Difficult Questions About Previous Job History Well

I had a job interview once in which my interviewer was not convinced I was interested in his company’s work. Because my resume had a lot to do with sexuality activism and writing, he was convinced I would be bored with no clients related to that field. I tried countless ways to show him that I was interested in expanding my horizons as a young professional, but to no avail.

I wish I had said more clearly in the interview why my past experiences had given me skills that spanned into multiple career paths. Even though I didn’t perform perfectly in the interview, I knew I was being judged for my slightly scandalous resume that said “SEX” all over it. I knew that someone who didn’t trust my word and was hung up about my interest in sexuality was not the right boss for me. – Gwen

As Gwen learned, trying to show hiring managers and potential employers that your skills from one job or industry are transferable in another can be tricky.

How can you go about showing that these skills can apply even though they may seem unrelated on the surface? First, be honest in acknowledging that your previous jobs aren’t necessarily the same thing as the role you’re applying for. Then, be clear about the skills you bring to the table (make sure they relate back to the job listing) and provide at least one or two concrete examples that prove your point.

Here’s what this answer looks like in practice: “On the surface, it may look like being a receptionist is different than being an account relationship manager. However, both roles call for someone who is effectively forms bonds, manages expectations and requests from others, and is extremely organized at all times. During my time as a receptionist, I had to keep track of our office logistics, interact with clients over the phone and in-person and make sure the office as a whole ran smoothly.”

4. Getting Psyched Out Before the Interview Even Begins

My biggest job interview regret would have to be getting overly anxious. When I [got] anxious I would up talking in circles and sounding far less articulate. It’s something I’ve always struggled with while being interviewed for jobs and has definitely cost me a job opportunity or two that would have been great experience to have under my belt.

The instance that stands out in my mind would have to be the day I interviewed at a well known magazine company for an internship after finishing my freshman year of college. Of course I knew it would be a long shot due to my age and inexperience in the field, but I went for it anyway and was called for an interview. I felt confident before walking into the room, but ultimately I let my anxiety take control and I wound up stumbling over my words and searching for answers to questions regarding something as simple as my work history. I looked unraveled and unprofessional in that moment.

The best way that I’ve learned to deal with my anxiety in regard to interviews would have to be when I take a moment to be real with myself. I will take a deep breath and tell myself that if this interview doesn’t work out, it will not be the end of the world and I will survive, and move on to the next. I’ve also realized that the more interviews I have gone though, the more confident I’ve become with my answers, my presentation and my overall poise. The most important thing for me in regards to squashing my anxiety is recognizing my anxiety when it comes on, but knowing that I’m confident enough in myself and my skills to push it aside and stay calm, cool and collected for my interview. – Hope

Regardless of why you’re psyching yourself out, feeling intimidated or defeated before walking into an interview is more common than you think. But the more prepared you feel to answer questions and confident in your abilities to do the job, the better you’ll be.

5. Addressing the Person Incorrectly

While applying for internships, I accidentally sent a cover letter addressed to a “Mr.” when it should have been a “Ms.” It was an androgynous name, and I almost considered double checking the gender of the recipient before I sent it but I was thought, “nah, what are the odds of me being incorrect?” BIG MISTAKE.

Somehow, I still secured a phone interview. Right before the interview, I googled the person I was interviewing with–starting with her Twitter account. Not only did I realize my mistake, but I saw that on the day I sent in my cover letter, she tweeted that she had “received yet ANOTHER email addressed to Mr. [name redacted].” I started panicking and figured that she had just set up a phone interview with me to call me out.

So as soon as I got on the phone, before we started the interview, I told her that there was one thing I had to tell her before we got started–that I was mortified that I addressed her by the wrong title, but that I had learned my lesson and would not do it again if I got the internship. It worked and now I ALWAYS Google a person before emailing them. And, I learned that the best way to fix a mistake is to address it immediately. – Anna

While this last story isn’t one of an in-interview blip, there are 3 great takeaways here:

• Research, research, research before heading into a job interview.
• Never make assumptions about anyone’s identity (gender, sexual orientation, race, the works).
• Admitting to a sizable mistake is often a lot better than pretending it didn’t happen or trying to overcompensate.

Job interviews are daunting for everyone, and sometimes they don’t go your way. Learn from your mistakes, and know that the more interviews you do, the better you’ll get.

Cover image courtesy of Wellington College.

The post 5 Professionals Reveal the Most Avoidable Job Interview Mistake They Made appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Resumes can be a drag to write and an even bigger drag to edit and proofread, especially if you’re trying to get job applications out quickly. If you’re looking for quick ways to make your resume great in a matter of minutes, we’ve got you covered.

Below are 37 ways to take your resume from good to great, each in 5 minutes or less, and one thing’s for sure: If you take these things into consideration, no recruiter or hiring manager is going to be able to pass you by.

1. Make Your Resume Only a Page

It’s a little suspect when someone in their late teens or early 20s has a five-page resume. Get yours down to a page, and make sure you don’t go below a 10-point font to do so.

2. Get a Professional Email Address

Your old hotmessgurl29@yahoo.com address won’t do you any favors. Swap it out for a professional Gmail account that reads firstnamelastname@gmail.com or firstname.lastname@gmail.com.

3. Take Out Your Objective Statement

It’s just taking up room.

4. Add Relevant Professional Links

Your WayUp profile gives employers a holistic way to learn more about you and your past work experience, extracurriculars, hobbies and more, and if it’s common in your industry, links to portfolios or personal websites can also be a bonus.

On your resume, links can go either at the top of your resume with all of your contact information, or at the bottom after your work experience. If the URL is long, however, use a customizable shortened link like Bitly so that it doesn’t look too long on the page. For example, make your Bitly link say, “bit.ly/LilyHermanResume” so it’s easy for people to find.

5. Check for Broken Hyperlinks

If you include any links, be sure that the hyperlinks work and that the URLs are spelled correctly.

6. Change Your Font to Something More Professional

Arial, Georgia, Helvetica and Times New Roman are great places to start. No Comic Sans or Curly fonts.

As for sizing, stick to somewhere between 10 and 13 point font. You want people to be able to read your resume without trouble, but you also don’t want it to be obvious that you doubled your font size to make up for a lack of work experience.

7. Get Rid of “References Available Upon Request”

This is a given, so you might as well get rid of the suggestion and save yourself a line or two of space.

8. Scrap Those Random Extracurriculars

Unless the fact that you were on Geography Club for a month during your freshman year of college is ridiculously relevant to the position you’re applying for, take it off.

9. Take Off Those Very Short-Term Jobs Too

Much like random extracurriculars, your two-week stint as a server at a local restaurant isn’t a necessary addition unless it’s critical to landing the job you’re applying for now. Don’t include it just to take up space.

10. Proofread Your Resume by Reading From the Bottom to the Top

By reading each sentence on your resume starting with the last one, your brain picks up on all sorts of grammar, spelling and formatting mistakes you may not have noticed originally.

11. Swap Unnecessarily Complex Words for Simpler Ones

No need to say you’re a “loquacious orator” when you just want to note that you’re great at public speaking. Skip the flowery stuff.

12. Use Industry Lingo

Instead of saying “Hypertext Markup Language,” just say HTML.

13. Don’t Make Up Industry Lingo

Maybe a company you worked at previously had interesting acronyms for different parts of your role, but that doesn’t mean those are common knowledge. If a random industry professional wouldn’t know what you’re talking about, spell it out.

14. Get Rid of Any Opinions or Bizarre Facts

Don’t include your political or religious views or the fact that you can burp on command. Having a one-sentence fun fact or a short “Interests” section is fine, but make sure it’s appropriate and still pertains to the job in some way.

15. Steer Clear of Vague, Generic or Cliche Terms

If you wrote the phrases “self-motivated” or “result-driven,” take them out and put your money where your mouth is. The projects you’ve taken on and the actual results you’ve gotten will do a far better job of getting the point across than some overused, empty terms.

16. Widen the Page Margins

The text shouldn’t be at the edge of your page, but the school-appropriate one-inch margin isn’t necessary if you need the extra space, especially if you’re keeping your resume to one page. Typically margins between 0.50-0.75 inches are okay.

17. Get Rid of Any Long Paragraphs

Your resume should be organized in bullet points (just like a WayUp profile); paragraphs will make a hiring manager’s eyes glaze over.

18. Take Out Anything That’s a Heavy Exaggeration (or a Lie)

Make sure you’re not claiming any skills or results that you can’t back up or didn’t do. Potential employers always find out.

19. Double-Check That Your Contact Information Is Correct

There’s nothing more awkward than realizing you left a letter out of your email address or put a “6” instead of a “7” in your phone number.

20. Talk About Accomplishments, Not Just Duties

Instead of listing what you did at your job, show potential employers what your impact was. For instance, if you were a social media intern, go a step further than saying that you “managed social media accounts” and explain that you “increased Facebook engagement by 77%.”

21. Write Numbers and Percentages for Maximum Impact

Saying that you increased email open rates by 33% looks more impressive than “thirty-three percent.” It also saves space.

22. Leave Off Early High School Jobs

Try to steer clear of jobs, internships and opportunities you took during freshman and sophomore years of high school unless they’re part of a larger pattern (for example, working as a server for three years of high school).

Including early high school jobs in your resume is much more acceptable if you’re a college freshman or sophomore, but it’d be ideal if you left off them off entirely, especially as a college junior or senior.

23. Include Education Outside the Classroom

Did you take an online class on accounting or programming? These courses and certifications can make or break you moving onto the next round.

24. Make Your Resume File Name Identifiable

Don’t save your resume file as “Resume1.” Save it as “FirstName LastName Resume,” or if you want to be an overachiever, add in the name of the company you’re applying to at the end of the file name.

25. Get Someone Else to Read Your Resume

You’d be surprised at how many errors other people can pick up on in a matter of seconds.

26. Be Honest About Your GPA

There’s no reason to lie. And if you’re worried about it being too low (for instance, below a 3.0), feel free to leave it off and just include your major(s), minor(s), concentration(s) and certificate(s).

27. Don’t Add Basic Things to Your “Skills” Section

Knowing how to use Microsoft Word is a given at this point. There’s no need to waste precious resume space listing skills that everyone should know.

28. Make Your Resume Look Standard for the Industry

Google and talk to people about what the typical resume in your industry looks like. After all, there’s a big difference between applying for jobs in graphic design and applying for jobs in finance.

29. Save Your Resume as a PDF

If you save your resume as a Microsoft Word document, there’s a high chance that the formatting could look different on someone else’s computer depending on their Word softare. PDFs look the same on all devices, so it’s an easy way to make sure your resume arrives to an employer error-free.

30. Move the Most Important Information Towards the Top

Think of it this way: Recruiters spend an average of six seconds scanning your resume, so what do you want them to see during that time? You want to catch their eye with relevant job information and critical stats. You also want to make it easy for them to see that you can do the job you’re applying for.

31. Highlight Transferable Skills

If you don’t really have any relevant experience for the job you’re applying for, don’t panic. A great way to show employers you can still do the job is to highlight the transferable skills that prove you’re fit for this role.

For instance, if you’re trying to show that your role as a waitress makes you qualified for a sales role, be sure to highlight your experience with customer service and working with clients and other colleagues alike to make sure everyone is satisfied.

32. Don’t Center-Align Your Entire Resume

The eye naturally reads from left to right, so aside from centering your header at the top, make sure the rest of your resume is left-aligned. And while you’re at it, don’t use the “Justified” alignment option, either; it makes the formatting look inconsistent.

33. Say No to Graphics, Visuals and Images

Unless you’re applying to a creative job or internships that’ll appreciate your effort and you’re really good at graphic design, take out any headshots, clip art and other random images.

34. Take Out Your Address

Not only does your address take up space, but interestingly enough, it could do more harm than good: A hiring manager might see that you live nowhere near the company and may not want to take a gamble on you relocating.

35. Make Your Formatting Uniform

Go through and make sure that every part of your resume formatting is the same throughout. For instance, are your spelling out dates (“September 2012-March 2014”) or shortening them (“Sept. 2012-Mar. 2014”)? Are you even putting months or just years?

36. Put Past Positions and Company Names in Bold

Skimming a wall of text is a lot for hiring managers, so by putting past roles and their companies’ names in bold, it’ll make your resume much more skim-able.

37. Don’t Stop Tweaking It

As you continue your career and take on more roles and responsibilities, it’s important to always keep an up-to-date resume on hand and to customize your resume for every job you apply for.

Want to put your flawless resume to good use? Apply to jobs on WayUp with it.

Cover image courtesy of WOCinTech Chat.

The post 37 Resume Tweaks You Can Make in 5 Minutes or Less appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ve submitted application after application, and it seems like no matter how many times you hit “Submit,” no one is calling you in for a job interview.

Is it really just that the job market is that hard nowadays? While it’s definitely competitive out there, it’s also important to think about how you’re going about your job search. Are each of your job applications getting the attention of hiring managers and potential employers? Are you standing out from the crowd, and are you always putting your best foot forward?

If you’re not sure, here are 4 common reasons why you might not be getting past the first round and onto job interviews as well as how to fix each problem you may be having.

1. You Didn’t Have a Plan Before Filling Out Your Job Applications

The second you start looking for a full-time job, it’s easy to submit 1,000 applications to any company that has a position that sounds remotely interesting. While this might sound like a full-proof plan to get hired (hey, you’re putting yourself out there, right?), this strategy backfires for 2 major reasons:

• The old saying goes that you want quality over quantity, and it’s no different during the job search. You should put your all into each application, not into filling out as many applications as possible.
• If you’re filling out job apps without really looking at them, chances are the majority of jobs you’re applying for aren’t even a good fit. You might say that you’ll take “any job” at this point, but do you really want to be stuck in a position you don’t like or that doesn’t fit your overall career objectives?

Before you start applying to jobs left and right, sit down and think about these 3 things to create your own job application plan:

• Even if you don’t know the industry you want to go into, what skills do you bring to the table? What skills do you still want to learn? Which positions give you the opportunity to show off what you know while also letting you gain more knowledge?
• How will you look for roles that fit this criteria? When you look at jobs boards, how will you filter the results to make sure you’re only looking at listings you’re interested in? Who from your network can you contact for help?
• How many quality job applications can you fill out in a single day? You should feel confident in every single one you submit.

Once you answer these basic questions, consider making a spreadsheet for every job application you plan to fill out and then complete and submit. It can look something like this:

You can also download this spreadsheet in Google Spreadsheets HERE.

And if you’re using WayUp, good news: You can skip this step because you’ll have an entire page on your dashboard (appropriately titled “My Applications” in the upper right-hand corner) dedicated to helping you keep track of the application process.

2. You Didn’t Do Your Research Before Starting Job Applications

Think you should start researching when you get a job interview and not before? Think again.

Before you start any job application, you need to make sure you understand everything about a company so you can accurately illustrate that you know what that organization is about and how you can help by being hired.

And “research” doesn’t just mean knowing the company name. It means making sure you know every major player in the organization, understanding the company’s mission and values and knowing how you can make that company even better.

In addition to looking at a company website, here’s what you should be researching before starting your application:

• The entire company website
• Information on the company’s products and/or services
• Background on the company’s founder(s), executive team, board members and investors (if applicable)
• Any information on the company’s founding
• Press about the company and its latest updates
• Any stories or testimonials from past or present employees? Any patterns in what they say the company cares about?
• The company’s social media profiles

And if you’re using WayUp, we make lots of this information easily accessible, so you can be the most informed applicant in the pile.

3. You Didn’t Customize Each Application

Hiring managers can tell when you submit generic resume, cover letter and other application materials instead of spending the extra time customizing each one. Not only does it make you an unmemorable applicant, but it also makes hiring managers and potential employers think you don’t really care enough about that position or company..

Not customizing each application also leaves room for error. You won’t be getting the job anytime soon if you write “Dear Apple…” when you meant to write “Dear Google…” Talk about awkward.

What are some easy ways to customize each application? Take a couple of these pointers:

• Make sure your resume specifically references what the job listing asks for. For example, does the job call for someone with at least a year of social media experience? Highlight your multiple years of experience running extracurricular social media accounts in college. Make it easy for a hiring manager looking at dozens (if not hundreds) of resumes to select yours and email you about an interview.
• Have your cover letter talk about that particular company’s culture. Show an understanding of what that company cares about and what you can bring should you be hired for that position.
• If a company requests other materials (for instance, letters or recommendation or writing samples), pay attention to the instructions. For instance, did the employer put any restrictions on how long your materials should be?

4. You Didn’t Proofread Everything Before Pressing “Submit”

No amount of customizing your resume, cover letter and application will matter if a hiring manager takes one look at any of your materials and sees that you spelled the name of the company “Bgi Corprattion Inc” instead of “Big Corporation Inc.”

When in doubt, proofread, proofread and proofread some more.

And if you want to quadruple-check that you’ve proofread everything to the max, here are 2 more strategies you can use:

• Re-read all of your materials backwards. Start at the end of the page and work your way upwards sentence by sentence. It causes your brain to pick up on things you wouldn’t have seen if you were reading normally from top to bottom.
• Have at least one other person read your application materials for spelling, grammatical, usage and flow errors. Is there anything that doesn’t make sense? Someone else will be able to give you an honest answer.

By following these steps and taking that extra time on each application, there’s no way any hiring manager will be able to deny moving you to the next round. Say hello to that job interview.

The post 4 Reasons Why You Aren’t Even Landing a Job Interview (and How to Get One Every Time) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Last year, I had a student who told me that his uncle had given him an interview suit as a graduation present. I asked him if he had any idea how much the suit cost. I was shocked to find out that the suit cost $800.00!! I know that some of you might not be shocked by that number, but I work with college students, many of whom are low income and first generation student, and they could not afford such a cost for an interview outfit.

