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It’s that time of the year again when instead of competing for the highest GPA grads are vying for a seat at the boardroom table.<\/p>\n
I had the pleasure of speaking with my nephew who is a second\u00a0year student in a Business\/Marketing program and well poised academically to begin his professional career.\u00a0 The question he was concerned with is how to figure out what jobs he should focus on and how he should look for work when he graduates.\u00a0 On the one hand, I am incredibly proud of him for being so proactive in already thinking ahead to competitively position himself as he considers next year\u2019s courses by carefully considering what summer jobs will best highlight his skills and ability to help him live his dreams.\u00a0 On the other hand, I am struck with the focus that my nephew, like many new grads, is grappling with \u2013 grades<\/strong><\/em>, being the top in their class, and showcasing their smarts through their marks.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get me wrong, the results you get in school are very important and demonstrate a level of cognitive skill in a well-rounded program that conveys a thorough understanding of your area of study, but it is simply not enough.<\/p>\n To stand out in today\u2019s uber competitive environment, to connect with an employer who has a gap to fill in their team, to really be successful and kick ass on your interview, you need to put all the pieces together.\u00a0 You are more than your marks, more than your GPA, and more than the one-page resume that outlines some school names and unrelated summer positions like bartender, camp counselor, retail specialist, or chip stand worker.\u00a0 What makes you, YOU? IT\u2019s not all about the jobs you’ve held during your student career, it\u2019s how collectively they drive, challenge and inspire you.\u00a0 Each situation has drawn something different out of you \u2013 something that goes far deeper than your ability to analyze data<\/a> or research information for an essay.<\/p>\n As I said to my nephew, it is not simply enough to call attention to your academic accolades, it is imperative that you connect with the person sitting across the table from you in the interview so they feel your presence, so they want to continue engaging with you, and so you can demonstrate the value you will bring to the team and the organization.\u00a0 Yes, it may just be a \u201cjob\u201d you are looking for out of school, but don\u2019t sell yourself short.\u00a0 Market yourself like any good company markets its products and services \u2013 to appeal to the emotional connection of the market they are targeting.\u00a0 This only happens if you connect your passion and enthusiasm with your drive, your integrity, your know-how, and your talents.<\/p>\n Here are four tips to help you ace your next interview.<\/p>\n \n Get exclusive insights into digital \n \n \n Stay Forward <\/h2>\n
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