Here are a few tips to ensure that your preliminary phone interview increases your chances of being invited for a second interview.
1) Smile
Smiling when you speak brings energy and excitement to your voice. Make sure you sound enthusiastic about the position.
2) Make the call from home or quiet area
The more controlled the space you’re calling from, the less room for distractions and other unanticipated events.
3) Have a physical copy of your resume
Have a physical copy of your resume and the job description in front of you during the call. Have a copy of answers to standard interview questions such as, “tell me about yourself,” thus to alleviate your stress about formulating a response.
4) Disable extra phone features
Whether it’s call waiting or an answering machine for an additional phone line, turn off all your phone accessories. These noises can be a distraction and embarrassment, sabotaging your chances of moving the interview process forward.
5) Don’t feel you have to fill the silences
This is a common error made by candidates on the phone. Because they cannot see what the interviewer is doing during the silence they feel compelled to fill it with babble!
If you have completed your answer and the interviewer is quiet it is probably because they are making notes or sorting through their questions. Allow time for this.
Follow these few steps and the odds of making a good impression are on your side!
Why not experience some delicious French food on Valentine ’s Day? Balthazar is one of my all-time favorite spots! The menu has a wide variety of foods ranging from Duck Confit, Chicken Liver, Escargot to Crème Brulee and Profiteroles, to name a few!
Salmon Ratatouille
My all-time favorite is the Salmon Ratatouille! If the image doesn’t speak volumes already, then you just have to try it! A healthy and scrumptious choice!
Perfect place for a perfect date!
Location: 80 Spring St between Crosby & Broadway. Tel 212-965-1785
President Obama challenged Congress this Tuesday to revise national immigration laws and allow 11 million illegal immigrants residing in the U. S. to gain the right to become citizens. Obama’s plan was met with criticism from some Republicans who believe that securing national borders should take priority before the question of legal residency for illegal residents should be considered. The Obama Administration has also issued a warning to Congress to move forward on the proposed immigration legislation in a “timely fashion,” or risk having the White House setting a specific measure to demand a vote. However, there is no news yet about what the specific measure might entail. Where do you stand on the illegal immigration issue? Tell us your opinions in the comments section below.
China’s President-elect, Xi Jinping, annouced this week that the Communist Party would not compromise in matters involving ‘central territorial and security interests.’ These interests include halting any independence uprisings in Tibet and Xinjiang and claiming Taiwan under its jurisdiction. Xi’s announcement is in line with the sentiments he expressed one year ago while visiting the U. S. where he similarly demanded respect for China’s “core national interests.” The announcement also paints a picture of China’s heated territorial feud with Japan over the Diaoyu (Senkaku) islands in the East China Sea.
On Friday, John Kerry was sworn in as the nation’s new Secretary of State, succeeding Hilary Clinton. Clinton leaves an impressive legacy behind her, having visited more countries during her four-year tenure of all of the prior Secretaries of State. As part of his new diplomatic duties, Kerry will be reaching out to foreign dignitaries as soon as Monday morning. What issue would you like Kerry to tackle first in his new post? Voice your thoughts in the comments area below.
Lincoln in New York – Weissman Center Reports
The Bronx Library Center branch of the New York Public Libraries has put together an exciting, free exhibit that examines the myths and controversies surrounding our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. View artifacts that highlight Lincoln’s presidency and New York’s influence on the Civil War. A must see for history aficionados! The exhibit runs until 2/28. More details here.
Winter Workspace: Preserving Flowers through Art – Weissman Center Reports
Much of nature’s beauty is not everlasting, but there are some ways you can try preserve the beauty. Wave Hill, a public garden & cultural center in the Bronx has a fun and free workshop on 2/5 that teaches participants to create artwork with flowers as brushes, flower pressing, and petal pigments. Art materials will be provided. Pre-registration is highly recommended. More details here.
It’s all about who you know in the job industry. Connections can give you an edge over other prospective job candidates. You may not know it but you already have access to a plethora of connections. College is one of the best places to meet new people and network. Joining a club or organization on campus is the simplest way to start this process as you are immediately introduced to a number of students who are there to help you. Below, two students at Baruch tell us about their experience and knowledge of this social practice.