I help students all the time practice and plan for interviews. Finding an appropriate outfit is paramount to landing a job. Not only does it make you look good, but it makes you feel good as well and people feel professional in clothing that fits well and looks the part, but how do you come up with this great professional outfit on a budget? My answer is second hand store shopping. Here’s why and a few hacks to make it easier:

Second hand store shopping is fun. When I walk into a second hand store, I don’t know what I will find. It is like an adventure..will I find a cute pair of shoes, a bathing suit or maybe an interview suit? One must let go of attachment and that ever so present and current desire to have what we want now!! It’s fun to be open to the outcome and sometimes find the perfect dress for graduation or nothing at all.

I get better quality for my buck in second hand stores: If I were buying all new clothing on a budget, I would probably have to limit myself to Ross, given the cost of new clothes. Yes, Ross does get some quality items, but mostly one does not find high quality or designer clothing at discount clothing stores. Think again for second hand stores. I have found very high quality, designer clothing that people have decided to give away. Albeit in the last 10 years, even prices at second hand stores have gone up, but I can usually find clothing that is at least a quarter of the original price. For example, on my lunch break today, I found a great Calvin Klein suit just my size, fully lined for $20. I just found a very similar suit online for $149.99!!

Thrift store shopping is good for the community and good for the earth. Many second hand stores are non-profit organizations that give work to people who need it and/or give their profits to needy organizations. When you buy from second hand stores, you are not only getting a cool item to add to your closet; you are also making a donation to your community. Not only that, buying second hand is great for the earth. It is reusing, which comes even before recycling! When we buy new things, we are not demanding new mining, new agriculture as well as shipping etc. When we buy used, we are saying that there is enough to go around without producing new stuff.

Get to know your local second hand stores. Wherever you live, unless it has a population of 5, you probably have a local second hand store. The more upscale the neighborhood, the better the possibility of high end fashion clothes, so go in regularly as their stock probably changes daily. Ask when they have sales or if they have student discounts, if you are a student. Many second hand stores use color tags and will rotate out certain colors on certain days. This is good information to know if you find something you like, and it will be on sale the next day.

Try second hand store shopping when you travel; I have found some of my best scores while traveling. Thrift shopping in San Francisco and New York are quite different from the ones in my medium sized town. Also, thrift stores specialize in clothing for the local climate so if you have not packed appropriately, you might find something just right for your evening outing.

Great, inexpensive second hand clothes can be gotten online. Of course, there is always Ebay. Once exclusively second hand, it is now necessary to search through the online shops to find real bargains. Don’t forget to read the description carefully and check the price of shipping. There are also exclusively second hand web sites like thredup.com and swap.com., neither of which have I used. The benefit of these options is that you don’t have to go anywhere, and in these two cases, you can sell your gently used clothing as well.

It may not satisfy your need for immediate gratification, but as Macklemore so famously said in his song Thrift Shop “ I’m gonna pop some tags, Only got twenty dollars in my pocket, I’m hunting , looking for a come-up, This is @#%*@ awesome.”

The post “Popping Some Tags”: Great Interview Clothes on a Budget! appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When people think about the fashion industry, they conjure up images of rifling through clothing racks all day or acting out a scene from the movie The Devil Wears Prada, but for Rag & Bone Senior Account Executive and WayUp Office Hours panelist Christina Holody, her days working in fashion look very different.

In her role, Holody works with buyers from places like Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus to help place Rag & Bone collections in their stores.

“The truth is, today I had a major breakthrough on Microsoft Excel,” she says with a laugh. “On the day to day, I’m looking at data and analyzing it. It’s taking the sales reports you get from partners and [figuring out] how to capitalize on next season [based on] what’s happening this season.”

Despite her success, Holody will tell you that she never saw herself going into the world of fashion when she was younger. After majoring in journalism in college and getting into the prestigious NBC Page Program (which only accepts 1.5% of applicants!), she left after two months of the year-long gig to become the assistant to the president of Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) after a friend told her about the opportunity.

Why take such a huge leap of faith in a notoriously tough industry? Holody lives and breathes by an important career mantra: “The biggest reason why people don’t get to where they want to go is because they don’t take a risk.”

Holody took a pretty hefty gamble, but she worked hard to make sure it paid off. After two years as an assistant, Holody was able to transition into an account executive role on DVF’s sales team, one that she greatly enjoyed. “I loved communicating with people. I loved being on the phone all day,” she recalls. “I loved getting in the nitty gritty; it’s all about numbers. I love numbers and analytics.”

Holody was eventually able to work her way up to Senior Account Executive at the storied fashion brand before leaving for Rag & Bone after four years at DVF.

To some, it might be mind-boggling to leave NBC to be an assistant. But Holody knows she made the right choice, and in addition to her strong belief in risk-taking, she has other stellar advice for young people in similar straits.

“I think [it’s] super important, especially when you’re in a creative industry, to have an open mind,” she says. “I grew up in Michigan; there’s no such thing as fashion there. You think you have to be a designer or you have to be super creative and be able to sketch; I have none of those skills!”

There are plenty of ways to be in the world of fashion without actually creating clothes; in fact, Holody points out, many of the roles in the industry with the biggest impact are those behind the scenes. “If you want think about what [you] can do in fashion and make a huge impact, in sales you have that ability,” she explains. “You get to say, ‘This is what [the design team] has given me, where am I going to put it?’ So when I say, ‘You’re going to see it in Saks [Fifth Avenue], you’re going to see it in [the Saks] in Michigan, in L.A., in Florida. [Shoppers are] all going to see what I decided is going to be in Saks from rag & bone. That’s cool!”

And for recent grads, she says there’s no better time to take the metaphorical plunge: “If you’re in a place where you can take a risk and you’re 21 years old and just graduated from college, just be open to it. Just try. Go in and meet somebody. Make every connection you can. Don’t turn away from anything.”

We couldn’t agree with her more.

Want more sage wisdom from influential young professionals? Check out the rest of our can’t-miss Summer 2016 Office Hours events in New York City and Washington D.C.

The post A Former NBC Page and DVF Assistant Gives Her Biggest Tip for Breaking Into Any Creative Industry appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This past Wednesday, June 22, we hosted our first Office Hours event of 2016 with a focus on the fashion industry. We brought in four impressive panelists to give us the lowdown on everything college students and recent grads need to know to succeed in fashion careers.

There was a lot of great advice over the course of the 90-minute event (you can watch the full conversation on our Facebook page!), but here were our favorite tidbits of wisdom every college student and recent grad can take to the bank.

1. Network, Network, Network (But Be Kind to Everyone)

Like many industries, fashion is a small world. Whether you’re a buyer for a major brand, a designer, a fashion and beauty influencer or an account executive for a label, chances are you’re running into the same people over and over again.

“It’s a really, really small world,” says YouTube influencer and TODAY Show correspondent Deepica Mutyala. “You have to be ‘on’ at all times, because you could be at an event with somebody and not realize that they know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody. Everybody knows somebody!”

Mutyala also preaches the importance of never being afraid to network, and she knows what she’s talking about: She saw The Honest Company co-founder and famous actress Jessica Alba at a hotel lobby bar and found the courage to go up and say hi. After having a nice conversation, Alba actually ended up personally inviting her to a private dinner several weeks later.

Her tip for making those cold pitches easier? Don’t think about how someone could help you. Instead, “think about what you can do to benefit that person.”

2. Find Creative Ways to Take Initiative

One of the hardest things about getting your start in the fashion industry is working for potentially working for a boss who’s busy all the time. One audience member asked our panelists how to find work to do in the office when your boss just isn’t giving you much.

First and foremost, don’t shy away from work that doesn’t seem the most exciting or brag-worthy. “You’ve got to work the long hours, you’ve got to get the coffee, you’ve got to make the copies,” explains Christina Holody, a senior account executive at Rag & Bone. “The stuff that isn’t fun is what will make you noticeable to your manager or to the person you want to promote you.”

Second, don’t be afraid to ask for work from others at your job if it looks like your boss doesn’t need your help or just isn’t around. “See who else is in the office who’s equal to your supervisor or slightly junior and ask them what’s something they need taken off of their plate,” Rachel Abeles explains. “When you’re interning, you’re not just proving yourself to your direct boss, but to the company. The biggest thing is showing that you’re resourceful.”

Fashion designer Becca McCharen also adds that it’s important for her to find interns who can be mature and figure things out on their own. If your boss tells you to deliver a sample, for example, you should be able to figure out the cross streets, where you’re going and whom to talk to without your boss having to spell out everything for you.

3. Don’t Feel Pressured to Start Your Own Business Right Off the Bat

People might look at fashion designer Becca McCharen and think that she has it all together: Her fashion line, Chromat, has been worn by the likes of Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and Beyonce in recent years. She’s worked with huge companies to create wearable tech. Her designs are being talked about on some of the biggest fashion sites like Fashionista and ELLE.

However, McCharen wishes that before taking the plunge herself she’d been able to work under others in the industry to learn the ins and outs of constructing clothes and building a business.

“I think people who go straight from school to starting their own label have so much more to learn,” McCharen says. “It would be so good to see how other people run their companies. For me, I’ve been making it up the whole time and flying by the seat of my pants. I would’ve loved the opportunity to work for others in this specific industry.”

In fashion, you may feel pressured to do your own thing or showcase your own point of view. While working for yourself can be liberating in many ways, it can also be stressful and overwhelming to start without a foundation.

4. Your College Major Won’t Make or Break Your Fashion Career

Want to go into fashion but didn’t major in design, merchandising or textiles? Don’t sweat it. And if you majored in any of those fields but still feel unprepared, you’re totally fine.

All four of our panelists didn’t exactly know that they wanted to go into fashion from a young age, and they found that the classroom didn’t necessarily prepare them for the careers they have today.

“College for me was more about the experience and learning how to make a connection and learning how to stand out when you’re in a group of 200 freshmen in an intro class. I use those skills every day,” explains Holody. “Was [a] broadcast journalism [major] a direct correlation to what I do every single day now? No. Is communication a part of every single thing I do every day? 100%.”

If you’re worried that you won’t be ready for day-to-day life in the fashion industry because of your major, don’t sweat it.

“The biggest thing [I learned] is that college isn’t going to train you to do whatever job you end up in; it’s an experience to help you grow up,” explains Abeles. “The only things you need to be prepared to enter the workforce [are] to be driven and to be passionate and to be inquisitive. As long as you are willing to learn and put in the time, you will learn whatever you need to when you’re on the job.”

5. Be Persistent

Towards the end of our panel, one audience member asked how to stay positive when you’re doing everything right in the job search but just not landing any roles. The biggest piece of advice our four young professionals could give? Be persistent, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback.

If you get a rejection letter, that doesn’t have to be the end of your interaction with a potential employer. “When you do get to speak in these follow-up situations if certain things don’t pan out, it’s not inappropriate to ask for feedback,” Abeles says.

By asking a potential employer what they thought of your resume, cover letter, portfolio or interview, you’ll be able to get valuable advice for fixing or tweaking things you might not have even been aware of.

By taking just a few of these helpful tidbits, we hope you’ll feel more confident applying for fashion jobs and heading into the industry in the future.

Want to get more career wisdom from influential young professionals? Check out our Office Hours events this summer, taking place in New York City and Washington D.C.

The post 4 Fashion Insiders Give Their 5 Tips for Starting Out in One of the World’s Toughest Industries appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I’ve had the fortune of working at multiple companies that are comprised largely of young professionals just beginning their career, like I am. From small startups to relatively new, but large companies, I’ve gotten the chance to work with young blood, as eager and naïve as myself.

There is something really invigorating about walking into work everyday knowing that people who aren’t yet jaded surround you. These people want to create and explore and prove themselves for the first time to their corporate peers and to themselves.

Camaraderie is strong in teams of fresh young talent. Sure, you may see each other as competition, but you can also see the fear, the drive and the raw energy pulsating behind that competitive exterior, and you recognize it because you possess it too.

As a young person, the friends you make in a workplace full of other young people are friends for life. You’ll have both professional and emotional crises and find that your coworker-turned-best friend knows exactly what to say and what funny cat video to send you to make you feel understood, if not OK.

Sometimes, though, it’s hard. What you miss out on by working in a company full of young people is mentorship, wisdom and time-tested knowledge. You receive unadulterated passion but sometimes lack people with the know-how needed to channel that passion. You have the freedom to think outside the box, but sometimes, the tools needed to execute those ideas are unavailable to you.

Working with other young people can be motivating, but it can also slow down your growth. At times, you may find yourself with unlimited possibilities but severely limited resources, and that’s OK. It’s not about whether working at a hip young company or an old school establishment is better. It’s about choosing one and knowing what it lacks so that you can take proactive steps to compensate.

The post A 20-Something’s Thoughts on Working With 20-Somethings appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Last month, my mother posted on Facebook (on Facebook!!) that she was upset about the lack of thank you notes from my teenage sons for their birthday checks! She asked some of her friends what they thought and what she should do. It was a lively, online discussion. Her friends’ answers ranged from “giving should be done without the expectation of receiving” to advice to stop sending my sons birthday checks!!

Without swimming around into the murky pond of familial relations, the question that comes up is: Is there a generational difference when it comes to thank you notes, and how as a young person coming into the work world can we look honestly at any difference there might be?

So, I hate generalizations. To say all millennials are a certain way, to me, is offensive. Not only is it a marketing concept that is meant to understand the different generations so that, in short, they can sell you stuff, but it hurts real, diverse, interesting people as well. Therefore, I am going to attempt to write about generational differences without getting into generalizations. Please tell me how I do.

There are a few guiding lights when it comes to thank you notes in the professional world:

1. In the professional world, thank you notes always look good. If you really want the job or want to stand out, always write a thank you note.
2. The older and wiser set seem to like written notes…but to be safe after an important interview, email (within 24 hours) AND write a note to them as well!!
3. The younger and techie set seem to like emails…but keep it short and write professionally, not like you are texting.
4. Write different, original notes to each interviewer if you interviewed with more than one person.
5.Use the note to mention things you forgot to mention and/or sum up your qualifications. If you have done your research, you can talk about what you might do to make things better if you get the job.
6.It is never too late to write a thank you note (just in case you forget).

I work with a recruiter at Enterprise Rent A Car. He has been recruiting students for a long time and I recently presented a workshop to him about how to be successful at a career fair. He said that if a student who he had met at a career fair actually took the time to write him a snail mail thank you letter for the time he took with her, he would be so shocked that he would probably hire the person right then and there. This shows that thank you letters do have the power to get you where you want to go. Don’t forget to write a thank you letter!

The post Thank You Letters: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Regardless of where you are in life, a job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. It is, after all, a great deal of pressure—the impression you make determines whether you will get the job. As a result, you should always arrive prepared. This means doing your homework and reading up on the organization. The following are four things to research before a job interview:

1. The mission statement

When interviewing for a position, it is absolutely essential to learn about the company’s purpose and its beliefs. Many businesses share this information in a compact form—the mission statement. So, the first step you should take when preparing for an interview is to determine whether the company has a mission statement. If it does, read the statement, and think seriously about what, exactly, it means. Then, browse the website to see how the organization is carrying out its mission, and how you could continue to help it do so.

2. Any recent company changes

The organization’s history is another important topic to study—especially its most recent history. If the company has made major changes in the past several months, it is critical that you know this prior to your interview. This will help you gauge the direction that the company is moving in, and you should again think about how you fit into that shift. Use your interview to emphasize skills that support the current attitude and direction of the business, as this can demonstrate your ability to play a significant role in the company’s new vision.

3. The management

It is also essential to learn as much as you can about management. You may be able to determine who your supervisor would be from the job posting. If so, research this individual. Investigate how long he or she has been with the organization, and what some of his or her major accomplishments have been while with the company. This may give you a sense of who your potential supervisor is as a leader, as well as what he or she may be looking for in an employee. You may also wish to research upper management. Who are the executives? Which business leaders do they admire, and what are their areas of professional interest? Do they align with your own?

4. The client or customer

Just as important as knowing who your supervisor is is knowing about the other individuals who you will be working for—the clients or customers. Who does the company serve, and what product or service does it offer? Even if this knowledge is not specifically pertinent to the role that you are applying for, it is important to show your interviewer that you care enough to learn about the business and what it does. Whatever position you might fill, you will be part of the organization, and it is essential that you know what it does.

These are just a few of the key topics to research before a job interview, so do not stop with these four. Most companies have a plethora of information available online, and you should do your best to learn everything you can about the organization before your interview. Your knowledge can help the interview proceed more smoothly, and it may just make you stand out from the crowd.

 
Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

The post Four Things to Research Before a Job Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Few things are more important during an interview than a healthy dose of confidence. That confidence really comes in handy when the interviewer looks you in the eye and says, “So, what can you offer us that someone else can’t?”

Whether you’ve come across this question before or not, you should be prepared to encounter it at some point during your job search. It’s a question designed to gauge your confidence level and knowledge of the company. It’s also a great chance to show that you’re a qualified candidate who can bring something unique to the table.

Here are the things you need to keep in mind when preparing your answer. Remember, your goal at the end of this question is to convince your interviewer that they can’t afford NOT to hire you.

Highlight your experience and unique abilities.

Your interviewer is essentially asking “Why should I hire you?” and your answer should show that you’re different from other candidates they’ve interviewed and the best person for the job! Think of the top 2-3 things they’re looking for and explain how you meet those criteria.

For example, if you’ve had an internship in the industry, talk about your experience. If you’re not sure what to focus on, look at the job description, and identify the key traits that are mentioned in the first 3 bullet points. Then, speak to how you embody those traits.

Say something like: “I’m a creative problem-solver who wants to learn all about the tech industry and become an integral part of a team that develops new digital platforms. I’ve worked on several projects of this type at a previous internship, so I’m familiar with the challenges I’ll face in this role, and I know how to address them.”

