Like many industries, the beauty industry has grown to be one of the fastest evolving markets with consumers who demand authenticity, representation, and innovative products that fit their unique needs. At The Estée Lauder Companies’ (ELC), our collective vision is to be the most inclusive and diverse beauty company in the world as well as the employer of choice for diverse talent and the brand of choice for our global consumers. Because of this, we understand that talent today don’t just want to know what companies WILL do as it pertains to inclusion, diversity, and equity, but have a genuine track record and a commitment to current and future leader’s career advancement.

We are consumer obsessed and because of this we focus our priorities on ensuring our employee population reflects the communities we impact by ensuring equitable access to professional development and advancement opportunities.

Driving Professional Development within HBCU Communities

As an organization dedicated to professional development and education, we pride ourselves in our ability to deliver on our ID&E commitments through external programs with our employee populations and HBCUs. To date, ELC has partnered with Howard University, Spelman College, and Florida A&M to provide virtual networking and career advancement programs for alumnae seeking ways to transition to the beauty industry.

• She’s Howard – ELC’s partnership program with Howard University was inspired by ELC’s longstanding relationship with the University that began in 2018 through an increased focus on HBCU recruiting. Since its inception in 2021, the program continues to be a resourceful networking tool for all Howard Alumnae. 

• Let’s Talk Beauty – ELC’s partnership program with the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College was designed to serve as a platform for ELC to connect with Spelman Alumnae through intentional conversations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities to provide career coaching and insights into the beauty industry. 

• FAMU 10-Week Travel Retail Program – ELC’s partnership program with Florida A&M University was designed to engage rising juniors and seniors by providing an inside look into the fast-paced world of Travel Retail. Participants join for a 10-week program during which 41 merit scholarships of US$10,000 were awarded to students in the University’s School of Business and Industry over the course of five years by the University on behalf of The Estée Lauder Companies. 

Leading From Every Chair

We believe in the power of leading from every chair and are committed to creating space for talent with unique backgrounds and perspectives to support and lead innovation. As one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products sold in approximately 150 countries and territories, we offer a number of opportunities for undergraduates, early career professionals and our internal community of employees to continue to challenge themselves and contribute to a number of exciting business priorities. 

• Lauder Summer Internship Program – A 10-week program that offers undergraduate students in the U.S. the opportunity to think critically in real-world corporate situations. Students have the opportunity to apply for openings in our corporate functions or at one of our brands, and they will be assigned based on their academic backgrounds and interests once they are accepted into the program. 

• Presidential Associate Program – An intensive, 18-month rotational program specially designed for undergraduates. This program integrates professional rotations with continuous leadership development, coaching, mentoring, hands-on practical experience, group networking opportunities, and strategic thinking initiatives to optimize talent and build business acumen and capability.

• From Every Chair Program – In June 2020, William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman, and Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, shared ELC’s Commitment to Racial Equity. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure Black employees have equal access to leadership trainings and mentorship programs with senior executives, the Global Talent team and the Inclusion & Diversity COE, in collaboration with the Network of Black Leaders and Executives (NOBLE) Employee Resource Group, created the From Every Chair (FEC) Leadership & Development Program. This 9-month Sponsorship and Mentorship program for current employees focuses on one-on-one mentoring sessions, curated professional development seminars and dedicated coaching from highly regarded executive coaches. Since its inception, the program was designed to develop and advance Black talent through enhanced programs focused on soft skills and career coaching for all participants.

• ELC Grow – In 2022, ELC launches its internal Talent Marketplace designed to connect employees to personalized recommendations for full-time roles, project and networking opportunities that can empower our community to grow their skills and careers. By matching employees with internal opportunities autonomously we encourage an environment of continued learning and fueling future career aspirations and interest.

Head over to The Estee Lauder Company’s company profile to learn more about the company and for information on open roles!

The post Learn How The Estée Lauder Companies Champions Diversity & Career Advancement in the Beauty Industry appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Taking a leap and joining an internship can come with many unknowns – Will I meet people and make friends? What is the company culture like? What type of projects will I work on?

At Tata Consultancy Services, a leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, the campus recruitment team understands these pre-joining nerves and have created a thoughtful engaging program to ease the transition from school into a professional work environment.

To develop emerging young leaders within the IT industry, TCS created a robust internship program that offers students meaningful work experience in a real-world setting. The ‘TCS Early Careers’ program allows interns the opportunity to contribute to real technology projects handled by industry professionals within various TCS business units and gain hands-on experience through problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Spanning across 10-12 weeks, the program is ideal for students currently enrolled in a computer science and/or other TCS relevant STEM academic program

About ‘TCS Early Careers’ Program

TCS values the student’s experience and learning. The program is structured into 5 distinct phases intended to guide the students seamlessly through the experience and gain the exposure that is intended. With the guidance of the TCS campus team at every step of the process, each student has access to a business mentor and a buddy who are integrally involved in the internship process and interact regularly with the students.

Phase 1
The initial phase, prior to joining, has connect sessions planned at regular intervals with the campus team and the mentors to ensure readiness to get started with TCS. To alleviate some of the nerves before starting the internship, the TCS team hosts virtual sessions to go through any questions upcoming interns might have on onboarding and what to expect on the internship. The week before the internship starts, interns receive a welcome kit full of TCS swag and instructions on what to expect on Day 1!

Phase 2 and 3
To help ease the transition into the corporate world, the second and third phase focuses on ‘getting a fast start’ for the interns. The interns are welcomed with an orientation on their first day where they attend workshops, featuring sessions about TCS and its business, information on how to access their equipment tools, connect with their mentors/buddies and other insightful talks from senior leadership. During the weeklong orientation, TCS interns will also hear from Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) leaders and are encouraged to join these groups to start networking and seamlessly assimilate into the TCS culture.

Phase 4
The fourth phase is about delivering clarity on the role and helping the interns succeed in the project. Interns meet with their assigned teams and start working on projects and some of the interns have the opportunity to directly work with TCS customers. While working on projects, interns are mentored by subject matter experts to gain applicable leadership and technology skills to help jumpstart their careers. All of this happens organically through the collaborative company culture and meaningful project experience.

Phase 5
The last phase is all about ‘Celebrating the success’ of completing the internships. With a formal graduation ceremony, the interns have the opportunity to showcase their experience to the TCS Leadership team and share/hear about success stories from other interns.

Life as an Intern

To gain an insight into the TCS intern experience, WayUp spoke with previous interns Karan Sathiayan and Hrithik Reddy. Karan, a data scientist intern and current full-time employee, shared that as an intern he was given a lot of responsibility which made him feel valued as a part of the team. Karan shared that the highlight of the internship was when he presented a demo in front of a large group of TCS employees at an internal seminar that his manager organized.

To gain another perspective, WayUp spoke with Hrithik Reddy who interned at TCS but his role was quite different from a typical technology internship. He focused on projects supporting the Global Sports Sponsorship team and helped the team with sponsorship research and how to boost TCS marketability through sports. Hrithik supported the team’s efforts working towards TCS sponsorships for the TCS NYC Marathon (title sponsor), Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, TCS Jaguar Racing, and other events.

Hrithik spoke highly of the team environment and company culture, especially in his contributions as an intern. He described the engaging atmosphere and how his input was considered by the team, which helped him feel valuable and like he had already been working for the company for years.

Mentorship and Professional Development Opportunities

As a part of the Internship program, interns are assigned a mentor and a buddy to meet with weekly throughout the entire duration of the internship. Interns are also introduced to an internal communication tool to communicate with their peers and receive real-time feedback from their buddies, mentors, and senior leadership. This intentional approach to provide relational support at the company helps to equip interns with networking, interpersonal, and teambuilding skills – all of which are vital to their long-term success.

Karan Sathiayan, a data scientist who very recently joined TCS full-time, praised the company culture and their value of mentorship and continued education. TCS not only offers outside training through Linkedin Learning, but also has their own internal platform called iEvolve where employees can gain training on anything from technical skills to leadership and soft skills.

Karan also elaborated how these TCS trainings are vital to standing out during the interview process.

TCS Micro Internships

In collaboration with The Forage, Tata Consultancy Services and Tata Group have created three virtual Micro Internships which are open to all students and professionals who are looking to grow their skills. TCS and Tata Group have created three Micro Internships which simulates real world projects and allows you to get experience in areas such as Data Visualization, Cybersecurity, and Sustainability. These Micro Internships are self-paced typically taking 3-5 hours to complete and can be conducted fully virtually. These Micro Internships are free and are open to everyone. You can navigate to the three Tata Micro Internships by clicking on the following link here.

An internship with TCS is a valuable experience that can guide you on your career path and prepare you with hands-on experience for a full-time career after graduation. If you’re interested in IT or software engineering, be sure to check out their internship programs and other career opportunities within the company.

For more information about the company, check out TCS’s page on WayUp here. For more specific information about the internship program, view here.

About TCS

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization that has been partnering with many of the world’s largest businesses for the past 50 years. TCS believes innovation and collective knowledge can transform the future with greater purpose.

TCS has over 601,000 of the world’s best trained consultants from 150+ nationalities with operations in 55 countries. Diversity is a value of TCS as evidenced by how the company is one of the world’s largest employers of women – over 160,000 women employees – making up over 36% of the global workforce. Notably, TCS was recently awarded the #1 Top Employer in the U.S. award by Top Employers Institute and was also awarded Top 100 internship program by WayUp in 2022 and 2023.

The post How ‘Early Careers’ at Tata Consultancy Services Prepares You for a Career with Impact appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you have not heard of Arup, you have likely seen their firm’s work firsthand without realizing it. As a global collective of designers, consultants, and experts dedicated to sustainable development, they use technology, imagination, and rigour to shape a better world. The firm has a 75-year history of commitment in producing meaningful and socially useful work.

Working for Global Impact

Sustainable development encompasses a variety of aspects, including regeneration, biodiversity, conservation of resources, stable economic growth, and social value. Arup has a collaborative approach where architects, engineers, and consultants come together to work towards the shared goal of shaping a better world.

In line with Arup’s purpose, they work to provide a greater impact on the world around them. Arup has committed to achieving net zero emissions across their entire operation by 2030, covering everything from the energy used in offices to goods and services purchased. From 2019 to 2022, Arup reduced their carbon footprint by 14% to help them get closer to their goal of net zero.

As a global organization, Arup’s members work across a myriad of departments, which they internally call “disciplines.” These disciplines range from engineering departments – such as Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Structural Engineering – to more specialized groups such as Sustainability, Acoustics, Energy, and more. Additionally, Arup has a business services team that includes roles within Marketing and Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, and more.

Launching Early Careers

No matter what career path you’re pursuing, there are countless opportunities to explore at Arup. Their firm provides exposure to various disciplines throughout the internship, which helps to foster curiosity and awareness of the types of career path available to them. As an employer of choice, Arup serves as a launching pad for passionate young professionals who are looking to start their careers with meaningful work.

For those looking to start their careers or gain knowledge as they pursue their early careers, Arup’s internship program offers an impactful experience. The acclaimed summer program offers a paid, 10-week internship for full-time undergraduate and graduate students.

The internship program is divided into three categories in a 70/20/10 framework:

• 70% real work experience
• 20% internship program events
• 10% for ongoing learning opportunities

Providing Meaningful Work Experience

Much of the time, about 70%, is spent working alongside professionals and contributing to the success of real-life projects. The internship program equips interns with hands-on experience across disciplines working on active engineering, design, and consulting projects.

During the internship, interns are immersed in project site visits, team meetings, company meetings, and client meetings. Additionally, interns regularly engage with leadership and develop relationships with colleagues through project meetings and attending social events. The program offers a diverse experience and positions students for success within their desired career path.

Fostering Relationships and Networking Opportunities

During the internship, 20% of the time is spent engaging in internship program events such as regional events, local events, and a project review assignment. Regional events allow interns to engage with peers across 16 offices, attending workshops about sustainability, Employee Resource Groups, leadership, and other topical events.

The local events foster intentional networking opportunities through site visits, connecting with office leadership, and a graduate panel discussion. These events also provide opportunities for interns to meet and engage with colleagues across disciplines at Arup, helping to expand their knowledge about the firm. Additionally, some of the events offer insights from members early in their career to interns about to start their career.

The project review assignment groups interns into multidisciplinary teams where they work together across different office locations. Interns are tasked with completing a knowledge review and creating a value story on a recently completed Arup project, allowing interns to explore how a project was delivered with quality. The final outcome is a presentation that interns give to their teams, peers, and leadership, which provides them with meaningful exposure to the organization.

Offering Continued Education and Development

Finally, the last 10% of the internship is set aside for ongoing education and professional development opportunities. Interns are encouraged to spend time pursuing additional trainings to advance their skills and knowledge, which highlights how Arup invests in early career talent.

The hiring managers identify a mentor, or what Arup calls a “buddy,” that will be partnered with interns. The objective of this mentor system is to assist interns in acclimating to their new environment, learning about the organization, and integrating into the culture and work at Arup.

A Thriving Company Culture

Arup deeply cares about its culture and how it represents the mission and vision of the organization. In addition to their values, Arup strives to champion Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI), and engages with communities across the globe. The firm values how the best creative work draws from a range of human experiences, viewpoints, and ideas. Arup is committed to DEI and its efforts shape the firm’s work and culture.

Interns shared how they were able to get involved in Employee Resource Groups and support work that aligned with their own long-term goals. From exposure to the diverse leadership at Arup to networking with other offices, interns are integrated into the life and culture of the organization. They also spoke about opportunities of attending conferences or other events to support their own professional development and expand their interests outside of project work.

Wondering what a typical day-to-day looked like for Arup interns? For more insight, watch the below videos to see what it was like to intern at Arup from 3 Arup interns at the Houston, TX office, New York City office, and Boston office!

Timothy Dang’s day in the life as a Mechanical Engineering intern at the Houston, TX Office

Sarah Cole’s day in the life as a Software Development rotational intern visiting the New York City office

Kelly Perymon’s day in the life as a Sustainability intern at the Boston, MA office

Pipeline for Future Job Opportunities

It’s no secret that Arup’s internship program provides a funnel of potential candidates. At the end of the internship, interns are evaluated and considered for full-time or return internship opportunities.

Arup employs individuals from all different degrees and backgrounds. They assess candidates holistically and place a focus on their technical skills and experience that align with the position. They look for innovative thinkers with a passion and drive to join an extraordinary collective and create a future with purpose.

Internship Application Process

For those interested in applying for an internship with Arup, you must submit an application. After passing the resume review, candidates will be shortlisted and invited to complete the pre-screen step and assessment. After passing the pre-screen, candidates will be set up for a video interview with the hiring manager for the role.

Arup looks for students who are passionate about their field of study, curious about the professional world, and eager to shape a better world through sustainable development. It is important for candidates to be self-motivated, have strong communication skills, and be willing to be part of a community.

