With graduation just eight weeks away, 23 business and community leaders will test 45 Northwest Christian University’s graduating seniors on their interviewing skills during a series of mock interviews scheduled on campus for Wed., March 9, 2016.
“NCU’s mock interview sessions prepare graduating seniors to compete in a highly competitive job market,” said Angela Doty, M.A., GCDF, NCU’s Director of Academic Services & Career Development. “Business and community leaders lend their time and expertise to interview students and provide them with feedback so they can transfer the knowledge and experience they have gained as students to become professionals beginning their career working in their chosen field.”
Doty offers five interview tips for soon to be graduates and for all others pursuing new jobs:
- Research the position and company thoroughly in advance. Know how to present your qualifications in the context of the organization’s culture, mission and goals.
- Provide concrete and relevant examples of past accomplishments for every question. Be specific, but varied, in the types of examples shared. Create “hi-def” images figuratively and literally of past performances that draw in the interviewer.
- Give a firm handshake and have confident eye contact. Use your non-verbal communication to engage with each person you meet, from the parking lot to the boardroom.
- Always prepare questions to ask during the interview. Don’t ask questions that could be answered by looking at the company website. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.
- Be yourself. Don’t try to be the person you think that they want to hire. People connect best with those who are genuine and authentic. When you start to feel nervous, pause and take a deep breath. You’ve got this!
“All of us are nervous before job interviews,” Doty said. “If you do your homework, ask thoughtful questions, and be yourself, you’ll find the right job fit, and so will the employer.”
Doty says more than 20 local business, nonprofit, and church leaders, as well as campus staff, will interview the students in a “speed dating format” that allows the students to experience many different interviewing techniques and receive feedback from a variety of professionals.
Mock Interviews are from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and noon to 4:00 pm in the Banquet Room in Burke-Griffeth Residence Hall on the NCU campus.
About Northwest Christian University
Northwest Christian University is a liberal arts institution dedicated to providing a transformational education that champions wisdom, faith and service. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the University was founded in 1895 and is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. Northwest Christian University offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in traditional undergraduate, adult degree, and graduate program formats, as well as online programs for MBA and M.Ed. More information about the University is available at www.nwcu.edu.