Pointers for the New Generation of Marketers

To The New Generation of Marketers,

Here are a few observations by Peter Madden, a writer for Adage.com who recently spent a few hours at Villanova University doing mock-interviews with soon-to-be grads who were interested in getting into the Marketing industry. To see the full article go to: http://adage.com/article/small-agency-diary/a-interview-generation/149126/

The Good:

• Very accomplished on paper. Each resume was chock-filled with internships and substantial, extracurricular activities.

• Globally minded. Each had a fair amount of global travel for studies and work while in college. 

• Honest to the core. None held back in terms of giving me thoughtful answers to each question I asked. Not a single canned answer in the bunch and I'm pretty damn good at spotting a fake.

• Inquisitive. All had some interesting, non-canned questions related to the industry and to my business specifically.

• Well researched. Each did plenty of homework regarding yours truly.

The Bad:

• Delivery. Where was the conviction? There was so much for each to be proud of on paper but it seemed to be a cosmic leap to figuratively slap me in the face with those accomplishments. I shouldn't have to strain to hear anyone in a professional interview. Enunciation is crucial

• Eye contact. I don't need a hole burned in my head from a non-blinking gaze, but it seemed that there was a lot of eye-diversion. 

• Uh, Um, Like. The big three. I actually think many of us could work on this bad habit.

• Posture. When someone's uncertain,  he reflects it many ways but none so transparent as the inability to throw the shoulders back and sit up straight.