For more information about the internship program and the application process, check out Arup’s page on WayUp here.

The post Help Change the World by Interning at Arup appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When looking to start your career, you consider the type of work involved, but do you consider the greater impact of the work itself?

The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, and the organization is now in its 100th year. Working with over 35 million volunteers and supporters, the non-profit Association makes a real impact with its focus on cardiovascular and overall health, saving millions of lives.

Heart disease and stroke are the two leading causes of death worldwide, and for survivors, they can diminish the quality of life. The Association’s mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, by funding innovative research (more than $5 billion to date), advocating for the public’s health, and sharing lifesaving resources, with a focus on ensuring equitable health in all communities.

The American Heart Association has strong tailored early career programs for people to pursue their goals, such as their internship program, the Scholars program, and HeartCorps, the Association’s public health AmeriCorps program.

Employees at the Association join the organization from varied backgrounds. Some bring experience from major corporations, some recently finished their education, and some are transitioning from the military. No matter your entry point, the Association is a strong and meaningful place to start, build, or grow your career.

The Internship Program

The American Heart Association’s structured internship program offers interns opportunities within many departments. The organization is committed to provide students with real-time, meaningful experiences to learn about and assist with the work done there.

The internships span across different disciplines, such as Operations, Fundraising, Marketing, Health Strategies, and Science and Research. Dion Bart, a Communications Intern who later joined the American Heart Association full-time, talked about his experience as an intern, touching on the structure, supportive environment, opportunities for growth, inclusive company culture and the importance of voicing opinions and asking for help in order to succeed.

Dion’s work as an intern included creating and implementing a communications and social media plan for a major event (Heart Walk). He gained firsthand experience of what a communications director does, which helped position himself for a full-time job at the American Heart Association.

Another intern, Sha’Dasia Reynolds, began as an intern in Community Impact and extended her internship in Human Resources with University Relations. Through her work in two different departments, she gained even more valuable experience and understanding of what it is like to work at the Association. Now, she is taking what she learned as an intern and providing feedback to make the internship experience even better.

Darjé Bennett talked about her experience transitioning from the military and into the American Heart Association. She expressed her gratitude for how the organization –– and especially the mentors –– helped her re-enter the civilian workforce. As she began her internship, she discovered how her military experience translated into real-life work experience.

Darjé was another intern who was able to transition into a full-time position at the Association. She also shared how supportive the Association has been for her as a working mom, providing her with flexibility. For more information about The American Heart Association’s careers, look here.

WayUp also spoke with Christen Lawrence, an HBCU graduate from Miles College, who interned with the American Heart Association following her participation as an HBCU Scholar. As part of its comprehensive work toward building equitable health, the American Heart Association has partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), and other accredited colleges to help students earn professional degrees in the biomedical and health sciences. These scholar programs at the organization provide an experience over an academic year that focuses on research methodologies as well as the social impact caused by health disparities and inequities.

Being a scholar gave Christen valuable research opportunities, addressed representation in the workplace, and emphasized the value of mental well-being and career development all of which helped her build confidence as a young professional. She spoke highly of that opportunity and how it provided her with valuable networking opportunities and sparked her interest in becoming an intern with the Association.

The exposure to leadership at company events helped increase networking skills, which paid off for Christen as she accepted a full-time role after completing her internship.

HeartCorps Program

Beyond the standard internship program, the Association has the HeartCorps program, launched in partnership with AmeriCorps. HeartCorps is a public health AmeriCorps service program where members gain valuable professional public health experience while advancing more equitable health outcomes for rural communities.

WayUp spoke with Janninah Miller, a current HeartCorps member, about her experience. Janninah serves with a Health Center and works on community health assessment projects and helped address food insecurity and transportation issues. She shared how the HeartCorps program gave her valuable experience toward her long-term career goals.

For students interested in public health, the HeartCorps program is a great one to explore during your early career development. For information about HeartCorps, contact them at HeartCorps@heart.org.

Career Development Opportunities

As shown above, many interns are given opportunities to extend their internship or join the organization full-time, and praised the program for how well it was structured to provide them with a meaningful experience.

Tips for the internship interview process? Former interns noted the interviews are conversational and suggest being true to yourself and asking questions, so candidates show their authentic selves. Many interns also discussed why they wanted to work in the non-profit sector.

The American Heart Association fosters career opportunities for early career professionals who are looking to start or continue their career. Whether you’re looking for a full-time, part-time, or internship role, there are various roles at the American Heart Association that you can explore.

Notably, the American Heart Association was recognized on the Forbes 2023 list of America’s Best Midsize Employers. The AHA also earned a top spot on DiversityInc’s 2023 lists of Top Hospitals and Health Systems, Top Companies for Board of Directors, and Noteworthy Companies. The organization has also been named a Leading Disability Employer for the fourth consecutive year, by the National Organization on Disability (NOD). Working for an established organization has many benefits, including professional opportunities. Employees have access to HeartU, which offers state-of-the-art online training courses to enhance career development.

WayUp is here to help you navigate your career ambitions. If you are interested in applying for an internship or exploring open positions, you can learn more on WayUp’s page here.

The post Want a Career with Impact? Work at the American Heart Association appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So you’ve nearly got your degree and you’re ready to make waves in the world of marketing, advertising, business or sales. You’re familiar with concepts like market segmentation and you can break down the pillars of supply chain management and you’ve watched movies like The Wolf of Wall Street and The Social Network more times than you can remember.

What you don’t learn in school or movies, however, is what moves to make as you attempt to breach the world of business and how to make a career for yourself. What we mean by “moves” are the decisions you make regarding the way you present yourself, how you choose to grow and learn, and the mindset you carry with you into your endeavors. 

With so much to keep in mind when making this major leap into the professional world, it can become difficult to choose what advice to follow and what to ignore. Instead of leaving it up to AI software and chatbots, we decided to host a virtual event with some real-life employees about what their marketing, advertising, business, and sales departments look for in a candidate. 

In our Job Search 101 virtual event, we spoke with Kalina Popova, a Campus Manager at Dell, Madison Ahmadi, a Talent Acquisition Partner at Expedia, Jennifer Voss, the Director of Early Careers Talent Acquisition at Visa, and Tangela Woodley, a Talent Acquisition, Marketing, & Digital Early Careers Manager at L’Oréal. In our conversations, the panelists reveal the tips and tricks needed to succeed in the world of marketing, advertising, business, and sales.

Don’t Limit Yourself

One of the great things about the marketing and business industry is the variety of roles that exist within it. You could be a copywriter making taglines, a graphic designer creating brand logos, an account manager closing deals and finding new clients, and a whole lot more. 

This being the case, it is critical to keep an open mind when you’re trying to decide what kind of role best fits you. In our conversations with experts, Tangela Woodley from L’Oréal sheds some light on just how many different opportunities exist within their marketing department.

From analytics to creative, the world of marketing has opportunities for people interested in all kinds of things, especially at L’Oréal. So when you’re preparing to make your foray into the marketing, business, advertising and sales world, it’s important that you don’t pigeonhole yourself into one subcategory or another!

Follow the 5 Dimensions of Potential

While every company and its employee expectations are bound to be different, L’Oréal has a specific set of criteria that candidates can keep in mind wherever they apply. L’Oréal calls it the five dimensions of potential and with these rules, you can better your chances of succeeding in the world of business.

Whether it’s learning agility or your judgment and decision-making skills, L’Oréal’s Five Dimensions of Potential would apply to numerous top-tier companies and what they’re looking for in employees.

Leaders > Participants

As a company that specializes in helping early-career candidates and college students find jobs, we have seen young professionals make a lot of mistakes. One of the big ones we’ve seen them make is signing up for a club or organization just to get it on your resume.

It doesn’t take much to sign up for a group and show up to a couple of meetings. What does take some effort is actively contributing to these groups and taking on leadership or executive roles. This is something to keep in mind when you mention your involvement in groups and extracurriculars in your applications.

Our suggestion is to be proactive. When you join a group, don’t just be a bystander! Make sure you’re participating and doing things that give you stuff to talk about later on when you start applying for jobs. If you have an idea, speak up! If you feel inspired to take on a position.

You Gotta Have Grit

A lot of people outside the marketing and sales industries perceive it as this glamorous world with photo shoots, hot-shot business people, and high-profile deals. What you don’t see are the challenges and obstacles that marketing professionals face on a daily basis.

Any marketing veteran you meet is likely to have just as many stories about unhappy clients and discouraging rejections as they are to have stories about massive wins and incredibly successful campaigns. And that’s just a part of the business.

This being the case, it is critical that anyone trying to enter the marketing, business, and sales worlds develops a tough chin and plenty of grit.

While Kalina’s anecdote relates to sales, the same thing goes with marketing, advertising, and business. What if you pitch a marketing campaign to a client and they don’t like it? Or propose a solution to your boss that he chops down? Having the grit to face this type of rejection and come back stronger is what will make you successful in the long run.

Take Advantage of Resources

One thing that every one of our panelists in our recent Job Search 101 virtual event agreed upon is the importance of utilizing the resources at your disposal. If you go to college, whether it’s community or Ivy League, chances are there is a career office working to connect the student body with potential employers.

In these offices, work has been done to establish relationships. All you need to do is take advantage of it.

These types of resources are oftentimes free and extremely beneficial, so there really isn’t any reason not to take advantage of them.

Looking for another free resource you can use to score the job of your dreams? Create your account with WayUp and start browsing open roles today or head over to our blog for more career tips and job-search advice! Watch the full session here. 

The post Insider Tips for Marketing, Business, Sales, and Advertising Professionals appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Interviews can be exciting, intimidating, life-changing, and sometimes, all three. As you make your way into the professional world, chances are you will go through tons of different interviews and hiring processes, each one different from the last. 

But if you happen to be fortunate enough to land an interview with Capital One, one of the most innovative and forward-thinking companies in the financial services industry, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

From preparation tactics to presentation skills, here is a list of the 5 Ps that recruiters, hiring managers, and employees suggest familiarizing yourself with if you want to land a job at Capital One.

Preparation

First and foremost, you want to be prepared going into a Capital One interview. But prepared for what? According to Anna, an associate software engineer, she found success by familiarizing herself with life at Capital One and doing plenty of research prior to her interview.

By digging deep and finding some relevant information about the company, Anna prepared herself to have meaningful and in-depth conversations with her recruiter. In doing so, she portrayed herself as both informed and interested in the position, two things that recruiters love to see. 

In addition to gaining hard knowledge of the company and the role you will be undertaking, another thing you can do to stand out is familiarize yourself with the culture of the company. For example, maybe a company does monthly outings or other social events. Mentioning something like that, which may not have to do directly with your position, is a great way to show you want to work at a company and are looking at it from all aspects.

Presentation

Once you’ve dedicated enough time to prepare for the interview, then comes the time to present your knowledge, skills, and most importantly, who you are. In our conversation with Abhishek, a Senior Associate and Enterprise Services Project Manager, he shed some light on what he thinks is the best way to present yourself during an interview.

Abhishek went on to say how at the end of the day, everyone is similar to one another in the sense that we all have lives and interests, and to present yourself as such helps form a connection that will ultimately work in your favor.

At the same time, you don’t want to come off as overly familiar or unprofessional. By combining a personable and friendly attitude with a professional and corporate one, you will be able to check off even more boxes as a candidate.

Patience

Hand-in-hand with presentation skills comes the ability to be patient. Without it, you risk giving off the wrong impression or missing the chance to demonstrate the full extent of your worth. But interviews are nerve-racking! And oftentimes stressful. So what is an eager prospect like yourself to do?

According to Senior Recruiter Kelly, the best way to remain and appear patient in an interview is to listen.

Kelly spoke about how much of a turnoff it is for her as a recruiter when a candidate constantly cuts her off or interrupts her. But she agreed that a lot of the time it’s unintentional. So when you’re interviewing, remember to take a breath, take your time, and try not to worry about filling empty space or replying so quickly. 

There are several things that public speakers suggest in order to help ease this burden. For example, repeating back the question, using a filling sentence like “that’s a great question,” or “let me think about the best example of that” all are ways you can buy time and make sure you answer the question correctly.

Passion

Throughout every conversation we had with the Capital One employees, there was one common trait that they all shared: passion. Passion not only for what they do at Capital One as employees but as individuals and what they do in their personal lives as well. 

Although it may not seem like it, exuding your passions, whatever they may be, will get you very far in Capital One’s hiring process. Just ask Abhishek.

“My recruiter and I connected on a very personal level after I mentioned my love of motorcycles. It was then that I realized that the people at Capital One are real people too with interests, passions, and beliefs of their own.”

Abhishek, Senior Associate and Enterprise Services Project Manager

Whether or not you end up sharing interests with your recruiter doesn’t matter. What Capital One wants to see out of people applying is that they can get excited about something, no matter what it is. So if there is something you love and are passionate about, don’t be afraid to mention it during the interview!

Personality

One factor that bears a lot of resemblance to your passion is your personality. And although they are similar, your personality has to show so much more than what you’re passionate about.

We spoke with Student and Graduates Recruiter Addison regarding what the best steps are to show your personality during an interview and she responded with an ode to authenticity.

Recruiters are able to tell when something sounds rehearsed. And it prevents them from getting a true understanding of who you really are. So during your interview process, make sure you’re confident in portraying yourself not only as a professional but as your true authentic self as well.

Putting It All Together

While all of the tips shared by these exceptional associates at Capital One are invaluable, there is one critical piece of information that everyone should remember, and that’s to apply.
Now is the time to explore opportunities and really see how far your capabilities can get you. So what are you waiting for? Start browsing open opportunities at Capital One today and find the job of your dreams.

The post 5 Interview Secrets for Landing a Job at Capital One appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ve heard resume and interview tips from friends, you’ve heard them from teachers, and you might have even heard them from people who claim to be job acquisition experts. But there is one particular group of people who will be able to provide resume and interview tips that are more valuable than everyone else’s, and that’s the person who is responsible for hiring you.

Unfortunately, people don’t really get the chance to ask employers what they consider a good interviewer to be or for tips on their resumes, at least not until the opportunity to get a job has sailed.

That’s why we did it for you. 

In our recent virtual event with Dell Technologies, we heard from the $100 billion, multinational tech company regarding what they are looking for on resumes and how to nail their interview process. Leading the virtual event was Human Resources Rotation Program Manager, Megan Evangelista, who offered her invaluable insight regarding resume tips and interview advice.

If you didn’t make the virtual event, that’s ok! The following are a few golden nuggets from Megan’s 5-step guide to help you land a job at Dell Technologies.

