The Interview
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THE INTERVIEW
These ten (10) Interviewing tips will assist you when interviewing for your "Perfect Job Opportunity"
1.) Always prepare "10" questions
to ask the interviewer, these questions should not include compensation
or benefit information.
2.) If asked about salary; please defer from discussing this matter; it
will be virtually impossible to put a figure on what you may want as a
salary prior to understanding all of the position specifics. By deferring
away from the discussion of salary you are leveraging yourself to obtain
the best offer that may possibly be extended.
3.) If the discussion or non-discussion of salary becomes a point of contention;
advise the interviewer that you are currently making a base salary of
X; with a total benefit package that includes: bonus, profit sharing,
car allowance, 401K; etc. and that if presented the opportunity to work
with ABC Company you will consider their strongest offer.
4.) Dress professionally, never providing a relaxed or unkept look. Have
your shoes shined, have your shirts freshly pressed; button your collar
and make certain that your tie is flush against your top button. Never
wear a bright yellow or red tie; wear something that is not boring or
too overwhelming!
5.) Keep direct eye contact; and offer your ear; while commenting when
appropriate.
6.) Know your strengths and areas needed for improvement; being able to
site examples of your strengths and offering solutions to your improvement
areas if asked.
7.) Ask your interviewer why they went to work for the company and if
the company has met his or her expectations.
8.) Discuss your previous employer if asked, by accenting the positive
and never, ever speak badly about your current employer or direct supervisor.
If posed with the question: Why are you looking? Answer with honesty;
if recruited tell the interviewer what the headhunter discussed with you
that got you excited. If not, try and explain your career aspirations
and after reviewing the company, you feel that the fit would be a mutually
beneficial alliance.
9.) If you are interested in the opportunity, take the initiative and
ask to come back and meet others' in the organization. Do this within
the next seven (7) days.
10.) Last, but not least; thank the interviewer for their time and get
their card so that later that afternoon you can draft a letter of appreciation
and either forward the finished note to them by email or the postal service.
In this note, you should be brief, but conclusive of your assessment of
the opportunity and the interview. Allow for four or five short paragraphs;
again highlighting what you were the most intrigued in and then providing
examples of how you would positively impact the organization from day
one. End the note by thanking your interviewer for their time again, and
then confirm the date of your next meeting. Always sign off Sincerely;
and never anything else.