How Your Golden Key Membership Makes You a Top Job Applicant Today
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Fall 2016 Scholarship Winners Announced!
Today, we’re excited to display the recipients of the fall 2016 Golden Key headquarters awards. The winners of the Fall 2016 scholarships, in no particular order, are: Golden Key Joan Nelson Study Abroad Award ($5,000.00) Carly Hand, State University of New York at Fredonia […]
Win The Job You Want
Win the Job You Want
Brad Rainey, Executive Director
Golden Key International Honour Society
If you are a student at a university or college, you are most likely working to prepare yourself for your first job or a better job. The overwhelming number of respondents to a poll conducted by Harris Poll and commissioned by New America in 2014 cited job and employment opportunities as their top reasons to attend college. The best jobs for recent college graduates, the jobs you want, are ones that have to be won. If you want a great job with a great employer, you have to compete… and the better the job, the more competition you will face. If you are going to win, you have to be ready and the time to get ready starts when you enter university.
Based on my experience hiring graduates and helping grads get hired, I would like to offer some observations. Let’s break the process down into two parts:
- Getting the interview
- Winning the interview
Getting the interview
- Earn a degree that aligns with the career or profession to which you aspire. This is almost too obvious to mention but I see countless job applicants who lack the minimum educational requirements for the position for which they apply.
- Earn a good GPA. A 3.0 is good but a 3.5 is better. Many employers have a minimum GPA requirement. A great GPA won’t get you a job. GPA is less important than other factors in hiring decisions but a good GPA is required to obtain the interview.
- Master written and oral communication skills. Learn grammar and punctuation. Know how to structure a sentence. Practice listening and speaking to others so that you understand and are understood. A poorly written cover letter and errors in your resume are going to get you rejected every time. You can hire someone to proofread your cover letter and resume, but at some point in the hiring process you will communicate directly with recruiters and interviewers. You must be able to communicate effectively.
Winning the interview
- Demonstrate relevant work and leadership experience. An article published in USA Today College reported that work experience and leadership positions were more important factors in determining who was offered a position than GPA. Work experience and leadership positions were ranked almost evenly as the first and second most important factors in their hiring decisions by the employers participating in the study. If all types of work experience were equal, I would rank full-time employment first, part-time experience second and internships third. All types of work experience, however, are not equal. Work experience that is directly related to the position sought is going to count more than unrelated work experience. The summer internship with the engineering firm is going to weigh more heavily when you are interviewing for an engineering position than the full-time job as a table server.
Leadership positions are readily available on every campus. Every honor society, club, fraternity, sorority and organization has a need for officers. They also need leaders to chair projects. Take advantage of these opportunities and use them to demonstrate real leadership. Join an organization that will provide you with opportunities to grow through participation in worthwhile projects. Chairing a committee that planned and executed a community service project demonstrates real leadership and other skills which employers seek in their new hires. Golden Key International Honour Society chapters provide exactly these types of opportunities.
- Be professional. Professionalism encompasses all of the things that you should already know. Be punctual, respond promptly to emails, return phone calls, dress appropriately, be properly groomed, hide the tattoos and send thank you notes to recruiters and interviewers. If you really want to make an impression, send handwritten thank you notes.
- Prepare for each interview specifically. Study the job description of the position for which you are applying. Research the firm and learn what you can of their culture and values. To the extent that you can, determine what the employer needs and wants and articulate how you can deliver what they are seeking. Your objectives during the interview are to convince the employer that you have the skills to perform the job they are seeking to fill and that you will be a good fit for their organization.
Dream jobs exist and you can land one. Your chances of landing your dream job will be greatly improved if you prepare. You attend college for an education and to prepare yourself for a career. Studies and grades should be your first priority. Those required courses and Gen Ed requirements are important. Freshmen composition and speech are essential. Be active on campus. Join an organization and serve as a leader. Land an internship that is directly tied to the job of your dreams. Take advantage of what your campus offers and let those things help you prepare to get and win the interview that lands you the job of your dreams.
Read more about the New America College Decisions survey findings here.
Find out if you qualify to join Golden Key International Honour Society here.
Are You Watching Golden Key’s Professional Development Videos?
With all of the resources available, you might have overlooked another valuable Golden Key resource on the Golden Key website . . .
