by Celina Dietzel '17

Jacqueline Scafidi '05 repeated the phrase "Humble, hungry, and smart" several times while she spoke to Knox College students during The Art of the Interview, a session from the 2016 Career Impact Summit.

Scafidi, employee engagement specialist for Zurich North America, said these qualities are the top three things she looks for when she interviews candidates for jobs. She explained further:

Humble

Interviewees should always show their ability to learn and improve themselves:

• Take notes.
• Ask for feedback after the interview, whether offered the job or not.
• Be honest about capabilities.
• Express the skills that can be improved in this position.

Hungry

In an interview, candidates must demonstrate their enthusiasm for the job they seek:

• Present open body language (no crossed arms).
• Have a firm handshake.
• Appear confident.
• Always ask questions.
• Fully understand the company and its work.

Smart

Lastly, candidates need to show employers that they stand out, in their skills and ability to think on their feet:

• Be prepared for unexpected questions.
• Be able to recover well if asked a difficult question.
• Use specific examples, but don't get stuck on one example.
• Answer questions thoughtfully and honestly.
• Bring extra resume copies.

Near the end of the session, Scafidi asked students for examples of good questions to ask after an interview. She reminded students that they are interviewing the employer as much as the employer is interviewing them. These are some of the examples:

• How can this position help me improve my skills?
• Tell me about a typical day in this position?
• What kind of opportunities do I have for growth and promotion?
• What are some of your concerns with me and my skills?
• What's the typical pay range for entry-level positions here? (Don't ask for specific numbers until hired.)
• Is this position hourly or salaried?

The Career Impact Summit was organized by the Bastian Family Career Center, and sponsored by the John D. Carlin Career Development Support Fund. This is the fourth year for the event, where 80 Knox juniors and seniors picked up tips from alumni about searching for jobs, pursuing their dreams, and planning their after-Knox lives.