Assistant Director Of Career Services 

How did you get your current job?
Referral

What was the application process?
I submitted my resume electronically, and then I interviewed in person.

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
I only interviewed once with my immediate supervisor, the director of Career Services. It was a two hour interview where we discussed my thoughts and ideas about changing the current situation of the department.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
Describe yourself. List some of your weaknesses and how you’re working to strengthen them. How would you contribute to our team and office as it’s currently structured?

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
I do feel prepared as most of my tasks don’t require any specialized skills. I also work closely with my supervisor and colleagues which allows me to ask questions and request assistance.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
I have done fairly extensive training in customer service, and I had several business internships during college. As for formal training in higher education, I haven’t received any since I began working here.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
I do. I attended a small liberal arts college where I took classes in everything from public speaking to cell biology. I feel that having a very broad education prepared me for any job. I also held countless leadership and service positions during my college career, and I truly believe the lessons learned will stay with me, and benefit me, for many years to come.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
Through my internships, I learned the importance of etiquette. So many people underestimate its importance. I also learned about corporate culture, how to run meetings, time management, and many other important, real-world lessons were learned during my various internships.

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
I would that the student begin looking for job openings in the Career Services department of various schools, based on the geographical area they plan to live. In a broader sense, finding a job in the student affairs department, as a dorm director, greek life coordinator, or any other position, would also be a great way to start. Also, working in the school’s admissions office is a good place to start, this puts you in the hiring pool, as many schools promote from within. Someone intersted in this position should also consider graduate school in higher education, but first, I suggest spending a few years working in the system.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
To find success in a position similiar to mine, a person should possess great people skils. He or she should be energetic and outgoing because you daily work with students and sometimes the student is extremely apathetic. You should also be well-organized and goal oriented. Often, you’ll be responsible for more than your job description describes, so you should be prepared to work hard to meet multiple goals.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
I think you should possess a bachelor’s degree, and some customer service training is helpful.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Never get discouraged, I can promise there will be days when you’ll want to, but remember that you’re having a positive impact on someone’s life. Also, lead by example, so if you’re telling your students how to dress and behave, make sure your dress and behavior are in accordance with your teaching.