Congratulations! You’ve impressed UCPath Center’s hiring managers with a stellar resume and cover letter. You’ve received a request for an interview and now it’s time to prepare.
Tom Abt, senior recruiter at the UCPath Center, advises potential candidates to conduct research about the position and the organization beforehand. Also, prepare several questions in advance if you cannot find answers on the website or social media accounts.
According to Deloitte, candidates should think of a job interview as a conversation. By taking the time to develop thoughtful questions, candidates can advance their knowledge and gain insight into the organization, while also helping them stand out in the interview process.
By doing your “homework” prior to the interview, you will learn that the UCPath Center’s company culture is team-oriented with a positive work atmosphere. Current employees say they are proud to be a part of a prestigious educational institution.
“Specifically, the culture here [at the UCPath Center] is the most collaborative environment I have ever been a part of. Period,” Abt shared. “People want to help; they want to pitch in.”
3 Critical Qualities of a Strong Candidate
Abt said he looks for the following three qualities in potential employees:
1. “They should be hungry.” Hungry employees do not dwell on their past accomplishments. They continue to set higher goals and are open to new ways of solving old problems.
Abt said he wants candidates to show him they are enthusiastic not only about the position they are interviewing for but what the University of California stands for as a whole.
2. “They should be humble.” Humility in the workplace includes behaviors like self-awareness, perspective, openness to feedback and new ideas, and appreciation of others.
Teamwork is essential to get tasks done at the UCPath Center, Abt continued. “To use a phrase, it takes a village. During the interview process, it’s important to show me somehow that you value working on a team, and enjoy working in a collaborative-type of environment.”
3. “They should be smart.” Smart employees ask thoughtful questions, can solve problems creatively and have a natural ability to think laterally across disciplines.
Smart candidates are also self-aware, Abt noted. “If you can show me that you are hungry and humble, that also covers you are smart.”
Be the Ultimate Team Player
Above all, a candidate must convey during the interview process they are willing to “step up to the plate to make the UCPath project a success,” Abt added. They can articulate that spirit while answering questions about their past positions during their interview.
One way job candidates can do this is to “show,” not “tell” prospective employers what they are capable of achieving, explained Liz Ryan, a leading human resources expert. Be sure to discuss specific and impressive achievements that will catch a recruiter’s or an employer’s attention.
“[The UCPath Center] is looking for people who will assimilate,” Abt said.
“We’ve been very successful in taking people from different arenas, training them and making them good employees. We can train for most of our positions.”
The UCPath Center is committed to helping their employees flourish while providing the training tools necessary for their success. The company has a two-day on-boarding program to help new employees come up to speed about the University of California. They learn about UC’s system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, and its policies and procedures system-wide.
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In addition, they learn about the UCPath Center’s processes, events, resources, and tool, as well as benefits. On-the-job training is a part of the UCPath Center employee experience.
One of the most positive aspects of working at the UCPath Center is an incredible sense of belonging, Abt stated. “We can’t be successful unless every person contributes.”
An Interview Success Story
Danielle Salas started her career at the UCPath Center in February 2015 as a benefits assistant. About a year later, she moved up the career ladder to become a benefits associate. In April 2017, she was promoted to benefits supervisor.
“[The University of California] is a prestigious name,” she said. “I really wanted to get in the door and start working for UC.”
Salas recalled during her first interview that all of the conference room walls were made out of glass. “I could see people walking by and laughing, smiling and talking,” she continued. “I actually mentioned that in my interview.”
“Wow, what a great place to work,” she commented to the UCPath interviewer. “I want to work somewhere where I’m laughing, smiling and happy. I want to work here.”
In her third year at the UCPath Center, Salas remarked that she still sees the same people laughing and smiling. “And now I’m one of them,” she concluded.
Want to join the team? The UCPath Center is currently 
with expertise in the following areas: customer/employee service, benefits administration, payroll, accounting, human resources, information technology, finance and quality and performance management.
