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Today I am supposed to have an interview (I'm assuming we're still on - we had a bad snow storm; most places are closed, but my library job is opened [I took the day off since we were expecting a blizzard]... so not everyone is closed) on the phone for an internship with a consultant company in Philadelphia. I'm surprised it is via phone since it's so close; I do have some experience with phone interviews from when I was planning to move to Detroit, but I'm really nervous. Phone interviews make me more nervous than face to face.
I practiced on my own and read books of possible questions. I researched the consultant company. I went to the Glassdoor site and there were only two reports of possible interview questions. They didn't say what the positions were for, but would an internship asked about how I handled difficult bosses? One poster mentioned most of the questions were relating to how I could add value to the firm. I think that one makes more sense for the internship because last week when I received the e-mail, the woman interviewing me said, "I would like to speak with you via telephone to learn about your educational/career history and future goals."
The internship is for a social media specialist. Although I have never done social media things for the jobs I worked and still work for, I did take college classes on social media writing and have used social media to promote my books/scrapbooks and promote other bands and individuals who started non-profit causes and needed recognition. These groups have thanked me and posted my work; some contacted me after reading my blog and posts and thought I'd be perfect to write about them. My career adviser said, "Yes! Mention that!" (I had one interview... with that German Society that said that didn't count since I did it on my own) "You can mention what you do, then tie it in to how you can help that company." Should I mention that I taught people at my school internship how to use computer applications, wrote how to use those applications, wrote about internet safety and other office responsibilities too? I still work for the library and I'm going to talk about the organization skills and exposure to social media application techniques. When I write book reviews, I keep it in mind for an online audience since everything is put online now.
I want to move and I know never to talk about that for future goals. How should I approach future goals? That's what makes me the most nervous because I do need the experience and I really want this job to learn more about social media. I want experience in this. How should I word this?
In an interview, always focus on how you can help the interviewer's company gain more business, increase its revenue, or attract more customers. The interview is not really about you, it's about the needs of the interviewer. If you can spin your skills and experience to show that you can address those needs successfully, you'll be way ahead of your competition.
In an interview, always focus on how you can help the interviewer's company gain more business, increase its revenue, or attract more customers. The interview is not really about you, it's about the needs of the interviewer. If you can spin your skills and experience to show that you can address those needs successfully, you'll be way ahead of your competition.
Yes, I know. They're a health care, petrolium, and business consulting company... so I'm going to say how I can tailor social media markets to help out their clients to increase their revenue.
I've never worked for a consulting company, so one of my questions will be how will this work. Will I be trained by the consulting company for consulting company specific sites for this internship or will I be working with every company that uses it.
Here's the job description:
Established in 2002, ----- Consulting Group is a rapidly growing, management consulting firm specializing in the Life Sciences industry. The firm provides advisory services to medical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies on a global basis. Our primary services include market research and talent acquisition. Our organization is based in the Old City district of Philadelphia, PA. We are currently seeking a Social Media Marketing Intern to support the firms social media marketing efforts. This is a paid internship that will provide the successful candidate with a wealth of "real world" marketing experience in a fast paced business environment. Training will be provided. Success in this role may lead to full-time employment.
Job Description:
The intern will help coordinate promotional communications via online platforms including the company's websites, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The intern will create content and manage the social media content.
Responsibilities:
Manage engagement, content and conversations across the company's social media outlets including writing and posting content for Facebook and Twitter on a daily basis.
Requirements:
Excellent written and verbal communications Extreme attention to detail and outstanding organization skills Strong understanding of business applications of Facebook, Twitter and other social media tools Proficient with Microsoft applications Experience in creating and producing social media content Proven success in optimizing content based on social measurement and research
Qualifications:
US citizen College senior or recent college graduate (Marketing or Communication major preferred) Minimum GPA 3.0 Previous internship or work experience (social media marketing preferred) Ability to work a minimum of 20 hours per week between 8:30AM-5:30PM EDT (full-time preferred)
I will also be keeping my library job - this will be a 2nd job. The library is PT and my career adviser said to tell them, "My library job is very flexible and I will be working it on weekends. The library is like family and that's why I'll be keeping it on the weekends. I am looking to break into this field and your company seems like the perfect opportunity for me to bring my skills to increase your business." I'm not sure about that - if they don't ask about the library, I won't mention that.
If I were you, I would NOT say "I am trying to break into this field" because it highlights even more starkly your lack of experience. Just say that you want to use your skills to help the company blah blah blah.
If I were you, I would NOT say "I am trying to break into this field" because it highlights even more starkly your lack of experience. Just say that you want to use your skills to help the company blah blah blah.
Alright. I won't mention the library at all. I'll do what others have suggested - filling out something once I get the job about another job. I really want this job because I need an entry level position.
It's an internship, so I think it's fine to acknowledge that you gain experience and skills out of it - that's kind of the point and they even included that in the description. If it was a regular job, they'd just post it and hire a permanent employee.
Just a random phone interview tip but stand up during the interview and smile during the interview. Standing up and smiling make a difference in the way you speak and come across. It may feel weird but give it a try.
Just a random phone interview tip but stand up during the interview and smile during the interview. Standing up and smiling make a difference in the way you speak and come across. It may feel weird but give it a try.
I'll do that! I am also going to get dressed up like I would for a face to face interview.
Quote:
Originally Posted by emm74
It's an internship, so I think it's fine to acknowledge that you gain experience and skills out of it - that's kind of the point and they even included that in the description. If it was a regular job, they'd just post it and hire a permanent employee.
Good luck!
That's true! From that description, will it be done from an office? My mom said while drinking, "If it's work from home, don't take the job! Who cares about money, you need to socialize! You need to get out of this house and socialize. Screw money!" I think that's very wrongheaded. If I am offered a work at home job, I'll take it and as long as it's WiFi, I'll work out of Starbucks or in the library before or after work there. I don't know why she would say that nonsense.
Thanks everyone! I'm feeling better - less nervous.
One very important aspect of this kind of job is the potential to create a PR nightmare for the company. It's not just about writing; it's about discernment.
Google "corporate social media fails" to see examples of how a simple Tweet can damage a company's reputation and even bottom line. This is new territory for many companies, and hiring a naive person who is ignorant about what should and should not be posted can be disastrous.
You would need to mention how common sense and discernment are important skills you would bring to the position.
Thanks for that heads up Wmsn4Life... I totally forgot about that! I know I've seen it plenty of times on the news and I hear about it all the time at the library I work for. I've learned it in class - when social media-ing for a company, it needs to be kept professional and PC. I'll definitely mark that down on things to talk about.
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