Show that you’re a culture fit.

Being an awesome employee has a lot to do not only with your skills and personality but also with how you fit into a company. In fact, many employers consider culture fit to be the #1 priority when looking for candidates. Whether the company you’re interviewing with is a tech startup or a consulting firm, knowing the culture of a company and demonstrating that you understand its importance will go a long way toward impressing the interviewer and helping them to see you as a part of the team.

Say something like: “Everyone I’ve talked to here seems so motivated by the mission and that’s why I’m so excited about this opportunity because I want to be part of a team that’s focused on innovation.”

Emphasize that you’re willing to grow with the company.

This is especially important for entry-level jobs where employers are looking for candidates who are interested in developing their skills and sticking around for at least a couple of years. To show that you’re committed to the position, mention your future goals and how working with the company will help you achieve them.

Now bring it all together:

“I’m a creative problem-solver who wants to learn all about the tech industry and become an integral part of a team that develops new digital platforms. I’ve worked on several projects of this type at a previous internship, so I’m familiar with the challenges I’ll face in this role and I know how to address them. Everyone I’ve talked to here seems so motivated by the mission and that’s why I’m so excited about this opportunity because I want to be part of a team that’s focused on innovation. I would love to be a part of the company’s long-term growth.”

Easy, right? Once you come up with your answer, practice it over and over until you have it down pat. By highlighting your unique skills and demonstrating how your personality and future goals align with the company, you’ll impress your interviewer and increase your chances of getting the job!

The post How to Answer: What Can You Offer Us That Someone Else Can’t? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you’re looking for an internship or an entry-level job, creatively showing off your skills and abilities is a great way to get noticed — and hired! In addition to highlighting previous work experience or classes you’ve taken, this means demonstrating to hiring managers that you’re a well-rounded person with a lot to offer.

If anyone knows a lot about hiring amazing candidates, it’s the team at Capital One. We recently asked Kara Augone, Senior Manager of Human Resources and Ryan Robinson, Senior Recruiter for Campus Recruiting to share some things you can do to stand out to potential employers.

What’s the #1 piece of advice you have for students and recent grads who are just starting out?

Be authentic and do your research. You should think outside the box when looking for a job.

For example, when you think of Capital One you may think of finance, but did you know that Capital One actively hires interns and recent grads for data scientists and engineers? This is the case for many industries and companies so it’s important to know all your options and how to make the most of them.

What if you haven’t had a ton of professional experience and your resume is not that impressive?

Instead of focusing on professional experience, talk about your individual journey and the accomplishments that have come from that. Maybe you worked 30 hours a week in retail while you were a full-time student, or paid your way through college. These things demonstrate leadership and personal success. Don’t try to fit the mold by focusing only on skills that are specific to the job you’re applying for. Focus on your achievements instead and talk about that.  

What do you look for when hiring college students and recent grads?

Extracurriculars, projects, volunteering — all of these are great ways of showing that you went out of your way to do something because they contribute to something you want to do long-term vs. something that “looks good.” We’re looking for candidates who stand out beyond what’s on their resume and who are enthusiastic about their future. Social stuff doesn’t impress us as much. If you were in a sorority or a social club, that’s great to enhance your time in college, but not as relevant to professional roles.

How can students stand out during an internship?

Show that you have a hunger and a willingness to learn at every turn. When it comes to internships, the interns that stand out are the interns that you forget are interns. They don’t treat it like an internship, they treat it like a job. Those are the people that are likely to get noticed and have an internship turn into a full-time job.
Whether you’re just starting out on your job search or you’re already interviewing with several companies, following Kara and Ryan’s advice will help you highlight your unique abilities and impress your interviewer. Ready to ramp up that job search? Check out more amazing opportunities here.

The post How to Stand Out During a Job Search appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You wrote a great cover letter. You met (or exceeded) all of the requirements for the position. You thought your interview went pretty well, and yet here it is, glaring at you from your inbox: the rejection email.

“After careful consideration, we’ve decided to move forward with candidates whose qualifications better match our needs at this time. Please continue to check our jobs page for future opportunities and best of luck with your job search!”

Ouch. Rejection sucks (here’s how to move on), but it doesn’t have to be the end of the story. If you’re confused about why you weren’t chosen and need a bit of closure, you may be asking yourself: “Is it okay to ask for feedback after an interview?”  The short answer is yes. Here are three reasons why it’s not only okay, but actually smart to ask for feedback after being rejected from a job or internship:

1. It’s a Chance to Learn About Yourself and Become a Stronger Candidate

Failure is never fun in the moment, but it can provide incredibly useful opportunities for us to learn more about ourselves. So many successes have stemmed from these low points that some companies actually encourage their employees to fail, because it means they’re trying new things and learning from their mistakes.

If you ask a recruiter or hiring manager for specific feedback regarding your candidacy for a job, you might learn something useful that you can use in future interviewing experiences. Maybe you came across as overly prepared or formal in your interview. Maybe they didn’t like how many jobs you’ve hopped between in your career. Maybe you just didn’t seem like a strong culture fit.

Some pieces of feedback will offer you concrete next steps to becoming a stronger candidate, some will require years of work, and others will simply be out of your control. The important thing is that this feedback can offer you a glimpse into what other people see in you as a candidate. This insight can help you avoid similar mistakes in the future, tighten up weaknesses and make you more competitive for other positions moving forward.

2. It Shows That You Care

You might hesitate asking for feedback after an interview out of the fear that you’ll come across as annoying or needy, but any good recruiter or hiring manager will respect your request if you ask properly. In your request, be sure to thank them for considering you for the role, underline your desire to work with them again in the future and frame the question in a way that demonstrates you care about becoming a stronger candidate. This example can be used as a starting template:

“Dear (recruiter/hiring manager),

Thank you for considering me for the role of ____. I’m disappointed to hear that I won’t be moving forward as a candidate for this position, but will definitely look for more opportunities to work with (company name) in the future. In the interest of becoming a candidate who can add more value to your team in the future, do you have any specific feedback from the hiring committee that you can share with me? Any notes would be greatly appreciated!

All the best,
Your Name”

An email like the one above shows that you care not only about the company and the position you applied for, but also about how you can become a stronger candidate and a better match for that company in the future. If a recruiter or hiring manager gets annoyed by your desire to learn from failure and grow as a professional, they’re not the kind of future coworker you’d want anyways.

3. You Have Nothing to Lose

The last time I asked for feedback after an interview, the recruiter responded with a boilerplate email that it was against company policy to share specific candidacy feedback with applicants. While this wasn’t the response I had hoped for, I didn’t lose anything by asking. Requesting feedback after an interview can take as little as 60 seconds, so what’s to lose? Worst case, you never hear back or you get a response like I did. Best case? You might learn something important about yourself, make yourself stand out for future job openings or maybe even change the recruiter’s mind!

Feedback is an important part of any process, so you could be losing out big by not taking the time to learn from your failures, as long as you respect boundaries (no one likes a crazy ex – the same goes for crazy job applicants).

The post Three Reasons It’s Okay to Ask for Feedback After an Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

“What are your strengths?” is a go-to question for interviewers and the key to coming up with a great answer is knowing that potential employers are interested not only in what you’re good at, but also in how your skills match up with the company’s needs.

Here are some tips to help you answer this question perfectly.

Highlight your top 3 strengths.

Before your interview, start by making a list of 10 skills and personality traits you’re proud of. This should include everything from your technical skills (like writing or knowledge of social media platforms) to soft skills like your ability to make friends easily (which shows that you’re a people person).

Once you have your top 10 strengths, narrow the list down to the 3 things you’re most proud of. Be self-aware but not too modest. It’s totally OK to say that you’re a talented writer or a great programmer, and being confident will impress your interviewer.

Give examples.

Once you’ve figured out your top 3 strengths, come up with 1-2 examples to back up each one. If you’re going to say that one of your greatest strengths is organization, then make sure you have evidence to prove that. Preparing a script of this can be a good idea. In addition to making you more comfortable with your answer, it’ll also help you sound more authentic because you’ll be confident that the things you’re talking about are things you’re great at doing!

You can say something like: “I’m really strong at project management. Whenever I’m working on a group project, I always naturally take on the role of project manager and make sure that everyone has the right materials, stays on task and knows what they’re responsible for.”

Relate your strengths back to the job.  

This is your chance to show that you’re a good fit for the position, so use it as an opportunity to talk about some of the things you haven’t had a chance to mention yet. Do you have a great example of how your project management abilities helped your team win an award in class? Say that! It’ll be a great way of showing how your strengths could lead to positive outcomes for the company.

Here’s how to do it: “A project I managed recently for my economics class did so well that my team won an award for it! This made me realize that project management is something I’m really good at, and I’m excited to apply those skills to projects in a professional setting.”

By coming up with your top 3 strengths and giving thoughtful examples of each, you’ll have no problem showing that you’re the best person for the job!

The post How to Answer: What Are Your Strengths? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ve established a great connection with your potential employer, and you’ve talked about your resume and skill set. This is usually when the interviewer will want to find out more about your future goals. “So, what’s your dream job?” she’ll ask.

This question is designed to give the person across the table a sense of how your goals align with those of the company you’d like to work for. They want to see that you’re ambitious and that the position you’re interviewing for fits into your long-term plans.

Here are some tips to help you prepare your answer.

Highlight your skills.

Are you great at customer service or awesome at coding? This is the perfect way to start your answer. It’ll give the interviewer a sense of how your skills fit the job description and help them understand why you applied for the position in the first place.

You can say something like: “I know that I want to develop my programming skills while also learning about how tech startups work. I think this role will allow me to do that and give me a sense of how I can grow in this industry.”

Dream big, but connect your future goals to the position.

Whether you want to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or the Chief Marketing Officer of a technology company, letting the interviewer know that you have BIG plans is a great way of showing that you’re ambitious. Just make sure that you connect your goals with the role in question. This will show employers that you’re committed to them and will be sticking around.

Here’s what you can say to show the hiring manager that you’re in it for the long run:

“I really want to lead a product development team eventually and create and scale innovative tech products. I know that’s a really big goal, and I want to make sure I set myself up for success by developing my skills and working alongside talented people. My dream job would give me the opportunity to do that while also allowing for growth opportunities within the company.”

By highlighting your great qualities and giving a thoughtful answer about how the position will help you achieve your long-term goals, you’ll really impress the interviewer and get one step closer to landing the job.

The post How to Answer: What’s Your Dream Job? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Interested in exploring a career in Finance? We sat down with Kyle Higgins, a recent grad who joined Deutsche Bank, to learn all about how he landed the internship and what he got to do over the summer. Check it out!

Q: What was school like for you, and where did you expect to go career-wise?

Kyle:  I graduated from the University at Albany (SUNY) in the Financial Analyst Program.  There were roughly 20 others in my year, and all of them are now working in Finance. It was definitely a competitive program, with many students completing extracurriculars and internships in addition to full class-loads. One program that I was involved in was an asset management group, where we managed money from the school’s endowment fund. This gave me some fantastic experience that helped my resume in a big way. The overall culture of the program was very pre-professional—needless to say, we wore suits to class more often than sweatpants.

Q: How did you find out about Deutsche Bank? What other areas/companies were you interested in at the time?

Kyle: I had previously heard of Deutsche Bank but didn’t have any direct contact with the firm since none of my classmates in the Program had been hired there.  While at a networking event, a few alumni talked about their jobs at Deutsche Bank and they told us about the internship and Graduate Program.  The presentation they gave is what ultimately got me interested, and why I submitted my resume. I also applied to a few other banks, but to this day, I’m really glad I went to that Deutsche presentation.

Q: What did you expect going into the Deutsche Bank internship program?

Kyle: The presentation on campus gave me a strong impression of the caliber and type of people at Deutsche Bank and this was only strengthened as I completed phone screenings and final round interviews. My expectation was to participate in real-world scenarios while collaborating with other interns throughout the 10 week program.  Our group project ended up centering on two separate cases involving Russia and Argentina.  At the end of the summer, we presented our analysis to several senior managers in Risk, and our analysis actually helped them make important decisions in those markets.

Q: What was your first week like in the internship?

Kyle: The first week at Deutsche Bank was a combination of offsite intern training and introductions to your specific team, which for me was CRM Securitization.  The training helped teach us things to consider when working on the job, emphasizing practical knowledge like financial statement analysis.  My first day on the Securitization team made me realize how much interns were treated like full-time employees.  Although we were new to the role, real work was assigned to us with deadlines and expectations.  I remember how on the first day, my mentor gave me a live deal to read through.  Although he knew most of the information would take a while to digest, I appreciated  that on day one he treated me like a peer, giving me real insight into what he was working on.

From the moment I joined the Bank, I was impressed with the diversity of views and perspectives – not only in my intern class, but in the full-time staff as well.  Within Risk, there were several colleagues with diverse nationalities including Chinese, German and French, and everyone seemed to bring unique perspectives to the table. Something really valuable I learned on the team was that the combination of several cultures and backgrounds bring out the best quality of work.

Q: What are a few things that surprised you about Deutsche Bank?

Kyle: As I mentioned earlier, I was surprised by the level of diversity of backgrounds and cultures on the team.  The depth of knowledge my colleagues were able to draw upon, from previous positions they held both internally and externally was truly incredible.  As an example, one of my colleagues had previously worked for the rating agencies which ultimately gave him better insight into their methodology and approach. Finally, I didn’t realize how many locations and countries Deutsche Bank operated in globally; when I had the opportunity to go abroad with the Bank, I really felt like I was a part of this vast global team.

Q: I heard the Deutsche Bank Risk program offers graduates the opportunity to complete an international rotation. Where did you complete yours? How do you feel this enhanced your experience with the Bank?

Kyle: My international rotation was in Dusseldorf, Germany for nine weeks.  I worked with the Global Credit Rating team (GCRT) and completed several ratings during my stay.  This experience helped me understand the work that the team completes on a daily basis, as well as how the end results flow into the CRM function.

The experience was extremely helpful in improving my skills when evaluating companies that are corporate as well as financial-based.  Being able to “deep dive” into financial statements and assess the health of a counter party is crucial to several roles in finance.

On a more personal note, it was a pleasure to expand my network and meet those who work in the Dusseldorf office.  Within that location, 22 languages are spoken and the nationalities include Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, and Venezuelan, to name a few.  The team welcomed me into their daily life and made me feel at home six time zones away from New York. It was awesome.

Q: What has the experience taught you about yourself?

Kyle: The experience has taught me that I can learn something new in a completely foreign environment.  No matter where I go or what I do in my career, it is reassuring to know that I can thrive in a challenging environment.  It has also improved my ability to collaborate with colleagues from very different backgrounds.  If I could succeed in an office in Dusseldorf, Germany, where people spoke 22 different languages, I could get by anywhere.

Q: What are you excited about for the future?

Kyle: The grad rotation has afforded me the opportunity to see many areas of the Bank, both domestically and internationally.  By the end of this Risk program, I will have worked with CRM Securitization, CRM Leveraged Finance, Global Credit Rating Team and CRM Hedge Funds.  I have developed so many valuable connections and expanded my network farther than I ever anticipated.  I am excited to bring all my experiences and general knowledge of risk to whichever team I am fully placed with. I’m also looking forward to finally moving into the city!

Interested in a career at Deutsche Bank? Head over to their company page on WayUp for more information!

The post My Summer Internship at Deutsche Bank appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

An inspiration to many students through her channel cheeradvice4you, cheerleader Meaghan Mackey is a YouTube celebrity with over 171,000 subscribers and 6 million views. She is also a full-time Journalism major at the University of Nevada, who hopes to one day travel the world as a reporter. WayUp sat down with Meaghan to learn more about her path to social media and get her advice on ways students can become self-starters on YouTube.

Tell us how you first got into social media.

I first got into social media my sophomore year of high school when Instagram started taking off and beauty gurus were arising on YouTube. That was when I decided to post my first videos about cheerleading and share my passion for cheer with the world. Ever since then, YouTube has become my job, and I’ve been able to share my passion for cheer and living a healthy lifestyle with my followers.

You are a cheerleader, a full-time student, and you are looking for a part-time job. What advice would you give students on how to balance time?

The number one piece of advice I have to give on how to balance your time well is to keep a planner and organize everything so that you find time to rest and are able to get everything done. It’s not easy but it’s important to find down time so that you don’t wear yourself out.

What is your dream part-time job?

My dream part time job would be a cheerleading coach. I love coaching, especially little kids, and I think it would be so much fun to expand on my passions through coaching and help little girls who enjoy doing the same thing I do!

What is your favorite video that you’ve ever done?

I don’t have a specific video of mine that is my favorite, but I really enjoying filming “Follow Me Around” vlogs and “Day in the Life” videos. It’s like having my own reality show, and it helps me connect with people and show them what being a cheerleader and full-time student is like.

What has been the coolest experience you’ve had through your site?

The coolest experience I’ve had by far since starting out on YouTube has been guest starring in the “Secret Life of An American Cheerleader: Season 2” on the Cheer Channel. It was such a cool and new experience for me filming in LA for the show. I met so many amazing people and had a lot of fun on set.

How do you continue to stay creative?

Being creative and finding new inspiration for videos can be challenging at times, but there’s always new trends happening, and I always carry a notebook with me to jot down notes or write down fresh ideas that pop up in my head throughout the day. Because I am one of the only cheerleading gurus on YouTube, it is easy for me to be creative and come up with my own ideas because other people don’t do the same thing I do.

What advice would you give to students looking to start their own YouTube channel?

My biggest piece of advice would be to not go into it for the money. YouTube is so much more than that and when I started, the YouTube partner program wasn’t as a big of a deal as it is now. Currently, people can make a living off of YouTube but you should do it because you’re passionate about it and want to share something that you love.

