Back To Earth Part Two: What does this company do?

In a hurried swelter of interviews which often accompanies graduation some students get a little lost as to exactly who they are talking to and what they are interviewing for. Sometimes even which company and what it does is unclear.

It is a safe bet that unless your uncle owns the company, you are interviewing for what amounts to an entry level position. Customer Service, Executive Assistant, Marketing Associate these are some of the titles which are available to what the companies call "new hires."

When you are being interviewed it is probably by someone from a department called Human Resources or HR. There often are other individuals at the interview but you will probably be dealing largely with the HR person.

Now, what does this company do?

Beyond the obvious, well known national and even regional or local companies, it is sometimes unclear what a company does. Usually for example with a company called Solid Waste Management Incorporated it isn't too tough to figure that their business has something to do with managing solid waste. If you are in the offices of Airport Car Rental then it wouldn't be unlikely that this company rents cars from offices at the airport.

If, however you find yourself in the offices of National Allied or The Amalgamated Group you might be wondering what exactly this company does.

Here is a Planet College tip for interview success. Ask. Ask the receptionist. You may have to arrive a few minutes early but you've been doing that anyway, right? When you do arrive usually you find the reception area for the company. When you do introduce your self, tell the receptionist you are there for an interview. Check out the walls for posters, advertising or plaques with the company name on it. This is to make sure you are in the right place. If it seems to you that it isn't clear exactly what business this company is in, ask the receptionist.

"Excuse me, I just want to make sure I'm in the right place. What does this company do?"

Ask politely. Be really careful not to sound like your making a joke. (College students have a reputation as fun-loving pranksters. But you are here for an interview for a real job.) Listen carefully to what the receptionist says. And politely repeat it back to her.

This should help cut through the confusion often generated by interviewing at many companies in the same week. It will also save you from the embarrassment some have experienced during interviews when it became apparent that the interviewee did not know what business the company was in.

Good luck!