1. Resume 101

The first and most important tool you’ll need to sharpen for the application process is your resume. As Megan explained it, your resume is “that teaser trailer, that coming attraction opportunity for you to talk about yourself, your experiences, and get your reader excited and more importantly curious to hear more about you.”

Megan went on to detail how it isn’t enough just to list skills on your resume. Anyone can say they are analytical, detail-oriented, and a leader, but it’s how you describe your experiences and how those skills come to life that really proves you possess them.

Additionally, the way in which you organize and prepare your resume will go a long way as well.

2. Interview Prep

Once you have your resume locked down and prepared, you can move on to the interview preparation part. During the virtual event, Megan explained that the first and most important thing to do is research your audience. Reflecting on a past experience, Meg spoke about the bad impression it left when a candidate didn’t know anything about Dell.

“When I was a recruiter, there was nothing more disheartening to me than when I’d meet a student, and they were really excited, and then they would say, ‘so, what does Dell do?’”

Megan Evangelista, HR Rotation Program Manager

In addition to researching the company, it is crucial to know your resume, understand the role’s responsibilities, and lastly, prepare some questions to ask your interviewer that show you have an active interest in the position and did your research!

Finally, make sure you try to get a grasp on some of the questions they may ask you during the interview. Some of these questions might have to do with communication, analytical skills, technical skills, teamwork, or your work ethic, so be prepared with examples from all categories.

3. Practice

One thing that a lot of candidates tend to skip over or forget to do is practice, starting with your elevator pitch. A good elevator pitch will include your name, major and class year, education and character highlights, what your ideal role is, and why you want to apply for the company (Dell). 

The next thing you want to do is prepare examples for questions you might be asked. What Megan suggests using is the EAR method – example, action, result – when creating answers to questions.  

“If you’re going through an interview you’re probably not terribly relaxed so it’s a great structure to rely on when you’re responding to those sort of questions.” 

Megan Evangelista, HR Rotation Program Manager

Lastly, you want to rehearse. Grab a friend or family member and ask them to listen to your elevator pitch or to ask you some interview questions. Record yourself or even do it in front of a mirror until it feels natural. The more you test your preparedness the more at ease you will feel when the interview comes around!

4. Execute

The day of the interview has arrived and now it’s time to put your skills and all the preparation to the test. While the main theme of the execution phase is preparation, scenarios will differ if you are doing a virtual or in-person interview.

If it is in-person, you’ll want to remember to dress professionally, arrive early (15 minutes minimum), turn off your phone, and bring extra copies of your resume. If it is virtual, you’ll also want to dress professionally, turn off your phone, and log in 15 minutes early, but you’ll also want to double-check your WiFi connection and ensure you’re in a quiet space without distractions. 

“Finding a quiet space and taking a moment to breathe before you meet with anyone and really recenter yourself can really go a long way. So think about what centering and calming looks like for you and then make sure you’re prepared in advance.” 

Megan Evangelista, HR Rotation Program Manager

5. Follow up

Although many candidates may feel that a follow-up message is optional, in some cases, it could be the difference between someone saying “yes, let’s bring them in for another conversation” or “eh, we’ve seen enough.” 

In her experience as a recruiter, Megan made the point that although “it sounds very intuitive and maybe even a little bit old-fashioned to send thank you notes,” she can guarantee that they go a really long way and aren’t as commonly sent as you might think! 

Megan even recounted an instance when she was considering five different candidates for a role and the only one that sent her a follow-up email was the one that ended up getting the job. During the virtual event, Megan also provided us with a great template to use when sending a follow-up.

Summary

This 5-step guide to help you get a job at Dell Technologies can more or less be boiled down to three main features – preparation, practice, and execution. If you’re interested in getting a job at one of the most coveted technology companies in the world you will make this guide your bible and make sure you exercise those three features religiously.

If you do, you might just find yourself in the job of your dreams.

Dell Technologies Summer Series features virtual events that walk through early development tips, tricks, and skills to build your career early.

The post Dell Technologies Reveals 5-Step Process to Land a Job (Event Review) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Interviews are hard. And depending on your skills and experience, you might love them or you might hate them. But no matter what your feelings about interviews are, as long as you’re searching for a job, you won’t be able to escape them.  

“Once they did that, I decided right then and there that they would not be moving forward in the hiring process. Of course, they had no idea that what they had just done was a red flag. And unless they ask me, they never will.”

– Jen, Recruiter

The above quote was taken from a recruiter who had just interviewed a potential prospect. During the interview, the applicant made a huge error that pretty much sealed their fate and eliminated them from the hiring process. 

As a job site and marketplace that focuses on interview tips and getting you hired, we want to help you avoid situations like this. That’s why we’ve put together a list of tips that covers everything you shouldn’t do during an interview. 

1. Poor Presentation
One very common interview tip that you most likely have heard before is “dress to impress.” And while that is easy to remember in face-to-face interviews, the virtual front brings on a new element.

When you’re being interviewed through video chat, you have to remember that you not only have to look presentable but your background does too. That means no messy clothes in a pile, your TV isn’t on, and you’re somewhere that will be free of both audio and visual distractions and interruptions.

Use the background to your advantage. Throw your degree on the wall behind you, hang up some art, or do something else that will make you stand out during the interview. Who knows, maybe the recruiter likes the same baseball team as you.

2. Forgetting to Do Your Research

Doing the necessary research on a company is one of the most overlooked interview tips in the book. There is nothing a recruiter hates more than an applicant who has no idea about the company and/or position they are applying for.

It shows that you really aren’t interested or passionate about the position and company. So how can the recruiter expect you to be motivated once you start? Especially if you don’t even know much about the role you’re applying for? More often than not, this is a dealbreaker. 

3. Reading From Your Screen

This next interview tip is one that is exclusive to the virtual environment but one that should definitely be kept in mind. And that’s to avoid reading prewritten answers and statements from your screen.

It’s one thing to have your resume up in the corner or to try and memorize a couple of things you want to say, but when you’re reading something from your laptop or monitor, interviewers can usually tell. Not only do you sound robotic, but they can see your eyes moving across the screen.

In the end, you just need to be authentic and professional. No shame in having something prepared but try to avoid doing it like this.

4. Speaking Negatively About Current-Employer

Although you may have plans to leave a company, it’s important to avoid putting them down during and at any point after your employment with them. Especially during an interview.

When you talk poorly about your employer, the recruiter might think that you would do the same to them one day. Even if you’re not going to be employed by them for much longer, they still represent a part of your professional identity. So in bringing shame to their name, you also shed some on your own. 

5. Copy & Paste Responses

Copy and paste responses are a lot like the reading from your screen in that it comes off as inauthentic. One rule of thumb to keep in mind is to make sure your answers are tailored to the company you’re applying for. 

When talking about your strengths, mention why they might help you do the position well. When talking about your aspirations, discuss a career path that could be fulfilled at the company and how you might obtain it there. Try your best to tie as much as you can back to the company,

But the time when you need to avoid a copy and paste response the most is when they ask you why you want to work for that company. If you’re not able to respond with specifics and instead give them every other spiel that you gave to your other interviewers, don’t expect to get very far in the hiring process.

6. Lying

Just like your momma told you – don’t lie. This is one interview tip, and one life tip, that everyone should always abide by. We can’t deny that the fake it till you make it routine can work every now and then, but if you get caught lying, whether it’s on your resume or during an interview, it’s going to cost you serious points.

This includes lying about everything from skills to personal anecdotes. Companies usually have tests that can validate whether you can do what it is you say you can or not. And running away with a story is always dangerous, especially if you end up working with the person you said it to.

7. Fidgeting

Whether you’re interviewing in person or through video, make sure to avoid any and all forms of fidgeting. This includes fidgeting with something in your hands, with your hair, or rocking back and forth demonstrating that you are restless and unfocused.

You could be telling an incredibly relevant and interesting story that gets ruined by a non-verbal distraction. So posture up, look directly into the screen or camera and find a position you’re comfortable with.

8. The Money & Vacation Questions

The money and vacation questions are a recruiter’s worst nightmare. One of the easiest interview tips on this entire list, and also one of the most important, is to not ask about money or vacation while you’re interviewing.

The reason why is because employers look for people who want a job because of the company, the job, and the position, not just for a paycheck. And when you ask questions about vacation, you risk coming off as lazy. 

Yes, time off and wages are very important when making a decision about a job. And you do have a right to know what those numbers are. But if you get far enough in the process, odds are they will fill you in. So be patient, and remember all the other reasons that make a job important. In the end, that’s what really matters.

Making Your Own Guide

For many of you job seekers out there, there may be things on this list you need to concentrate on more than others. You may even find things outside of this list of interview tips that help you during the hiring process. So we encourage you to make your own guide and develop your own interview offensive. With knowledge and confidence, you’ll go a long way. 

For more interview tips and information on finding your dream job, check out the WayUp blog. 

The post 8 Things You Should Never Do In An Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a top Fortune 500 company and the #1 beauty company in the world, L’Oréal has established itself as an industry giant. In their 100+ years of existence, L’Oréal has pioneered sustainability initiatives, shifted boundaries, and paved the way for some of the most groundbreaking innovations in their respective realm.

There are several factors that contributed to L’Oréal building the legacy that they have today, but one of the most influential is their dedication to hiring only the most unique, driven, and passionate minds in the job marketplace. How do they do that you might ask? By creating an application and interview process that strives to reach individuals from all walks of life and every kind of demographic.

While most potential candidates rarely get the opportunity to find out what is to be expected during an application and interview process, WayUp got the chance to speak with a couple of current recruiters at L’Oréal to offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on how you can secure a job at one of the most innovative companies in the world.

Exemplify your passion

At L’Oréal, they want to know that you’re passionate about something. It doesn’t even have to be related to beauty or cosmetics necessarily!

Take Tangela Woodley for example, a Talent Acquisition Manager who studied at the University of Michigan and was an active member of the student improv group on campus. The recruiter interviewing Tangela saw that her passion for improv was something that got her excited and something she committed herself to. 

Not only that, but the recruiter also saw some transferable skills that Tangela could take from her talents from improv to the workspace, such as her ability to think on the spot. It served as a perfect example of how much of herself she pours into something she cares about.

Stay away from copy and paste responses

As far as interviews go, nothing is worse than a prospective employee reading from notes they have written on their screen. Michael Wehbè, Manager of Talent Acquisition at L’Oréal, said he can tell “when a person is reading something they’ve prepared as you can see their eyes moving.” Michael also went on to explain how much of a disconnect that creates when interviewees aren’t being their authentic selves. After all, L’Oréal wants every employee to feel empowered to express themselves freely.

The recruiter already knows what’s on your resume and cover letter. Use the interview as a time to show them who you really are and take the opportunity to have a real human connection with the person you’re talking to. That brings us to our next piece of advice for the interview process: Be personable.

Show your personality

When you allow yourself to be your true authentic self and let your personality shine, you put your mind in a position to think clearer. In other words, a good attitude can have a positive impact on your productivity!

But productivity aside, no one wants to work with a robot. During your interview, the recruiter is going to look for characteristics that go beyond hard and soft skills. They want to know that you’re someone who the current employees are going to enjoy working with. 

Research the company

One of the biggest red flags that recruiters have seen in interviews and application processes is someone who doesn’t research the company prior to applying. Some current students and recent graduates have a tendency to fill out mass applications all at once without really looking into each company. What this shows to the recruiter is that you’re not passionate about the role or the company and that you’re just looking for a job.

In a L’Oréal interview, expect to be asked what about the company or industry interests you. Recruiters will be able to recognize if you are giving an informed and educated response or if you’re throwing something together on the spot. Interested in learning more about L’Oréal? Check out their WayUp profile page. 

Don’t be afraid to talk about hardships

Life will never go 100% perfectly. And neither will work or your job. L’Oréal is a company that is well aware of that so they want to know that you can handle difficult situations and that you’re able to overcome them while making the correct changes to avoid them in the future.

Keep an open mind

Although you may be applying for a particular position, try to keep an open mind towards other opportunities that might be available. More often than not, the person interviewing you may also be looking to fill other positions besides the one you might have applied for. 

Talent can be expressed in many different ways. If you don’t happen to fit the match for the position you are applying for, you may meet the criteria for another role and secure a job.

Demonstrate a willingness to learn

L’Oréal operates in a landscape that is constantly changing and shifting in unpredictable ways. And because of this trend employees need to be able to adjust and shift in the same ways to be able to keep up with the industry and do their job correctly. This means you need to demonstrate an ability to pick up new skills, or what L’Oréal calls “learning agility,” one of their five dimensions of potential. 

They want someone with learning agility because you need to be flexible across various departments or to stay adaptive in a changing environment, this hard skill will put a crown on your application.

The most important tip – APPLY

At the end of the day, L’Oréal is looking for individuals who have a unique value that they can add to and grow within the company. What that value might take the form of will vary from person to person – It is the recruiter’s job to be able to recognize that, but it’s your job to take a chance on yourself and go for the opportunity. Whatever might be holding you back from applying doesn’t compare with the chance to work at a company that can propel the rest of your professional career to places you’ve never imagined.

The post How To Ace The Interview At One of The World’s Largest Global Brands appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Figuring out the best strategy to land a job can be stressful. To help ease your mind and prepare you for success on the job hunt, we spoke with two senior recruiters at Capital Group to find out what they’re really looking for in potential employees. 

A solid candidate has done their homework.

Researching is fundamental in a job search. Before the interview, it’s important to learn about the company and know why you would be a good fit for the role you’re interviewing for. 

Eve Santillan, senior recruiter at Capital Group, explained that her first two questions for candidates are always, ‘What is it about this opportunity that interested you?’, and ‘What do you know about Capital Group?’ Your answers to these questions can make or break your interview. 

“We’re in an information age where finding information about a company and doing research is so easy,” Santillan said. “If someone can’t give me two or three things that are specific to Capital Group, it makes it seem like they didn’t do the research.” 

Pam Paulson, senior recruiter at Capital Group, echoed many of the same sentiments and encourages students to research both the company and industry they’re pursuing.  

“Do a Glassdoor search, look at reviews, and reach out to alumni connections on LinkedIn,” Paulson said. She also advises students to remain up to date on the latest industry news to give them a leg up during the interview.

If you take the time to prepare for your interview, they’ll notice.

Researching isn’t the only preparation you need to do while on the job hunt. It’s just as important to practice your interviewing techniques. Santillan recommends utilizing your university’s career centers, which typically offer mock interviews to help you find your groove in the interview process.

“There are so many job fairs and places for you to practice your interviewing techniques,” Santillan said. “I encourage you to use the tools that are available to you, especially at your university.” 

Paulson suggests keeping a journal of all the experiences that you’ve learned in the classroom and on the job. This is an easy way for you to pull relevant experiences from the top of your head during interviews.

