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Topic: how to approach an interview with HR
| Author | Message |
| no name | Posted – 3/28/2008 12:11:55 PM | show profile Hi all, So I just scored an interview for a summer internship at a major publishing house. The thing is, it's with HR, and my last HR interview at a different house didn't go as well as I expected. I think it might be because most of my previous internship interviews haven't been with HR, but with editors. I'm pretty sure one should approach an interview with HR differently...but I don't have enough experience to know what I should/shouldn't do. Does anyone have tips/advice on how best to approach an interview with HR? Thanks in advance! :) |
| foodlit | Posted – 3/28/2008 12:43:37 PM | show profile HR is going to be more general, with some of those typical interview questions like 'where do you see yourself in 5 years' Stay focused on the job you're there for, not your secret goal of being a novelist or caterer or something. Seems obvious, but I once had a friend who interviewed for an entry-level role and when asked the 5 year question, said, 'owning my own catering business' another person actually said, if you can believe it, 'hopefully married with at least one kid'. Of course, neither person got the job! With that five year question they just want to make sure that your career goals are realistic and inline with what the company does. It's okay to say, "I don't know exactly what position I'll have, but ideally I'd love to at the same company but with more responsibility" You are showing that you can make a committment, that you don't plan to stay a year and then travel the world or go back to school full time (and yes, both are things people have said when asked this question). They also want to know that your career goals make sense, and it's okay not to know what exact job you'll have in five years, but taking on responsibility is a humble way of saying "I want growth" which any sharp college grad does, but it sounds better than saying "I want a company where I can grow." You want to position yourself as someone who is promotable, by pointing out what you can do for them...not just focusing on 'I', what "I want", which is a common mistake new grads make. Also, by not mentioning a specific position you keep your options open...another common mistake is to shoot too high with that answer and say 'I want to be managing editor' or incredibly 'I want YOUR job' Yes, people have said both of those things, amazing as it seems. If you shoot me an email, I'll send you my word doc of specific interviewing tips...what to focus on for interviewing, resumes and networking...should be helpful for this interview! pamclaughton@comcast.net Good luck! |
