with communicating their accomplishments to the employer. Earl remarks, “Research has shown that males may be more apt at talking about what they’ve accomplished and what they’ve gotten out of a particular experience.” Translation: the humble-brag is your friend. Therefore, students shouldn’t be shy about explaining not only what they have learned, but how it counts as a personal success. Earl says, “When we [Career Development] are coaching our students for the interview we teach them to talk functionally about what they’ve done and what they’ve achieved so that companies and organizations can see how they are going to bring something exciting to the table.” Councilors at Career Development will sit down with students and have them list out their accomplishments, even if they are already laid out on the resume, so that during the interview the students will be comfortable highlighting their achievements. It is important for students to remember that in many ways the interview is about selling oneself to the employer. Be vocal. Express how you are, indisputably, the best candidate for the job. While it is important to demonstrate your “go get ‘em” attitude, that’s not to say there isn’t a place for introverts in the interview process. Introverts make for naturally good listeners, a quality, although difficult to demonstrate in an interview, which can make all the difference in a hectic work environment. Introverts are less likely to go off on tangents when answering questions and may have an easier time tailoring their responses. They also have a tendency to think before speaking, which greatly elevates the quality of their side of the in-
terview, particularly in comparison to the more rambled, lengthy interview of an extrovert. There are pros and cons to both personality types, but remember these often neglected positive features if you find yourself in the introvert category! Non-verbal statements are also fundamental to giving a great interview. Earl notes that a firm handshake given with eye-contact is a key to coming across as confident and in control of the interview. Equally as important is the golden rule: dress to impress. “It sounds comical but image is everything,” says Earl. He advises that students “research what’s appropriate for the culture of the industry.” For those students who don’t own appropriate attire, Career Development offers a program called Suitable Suits, which allows students to borrow suits for interviews, information sessions, or career fairs. The suits are always freshly dry-cleaned and the closet is replenished annually with new outfits for students. While Earl warns students to air on the side of conservative, especially in skirt length, when going in for the interview, it is possible to let your attire reflect your professionalism and confidence while still revealing some unique aspect of your personality. Earl remarks that a Barnard student can often be identified at Columbia career fairs because they incorporate a nice scarf or interesting jewelry that reflects an independent sense of style.
the internship opportunities available to students are unpaid but Earl says the interview is the time to ask the employer for pay or a stipend. “It is absolutely appropriate to ask for compensation or a stipend,” assures Earl. If the employer says that they are not able to offer pay, it is suggested that students sit down with the employer and walk through the job description to articulate what they want to get out of the internship and the skills and abilities they want to hone. “It is important to get something substantive out of your internship experience,” continues Earl, “so it is worth your time.” If an unpaid internship is in your future, Barnard can help you afford it by offering school year and summer grants. The grant process is competitive, but students can win up to two thousand dollars and housing in New York City for a summer internship. In order to give as many students as possible an opportunity to win, it is almost impossible to win more than once.
Before you begin the upcoming interview season, be sure to stop by Career Development’s weekly interview workshops where students are recorded while giving a mock interview that is later analyzed for feedback by one of the councilors. Additionally, students are given a digital copy of their interview so that they can re-watch themselves in the privacy of their homes and work on weak areas without the scrutiny of the councilors. Whether you’re an underclassman, or a seaMaybe most importantly of all, don’t soned interviewee, Career Develbe afraid to get down to brass tacks opment will help you nail the interby bringing about the question of view! payment. Because after you nail the interview, you need to know whether or not you actually can afford to accept the job. Similarly, many of