It’s that time of year again, the beginning of a new semester! A new semester means finding new ways to get involved in campus life, and for some collegiettes, spring semester means sorority recruitment. Many people may ask how being in a sorority will help you in your future academic and career goals, but they do not realize that being in a sorority and even the recruitment process is great practice for future job interviews. So, no matter if you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior take your recruitment experience and use what you learned to your advantage.
Research
When thinking of going through recruitment, its important to know a bit about each sorority before recruitment actually takes place. By attending sororities’ philanthropy events on campus, talking to executive members of your school’s National Panhellenic Conference, or even your friends who belong to the organizations, you are learning more about each group of women and getting information you can use later during the recruitment process. In the same way, when looking for an internship or a job, you need to do some research to find out more about each organization or company you are applying to. The research helps you know what each company is looking for which can only help you better prepare for later interviews.
Know yourself
When going through recruitment, you want to know more about each organization and the girls who are part of them. In the same way, these girls are also trying to get to know you and determine if you will be a good fit for their organization. So while you are talking to them it’s important to know yourself. In other words, know your strengths and be able to emphasize those. Also know your weaknesses and how to turn them into positives. Don’t just say, “I’m a great leader.” Have an anecdote about that time you were in charge of putting together a blood drive at your old school. Examples help illustrate how you would be a great addition to the sorority. This can also be applied to a job, because it shows your potential employer that you have experience that can translate to their work environment.
Be able to talk to anyone about anything
During the recruitment process you talk to many different women with different personalities. You won’t know whom you’ll be talking to until the rounds begin. Each round, especially in the beginning, you talk to about three different women. They’ll also be talking to many different potential members as well. Because of this it is important to have some go-to topics that will help break the ice and get conversation to flow. It’s also important to be able to adjust to each new personality. Be prepared for certain questions like: Why did you choose to go through recruitment? What are you involved with on campus? These questions are pretty standard and can be expected since the sorority members want to get to know you. A potential employer will also have standard questions as well, like Why are you interested in working here? Having answers to questions like these is a must. There might also be unexpected questions but it’s important to be able to think on your feet.
Ask questions
Sorority life is much more than going to parties. Being in a sorority includes having fun, but it also is about doing philanthropic events, keeping a high standard of academics, and maintaining a sisterhood. During the recruitment process make sure to ask questions. If there was something that was unclear during your earlier research, or if you just want to know more about academics or their causes, ask! By asking well thought out questions it shows that you have a vested interest in the organization, which will go a long way in the recruitment process. This is the same for a job interview. Ask questions that were not already answered that are important to you. If it is only the first interview ask questions about information that matters most early. If it is the second or later, interviews ask more probing questions. The questions you ask and how you ask them will show a potential employer your interest in the company.
Dress to impress
Sorority recruitment and job interviews are all about first impressions. During recruitment early rounds you want to be remembered. Do this by wearing a bright color, or a statement necklace. But wear something that shows who you are. Each round of recruitment has a suggested dress code like business casual, or polished and classy. Make sure to represent yourself but put your best foot forward and follow the suggested guidelines. For job interviews, it’s important to dress for the job you want, not the one you have. By looking put together and polished you show that you are excited for the opportunity and want to be there. Good luck!
Photo Credits:
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