7.++Interview+Transcripts

=Transcripts of Candidate Interviews=

**Interviewer: What motivates you to do your best work?** > **Interviewer: How will your past experience enhance your job performance?**
 * I get a tremendous sense of satisfaction from working hard at something and seeing my results pay off. I find it especially rewarding when my efforts benefit those outside of myself. That’s one of the reasons I spent one summer volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. I had a great sense of accomplishment from knowing my efforts were helping others.
 * I think what is key is my experience in all my positions with dealing with the public. The skills I developed in dealing with the public, whether as a server, a volunteer or as an intern, are skills that can be applied to any business and are what makes the difference between being a successful company or not.

** Interviewer: What do you do when you have a great deal of work to accomplish in a short period of time? **

 * Definitely prioritize. If you don’t have a clear plan of what needs to be done and the importance attached to each component, then you may waste time that you can’t afford. Additionally, you must be willing to put in the hours necessary to get the job done. Every business has times that require extra hours. You have to be willing to put in those hours.

** Interviewer: What do you do when you're having trouble with a boss? **

 * I guess I’ve been fortunate, because I’ve never really had a problem with any of my employers. Of course, any time you are dealing with others there is the opportunity for misunderstandings. I have found that the best way of dealing with problems is to approach them in a straightforward manner. I usually try to talk through the problem with the other person to see if we can work things out, but if that did not solve the problem, I would turn to someone else in the company that I respected and confidentially ask for their advice.

** Interviewer: Your supervisor tells you do to something in a way you know is dead wrong. What do you do? **

 * I would never want to appear disrespectful to my supervisor so I would treat a situation like this as if it were a training opportunity for me. I would tell my supervisor that I hadn’t thought about doing it that way and ask him or her to explain the thinking to me and then mention what I would have done if the supervisor hadn’t told me otherwise. That way, if my thinking was flawed, I could learn from my supervisor. But, if my supervisor’s thinking was flawed, he or she could have the opportunity to learn from me in a way that would not be threatening or disrespectful.

** Interviewer: In what courses did you get the worst/best grades? Why? **

 * Although most of my grades were pretty good, I would have to say I struggled the most to maintain good grades in science courses. Science just seems to be the opposite of interests in music and marketing, areas I see as much more creative. Science is just pretty cut and dried and I don’t find it as interesting as other academic subjects.

**Interviewer: Are your grades a good measure of your ability? **

 * My grades are definitely a measure of my ability to work hard and maintain focus over a long period of time. Although I had many opportunities for fun throughout school, I considered my education to be my job, so my priority was always to fulfilling that obligation first. I think my grades measure my commitment to that priority.

** Interviewer: What qualifications do you have, beyond academics, that qualify you to make a successful transition into business? **

 * I think my greatest qualifications would come from my internships. Both of my internships gave me the opportunity to develop my marketing skills. My internship with Columbia Records specifically let me strengthen my skills working in the music industry. Additionally, my activities in college outside of academics allowed me to develop time management and leadership skills both of which are necessary to be successful in the business world.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">** Interviewer: What software do you have experience with? How would you describe your experience level for that software? **

 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">I have experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, Access, Web development, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, C# on both PC and Mac. And, of course, a lot of Internet experience including using Web 2.0 applications. My experience with these programs is varied with my strength being in the Microsoft programs. I also have some limited experience with GarageBand.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">** Interviewer: Why are you the best candidate for this position? **

 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">I’ve had a lot of experience in marketing, in customer service and in leadership. Those experiences alone make me a strong candidate. In addition, my music is definitely a plus for your business. I have a strong work ethic, which is evidenced by my grades and my working experience as an intern. I am certain that I can live up to your requirements for this position and hopefully to exceed them.