Some examples of relevant experiences are navigating group projects via zoom, learning how to overcome obstacles on the job, and any school assignments where you utilized the skills relevant to the job you’re interviewing for. The more prepared you are before the interview, the more at ease you’ll be when answering questions. 

Last, but certainly not least, double-check your resume and cover letter.

When it comes to your resume and cover letter, there’s little room for mistakes. Take your time to review them thoroughly or it will hurt your chances of landing an interview.

Santillan recommends being very thorough when applying for each position, especially if you’re someone who uses the same cover letter for multiple jobs. One of the biggest mistakes she’s seen on cover letters is listing the wrong company on your application materials. It signifies to the hiring manager that you lack attention to detail. The second most common mistake that she has seen is misspellings on resumes. 

“Recruiters want to make sure you went over your resume with a fine-toothed comb,” Santillan said. “You’ve read it forward and backward, you’ve proofread it, and you’ve had someone else proofread it so that you avoid those types of mistakes.”

Bonus Tip

Paulson suggests giving the job hunt time because it isn’t an easy process, and can be a job in itself. 

“Interviewing is very hard,” she said. “My mom always used to say the hardest job is finding a job, so give yourself space and time. Be reflective, and if you’re rejected, think about what it is about that job that you wanted so badly.” 

If you’re interested in learning more about the career opportunities at Capital Group, click here. 

The post What Companies Look For In A Candidate – According To Two Capital Group Recruiters appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Preparing for a technical interview can sometimes feel daunting, and you don’t quite know where to begin. To demystify the technical interview process at Expedia Group, we spoke to Daniela Veloz, a Senior Software Engineer at Expedia Group who has several years of experience conducting interviews. She gave us an inside look at what interviewers are looking for in candidates. 

At Expedia Group, there are three different types of interviews, and they all assess different aspects of the interviewee ranging from technical skills to soft skills. Here’s what Daniela had to say about being successful in every interview. 

For the first interview, you’ll want to study algorithms in advance.

Daniela emphasized the importance of preparing for the coding/problem interview in advance. Expedia Group is one of many companies that has a technical exam. Learning how to navigate these specific types of questions before  the interview is very important, this way in a timed assessment, you’ll have the tools to navigate complex algorithms with confidence. 

But that doesn’t mean you need to have all the right answers, it’s just as important for you to ask questions along the way. “We expect you to ask questions. Never make assumptions during the interview, it’s the type of interaction we’re looking for that gives you points,” shared Daniela. She explained that this step in the interview examines how you manage data structures, algorithms, and your overall thinking process throughout the assessment. 

Your interviewers need to understand your thought process so they can help you along the way. “If your interviewer sees that you are thinking a certain way and not understanding the problem, they can help you. This is essentially a communication test,” said Daniela. The interviewers recognize that there is no one solution. Hence it’s important to be able to explain your thought process and why you ultimately went with your final solution. 

The second interview is related to software design, not as a system but in the way you approach the problem. Daniela explained that the interviewers don’t expect students and recent grads to necessarily have experience working in software design systems, what’s more, important is that interviewees are able to notice similarities between different types of objects and reach a solution. 

Don’t be afraid to highlight unique leadership experiences and projects you were involved in while in college. 

The third round of interviews is all about soft skills and seeing how well you’d work with Expedia Group’s engineering team. This is where you want to highlight your past experiences, no matter if it’s traditional or non-traditional. As a mentor to many interns and young professionals, Daniella has noticed that oftentimes people will omit leadership experience if they think it’s outside of the field. But don’t sell yourself short, confidently share all relevant experience for the role. 

“It’s important to highlight experience even if you don’t think you have it. For example your projects in school – sometimes we think we don’t have certain skills, but we do have them because they’re transferable.”

If you’ve led a team at a part-time retail job, that’s leadership, if you’ve worked on a team to complete a project, speak to how you worked in that dynamic. Utilize every experience you have whether that be in the classroom, at a part-time job, or volunteering.  

There are a few things you should avoid throughout your interviews. 

Daniela says that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions while solving problems. When you need help, ask for it. When you receive feedback, she advises to, “never defend your solutions, you need to initiate a dialogue. You’re being assessed on how you handle feedback.”

As for maintaining professionalism in the virtual interview, Daniela says to turn off your phone, test your WiFi connection, and make sure your audio and camera work at least 10 minutes before the interview. Not only will those tips make you seem professional, but you’ll also feel more comfortable and prepared for the interview. 

If you’re worried you didn’t gain enough internship experience to qualify for the role, here’s something that may just ease your mind that Daniela shared with us. “We don’t expect you to have a lot of experience. You don’t need an internship. I think it’s so much better students are here to learn.” 

BONUS TIP: Before signing off, we asked Daniela what final tips she had for students interested in a technical role at Expedia Group. This is what she had to say. 

“Try to prepare for the soft skills interview, sometimes as an engineer, you overfocus on the technical stuff. It’s good to have a clear idea in your mind of your relevant achievements, your strengths, and what you’ll bring to the team. Own your experiences and your success.”

To learn more about Expedia and explore early-career opportunities, click here.

The post What It Takes To Nail A Tech Interview—An Interviewer’s Perspective appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We spoke with Tara Carlidge, Recruiting Manager at Citi and former Personnel Officer in the U.S. Army, to ask her about how veterans should react if a hiring manager asks them a question about their time in the military that they’re uncomfortable answering. Here’s what we learned:

First, many veterans do not have the experience of being asked an uncomfortable question about their service during an interview. Hiring managers and recruiters are being trained more and more on how to approach interviews with veterans, and what are and are not acceptable questions to ask.

Second, be prepared. In the instance that you do get asked a question about your service, be prepared with what you are and are not comfortable answering. There are a lot of civilians that are curious about what it’s like to serve in the military and it’s natural to want to educate them, but understand and stand by your boundaries.

Finally, focus on your skills and what you bring to the role for which you’re applying. You are in an interview for a job position, and the question that you are being asked may not be applicable to the role that you are interviewing for. It’s ok to tell someone that you are uncomfortable answering a question.

This article is one of nine in a 9-part series WayUp has completed in partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation and VOWS in an effort to help Veterans entering the civilian workforce. To sign up for WayUp and be discovered by employers, we encourage you to go here.

The post How To Handle Uncomfortable Interview Questions About Your Service appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We spoke with Tara Carlidge, Recruiting Manager at Citi and former Personnel Officer in the U.S. Army, to ask her about what most companies think about translating seniority level for veterans to the corporate/civilian world. Here’s what we learned:

To start, education and experience level are always valued and considered. Companies also value the leadership traits that you bring to the organization, so if you were at a seniority level in the military, your leadership skills are taken into account and valued. Proven success in leadership increases your chances of being hired for a senior-level position where you will be directing multiple people and working on multiple projects at a time.

That being said, if you don’t have direct experience to the role you’re coming into, it’s OK to take a junior role. This can be helpful to you and your future in the company because it gives you the opportunity to build the basic skills to set you up for success. After all, this could lead to promotions within the organization, because you can use this time to prove yourself – working hard and learning the company’s systems to become better at your job and get promoted at a faster rate.

This article is one of nine in a 9-part series WayUp has completed in partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation and VOWS in an effort to help Veterans entering the civilian workforce. To sign up for WayUp and be discovered by employers, we encourage you to go here.

The post Veterans: How to Be Flexible While Looking for Civilian Roles appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We spoke with Tara Carlidge, Recruiting Manager at Citi and former Personnel Officer in the U.S. Army, to ask her to give an example of how someone who served can directly correlate their role in the military to a role at a company like the one where she works. Here’s what we learned:

First, there are roles within the military that directly correlate to roles in civilian companies. Some are obviously, like investigation roles. Or, for example, Tara was an Adjutant General in the Army, which directly translates into Human Resources. Other examples include cybersecurity functions (in fact, Citi has lots of veterans who work in their cybersecurity department!) The point being: many military roles are not singular to the military – they exist in the civilian sector as well. Think about how your role in the military could translate into the civilian world, even if it’s only certain aspects that are in common.

Second, you can use your background experience as a foundation for the role you’re applying for. If you have a computer science background, engineering background, technology background, etc. you can incorporate these skills into assets that you can bring to the role. Additionally, if you have experience in communications and public relations, such as communicating and negotiating with locals while on deployment, you can use that experience to apply for public relations, contract negotiations and sales jobs.

The key to all of this is: translate your skills and experiences into terms that are easy for the recruiter to understand, so that you are more likely to get the job.

This article is one of nine in a 9-part series WayUp has completed in partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation and VOWS in an effort to help Veterans entering the civilian workforce. To sign up for WayUp and be discovered by employers, we encourage you to go here.

The post Ways for Veterans to Highlight Skills To Match Civilian Roles appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We spoke with Tara Carlidge, Recruiting Manager at Citi and former Personnel Officer in the U.S. Army, to ask her if there are specific veteran-related questions that candidates should expect to get that a more ‘traditional’ candidate may not get. Here’s what we learned:

First, one of the veteran-specific questions that may be asked is, “How do you translate military experience into this role?” With this question, it is important that you understand the job description and its keywords, as well as the specific skills pertinent to the role. Tie your military experience into this role by relating the role’s skills to those that you expressed in the military. Try to use the job’s keywords to relate back to your time in service.

Second, the question could be asked, “Tell me how you feel your military experience will bring more to the table than someone who has direct experience in the role?” The key to answering this question is drawing on intangible assets from your time in the military. For example, you can highlight your hard-working nature and your ability to work well under pressure into relatively any role. You can also use characteristics such as being committed, loyal and decisive to underline your ability to perform well in the role.

Finally, use specific experiences in the military to explain why you would be a better fit for this role than someone else. For example, you may have military experience directing a large group of people, which shows your ability to succeed in a leadership role under much more pressure than someone in a corporate role.

This article is one of nine in a 9-part series WayUp has completed in partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation and VOWS in an effort to help Veterans entering the civilian workforce. To sign up for WayUp and be discovered by employers, we encourage you to go here.

The post Tips for Veterans On Answering Service-Based Interview Questions appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We spoke with Tara Carlidge, Recruiting Manager at Citi and former Personnel Officer in the U.S. Army, to ask her about what advice she has for veterans trying to translate their experience serving into the corporate/civilian world when they go to write their resume or interview. Here’s what we learned:

First, there are numerous resources out there for you to use when it comes to writing a resume or preparing for an interview. Some of these resources include a military.com application, the American Council on Registry Transcript Systems, and Joint Services Transcripts. Some veterans even opt to use a professional resume writer to aid them in creating their resume in a way that civilians can best understand.

Second, speak with people who have already transitioned from the military to the corporate world. Ask them to share their resumes with you. Pay close attention to what they put on their resume, how they phrased it, and how they highlighted military accomplishments in civilian terms. Take from multiple people’s experiences and compare them to your own; then use this information to craft your own resume.

Third, use your network to provide advice on your resume. Ask military members, past military members, mentors and civilian friends to take a look at your resume and tell you what they think. Ask them about the strengths and weaknesses of your resume. Ask them what they do and do not understand. Perhaps your greatest asset is civilian readers, as they can tell you best where you use military terms that they don’t quite understand. Maybe you thought you were highlighting a great military accomplishment, but it’s actually phrased in a way that a civilian won’t understand.

Fourth, be your own advocate. It’s normal for veterans to want to be humble when it comes to their accomplishments, but if you don’t advocate for yourself and highlight your strengths and accomplishments – who will? Don’t downplay your successes in the military; rather, use them to provide examples as to why you are the best person for the job to which you are applying.

Finally, be concise in your resume writing. One of the best tools for writing a concise resume that highlights your achievements while providing context is P.A.R. This stands for Problem-Action-Result. First, use a strong verb, such as “spearheaded,” explain the problem at hand, your action to solve that problem, and the end result. You can speak more to this experience in your interview, but now you have a concise explanation of an achievement on your resume.

This article is one of nine in a 9-part series WayUp has completed in partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation and VOWS in an effort to help Veterans entering the civilian workforce. To sign up for WayUp and be discovered by employers, we encourage you to go here.

The post How To Translate Veteran Experience To Land A Civilian Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This article was originally posted on BusinessWire.

Terminix Global Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of essential termite and pest management services to residential and commercial customers, has been named to the WayUp Top 100 Internship Programs for its 2020 IT Internship Program.

The list was decided by a panel of industry-leading HR experts and professionals, with input from the general public. Terminix was selected primarily for providing multiple engagement opportunities around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, including open-forum sessions where interns and company teammates came together to discuss their feelings openly and honestly concerning their experiences and perspectives, according to WayUp.

“The Terminix IT Internship Program was by far the most robust and rewarding experience that I’ve had to date,” says Terrance Campbell, 2020 IT virtual intern from Tennessee State University. “From day one of the internship, I was treated as a valuable team member and the entire IT leadership has been available and helpful. Terminix allowed me to engage in real-time projects that align with my career aspirations.”

Although internship hiring was down 49 percent because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Glassdoor, Terminix conducted a full 10-week program for nine interns from six different colleges and universities. The program was almost entirely virtual, allowing interns to earn real-world experience and training from their own homes. Six of nine of the interns have since received extensions or full-time job offers.

“At Terminix, one of our core values is perseverance,” says Robert Doty, Terminix Chief Information Officer. “We initially planned an in-person IT internship, but our team adjusted and adapted to create a meaningful experience for both our teammates and our interns.”

Each intern in the program was paired with an IT team based on their skill set, interests and background. The interns were assigned projects and tasks that were a part of the teams P.I. (program increment) objectives. They also attended daily stand-up meetings, iteration planning, and IT training sessions.

“I felt like I was totally immersed in the Terminix business plan throughout the experience,” said Parks Gates, 2020 IT virtual intern from the University of Alabama. “This internship program put us right in the middle of the action and made us an integral part of the daily operations on the IT team. I feel truly blessed to have been able to participate.”

The Terminix IT Internship Program included:

• Participating in company-sponsored Diversity, Equity and Inclusion events
• 20+ Lunch & Learn/Day-in-the-Life sessions
• Attending IT and business town hall meetings
• Extensive exposure to the Terminix leadership team

“Our program is unique because of the relationships and culture we intentionally build with our teams,” says Phillip Lisenba, IT Intern Program Director for Terminix. “We met with our interns daily in order to familiarize them with the Terminix business, culture, leadership, and technology. We wanted to make sure they understood our company inside and out.”

Interns from the 2020 virtual program came from Christian Brothers University, Rhodes College, Tennessee State University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Memphis.

Terminix has a long history of successful college internship programs and leadership development programs for recent college graduates. In the past, Terminix has hosted and hired interns from as far as Brigham Young University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, Texas Tech University, the University of Alabama, the University of Florida, and many more.

Terminix has also been recognized for having successful high-school internships within its customer success centers, as well as current programs with Communities in Schools, the National Kappa League and Shelby County Schools.

