Carolina Alumni Review - July/August 2014

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.