11/12/2009
MICHAEL STRAND
BROOKVILLE — When you’re arriving for a job interview, that administrative assistant may seem like little more than a person sitting outside the office of your future boss.
But think that way, and you can kiss the job goodbye, Joyce Volk warned students at Ell-Saline Middle/High School at the start of a career day Thursday.
Volk, a human resources specialist with the Salina Media Group, opened the career fair with a talk about preparing a resumé, setting up a job interview, handling the job interview and what to do after that.
An interview should end “with a firm handshake, not a fist-bump or a high-five,” Volk said, recommending a final thank-you when leaving the office.
“Also, thank the administrative assistant ... or, as we call them, ‘The Gatekeeper,’ Volk said. “That person has the power to cut you off and keep you out — to lie and say ‘He’s not here right now’ when you call.”
“Do not ask her for a breath mint. Do not ask her for a piece of gum. Do not insult her,” Volk stressed. “She can destroy you.”
Throughout her talk, students who answered Volk’s questions correctly got to register for drawings for prizes, such as a digital photo key chain, or an iTunes gift certificate.
Among Volk’s other advice: Don’t mention the employee discount as a reason for wanting to work someplace; spit out your gum; show up early for a job interview.
“It shows you really want the job,” Volk said, of arriving early. “I once had an employer tell me if you’re not five minutes early, you’re already late.”
The day-long career fair was organized by Ell-Saline’s FFA chapter. It included all-school presentations like Volk’s and smaller group sessions at which more than two dozen different people talked about their jobs.


Read more about the job fair in Friday's Salina Journal.