Professor Dunn,

My name is Jesse, and I was a graduate student at Roosevelt University in your Hospitality/Business
Leadership class a few years ago. Hope you’ve been well—by the looks of it, you’re doing great!

Well, I finished up my degree in the fall, and, after months of networking and resume submissions, I’m
just now getting some bites and some job interviews lined up. I was looking online for interview tips,
and I came across your website! Serendipity!

So, as someone who's surely interviewed many candidates in the past, can you pass along any tips on
how to make sure I make the most out of my upcoming interviews? In this job market, I need to make
sure that I do everything I can to knock these interviews out of the park!

Let’s catch up soon!
LIVE STRONG!

Jesse Wildman

---

---

Jesse!

It is great to hear from you again! This is an exciting time for you as you prepare for your next step in
the journey. Congratulations for getting some hits on your resume and even bigger congrats for getting
some interviews scheduled!

When you’re preparing for a job interview, here are a few points to consider:

1. Do your homework on the company. Gather both quantitative and qualitative information on the
leaders and their results, and try to really understand their product and their customer. (Consider
yourself lucky—the internet has made this much, much easier than it was when I was looking for my first job!)

2. Make sure you understand the company’s mission and values, and, more importantly, make certain
that the company's values align with your own.

3. Use this interview as an opportunity to frame your history and accomplishments and to tell your
story. Some people find it helpful to actually write out their “mini- life story” before interviews, a brief
bio that focuses on your accomplishments, education and qualifications. Even if you get it down to a
handful of bullet points, make sure you focus your personal story and avoid letting your nerves get the
best of you. Rambling is no good!

You should prepare several questions that will help you understand the position you are applying for
and how your job would function in a typical week. Think practically here.

People often ask me how to bring up the subject of pay and benefits, and it is my opinion to leave that discussion until the second interview. However, don’t be caught off guard; you should go in with a
salary requirement ready, just in case they ask. Be confident and let them know you are worth it!

You should focus your interest on the opportunity to grow with the company. Make sure you convey
your interest in understanding their learning and development process, and make it known that it is
your intent to grow with the company and make even bigger contributions in the future.

These are exciting times for you as you prepare to enter the workforce and begin your career. I am
confident that you will be successful in whatever endeavor you choose if you use your leadership skills
to your potential. Please keep me posted!

Make it a great day.

live strong,
kevin e. dunn