Golden Key Dallas Regional Summit 2017
It’s that time of the year! Golden Key kicked off its Regional Summit season with its first of three arriving to the Lone Star state; Dallas, Texas from February 3rd – 4th. Attendees got to enjoy the benefits of having their conference in the largest […]
Golden Key Spotlight: Patrick Mayoh
Why is a young man named Patrick Mayoh from Australia studying for his Masters in Public Policy at the Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, MA?
There are many reasons why Patrick has made that journey, including his commitment to his country, an adventurous outlook on life, and an overriding belief that many government programs can often do a better job of delivering essential services to the people who can benefit from them.
Patrick’s career was also helped when he became a Golden Key Joan Nelson Study Abroad Scholar, which provided $5,000 to help pay for his studies at The Kennedy School. We will hear more about that award in a moment. First, let’s learn more about Patrick and how he got where he is today.
About Patrick Mayoh
Originally from Sydney, Patrick attended the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia’s capital city. While earning an undergraduate degree in Asian Studies, he became involved in a cultural exchange program that brought indigenous young leaders from remote areas to Sydney and Canberra for a cultural exchange program. “It opened my eyes to issues of social justice,” Patrick says.
At about that time, Patrick was invited to join Golden Key.
“I was nominated to join because I was in the top ten percent of high-achieving academic students at my university,” Patrick recalls. “I remember wondering how I could afford to pay the $100 membership fee, which was a lot of money for me at the time. But I spoke to the Golden Key Chapter President and joined.”
Patrick began to enjoy benefits from his membership, including a $250 scholarship from Golden Key that supported his participation in the outreach program for indigenous youth.
Patrick finished his undergraduate work, then earned a law degree. Then he entered the professional world and worked for several years in Beijing, Hong Kong and other cities. Yet his desire to serve his country drew him back to Australia, where he joined the Australian Foreign Service. After three years there, he applied for admission to the Kennedy School and was accepted.
He also decided to apply for Golden Key’s Joan Nelson Study Abroad Scholar Award. He won, and received $5,000 to help pay for his studies.
“It is an incredibly generous award and a real game-changer for me,” Patrick says. “It offers me the opportunity to honor Joan Nelson, who was a champion of the Golden Key community for nearly a quarter century. It is very generous support and I am extremely grateful for it. Even though I am now working two jobs to help pay my costs – graduate school is expensive – the Golden Key award frees me to focus more on my studies and I am incredibly grateful for it.”
Patrick is now researching how the Australian Federal Government can support smart city initiatives to enhance the delivery and evaluation of city services. These programs have great potential to remove obstacles to the effectiveness of government programs (reaching the people they were designed to serve) and help ensure taxpayers’ money is well-spent.
Despite the pressures of being part of an intensive program of study, Patrick finds time for other pursuits in the Boston area. He is co-captain of the Kennedy School’s soccer team, which he describes as “the greatest leadership challenge I have had yet, given the trials and selection process! Cutting friends is not easy!” Plus, he has recently become engaged to Helen Zhang – a student he met at the Australian National University. “I could not have done any of this without Helen – she continues to inspire and challenge me,” Patrick says.
After completing his Masters next year at The Kennedy School, Patrick would like to re-join the Australian Foreign Service.
“It would be great to leverage my Kennedy School experience and participation in the Australian-American Young Leadership Dialogue to support the U.S.-Australian alliance. While planning in the Foreign Service is always a risky Endeavor, a posting to the US would be ideal,” Patrick says.
The Role that Golden Key Has Played in Patrick’s Success
Would Patrick recommend Golden Key to students who might join?
“Absolutely,” he answers. “Membership offers access to a community of very talented, hardworking people who give back. There are also many scholarship opportunities. There is the great diversity of chapters. I would have absolutely no hesitation about encouraging people to join. It gives me great pride to now undertake an exciting study abroad opportunity as a Joan Nelson scholar. A big thank you to Golden Key for making this possible!”
Everyone at Golden Key congratulates Patrick Mayoh on his award and on the ground-breaking research he is conducting at The Kennedy School. We are proud to have supported him and we wish him every continued success.
Balancing College with Your Personal Life? Golden Key Has a Scholarship for You!
If you’re like many non-traditional students, and are completing your studies while working or raising a family, Golden Key has JUST the scholarship for you!
