Interview season
ShareThisIt’s getting to be that time of year again. Yes, put away those twinkle lights and nicely wrapped presents because interview season is just around the corner and you’ll want to nail it.
Whether you’re applying for a summer internship or holding out hope for your first post-graduation job, the application process is only half the battle. It’s the interview (or sometimes a series of interviews) that will really give you a chance to show your potential employers just how awesome you are, so make sure to be prepared.
Corinna vanGerwen wrote today on her Dream Job TK blog about a panel recently hosted by Ed2010 Toronto that featured a trio of experts offering advice on how to nail a job interview. vanGerwen summarized the advice—from Best Health’s Bonnie Munday, Chatelaine’s Megan Griffith-Greene and Transcontinental Media’s Jenny Pruegger—into six knock-’em-dead tips.
A couple of my favourites:
"1. Know the magazine. The most common – and stupidest – mistake Griffith-Greene sees is people who come into the interview not having familiarized themselves with the publication. The interviewer isn't going to believe that you want to work there if you haven't bothered to read the magazine. Read at least three back issues, though reading more will give you a better understanding of the topics covered and tone of the title."
"4. Be a superstar. Griffith-Greene was impressed by a candidate who pulled out a sticky-note–riddled copy of Chatelaine filled with comments when asked what she did/didn't like about the magazine. Munday was impressed by a candidate who created a mock magazine all about herself, with cover lines and articles selling her talents and qualifications.”
Check out vanGerwen’s full post for more tips, and best of luck this interview season!
Whether you’re applying for a summer internship or holding out hope for your first post-graduation job, the application process is only half the battle. It’s the interview (or sometimes a series of interviews) that will really give you a chance to show your potential employers just how awesome you are, so make sure to be prepared.
Corinna vanGerwen wrote today on her Dream Job TK blog about a panel recently hosted by Ed2010 Toronto that featured a trio of experts offering advice on how to nail a job interview. vanGerwen summarized the advice—from Best Health’s Bonnie Munday, Chatelaine’s Megan Griffith-Greene and Transcontinental Media’s Jenny Pruegger—into six knock-’em-dead tips.
A couple of my favourites:
"1. Know the magazine. The most common – and stupidest – mistake Griffith-Greene sees is people who come into the interview not having familiarized themselves with the publication. The interviewer isn't going to believe that you want to work there if you haven't bothered to read the magazine. Read at least three back issues, though reading more will give you a better understanding of the topics covered and tone of the title."
"4. Be a superstar. Griffith-Greene was impressed by a candidate who pulled out a sticky-note–riddled copy of Chatelaine filled with comments when asked what she did/didn't like about the magazine. Munday was impressed by a candidate who created a mock magazine all about herself, with cover lines and articles selling her talents and qualifications.”
Check out vanGerwen’s full post for more tips, and best of luck this interview season!
Comment Policy
J-Source invites comments on any content items or on any other topics relevant to journalism. Those posting comments are expected to adhere to standards of accuracy and fairness that would be recognized by those who practise, teach or study journalism.
- Comments are restricted to registered users. You must register with your full first and last name in order to be eligible to comment.
- Please communicate as effectively and intelligently as you would in a professional or academic forum, focusing on the issues at hand rather than the characters or characteristics of those involved.
- This forum is intended for discussion of the craft of journalism, not of the issues of the day that journalists cover; please do not post story tips or press releases.
- We moderate the forum for adherence to these standards of discourse, and reserve the right to decline any comment or restrict any user from commenting without giving reasons. Every effort is made to approve valid comments within 24 hours of submission.
 | Support J-Source | ||
 | Best online-only article or series | ||
J-Source and ProjetJ are projects of The Canadian Journalism Foundation in collaboration with leading schools and organizations Editor-in-chief, J-Source: | |||
Recent Posts
2013-05-22 17:17
2013-05-22 10:52
2013-05-22 10:10
2013-05-20 18:31
Opinion: Media's latest stories on Toronto's Mayor Ford a challenge for a court fight
This is very interesting. But perhaps you've overstated the case. Truth is indeed a defense...
Peter Worthington: 10 facts about the journalist who wrote his own obituary
Peter Worthington would have known that there is a venerable tradition of journalists writing...
Opinion: Why all journalists should study public relations
I like this. It's very important to see the closeness of public relations and journalism....