The post Interview with YouTube Celebrity, Meaghan Mackey appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Ever wanted to get inside the head of your interviewer to figure out what you should and shouldn’t do during your job search?

We asked several recruiters– who will remain anonymous!–in order to get the good, the bad and the very honest impressions they’ve had of candidates during a job interview. Turns out that first impressions really do count — especially during the job search.

1. “Whoa, awkward handshake.”

2. “That’s the best answer I’ve gotten from any candidate.”

3. “Cool, I’ll just wait here while you finish texting.”

4. “What is that smell? Yikes! An hour in a room with this smell.”

5. “Confidence, eye contact and a firm handshake. Nice.”

6. “Wow, this person is abrasively loud.”

7. “I love that you have your resume out and are prepared in case I’m not.”

8. “Did you run here? Why are you so sweaty?”

9. “Did you really just sneeze and then shake my hand?”

10. “Please, for the love of God, trim your nails before going into a professional setting.”

11. “Definitely not a culture fit.”

12. “Why did you show up 20 mins early? Don’t you have better things to do?”

13. “Why did you show up 10 mins late — do you not care?”

14. “Wow, creative way to hand in a resume.” (The candidate brought in a resume shaped like the company’s logo.)

15. “Management would eat you alive.”

16. “Why are you staring at your resume when you talk?”

17. “I haven’t asked a single question yet…”

18. “Stop looking out the window.”

19. “Wow. This person just seems awesome.”

20. “Greatest weakness is ‘constructive criticism’? Hard pass.”

21. “I love that you’re ready to take notes on all the things we’ll discuss.”

22. “Seems too quiet…”

23. “Seems too cocky…”

24. “Umm, you do know this is an interview, right? Why are you dressed like you’re hanging out with friends?”

25. “No pen or paper…do you not think anything I’m about to say is something you want to remember?”

Now that you’ve gotten an inside look into a recruiter’s mind, here are a few tips to make sure you get the right type of reaction out of your interviewer.

• • Arrive early to your interview (around 15 minutes early) but not too early – you don’t want to be waiting around awkwardly in the office for too long.

• • Make sure you know exactly what to wear to your interview – it’s important to present yourself well!

• • Give a firm, confident handshake. Be confident but not too cocky.

• • Interview body language is key! Look your recruiter in the eye when you speak (but don’t stare).

• • Be prepared to answer questions like “Tell me about yourself”, “What is your greatest weakness?” and “Why should we hire you?”

• • Bring a pen and paper (you want to make sure you record all the information you need!).

• Ask questions at the end of your interview, but let the interviewer talk too! It’s important that your interview is a two-way street.

Good luck during your next interview!

The post 25 Thoughts Recruiters Have When You Walk Into an Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you are preparing for an interview, you may have strong answers for the basic interview questions: “Why do you want to work here? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why are you the right person for this job?”

But there may be other questions that throw you for a loop, specifically questions that ask you to share examples of certain situations from your past experience. These are called behavioral interview questions, and they can be difficult to answer. Interviewers ask them because they are looking for specific behavior traits in a candidate, so it is important to answer them in a way that shows that you are right for the job. The following are five common behavioral interview questions, and advice on how to answer them.

1. “Describe a recent challenge that you faced at work, as well as how you approached it.”

This question, and others like it, attempt to analyze your problem-solving skills. In any position, you are bound to encounter obstacles, so you may have many examples that you can build your answer around. It is important to choose a story that involves a particularly difficult challenge, or one that highlights your creativity in solving it. Demonstrate to your interviewer that you can think outside of the box to reach a solution, and that you are comfortable asking for help.

2. “Can you think of a time when you took the lead on a project?”

Many jobs also require leadership skills. A question such as this tries to determine whether you have, and can illustrate, key leadership abilities. Have an example in mind of a time that you not only took charge, but led a project to great success. You do not wish to seem arrogant, so be sure to give credit to any others who helped you. This can suggest that you are a leader and a team player, which are both essential skills in the workforce.

3. “Do you have an example of a time when you disagreed with your supervisor?”

This is a particularly difficult behavioral interview question. You, of course, will want to carefully select your story so you do not seem critical of your supervisor—instead, you should seem easy to work with and not at all obstinate. Choose a story in which you and your supervisor simply had different opinions on an issue, and discuss how you worked through that disagreement. If the outcome of the story is in your favor, do not gloat. Emphasize compromise, as well as your ability to calmly communicate your feelings.

4. “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a colleague.”

This question is similar to the one above, but it has more of an emphasis on teamwork than it does on balancing your ability to follow orders and to politely express your opinions. However, you should draw on an example that has similar qualities—one in which you do not dwell on a colleague being wrong, but instead show your ability to talk through a problem and to work out a solution together.

5. “Can you give me an example of a mistake that you have made?”

This is another challenging question, as you do not want to emphasize your shortcomings. Prepare several examples of minor mistakes that you have made that also highlight lessons that you have learned and continue to use. If you would like to be bold, you can discuss a major mistake, but only if you can tell the story in a compelling way, and can truly emphasize that you learned a valuable lesson from it. Discussing improvement and awareness is key.

When answering these, or any other, behavioral interview questions, it is important to keep your stories concise and to the point. In a long, rambling story, the interviewer may miss the point you are making or the skills you are trying to emphasize. Include details of the specific situation, but keep the story direct and organized.

Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

The post 5 Common Behavioral Interview Questions (and How to Answer Them) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s like you’ve just been dropped into an episode of Shark Tank.

You may feel like you’re under fire when you have a panel interview of 4 or 5 evaluators aiming their toughest interview questions your way. While a panel interview is designed to save an interviewer’s time and assess how well candidates handle pressure, it can put even the most composed college student or recent grad on edge. Fortunately, there are ways to showcase your impressive qualities (and not your nerves), allowing you to focus on making a great connection with each of your evaluators and land the job. Here’s how.

1. Get to know as much as you can about each interviewer

Research each interviewer before you walk into the office so that instead of walking into a room full of strangers, you’ll have some sense of familiarity. First and foremost, remember their names: This will allow you to slip a first name into an answer so that your responses sound more personal and genuine. Then, research any commonalities with your interviewers: Maybe one of the interviewers went to your alma mater, or maybe one of your interviewers was on the varsity soccer team, just like you. Gather as much information as you can before the interview so that you can easily connect with each person on a personal level — it will show that you care about getting the position, and it will make you far more comfortable and relaxed during your interview.

Knowing as much as possible about each interviewer can also help you when you’re preparing to ask questions at the end. You can target each person’s expertise and skill set to get the best answer possible about their department’s culture and their perspective on how your role can support their own.

2. Introduce yourself to each interviewer

When you walk into your panel interview, don’t throw out a quick, “Hi, everyone!” and sit in your seat. It may seem awkward to go out of your way to interact with each interviewer, but go up to each person, give them a firm handshake, smile and introduce yourself. This will set you up to make a good first impression!

3. Make great eye contact

When you respond to one interviewer’s question, don’t just direct your attention to that interviewer. Start by making eye contact with the person who asked the question, then make your way through the panel as you complete your response. Engage with your interviewers in the same way that you would engage with a group of your friends: Make sure you’re acknowledging everyone and talking to the group, not just to one individual.

4. Follow up with each interviewer

Do not send a group thank you note! Make sure you ask for each interviewer’s business card at the end of the interview or contact the head recruiter to ask him or her for your interviewers’ information. Then, send a personalized thank you note to each of your interviewers – do not send them all the same email! Include something specific to each interviewer – especially if it’s something you learned about them during the interview or a piece of information that helped you to better connect with them on a personal level. (Sometimes, recruiters won’t share the interviewers’ emails, in which case, you should send notes to the recruiter and ask him or her to pass it along to the panel interviewers.)

Be genuine, treat each one of your interviewers as if they have equal weight in the decision-making process, and follow these tips. That way, you’ll be able to walk into your next panel interview feeling way less intimidated.

The post How to Handle a Panel Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The post So Tell Me About Yourself: How to Answer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As the #1 marketplace for college students to find jobs, WayUp loves pairing career-hungry students with amazing opportunities. Through our Shadow for a Day Campaign, students applied to win 1-on-1 time with Spencer Lazar, a Principal at one of the top VC firms in the country. The lucky student who won, Shreyas Garg, wrote a post about his experience. Check it out!

When I came to Princeton, there were a lot of moving parts, lots of things I had to juggle. Perhaps the most stressful was figuring out what I wanted to do in the future. I knew the best way was to get experience, but the question remained: how?

I heard about WayUp through a Facebook post. I signed up because they send emails when new jobs are posted, and I thought that would be worth it in case a good opportunity arose. A few weeks ago, I saw an email from WayUp saying that there was a chance to shadow a Venture Capitalist for a day. I’m particularly fascinated by that field, so I immediately clicked on the email. I’ve always liked Venture Capital because it not only gives you a glimpse into the future, but also the opportunity to actively push it in directions you think are beneficial.

The opportunity was to shadow Spencer Lazar, a Principal at General Catalyst Partners, a premier early stage Venture Capital firm and one of the best in the world. I decided to apply, but I didn’t have my hopes up because I knew that hundreds of kids from across the area were going to be gunning for it. Luckily, Spencer decided to give me the opportunity. I was ecstatic. I had to move around 5 classes, and lab (normally not allowed to move), but this opportunity was definitely worth having to spend 12 hours in class the next day as a result.

I took the train to NYC that morning and made my way Spencer’s office.

Spencer and I started off talking for 45 minutes, and I got to pick his brain about his opinions about the VC world and more. We talked a lot about network effects, and I asked what he thought of them because almost every company relies on them to grow, but I was interested in what companies ten years down the line might do. He responded by saying that networks effects were probably one thing that would provide value for most of the foreseeable future. He got to learn a little about me as well. We talked about recent trends in both the startup world and consumer psychology, and quite simply the way we live life today as opposed to a year ago.

Next, I got to sit in on a real pitch from a startup, where two guys came in and told Spencer why their company would be successful (they also thought I worked there so they were especially kind to me, which was pretty awesome).

After that, we grabbed lunch where we got to talk more. He asked me some questions that I honestly had never been asked before like, “Can I see the home screen of your phone?” I thought this was odd at first, but then I realized as a VC this would be a smart way to see what kids my age are interested in.

After lunch, I got to meet with Camille Fournier, the CTO of Rent the Runway. It was so interesting to see how both Spencer and Camille looked at the world as well as evaluated whether an idea would be successful. They both were able to think of such unique implications of ideas–things I would never have thought of.

Next, one of Spencer’s friends showed him an app he was working on. Sadly, I’m not allowed to say anything, but it was honestly one of the coolest ideas I have ever seen, and in my opinion, could be one of the next biggest things. Just that alone is why I want to work in VC.

Having the opportunity to talk with Spencer about his love for Venture Capital and his journey so far was incredible. This chance to spend the day at a VC firm was priceless, and it assured me that this is something I want to do for the rest of my life.

The post This Student Got to Meet With the VC That Funded Snapchat appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

“What do you want to do after you graduate?” “What’s your dream job?” “Are you going to move back home?” “What are you doing with your life???”

For current college students and recent graduates, questions like these are all too familiar (and often quite traumatizing). For some, the answers are easy. “I’m going to grad school.” “I have a job lined up at ____.” “I’m going to travel around Europe for a few months.” These answers are great ways to defer painful questions, but the harsh reality is that every graduate program, job and trip has to end at some point, which brings us all back to the same spot: sweating and bumbling through an improvised “life plan” in an attempt to answer questions from pesky relatives and friends. What do you tell them? What’s the answer???

The short answer is…there is no right answer (sorry!). There are literally hundreds of effective ways to handle difficult questions like these, but to get you started, I’ve put together three of my favorite methods for getting through painful interrogations from Grandma, Uncle Mike, high school friends, your hometown grocery clerk and that pesky PTA board member who lives down the street from your mom.

1. Throw the Question Back at Them

You have your whole life to plan your life. No one says you have to have it all figured out by a certain point. Your goals, interests and dreams will change over time, guaranteed, and the best part? We’re all in the same boat.

Don’t believe me? Throw the question back at the person who asked you, sit back and watch them fumble through an answer the same way you did. When someone asks you about your life plans, they’re often making an attempt to avoid answering those same questions about their own life. So if someone asks “What do you want to do with your life?” and you want to end the conversation cooly and confidently, just say, “You know, I don’t really know yet! What do you want to do with your life?”

2. Make Up an Answer and Run With It!

If you want to say something a little more substantive than “IDK!” (even though it’s totally what you’re thinking), you can always try making up an answer.

Let’s say you just graduated with a Sociology degree and have no idea what you want to do. Your Aunt asks, “What’s your plan for after graduation?” and you know she wants a real answer. Think of a job that sounds interesting, a city you can picture yourself living in and a realistic timeline for lining everything up. Then give her an answer: “I’m going to spend the next three months applying for jobs in the field of Social Justice or community activism in and around San Diego.”

The key to this method is specificity and confidence. If you make up an answer, make sure you can always defend it and explain your reasoning during the interrogation. Your Aunt might be critical or inquisitive about details of your answer, but at least she won’t lecture you about not having an answer! And just because you tell one person that that’s your plan, it doesn’t mean that has to be your real plan! Consider it a placeholder answer while you work on figuring stuff out behind the scenes.

3. Ask for Advice

While it often feels like people ask these questions in a sick attempt to make you feel hopeless about your life, that usually isn’t the case. More often than not, your friends and relatives just want to feel involved and help guide you towards happiness and fulfillment.

To indulge them and to avoid floundering helplessly in made-up answers, try asking for advice the next time you need to answer questions like “what’s your plan after college?” People love talking about themselves and feeling helpful, so if you haven’t figured everything out just yet, try responding with something like this: “Well my degree is in History and I’ve always been interested in helping people. I think I’d like to work somewhere near Chicago after I graduate. Do you have any advice or recommendations on how I can pursue those goals?” You’ll be surprised by how well your answer will be received, and who knows, maybe your pesky Aunt or neighbor or friend will be able to help you out!

Ultimately, you’ll probably never have life “figured out,” but you’ll also be hard-pressed to find anyone else who truly feels like they’ve figured it out themselves, so don’t stress yourself out too much, and don’t let these questions drive you crazy. Stay humble, stay hopeful and you’ll be fine.

The post 3 Ways to Answer Questions Like “What Do You Want to Do With Your Life?” appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could walk into an interview and smoothly answer any and every question that came your way?

After going through many interviews ourselves as college students and recent grads, we know that being caught off guard isn’t fun (and won’t land you the job). That’s why we, here at WayUp, have decided to share our strategies for the 7 common interview questions you’ll have to face during your job search. This is the interview cheat sheet every college student needs to knock the interview out of the park.

1. So tell me about yourself.

Cut the life story to a minimum, and approach the question this way: What’s something that has happened in your life that speaks to your personality or your values? Are you someone who never gives up or the person your friends go to for advice? Tell your interviewer a succinct yet impactful story that isn’t shown on your resume or your cover letter. Read more.

2. Tell me about a time you failed.

Everyone has failed at some point in their life. All employers are trying to do when they ask you this question is determine how well you bounce back from your mistakes. Start with a real mistake, talk about what you learned from it and outline the steps you took to make things right. Read more.

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

“Idk…employed?”

You don’t have to know exactly what profession you want to pursue in order to answer this question — but your answer should include an essential component: at least one skill that’s simultaneously vital to the position and something you want to hone and pursue in the future. Read more.

4. What is your greatest weakness?

Employers don’t want to hear a “fake” weakness like “I work too hard” or “I’m a perfectionist.” Start with a real obstacle you’ve faced (whether in school or in your professional life) and talk about ways you’ve been working to turn it into a strength. Read more.

5. Why do you want to work here?

We all want to suppress a “Because I need the money!” in response to this question. Do your homework on the position and the company and talk about the initiatives that impressed you. Highlight some of the positive ways the interviewer spoke about the company and play up cultural fit if you’ve interviewed with more than one person in the office. Read more.

6. Why should we hire you?

Connect the dots for your employer by highlighting the top 3 or 4 qualifications you have that would make you successful in the position. (Hint: to do this correctly, read the job description very carefully and listen to the way your interviewer talks about the type of person needed for the position.) Read more.

7. What other companies are you interviewing with?

You have the right to remain silent.

Well, not really – but you do have the right to your privacy. It’s usually not a good idea to show your cards early on in the interview process (if you’re interviewing with the company’s competitors, that won’t go over well; if you’re not interviewing anywhere else, that won’t make you look great either). Focus on making your interviewer feel confident that you want this position, even if you’re considering other options. Read more.

Now go out there and land the job!

The post The Interview Cheat Sheet Every College Student and Recent Graduate Needs appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Imagine if you had 7 days to make it across Europe using only Red Bull cans as currency. 

At WayUp, we always encourage college students to try new experiences that will test their skills and their endurance – and we love featuring students who seek out those challenges. That’s exactly what three University of Florida students, Kate and Tessa from the USA and Natalie from South Africa, did for the Red Bull Can You Make It? Challenge, trekking from a starting point in Vienna, Austria, traversing Italy and Switzerland, and then reaching the Finish Line in Berlin, Germany as Team Beach Bull Blondies. Along the way they hitchhiked with a French priest, got an unexpected airplane ride, rode trains, swam in a glacial lake and made lasting friendships with people they would never have met otherwise. Although Tessa is currently on the road once again, Red Bull caught up with Kate, now a freelancer in video production, and Natalie, who is pursuing a career in medicine, to hear firsthand about their experience.

So you submitted an application video to participate in Red Bull Can You Make It and found out you’d been selected to compete. What was your reaction?

Kate: We were freaking out. I was studying for a test and literally threw my computer across the room and started screaming. Then I called Tessa and she started screaming, which her boss didn’t really appreciate since she was at work. 

