The 8th of September 2007 had been a busy day for CoEJ – a very busy day indeed. Five different seminars and fairs were running in parallel, ranging from assisting those just about to fill in their UCAS forms all the way to the parents of the freshers – giving them a complete ‘inside info’ of what actually happens in the well-documented ‘fresher’s week’. Unfortunately, since I didn’t visit that seminar, I can’t inform you of what exactly unfolds. But for the parents out there, just ask your kids; they will be glad to inform you of all the perks!
I tagged along to this event to attend the graduate seminar. Being a penultimate year student and about to enter what has been coined as the ‘real world’, this seemed like an ideal opportunity.
The day was broken down into two parts; the former contained a series of talks on the different aspects concerned with graduate application while the later, which was held after lunch and namaaz, was a half an hour mock interview followed by a feedback session of the same length.
Starting off with the first talk – an hour on the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of a CV. This was co-run by Maureen Burton, who works for the health ‘watchdog’ and John Burton from Warwick University; both of whom have been involved in staff recruitment at the their respective institutions. One of the most important bits of info handed out was how to ‘sell yourself’ by identifying oneself in a three line summary. To assist in this, they gave us a whole page of eye-catching phrases. Mine is ---------. (Haven’t you heard of privacy?!)
The second one was given by Hussain Premjee, managing director and founder of Riz Capital Management Ltd and ex-vice-president of Bear Stearns & Co. Inc – one of the major investment banks, entitled ‘Covering Letter’. Since he too was involved in graduate recruitment, he started off by talking about graduate application and recruitment from a ‘requiter’s perspective’. This was highly helpful, especially since in the near future I would be one of those being ‘harassed’ by people like him. He then went onto the importance of and method on writing covering letter, as the title suggested.
The final talk, or rather exercise, was a complete shock for us. When introduced, we were told that the next ‘talk’ on ‘interview skills’ would be given by Maria Pattinson, a person highly experienced in the theatrical and opera arena. Yes – not an ‘actual interviewer’, but an actor/director.
And, as expected, she started by first explaining the similarity between the two – an interview and an act. Apparently, as statistics tells us, more than 80% of the making up of the mind about a person depends on body language and voice control, and only a small percentage depends on the content. Lucky for me now that you are only reading this as opposed to seeing me say it out!
Being highly involved in the theatre means that she knew how to portray herself really well and that was what she going to teach us! The session initially started off by telling us how to hold ourselves and the attitude to be held before going for an interview, but quickly turned into one of actually ‘experiencing’ the moods and gestures both the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’. This involved imitating a specific mood and also seeing the effect of it on those around you. Suffice it is to say that she really impressed us and is a decent teacher!
Lunchtime soon dawned onto us and we were all kind of disappointed that such an excellent session had come to an end, but then again free food was awaiting us, so no one complained!
Before we all headed off, we were given a sheet of paper informing us of the role we would be playing during the fore coming interview – mine was applying for a position as a business analyst of a multi-national company (Unilever). My interviewer was Maria Pattinson.
The actual interview was really helpful. Not being in the actual industry, the business world, mean that she could not help me out with my content. But then again, we all know that that was unimportant! So she ensured that I perfected the remaining 80+% aspects of the interview. Got a great deal out of that interview. Hopefully I will actually apply the tricks learnt when I actually get an interview.
Overall a superb day; a lot drawn out of it. An absolute must for prospective interviewees, unless of course you are the perfect candidate for the job. And don’t worry, am not part of CoEJ, so no personal advertisements here. Only one major drawback that must be mentioned – getting up at seven on a Saturday!!!
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