About Terminix 
Terminix Global Holdings (NYSE: TMX) is a leading provider of residential and commercial pest control. The company provides pest management services and protection against termites, mosquitoes, rodents and other pests. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., with more than 10,500 teammates and 2.8 million customers in 24 countries and territories, the company visits more than 50,000 homes and businesses every day. If you’re interested in one of Terminix’s internships, click here. To learn more about Terminix, visit Terminix.com, or LinkedIn.com/company/terminix.

The post Terminix Internship Named to Top 100 Best Internships in America appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As the quality and reliability of affordable video conferencing software and hardware increases by the day, video interviews have become commonplace for candidates and recruiting companies alike.

The Coronavirus pandemic has taken something that was viewed as more niche and forced it into the mainstream. Industries of all scopes and sizes have had to adjust their interview and new hire onboarding methodology. We’re also now working from home on a full-time basis far more often. 

But even pre-pandemic, the number of companies recruiting via video interviews was on the rise. Why?

• Cheaper

Simply put, it’s faster and more cost-efficient to schedule video interviews vs. in-person. 

• Fairer

Financially and geographically speaking, video interviews are fairer. A candidate who only needs a PC and internet connection allows companies to expand their search and gives candidates a fair shot despite their circumstances.

• Rewatchable

Pre-recorded interviews can be viewed and shared multiple times.

• A good pre-cursor

If a candidate can set up and complete a video interview without any issues or disruptions, it immediately shows their base-line technological skills.

There are downsides to video interviews, in that they can be time-consuming to analyze for the hiring company and may be off-putting to more introverted candidates. That said, if you as the hiring organization is not willing to put in the hours, or you as a candidate are uncomfortable talking to strangers online, you may need a fundamental revaluation of your efforts.

However, if you’re actively applying for work and are expecting a virtual assessment any day now, here are a few ways you can put your best foot forward and not bomb your video interview!

Get your equipment right 

Primarily, your audio and visual inputs.

Most modern laptops come with an integrated webcam, so your choice here is pretty simple. However, if you’re using an older laptop with a lower quality webcam lens, perhaps your best bet is investing in an external one.

If you can avoid it, try not to attend the interview using a tablet or smartphone camera. Sure, the quality is there, but holding the phone to your face comes across as unprofessional.

The camera should be looking down slightly to add some dynamism in the shot. Try to avoid having the camera facing upwards, as the result is rarely flattering. You should be lit from the front, as sitting with your back to the window will cast you as a silhouette. Do the interview inside, where you can control the lighting.

As for your audio, headphones with in-built microphones work best for focusing your voice and drowning out external noise. Most smartphone earphones work fine. If you don’t have access to headphones and must use your internal mic and speakers, ensure you’re sitting somewhere quiet and check both work properly beforehand. 

Now, do a tech-run through:

1. Is your webcam clear?
2. Is your audio coming in and out?
3. Closeout open programs that may interfere with your webcam or slow your PC down
4. Make sure nothing is downloading in the background
5. Is my network secure?
6. Do a video call test with a friend or colleague. 

Manage your environment 

Pre-record yourself to test your equipment. Once you’re happy it’s all working, take a look at what appears in your frame. Is the wall behind you reflecting light? Are there embarrassing photos or posters? Are you lit enough? Does it show your dirty sink? Is there a mirror reflecting something?

This is your big chance to make an impression, and even if you’re saying all the right things, a dirty mug or unkept room may be all the interviewee focuses on. Try to make things interesting with plants or books, but don’t go too over the top. Your efforts to display your knowledge of a firm’s auto dialler software will be for nought if your interviewer’s attention is elsewhere.

Examine your internet speed

A slow internet connection can ruin a video interview, here are a few things you can do to improve it:

• Check your internet speed

There are a variety of speed test websites for you to make use of. You’ll receive three bits of information: ping, download, and upload. The lower the ping, the better. The higher the other two, the better as well. Your download speed will affect the interview’s image and audio. You’ll want at least 8Mbs, anything more is ideal. The same goes for upload speed, which determines how you look and sound on their end. 

If the interviewer uses computer telephony integration software to connect more people to the call, you will need good upload speed. Additionally, if the interview is synced with applicant tracking system software, it may interfere with your upload connection.

• Go wired

Plug your laptop or PC directly into your modem with an ethernet connector instead of interviewing over wifi. This ensures it doesn’t cut off and will improve your speed. If you can’t do this, then sit as close to the modem as possible. 

During the interview 

Make sure you look the part! Avoid white shirts or blouses as they may not show naturally on camera; same for overly black garments. Stay clear of pinstripes or any other busy patterns as those don’t show well on camera either.

Make sure your hair is neat, and your facial hair is trimmed (if applicable). When it comes to make up, often less is more, as your forehead may be too shiny.

So your equipment works and you look good, it’s time to begin!

• It’s good to have prepared notes and speaking points printed out and hidden to the side. This is a great benefit to video interviews. Just ensure you referring to them isn’t visible.

• Speak authoritatively, clearly, and try not to rush. Ensure you leave enough space between asking or answering a question in the event of a lagged connection. 

• Maintain eye contact, which is easier said than done over a video call. Resize your chat window to what feels comfortable. 

• Make sure to smile and try to maintain a friendly environment. But also, don’t be overtly goof or laugh out loud at every joke! Don’t get overly fidgety or distracted by your environment. 

• Engage and ask questions. Have some pre thought out ones close to hand, so you’re able to refer to them when needed. If you’re interviewing with VoIP companies, for instance, have some queries about their particular tech. 

• Lastly, be confident. It’s not an accident you have this interview; they wanted to speak to you for a reason. Know your worth, be proud of your experiences, and show them why you’re the perfect fit.

About the author:

The post How To Put Your Best Foot Forward During A Video Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What is accounting? What is advisory? What does a career in tax look like? You’ve got questions and we teamed up with the awesome team at CohnReznick to get you answers. Watch:

CohnReznick is a national leader in accounting, tax, and consulting. They’re in the top 20 of Vault’s Accounting 50 list and in the top 10 of Vault’s Most Prestigious Accounting Firms list. So, finding an internship—and a first full-time job—at the company is a competitive process.

You can apply through CohnReznick on WayUp. Either way, don’t forget to update your resume and brush up on your accounting basics. Good luck!

The post CohnReznick FAQS appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

From Silicon Valley to locations all over the world, KPMG not only is one of the world’s largest professional services firms, they are constantly striving to be the best. Watch these KPMG employees tell us what it’s really like to live, work, and play in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Interested in joining the KPMG team? Check out their open roles and opportunties here.

KPMG is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, providing innovative business solutions and audit, tax, and advisory services to many of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations. KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career, and is consistently named one of the nation’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” by Fortune magazine.

Their people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, diversity and inclusion, and eradicating childhood illiteracy.

The post What It’s Like To Work At KPMG In The Bay Area appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Virtual interviewing is more than just a passing trend. More and more companies are utilizing video calls, screen sharing, and voice chat to transform all aspects of their business, and interviewing is no exception. Meeting virtually is becoming synonymous with “meeting in person,” and that’s actually a good thing.

And that’s especially true for client-focused, global companies like Ernst & Young LLP (EY). With thousands of employees and clients collaborating around the world, EY teams have to be nimble and ready to work with anyone, anywhere, across time zones.

So, to better prepare yourself for an interview that will mirror the new way of the working world, we spoke to Paige Sacks, an EY recruiting leader. She shared her tips with us for mastering the virtual interview—which she called “the dos, don’ts, and don’t worry abouts.”

The Dos Of The Virtual Interview

“Remember that this is an opportunity to tell your story,” Paige says.

Video interviews can either be live—with the interviewer on the screen—or short clips recorded in response to predetermined questions, and many of the best tips she had remained the same for both types of interviews. With that in mind, she had some must-dos for future virtual interviewees.

Prepare, prepare, prepare. Whether you’re conducting an in-person interview or a virtual one, it’s still a formal assessment of you, your qualifications, and your interest in the company. That’s why doing your homework is equally important for a virtual interview.

“Know the company and know your résumé,” Paige tells us. “Be ready to share an experience you’re proud of. Think about what you would want a future employer to know about you. Practice articulating why you want to work for that firm and what interests you about the role.”

Even if you’re sitting in your bedroom or an empty classroom, this is a business meeting, and you need to come as prepared as you would for any other.

Focus on the content of your responses. “We know the video interviewing experience can be awkward or nerve-racking,” Paige says. “We’ve done it, too, and we agree.”

However, given the prevalence of the technology and its key role in the EY business model, this form of interview is an assessment not only of your qualification for the role but your ability to function professionally in a virtual environment. Demonstrating that you can handle that, and do so with gusto, is essential.

Bring your natural energy and enthusiasm. “It’s hard even with a live video interview to get the kind of energy an in-person conversation would give you, so be sure to show that you’re engaged,” Paige says.

That means nodding, paying attention to the other person when they’re talking, and asking questions when appropriate.

The Don’ts Of The Virtual Interview

Despite their similarities, virtual and in-person interviews differ in crucial ways, creating certain pitfalls you must be careful to avoid.

Don’t be too rehearsed. While you do want to think about your answers to common interview questions beforehand—like why you want this job at this firm—you also need to avoid sounding too scripted. While this is usually more common in the prerecorded video interviews, if you sound like someone reciting a rehearsed answer, then your answers won’t sound authentic, no matter how much truth they have to them.

Don’t mess with the tech. Figure out your technology setup ahead of time. Make sure you have the latest version of the applications you’ll need. Test your mic and camera setup by doing a Skype call with a friend or family member. Make sure the space you are in doesn’t echo. Fumbling and fidgeting with mics, updates, and settings during the call could throw you off your game.

But know that, no matter how much you prepare, technology can be tricky, so you don’t have to worry about it too much.

“Technology is great, until it doesn’t work,” Paige says. “There are a few things that can go wrong when using video technology. We don’t care if they happen, but we do care about how you react.”

If something goes wrong, stay calm and address the issue to get back to business as soon as possible. Any company utilizing video interviewing knows these things can happen.

The Don’t Worry Abouts Of The Virtual Interview

Interviews are stressful situations. And there are plenty of things worth worrying about. Here are a few things Paige told us not to lose any sleep over.

The décor. You don’t need to rearrange the room or paint your walls white. You’re not being assessed on your taste in decorations or what kind of books you have on your shelf. As long as things are relatively neat and there’s nothing obscene in plain view, you’re all set.

“You need to have an awareness of what’s behind you,” Paige says. “But we’re not going to be paying attention to a movie poster or artwork on the wall.”

All the stuff that makes you a person. Sneezing, coughing, noises outside your window—these are just a part of life. If you’re recording a great response and you happen to sneeze, don’t delete it. If you’re talking and an ambulance siren echoes from the road, don’t sweat it.

Tough/difficult questions. There are no wrong answers to a question. The reason you were selected for an interview is because they wanted to learn more about you, which means they found you interesting. Don’t squander the opportunity by looking for tricks and traps.

“We’re not asking our candidates ‘gotcha questions,’” Paige explains. “We want our candidates to succeed.”

And if you follow her advice, there’s a good chance you’ll both get what you want: a great interview.

Want to put these tips to the test? Check out open opportunities at EY on WayUp!

The views expressed by the presenters are their own and not necessarily those of Ernst & Young LLP or other members of the global EY organization.

The post The ‘Dos, Don’ts, And Don’t Worry Abouts’ Of The Virtual Interview, According To An EY Recruiting Leader appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We know picking the right company to start your career with can be challenging . Luckily for us, TEKsystems makes your choice a whole lot easier. WATCH:

#1 TEKsystems wants you to be yourself and inspire others.

Regardless of your degree, background or experience, TEKsystems has a place for you to make an impact.

They do it by continuously nurturing an inclusive workplace. Whether that’s through one of their employee resource and affinity groups or training programs.

#2 Comprehensive training programs just for you.

Through formal mentorship and training programs, you’ll receive all the tools you need—and feel empowered to succeed.

And even though a lot of your work at TEKsystems involves technology based solutions, don’t worry, you don’t need any previous IT experience to succeed.

#3 Ever-expanding growth potential.

The sky’s the limit to what’s possible and where you’ll take your career at TEKsystems. With highly competitive salary and an uncapped commission structure, working at TEKsystems brings you unlimited opportunities.

#4 Benefits package built to bring out your best. 

For TEKsystems, work/life balance isn’t just a buzzword. Through their internal health and wellness programs, TEKsystems provides additional resources designed to educate, support and inspire you to pursue a healthy, balanced life.

Want to join the TEKsystems team? They’re hiring on WayUp right now!

The post 4 Reasons TEKsystems Is A Great Place To Launch Your Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you have an upcoming job interview, it can feel like nothing else in the world matters. You’ve been researching the company, reading interview questions online, and checking out the company’s online profile 24/7 since you got that confirmation email. But sometimes, life happens and you have to cancel an interview.

Don’t freak out. This isn’t the end of the world and if handled properly, canceling an interview won’t affect your chances of getting the job. We promise.

Here’s how to properly and politely cancel a job interview.

How To Cancel An Interview (Even At The Last Minute)

Maybe you were so excited to schedule the interview, you forgot that you have an important class, study session, or exam during your job interview. Perhaps you’re really sick or you forgot that you have to hop on a flight that day. Maybe you got scheduled for a shift at your current job or internship at the last minute.

The job search process can be draining, and this interview seems like an olive branch from life. So, you really don’t want to burn any bridges or ruin your chances of getting the job. But having to reschedule your interview doesn’t have to be a catastrophe as long as you do the following things:

• Reach out to cancel as soon as possible to ensure you’re being respectful of their time
• Apologize and explain what went wrong (without rambling on or oversharing personal details)
• Offer options for a new interview time (try to check out the availability of your interviewer if you have access to their calendar through Calendly or a similar tool)

Stuff happens—and hiring managers and recruiters know this. And the good news is, they wouldn’t have reached out to you if they didn’t think you were a good fit or someone worthy of a possible job offer. So, they’re not going to give up on you so easily.

Example Cancellation Email (That Also Proposes A Reschedule)

Here’s an example of a polite and effective cancellation email that also proposes a rescheduled time:

Hi Matthew,

I’m so sorry to inconvenience you, but unfortunately I’m going to have to reschedule our conversation about the opportunity at Citizens Bank. I’m really excited about the opportunity and grateful for the chance to learn more, but I was scheduled last minute for a shift at my part-time job during our interview time slot.

I am, however, eager to reschedule. Do any of the following times work for you?

• Monday, 3/18 between 12 – 4pm ET
• Tuesday, 3/19 between 11am – 4pm ET
• Wednesday 3/20 between 9am – 4pm ET

Let me know if something during these time slots works for you. If not, please let me know about your availability and I’ll make sure to find something that works for both of us.

