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School of Environment and Natural Resources

CFAES

What Every Job Candidate Needs to Know

Here is some of our best advice that will help you put your best foot forward as a job candidate:

  • Prepare an informative, realistic, well thought out resume.  Target that resume for each job you apply for...learn more about resumes here.
  • Arrive for an in person interview at least 15 minutes early.
  • For a phone interview, call your interviewer at exactly the time scheduled...not early or late.  Write down the interviewers questions so you can stay on track with your answer.  Arrange to have no interruptions from roommates during a phone interview.
  • Follow up with a thank you correspondance immediately after your interview.  See a sample thank you note below.
  • Dress appropriately for an interview.  Flip flops are not acceptable to any professional job interview.  Always dress up, even if you know the field staff is doing the interviewing and will be in shorts and t-shirts. 
  • Have a clean and neat notebook or portfolio with you so you can take notes during your interview.  A good interviewer will be taking notes, you should too.
  • When you arrive for an interview, you will be tagged as the "candidate" and most employees buzzing around know why you are there.  Always be polite to everybody you meet - from the parking lot attendant to the people who you share an elevator with as you are entering and exiting the building. 
  • Keep your phone turned off and don't turn it back on until you have left the premises.  Don't play with your phone if you are waiting on someone.
  • If you are in a reception area, avoid picking a celebrity gossip style periodical.  Thumb through a magazine relating tothe career in which you are interviewing, if one is offered.  Do not play with your phone.  Use this time to review your notes and the questions you have prepared.
  • Have fun!  This is your time shine and share who you are with professionals who want you to be the best candidate you can be.  Interviews allow you to promote yourself and the great things you have done and want to do...relax and have a great time.
  • Find a few additional tips here from the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Sample Thank You Letter

                                                                                                                                                                   2021 Coffey Road
                                                                                                                                                                   Columbus, OH 43210

Mrs. Linda Smith
Manager
My Dream Job Company
300 Oak Street
Columbus, OH 43210

Dear Mrs. Smith:

Thank you for your courtesy and generous time you gave to our meeting yesterday.  I enjoyed learning more about the
remediation projects your company is working on in the Central Ohio area.  The more I heard about the work
being done by your firm, the more excited I became to relate my experiences to meeting the challenges your company faces.

I wanted to take this opportunity to point out that I am registered for a wetland delination course next semester being taught by
one of your chief scientists.  I am confindent that this course will enhance my knowledge foundation in my work with wetlands.

Again, thank you for the informative interview.  It was a pleasure to meet you and your staff.  If you should require any further
information about my application materials, please contact me at 614.123.4567.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.  It
would be my pleasure to work for you and for my Dream Job Company.

Sincerely,

 

Bob Roberts