How I Got Hired

By: Maureen Corbett As of lately, hiring strategies are a hot topic of discussion. Everyone wants to know the newest tips and strategies as to how they can get into recruiters/employers minds and land their dream job. The secret though does not involve you wearing the perfect suit or having the correct handshake (although those aspects are quite important). Students have to be aware that when a company intends to hire someone for a specific job, the decision is not just based on the individual. It has to do with the overall qualities of a company, and where you might fit into the puzzle.

Before they even look at resumes, and healthy organization assesses where they already stand. Obviously if they are planning on hiring a new employee, they recognize the fact that the company is somewhat lacking in a specific area, and want to bring on an individual who can fill those gaps. They look at the skills and traits they already possess, and then try to define the kind of person who will supplement the people who are already employed.  This not only gives employers a way to specifically critique the resumes they receive, but it helps companies establish a cohesive leadership team that will allow them to make beneficial progress in the future. 

This applies to students in a variety of ways. One, it give you a piece of mind even if you don't land a job you thought would be perfect for you. Maybe you had a fantastic interview and said all the right things, but sometimes this is not related to the kind of person a company intends to hire. Secondly, it assures you that even though interviews are a formal setting, you need to be yourself. You want to make sure you are the right person for the job, and acting differently than you really are may put you at a disadvantage. You never know what kind of individual a company is looking to hire, so being yourself and asking your interviewer questions will help guarantee that you end up at a company that is right for you.

When I first applied for my internship with the Liberal Arts Career Development office, I was extremely nervous. However when I went to my interview, my conception of LACD was slightly altered. The Career Development team is a professional setting with lots of events and activities going on all at once, and I knew that if hired, I would have to be on my A Game at all times. But I also recognized that the people working there were friendly and personable, and it made me come to the realization that I could act that way as well. This knowledge helped me open up in my interview and be myself, which has helped me get to where I am today.