Member Benefit Alert: Golden Key’s Education Debt Reduction Award
How would you like $10,000 to help repay the loans that you took to pay for undergraduate or graduate school? Learn how to apply here.
Success Strategies for Job Interviewing
With so many applicants on the job market today, it is more important than ever to stand out in job interviews. In today’s post, let’s look at some proven interviewing strategies for becoming the candidate that companies are eager to hire.
Present Yourself Strongly and Professionally in Your Interview
Of course, you will dress like a professional for your job interview. Here are some additional ways to project a professional image:
- Walk into the room confidently, smile, look your interviewer in the eyes, shake hands, introduce yourself, and say “pleased to meet you.”
- Carry your resume and supporting materials in your hand when you enter the room, so you don’t have to hunt for them.
- Display good posture and strong body language, without becoming stiff. One good option? If you are sitting in a chair with armrests, let your arms rest comfortably on them and sit straight, with both your feet on the floor.
- As the interview is coming to a finish, thank your interviewer, shake hands again, and make a confident exit from the room while maintaining eye contact.
Find One or Two Comfortable Ways to Connect with Your Interviewer on a Personal Level
It is one of the most effective ways to stand out from other applicants and be remembered. Some options:
- Make a positive connecting statement like, “You must be excited about working here! I am excited to be here.”
- If your interviewer has personal items on display, use them as a point of connection. If there is a picture of a children’s sports team, for example, you can ask about that. Is there a college diploma? If there is a shelf of books, comment on one of them. Even a song that is playing in the background or a plant on the windowsill can serve as a point of personal connection.
- Without prying, ask some questions to determine whether you and your interviewer have something in common. Do you live in the same town, root for the same sports team, or even ride the same transit line?
Study the Hiring Company before Your Interview
Your ability to show that you know about the company can go a long way toward making you a preferred applicant of choice. If the company has been in the news recently, you will want to understand why and be ready to talk about it in an informed way. Invest a little time visiting the company’s website and learn the following:
- The company’s history.
- What the company makes and does.
- Where the company and its facilities are located.
- The company’s mission, values, and charitable activities.
- Who the company leaders are and what they are like.
Ask Questions – Don’t Just Answer Them
Doing so is an effective way to show your interest in the job, showcase your smarts, and take control of the flow of conversation. Here are some strong questions to ask:
- “What is the most important trait you are looking for in the people who do this job?”
- “What is a typical day like on the job?”
- “Is this a new position?”
- “How many other employees are currently performing this job; Are you staffing up?”
- “Who would my supervisor and colleagues be?”
- “Do you offer training, and what is it like?”
- “What opportunities are there for advancement?”
- “Will you be scheduling follow-up interviews… what are my next steps?”
Talk about the Skills, Knowledge and Experience You Bring to the Job
Start by thinking about the traits and experiences that your interviewer is probably looking for. Depending on the position you are applying for, they could include:
- Experience working as a good team member.
- The ability to speak a second or third language.
- Maturity you gained while studying abroad.
- Specific skills you gained in school that you can use on the job.
- Honors and achievements, such as your membership in Golden Key.
- Demonstrated computer or technical skills.
- Your ability to recover from mistakes or setbacks in the past.
Listen Attentively and Closely
Good listening practices like these demonstrate that you are smart, focused and interested in the position:
- Sit calmly and focus on what the interviewer is asking, without allowing interrupting thoughts to intrude.
- Before answering, ask follow-up questions to be sure you have understood what the interviewer is asking.
- After answering a question, follow up by asking, “Is that what you wanted to know… can I add more?”
Follow Up Strongly
Doing so can make all the difference in whether you get a job offer or not.
- If you are genuinely interested in the job, say so at the end of the interview. If you don’t say you are interested, how can your interviewer know?
- Ask what your next steps are in the hiring process.
- Send a handwritten thank you note to your interviewer. Although that seems formal, it demonstrates your professionalism and strong interest in the job.
Any tips of tricks of your own for job interviews? What’s worked for you? What hasn’t? Add your experience in the comments below!
Golden Key Elects a New Board Chair
New Election to Golden Key International Honour Society’s Board of Directors ATLANTA, GA – Adnan Bokhari, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation for Enterprise Development, was recently elected Board Chair of Golden Key International Honour Society’s Board of Directors. He has […]
