Company profile
lowenull
there somewhere. But once you’ve landed the interview, the was typically a very shy, introspective type. I
I’m also asked frequently about cover question becomes, how do I prove that I’m thought he would be perfect since he was very
letters. I participated in a discussion about exactly what the company wants for this job? analytical and project-focused. The hiring
changes in the recruiting world with a panel There are the obvious things you should do to manager didn’t select him. I asked for
of employers and Career Services impress the employer- dressing a notch above feedback, and the comment was that he was
professionals recently, and the general what the work culture dictates, bringing extra very hyper and almost obnoxious during the
consensus was that the traditional paper resume copies and being optimistic and interview! I asked him why he’d acted that
resume is nearly defunct. Naturally, with its upbeat throughout the interview. But the one way and he said, “It was a job in a team
demise we’ve also seen the departure of the thing that impresses me most, which I find is atmosphere, and I was afraid they would
cover letter. Still, there is something to be very often lacking in candidates, is coming think I wasn’t a team player if they knew I was
said for a short introduction to the one or two- prepared with a lot of good, thought-provoking, shy.” Big mistake.
page document that’s meant to make the substantive questions. Recruiters and hiring A lot of times, candidates don’t realize
recruiter realize you’re perfect for the job. managers love to talk about their great how much time and effort is put into
My suggestion is to craft a succinct, well- company and why everyone should be developing the selection process for a
worded, relevant paragraph or two that you knocking down the doors to get in. Come position. Companies spend a lot of money
can plug into the cover letter field or use in the prepared to any employment related affair and manpower to come up with a process
body of your email. (Don’t bother attaching it (networking event, interview, panel discussion, that helps them find the exact right person
to an email, it won’t be read. It needs to be conference, etc.) with a few well-thought out for the job. However, if you’re not acting like
immediately accessible.) Try to avoid the questions. It’s fine to be specific (as in, “Can yourself when you’re going through that
common pitfall of simply summarizing your you tell me more about the challenges this process, it’s going to be very obvious to the
resume. Instead, use it as an opportunity to division encounters in a down economy?”), folks on the other side of the interview desk.
strike a personal note (as in, “I’m interested in and it’s even acceptable to get personal (such Especially in this economy, we employers
working for your company because,”) or to as, “What keeps you at Lowe’s in light of all the are placing more emphasis than ever on
point out a relevant talent that a recruiter may difficulties in the housing market?”) finding someone who is a real fit for our
not pick up on from the resume (such as, “My However, the cardinal rule (as any jobs. It’s the best way to ensure that we can
six years of volunteering with Habitat for recruiter will tell you) is that, ultimately, you pull together as a team… and that’s more
Humanity has taught me a lot about the home must be yourself. I have a friend whose son I important than ever if we want to get
improvement industry.”) set up for an interview with our IT division. He through these tough times.
38 TopMBA CAreer Guide
www.topmba.com
TopMBA CAreer Guide
www.topmba.com 39
MBA_SPR09_pp_001-051.indd 39 19/2/09 16:57:24
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