Advice from the editor
What not to do at an interview

By Iam Pace · The Mainstream
Published May 18, 2010

Recently, I found myself facing an interview for an internship that would see me writing press releases and story placements for state-wide economic projects for several major businesses. As a journalism and public relations major, it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.

So to prepare for the important interview, I went to UCC’s journalism instructor, Melinda Benton, and had her advise me about the interview process and what information I should be familiar with. I then had UCC’s communication instructor, Paula Usrey, run me through a mock interview where she critiqued my attire, responses and body language. I also sought advice from UCC’s foreign language instructor, Ni Aodagain, who reinforced the elements necessary for a successful interview. After a couple hours of rehearsal, study and advice, I felt confident and ready.

And this is how it went: So, after missing the office initially on my drive there, I did a really poor u-turn in the middle of the street (the kind where you have to switch into reverse and then back into drive multiple times, and prudently, I did this in front of their office). Finally, after driving through several parking spots to get to the one I wanted, I parked. I proceeded to sprint through the rain and across the street to the office building (my frantic run across the road had sprayed mud across my nice, white dress pants). So, breathing heavily, I quickly entered into the office foyer to escape the relentless rain. Noticing how disheveled I had become from my sprint across the road, I attempted to quickly adjust my clothes. My tucked-in, dress shirt had become partially dislodged, so I quickly undid my belt to tuck the shirt back in, and that is when the director herself decided to make her appearance to greet me; my hand is down my pants, my belt is undone, I am panting and splattered with mud. It was a great start. And things only became worse from there.

To be continued next issue