Natalie: I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when we applied, so when we got accepted it was like, “Oh my gosh, this is actually happening.”

Once it sunk in, what did you do to prepare?

Kate: [laughs] We really had no preparation. Other teams prepared. We just hung out and realized that until we’re put in a specific situation we won’t know what’s going to happen anyway. So we just went into it with a good attitude.

Natalie: Because I’m from South Africa, I had to make VISA arrangements, and I would definitely advise any future participants who have visa requirements to start resolving them as soon as they can – it’s possible, but in many ways it was the hardest part of the experience for me. Besides that, the best way of preparation is not thinking about what you’re putting yourself into! The whole thing was awesome, but not planning actually made the trip. The times I had the most fun was when I was enjoying the moment, meeting the people around me and enjoying the culture – not planning the next move.

Any packing advice for the teams who are participating this time around?

Kate: Make sure you pack enough warm socks, and a proper jacket. Or a sleeping bag – yeah, that’s my answer. You’re going to be sleeping at random places like on hardwood floors, and with a sleeping bag you don’t need a tent if you end up sleeping outside.

Natalie: Definitely bring a skateboard. That was the best decision we made. Oh, and pack light. I left 90 percent of my stuff in Austria before we even started so that I could cram more cans of Red Bull into my backpack.

Can you give an example of a Checkpoint Challenge?

Kate: In Italy, our challenge was to find a guy in the middle of Venice, which is like a maze going through the streets and canals. It was mostly mentally challenging because you’d think you were in one place and you were in another.

Natalie: In Frankfurt, Germany, it was a sort of scavenger hunt that we were told would eventually lead us to a monumental thing in the city where we had to take our picture. We really got to see Frankfurt that way.

How did you handle down times?

Natalie: One of us was always strong for the rest, and if something didn’t work, we tried something else. For example, on our first day we hitchhiked with a French priest and then spent five hours trying to find the next ride after he dropped us off. But three hours later we were in an airplane because we went to the airport to sleep, and some air hostesses helped us get a flight.

The rumor is that you also talked the Austrian Air staff into skateboarding through the airport! So on that positive note, what was one of your best experiences?

Natalie: One of the moments that caught me off guard was in Lugano, Switzerland. We’d made really good friends with the guys we’d met, who took off work and school to show us around, and they took us on top of a mountain overlooking a huge lake. It just happened to be Tessa’s birthday, and as we were looking down, both of us started crying – laughing-crying – because we had this moment to stop and look around, and it hit us how blessed we were to have the opportunity. It was surreal.

When you finally reached the finish line in Berlin, how was it?

Kate: At the end everyone was so stoked to be there and hear all the experiences. There were 300 people in a room who had gone through that together. It was the coolest feeling in the world.

What’s one tip you would have for a team participating in 2016?

Kate: It’s not a walk in the park – it’s challenging but rewarding. So be present. When you’re finding Checkpoints, it’s so easy to worry about the future, but being present is a huge thing. Enjoy where you are and what’s happening.

Would you say that the experience actually changed your life?

Kate: Absolutely, it’s changed the way I view life. When you have privileges as we do – I mean things like our phones – you lose track of human interaction, and having to interact to eat and have a place to sleep makes you so thankful for what you do have. Since then I have not been complacent. I have a thirst for adventure. It’s also affected my worldview. People have this connotation of the world as a bad place, but I think that “don’t talk to strangers” is terrible advice. If you put yourself out there, all it takes is one conversation to see that strangers are the best.

Natalie: It’s probably the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me. The whole thing gave me perspective: I met people from all over the world who enjoy the simple things in life and enjoy traveling and adventure. I still can’t believe it – it was like a dream.

Click here for your chance to be part of Red Bull Can You Make It? 2016 – applications close on 2/14! If you want to learn more about the Beach Bull Blondies’ experience with Red Bull Can You Make It?, tune in for a Reddit AMA on 2/3 at 3 pm ET.

The post Red Bull Can You Make It? Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Our Back to School 14 Day Get Hired Challenge will get you in career shape this January. Your next challenge is…

Day 10: It’s Mock Interview Time

Now that you’re fully briefed on the tough interview questions that will come your way, it’s time to grab a friend and practice in person! Practicing by yourself is one thing, but putting yourself in an interviewing scenario will help you to be even more self-assured when you finally meet with employers.

Make sure to give your friends a list of the questions you’ve practiced so far and ask them to throw in a few unexpected questions as well to practice your ability to stay cool under pressure. Ask them to go through the interview at least twice, and encourage them to give you feedback on your responses and your mannerisms (in fact, before you do your mock interview, read up on the 3 interviewing habits that make you seem inexperienced and the worst body language for an interview). Put yourself in interview mode and pretend that you’re really speaking to an employer so that you can get the most out of the mock interview.

If you don’t feel like you can practice seriously with a friend, you can ask a professor or an advisor to test you as well, or check in with your career center to see if any career counselors are available to test your interviewing skills. Go get ‘em!

The post Day 10: It’s Mock Interview Time appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Our Back to School 14 Day Get Hired Challenge will get you in career shape this January. Your first challenge is…

Day 9: Tough Interview Questions 101

Up until now, every challenge has prepared you to look good on paper – but in order to come across well in person, you’ll need to prep for your interview. Our next challenge? Study up on those tough interview questions.  

Luckily, we’ve already put together a cheat sheet that will help you tackle interview questions so that you won’t be giving the employer a deer-in-the-headlights look. Start off with a few of these:

Questions about you that might make you squirm:

• What’s your greatest weakness?
• Tell me about a time you failed
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Questions about why you’re worthy of the job:

• Why do you want to work here?
• Why should we hire you?

And to throw in a wild card, see if you can answer a few of these real, off-the-wall interview questions that have been asked in interviews – coming up with answers to these will help you to practice your ability to think on your feet!

Once you’ve studied up on your interview strategy, write down your answers and practice so that you can focus on being confident in your response – just make sure you don’t sound too rehearsed! Remember that for questions related to the job itself, your answer should change each time to address the skills and qualifications the employer is looking for. Good luck and we’ll see you back here tomorrow for the next challenge!

The post Day 9: Tough Interview Questions 101 appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a college student or a recent grad, it’s easy to feel like you have more weaknesses than strengths. You haven’t had time to develop your skills like some of the senior-level executives have, and it’s discouraging to see all the entry-level openings that require 2 or more years of experience. It’s part of why I wish WayUp had been around during my first job search – it levels the playing field for all young professionals concerned about hopelessly competing with a more experienced crowd.

Now that I’m on the WayUp team, working so closely with the college students hired on our site, I’ve noticed that there are a few perceived weaknesses about students which call for a different perspective. Certain qualities which can be initially viewed as weaknesses in the workplace can actually give younger employees a distinct advantage, as long as they’re used in the right way.

Inexperience

In her Commencement speech to the Harvard class of 2015, Natalie Portman validated recent graduates, saying that “inexperience is an asset and will allow you to think in original, unconventional ways.” She painted a picture of how at times, experience can be crippling, describing a famous violinist she knows who can’t compose:“He knows too many pieces, so when he starts to think of a note, an existing piece immediately comes to mind.”

The surprising advantage to being inexperienced is that you come in with a clean slate – no preconceived notions or expectations, no limits to what you can or cannot do. At WayUp, we’ve seen this in the way our two college-age interns, Jess and Hannah, a senior and a junior at Cornell changed the course of our company through our big rebrand from Campus Job to WayUp. We had wanted to change our company’s name for months (we were tired of people saying, “Wait, you have jobs off-campus? Wait, you have entry-level jobs?!”). Though each person at our company had the experience and the capability necessary to conduct this change, it was our college-age interns with not even a year of experience under their belt who came up with our new name and designed our new logo, serving as the catalysts for one of our company’s biggest moments last year.

College students and recent grads: You have the ability to make a creative and pleasantly unexpected impact on any company by innovating and implementing new ideas. Regardless of inexperience, if you work hard and continue to think in new ways, you will tackle whatever you take on.

Introversion

According to Susan Cain, author of the book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking,” 50% of the world is composed of introverts. Despite this somewhat revolutionary number, that percentage may as well be less than 10%: The workplace has assertively valued extroversion, rewarding and promoting the employee who speaks up in meetings and loudly states his or her opinion.

As recent grads forging the way through our first jobs out of college, both my friends and I would recount stories where we felt that we had nothing valuable to contribute to meetings. We quietly offered up one opinion while senior level executives went back and forth on a particular proposal. Dealing with college students on a regular basis, I’ve noticed just how quiet they can be. (In fact, our team regularly interacts with students who have a chronic fear of the “Reply All” button, resulting in a few pretty disjointed and confusing email chains.) However, what I’ve also noticed is that while it may be tough to get introverted students to speak up, they have a tendency to be extremely thoughtful and excellent listeners. As an introvert myself, I took the opportunity to take in the environment around me and observe how my co-workers and upper management tick. It’s extremely valuable to have an employee who thinks and listens before they speak or act because it means that when they do decide to move forward in voicing their opinion, it tends to be a careful and thorough idea.

Making mistakes

Making mistakes isn’t something that is unique to young employees: Everyone makes mistakes, but because younger candidates haven’t learned all the professional protocol, there can certainly be a steeper learning curve. We’ve seen everything from students who cleared their hard drive and lost the entire footage for a contracted video to a student who showed up to a Skype interview shirtless.

The advantage for young professionals when they slip us is that they quickly figure out the right and the wrong way to go about their professional lives. They can learn from their mistakes, take ownership and figure out a way to overcome the minor bumps in the road. At WayUp, we even encourage our employees not to apologize – after all, mistakes happen – but instead, to find a way to make it better.

If you’re a young employee, find a way to leverage the weaknesses you have into strengths – and if they can’t be transformed, work as hard as you can to improve them. It may feel more like growing pains for a few months into your first job, but don’t discount yourself: Instead, create the opportunity to prove to yourself that you have an incredible contribution to make and your career will flourish because of it.

The post 3 Weaknesses You Can Use to Your Advantage appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

BTS 14 Day Get Hired Challenge

Going back to school in January is such a great feeling: a new year, a new semester, a chance to really start fresh. You’ve already pledged to work out and get in shape, try joining a new student group, head to the library more, even bag a couple of As in your classes. But January also marks an important time because it’s one of the biggest hiring seasons of the year. HR managers have received their new budget for the year to spend on hiring for new positions (#moneytoblow), so it’s the perfect time to ramp up your job search.

That’s why we’re putting together a 14-day challenge for you to get in career shape and get hired! We know it won’t be easy to stick it out through 2 weeks, but it will be so worth it when you get the job you want! We’ll even include a few of our best jobs along the way so that you have a chance to show off the new-and-improved you to the 7,000+ employers on our site.

Get pumped to get hired! We’re already getting warmed up. We’ll see you back here tomorrow for the next challenge!

The post Back to School 14 Day Get Hired Challenge appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

A film student at Loyola University with almost 60,000 YouTube subscribers, Tiffany Ferguson is an inspiration to college students who want to juggle school work and pursue their passion at the same time. “I built my channel off of being myself and being honest,” she laughs. “It’s easier to just do me anyway.”

Check out Tiffany’s amazing interview with WayUp below!

The post WayUp Interviews YouTube Star Tiffany Ferguson appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Even though WayUp makes it easy to hire qualified candidates, we know that interviewing students who haven’t had many years of experience can be a challenge. How do you know that your college age candidate will do a great job if offered the position?

Asking the right questions can reveal a lot about what a college student will contribute to your company as well as areas where the candidate may need a bit of support. As a company who has relied on students to support its branding and advertising efforts, we’ve put together a list of questions which will help you hire a student who can make a real difference at your company.

“Knowing what you know about the company and our offerings, what’s one thing we should change that would make us more successful?”

One of the assumed advantages of hiring young talent is that they can provide a fresh perspective on company practices and new ways of approaching projects – and while we have found this to be true for our company and many others, it’s important to test each candidate’s idea generation. When you ask this question, you ensure that the candidate has been paying close attention to your company (which implies that he or she is genuinely interested in the position) and that he or she is able to identify areas for improvement. Change is vital to any company’s growth and a candidate who can look critically at room for growth–and respectfully challenge and produce new ideas–is the type of candidate who can have long-term effects on your company, invigorating your employees and successfully repositioning your efforts.

“If I were to tell you to get 1,000 customers by tomorrow, how would you go about doing it?”

This is a question we ask candidates for our campus rep program – and when they’re hired, we tell them to move forward with their idea. Whatever the goal of the particular position (more content, user acquisition, higher product sales) set a high, hypothetical goal at the beginning of the question and ask the candidate to think big. The candidate’s answer will exhibit his or her creativity and work ethic, revealing just how hard he or she is willing to work to see success in the role. It’s also a great way of testing a candidate’s ability to think on his or her feet.

“What would your biggest fan say that you need to improve?”

A spin on the “What’s your greatest weakness?” query, this question allows you to get to the bottom of a fault that even your candidate’s biggest supporter wouldn’t be able to overlook. While college-age candidates are new to the workforce and are just beginning to discover their strengths and weaknesses, being self-aware at a young age shows an incredible amount of maturity. This question will allow you to evaluate their level of introspective examination. Not only that, but it can also help you to determine where the candidate may need support and training and if your company has the time and resources to meet that need.

Answers to these questions will be extremely important in determining how well the candidate will perform in the role, so make sure you’re keeping notes during the interview to accurately compare candidate’s responses. If you like what you hear, you’ll be well on your way to hiring a great candidate for the position.

The post 3 Interview Questions That Will Lead You to the Right Candidate appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You know those moments when you’re speaking with someone and the conversation is completely cordial, but you come away with the feeling that something was off? You probably received a few strange, nonverbal cues which signaled that the words being said didn’t match the vibe of the conversation: Ninety-three percent of communication is nonverbal.

As strange as it may sound, you should practice your body language cues – and not just your interview answers – before a big interview. While a firm handshake and a genuine smile will go a long way, there are a few body language habits you need to toss aside in order to connect with an employer. See if you’re exhibiting any of the behaviors below that are known for turning off your interviewer.

Crossed arms

While many of us consider crossing our arms to be a natural, relaxed pose (or something to just do with your arms), this position is often interpreted as defensive and even resistant. In a setting as intimate as a one-on-one interview, you want to make sure you open yourself up and seem accepting, ready to absorb the information and the questions that come your way.

Instead, place your hands in your lap and use a few explanatory gestures so that you won’t seem too stiff or closed off.  

Avoiding eye contact

It’s tough interacting with people in a new and stressful scenario–especially if you’re shy, but failing to look an employer in the eye signals a lack of confidence and even a lack of interest. Not only that, but it’s distracting: The interviewer will be too busy wondering what’s going on just over his shoulder because your eyes are darting all over the place.

Make eye contact with your interviewer during the conversation to let him or her know that you’re intently listening (but don’t stare the interviewer down). When it’s your turn to speak, try to pretend you’re talking to a family friend: This should help you to be formal, comfortable and confident when you’re speaking.

Fidgeting

Whether you’ve got busy hands or restless legs, fidgeting is often used to calm you down in an uncomfortable situation – meaning you’re giving yourself away as nervous or out of place during your interview. In a professional world that relies heavily on the “cultural fit” of candidates, looking like you’ve got one foot out the door won’t signal that the environment – or the people – are the right match for you.

Try to be conscientious of your fidgeting habits and do what you can to minimize them: For example, if you know that you have a tendency to fiddle with jewelry, leave the large bracelets and necklaces at home when you dress for your interview.

Syncing up your body language and your verbal communication paints a consistent picture of the positive energy you want to give off during your interview. Do what you can to ensure that you come across as open, comfortable and confident so that your interviewer will easily see the best (and more natural!) version of you.

The post This is the Worst Body Language for an Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether it’s your first job interview or your tenth, prepping for an interview—especially for a job you really want—is a stressful experience. It’s hard to anticipate the interview questions you may be asked, which can make preparation a challenging venture. However, there is one aspect of your interview you can prepare for: playing to your strengths. Highlight your talents so employers know the value you will add to their organization.

It may feel bizarre and immodest to brag about yourself, but that is what you need to do during an interview. So how can you identify your strengths? Follow the below tips for guidance on identifying your strengths for an upcoming interview.

Look at your experience

When you’re emphasizing strengths to a prospective employer, the best way to drive your point home is with solid, concrete examples (remember to always get metrics about the activities you do on the job). Think of the work you’ve done, whether in a job or even through projects or activities in school, and what strengths you’ve built through those experiences. Perhaps you were involved with campus government, which allowed you to develop strong leadership skills. Or maybe you wrote for the campus newspaper, where you crafted eloquent feature stories and honed your ability to communicate within a team. If you’ve had an internship in the industry, describe those experiences, what you learned, and how you contributed to the company through your work. Be as specific as you can—say something like, “I pushed for transitioning to a responsive design while on a team tasked with redesigning the website,” rather than, “I was part of a team that redesigned the website’s landing pages.” Providing examples of what you, specifically, contributed, demonstrates to employers that these are strengths you possess and have sharpened through practice—and not just generic interview responses.

Think outside of the box

In an interview, avoid emphasizing generic traits, such as being a hard worker or a team player. These are fine qualities to name, but you should think of a more unique strength you possess, or a more creative way to present a skill. What if everyone else interviewing for this position is also a team player? You want to stand out. Instead of saying you’re a hard worker, say that you take ownership over projects, and list specific examples that illustrate this dedication. Again, specifics are key and can help set your answers apart from vaguer responses. A good way to identify unique traits is to consider your unique skills. For example, you could say, “I am always looking for ways to learn new skills,” and include your software programming experience or French fluency as evidence of this. Think about something you can do that not everyone else can.