Thanks again for the opportunity and sorry for the inconvenience!

All the best,

________

And again, if you do have access to the recruiter or the hiring manager’s calendar, then be sure to find times that are clear on those calendars before you propose new times.

I know it seems like a strike against you, but canceling and rescheduling an interview doesn’t have to be the end of the road for you. In fact, your dream company is probably so excited by your resume that this won’t even be something you remember once you start working there.

Good luck and happy hunting!

The post How To Cancel A Job Interview (Without Ruining Your Chances) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it” before? When it comes to a job interview, we think it’s both what you say and how you say it. Showing enthusiasm during an interview is just as important as giving quality answers.

When you’re in the hiring process for a company, it’s important to show that you’re passionate about the position you’ve applied to, and the organization as a whole. Your enthusiasm must come through in your speaking voice, since it’s your only tool of communication during an interview. (Unless you choose to communicate through interpretive dance—and if so, more power to ya!) 

But sometimes it can be hard to gauge how you’re coming across to an interviewer. Maybe you think you sound as jolly as a Christmas elf, but to the interviewer, you sound bored and ready for your afternoon nap.

For this reason, we suggest you practice putting that pep-in-your-step (or in your voice, rather) in front of friends and family. Sit down with people you trust, and practice answering mock-interview questions with enthusiasm. Ask them for candid feedback on how you’re coming across, and whether or not they hear passion in your voice. You may be surprised by how much honesty comes your way.

So now that you’re equipped with these insider tips, you can walk into that interview with your head held high, ready to rock it. You’ll be sure to dazzle the interviewers with your unyielding enthusiasm. You’ll blow them away with your competitive drive. Now, enough talking—go land that job!

The post How To Show Enthusiasm During A Job Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

There’s a lot of advice about what you should be saying during your job interview, but something that’s often missing from interview tips and guides is what you shouldn’t say during an interview. And there are some things you should never say during any job interview—especially for internships and entry-level roles.

We’ve spoken to some of the most experienced intern and entry-level recruiters to come up with a list of things that you should never say during an interview. And don’t worry, we’ve included plenty of examples.

Check them out.

1. Don’t Talk About Leaving A Company Before You’re Even Hired

One of the great things about a lot of early-career opportunities is that they invest a lot of time and money into training you. “Invest,” however, is the operative word there. These companies, if they hire you, are planning on training and developing you as a professional so that you can do great work for them. They won’t be excited to hear you’re planning on leaving after a year, even if you are.

If you’re planning on going to grad school or taking time off to travel the world at some point down the line, it’s probably best not to mention it. It’s not something you need to table or hide forever, but once you’re actually hired you can find out more info. Some companies will actually pay for grad school for their employees or give them a sabbatical to travel the world after a couple years of service.

2. Don’t Mention LinkedIn/Facebook “Stalking” Your Interviewer (Even Though Everybody Does)

Recruiters know that you’re going to look them up beforehand. It’s just a part of any curious and prepared candidate’s research process. However, using impolite and tone-deaf phrasing like “stalking” can make you come off the wrong way.

If you have a great example or point on which you can relate to your interviewer, try saying something like, “I saw online that you also worked in the non-profit space. I found that my volunteer work at a non-profit really prepared me to handle customer service, because the importance of the work instilled a great sense of urgency in me.”

Remember, interviews aren’t just about skills and experience. They’re also important for determining whether you’re a “culture fit” (a.k.a. whether your personality would fit into the company’s style). Any possibility to avoid coming off as creepy or tone-deaf could go a long way toward assuring them that you’re a good person, just like they are.

3. Your Starbucks Order

Never, ever get caught doing anything besides giving the interviewers your full attention during a phone or video interview. This means don’t place an order at Starbucks or a restaurant, go to the bathroom, or do anything else besides interviewing while you’re on the call. This is a sign of blatant disrespect (at worst) or total ignorance (at best). You should always conduct your interviews in a quiet, private space where you won’t face any interruptions.

If you really can’t find somewhere other than a restaurant or cafe, just give your interviewers a heads up at the beginning of the call and apologize for any inconvenience.

4. Don’t Say That Another Company Is Your Dream Company

Who wouldn’t love to work for Tesla, NASA, or Google? Unfortunately, unless you’re interviewing with them, saying one is your “dream company” is a bad idea.

Recruiters know that not every great candidate is going to be 100 percent passionate about the company’s mission, even if they are passionate about the work, the team, or the opportunity. However, tons of candidates mention other companies—sometimes even competitors—as their “dream company” or somewhere they’d prefer to work.

This is insulting to the recruiter and the company. If you’re not enthusiastic about the role, even during the interview, then they can’t count on you to care six or even three months into the job.

5. Anything Controversial, Especially About Politics Or Religion

Much like a first date, a job interview isn’t the right time to dive into your most controversial views.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t be able to speak to your beliefs in general terms, but you should try to avoid controversial issues, especially those related to politics and religion.

These parts of your life are important, but telling someone you just met (who also decides your fate) about your personal views is never a good idea.

You can, however, bring up politics if it relates to the conversation. For example, if you volunteered for or led a political organization while you were in college, then that’s valuable experience that you should definitely bring up. Another great example is if you worked on a political campaign. Try to focus on the work you did rather than the more nuanced aspects of the issue or the candidate.

(If you’re really concerned, you can always anonymize it by saying something like, “I worked for a congressional candidate in my state’s fourth district in 2018 for a really competitive race. I did x, y, and z in order to accomplish this goal.”)

It’s okay to have values. It shows passion and intelligence. However, this is your first impression with someone and you should show them you know what is and isn’t appropriate to talk about at work.

Don’t Worry, You CAN Recover From Saying One Of These Things

Even if you said something found on this list, you can definitely recover. If you feel like it was really bad, then you could apologize in your follow-up email. However, if you feel it wasn’t an obvious point of tension or awkwardness, then just take some time in your follow-up email to reiterate how excited you are about the role, how much respect you have for the company, and how much you appreciate the recruiter taking time out of their busy day.

These tips are especially good for entry-level jobs and internships, but if you’re looking for a more senior role, then check out these similar articles.

And don’t forget to apply everything you’ve learned to that second or third round of interviews! For more career advice and interview tips, check out the WayUp Guide.

The post 5 Things You Should NEVER Say During An Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Recruiters who staff for sales positions are looking for highly competitive candidates.

One of the top reasons candidates fail in sales interviews is because they don’t come off as competitive enough. Companies recruiting for Sales positions also want someone who thrives in a metrics-driven environment.

Competitive people thrive in sales environments—even when that drive and ambition would be too much for another type of office. Here’s how you can show your competitive side without coming off as aggressive or rude.

Showing Your Competitive Edge (Without Being Rude)

Most of the time, telling people how competitive you are can make you seem harsh or rude. For many jobs, this is something you might want to hide or downplay during an interview (or maybe even talk about as a weakness). This isn’t the case for sales, though—in fact, showing your competitive edge is essential for securing a job offer.

As long as you’re focusing on your drive for success and how the spirit of competition helps you achieve your goals, then you should be in the safe zone.

During the interview, talk about times when you used your competitive drive to find success. Were you an athlete growing up? Were you the top salesperson at Footlocker? If so, what were your numbers?  Maybe you’re extremely motivated by hitting goals. Maybe you thrive in a commission-driven setting. Or maybe you just want to make a ton of money (Sounds nice, eh?).

However you decide to spin it, just be sure to drive home the point that you are competitive with a capital “C” (and that’s how you push yourself to succeed).

The post How To Show Your Competitive Edge In A Sales Interview (Without Coming Off As Aggressive) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Congrats, you landed an interview for a sales position—and you’ve been putting in the work to get ready.

You feel totally prepared: Your resume is clean, you’re dressed for success, you’ve rehearsed your answers to those commonly-asked interview questions, and you’ve researched the company so thoroughly you could write a book about them.

But when it comes to a sales interview, there are a couple of things that you absolutely have to nail to really ensure you crush the interview—and they’re not as intuitive as you might think.

In my experience as a Recruiting Manager, I’ve interviewed hundreds of applicants for sales roles, and these are two tips that—if followed—always ensure a successful interview.

Tip #1: There’s No Such Thing As Being Too Competitive

Recruiters who staff for sales positions are looking for highly competitive candidates.

One of the top reasons candidates fail in sales interviews is because they don’t come off as competitive enough. Companies recruiting for Sales positions also want someone who thrives in a metrics-driven environment.

This can be hard to understand, because being competitive is considered a harsher personality trait that you might want to hide during an interview. However, as long as you’re focusing on your drive for success and how the spirit of competition helps you achieve your goals, then you’re safe to talk about it.

In fact, for a sales interview, it’s an absolute must.

During the interview, be sure to talk about times when you used your competitive drive to find success. Were you an athlete growing up? Were you the top salesperson at Footlocker? If so, what were your numbers?  Maybe you’re extremely motivated by hitting goals. Maybe you thrive in a commission-driven setting. Or maybe you just want to make a ton of money (sounds nice, eh?).

However you decide to spin it, just be sure to drive home the point that you are competitive with a capital “C” (and that’s how you push yourself to succeed).

Tip #2: Enthusiasm Is Key

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it” before? Well, we think it’s both what you say and how you say it.

When you’re in the hiring process for a company, it’s important to show that you’re passionate about the position you’ve applied to, and the organization as a whole. Your enthusiasm must come through in your speaking voice, since it’s your only tool of communication during an interview. (Unless you choose to communicate through interpretive dance—and if so, power to ya!)

But sometimes, it can be hard to gauge how you’re coming across to an interviewer. Maybe you think you sound as jolly as a Christmas elf, but to the interviewer, you sound bored and ready for your afternoon nap.

For this reason, we suggest you practice putting that pep-in-your-step (or in your voice, rather) in front of friends and family. Sit down with people you trust and practice answering mock-interview questions with enthusiasm. Ask them for candid feedback on how you’re coming across and whether they hear passion in your voice. You may be surprised by how much honesty comes your way.

So now that you’re equipped with these insider tips, you can walk into that interview with your head held high, ready to rock it. You’ll be sure to dazzle the interviewers with your unyielding enthusiasm. You’ll blow them away with your competitive drive. Now, enough talking—go land that job!

The post 2 Tips to Help You Nail That Sales Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

One of the most common types of interview questions is the kind that starts with, “Tell me about a time when…”

Answering these questions in a way that is efficient and impressive requires you to be focused and specific. Here are three things you should have on your checklist while you’re answering to make sure you ace it every time.

1. Be Specific. Pick A Concrete Moment Or Challenge And Stick With It.

When you’re answering questions like this, you should always focus on a particular moment or time. Don’t pick something that’s a lifelong struggle or an ongoing predicament.

The interviewer is looking for you to pick something contained and concrete so they can see what the problem/challenge/opportunity was, how you handled it, and what that says about you/what it taught you.

2. Fill Your Answer With Specifics, Context, And Outcomes.

Give the full context of the moment: What was your challenge? Why was it important for the business/organization/person? What did you do about it? How did it turn out?

It’s better to use specific numbers and methods like I did X thing instead of Y thing, because of Z. As a result, it saved us X dollars and Y man-hours. 

3. Make Sure Your Example Speaks To A Broader Theme About The Way You Work.

The goal of any interview question is to show the interviewer how you would add to the company. This means your answer should not only show how you handled a specific situation, but also how you handle hard situations or great opportunities in general. Your answer should speak to a theme or principle that governs the way you work.

It shouldn’t be something cheesy like, “I love winning.” or “I love helping people.” It should be something like a work principle. For example, “I love figuring out new ways to do things that save time, resources, and achieve the same results.” Or, “I believe small details can make a huge difference, so I always triple check my work.”

A Perfect Example Answer

For example, the interviewer might say, “Tell me about a time you went above and beyond.”

Your response could be something like this:

“During my summer internship in the strategy department at Pizzeria Dos, I was asked to find out what customers thought of our new white tablecloths (we had just switched from red tablecloths). I was told to ask 10 customers in total by stopping them on their way out of the restaurant. Instead, with my boss’s permission, I decided to add a small questionnaire to the checks of every customer who came in for the next 2 days. This way, I could reach more people in a scalable way, without bothering those who were in a hurry to get out. I printed the questionnaires on small pieces of paper, so the entire study cost no more than $10 in supplies. I then collected all 50 of the completed evaluations and learned that people hated the white tablecloths because they could see the stains from grease and sauce too easily. I’m happy that I could deliver 500 percent of the number of opinions my boss wanted, and that I was able to do it without bothering customers and still getting an unbiased opinion.”

This answer takes a specific assignment, explains the context, uses specific methods and numbers to demonstrate success, and speaks to a theme about the person: The interviewee was happy to do more than she was asked to do, because the extra work led to a higher quality outcome for everyone.

Want more interview tips? Check out the WayUp Guide.

The post How To Answer A ‘Tell Me About A Time…’ Question appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you want to perfect your interview skills, then there’s a major beast you have to learn to conquer first: filler words. How can you stop saying filler words during an interview? The answer to this question (and many others) is mindfulness and practice.

For those unfamiliar with filler words, I present exhibit A:

Don’t think Patrick gets too many second interviews.

We can promise that if you pepper your interview responses with “ummms,” “likes,” and “uhhhs,” then your chances of coming off as confident, intelligent, and hire-able plummet. It makes you sound like you didn’t prepare ahead of time and don’t really care about the job.

How To Stop Saying Fillers Words During Interviews

In order to stop saying filler words, you have to start paying attention to the way you speak. Be mindful of talking too fast, rambling, and speaking without thinking first.

Remember everything you were taught to do in presentations at school? Yeah, you need to do that in the real world too. Project from the chest and speak intentionally slower than you’re inclined to. This slowdown will make you sound more confident and thoughtful. Plus, it’ll give you time to consciously prevent yourself from saying filler words.

Another great way to do this is to practice your answers to some of the most common interview questions ahead of time. Have an answer in mind for questions like, “Why do you want this job?” and “Tell me about yourself.” This will allow you to focus on your presentation skills instead of the content of your answer.

Want more interview tips? Check out WayUp’s complete guide to the first-round interview right here.

The post How To Stop Saying Filler Words During An Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

How To Answer The Phone For An Interview

Be ready for the call. When you answer the phone for an interview, do so with great energy while remaining professional. The best calls begin with someone answering the phone saying, “Hello, this is _____.”

We can’t stress this enough. “Hello, this is Susan!” is an infinitely more professional way to answer a call than a simple “Hi.”

How NOT To Answer The Phone For An Interview

Do not answer the call and then need time to get situated. Make sure you’re not in a noisy location .

