Business Communication alum Dominic Acosta (center) returned to his Alma Mater on Sept. 24, 2018 to participate in the university's annual Accounting Fair. As a marketing specialist for Bethesda-area Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman CPAs, Dominic is responsible for the 36-year-old full-service firm's public relations and marketing efforts. Previously, Dominic worked as a brand manager and event operations associate for Elite Tournaments in Columbia, Md. (Photo from the Brown School of Business and Leadership's blog)
Congratulations to Stevenson Professor Anthony Moll, who straddles a position within the Business Communication and English departments as a teacher of writing, on the publication of his first book, Out of Step: A Memoir, published by the Ohio State University Press, and the reading from his work he shared with the Stevenson community.
Interviewees may be tempted to gloss over this question in their preparation — after all, everyone thinks they know the answer by heart. But according to bestselling management author and CNBC contributor Potential employers will use your response to determine two things: your maturity and your authenticity, Welch tells CNBC Make It.
Here's the best way to answer this common question.
Tell your story with the job in mind.
While it may sound like the hiring manager has asked for your life story, they don't want to hear a long-winded, aimless tale. And they already have the bulk of your professional narrative in front of them, in the form of your resume.
"The interviewer, usually your future boss, wants to know the parts of your life story that relate to your doing well in the open job," Welch says...
Ask yourself, "What is it about me that he or she cares about?" Welch says.
This shows the hiring manager that you are aware of what they're looking for, which is a sign of maturity.
Don't be afraid to show who you really are.
While you may think it's best to stick to a script, you should also add a bit of personality to your answers. "Your interviewer ... wants to see if you'll fit in, culturally."
For example, Welch says that if she was interviewing for a job as a journalist, she would start her answer by saying, "I was born in Portland, Oregon, and I come from a big, crazy and generally happy Italian family. But for the purposes of this job, I began my life as a writer at my high school newspaper."
One or two small details that show you are self-aware, empathetic or any other positive trait you're hoping to demonstrate can go a long way.
"Use this opportunity to actually say something like, 'The one thing that doesn't show up on my resume is my values,'" Welch suggests.
Jot down notes on what you'd like to convey about yourself in your answer. Or better yet, practice your response for a friend or family member.
"Be prepared," Welch says. "Know it's coming at you, and don't wing it. It's an incredible opportunity to differentiate yourself."
Business Communication graduate Brendan Reynolds reached out to the department with an update on his career. He writes,"I started my job as a web producer at WDVM-TV in Hagerstown, Maryland. I do the same work we did when taking care of The Villager's website, editing articles and publishing them online. In my downtime, the reporters and producers here have been teaching me the ins and outs of television journalism. The news director has promised to move me into a reporter position soon; however, he wants to find a replacement web producer before moving me." Brendan served as co-editor-in-chief of The Villager when he was a student.