Tailor your skills to what the company needs

While it is important to identify a standard set of strengths you possess to touch on at any job interview, it’s equally important to tailor your strengths to each interview. Think of the skills you have and how they would benefit the employer you are interviewing with.

One strategy is to look at the job listing itself. Typically, the listing will include a qualifications  section listing the skills necessary to perform the job. How do your skills apply to the job listing? Just as you would list relevant qualifications in your cover letter, think of how your skill set would lend itself to performing those functions, and highlight that in the interview. It’s also important to not oversell yourself on skills you don’t have, which could become an issue if you do in fact get the job.

An interview can feel overwhelming, but the best preparation is preparation. Make identifying your skills an important part of that preparation. You know yourself, your skills, and your academic history—just do a bit of introspection.

Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

The post How to Identify Your Strengths for an Upcoming Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

There I was in a gray pantsuit when a gentleman in jeans and T-shirt led me to the office where the interview would take place. The scenario was perfectly normal except for one thing: He wasn’t wearing any shoes.

I felt overdressed and later on, over-prepared, because this guy already had his mind set on hiring me. He asked me a few questions with his shoeless feet propped up on the desk. Then, he told me I was hired because he knew everything he needed to know from my resume and saw my portfolio from my website.

Resumes are a powerful marketing tool that a lot of people don’t fully utilize. Everyone tries to squeeze in every last detail that may look impressive on a single piece of paper. They try tricks such as making the font-size very tiny, cramming sections together and lessening the margins. My resume was designed, had a header and has plenty of white space. The simplicity is what made it effective–it allowed my most important achievement to stand out.

Here are the key questions your resume should answer:

What do you do?

What is your trade? Your profession?

I added a section called What I Do to my resume to give people a quick rundown.

WHAT I DO

Web Design and Development, Responsive Design, Web Accessible Design, WordPress Solutions, Database Management and more.

How do you do it?

What equipment do you use? What software do you utilize? How do you do your job? Don’t list Microsoft Office unless you are a wizard at it. It is expected that you know the basics already.

Here’s an example:

SKILLS

Development

HTML/CSS
JavaScript
jQuery
PHP
MySQL

Software

Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign

Other Skills

WordPress
Photography
Public Speaking
Blogging

Where did you learn your skills?

At what school or in which courses did you learn your skills? If you’re highest education accomplishment was a high school diploma or if your high school was a magnet school where you learned your skills, then you may list your high school in the education section, but otherwise leave your high school off your resume.

EDUCATION

Pittsburgh Technical Institute, Oakdale, PA
Associate in Science Degree,
Multimedia Technologies, July 2014
Concentration in Web/Interactive Design
GPA: 3.74

Where have you used your skills?

What companies or organizations did you work for that enabled you to use and hone your skills? Don’t list every part-time job you had since middle school. Your experience section should be filled with jobs relevant to the job you are applying for.

Even if it’s a couple jobs, it’s better than a whole list.

EXPERIENCE

Company, Pittsburgh, PA
Web Developer July 2014
• Designed and implemented databases

Business, Pittsburgh, PA
Owner/Developer September 2012
• Designed and developed websites for clients

Internship, Pittsburgh, PA
Digital Services Intern April – June 2014
• Developed custom CMS solutions in WordPress
• Coded job board allowing applicants to apply via LinkedIn.

Do you use it anywhere else in your life?

Have you volunteered anywhere that allowed you to use those skills? Do you dabble in side projects relating to your industry? Do you write an industry specific blog? List anything you do outside your job that pertains to your industry in the activities section of you resume.

ACTIVITIES

InternMatch, Blog
• Contributor, November 2014 – Present

deCoding my mind, Blog
• Owner/Writer, April 2014 – Present

GiveCamp, Pittsburgh, PA
• Volunteer, December 2014

Have you won anything because of it?

Have you won any contests with your skills? Have you been recognized, certified or mentioned in the press because of your skills? Perfect attendance awards and honor roll awards should not be on your resume.

RECOGNITIONS

PTI Community Service Award
Pittsburgh Technical Institute, July 2014
Participated in PTI-sponsored service projects that benefited the community.

Art and Design Scholarship Competition
Pittsburgh Technical Institute, February 2012
Second place in web design category

Look over your resume, and see if it answers all these questions. Remove anything unnecessary. Too much information is a bad thing. Your resume should be easy to read and be straight to the point.

The post He Interviewed Me Without Shoes: Questions Your Resume Should Answer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Anyone who’s studied Physics will be familiar with the term vector. I became reacquainted with it while browsing through my high school textbooks and decided to adapt it as my personal slogan: Become a vector!

A vector is a quantity with both magnitude (a number or “force”) and specific direction, usually represented by an arrow. Why does this matter? Because in your job search, it is key to have a direction and to find ways to keep moving further forward along that path.

In my job search, I’ve become distracted by all the different career opportunities thrown at me, many moving along paths that seem interesting but aren’t right for me. It’s important to think of the purpose any job or professional interaction will serve in the long run. Will they get you closer to your dream career?

Having been in the job market for a short while and having found it frustrating, it’s easy to see how one can grow eager and  desperately jump at any opportunity. It’s important to be patient and always ask whether this will add substance to your resume.

I am an English major with a degree in journalism. I want to edit the next Harry Potter or interview Tyler Florence and be paid for it, but if an opportunity doesn’t get me even remotely closer to what I want, it’s not for me. If I’m not a vector, then I’m just wasting time.

So, things I have to remember:

1. What I want career-wise.
2. What my skill sets are.
3. Never to get desperate

Applying for jobs that are tailored towards my goals will go a long way in this process. Even if they are entry-level jobs, it can be a learning experience that will keep you on track to where you eventually want to go.

The post The Motto That Helped Me Stay On Track During My Entry Level Job Search appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

A recent graduate of Cal State Long Beach, Matthew Tran made a career change from engineering to media in 2013 that changed his life: he now leverages his YouTube channel of over 61,000 subscribers to give valuable career advice to students. WayUp sat down with him to learn a bit more about what he’s learned through his videos and the hear his insights on preparing for the real world.

Tell us how you first got into social media.

My first job in media was my YouTube channel — at the time, it was a hobby more than a job. I created the channel because I saw that there was some widely accepted career knowledge that was clearly wrong (e.g. ‘Just go to college, and you’ll get a good job’).

P.S. Check out Matthew’s shout out to WayUp at 2:19 below!

What is the hardest part about managing your YouTube while working?

One of the worst parts about being YouTuber is putting tons of hours into a video and then see it barely get any views. The hardest part about managing a YouTube channel while working is balancing these 3 elements when making a video: 1. Make a video that I’m interested in making, 2. Make a video that the audience wants to see, 3. Make a video that’s time & cost effective.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?

“Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat.”

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” — both quotes from Napoleon Hill

These quotes are significant to me because they changed my perspective on negative things that happen to me. I was actually fired from all 3 engineering jobs that I had. The 1st 2 times I was devastated, but the 3rd time I was actually excited. I did fail, but I saw it as an opportunity to pursue a career in media, which I’m much happier with. I try to flip every mistake I make into a lesson and see the silver lining.

In an alternate universe, what career would you be doing?

This answer is going to sound a bit ridiculous but in an alternate universe, I’d be a professional mixed martial arts fighter. I do MMA as a hobby. I’ve had a few rough sparring matches, and that’s when I learned I could never do it as a profession. Getting hit in the face by an athletic individual is an unpleasant experience. The idea of professionally fighting really stresses me out, but a part of me wishes that I could handle it.

If you had to give one piece of advice to college students across the nation, what would it be?

College curriculum updates very slow compared to real life. You’ll likely learn a lot of outdated knowledge in your classes. It’s important to always be learning your specialization outside of class. Also, if you don’t enjoy learning your craft outside of class, you might be pursuing the wrong career.

What advice would you give to students who want to pursue YouTube as a career?

It’s not about what you want to make: it’s about what the audience wants to see. Eventually, YouTube will feel like a job because you learn what your audience wants to see and that supersedes what you want to make because otherwise you have no audience to watch your videos. Hook the audience in the 1st few seconds of the video. Cut out any fluff in the video. Make sure video titles generate curiosity but don’t sound like click bait. Ask yourself why your channel is better/different than other current channels.

If you do a channel where you’re in front of the camera, then you have to watch your videos. If you watch my videos from the beginning of my channel, you’ll notice that my public speaking as increased drastically over the years. It was hard to watch myself, but necessary, very necessary.

What advice would you give to graduating seniors who will be starting their first full-time job next year?

Dating and finding a good job have an uncanny resemblance. I would equate a 1st full-time job to a 1st relationship. You think you know what you want in a partner/job until you actually get that partner/job, and it’s not how you imagined it to be. Then you notice things that you’d want in a job/partner that you didn’t know were important to you. That’s why I think it’s important to not be picky with a first job because sometimes waiting for that perfect job means you’ll be unemployed for too long. Even if your 1st job in unrelated to what you want to do, you may learn skills there that will help you down the road.

The post Interview with YouTube Celebrity, Matthew Tran appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

“How many lightbulbs are there in Manhattan?”

This is a common type of question you’ll have to tackle in a consulting interview (and they get even harder). Consulting interviews — especially those at top firms like Bain, McKinsey and the Boston Consulting Group — are known to make candidates wrack their brains to come up with their best-educated guess to off-the-wall questions and cases. As intimidating as these interviews may seem, with enough pre-interview study time, you’ll be firing on all cylinders. So, how can you best prepare for expecting the unexpected? Simple: You religiously read the two items in the list below.

1. Current Events

Staying up to date with current events can be a huge advantage in any consulting interview — especially with regard to the economy.  “Business and current events are likely to come up during the behavioral interview, and speaking to employers eloquently will show that you are genuinely interested in business — and hopefully you are,” says Alexa Fishman, a Senior Consultant at IBM. “You never know when a piece of knowledge like the unemployment rate in the US, trends in gas prices or the conversion between the dollar and the Euro — will come in handy, adding color and realism to your response during a case interview.”

Taking a look at articles in The New York Times and The Economist can give you the extra edge you need during your case interviews, and speaking of case interviews, you might want to read…

2. Case in Point by Marc P. Cosentino

Marc Cosentino has dominated the world of case studies for a solid three decades, teaching everyone from MBA candidates (The Wall Street Journal called Case in Point the “MBA Bible”) to graduating college seniors how to think like a consultant. With over 40 practice cases, this book is the perfect way for you and your job-seeking consulting friends to review case studies together and challenge each other to think in new ways that will help you ace your interview. You and your friends can even pitch in to share a book together to save on the cost.

Preparing for your next consulting interview by reading these two things will have you rattling off the answer to “How would you go about advising a hypothetical client on commercializing a teleportation device that they have invented?” in no time. (And yup, that’s a real thing.)

The post Don’t Walk Into a Consulting Interview Without Reading These 2 Things appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Highlighting her experiences as an intern,  Samantha Netzband offers some great advice on the best practices of being an intern. Samantha is a student at Syracuse University and was a business development intern at PAR Government, a technology solutions company. Samantha shared her story in this interview conducted by Jane Horowitz, More Than A Resumé.

Did you have specific career plans when you started college?

I’ve known since I was 12 years old that I wanted a career where I would solve problems and interact with and help people. I’m not strong in the sciences, so for me that meant becoming a family practice lawyer. As clear as I was, the journey to start law school was not.

I started Syracuse University as a triple major—English, Writing and International Relations. With my focus on law school, I found undergrad work frustrating; I didn’t want to wait four years to complete school. I decided to switch majors to political science, and then worked hard to complete school in two years. I start Syracuse College of Law this fall.

Tell me about your parents.

Both of my parents work for the government although in very different capacities. They instilled in me not specifically the idea of service, but doing work that helped people. My mother has said many times, “I don’t always get what you are doing, but I support your decision”. I’m very lucky to have that kind of support.

What experiences prepared you to start your first professional internship?

In the Spring 2015 I had an internship with the New York State Assembly. Although the work there didn’t directly prepare me for the internship I had this summer, I did start with an understanding of what is expected of interns and how to behave as a professional, not a student.

I’m glad I had that experience because I really didn’t know what I was getting into at PAR Government. It’s an information technology solutions provider to the government and I am not a tech person. There was a lot of complex, dense technical material for me to read and lots of report writing something I didn’t think I was good at but figured I would just have to learn as I went along. Fortunately, it turned out to be a good fit and very beneficial for both the company and me. I feel much more prepared to start law school.

What steps did you take to make sure you developed and learned skills from your internship?

My manager was very helpful. She asked me what I wanted to learn and what I wanted to get out of the experience. We discussed the good and the bad from my previous internship. When it comes down to it, you’re responsible for your own learning, but it helps when your manager gives assignments you will learn from. For example, in addition to reading technical material, conducting market research was new to me. I got to present the research findings to people all over the country. Having that experience will absolutely help me in law school.

What advice do you have for college students who are interning this summer?

I know in some companies internships are dirty work and sometimes people can be disrespectful to you because of that. One way for that not to happen is to see yourself as part of the team and just dive in right away, but don’t get too comfortable too quickly. You won’t know what minefields you’re walking into in the beginning. It’s also important to learn the company’s business and jargon used. The government uses a lot of acronyms and it was hard to understand what was expected until I learned them.

My advice is try to get an internship in the career you want but if you can’t, apply to other internship opportunities. I know I want to be a family practice lawyer, but also knew I was not going to get an internship in a law firm until I went to law school. I had internships in government, technology and a nonprofit. There are things to learn from every experience.

Do you have internship advice to share with your peers? Please submit your request for an interview at info@morethanaresume.com . Please include your college, major and graduation year.

The post InternView: Find Your Place in the Company Right Away appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Wait…why a video interview?

Video interviews are becoming an increasingly more popular way of seeing if a candidate is worth the company’s time. WayUp’s in-house recruiter Julie Olsson says that she can get a lot more from a video interview than a phone interview. “When you’re interviewing someone on the phone, you can’t pick up on their body language, eye contact or the way they carry themselves — which are all very important to understanding whether someone is a cultural fit for your company,” she says. “A video interview is more efficient because you can eliminate a person who isn’t the right cultural fit early on, and you have a lower risk of setting someone up that isn’t right to meet with your team.”

Employers are able to eliminate far more candidates from the pipeline because a video interview reveals if you’re ready and fit for the next hurdle. Because getting to that next round is crucial, there are a couple of ways to make sure you don’t stumble on the track.

You treated it as a chance to chill in loungewear.

As cool as it would be to get a job while wearing a onesie, a video interview is not a video chat. Sweatshirts, PJs and anything that would make you look like a cool person to chill with on a lazy Saturday (as opposed to someone an employer would actually want to hire) are out. Because this is the employer’s first impression of you, start off on the right foot by putting effort into your appearance. Dress like a professional – at least from the waist up. Try to match the dress code of the office as well – if you know that company employees dress in business casual, then wear business casual as well. If you need tips on what exactly that means, we can help.

You didn’t test the program or wifi beforehand.

Imagine if the only thing standing between you and the perfect job was a terrible Skype connection. Had you tested the program and your wifi a day or two beforehand–or even an hour before your interview–you might have been able to prevent any issues by moving to a room with a better connection or installing a new update on your computer.

The last thing that you want to do is miss out on a golden opportunity: so test, test and triple test. We recommend video calling a friend to ensure that audio and visuals are working as they should. Of course, sometimes these issues can’t be helped (we’re looking at you, Skype), which means it’s on you to do what you can to ensure that you still come across professionally…which brings us to our next point…

You constantly interrupted and talked over the employer

Even if there’s a bad connection, never, ever interrupt an employer – no matter what. Even if Adele and Sam Smith stroll into your dorm to perform the greatest duet the world has ever known and the internet is crashing — wait until the employer has finished talking to say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.”

In all seriousness, wait and listen before you interject: Even through a bad connection, you can sometimes hear what the employer is saying. Try your hardest to do that. When it is clear that they are finished speaking, ask them politely to repeat.

You used your phone instead of your computer.

During an interview, you should be focused on adequately answering questions and making a connection with your interviewer – not seeing which inanimate object will support your upright iPhone for at least 5 minutes at a time.

Use your computer, not your phone, to create a more stable view. This will allow you to move things around – i.e. lighting – and focus on what’s important: the interview. Make sure you put your computer on your desk or a pile of books to make sure that your eyes are square to the camera. If you don’t have a laptop, make sure to book a room in the library and use a computer there!

You didn’t check your background.

How about not having a pile of dirty laundry on your bed as the backdrop while you’re telling the employer that your organizational skills are unmatched? Just an idea.

We recommend a non-distracting background. Booking a room in the library is a big help and relieves the stress of having to rearrange your room!

Video interviews are all about self-awareness: how you’re presenting yourself to the employer and how you’re coming across to the employer. If you successfully pass the test, you’ll be well on your way to your first in-person interview at the company. Lights, camera, hired!

The post This Is How You Bomb a Video Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Katherine Berry (Katherout) is a sophomore at USC from the Bay Area studying Business Communication. She is no stranger to the struggles of managing a busy student lifestyle: not only is she a campus tour guide, a trumpet in the Trojan Marching Band, and a member of a few other academic and professional organizations on campus, but she also manages her YouTube channel of over 53,000 followers. WayUp sat down with Katherine to find out how she continues to thrive while juggling all her commitments and what she’s learned from her self-made business.

Tell us how you first got into YouTube.

I stumbled across YouTube when looking for reviews of a product I wanted (Floral Ugg Boots – very eighth grade of me). After discovering some girls that I related to a lot more than I expected, I decided I also wanted to share my opinions and advice through a channel! I began with a horrible webcam – started using my sister’s Macbook – and eventually have transitioned into a DSLR camera to produce my content.

What is your favorite part about YouTube?

