University at Buffalo School of Management

hink back to your first professional job interview. How did you feel walking in? If you're like Krissy Westmiller, you were prob- ably nervous about standing out under pressure. "I grew up as a very shy person, so even the idea of inter- viewing was intimidating for me," says Westmiller, a School of Management undergraduate honors student. "I was insecure about my résumé and my ability to interview." Thanks to the Career Resource Center's Practice Interview Program, however, Westmiller was able to practice her inter- view skills, identify areas of improvement and build her confi- dence. She even took second place in the program's capstone experience, the GEICO Interview Challenge, which simulates an interview for the company's Management Development Program and awards prizes for the top-performing students. Then, a few weeks later, Westmiller nailed a series of real interviews—and secured a competitive internship with GEICO. "The Practice Interview Program allowed me to blossom and find the confidence I needed to be successful," Westmiller says. "As cheesy as it might sound, the program truly changed my life for the better. It opened the door to many new opportu- nities, and I feel much better about my future." Sponsored by GEICO (see sidebar), the Practice Interview Program is a key component of the CRC's two-part "Career Connections" course sequence, a requirement for all School of Management undergrads that covers every step in the career development process. Students first learn how to make the most of development opportunities at UB and then discover how to showcase their experiences during their career search—from researching companies and customizing their application, to mastering interview techniques and learning how to convey their personal brand and value to recruiters. Teaming up with the Gecko Spring 2022 Buffalo Business 21 Because of GEICO and its spon- sorship of the Practice Interview Program, all School of Management undergrads will be better prepared to land their dream job. Last fall, GEICO renewed its three- year sponsorship—a $100,000 com- mitment to the program and its capstone experience, the GEICO Interview Challenge. GEICO has sponsored the program since 2018. "UB does a phenomenal job prepar- ing students," says Mindy Seibold, regional vice president at GEICO. "Having the opportunity to practice interview situations and hear feed- back from the GEICO recruitment team enables participants to hone their interview techniques and gain confidence. We see candidates who are more poised throughout the hiring process." This sponsorship is just one aspect of GEICO's partnership with the School of Management. The company participates annu- ally in student club events and a full-semester project with undergraduate honors students, and has sponsored the 52 Weeks of Leadership program hosted by the school's Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness (CLOE). In addi- tion, School of Management students typically represent the largest segment of GEICO's internship program. "The Practice Interview Program and our work with UB—like many of our partnerships with Buffalo community corner- stones—is at the core of what we do," says Seibold, who serves on CLOE's Leadership Roundtable. "Programs like this help sup- port the next generation of city leaders and are vital to Buffalo's growth—and GEICO is proud to play our part." Above, Merritt. At left, Allam and Westmiller sharpen their interview skills. Photos: Tom Wolf Photo: Tom Wolf

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