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Students learn real-world interviewing skills
By Stephanie Hallman
J-Lab Staff Writer
Job interviews: the thought of them is almost enough to make any senior abandon senioritis and wish for another semester of 16 credits. But a recent on-campus seminar may have eased these anxieties for some students.
The Career and Academics Office invited Western Baptist alum Nathan Knottingham to share job interviewing tips in a seminar on Feb. 15.
The seminar covered the finer details of interviewing, including what to wear, how to speak, tricks to thinking on your feet, and how to answer questions quickly and succinctly.
“Everyone, no matter if they are graduating now or later, needs to hear these things and start practicing,” Knottingham said.
Daren Milionis, director of Career and Academics, explained that graduates come back to campus periodically to give career advice to students.
Knottingham graduated in 2003 with an interdisciplinary degree in English communications and business management. He currently works as a loan officer for Professional Mortgage Corporation, but initially after graduation, he worked his way up in Starbucks until he was managing his own store.
“During that time I saw a lot of interviews take place and many from people with college educations,” Knottingham said. “Unfortunately, few were ever very good.”
He summed up in one word the biggest interviewing mistake he sees college grads make: ego.
“It’s all about humility,” Knottingham said, explaining that even the way an applicant treats a secretary can influence a manager’s decision. “Tell the truth, even if it is ‘I don’t know.’”
A resume is also key to success. “An employer knows within 30 seconds of looking at it if they even want to talk to you anymore,” he said.
“Be diligent in what you’re doing,” Knottingham said. “The shot gun approach [to getting interviews] won’t get you the best. Spend some time picking out a couple jobs you’re interested in, and go for it.”
With graduation just a few months away, graduates have precious little time to prepare for job interviews. But after four years of presentations, papers, tests, and quizzes, are graduates ready to face them?
“I would say no,” business professor Don Leavitt said. “They just do not have a chance to practice the skill during college. I am not sure how the college would address this issue, but maybe a workshop is the best way. I would say that all college grads have the same problem, not just at Corban.”