My favorite part of YouTube is the support and connection I receive from interacting with viewers. One comment I received on a video said that this was the exact content they were looking for and that I gave them what others couldn’t provide. It was enough to encourage me to continue publishing my ideas.

What skills have you learned as a Business major that have helped your channel thrive?

I think if anything it’s my YouTube channel that has led me to thrive in business. I have an expansive knowledge of marketing and branding, as well as organic business development and customer loyalty. My classes have reaffirmed best practices and have promoted me to continue to build my target audience and capitalize on collaborations. I now look at corporate sponsorships through an entirely new lens.

What is your dream job?

CEO of The Walt Disney Company!

You give a lot of advice to people in college and people who are looking to go to college. What is the best piece of advice that you ever received? What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?

I think one of the reasons I had such a positive experience with the admissions process was that I did my best not to compare myself. Many of my peers of similar backgrounds may have applied to key Ivies, but I knew that my talents would be best cultivated at a school with a wonderful community of spirited and ambitious individuals that love to involve themselves on campus. It’s hard to forget prestige and only look at the school’s fit for your interests, but once I did that, I made the best decision of my life.

As far as the best piece of advice I’ve given about admissions, it would be to not let myself believe that I’ll get anything I want until I actually have it – especially with college apps. That philosophy will enable you to put just as much effort into safeties as reaches. Nothing is certain and the process is broken in many ways, but just know that as long as you dedicate yourself to the applications, the results will prove that.

Check out the advice video Katherine made for WayUp below!

What has been the coolest experience you’ve had through your site?

I think one of the coolest experiences was actually meeting and developing a wonderful friendship with the first channel I ever watched, MVMmakeup. Marlee’s personality came through in such a vibrant and engaging way that I really wanted to get to know her! Although our relationship started online, when we eventually met in person in San Francisco, the connection was totally there. I even got to see her in Hong Kong over the summer while I was interning abroad in China!

What inspires your videos? How do you continue to stay creative?

My videos are inspired by the gaps I see on YouTube. If there is a video I could really use but can’t find when I search for it, that’s the void I become determined to fill. I do my best to research and find the content that will best serve my community in ways other channels don’t. Continuing to stay creative is the biggest challenge, especially because I don’t even consider myself to be a creative individual. I usually rely on my viewers to tell me what they want to see next if I’m stumped!

Who do you look up to?

In the media, I look up to empowering yet hilarious female figures like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling. On YouTube, I really look up to creators that are able to balance multiple commitments effectively. For example, Casey Neistat creates compelling vlogs daily while developing his own startup with a wife and baby at home. I look up to people like HelloKaty, who is honest about how much of a struggle it has been to keep up with schoolwork and push out the best videos possible according to a schedule. Anyone trying to further themselves while innovating on YouTube is a major idol to me.

The post Interview with YouTube Celebrity Katherout appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Highlighting her experiences as an intern, Jordan Silverman offers some great advice on the best practices to implement during your internship. Jordan is a student at Tulane University and was a marketing intern in Jerusalem, Israel at Bettertrader, an Israel a trading systems start-up. Jordan shared her story in this interview conducted by Jane Horowitz, More Than A Resumé.

Did you have specific career plans when you started college?

I knew from the start that marketing would be a good fit for me because I like the creative side of business. Adding finance came later. I was enjoying the business classes I was taking and could see how having a background in finance would help me advance in a marketing career. Although I have my heart set on marketing, I don’t know yet if I’m interested in working at an advertising agency, a big company, or even in sports marketing. However,  I will cast a wide net and be open to opportunities that might not be apparent to me right now.

What are some of the experiences that prepared you to start your internship?

As a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, a nationwide business fraternity, I get to be with a group of very motivated students who are mostly in the business school. We’re not competitive. Instead, we encourage each other to achieve our individual goals. By attending events, such as hosting a business professional panel, I learned how companies view graduating students as potential new hires. This has been helpful when applying for internships.

Last year I did a semester at Vienna University of Economics and Business in Vienna, Austria. Living there helped me transition to my internship in Israel and the unique culture while some of the other interns I worked with at Bettertrader had a tougher time adjusting. In addition, some of the courses I took helped me develop a better worldview of how to market brands, making it easier to do my job.

What steps did you take to make sure you developed and learned skills from your internship?

Bettertrader is a startup company. I knew going into the internship that I would do a number of different jobs within marketing some of which would be new to me. For example, I created an email marketing campaign to engage potential customers. I was comfortable writing the content to present to decision makers at Bettertrader, but I needed to teach myself to use the software that would track customer response to the email campaign. I also created and conducted market research surveys. I really pushed myself to develop analytical skills, which I now understand are essential to getting a job in marketing.

What are some of the other takeaways from your internship?

When I start to look for a job, I knew I want to begin my career in a bigger company where I will have exposure to the a diverse networks of ideologies and people I can both learn from and see as mentors. I would not have known that if I didn’t have this internship.

From this experience, I can show employers how easily I adapt to situations, my willingness to take on responsibilities and my effectiveness working in teams. Every day I learned not to judge so quickly because it’s never as black and white as it might appear, especially when you are working in another culture.

What advice do you have for college students who are interning this summer?

My father gave me this advice: Each week take time to write down what you did. It’s easy to forget your accomplishments if you don’t track them. When you go to write your resumé or LinkedIn profile or preparing for an interview, you will have the information readily available.

I also think it’s important to speak up and do so this without offending others. Going to school in Vienna and working in Israel, I learned how to be culturally sensitive. I recommend looking for an internship outside of the U.S. because it’s another skill to differentiate yourself from other job candidates.

Do you have internship advice to share with your peers? Please submit your request for an interview at info@morethanaresume.com. Please include your college, major and graduation year.

The post InternView: What You Will Learn From Getting An Internship Abroad appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

A red flag, what does that mean? What are some of the things that an employer would flag as questionable? These are great questions! The biggest red flags that come up during the hiring process are having been fired, poor grades, a criminal record and no experience. Some employers would also consider poor references, having no degree, large timeline gaps or even being over-qualified as red flags.

An interviewer’s job isn’t just to find out why they should hire you, but also to unveil reasons not to hire you. This is why they sometimes ask about your weaknesses as well as about times when you failed. It’s also why they prey into any red flags that may come up through the venting process. Below is an exercise you should practice to feel more prepared and comfortable answer those difficult questions.

Conduct an honest personal assessment by writing down the following:

1. 1. Identifying the red flags of your work habits that might affect your employability.
   2. Identifying the reasons or set of problems that cause these behaviors.
   3. Explaining what you have done to improve the situation and the lesson you learned to reassure the employer that the behavior will not be a problem.

Here is an example:

1. 1. Red Flag: I was fired at XYZ Company.
   2. Reason: I was late for work many times.
   3. Explanation: At the time, I was working two jobs. One was a late night shift and the other started at 6am. When factoring in the commute time for both jobs, I was left with only 3 hours of sleep a night causing me to be late. While I take full responsibility for being late, my situation has changed where I no longer have to work 2 jobs. I assure you that if you hire me, I’ll demonstrate how reliable, consistent and hard working I am on the job.

Make sure you focus on how you have changed the situation and learned from the experience rather than focusing on the actual problem. I suggest going thorough this exercise and identifying what truthful information you can divulge that won’t be harmful to your chance of obtaining a job.

Also, I don’t suggest to voluntarily offer this information, but only if it comes up during the candidate screening process. Just so you know, legally employers cannot ask you certain questions, per the U.S Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), so understand your rights and what questions are acceptable to answer.

You want to make sure you reassure the employer that history will not repeat itself. Making excuses or blaming others for your problems highlights a more serious behavioral problem – not taking responsibility for your actions. Don’t be that person.  Be the person that is confident, resilient and dedicated to giving your absolute best!

The post How To Talk Through Bad Grades and Other Interview Red Flags appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When preparing for interviews, we know the basic questions we need to think about beforehand. We need to know facts about the company, our strengths and weaknesses and be prepared to showcase our prior experiences. While these questions may seem basic, it is important to come up with engaging and unique answers. You can give your interviewer a basic answer, but this makes you a less memorable candidate in the long run.

Here are very popular and basic interview questions that you should be prepared for. Even though these seem like basic questions, there is both an adequate and fantastic way to answer these questions. Here’s what not to do:

Tell Me About Yourself.

“Well, I’m Katelyn. I come from a sporadic family where I have 5 younger brothers and sisters. I love to read, and I most likely will read at one point on the job. When I was younger, I hated playing dress-up and preferred to play outside, read and play video games instead.”

Can you see how the above answer may result in the interviewer falling asleep and deciding not to hire you? When an interviewer asks you this question, they do not want to know your life story. They do not care about your life story. They want to know how you fit into the job.

This is something you can prepare in advance, like your pitch, and should be no longer than two minutes long. You should briefly state your education, work history, why you like the field and your skills that you have learned.

What Are Your Weaknesses?

“Chocolate. Seriously, offer me any type of chocolate and I will devour it as if I am breathing in air. It doesn’t matter if I am on a diet and trying to be healthy, I lack any sense of self control when it comes to chocolate.”

Everyone has a weakness for sweets and other bad habits, but your interviewer is looking for a real weakness you have that relates to skills, motivation or time management and how you are trying to solve it. They want to know that you can spot your flaws and that you are trying to overcome them.

Do not answer this question with, “I don’t have any weaknesses” or “I work too much.” Answer it with a skill that relates to working that you know you need to improve upon. For example, “I am slacking a little in CSS, and I am currently taking a course on Codecademy to strengthen it.

Why Do You Want To Work Here?

“I need a job. More specifically, I just need the cash. You guys were the only place hiring within 5 miles of me, and I think the view of the lake is nice from the office.”

You have already done research on the company and know a little about its values and culture. This is the time to show what you like about the company and how you would be a great fit. Here’s a better example:

“I want to work here because I think it will be a great place to put my skills to the test and gain experience working at a non-profit. I love volunteering and supporting organizations dedicated to social change. Since your client base is mainly non-profits, I feel that it’s a win-win all around.”

Where Do Your See Yourself in 5 Years?

“I honestly am not sure where I would like to be in 5 years; that is a lot of pressure. I haven’t thought about what I will be doing in 2 weeks let alone 5 years. I don’t have an answer.”

This is a hard question for many, and we’ve been getting this question since high school. The interviewer wants to know where you see yourself in five years in relation to the company. “In five years, I would like to be a senior developer managing several projects as the lead developer,” would be a good example. Just don’t say that you would want to be running the company in five years time.

What Factors Did You Consider In Choosing To Work in This Field?

“I didn’t really consider it. I just knew that I liked code, and I went for it.”

The above answer could actually be a good answer if you add what being the field has taught you and why you want to keep moving forward. Why do you like your field? Is it the work? The communities? Know that there is a problem and you have the skills to solve it? Work these into your answer.

These are the more basic questions in an interview. The questions that are really going to throw you off shouldn’t be these questions; they would most likely be unique interview questions that ask you about your favorite princess or how you would get yourself out of an odd situation. The questions that focus on your strengths, weaknesses and interests are the ones you should know backwards and forwards, so prepare for them ahead of time.

The post Are You Prepared For These Interview Questions? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You know how you should always ask questions at the end of your interview to show that you’re invested in the position? Well, there are some questions that won’t do you any favors when it comes to getting the job – including, but not limited to, things that will make your interviewer uncomfortable or suspicious of your intentions. Sometimes, it’s hard to distinguish the questions that are harmless from the ones that are harmful to your chances, but if you’ve asked any of the questions below, it’s time to rework your end-of-interview script.

“Wait…what does this company do again?”

Please see this cat as an example of how an employer feels when you ask this question. As soon as this question leaves your mouth, all the hard work you’ve put into making yourself a desirable candidate will fall to pieces. Why? Because you can’t convince anyone that you’re genuinely interested in the position if you have no idea about the company’s mission. You should already have a solid understanding of what the company does and how the role you’re applying for fits into its goals, so make sure to do your homework!

If you don’t have time to do a quick Google search before your interview, figure out a smarter way to ask this question, like, “What are some of the biggest challenges the company is facing?” or “How do you see my role contributing to the company’s mission?” This will come across a lot better than a clueless, “What do you guys even do?”

“So…how much does this pay?”

In the early stages of interviewing, your job is to show the company what you can bring to the table — asking a version of the question, “What’s in it for me?” puts your agenda first (and not in a good way). Salary negotiations typically come into play after an offer has been extended, so jumping the gun too early in the process can turn employers off. Save the money talk until you know you’ve gotten the job (or until you are specifically asked!).

“Are there opportunities for advancement?”

Not only have you not yet been offered the job, you haven’t proven yourself enough to ask this question. It’s great to be forward-thinking, but employers are hiring you for this role and are looking for candidates who are excited about fulfilling their current needs – not someone who views this role solely as a stepping stone.

Avoid this question and instead ask, “What does success look like in this role? What would you want me to accomplish 3 or 6 months down the line?” That way, you can convince your interviewer that you’re ambitious and willing to put your all into the role that you’re applying for – not the role you’ll get when you’re promoted!

“Can you tell me more about some of the negative reviews the company has received on Glassdoor?”

In general, it’s not a great idea to ask negative, personal questions – anything involving hearsay about bad leadership, poor turnover rate or the company’s growth (or lack thereof). During your interview, you need to put the company on a pedestal so that your interviewer knows that you truly want the position. Ask questions that portray the company as an opportunity – not as a major red flag.

“So did I get the job?”

Locking an interviewer into reviewing you right then and there is so uncomfortable. Even if your interviewer loved you, he or she needs to consult with other decision-makers before moving forward or giving you a definitive answer.

Be patient with the process, and leave the interview on a good note – you can send over a thank you note afterwards, telling your interviewer that you appreciated his or her time and that you look forward to hearing back soon.

If you’ve already asked some of these questions in your past interviews, don’t worry – each interview is a learning experience! The more you practice and see how each interviewer reacts to your questions, the more you’ll be able to distinguish between a good question and a bad one. Just make sure that you’re well-informed and positive and you ask for ways you can help to be the solution to the company’s needs. This will ensure that you don’t make any mistakes when your interviewer asks, “So, do you have any questions for me?”

The post 5 Questions to Stop Asking in Your Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Highlighting his experiences as an intern, John Grib offers some great advice on the best practices to implement during your internship. John is a student at Syracuse University and was a financial analyst intern at De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc., a global financial solutions partner. John shared his story in this interview conducted by Jane Horowitz, More Than A Resumé.

Did you have specific career plans when you started college?
I started Syracuse University with an interest in finance and capital markets, but also with an open mind. I found my career direction by taking business school classes, participating in the college’s investment club, and the Financial Management Association. My internship at De Lage Financial Services (DLL) was an ideal match with my interest.

What were some of your experiences that prepared you to start your internship?
When you start an internship a lot of your time is spent figuring out how to get work done and learning about the company culture. In high school I took advantage of the school’s internship program and started working at Ametek Inc., a global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices. As a business intern I received experience analyzing financial statements, working with business software, and presenting work to managers within the company. Learning what was expected of a new professional in the workplace was a key aspect of the internship.

This internship made starting at DLL much easier. I started having hands-on experience working with data, financial models, and analytics. I also knew how to behave in a corporate environment allowing me to focus on work and meeting people in the company.

What steps did you take to make sure you developed and learned skills from your internship?
Everyone at DLL from the managers to my co-workers in the department and in other areas had an interest in my learning. Right from the start I showed my willingness to learn by utilizing what I call having “big ears” or rather being a good listener. I’m not afraid of challenging myself to work on my own but also know when to ask my manager for clarification and direction. Listening and learning from everyone is essential.

What actions have you taken to turn your internship into a full-time position?
I went out of my way to meet as many people as possible. I got to know people throughout the company by learning about the work they do, how they got started, and how they managed their careers. Additionally, I was proactive in helping colleagues with their work. In addition to my manager, my co-workers and colleagues can attest to the quality of my work and fit with the company.

What advice do you have for college students who are interning next summer?
Don’t be the intern for too long. What I mean is at some point you have to transition and find your place in the company. You need to get comfortable quickly, be proactive, take initiative, and develop a reputation for asking smart questions. Never underestimate the importance of being punctual– your colleagues are counting on you to get work done on time. Get to know the people you are working with as well, everyone has knowledge and experience you can learn from that will help you learn the business and the industry. This is the best way to develop your professional network.

Do you have internship advice to share with your peers? Please submit your request for an interview at info@morethanaresume.com . Please include your college, major and graduation year.

The post InternView: Why Being A Good Listener Makes A Difference In Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Highlighting his experiences as an intern, D.J. Brooks offers some great advice on the best practices of being an intern. D.J. is a student at Harvard University and did an internship at Barka Foundation, a nonprofit focused on providing access to safe drinking water in Burkina Faso, West Africa. D.J. shared his story in this interview conducted by Jane Horowitz, More Than A Resumé.

Did you have specific career plans when you started college?
For me there was no doubt about pursuing a career in the medical field. I’ve always had a natural curiosity about how things work and biology was a strong fit for me. Attending Harvard University I had the opportunity to explore a number of concentrations in biology. With the help of my course work, a fellowship in a lab, the strength of global health initiatives at Harvard, and my experience working for the Barka Foundation my career plans had taken shape.

My focus is global health specifically infectious diseases. For me, this intersection of social and hard sciences allows me to work in both a clinical and lab setting. My plans include taking a two-year gap after graduation to do field work, and then work towards a medical and PhD degree.

What led you to your internship with the Barka Foundation?
You could say I’ve been working towards this internship since high school when I was first introduced to the Barka Foundation. In high school I organized 5K races to raise funds for Barka, and through my volunteering efforts I was able to develop a personal relationship with the two founders. The Barka Foundation’s work and approach is so inspiring to me that I started Initiative: Eau and after six years, I had the opportunity to intern with Barka.

