markewicken in Job InterviewMyths and Realities

Interview preparation is critical…

Myth: If you have not had the time or cannot find information on the company before the interview, it’s OK – you can learn about them in the interview.

Reality: If you cannot show you know something about the company you are applying to, it says you are not interested…or worst of all…you are just plain lazy. If you have tried and really cannot find information about the company, tell the interviewer right up front in the interview that you tried but couldn’t get information on the company. This tells them you showed initiative and your honesty. Don’t try to fake it…you won’t be able to. There might be a legitimate reason why you couldn’t find the information.

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markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.