Interviewing is a Team Sport By: Jun Loayza
Under: Interview, Now What?Interviewing is not like a test. School teaches us that we have to do things alone and take tests separately - if I share my knowledge or answers with someone else, they will set the curve higher and result in a lower score for me. In contrast, Interviewing is a sport, and like any sport, it requires a full-hearted team effort in order to accomplish your goals.
Here are the advantages of recruiting as a team:
1. You and your friend can mock interview each other
a. Preparing for your interview is 5 times more effective when you practice with another person. Each can take a turn being the interviewer, and critique the other on how she can improve and what she is doing right.
2. Start preparing for your interviews earlier and more consistently
a. Everyone knows that going to the gym alone is a lot harder than if you have a work-out buddy. Your work-out buddy motivates you, and pushes you to your limits – something that is very hard to do on your own. With an interview buddy, you can motivate and push each other to practice everyday.
3. Support and comfort at info sessions and career fairs
a. Going to an information session or career fair can be daunting at times. Everyone is talking to someone else, and you see yourself standing alone in line waiting to speak with someone. If you go to the career events with a friend, you will always have someone to talk to, and someone who can introduce you to someone else. Plus, the more people you know at an event, the more important you appear.
4. Meet twice as many professionals
a. With a friend at the event, you don’t have to meet every single recruiter or associate. You can both split up and cover twice as much ground together. You can also benefit from giving each other tips about each recruiter. “Hey Gabe, the Bain recruiter is a black-belt in martial arts as well. You guys should talk about your experiences in martial arts competitions.” Gabe will now have an instant way to initiate an intimate conversation with a Bain recruiter.
5. Two head are better than one
a. As you practice your interviewing techniques, you will notice that you excel in some parts of the interview, and are poor in others. Your interview buddy may excel in the parts that you do poorly and can help you bring up your interview game.
Most importantly, I would rather see my friend get the job position over me, rather than seeing some other random student get the job. This is what it comes down to: can you honestly look into the eyes of your friend who got the job position over you and say, “Gabe, I’m really happy you got the job position. Congratulations!” This is the kind of self-sacrifice and determination that is required to get the top positions out there. Now go out there, and find yourself an interview buddy!
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