Media Release

For Immediate Release

Nov. 20, 2009

Saint Mary's Commerce student wins interview competition

Erin Garner picked up $1,000 for winning the You're Hired Scotiabank Interview Competition

A job interview can be nerve racking at the best of times. Imagine what it’s like being interviewed with a room full of people watching.

That’s what Saint Mary’s University business student Erin Garner had to overcome Nov. 20 to win this year’s “You’re Hired” Scotiabank Interview Competition at Dalhousie University.

The annual mock interview competition provides an opportunity for finance students to develop interview skills and gives them the chance to network with various employers. 

In all, 29 students took part in this year’s competition that simulated what it would be like to apply for a job as a Commercial Associate with ScotiaBank Commercial Banking.

After an initial round of interviews, the top three candidates advanced to the final where they were interviewed by a panel of four judges in front of a live audience.

Garner, a fourth year Commerce student and member of the IMPACT program at the Sobey School of Business, received $1,000 for winning the contest. The other two candidates were students from Dalhousie. The second-place candidate received $500 and the third candidate took home $250.

Garner said she actually enjoyed being interviewed in front of a crowd because she could feed off its energy.

“You could tell when you gave a good answer by the response of the audience.”

Garner said she felt well prepared for the interview because she did considerable research that included chatting with St. Mary’s alumni who work for the bank.

The panel of judges included Bruce Smith, Senior Manager of Staffing and Planning for the Atlantic Regional Office of Scotiabank, Craig Thompson, Area Vice-President of Credit Solutions of Scotiabank, and Dalhousie professors Dr. Sunny Marche and Dr. Elizabeth Kelly.

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For More Information:

Steve Proctor
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5513
www.smu.ca