__Candidate #2 (Wanda Moody)__
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> > <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> **Interviewer:** **What motivates you to do your best work?** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * Interviewer:** **What do you know about GatorRecords?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I know that you are a leader in high quality producing of the most successful hip hop, R & B, and soul collections of this decade. GatorRecords has a specific method that ensures the best artists are signed. Your artists have pride in being a GatorRecords recording artist and stay with the company for many years.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> As a marketing specialist having a true understanding of the product and services I am promoting is of the utmost importance. It is really easy to sell a product that I understand well and use myself.
 * Interviewer:** **How will your past experience enhance your job performance?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> My work with the School of Rock gave me practical marketing experience. It allowed me to use what I learned in my music marketing coursework. My experien ces with sales gave me the confidence to speak to a variety of audiences and promote products.
 * Interviewer:** **What do you do when you have a great deal of work to accomplish in a short period of time?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> In the music business there is always a deadline and an enormous amount of work to get done. I am extremely well organized and detail oriented. I know how to prioritize and methodically work through projects to insure on time completion.
 * Interviewer:** **What do you do when you're having trouble with a boss?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> When having difficulties with a supervisor, I first try to understand the supervisor’s perspective and his or her responsibilities related to the issue at hand. I might have to ask questions in order to get a clear picture of what is expected of me. As subordinate, I understand my position and must fulfill my responsibilities.
 * Interviewer:** **Your supervisor tells you do to something in a way you know is dead wrong. What do you do?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> First, I analyze why I think what I have been asked to do is wrong. After carefully crafting my arguments I present my thoughts to the supervisor. I always offer solutions and/or modifications that could produce a similar result to what the supervisor is expecting.
 * Interviewer:** **In what courses did you get the worst/best grades? Why?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> My best grades were in communications and economics. I am a strong math student. Connecting with others through writing and direct contact is another strength that helped me succeed in communications courses.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The most difficult course for me were those relating to computer programming. I use programs as I need them, mostly for organization and storage. I do not spend a lot of time on the internet to develop websites or other online media tools.
 * Interviewer:** **Are your grades a good measure of your ability?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> A GPA of 3.0 is above average which is certainly the ability and capability I have to be an excellent marketing representative for GatorRecords.
 * Interviewer:** **What qualifications do you have, beyond academics that qualify you to make a successful transition into business?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I am a GatorRecords customer. I know the genre of music you represent. I am extremely good at communicating with others to promote a product I truly believe in.
 * Interviewer:** **I see on your resume that you promoted concerts. Tell me about that.**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The company had signed several small local bands. We needed to find appropriate venues for bands with a moderate local following. These locations needed to be intimate, yet offer great acoustics and the opportunity for our clients to accept tips and sell their merchandise. I would scout out various locations and find the best fit for each band. I would them create a proposal for site management and present my contract to them. I was very successful in gaining live concert performance opportunities for all of our bands.
 * Interviewer:** **What types of people have trouble getting along with you? How do you deal with that?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I can get along with any type of person. My listening skills are outstanding. I have found that when dealing with even the most difficult person, listening is key to building a relationship based upon mutual trust and respect.
 * Interviewer:** **What software do you have experience with? How would you describe your experience level for that software?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Excel is what I use to organize data of all kinds. I am able to use word processing programs on the Mac and PC platforms. Publishing programs are essential in marketing as are presentation programs such as Power Point. These programs were an essential part of my course work at UF. I would say that I have an excellent understanding of these programs. Understanding these will make it easy for me to apply that knowledge to any new programs GatorRecords may use.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I am familiar with social networking sites, although I do not spend a lot of time on the sites. I have experience with Wikis, blogs, and web page development through my online courses at UF.
 * Interviewer:** **Why are you the best candidate for this position?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> First, I am a customer of the GatorRecords brand and knowledgeable about your product and fan base. Couple that with my marketing degree and work experience, and you have the perfect marketing rep for your company.

__Candidate #3 (John McNaughton)__
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * Interviewer:** **What do you know about GatorRecords?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Not much, to be honest. I know that the company is getting more recognizable.
 * Interviewer:** **What motivates you to do your best work?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> It depends. I have to be interested in what I’m doing.
 * Interviewer:** **How will your past experience enhance your job performance?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I know I don’t want to do any of those things ever again. That’s enough to keep me going.
 * Interviewer:** **What do you do when you have a great deal of work to accomplish in a short period of time?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I work hard to get it done and hope it turns out ok.
 * Interviewer:** **What do you do when you're having trouble with a boss?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I try to stay away from the boss as much as possible!
 * Interviewer:** **Your supervisor tells you do to something in a way you know is dead wrong. What do you do?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I would have to tell him it was wrong. I think it would be wrong of me not to be honest and tell him right to his face.
 * Interviewer:** **In what courses did you get the worst/best grades? Why?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> If I wasn’t interested in a subject, I didn’t do so great with my grades. I felt some classes were unnecessary for my major, so I focused my effort on my major and was ok with a passing grade in other classes.
 * Interviewer:** **Are your grades a good measure of your ability?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> No, because if I applied myself to everything equally, they would have been much better.
 * Interviewer:** **What qualifications do you have, beyond academics, that qualify you to make a successful transition into business?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> That’s what I’m applying to this internship for. I need experience beyond my schooling.
 * Interviewer:** **I see on your resume that you were a sound and production intern. Tell me about that.**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I really thought it would give me more experience than it did. I was basically a gopher for them, and that is not what I expected. It was awful! I thought I would get to work with the publicists, but I guess their job description lied.
 * Interviewer:** **What types of people have trouble getting along with you? How do you deal with that?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> People that demand a lot from me don’t like me a lot. I take my time with a project to make sure it meets my personal standards. That doesn’t always fit with timelines I get. But, I figure my products are worth the wait.
 * Interviewer:** **What software do you have experience with? How would you describe your experience level for that software?**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Mostly, I worked with MS Word and PowerPoint in school for presentations. I can use those on a PC or a Mac. I’m also really good at finding things online.
 * Interviewer:** **Why are you the best candidate for this position?**
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> I can give you amazing results if you let me do what I need to do to get the job done. Photoshop, Dreamweaver, C#, PC and Mac, Internet.