Voodoo and Interviews

This one goes out to all of the new graduates at Cal State Sacramento! Okay, and I guess this applies to other graduates at other universities as well, but anyways... Go Hornets! Get ready to put your stingers up!

We are now reaching the point of freedom. We started with our GE courses in witchcraft and wizardry to finally completing those core classes that hopefully will teach us something in the real world. Sorry if I offended you Harry Potter and Twilight fans. (If there real to you, more power to you)

Speaking of fantasy and fiction, go see the Hunger Games if you have not yet seen it, one of my favorite movies this year!

Its time to figure out what we want to do and hopefully land that dream job that we all have been waiting for. Or hell, maybe you just want to go backpack Europe for the next 3 months.

If your jumping straight into the workforce, remember that competition is fierce and you are extremely outnumbered with applicants. But just like Katniss Everdeen, there is a small chance to win!

Talking to my finance colleagues, there seems to be a unsettling feeling in all of our stomachs when we talk to each other about what we will be doing post college. Besides one or two people in our circles, there have been no job offers as of yet and the interviews we have landed have been as shakier than grandpa before his hip replacement.

My best advice I can give you is to work on you interviewing skills. A resume is a resume, and it will always be just a resume. It is the bridge to the employer, and once you get through the screening process, its time to turn on your charm and practice your behavioral and technical questions until you have them memorized and personalized as your ABC's.


The joke that has been going around is that if you talk about any interviews you may have lined up or are waiting to hear back from, you must not say anything to anyone about it because it is bad luck and voodoo and the Interview God's will humble you without a job!

Unafraid of talking about interviews, I am currently on my second interview with one company, and third interview with another. Hoping to receive an offer, my game plan is to continually try to differentiate myself from any of other candidates that may have been interviewed.

For some tips on how to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack, my blog Hunt on the Hunt gives you some ideas.

Also check out my blog about the Hardest Interview Question that I have come across in all of my interviews.

Also before your interviews, remember a few things:

1. What sets you apart now is not what school you attended, but how well you will fit into this company's organization. They are most likely to want to know what type of person you are and what skills you have can relate directly to the position.

2. Research the company's ins and outs. Know who the key management team is, what they produce, who are their clients or customers, and determine how you can add value.

3. Bring copies of your resume

4. If you have any relevant work that you are proud of, AND IS ERROR FREE, bring it.

5. Dress Professionally

6. And finally relax, smile, and have fun!