Service of Where are Mentors for Students When You Need Them?
Monday, April 17th, 2023
Image by Nikolay Georgiev from Pixabay
Where do young people learn business etiquette these days?
I just finished reading scholarship applications of college and graduate school students and interviewing some of the semifinalists. Those I spoke with were in different classes—the youngest heading into their junior years and a few moving to grad school–and they represented a range of ages.
To keep a level playing field, volunteer interviewers are given prescribed questions. One was “do you have any questions for me?” With one exception their responses were about housekeeping such as “when will I hear if I will be invited for the final interview?” One asked me “What is your favorite part about being involved in the organization?” She got points for that.
The interviews last around half an hour. Although two of the applicants asked how they should prepare for the interview—an excellent question–and I answered, “As you would for any business interview,” not one jotted an email after we spoke to thank me for my time. How long does it take to write: “Tx for speaking with me.” Five words are worth points that might propel the applicant to finalist level. Is thanks out of fashion?
When I joined the scholarship committee over a decade ago half of the students did thank after an interview. As for this year’s applicants, each had my email address as I’d written three times: The first to congratulate them and advise them I’d be calling to find a mutually convenient time to speak; the second to confirm the appointment and the last to reconfirm the appointment the day before.
One knew nothing about the organization. Is this how she would expect to get a job—knowing nothing about the company or the industry?
To give them credit on responding to the first email, with one exception, they thanked for being selected for a call. Maybe they felt they’d used up their gratitude quota.
These students need mentors to suggest how best to prepare for interviews. I’d recommend: Always have a good question in mind, not the equivalent of “when may I take my first vacation?” –to show that you’ve thought about the position or in our case, the scholarship or organization.
A mentor can help a student well beyond a resume review. When I was a mentor, I was asked about what to wear to an interview–even what style thank you notecard to buy. The shame is that the school where I volunteered and directed a program has deep-sixed the mentor initiative.
Are my expectations about business etiquette for college age students unrealistic and off-trend? Aren’t hiring decisionmakers generally much older than the students with varying expectations? Have HR managers lowered their expectations regarding those they hire?
Image by Prawny from Pixabay