The Barka Foundation focus is more on access to water while currently Initiative: Eau’s (Eau means water in French) is more on water quality, which aligns with my concentration and course work.

Tell me about your internship experience.
Most internships are about developing workplace skills. For me, this nonprofit internship provided an opportunity to experience how a more established NGO operates on the ground, in villages, and communities. For the Barka Foundation I organized years of video and other media to create marketing materials to attract potential donors as well as inform current donors and members of the board of directors. At the same time, for Initiative: Eau I was working to field test a program I developed in a mid-size city to develop the quality of the water system. Due to limited access to piped-in water, women must walk to water sources that are often contaminated by water-borne illnesses.

That’s what I did during the internship but it’s hard to describe the actual experience. The best I’ve been able to do is to say that life in Burkina Faso is visceral and real. For example, it’s very real that if the rainy season doesn’t start, people will starve– it’s a harsh reality. I gained perspective and my experience changed how I want to live my life.

This past summer I have set up a sustainable future for the work I want to do and for Initiative: Eau. Returning from Burkina Faso, I stopped in Washington D.C. and met with the World Bank and Peace Corp. to secure grant funding, scalability through the Peace Corp, and even a new board member.

What advice do you have for college students who are interning this summer?
Learn the value of connecting with people– they make your experience more meaningful. The people I met are the fuel that will allow me to continue to do the work that is important to me. Connecting has also helped me establish a solid network that I can rely on in the future. For example, in my first semester of my freshman year, I took a research position at the Harvard Law School with the Center on the Legal Profession. During that time I was working on the 501(c)3 filing for Initiative: Eau. With what started as a conversation on paperwork with the director of the center became Initiative: Eau’s pro bono legal counsel and is a non-voting affiliate of our board of directors.

Do you have internship advice to share with your peers? Please submit your request for an interview at info@morethanaresume.com . Please include your college, major and graduation year.

The post InternView: Inspired by His Internship This Student Started A Nonprofit appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Highlighting her experiences as an intern, Shelby Geraci offers some great advice on the best practices of being an intern. Shelby is a corporate communications associate for the  U.S. Silica, a leading producer of industrial minerals. Turning her internship into a full time position, Shelby shared her story in this interview conducted by Jane Horowitz, More Than A Resumé.

Did you have a specific career plan when you started college?

Not specifically, although I knew I wanted to do something that included writing, editing and public speaking. I just didn’t know what career fields would allow me to use those talents. I’m a communications major at Lancaster Bible College, and although it’s opened a lot of doors, it’s through the volunteer opportunities I took advantage of, and my internship at U.S. Silica that helped identify a career field.

Tell me about your parents.

I credit my parents for helping me discover my talents. They saw I had a knack for speaking in front of crowds and were very supportive. From an early age, I was encouraged by them to speak in church, at school and other events. I loved doing it. My parents own a mobile locksmith business, and always said to me, “Get a job doing something you love. Then you’ll never work a day in your life.” I love the work I am doing and going into work every day.

What were some of your early experiences that prepared for your internship?

In school, if there was an opportunity to write and edit I took it. I’ve written for the school’s magazine, newsletters and other publications. I volunteered to write the Communications Department’s handbook, working alongside the department chair. I tutored in the Writing Center as well and took a summer job writing copy for a plumbing website. I never passed on an opportunity that would help me hone my skills.

Tell me about your experience interviewing for the internship.

I think it was a typical experience. The hiring process included two phone interviews with Human Resources, a day of back-to-back interviews, and then again with Human Resources. I submitted writing samples because the internship was in the corporate communications group. The people I met with told me how impressed they were with the portfolio of work I was able to present. I was grateful I had a breadth of writing experience.

What steps did you take to make sure you developed and learned skills from your internship?

I think the most important question you can ask is, ‘what can I do better?’ The second is, ‘what else can I do?’ When you ask your co-workers and boss ‘what can I do better?’ you must be open, accept the feedback and then do something with what s/he said to you. People will see that the work is important to you and that you are intent on improving and developing your skills.

With co-workers, my boss and other people I worked with from other departments, I often ask ‘what else can I do?’ not to keep myself busy but to learn. I took advantage of every opportunity. As the summer progressed, I was given more and more responsibility. I worked hard to earn their trust.

Although there are probably stupid questions, it’s never stupid to ask for explanation or clarification when something is new to you or unclear on an assignment. I find that people really appreciate the opportunity to clarify regardless of how busy they might be. If you get it wrong, then you’ve just made more work for you and the project lead.

Although you haven’t graduated yet, you are a full-time employee with U.S. Silica. What steps did you take to turn your internship into a full-time position?

Before the internship ended, I asked for feedback on my work and let them know I was available for part-time work. I had already scheduled my classes so that I did not need to be on campus on Fridays and I knew that my course load allowed for part-time work during the week. When it came time to hire a full time employee for the group, I was their first choice. Everyone had agreed it was doable and so I worked remotely during the week and in the office most Fridays. It will take me four years instead of two to graduate college and I’ve had to become an expert in time management, but it’s all worth it. The U.S. Silica has been very accommodating throughout the process.

What advice do you have for college students who are interning this summer?

It’s important to take the work seriously and do the best work you can, even if it feels trivial to you. It shows that you respect the work and the people you work with every day. Take on responsibility. The more you do, the more you get to know other people in the company and the work they do; and the more willing you are to help others, the greater the opportunity is for you. You will have a lot of people in the company who can speak to your talents. Always ask for feedback and advice and then do something with the information people are giving you.

Do you have internship advice to share with your peers? Please submit your request for an interview at info@morethanaresume.com . Please include your college, major and graduation year.

The post InternView: How This Student Turned Her Internship Into A Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

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Like actors and dancers who have to audition in order to get a job, some jobs in other industries require auditions as well.

We see this in the tech field where programmers have to complete a coding project to demonstrate what they can do. We also see this in the education field where educators audit classes and take over for a lesson while someone else evaluates them.

Auditions shouldn’t scare you; they are there to see if you can do what you say you can do. It allows you to demonstrate your skills instead of explaining your skills and it shows you a glimpse of what your job is going to be like. Here are some tips on how to ace the audition interview:

Clearly Understand the Instructions For the Exercise

Jot down everything you are suppose to do, even down to how they want you to submit it. I had an audition once where they told me to type my name a certain way just to see if I read the instructions correctly.

Treat the Audition As If You Already Have the Job

This is a sample of what you would be doing as an employee. Pretend that you are already employed and treat the assignment like your boss assigned it to you. Be professional and thorough.

Take Ownership of Your Work

This is still an interview, so if someone asks why you are doing it a certain way, tell them in a confident manner about your approach. Don’t be intimidated.

Do Your Best and Re-read the Instructions

The employer wants to know how well you follow directions. Don’t stress out about being perfect. Just do your best.

Interviews are tough enough as it is, and it can be daunting to find out you have to audition for the part too. Just remember to treat it as if you are already employed and give it your best shot!
Did you have to audition for your job?

Photo credit: studio tdes

The post How to Ace the Audition Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

How should I prepare for a JPMorgan Chase interview?

You first want to have a very good understanding of the job posting and what it seems to entail for the role for which you’re interviewing. This shows that you appreciate what may be asked of you if hired. It also gives you time to prepare examples of how your past experience, educational or professional, will help you perform those duties because the conversation should inevitably turn to your qualifications at some point. You also want to have examples prepared of a time you took initiative and/or showed leadership and a time you adapted to a difficult situation. These demonstrate skills that transcend roles and fields and are valuable in any professional environment. As mentioned above, be prepared to speak on your strengths and how that will make you an asset to the team/department you hope to join, but also prepare a couple “negatives” that you can spin into positives. For example, when I interviewed for my job, I had never worked for a bank before or even in the financial sector. I mentioned that I thought that made me more open-minded and eager to learn. It is also a good idea to spend some time researching the firm or organization you are interviewing to join. Find out what you can about its structure, its history, and its leadership. This is yet another way you can show that you’re taking the interview seriously and are keen to succeed. Finally, come prepared with at least 3-5 questions for your interviewer(s). I recommend having at least two related to the role itself (What does a typical day in this role look like? or Are there opportunities for advancement?) and two for the interviewer personally (ask them about their background and how they came to be where they are now, and then I also like to ask not only what their favorite part of their job is, but also their least favorite). A firm handshake and eye contact can go a long way too.

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We once witnessed a job seeker come into an interview in a cocktail dress. While that was enough to get us started on writing this article, admittedly, we could all use a little help when it comes to dressing for different types of interviews.

When you’re dressing for an interview, you always want to err on the side of “nicer than normal.” While that can mean a lot of different things to many different people, there are few no-exceptions rules to keep in mind: no wrinkles, nothing sheer or see-through, nothing tattered or stained and definitely nothing too short or low-cut. Sounds simple enough until you consider the culture of dress at startups versus corporate offices.The way you dress will be an indicator to your interviewer of how well you’ll fit into the company’s culture.

We put together a quick dress kit to help you decide what to wear to your interview.

Startups

Startups tend to be all about casual or business casual attire – a nebulous term, we know. Here’s what we’ve dubbed to be in the “safe zone” for interviews at a startup: a nice button-down and casual slacks work well for both men and women (or a blouse and slacks for women). A casual blazer isn’t necessary, but it’s always a nice touch, as is a nice casual, yet appropriate dress with a blazer.
Try to steer clear of jeans: You want to make sure you don’t look too casual walking into your interview. You can, however, show off your personality with some colored pants (shown below). In terms of shoes, the safest way to go is close-toed–that means no sandals or flip-flops. However, we’ll give a green light for flats, loafers and small, close-toed heels.

Corporate

For your interview with the JPMorgan Chase’s of the world, your attire will have all your friends saying, “I see you!”

For men, this usually means wearing a two-piece suit, tie and shined shoes. Try to steer clear of bright colors, since some corporate offices are more conservative when it comes to anything besides navy, gray, white or black, and you’re better off being safe. Note: If you’ve ever watched the show “Suits,” that’s a great reference point for how to dress for a corporate interview.

For women, there are more options available (which makes it all the more confusing!). You can wear anything from a nice blouse and skirt or slacks to a professional dress. The same rule applies when it comes to that pop of color – try to dress in more muted tones for your interview.

If you choose to wear a dress or a skirt, a good rule of thumb is to make sure you’re not wearing anything too short; the hem should be relatively close to your knees. If you’re still unsure about length, take it back to the middle school uniform regulation days: Let your arms hang to your sides – then see if your hem is longer than the tip of your middle finger. For shoes, it’s usually a good idea to wear small, close toed heels, but if you’re uncomfortable wearing them, then a nice pair of flats works perfectly. It’s more important for you to feel your best when you’re heading off to your interview!

For corporations like Google or Red Bull, you probably shouldn’t dress as formally as you would when walking into an interview at a bank or a law firm. Business casual attire is definitely safest for these interviews.

Remember that every company is different, so even with this guide, it’s always a good idea to do a quick Google image search of the company’s employees – chances are, the team has been featured recently in a press article or on their own company blog, so you’ll be able to get some sense of what expectations are when it comes to attire.

Good luck on your next interview – we know you’ll be dressed to impress!

The post Startup V. Corporate: What to Wear to Your Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Yikes! I have an interview in a few days, and I have nothing to wear. Let me put you at ease and give you some tips or reminders regarding your wardrobe.

An interviewer’s first impression of you is based on your appearance, before you even open your mouth. Clothing is a way of expressing yourself. From head to toe, you are branding yourself and projecting how you want the employer to perceive you. Hair, make-up, style, etc. all sums up what you are trying to project to the world. However, for an interview,  you need to keep your main goal in mind, which is not so much about expressing your individuality but about GETTING THE JOB!

The following tips are geared towards traditional wardrobe attire. However, dress for the industry and geographical area, so if you are in fashion, dress fashionable; if you live on the west coast, the attire might be more casual. I highly recommend that you do some research about the specific company’s culture before making any assumptions. However, it’s also a good idea to err on the side of caution, and be more formal than informal.

Here are a few things you might want to consider before your big day:

Style, Fit, & Colors: For the older, more conservative organizations and intuitions, I would recommend a full suit. Men, you can wear fitted khaki pants with a dark blue blazer for more relaxed environments. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and be over dressed than under dressed. Men, please don’t have baggy or wrinkled suits. Women, please, please, don’t wear  outfits that are too tight or too short, especially dresses/skirts. If you wear a dress, try to have it at knee length and compliment it with a blazer. I would recommend dark colors for more formal interviews: black, blue and grey. However, it’s okay to have a pop of color in a subtle way (i.e. a purse or a few bright colors in your tie).

Appearance, Hygiene & Grooming: This might be something simple, but please make sure you smell good. If you are a person who tends to sweat a lot and you are running around or trying to catch the metro before the interview, you might want to bring a change of clothes so that you won’t have sweat spots everywhere or have bad odor. Also, make sure not to go overboard with the cologne or perfume; simply spray it in the air and walk through it. You don’t want the interviewer to be distracted by any distinct smells. For women, make sure your hair is not wet from the shower. It should be pulled back nicely or combed thoroughly if you leave it down. Your make-up should be soft and natural; you aren’t going to a nightclub. For men, just try to have a fresh, clean look. Also, everyone should hide any visible tattoos with makeup; fellas take out any earrings and make sure your hair and facial hair is well-groomed. Again, once you get the job and have been at the company for a while, you’ll have the freedom to dress more like yourself.

Remember, dress appropriately for the industry. If you are in an industry like entertainment, fashion or fine arts, then you are expected to wear clothing tailored towards that industry to showcase your artistic side. Represent the brand you are trying to project, but regardless, you should look polished and sharp and you should exude great confidence to show that any company would be ecstatic to have you represent their organization.

Good Luck!

The post 2 Big Tips for Interview Wardrobe appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When your interviewer asks, “What other companies are you interviewing with?,” he or she has every right to be curious about your job search. What many candidates don’t know is that they have every right to their privacy when confronted with this question. Your other options don’t need be revealed until you are choosing between job offers, in which case it’s a good idea to use another offer as leverage to gain a higher salary.

As a candidate, you need to convince your interviewer that your primary focus is getting this particular role at this particular company.  That’s why it’s usually not a good idea to rattle off a list of other companies, especially if 1. you’re interviewing in a variety of different industries and roles (in which case your interviewer may get the impression that you’d be happy with a job anywhere) or 2. you’re interviewing with the company’s competitors. There’s also an awkward third scenario: You might not be interviewing anywhere else.

So how do you answer this question without really answering it? Always, always relate your answer back to the job you’re currently interviewing for.

If you are interviewing elsewhere, find a common theme amongst the roles or companies you’re currently considering. For example, you can say something like, “I’m interviewing with a number of organizations that will rely heavily on my social media skills, but I feel this role is best for my professional growth.”

If you aren’t interviewing anywhere else, don’t show your cards just yet: Employers tend to attach value to candidates who are being pursued by other companies. Instead, respond with something like, “I’m staying open to a lot of different opportunities at the moment, but it’s most important for me to find the best fit. That’s why I’m excited about this role in particular…”

At the end of your response, you should either express your interest in the role or talk about how the role can benefit you the most. Remember that hiring managers are more likely to extend an offer if they feel that you’re going to accept, so showing your interviewer that you see value and opportunity within the company can only help your chances.

The post “What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With?” appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a college student or a recent grad, you’ve worked hard to get internships and part-time jobs that will expand your skill set (and help pay for your tuition!). Still, no matter how much you take on, you’re young to the workforce and don’t have a lot of experience up your sleeve. We know: It’s hard out here for a hustler.  

There are a few things you can do to keep yourself from sounding more inexperienced than you really are. Check out our list of things to avoid in interviews – we promise that if you keep these 3 things in mind, you’ll be perceived as far more professional.

Don’t admit to being nervous.

While it’s normal to be nervous in an interview–especially during your first one!–most employers will expect you to be calm under pressure. There are going to be a lot of high-stress situations at work – late nights, intense projects with demanding deadlines and meetings with high-profile clients. Saying, “I’m sorry, I’m really nervous.” isn’t the best way to convince your interviewer that you’ve got it all under control.  

The first step is to be confident in yourself! You got the interview, which means that you already have what it takes to impress your interviewer. The second step is to practice – that means preparing for your interview and going on many, many more interviews. It’s the best way to get comfortable with the process.

“What’s your role again?”

We once had a candidate walk into an interview with our CEO Liz and ask, “Are you the Office Manager?” (#Yikes.) Don’t get us wrong: Asking your interviewer questions is great. Asking questions you should already know the answer to, however…well, that’s not the best way to showcase your due-diligence or your interest in the company. You should always, always research the company and your interviewer before stepping foot in the office. We can’t stress this enough! It will especially impress your interviewer if you show that you’ve researched before you ask your question; for example, you can say something like, “I noticed that the company is planning on targeting younger audiences – how is progress with that going so far?” Take a look on Google News and the company’s website a day or two before your interview – trust us, your interview will go a lot more smoothly because of it!

“Yes, I worked as a Campus Rep last summer.” (Silence.)

An interview is a conversation, and you can’t expect your interviewer to connect the dots for you. For each question that you answer, you have to tell a story about why your past work experience makes you qualified for the job. For example, you can say something like, “I worked as a Campus Rep last summer which taught me to tailor marketing strategies to specific demographics. As a result, I was able to increase monthly user acquisition by 15%, which is why I’m confident I would excel in this role.” That type of answer shows that you’ve taken the time to think about how your skills make you a good fit for the role – and it’s a great way to practice selling yourself in interviews.

Now, instead of exposing the skills you lack, you can show your interviewer what you’re really made of!

The post 3 Interviewing Habits That Make You Sound Inexperienced appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.