1. PANELISTS
A M A N D A B A T T A G L I A – A N N I N C .
P R O J E C T S P E C I A L I S T , T A L E N T R E S O U R C E S
M I K A E L R E D D I N G – A / X A R M A N I E X C H A N G E
M A N A G E R , T A L E N T A C Q U I S I T I O N
C R I S T S T I L I A N O S – C A L V I N K L E I N , I N C .
C O R P O R A T E R E C R U I T E R , H U M A N R E S O U R C E S
D A V I D K A Y E – C O N D E N A S T
P R O J E C T M A N A G E R , H U M A N R E S O U R C E S
C H R I S T I N A V E T T E R M A N – E S T E E L A U D E R
H U M A N R E S O U R C E S , G E N E R A L I S T
MODERATORS
MELANIE RUSH JENNIFER TRANO
KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL INTERNSHIP ….
The Do’s & Don’ts

2. Question #1 What do you Consider Professional Attire
for an Interview?
Answers
Mikael Redding Slacks and jacket for women with a blouse, for Men, blazer
A/X and dark denim is okay. Focus on you! Be comfortable, be yourself.
Wear what expresses you also and what represents the brand.
David Kaye Be Unique. You should dress business casual.
Conde Nast The dress code varies on what department you are interviewing with.
Know the brand. For instance, editorial is creative, so you can dress
more casually. Advertising and Sales are more corporate and business like.
Tina Vetterman For an Interview, you should dress Business Casual.
Estee Lauder Professional – Casual, not too casual , but Corporate Casual.
Estee Lauder has 28 brands so you would dress differently for each.
Be sure to research the company culture. Your clothing should
not be too revealing, don’t wear too much makeup or perfume. We need to see
you. Women can wear a black dress, men can wear a suit jacket and pants.
Crist Stilianos Show that you understand the brand
Calvin Klein heritage. Research and know each brand. Business casual.
Amanda Battaglia Dress for each brand, for instance Loft is more layered and Ann is more sleek.
ANN Inc. Also be sure to show your personal style.

3. Question #2 What is a Deal Breaker at the Interview?
Answers
Mikael Redding GUM, Please don’t have anything in your mouth. Don’t spit out your gum in our
A/X conference room garbage can.
Cell phone. Shut it off. Even if the interviewer leaves the room, do not get on your
phone, someone is always watching.
David Kaye Be prepared, know who you are meeting
Conde Nast Dressing stylish is okay, tattoos and piercings are okay if you work in a creative
area. You can have creative expression. As long as you don’t work with a client.
Be sure to research news and current events of your brand, be relevant.
Tina Vetterman Deal Breakers are:
Estee Lauder -Being late without alerting her, there is no excuse, you can call or text.
-Being unprepared who you are meeting, know your audience!
-Dress up, don’t come messy or sloppily dressed
-Don’t arrive too early, 15 minutes early is appropriate.
-Too much eye makeup.
Crist Stilianos Everyone is watching. Even the receptionist. He will often ask the receptionist
Calvin Klein about the candidate. Know that someone is always watching how you behave.
Amanda Battaglia Be prepared! Know what you are interviewing for. Know what the position is called
ANN Inc. And what their job description is. Also, be sure to make eye contact.

4. Question #3 What Do You Want to Hear as a Response to the
Question, Tell Me About Yourself?
Answers
Mikael Redding Answer as it relates to what you are interviewing for. Not about your personal life.
A/X Talk about, your major, your coursework, why you chose the major .
Also, what you want to learn at the internship, and finally, what you have to offer.
David Kaye I don’t ask that question. It’s too open ended.
Conde Nast It’s your opportunity to control the meeting. It’s a good time to talk through
your resume.
Tina Vetterman Why did you choose your major and career?
Estee Lauder
Crist Stilianos Understand that you are entry level and are competing against your peers in
Calvin Klein your major. How can you make yourself unique and stand out? What did you
accomplish in school and past internships ?
Amanda Battaglia It gives you a chance to show passion about the brand.
ANN Inc. Start a good conversation with high energy and enthusiasm.

