Editorial
careers
And it’s not just applications where those first of knowledge about the company and its products incredibly important to you and you already spend
impressions count; it’s those vital opening minutes and services, but also use your knowledge of its a massive amount of time on it. Invest some of that
of the first face-to-face interview. competitors and the industry in general to hint at good stuff when you are searching for, applying
“I walked into the interview room and the guy your general employability. Interviewers ask about for, and interviewing for your next role, and you’ll
was holding his briefcase in one hand and a your other options very regularly – don’t be fooled be fine.
soaking umbrella in the other. He hadn’t taken his into thinking that telling them ‘This is the only There is a whole world of advice available to
equally wet raincoat off and he looked, frankly, one for me’ is a winning response. you via careers services, social and professional
dishevelled. Confused by the lack of a free hand, networks and, of course, the internet. In fact, one
when I offered mine in
greeting, he dropped the
briefcase on his foot, yelped,
and then closed his eyes in a
mixture of embarrassment
and anxiety. He didn’t get the
job.”
You don’t say! And that
was for a senior role at a
globally-recognised consumer
goods company!
Here are a few more
interview clangers that
our industry insiders
advise you to avoid:
Lying: Now this really is a
massive no-no. There’s a big
difference between being
‘economical with the truth’ by
omitting your brief spell as a
pole dancer from your
resume, compared with
making up significant chunks
of your professional or
educational experience. It’s
not just the job you might
miss out on; it’s your
reputation in the industry
sector – people talk.
Negativity: ‘Anyone slating
their previous employers
immediately gets a big question
mark by their name…’ says a
recruitment manager at an
investment bank, ‘…even if it’s
one of our competitors!’
Recruiters always worry about
negativity – is this what you are
going to be like in their culture? Being generally unprepared: From the opening of the very best sources of MBA & Masters-specific
handshake and ice-breaking through to your careers information comes from the very same
Inappropriate clothing: Here I am telling you all understanding of the company you need to have people who bring you this TopMBA Careers
this when I myself once attended a first interview it all planned. Preparation leads to self-confidence Guide:
in a Dinner Jacket. I’d got dressed in a hurry and I and that in turn leads to the best interview results.
thought I was following the classic advice that a “It was all going great until they asked me for an Check out www.global-workplace.com or
black suit never lets you down. Only I grabbed the example of a successful management project I had www.topmba.com/careers for advice on everything
wrong combination and turned up looking like initiated and overseen – I just couldn’t think. In from perfecting your resume to choosing your
James Bond gone-badly-wrong. retrospect there were literally dozens of cases I ideal employer.
could have quoted but I hadn’t planned for the
Acting desperate: You really want the job – that’s question and I just froze”, says a Sales Director Get it right and the only time you’ll be needing
great. But it’s not the only option available. Show from a media company. that fridge will be to chill the bubbles when you’re
how much you want it by demonstrating your level Worried yet? You shouldn’t be. Your career is celebrating accepting the job of your dreams!

TopMBA CAreer Guide www.topmba.com 37
MBA_FALL_08_pp_002-065.indd 37 11/8/08 18:24:29
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