UW Madison, Milwaukee, Whitewater and Marquette Students Come together to Learn and Grow

On September 30th, CARW partnered with IREM Milwaukee on the second annual Multi-University Student Event. More than 100 students registered from UW Milwaukee, UW Madison, Marquette University, and UW Whitewater. Big thanks to sponsors: Colliers, Gold Finch, Midloch, Marshall Park Investments, Marquette University Vieth Center for Real Estate, Ogden, Sid Grinker and NAIPfefferle

Keynote, Julia Bristow Briggs, Career Consultant and Professional Branding Coach, talked about how to prepare for interviews with confidence and impact: “Step Up Your Game: Mastering the Interview Process”. Her message was clear: interview preparation is serious business—and success starts well before you walk in the door.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Julia opened with the Top 5 Interview Mistakes, reminding students and professionals alike that many errors happen before the first question is asked. Poor first impressions, lack of research, and missed opportunities to tell your story are among the most common pitfalls.

First Impressions Count: You only get 30 seconds to impress. From body language to attire, candidates control far more of that impression than they might think. Julia encouraged participants to focus on small but important details that show confidence and professionalism right away.

The 10-Hour Rule: Preparation is key. Julia recommended dedicating at least 10 hours of prep time ahead of any interview. That includes:

Researching company websites, financials, and recent press releases
Reviewing Glassdoor for common questions
Reaching out to alumni, professors, or connections on LinkedIn
Tapping recruiters for insider advice

Tell Your Story with SPAR: To help candidates stand out, Julia introduced the SPAR method: Situation, Problem, Action, Result. She advised preparing 12 “power stories”—two examples for each of six key skills areas, such as communication, problem solving, leadership, and analytical ability. Delivered in under two minutes, these stories demonstrate value while keeping answers structured and memorable.

Build Interview Momentum: Even the simplest question, like “Tell me about yourself,” is an opportunity to shine. Julia encouraged starting with gratitude, thanking the interviewer for their time, and expressing genuine enthusiasm for the position. From there, candidates can move into their SPAR stories to build momentum and confidence.

Practice Makes Perfect: The program featured mock interviews where participants compared “what went wrong” versus “what went right.” The exercise highlighted the importance of clarity, brevity, and enthusiasm. Practicing with peers for even 20 minutes can sharpen responses and improve delivery.

Don’t Forget Networking: Julia closed with her Top 5 Networking Tips, reminding participants that interviews don’t happen in isolation. Building meaningful connections before and after an interview can make all the difference in career advancement.

Takeaway: Successful interviews don’t happen by chance. With preparation, structure, and practice, you can step up your game and turn interviews into offers.

Big thanks to the table mentors who helped with mock interviews:

Linkedin Post with photos here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7379183916093493248

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