5. Question #4 What Do You Want to Hear as a Response to the
Question, What Are Your Weaknesses?
Answers
Mikael Redding Do not say, “I am bad at Excel” We want to know what you want to learn and
A/X to help you to strengthen your skills and grow. Turn it into a positive.
You can say, “I want to improve on my computer skills”. And, then ask, “What
programs do you use?” Show interest and enthusiasm to start a conversation
about the position your interviewing for and interest in the company.
David Kaye Try not to sound too rehearsed with a pat answer, try and use the question
Conde Nast to start a conversation. But, I don’t ask that question.
Tina Vetterman Use the question as an opportunity for growth. We want to help you grow.
Estee Lauder We want to help you to develop your skills.
Crist Stilianos We don’t usually ask that question. Don’t focus on a scripted response.
Calvin Klein You are here because we pulled your resume and found something on there that
we think will work for us. So, think about why you are there, what sets you apart?
Talk about relevant experience from a school project and expand on those
positive experiences.
Amanda Battaglia I don’t ask that question. But, always turn it around and try to find a way
ANN Inc. to be positive in your answer, “I can improve …”`

6. Question #5 What do you Suggest For a Student or Applicant
Do to Prepare For an Interview?
Answers
Mikael Redding I urge and encourage you to know your resume, be prepared to have a conversation
A/X about it. Learn to talk about it and to sell yourself for a position. Don’t say,
“Well, I have no experience in…” but do talk about transferrable skills in your past jobs.
David Kaye Don’t mention that your mom likes our product. We want you to show us that it is what
Conde Nast you want. Mention current press and news. Go to the website, know the brands and
try and weave your knowledge into the conversation.
Tina Vetterman Be prepared! Go to the stores, go on our website. Know our products. Go to the website
Estee Lauder and research our leaders. It shows that you care and want the job.
We have many (27) brands, know each, know the difference, when they were founded,
Understand the brand mission. Why are you interested in the company??
Crist Stilianos We live in NYC, go to the store and research our brand! There is no excuse.
Calvin Klein Also go to the ecommerce site, it is okay to mention something about it, that worked or
can be better. Find ways to contribute to the company’s vision. Try not to clash with
the brand’s or company’s identity, but still keep your own individuality.
Amanda Battaglia Do your research, go on the internet, read about our company .
ANN Inc. Go into the stores , it would be great to talk about the current product you saw and
comment on it. Find news articles and bring them up if relevant. Read WWD.

7. Question #6 What Can the Intern do to Maximize the
Internship ?
Answers
Mikael Redding Keep up the momentum from the interview. Keep up the excitement and energy.
A/X We want you to enjoy what you’re doing. Always carry a pad and pen for notes.
David Kaye Think about what you can do to prepare ahead of time. If you are not introduced
Conde Nast to someone in your department, go and introduce yourself. Ask people if they need
help and take it a step further. Ask questions, think of solutions and offer them.
Tina Vetterman Know the department. Ask about the department structure. Don’t get lazy stay
Estee Lauder professional during the internship. Remember, it’s a long job interview.
Crist Stilianos Be proactive, take initiative. You can introduce yourself around the department.
Calvin Klein
Amanda Battaglia Introduce yourself. Follow up with people. Office banter can build relationships
ANN Inc. which is a good idea. Be sure to follow up on projects and ask questions.

8. Question #7 What Advice can you Give an Intern put in a
Position to do Personal Errands for Their
Supervisor?
Answers
David Kaye Do it once or twice. They are seeing if they can trust you, and then will give you
Conde Nast more responsibility. In our business its sometimes hard to tell between real personal,
and work- personal. Sometimes it can be related to the job. There are different office
cultures where it may be acceptable.
Tina Vetterman You should come straight to my office. Acknowledge that it is personal, do it, then go
Estee Lauder talk to HR.
Crist Stilianos Document everything! Also, look at the entry level jobs at the company.
Calvin Klein Is that person doing personal errands?
can be better. Find ways to contribute to the company’s vision. Try not to clash with
the brand’s or company’s identity, but still keep your own individuality.
Amanda Battaglia If you are uncomfortable, go to HR.
ANN Inc.

9. Question #8 Describe the Best Intern and Why?
Answers
Mikael Redding They show positive attitude, are upbeat and hungry and open to learning that is
A/X genuine. They are involved and will volunteer for things.
David Kaye We had an intern that was a great networker. They actually asked thirty
Conde Nast colleagues to meet for coffee to get to know them, and about their job.
Tina Vetterman They are passionate and engaged, prepared, on time, not lazy. They show
Estee Lauder dedication.
Crist Stilianos Recently we had an opening in a department. The intern made it their job to
Calvin Klein offer to fill in and learned the job. They went to the VP and asked if they could
do more. They showed themselves to be a team player and got a full time offer.
Amanda Battaglia Go above and beyond. Network with others. Question tasks.
ANN Inc. Come prepared.