90 July/August 2014
YOUR CAREER, YOUR LIFE
BY LINDA CONKLIN
GAA STAFF
Administration
Doug Dibbert ’ 70, president
doug_dibbert@unc.edu; (919) 962–7050
Steve Shaw ’ 82, director of finance & administration; steve_shaw@unc.edu
Lisa Beers, controller; lisa_beers@unc.edu
Linwood Blalock, mail room
Marisa Elliott, assistant to the president; marisa_elliott@unc.edu
MaryCatherine Kurzenski, Alumni Center coordinator;
marycatherine_kurzenski@unc.edu
Susan Lane, accounting assistant; susan_lane@unc.edu
Tom May, printshop coordinator; tom_may@unc.edu
Elizabeth Morgan, telephone receptionist; (919) 962–1208
Communications
Regina Oliver ’ 75, editor & director of communications
regina_oliver@unc.edu; (919) 962–7056
Kate Newton Anthony, art director; kate_anthony@unc.edu
David Brown ’ 75, senior associate editor; david_bro wn@unc.edu
Jana Collins ’ 92 (MA), advertising account representative;
jana_collins@unc.edu
Dave Drake ’ 92, online coordinator; dave_drake@unc.edu
Keith King ’ 82, associate editor; keith_king@unc.edu
Andrea Saye ’08, marketing & advertising manager; andrea_saye@unc.edu
Jason D. Smith ’ 94, associate art director; jason_smith@unc.edu
Membership
Stephanie Miller ’ 83, director of membership
stephanie_miller@unc.edu; (919) 962–7058
Brandon Copeland ’ 12, coordinator of membership services;
brandon_copeland@unc.edu
Diana Koonce ’02, coordinator of membership administration;
diana_koonce@unc.edu
Programs
Rick Davis ’ 85, director of enrichment programs
rick_davis@unc.edu; (919) 962–3581
Ann-Louise Aguiar ’ 76, manager of alumni education & travel;
ann-louise_aguiar@unc.edu
Linda Conklin, manager of alumni career services; linda_conklin@unc.edu
C. Hawkins ’00, manager of student engagement; c_hawkins@unc.edu
Steffi Kinton ’05, coordinator of student activities; steffi_kinton@unc.edu
Douglass Payne ’04, coordinator of alumni education & travel;
douglass_payne@unc.edu
Tanea Pettis ’ 95, manager, affinity activities & alumni admissions
programs; tanea_pettis@unc.edu
Casey Privette ’01, coordinator of regional engagement & clubs support;
casey_privette@unc.edu
Laura Sheppard ’08, coordinator of local alumni engagement & reunions;
laura_sheppard@unc.edu
Linda Sherck ’ 95 (MA), manager of alumni activities;
linda_sherck@unc.edu
Maghon Walker ’08, coordinator of alumni clubs;
maghon_walker@unc.edu
Records and Information Systems
Roger Nelsen, director of alumni records & information systems
roger_nelsen@unc.edu; (919) 962–7055
Emilee Brown ’ 10, records assistant; emilee_brown@unc.edu
Tracy Chrismon, records assistant; tracy_chrismon@unc.edu
Kelly Dalton ’07, records assistant; kelly_dalton@unc.edu
Julie Gonya, network administrator; julie_gonya@unc.edu
Rachel Orr, records assistant; rachel_orr@unc.edu
Joan Pendergraph, assistant director of alumni records;
joan_pendergraph@unc.edu
Kemesha D. Stanley ’08, records assistant; kemesha_stanley@unc.edu
Meredith Tozzer ’09, records assistant; meredith_tozzer@unc.edu
Niki Wallace, records assistant; niki_wallace@unc.edu
Give Interviewers a Taste of Your Talents
The Taste, a TV reality show, is a com- petition between professional and
amateur chefs vying for a cash prize and
the opportunity to be mentored by the
notable chefs who judge the contest.
Contestants are assigned a food theme
for each program and are given one hour
to prepare their dishes. The judges decide
which aspiring chefs remain in the competition based on one taste of each dish.
There is tremendous pressure to make that
one spoonful count; the chef who fails to
wow the judges that week is sent packing.
Even the show’s best cooks have bad
days. However, the contestants with staying power exhibit a combination of experience, preparation and focus as well as the
ability to effectively adapt their creations
to the food themes. The contestants who
are eliminated early in the game fail to
identify and align their culinary creations
with the judges’ taste preferences. They
often create food combinations that are
interesting, and palatable, only to them.
Lessons from The Taste can readily be
transferred to the job interview. A successful interview depends on a combination of
experience, preparation and focus as well
as the ability to understand and respond
to the employer’s needs. The interview is
your opportunity to provide the employer
with a taste of your work and to demonstrate your value to the organization.
Research your target company to determine its needs and wants. The more
you know about the employer, the more
effectively you can demonstrate that you
are the obvious solution to his or her problems. The employer’s website can give you
an overview of the company’s mission and
culture. Employees can provide insights
into challenges and opportunities within
the company, and the job description can
outline the required skills and experience.
Align your skills, talents and expe-
rience with the employer’s needs. The
employer is not particularly interested in
your desire to learn and grow on the job
or to return to your hometown. He or she
is far more concerned with finding a qual-
ity employee who can positively affect the
company’s bottom line.
Provide accomplishments that show
the results of your actions. Instead of simply saying that you are good at building
relationships, link relationship building
to increased revenue or customer satisfaction. Be prepared to show how the new
process you developed improved efficiency
or that the expense analysis that you conducted improved return on investment.
Outcome-based examples increase your
chances of staying in the competition.
Savvy job seekers understand that they
are judged by their presentation. Make a
good first impression by dressing appropriately — classic, conservative and coordinated. Avoid nonconformist attire; this
is not the time to make a fashion statement. Pay attention to details — make
sure your shoes are polished, hair and
nails are clean and trimmed. Keep jewelry, makeup, perfume and aftershave to a
minimum. Carry a portfolio or a briefcase
with copies of your resume.
For men a winning choice is a traditional suit in navy or dark gray combined with
a white or light blue shirt with long sleeves.
A silk tie with stripes or a small pattern (no
bow ties) completes the look. Shoes should
be black or cordovan with a matching belt
and navy or black mid-calf socks.
For women a black, navy or gray suit
paired with a white or light-colored blouse
presents a professional image. Shoes should
coordinate with your outfit and have
moderate heels. Choose neutral stockings
or match them to your shoe color. Avoid
large earrings and noisy bracelets.
Whether it’s The Taste or a job interview, remember, it’s not about you; it’s
about them.
Linda Conklin, GAA manager of Alumni Career
Services, provides career coaching and monthly
teleclasses. The Aug. 18 teleseminar will be “Create
Your Personal Brand Statement.” Find her advice
and other career-related information at alumni.unc.
edu/career. Contact her at
linda_conklin@unc.edu or
(919) 962-3749.