The Students:
Victoria Lee is an upper senior majoring in English Literature currently working at Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. She is a member of alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Inc. at Baruch.
Daniel
Daniel Ramdular is an upper junior majoring in Human Resource Management. He presently works at the Weissman Center for International Business at Baruch College and is a member of BaruchSHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management).
What internships, jobs, or work experiences have you had?
Victoria: I’ve worked at LUSH Cosmetics, Holiday Events LLC, Danielides Communications Inc., STAMP Event Management, and at The Estée Lauder Companies.
Daniel: I’ve interned at a luxury hotel my sophomore year and a staffing agency my junior year. I’ve worked for the US Census Bureau in 2010 and started my job at the Weissman Center in 2012.
How has being in an organization and/or club on campus benefitted you?
Victoria: Prior to joining, I was a reserved, stereotypical Baruch student: come to school, go home, and repeat. None of the clubs on campus appealed to me until I found aKDPhi.. I’ve met sisters from all across the nation–some that have shared their passion in event planning with me.
I knew that I wanted to become an Event Planner after joining aKDPhi because as sisters, we are constantly planning events. Prior to working at my first major event related internship at STAMP, I had already developed the knowledge of contract negotiations, developing budgets, and creating showflows and dayflows. Essentially, I was an event planner without even knowing it. Currently, I work at The Estee Lauder Companies as a Travel and Meeting Planner. I was referred to my position by my Big Sis from aKDPhi. I hope to return the deed by mentoring aspiring planners as I gain more experience.
Daniel: Being in a professional organization helped get my foot in the door at my first internship, as my boss was also a member of BaruchSHRM. I learned a lot from the numerous guest speakers and networking events my organization has sponsored. BaruchSHRM also helped me obtain the job I currently have, because my current employer was a guest speaker at one of our professional events, I was well aware of the organization and its role on campus. Being a part of the organization really helped me stand out from other candidates.
Do you have any recommendations for Baruch students looking to expand their networking opportunities?
Victoria: Don’t be afraid to network. Regardless of whether or not you are part of a Greek organization, try and get to know the members. Most Greeks at Baruch have already established themselves in the professional field while developing great social skills. You can truly have the best of both worlds.
Daniel: Definitely look into joining an on campus professional organization. They go out of their way to help students expand professionally. Through my professional organization, I had the opportunity to volunteer in corporate settings, participate in discussion panels and network both on and off campus. Also, at a club/organization’s event, professionals can interact with you more personally. That is how I obtained my first internship.
Joining a club is a great stepping stone to meeting new people. The relationships you build with these new people can benefit you. Through them, you can learn about opportunities for jobs, internships and more!
You can browse the list of organizations established at Baruch here.
Name: Michael Illas Major: Corporate Communications Expected Graduation Year: 2014
A childhood dream of Michael Illas was to travel to Europe. This dream was realized when he flew to Budapest, Hungary with the guidance of and a travel grant from the Weissman Center for International Business.
From May 26th to August 24th 2012, Michael interned at Globekids Züm-Züm Nursery School. Globekids aims to create an international environment for young Hungarian children by incorporating foreign nationals into their nursery school programs. Interns learn how the Hungarian education system operates and take home stronger management skills at the end of the experience. Michael’s position consisted of taking care of and teaching English to Hungarian toddlers. Michael tells us that there isn’t a day that passes since he’s returned to the States without him recalling the memories he made while taking care of children in Hungary.
Michael also had the opportunity to travel to other European cities such as Siófok, Visegrád, Vienna, Florence and Prague in the three months he was overseas. He was excited to learn about different cultures, make new friends and try different (and delicious) foods through the experience. Through the experience he has matured and he thanks the Weissman Center for International Business for its guidance and for providing him with a travel grant to pursue the internship.
If you have wanted to see what it is like to work overseas or have questions about our Center’s exclusive travel grant, come by the Weissman Center to schedule an appointment to speak to our Work Abroad Coordinator. We would be happy to help you realize your dreams, much like Michael did.
We are conveniently located at 137 E 25th Street 8th Floor (across the street from the VC).
