The Office of Career Development, the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the HR Advisory Board, and the NSU SHRM chapter will be hosting a mock interview night on Nov. 13 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in the Carl DeSantis Atrium. It is open to all NSU students who want to practice their interviewing skills and expand their professional networks.
The interviews range anywhere from marketing positions to management and finance positions. When students sign up for the event, they will have to RSVP on Handshake and email their resume. When they arrive on the day of the event, they will receive a packet with a list of who they will be interviewing with. Each student is guaranteed two interviews from a large selection of employers.
Emilio Lorenzo, the associate director of employer relations at NSU, said, “Even if you don’t want to work for one of the companies in attendance, the event is a chance [for students] to get their brand out there and get comfortable with how to sell themselves to other individuals… you may be a good public speaker, but interviewing is kind of like baseball because the longer you go without having one, even if you are experienced, you need to get some rust off. What better way to do it than to interview someone who wants to give you feedback and help you grow?”
Johnny Kevorkian, the graduate assistant for employer relations, also recommended that students visit the Career Development Office at NSU in order to prepare and put their best foot forward at the event. He said, “Making an appointment with Career Development can help students fix their resumes and get it catered towards what companies they want to meet with.”
In addition, to resume services, the Office of Career Development also offers interview prep and assistance for students to develop their networking and professional skills. Even if your resume is fine, setting up an appointment is still a great chance to make yourself shine. Kevorkian explained that students should also be ready to talk about themselves when networking with professionals. Unlike a career fair, which allows students to network with potential employers in a relaxed setting, an interview allows students to get a personal opportunity to meet and talk to professionals.
Lorenzo also highlighted the importance of networking in future employment and professional opportunities by saying, “Today, 80% of the jobs we get are through our network and who we know, so what better way to do that than [by making] connections with people who have real decision-making abilities. I think it’s very important, no matter where you stand on your professional development, to constantly push yourself out of your comfort zone.”
For additional information or to RSVP, visit http://app.joinhandshake.com/events/333493.
Photo: T. Gouw
