Tips and Tricks

Ask yourself, “What am I communicating by my appearance?” Most often the first impression that people receive is visual – appearance is important. Research has shown that first impressions can stick with individuals, so manage your’s wisely.

Tips for a Positive First Impression:

1. Display confidence with a firm handshake and a smile.
2. Practice good hygiene – make sure you are showered, but not overusing cologne or perfume.
3. Follow an appropriate dress code. When in doubt, dress more formal and more conservative (see dress handout for additional information). See examples below for “business casual” dress appropriate for the trip.

Dress Code:

The dress code for all site visits and the alumni dinner on this trip is business casual. A google search for “define business casual” will tell you that this means, “relating to or denoting a style of clothing that is less formal than traditional business wear, but is still intended to give a professional and businesslike impression.” When you leave your hotel room for breakfast, you will begin making an impression on those around you. You need to come to breakfast dressed as if you were meeting with a corporate recruiter in an informal capacity. In the evenings, after all trip events have concluded, you are free to dress as casual as you like. TIP: do not bring shoes on this trip that you would not wear all day walking around campus. We will be doing a lot of walking on this trip and you do not want blisters! This website talks further about business casual. Below are some visual examples of “business casual.”

    

Meeting Others Professionally:

1. Make sure to actually listen when others introduce themselves. Once they say their name, repeat it several times throughout the conversation.
2. Use open-ended questions to receive the most information.
3. Don’t be afraid to be the initiator. Use a phrase to open the conversation such as, “Excuse me, I hope that you don’t mind my coming up to you, but I would love to introduce myself and hear more about…”
4. Don’t interrupt someone while they are speaking (even if you think what you have to say is more important).

After Initial Meeting:

1. Connect with that individual through LinkedIn, or send a friendly “thank you” email, if you were provided their business card.

Networking Tips:

1. Feel confident introducing yourself in 15 seconds or less.
2. Be knowledgeable of local news and current world issues, especially if they are relevant to your audience.
3. Put your cell phone away.

Questions to Ask While Networking:

1. Can you talk about the career progression that led you to your current position/title/responsibilities?
2. What are you enjoying most about this conference/function/event/specific city or location?
3. Looking back, is there any advice that you would have wanted or wished you had at my age (someone in my position)?

Understanding a Company’s Culture

Each organization is different, which means there will be diversity within their atmosphere, philosophy, dress codes, and management styles. Learn as much as you can before visiting the location by doing research (look at their website, social media sites, google them for news/events, and use glassdoor.com).

Questions to ask about company culture:

1. What are the characteristics of high achieving employees within this organization?
2. If asked to describe your company culture in three words, what would you say?
3. What’s the best part about working in this environment that I won’t be able to see from a tour?

Questions to ask YOURSELF about the company:

1. Do the employees appear happy, motivated and relaxed? Or down, frustrated and lethargic?
2. Would I fit in? Enjoy their culture?
3. Does the company mission/vision/philosophy match my personal values and ethics?

Questions For Site Visits

The questions that you ask of employers during site visits show a lot about your maturity and interest in the organization. See our suggestions below and do not ask questions that you could easily have found yourself.

If you could see yourself working for this company:

1. ASK: Can you share some department and/or organizational goals or plans for growth that (the Company) has for the future?
2. DON’T ASK: I’m graduating in a few months. Are you hiring?

If you want to apply with a company:

1. ASK: I’ve researched the application process and plan to apply, but can you share what advice you would give to someone who wants to get started at this company?
2. DON’T ASK: Can you take my resume now so I don’t have to go through the application process?

If you want to know about opportunities for advancement:

1. ASK: What are examples of career pathways for individuals starting with this company in entry-level positions?
2. DON’T ASK: How long will I have to stay in the entry-level position?

If Education/Skill requirements are not listed on the website:

1. ASK: What particular skill sets or experiences are most essential for someone to be hired in this position?
2. DON’T ASK: I don’t have                             degree, would you still hire me?

If you are comparing company A with company B:

1. ASK: What are the organization’s strengths and weaknesses compared to its competition?
2. DON’T ASK: What makes you better than           ?

General Suggested Questions to Ask…

1. What is the organization’s 5 year/10 year plan, and how does this department fit in?
2. Can you describe the management style within this organization? And what type of employee fits best within it?
3. Could you provide examples of how you work collaboratively with other departments/outside individuals/other organizations?
4. If I want to work in this industry, what should I be reading or researching on a regular basis to stay on top of the industry?

Questions to Avoid…

1. ”Me” Questions (questions that put you ahead of the organization including salary, vacation time, work hours per week, etc).
2. Closed-ended questions (most questions with a “yes” or “no” answer could likely be answered by researching the company). Ask open-ended questions to receive the most information.
3. Individual salary information.
4. ”What does your company do?”
5. “What is the least that I would need to do to work for your company?”

This information was compiled by the Academic and Career Planning Center at Penn State Behrend. You can Download a PDF copy of this information here.