The Director of Spirits
I will always remember my first job interview. I was in grade 11 and I had applied for a position at Rideau Valley Childcare Centre. My parents and guidance counselor had helped me develop a nice looking resume. I had gathered some really good recommendation letters from organizations and teachers I had volunteered with and I accompanied my resume with a very professional cover letter. Not surprising I was asked to come in for an interview.
I drove myself to the interview arriving about 10 minutes early, I hate being late for anything. I was excited and confident I could get the job without a problem. Unfortunately I forgot to show that confidence to the person interviewing me. During the interview I offered very little information. I was completely unprepared for the questions she asked, I talked into my lap most of the time and at the end of the interview I asked her if I got the job.
As I drove away I can remember thinking that I had not done as well as I had planned, but, if they would only give me a chance, I could prove to them that I could do the job.
Not surprising, they didn’t give me that chance.
I blew it in the interview.
Since then I have done many successful interviews and at the moment my job requires me to sit on the other side of that table.I often find myself interviewing students who are looking to land their first job and so I have decided to list a few tips that I have discovered over the years and things that I look for when deciding who will make a good addition to the Farm Team.
The application
I know I said I was going to be giving interview tips, but you have to be invited to an interview so to start here are some Dos and Don’ts of the application process.
Be professional – first impressions are important.
Whether you are using an online application form, faxing in a resume, dropping off an application form or simply emailing to let me know you are interested in a position at the farm.Make sure your resume and application say what you want them to say.
When I read an application form, I’m looking information that stands out. Find out what kind of job you are applying for and the skills required. Make sure your resume and/or application form, showcase those skills and experiences. Remember that experience does not need to be paid. There is a reason they make you do 20 hours of community service in high school.
Email is a great way to communicate today, but PLEASE remember you are not ‘texting’ to one of your friends. Bad grammar, writing only in lowercase, and incorrect spelling DON’T make a good impression. Check your grammar, and use paragraphs. Capital letters should be used at the beginning of sentences. Refrain from using IM slang. U is spelled ‘you’ and emoticons are not appropriate for use in an email to your potential employer.
Before you hit send, read your emails out loud to yourself, a friend or parent to make sure they make sense. I tend to delete emails I cannot understand.
The interview
Sell yourself! You are invited to an interview because your application made an impression, now’s your chance to show us why you would be a valuable member of The Farm Team.
Image is extremely important as it is the first impression that we give to someone who doesn’t necessarily know who we are. This does not mean you need to come dressed in a suit and tie although that would be appropriate if you were interviewing for an office job. Know what kind of job you are applying for and come dressed as you would if you were an employee of that company. Most jobs have a uniform that you must wear, but how you wear that uniform is equally as important as simply putting it on.
You need to be confident, but not overly so. Remember, I’ve never met you before and at Saunders Farm we want our staff to be approachable and friendly. If you want the job you need to be able to show me you can be that person. The interview is not that long, if you look bored in the interview that doesn’t bode well for a six to eight hour shift.
Know where you are applying. It is very rare that I hire someone who has never been to the farm before. We are lucky that most of our employees are also our customers. However, if you haven’t visited the farm you can gather information from the website or by talking to members of our team.
Talk to me! Sometimes during an interview I feel like I have to pull information out of the person I am interviewing. I understand that you are nervous, but if you answer my questions with only a few words it does not give me much information to use when I am making the hiring decisions. When you are asked a question take some time to think about your answer and offer up as much information as you can. It may help to prepare yourself ahead of time by listing all your skills and experiences, so they are fresh in your mind during the interview.
Remember most of the information I gather in an interview especially a group interview comes from what I observe, I am watching you from the moment you walk into the room to the second you leave. Don’t be nervous, just leave me with a good impression of what you would be like as an employee.
Good luck!
