On March 3, 2015 The Business School Placement Centre hosted an interviewing skills workshop with TJX Canada (Winners, HomeSense, Marshalls).
The event opened with Teresa Gabriele, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, who held a presentation on tips and techniques for interviewing. Following Teresa’s presentation, a panel of TJX Canada recruitment representatives was welcomed to answer student questions and provide insight into successfully completing interviews to secure placement and job opportunities. Following the panel discussion, students were invited to network with the TJX Canada team.
The panel offered great advice including these key points:
- A good resume is key and will secure an interview, however it will not get you the job
- Always tailor your application to incorporate the specific terms, skills, and responsibilities outlined in the corresponding job description and specifications
- Add professional and personal flare to your resume, this will help to set you apart
- Avoid surface answers by using the STAR method; situation, task, action, result
- Provide specific quantifiable examples of what you made, saved or achieved
- Behavioural questions are asked to understand how the applicant has behaved in the past, therefore, you must provide specific examples of similar work experience (STAR stories)
- Situational interview questions are asked assuming that the applicant does not possess the relevant work experience. However, it is important to describe how you would behave in a given situation drawing from your personal life experience
- Enthusiasm and passion in an interview is critical, even more so in a phone interview (smile!)
- Make sure to research the company prior to an interview, and sell yourself on how you can contribute to the organization
- Never fake it, always be yourself.