Before the interview begins, find somewhere where you can have an excellent chat about your experience and the opportunity you’ve applied to. If you need to reschedule your call, the interviewer will understand. People have busy lives. Providing as much advance notice as possible is helpful (and shows you really value communication).

This is a simple part of the phone interview experience and doing it well will set you up for success during the conversation. As the expression goes: You can only make a first impression once.

For more advanced phone interview tips, check out this guide from WayUp!

The post The Perfect Way To Answer The Phone For An Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to jobs in sales, recruiting, and client services, there’s usually a good deal of phone calling involved. These are essential skills for roles like these and the great news: You probably have experience doing something like this before.

However, when you’re interviewing for these jobs, it’s important to be able to actually differentiate between the different types of phone calling you’ve done. This is true for a couple reasons:

1. You want to demonstrate an understanding of industry terms to show them you’re savvy and excited about the role.
2. You DO NOT want to misrepresent your experience.

To get a real handle on the differences, we spoke to a subject-matter expert and recruiting manager, Murphy. She’s currently working on a national sales/recruiting position for which both cold calling and warm calling are significant components of the job.

What Is Cold Calling?

As a recruiter for a national sales and recruiting role, Murphy has interviewed hundreds of candidates and has a keen understanding of the nuances between the two types of calls.

“Cold-calling is a sales tactic used to reach out to people or companies to entice them to buy a product or service or to donate to a cause they have not yet heard of,” she says. “Cold calling is used on people or companies a company or cause has deemed (through researching) to be a good fit to buy, use, or donate to them.”

This is experience you’re likely to have if you’ve ever worked for a service business, a non-profit, a political campaign, or even your school’s alumni relations office.

Here’s a good way to know if what you’re currently doing or have done is cold calling, according to Murphy: “If you are given a list of people who do not know you are going to reach out to them and do not know about the product, services, or causes you are educating them about, you are cold calling them.”

The “cold” aspect of it is the fact that this person or organization hasn’t heard of you or your company/product/service before.

What Is Warm Calling?

What, then, is warm calling?

“Warm-calling is reaching out to people or companies who have already expressed interest in or asked to be reached out to about the products, services, or causes you are working for,” Murphy explains.

This goes for more than just sales calls, too.

“If you are reaching out to people for feedback on their shopping experience, telling store loyalty members about new discounts or rewards, or reaching out to people who have requested a product demonstration, you are acting on a warm lead and, thus, warm calling them,” she adds.

Some people and companies think of calls that come after a cold email (similar to a cold call in that it’s an email/message sent without any prior contact) as warm calling, too. So, if this is something you’ve done, it’s okay to think of it as either cold or warm calling.

What Are The Key Differences?

Cold calling is calling someone or some group with whom you have had no previous contact in regard to your service, product, or company.

Warm calling is following up on another contact you’ve had with a prospective organization or customer.

There you have it. For any other burning questions, check out this list of the best first-round phone interview tips and the WayUp Guide.

The post The Difference Between ‘Cold Calling’ And ‘Warm Calling’ appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

School’s back in session and it’s not all classes and books. The fall semester is also the biggest time of year for recruiting—especially when it comes to the most competitive, sought-after jobs for business, accounting, and finance students.

1. Be Excellent

Now if this one seems kind of obvious, then just hear us out. Big 4 Accounting Firm jobs and internships are incredibly competitive. Preparing for them can take years of school, clubs, and other accomplishments. If you’re a sophomore and you’re finding yourself a lackluster candidate compared to your peers, it’s gonna be hard to beat them in the process without some sort of miraculous, stand-out trait (and the ability to prove it). You can take a semester (or even a year) to beef up your application just in case it doesn’t get accepted the first time around.

All that’s to say, make sure you’re at the top of your game before you apply to one of the Big 4 accounting firms (or even other top accounting firms). There are thousands of would-be accountants and consultants all over the world hoping to secure a spot in one of the top global internship programs in professional services. You should be a leader among leaders, an ace in the classroom, and a dedicated worker.

But just being excellent isn’t always everything…

2. Show Them That Excellence, Stand Out

But if you’re here, chances are you’re ALREADY excellent. So let’s talk about how to make that really count: Show it on your resume and in your application.

For example, let’s say you’re the President of the Accountants For Good Club at your school. It’s a club that combines charity with the magic of accounting. Sounds pretty good, right? Even something as relevant and impressive as this should be properly showcased, though, if you want to get the proper mileage out of it.

Here’s why.

Being the President of the Accountants For Good club is great, but there are a ton of club presidents at a ton of great schools. Some might even have experience more relevant than an accounting and community service club. So, in order to stand out among stand-outs, you’ve gotta know how to translate that club experience into working experience, right there on the resume page.

It’s all about how you say it.

Take that accomplishment and explain why it matters. For example, under “President of the Accountants For Good Club,” list out some of the things that happened under your leadership. For example, “raised $15,000 for victims of Hurricane Irene in Puerto Rico.”

This can be followed up with some relevant business skills, too. One example: “Executed transfer of funds to charity.” You could also try, “managed collections of funds,” or “created a system for tracking funds.”

Basically, that’s everything that has to happen with every club fundraiser, but you just said it in a way that translates it perfectly into actual skills. And it doesn’t have to be about accounting, either. This can be done with leadership skills, management skills, event-planning skills—really anything you can think of that’s done in a club or organizational setting.

Let them know that your activities and experiences are preparing you to work for them.

3. Pursue Your Passion (At The Firm)

The Big 4 Accounting Firms (and many of the other ones, too) are massive corporations with tens of thousands of employees. Their people work in all different departments and offer a ton of different services (that’s why most of them prefer to be called “professional services firms,” rather than just “accounting firms”). They offer clients assistance in the form of business management, tax, accounting, IT, and even human resources consulting.

These accounting firms are full of all stripes of business brainiacs. It’s fine if you’re interested in one of the less traditional routes. It can actually be an advantage for you to have unique interests. If you’ve got a classic business background in school, but an extracurricular interest in technology, then you could be the ideal candidate for someone specializing in business technology.

There are a couple ways to leverage this. First, you can see if the department that interests you the most is available directly through the application. Then, just be sure to optimize your resume toward that department and check the right box on your application. Another way is to actually ask a recruiter about it: either in person or over email. Let’s say you really are the President of the Accountants For Good Club at Your School University. You could ask a Big 4 recruiter whether there are openings in that department and how to apply.

4. Be Professional, Very Professional

All joking aside, this is truly the key to impressing your recruiters: Be professional. You should remain prompt, polite, prepared, and personable at all times. It’s okay to be nervous. But even with nerves, try to show them what you’ve got. Send flawless emails, arrive on time for interviews and events, and be prepared for the interview.

Qualities like these mark leaders and otherwise excellent candidates. While you can still get the job without them, it sure makes it a lot easier to stand out in their memory (or at least not stick out negatively) if you’ve flawlessly executed the simple responsibilities and details of the recruiting process on your end.

A few things that could make the difference: Researching the company, position, and department before your application and interview; answering any phone calls with a polite and professional, “Hello, this is ___.” instead of just a “hey;” following up within 24 hours of the interview thanking them for their time and letting them know you look forward to the next steps.

Now, Go Get Your Dream Job

There’s a place for all types of talent at these (and many other) illustrious accounting firms. They’re a great way to start a career in so many fields, because you gain exposure to the inner workings of not just one company, but all the clients that you’ll handle.

Ready to start your dream career in consulting or accounting? Recruiting season is in full-swing and all the best accounting firms are hiring right now on WayUp!

The post Get The Interview: How To Pass The Recruiting Process At A Big 4 Accounting Firm appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Unilever isn’t your average company.

On any given day, 2.5 billion people use Unilever products. For some perspective, that’s one-third of the Earth’s total population. But that’s just its reach.

Unilever employs more than 161,000 people. And when it comes to hiring, it does things entirely its own way.

The Unilever team threw out the old school resume and phone screen formula so that they could start finding modern talent in a modern way. They now use a digital process that’s fast, fun, and authentic.

Here’s how it works. You’ll start by applying online. Then you’ll play games that assess your skills, personality, and potential. After the games, you’ll complete a video interview. Finally, if you pass those rounds, you’ll go in-person to a Unilever Discovery Center to meet your peers and potential co-workers, and to see what life is like at Unilever. Shortly after that, you’ll (hopefully) get an offer!

Here are five tips from the recruiting experts at Unilever that will help you nail the interview process and land a job at one of the world’s top companies.

1. There Are Games—Have Fun With Them

When you apply to Unilever, you’ll be asked to build a digital profile. Part of that means playing 12 games to test your personality, skills, and hidden potential. This isn’t a hazy or hush-hush process, either. After every game, you’ll get direct feedback, and they’ll tell you what they think they found. There’s no right or wrong answer; they’re just looking to see how you play.

That’s why it’s so important to have fun with the games. Don’t stress about winning or doing things a certain way. Do it how you would do it—and have fun with it. Play calmly and confidently, without stressing about doing it “right.”

And above all remember this: It’s about who you are and how you play, and NOT about winning or losing.

2. Make Eye Contact With The Webcam

The digital interview is a real interview. Though you record your answers on your own time, treat it like there’s someone sitting in front of you.

Even though the questions are pre-recorded, there’s a real person on the other end who thought about those questions and wants to know your answers. So, sit up straight, look the camera in its metaphorical eye (the lens), and speak like you normally would to any interviewer. You can even re-record your answers a few times, so it’s potentially even less stressful than an in-person screening.

But that’s just how you’re speaking. The next three tips will help you make sure WHAT you’re saying is just as good as the presentation.

3. Know The Brands

Unilever is a megabrand. It has thousands of products under a ton of subsidiaries around the world. If you only do research on Unilever, you’ll be missing out on a ton of the important (and genuinely interesting) info about the company’s past, present, and future.

So, know your region’s brands (like Ben & Jerry’s, Dove, Axe, and Lipton). That way, you can speak with confidence about your experience with the products, your perception of them, and what you can contribute to the mission of the company that makes them. You’ve almost definitely used a Unilever product, so draw on that experience to bring insight to your interview. That will really help you get to the next round.

4. Know What You Want, But Be Open To New Experiences

So many of Unilever’s jobs and internship opportunities are in different locations around the country. They’re also spread out across departments and sectors you might never have imagined for yourself. So, even though it’s important to know what you want going into an interview, being flexible will make hiring you all the easier.

Plus, if you’re open to something you might not have expected, then you can discover your dream job! New experiences almost always teach you something valuable about yourself. Think flexibly, and you might find yourself with an amazing new job or internship!

5. Learn About Its Values, Especially Sustainability

It’s always important to learn about a company’s values beforehand and think about how the work that you want to do for them can engage with those principles.

One of Unilever’s most important values is promoting a healthy relationship to the environment with their Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. This ambitious project aims to double the company’s growth and halve their environmental impact by 2020. Think about why this matters to you and how you’ll act on and support the effort.

Pro-tip: It’s really important to use concrete examples when talking about something high-minded like values. Translation: Don’t forget the specifics.

For example, if diversity and inclusion are values of the company (like they are for Unilever), and you’re applying for a Supply Chain Management job, you could talk about how ensuring you work with diverse, high-quality suppliers would be a priority for you. Concrete examples like this show that you did more than just Google “Unilever company values.”

Now Go Get Your Dream Job

Now that you have the inside scoop on Unilever’s recruiting process, there’s nothing stopping you from getting your dream job at one of the world’s most successful companies.

If you want to join the mission of making people feel good, look good, and do good, check out internship and co-op opportunities from Unilever on WayUp right now!

The post These 5 Tips Will Actually Help You Get Hired At Unilever (A Hiring Manager Told Us!) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

How many times have you been preparing for an interview (or even sitting in the actual interview) and thought, ‘What if I could just read their minds and find out what they want me to say?’

Well, OppenheimerFunds—home to one of the most competitive financial services internship programs in the country—has heard your cries. The global asset management firm gave us an exclusive look into what its interviewers look for during those critical few minutes you get with them.

Here are five things that OppenheimerFunds wants you to do during an interview.

1. Know Thy Company

OppenheimerFunds is a company that’s always on the cutting edge of its field. It has changed the face of asset management with innovative funds and continues to do so by investing in new kinds of FinTech.

This means there’s plenty of opportunity for you to show that you’re knowledgeable about the business, where’s it been, and where it’s headed. You don’t have to write the book on OppenheimerFunds. But make sure you check out its website, read pertinent articles, and familiarize yourself with its history. Know what the new products and initiatives are, and make sure you understand the industry.

After all, if you’re going to be adding value to the team, you have to know what value means for that team in the first place.

2. Be Prepared To Discuss How This Position Sets Up Your Future Goals

OppenheimerFunds isn’t a massive company. With around 2,200 employees, it makes sure that it invests in every person it hires—full-time or intern. That’s why you have to be sure that you can spell out—to a reasonable degree—what working at OF would mean for your career.

But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a 30-year plan (or even a 10-year plan). Just be honest about how the company help you. If you’re unsure about what you want to do in the future, think hard about why OF is the right stepping stone. For example, you could say, “OF would be a great fit because I’m interested in building a career in public finance. Learning more about the company’s infrastructure fund would help me understand the industry while utilizing my talent for investment.”

This way, you’ll make sure that when your interviewer asks you why you want the position, you don’t just say, “Because I need a job.” or “Because I want to work in finance.”

3. Show That Your Skills Can Help The Company Grow

The best internships and entry-level jobs aren’t just about your development. They’re about contributing to the company’s mission. This is a blessing and a burden, because it means you have real responsibilities.

To show you’re ready for this, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have the skills and the ability to handle the job. At this stage of your life, you’re not going to be able to talk about your extensive professional experience. But you can communicate soft skills like interpersonal communication, detail-orientation, and analytical problem-solving. Just be prepared to give examples, whether they’re from previous internships, part-time jobs, the classroom, extracurricular activities, or even hobbies.

These types of broad skills make you a versatile and exceptional candidate for a company like OF, which invests so much to train and educate its employees.

4. Show That You’re Always Learning

To work at a company that invests in your future, you need to be genuinely receptive to actually growing. You have to make sure that your interviewer knows that you’re a quick study and a dedicated learner. This is so critical for any entry-level job or internship because, regardless of your achievements, you still have so much to learn.

A fast learner who admits she has plenty to learn is always more appealing to an interviewer than someone—no matter how impressive—who prematurely claims to be an expert.

5. Do NOT Gloss Over The Details

All of this only matters if you’re on time, appropriately dressed, showcase your experience, and actively engage with what the interviewer(s) is/are saying.

So much of the interview process is demonstrating that you’re a person who can listen, understand, and engage with the people and places around you. Don’t get in your own head and BE PRESENT! That means not only answering but also asking the right questions.

Are you a detail-oriented, proactive, and soon-to-be expert who wants to start a career in an innovative asset management firm? Then check out opportunities from OppenheimerFunds on WayUp right now!

