Maroon Weekly

Do I, or Don’t I. That is the Question.

by Jen Woodlee

Yes, even college grads are having problems getting a job. That’s not to say that our $100,000 education wasn’t worth it, because it was. That’s not to say that our $500+ Aggie ring won’t help, because it will. Suffice it to say that along with these two amazing selling points, when you’re selling yourself in a job interview, you’ve been told you need something that will stand out amongst the thirty other Aggies vying for the same job. This is true, but there’s a bit more to it than saving the seals and rescuing a baby from a burning building. It’s less dramatic and definitely less Steven Seagal, but it will do as much as the former in putting your resume in the “call back” pile.

There are some good ways to garner attention, and there are some that will get you laughed out of the job of your dreams. See below for some Do’s and Don’ts of job interviewing.

Don’t speak overly loud. This doesn’t mean make the interviewers think they need hearing aids, but there’s nothing more obnoxious than someone you barely know yelling in your ear.

Do eat something before your interview. As natural as bodily functions are, interviewers to do not want to be reminded of your humanity. They want to believe that you are a juggernaut someone built with the specific purpose of ensuring the success of their company, so don’t disappoint them.

Do give them a chance to talk. Sure, this interview is about you. This one interview is supposed to determine how you will fit in with the other employees; if your skills are up to par; and if you will be an asset in the future, but if you don’t give the interviewers enough of a chance to ask the right questions they will never know, nor will they care.

Don’t you dare wear a costume. If you’re interviewing for a job at a law firm that specializes in cases of animal activism, it is NOT okay to dress like a murdered chicken. Although you think your getup exudes your passion and relevance to the matter at hand, they will see a liability.

Don’t lie. If you’ve made it this far in the process, they have done their research on you. This probably includes looking at your Facebook, background checks, and other information gathering venues. They’ve probably Facebook stalked you as much as your new significant other. Now that you think about it, how did she know about that night in the hot tub?

Don’t give them your life story. This includes traumatizing breakups, the reasons you moved out of your apartment, or the day your dog died. Stay on topic, and veer away from the controversial or heavy topics.

Above all else, do be you. If you’re not going to heed any advice given to you previously about job interviews, pay attention now. Do give the committee interviewing you some credit, because they can spot a faker a mile away. When you are truly yourself, you are calm, collected, and exude confidence far better than your murdered chicken costume. Do give yourself a chance to succeed by putting yourself in the best position to be successful, just as Aggieland taught you how to.

Do represent Texas A&M with passion and honor. Do remember your roots, and don’t you dare forget to wear your Aggie ring.