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Show Page 5 Knowledge is the key to getting a real job pieces of that corporate recruiters give is, The more you know about our company and the job youre interviewing for, the better your chances of getting an offer. The truth is, the more knowledgeable a candidate is, the more they will shine in interviews. Recent graduates should not consider the interview an information gathering process, but a forum for demonstrating their resourcefulness and ingenuity. Lynn Nemser, a corporate human resources consultant with Partners in Performance Inc. in Pittsburgh, says graduates who continue to use their good student approach to job hunting are the most successful in finding the right jobs. Research is absolutely critical. If they start their career explorations the same way they start their courses, they are going to be successful, she says. Theres no shortcut to good research. Use all the sources available. Find out everything you can about the industry in general, and a company in particular, by scanning library databases for current newspaper, magazine or trade journal articles. Also check reference books and the library card catalog for any books that might have been written about the company. The following sources will help you find the latest information: Info Trak, a computer database that surveys most newspapers, magazines and trade journals. Value Line Investment Survey, a monthly publication that provides current information on major corporations. Business Periodicals Index, a listing of publications that might pertain to the industry youre One 'l i i t i I 33 I HUM I i LJ of the most often-repeate- d researching. National Newspaper Index, a daily compilation of news stories from major city dailies. Ask the companys public relations office to send you a copy of the most recent annual report and a financial statement. These will provide information on the companys earnings, forecasting, competition, and products and services. Also ask for any recruitment benefits brochures they might have. Call your alma maters alumni office and ask if there are any graduates who work for the companies in which youre interested. Its especially effective to talk to someone who is in a job similar to the one you want. Call those people and ask to meet with them, if possible. Otherwise, ask questions on the phone. Your goal is to find out what they do, if you are capable of doing it and if youre right for it. Also ask if they could help you in any way. Here are some other questions to ask before the job interview: How many employees? How old is the company? Where is the companys main headquarters? What business activities is the company involved in? What are its main products or services? Who are its customers or clients? Who are its competitors? What is its market share? Annual revenues? How is it weathering the recession? Have there been any Questions to Ask: Job Characteristics What qualifications, in terms of grades, work experience or curriculum and background, are required or preferred? What personality traits are most desired? What is the corporate culture and philosophy? Mission statement? Dress code? Working conditions? What types of jobs are available to liberal arts lay-off- graduates? What is the starting salary or range? What types of training programs are offered? What are the benefits? What is the specific hiring process? (How many interviews, with whom, resumes, transcripts?) What are the drawbacks to working there? What is the interviewing process? Where? What questions do they ask? Describe a typical day or week. Any advice and tips for getting a job there? Another strategy is to make a personal visit to the store, facility, office or corporate headquarters before your interview. This will help you get the feel of what it would be like to work there. Dont be afraid to chat with a receptionist or other employees you encounter. Be straightforward and ask them what its like to work there and if they can give you any advice. The information, knowledge and insight you gather during this research process will give you confidence for interviews and crucial information with which to tailor your resume. of "The Woodruff and Placek are 150 Best Companies for Liberal Arts Graduates" (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., N.Y.). |