Part 2 – Marketing Yourself For Success: What’s Your Equation?

Part 2 – Marketing Yourself For Success: What’s Your Equation?

What One Employer Wants Every Student to Know Before Their Next Interview

As summer internship season comes to an end, one thing has become impossible to ignore: in less than a year, I’ll be applying for full-time jobs.

Like many college students, I’ve spent countless hours polishing my resume, updating my LinkedIn profile, and wondering what employers are actually looking for. Everyone tells you to “stand out,” but no one really tells you how. What makes one candidate memorable while another gets overlooked? What are employers actually thinking when they read your resume or sit across from you in an interview?

During my internship at BootstrapVT, I had the chance to ask someone who spends a lot of time on the other side of the interview table. I sat down with BootstrapVT Founder and CEO Geoff Strawbridge to talk about what catches his attention when hiring interns and young professionals. Geoff has interviewed countless applicants throughout his career and has become a mentor to many students in the Burlington business community through Hula and BootstrapVT.

One question from my own internship interview kept coming back to me:

“What’s your equation?”

At first, I wasn’t sure how to answer it. Of course there are countless experiences, interests, and personality traits that make me who I am, but which ones actually matter to an employer? Which parts of my story should I bring into an interview?

Our conversation answered that question—and completely changed the way I think about interviewing.

Your Resume Is Only the Beginning

When I asked Geoff what he looks at first when reviewing an application, his answer wasn’t exactly what I expected.

“The first thing I typically do is go to their LinkedIn profile. I believe LinkedIn is the modern resume and should replace the traditional one. You should be able to have all your work history and some of your project work there. It allows me to see your experience. I care about work history because, especially in the early stages of a career, you may not have worked in the exact field yet or have hands-on marketing experience, but you may have shown growth and progress through other jobs or projects.”

That response immediately shifted my perspective. As students, it’s easy to worry that we don’t have enough experience, especially when applying for our first full-time positions. But Geoff isn’t looking for someone who’s already done everything. He’s looking for someone who’s consistently learned, grown, and taken advantage of opportunities.

Why Interviews Matter

With so much of the hiring process happening online, I wondered what makes someone worth interviewing in the first place.

Geoff explained that, whenever possible, he prefers to meet people face-to-face.

“I’m actually pretty easy when it comes to interviews. I like meeting with almost all candidates because there’s such a difference between an email conversation or a text-based interaction and actually sitting down with someone in person. I really prefer having that face-to-face interaction before making a decision.”

It’s a reminder that your resume gets you in the room—but your personality is what employers remember.

What Employers Are Really Looking For

So what happens once you’re sitting across the table from an employer?

According to Geoff, it starts with the fundamentals.

“I start with the basics. Are they able to look me in the eye and have a clear conversation about the work they’ve done, the projects they’ve completed, and what they’re studying in school? Those are straightforward questions, but they’re really important because they show a level of maturity and the ability to have a one-on-one conversation.

After that, I want to hear about their work experience, whether that’s at a snack bar, a restaurant, or as a camp counselor. It gives me a sense of their consistency, credibility, and ability to work well with other people.”

What stood out to me most was that none of these qualities require an impressive title or years of professional experience. Every job teaches something. Whether you’ve worked retail, lifeguarded at a pool, waited tables, or volunteered in your community, employers are paying attention to the skills you’ve developed along the way.

Initiative Goes a Long Way

Since Geoff was also the person who interviewed me for my internship, I couldn’t resist asking a more personal question: Why me?

Specifically, I wanted to know what stood out during my own interview process.

His answer surprised me because it wasn’t about my resume.

“That’s a tough question because it’s specific to you, but I’ll answer it. We first met at the UVM Marketing Club where I was presenting. You came up afterward to introduce yourself, and that immediately showed initiative. You wanted to grab coffee, have lunch, and explore a potential internship opportunity. That drive stood out from the beginning.”

That made me realize something important: the interview didn’t actually begin when we sat down for lunch. It started the moment I introduced myself.

I shared something that professors at UVM have emphasized throughout my college career.

“I feel like one thing we’ve really been taught at UVM is that the interview is where you ‘close the deal’ and earn the internship. There’s also a big emphasis on persistence, as long as you’re not overly pushy. I wanted you to know that I genuinely cared and wanted the position. I think a lot of younger people don’t always show that they care about a job or prepare with thoughtful questions, and I think showing initiative is really important.”

Geoff agreed.

“I completely agree. Whatever they were teaching you was right on the money. I got the sense that you were motivated, had relevant experience, and genuinely wanted to work. You showed that you cared, and while sometimes it can seem ‘uncool’ to show that level of enthusiasm, from an employer’s perspective it’s incredibly valuable.”

I think that’s something students need to hear more often. We spend so much time worrying about saying the perfect thing that we forget enthusiasm itself is a strength. Employers want people who genuinely want to be there.

So…What’s Your Equation?

Eventually, our conversation circled back to the question that had been on my mind since my own interview. I asked Geoff to explain what he means by “your equation.”

His answer has stuck with me ever since.

“Great question, Rose.

Let’s talk about the word ‘equation’ because it’s a little unusual. I believe every person in the working world is highly unique. Each individual has a unique combination of skills, talents, experiences, and personality that no one else can replicate. That’s your equation. When you bring your whole self to work, you create a very differentiated work persona.”

I followed up by asking if students entering the workforce should focus on identifying and communicating that equation during interviews.

His answer was simple.

“Absolutely.”

Find Your Equation

Before this conversation, I thought interviewing was mostly about proving that I was qualified enough for a job. Geoff helped me realize it’s really about showing employers who you are.

Resumes matter. LinkedIn matters. Experience matters. But those things only tell part of your story.

What makes you memorable is your equation—the unique combination of experiences, skills, interests, personality, and perspective that no one else can bring to the table.

Maybe your equation includes years of customer service, leadership through athletics, creative side projects, research experience, entrepreneurship, or balancing school with work. Maybe it’s your curiosity, your work ethic, or your willingness to take initiative before anyone asks.

Whatever it is, own it.

As I head into my senior year and begin preparing for my own post-graduation job search, that’s the lesson I’ll carry with me. Instead of trying to become the candidate I think employers want, I’m going to focus on showing them the combination of qualities that already make me different.

Because at the end of the day, employers aren’t just hiring resumes.

They’re hiring people.

And the strongest thing you can bring into an interview is your equation.