AgCareers US

by Kristi Sproul,

AgCareers.com

Education & Marketing Specialist

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WITHOUT QUESTION,

one of the

most unnerving parts of the job seeking

journey is the interview. For most, it’s

the uncertainty of what to expect during

the interview that gives them the jitters.

Interview types can vary by employer

and even with all the practice questions

available, there’s no way to know exactly

what to expect.

You’ve likely heard the standard

advice to arrive early, come prepared

with questions and highlight your

experiences. While these tips are

certainly on point, we wanted to dig

deeper by getting insight from employers

about how they score interviews. How

much does experience really matter?

What are red flags? What makes an

interview exceptional?

To get the inside scoop on job

interviews we reached out to Julie

Venierakis, Senior Director of Human

Resources and General Services for

Valent U.S.A and Dustin DeVries, Senior

Manager of Talent Acquisition for Zoetis.

Julie has been involved with hiring new

talent for over 20 years! Dustin accepted

his current role at Zoetis in 2017 and has

over 17 years’ experience of managing

employees and seeking out top talent.

What do you notice first when meeting an

interview candidate?

JULIE:

Initially, we notice if the

candidate has arrived on time, maintains

eye contact, openness, if they are smiling

and engaged.

DUSTIN:

The first thing I notice is the

candidate’s attention to detail. A

candidate who arrives early and has

followed the details outlined in the

interview confirmation creates a positive

first impression. The second thing that I

notice is the delivery of the candidate’s

initial introduction, to not only the

interviewer(s), but to other staff they

encounter during their time in the office.

When a candidate seizes every

opportunity to genuinely make a new

connection, they stand out from the

crowd.

Takeaway: Arrive early, follow

instructions and strive to make

connections.

If the candidate has previously submitted

their resume electronically, do you expect

them to bring a printed copy to the

interview?

JULIE:

No, not really, but I do expect that

the candidate completes an application if

provided prior to the interview. Providing

reference information is also important.

DUSTIN:

Yes. When candidates bring

fresh copies of their resume and provide

it to the interviewer without being

prompted, it demonstrates that they have

proactively prepared for the meeting.

Takeaway: It doesn’t hurt to be prepared,

so bring printed copies.

Do you expect the candidate to shake the

hand of each interviewer?

JULIE:

Absolutely.

DUSTIN:

Candidates who take the time

upfront to acknowledge each interviewer

with a handshake and a brief “thank you”

for their time will always differentiate

themselves. However, sometimes this

can be logistically difficult given the

room set-up. In instances like this, a brief

statement of thanks works just as well.

Takeaway: Make the effort to shake

each person’s hand if the room set-up

allows.

During the interview how can recent

college graduates distinguish themselves

from several other candidates who

may also have a long list of campus

involvement, but a shorter list of practical

job experience?

JULIE:

If the candidate can explain

examples of the application of skills

learned in school or specific classes

and leadership roles that directly link to

the job opportunity. Also, we look for

candidates that can demonstrate strong

soft skills, relationship building, teaming

with others, leading projects, working

with teams from diverse cultures, ages,

countries, etc.

DUSTIN:

Recent college graduates who

focus on their relative accomplishments

inside the job interview