The post This Company Wants You To Do These 5 Things During Your Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So, you’ve finally found your dream job. You’re amped. You’re making plans. You’re imagining everything you’ll accomplish when you’re there. You’re envisioning yourself becoming C.E.O.

And then you remember that you have to get hired before all of your wildest work dreams come true.

It’s a setback, for sure. But here’s the good news: It’s only a minor one! You can do it, and we’re here to help.

We spoke with the people who make hiring decisions at Johnson & Johnson to find out what they look for when reviewing thousands of applications every year. Here are eight of their most helpful tips for how to stand out from the crowd. Read on, then apply to work at Johnson & Johnson here!

1. Define your “professional purpose.”

Everyone lists their work experience and education on their resume. But all that stuff is in the past. Johnson & Johnson wants to know where you’re headed in the future—aka your “professional purpose.”

So, before you hit apply, think through your short-term and long-term career goals and write a sentence about where you’re headed. Then, add it to the top of your resume before your work experience.

Writing something like “Creative Designer with a passion for startups” or “Outgoing engineer with a love of mission-driven companies” is an amazing way to show you’re ambitious and committed to growth.

2. Celebrate your personal brand.

Your application and interview are not the time to be humble! Hiring managers at Johnson & Johnson want to hear about your accomplishments and understand the impact you’ve made in past roles. Bonus points if you can back up those successes with real numbers. Example: “I helped put new processes in place that cut my team’s average project completion time by two weeks.”

Stats like that will get people excited about the impact you can make in the future.

APPLY TO WORK AT JOHNSON & JOHNSON NOW!

3. Do your research.

Do your research and find out everything you can about the company. Know what initiatives they are working on, read news stories, and find out any information you can so you come off like an expert.

When you’re applying to a company like Johnson & Johnson, showing you’ve done your homework and are a brand evangelist will help you stand out among the many (manyyyy) applications they receive every year.

Don’t just learn it, however. Think about how you can apply it. Include little tidbits in your cover letter and drop references during your phone screens and in-person interviews. 

4. Show off your creative side.

Think a portfolio is just for writers, designers, and artists? Think again.

The team at Johnson & Johnson wants to see if you approach challenges in a smart, strategic way. And one of the best ways to stand out is to compile all your work in one place, like a personal website or a presentation deck.

The best part? It doesn’t have to be difficult. Platforms like SquareSpace and WordPress enable you to create your own personal site with minimal lift. They’ll help you display your work so it looks like a million bucks, even if it didn’t cost that.

Being able to share your work visually—whether you’re a developer or a finance major—can make a huge difference.

5. Optimize your application.

Websites use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to appear higher in search rankings, but you can use it on your resume, too.

Pay careful attention to the keywords in a job description, then sprinkle them strategically (and accurately, of course!) throughout your resume. Many employers use software that scans applications for words that might make a candidate the perfect fit and surfaces those at the top of the list. While some smart keyword usage won’t land you the job, it will get your amazing application noticed faster.

6. Do more than (just) apply to that perfect job.

What’s even better than using the right keywords to stand out? Connecting with a current employee.

Sure, it’s tempting to apply ASAP, but take a few minutes to reach out to current employees you’d be working with. Express your interest in the role and ask one or two well-researched questions about their work at the company. Not many people take this step, so you’ll instantly stand out from the pack when you do apply.

Johnson & Johnson has made that process even simpler with its BE VITAL app, which helps students network and connect with mentors at the company. That gives them the ability to find mentorship and insider tips before you’ve even met with a hiring manager.

Johnson & Johnson also offers a “Get Referred” feature on their job descriptions. This feature allows applicants to search their LinkedIn networks for Johnson & Johnson connections, so they can request to be referred to the role they’re applying for.

APPLY TO WORK AT JOHNSON & JOHNSON NOW!

7. Consider cultural fit.

Some of the qualities that make you a great fit for a role aren’t on your resume. At Johnson & Johnson, cultural fit is equally important. Before your interview, do some digging to understand if Johnson & Johnson’s mission and values align with your own, and whether you could see yourself joining the team. If the answer is “yes,” use your interview to show that you’re passionate about the same things and would thrive in that environment.

8. Don’t overlook the little things.

It seems simple, but it’s worth calling out. It’s easy to overlook some of the smaller aspects of the application process, especially when you’re so focused on all the points above.

Throughout your application process, take the extra time to proofread your resume and all emails you send, regardless of whom you’re communicating with. It’s even helpful to ask a friend to read your resume and make sure it’s as clear as possible. Another small but useful tip: Make sure the email address on your resume is professional (and hyperlinked). If it isn’t, it’s easy to create a new one with some variation of your name.

Ready to put this advice into action? Johnson & Johnson is hiring on WayUp now! Click here to explore open positions.

Johnson & Johnson has over 125,000 employees in 60 countries, all with a common mission: help people everywhere live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Their work touches all aspects of human health, from consumer products, to pharmaceuticals, to medical devices.

The post 8 Tips That’ll Actually Help You Land A Job At Johnson & Johnson appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So, you’ve searched the internet for articles about writing the perfect resume and cover letter. Your friends proofread your work, and now you’re ready to submit. Days later, you receive an email: “Congratulations! You have been selected to speak with someone regarding the open opportunity you expressed interest in.”

Searching the internet, you can find plenty of articles preparing you for your on-site interview. There are even more about crafting the perfect resume. But in between submitting your resume and receiving an invitation to meet with the team on-site, you’ll most likely speak with someone from the Human Resources team and the role’s Hiring Manager.

These preliminary conversations are so vital to the interview process that they can make or break your opportunity to land your dream job. Here are some basic dos and don’ts that will help you ace your initial phone interview.

AVAILABILITY

Do: Provide the Recruiter or Hiring Manager with as many blocks of time as possible when sharing your availability. We understand you’re a busy person — just like we are. Sending several times helps to ensure we can schedule the call right away.

Don’t: Send just one 30-minute window as your availability. Remember that the people interviewing you are in meetings, on the telephone, and connecting with hiring managers. That means if you send us a very small window, there is a likelihood that we will not be available during that time. I’ll have to circle back, delaying the time we could be speaking with one another.

PREPARATION

Do: Research the company you’re interviewing with. I work at WayUp, so I expect candidates to look at our website, review our content, and be curious about the person they’re speaking with. Also important, read and understand the job description before your call. We’re going to want to know why you’re interested in WayUp and this opportunity.

Don’t: Come unprepared to talk about the role. We’re looking for passionate candidates who are excited about our mission. And this is your opportunity to ask me anything you’re curious about. Thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the organization alert the person you’re speaking with that you’re deeply passionate about this opportunity.

Pro Tip: This is your chance to stand out. The candidates who go above and beyond to wow the team are the people who are invited to an on-site. So, whatever you can do to set yourself apart from other candidates means you’re one step closer to your dream job.

TAKE THE CALL

Do: Be ready for the call. Answer the phone with great energy and remain professional. The best calls begin with someone answering the phone saying, “Hello, this is _____.”

I can’t stress this enough. “Hello, this is Susan!” is an infinitely more professional way to answer a call than a simple “Hi.”

Don’t: Answer the call and then need time to get situated. Make sure you’re not in a noisy location . Find somewhere where we can have an excellent chat about your experience and the opportunity you’ve applied to. If you need to reschedule your call, we understand. People have busy lives. Providing as much advance notice as possible is helpful (and shows you really value communication).

FOLLOW UP

Do: Write a follow-up thank you note. After speaking with a candidate who is curious, engaging, and skilled, it’s the cherry on top of the cake when we receive an email thanking us for helping someone learn about the ins and outs of this role.

Don’t: Stop communicating. Aside from sending a note, keeping in close communication with the person you spoke with is a two-way street. If we don’t hear from you for 3–4 days, we may assume you’re no longer interested in the role. Stay connected to avoid miscommunication.

Pro Tip: Receiving a handwritten card is such a nice feeling, but it’s unnecessary. In 2018, a thoughtful, well-written email will go a long way toward helping you stand out. The best part? It can also be delivered in an instant.

The post Dos And Don’ts To Help You Ace Your Next Phone Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you’re interviewing for a job or an internship, you will inevitably have something about your education, background, or experiences that isn’t quite what your potential employer has in mind. This however isn’t personal and doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not qualified. In fact, it’s highly unlikely that any candidate is going to be perfect for a job. There’s always something that could be a little better or a little more on point, and it’s probably an amalgam of different candidates that equates to the perfect package. Once you have the interview lined up, know that you met the basic criteria for the job and then some — at least on paper! The point of the interview then is for your potential employer to gauge if you’re the best possible candidate out of all of the other applicants. And that’s where you have the opportunity to discuss all of your experiences and accomplishments, but it’s also where perceived weaknesses and imperfections can get highlighted and probed.

Although we’d all love to pretend these perceived imperfections don’t exist, we can’t. They become the elephant in the room: everyone knows they exist and they’re impossible to ignore. Because you can’t ignore them, it’s important that you’re ready to acknowledge and address any questions about your perceived weaknesses with confidence and then take the focus off that pesky elephant and quickly move to more positive experiences and traits.

Some common examples of perceived weaknesses are grades and lack of experience. Although your potential employer will have reviewed your resume and decided that you meet their basic criteria, you are still not in the clear, and may have to justify your low GPA or lack of industry experience. Maybe your employer sees that you have a 3.2 GPA, and the job posting just said 3.0 or above (or maybe didn’t even include one), but they’re really hoping for someone with a 3.5 and above. Your GPA may be in line with their requirements, but they may want to know if some of your lower grades were outside of your major or during your freshman year.

Or in regard to experience, maybe they don’t see an experience on your resume, but because they were impressed by the rest of the package, they wanted to see if you had similar work experience, or at least have some trait that gives them the confidence you can pick it up on the job. Try not to get thrown off by these questions because they’re all part of both you and the employer figuring out if this is a good fit. Indeed, you wouldn’t want to work somewhere where your background and experiences aren’t valued!

Coming back to grades and experience as the potential elephant in the room, the best way to answer questions that aim to probe these potential weaknesses is to identify those areas in advance (which a careful review of the job description will usually bring to light), and then to acknowledge them, address them, and move on to the positive that came out of the those circumstances. Always remember to speak in an honest, confident and importantly, proactive manner that keeps the conversation moving forward and focused on the skills and experiences you do have.

For example:

• Did you perhaps struggle with some biology classes during your freshman year before realizing that you wanted to pursue international affairs and not pre-med? Can you discuss that realization with your employer, and then explain that since transferring to international affairs you’ve maintained A-level grades and have participated in several significant research projects?
• Are you maybe lacking in some experience that was listed on the job description but did some similar tasks during an internship and can truthfully and confidently explain that you’re ready to take on this new responsibility? Instead of saying “no, I don’t have that experience,” can you instead, more positively and proactively, explain that “while I haven’t done A, I have done X, Y and Z during past internships and feel confident that I can tackle A if I’m hired.”

Notice here that we’re not letting the elephant just sit there. We didn’t shut down when asked these difficult questions, or give a one-word “yes” or “no” answer, or one that acknowledged the perceived weakness without any concomitant positive. Rather, we aimed to carry the conversation forward and in the direction we wanted it to go, away from the elephant and toward the positive attributes that we, as a candidate, bring to the table.

The take-away from all of this is not to let that pesky elephant that lurks in the background for all of us as candidates, in one way or another, derail an otherwise promising opportunity. Be prepared to address it, and know how to keep the conversation moving forward after you’ve done so.

The post Interviewing Around the Elephant in the Room appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Your impression on an employer doesn’t stop after the interview.

One of the most important things you can do, to make sure you stand-out from the other applicants, is send a follow-up email. There may be some confusion as to what exactly this email should contain, so here are four main points to consider.

1. When should I send it?

A follow-up email should be within 24 hours of the interview. Sending it within this time frame makes the employer feel that you truly appreciated him or her setting aside the time to interview you. Also, sending this email shortly after the interview makes you stand out and shows you care about the company. What employer doesn’t want that in a new-hire?

2. What should I write about?

First and foremost, you should say ‘thank you’ to the interviewer for having you; it’s a big deal to get a face-to-face interview! But that’s obvious isn’t it? To make your email stand-out, write about something specific that happened during the interview. Maybe you really appreciated the company’s values, or connected with a project the company is starting. This should be stated in the body of the email. This shows the interviewer how attentive you were during the interview and that you valued the opportunity. It also makes it more personal so it does not seem like you just ‘copy and pasted’ it from a previous email.

3. How should I conclude?

This is something that I always struggle with myself. Do I sound too cold? Do I sound too casual? After a series of trial and error, I have found that a simple, ‘I look forward to hearing from you’ is the best way to go. It’s short, sweet, and to the point. You don’t want to elaborate on the ending of your email too much–remember, it’s an email, not an essay. Of course, don’t forget to sign-off with your signature–you want to make sure the interviewer knows who you are!

The post Sending The Follow Up Email appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Sherry Zou for Student Stories. 

If you think a well-polished resume and professional attire are all you need for an interview, you are clearly wrong. At an interview, an employer is not only judging you by your outward appearances, but also by your speaking skills. In other words, an employer is looking and judging you from all perspectives; most importantly your 60 seconds pitch when an employer asks you to tell him or her about yourself in the beginning of the interview.
The 60 seconds pitch is your time to shine and that pitch may distinguish you from all other applicants. From my years of being in interviews, an employer wants to hear the pitch in order to get to know your education, major, and why do you think you are an excellent candidate. A pitch should be short in sentences and simple enough to catch the attention of an employer.

A pitch can be written in advance and can be prepared for your audience. If you are beginning to enter the work force, you should definitely prepare your pitch, tailoring it to the job description and employer. Slowly as you practice, your will get the gist of it and your pitch will sound amazing.

So what is the perfect pitch? The answer is there is no such thing as a perfect pitch. Everyone is different in terms of their voices, personalities, and looks. You are different and unique; therefore you should prepare the pitch that best convinces the employer of your excellent candidacy for the position. In addition, you should not be afraid to showcase little of your characteristics as a person during the pitch.

People say too much is a bad thing and that is extremely true for the pitch. You want to let the employer know the right amount of information about you and at the same time you do not want to be too boring. In other words, you want to add different tones of voice to your words when saying phrases like “I am passionate about”, “My career goal is”, and “I have experience in”. When adding different tones to different words, an employer that you are talking to will become more engaged in the conversation.

About the Author:

My name is Sherry Zou and I am currently studying Experimental Psychology at Saint John’s University located in Jamaica, New York. My career goal is to become a clinical psychologist with an emphasis of treating children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders. My hobbies are knitting, crocheting, painting, and drawing.

The post Finding Your Pitch at the Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.