Simple Interviewing Tips

Good Interviewing - Simple Tips

Simple Tips to make your

Finding good opportunities these days is tough. When you interview a success

June 26th, 2009 by admin interview:

finally do get that select interview it is paramount that you do well. The following apply no matter what stage of the interview process you are in – beginning to end.

Assuming you’re qualified for the job, the outcome of your interview depends on your ability to discover the employer’s needs and empathize with the interviewer. Here’s how you do it.

Ask the right questions. To ask the right questions you are going to have to do some homework up front. What I like to tell candidates is, take a pad of paper with you to the interview. Take the time to look closely at the company web site for information, press releases and News. Find out who the competition is. Look at Linked-in - if you are not involved yet – sign up now www.dhirubhai.net - and look at the backgrounds of who is working at the company and who you would potentially be working for and with. From this homework, come up with relevant questions about the company’s business, their product line and plans for the future. Ask each interviewer some of the questions and don’t be afraid to take notes. By doing this you will come across as prepared for the interview and the big key, the interviewer is more likely to recall more of the meat of the interview because of your professional approach and thoroughness in your preparation.

What to Ask the Interviewer:

A job interview will quickly settle into an interrogation or monologue unless you ask some high-quality questions of your own. Candidate questions are vital to any successful interview because they create dialogue and help you understand the company and the position’s responsibilities.

The questions you ask also show your grasp of fundamental issues, reveal your ability to probe beyond the superficial, and challenge the employer to show his or her own depth of knowledge and commitment to the job.

Your questions should always be slanted so that you show empathy, interest and understanding of the employer’s needs. After all, you’re interviewing because the company has a job that needs to be done.

The Following are some good examples:

* What’s the most important issue facing the company (or department)?

* How can I help you accomplish this objective?

* How long has it been since you first identified this need?

* How long have you been trying to correct it?

* Have you tried using your present staff to get the job done? If so, what was the result?

* Is there any particular skill or attitude you feel is critical to getting the job done?

* Is there a certain aspect of my background you’d like to exploit to help accomplish your objectives?

Answers to Questions like these will help to uncover the company’s goals and priorities but also show the interviewer your concern for satisfying the company’s objectives. Below are more keys to interviewing success:

Show Enthusiasm:

Leave no doubt that you are interested in the job. You may think it’s unnecessary to do this, but employers often choose the more enthusiastic candidate in the case of a tie. Besides, it’s best to give yourself options. Wouldn’t you rather be in a position to turn down an offer than have one slip away because you gave a lackluster interview?

Technical interest:

Employers look for people who love what they do and who get excited about tearing into the nitty-gritty of the job. Show that you are one of these people by giving details that show your technical interest in your job. For example, Talk about a project you have recently been involved with that was successful.

Be Confident:

Don’t be an irritating braggart, but the candidate who’s sure of his or her abilities will almost certainly be more favorably received.

Have Intensity:

The last thing you want to do is come across as “flat” or “dull” in your interview. There’s nothing wrong with being a laid-back person, but if you are too laid back you are less likely to get hired. Appear excited about the opportunity by asking questions, having an attentive posture, and responding to the interviewer’s questions with concrete details.

Be Prepared – Also - See above:

Since interviewing also involves the exchange of information, always make sure to present your background thoroughly and accurately and gather data about the company, the industry and the position.

A worthwhile interviewing goal is to link your abilities with the company needs in the mind of the employer so you can build a strong case for why the company should hire you. The more you know about each other, the more potential you’ll have for establishing rapport and making an informed decision.

The Dreaded Salary Discussion:

In my experience during the past 14 years of Recruiting, some of the most anxious moments come from the compensation discussion. My suggestion to most candidates is to learn to make this just another part of the conversation. Don’t get nervous about it. Be prepared, handle it calmly and with confidence.

However, getting wrapped up in compensation details too early will take the interview off track. The goal is to actually get an offer and not lose the chance to early in the process. If early in the interview salary comes up and you are asked what your current compensation is, simply state the base amount, your bonus and how you get you bonus. Do NOT under any circumstances get involved in a negotiation at this point.

Question 1: What are you currently earning?

Answer: My compensation, including bonus, is in the high-forties. I’m expecting my annual review next month, and that should put me in the low-fifties. Notice the way a range was given, not a specific dollar figure. If the interviewer presses for an exact answer, be precise in terms of salary, bonus, benefits, expected increase and so forth.

Question 2: What sort of compensation would you need to come to work here?

Answer: I feel that the opportunity is the most important issue, not salary. If we decide to work together, I’m sure you’ll make me a fair offer.

If the interviewer tries to zero in on your expected compensation, you should also suggest a range, as in, “I would need something in the low- to mid- sixties.” Be careful about being too exact too early because getting locked into a figure may work against you later, in one of two ways:

The figure is lower than what you really want to accept.

It appears too high or too low to the employer, and an offer never comes.

Don’t come on too

strong Unless you’re pressed in the early stages of the interview, the best time to talk about money is after you’ve established mutual interest. If you initiate a discussion about salary and benefits, you risk giving the employer the impression that money is the most important reason for your job search.

Tactically, it makes the most sense to build your value and show restraint before the subject ever comes up. The greater your asset value is in the eyes of the employer, the stronger your offer will be.

Once you know the job fits–and the employer sees your value–you’ll usually be able to agree on a fair price for your services.

Best wishes and happy hunting.

Mark