Interviewing Tips

Be Prepared:

Be 15 minutes early. Leave extra time for the unexpected. Get your thoughts together, fill out application forms and observe the company surroundings and employees.

Bring a fresh copy of your resume along with a portfolio pad holder and pen. Pad should contain key points you wish to convey to sell yourself and some well thought out questions.

Employers form 90% of their decision upon meeting candidates. Dress for success. Conservative suits or business dresses, plain hose, well-shaped shoes, low-key makeup, jewelry and perfume. Hair should be neat. Firm handshake, pleasant demeanor and good eye contact. Project enthusiasm and energy. Do not smoke or chew gum!

Questions You Might Be Asked By The Employer:

Why are you leaving your current position? (Don’t “bad mouth” previous employers and don’t sound too opportunistic.)

Why would you want to work for this company? (Do some research on the background of the company. Being prepared and knowledgeable pleases the interviewer.)

Why do you believe you are qualified for this position? (Pick two or three main factors about the job and about you that are most relevant. Select a technical skill, a specific management skill such as organization, staffing, or planning, and a personal success story to mention.)

Why should we hire you for this position? (Relate to specific attributes and accomplishments. Demonstrate a thoughtful, organized, strong attitude.)

What are your four greatest strengths? (Be able to discuss each with a specific example. Select those attributes which are most compatible with the job opening.)

What are your areas of weakness? (Discuss tolerable flaws that you are working towards improving. Show how weakness can be turned into strength. For example, how concentration on details results in higher quality of work even though it requires overtime.)

What are the three or four greatest accomplishments in your life that you are most proud of? (Give three relative to your career and 1 relating to your life.)

What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years from now? (“I see myself with the same company in five years. I hope to have received new responsibilities and have become more of an asset to the company.")

Questions To Ask The Employer:

What are the three or four qualifications that the ideal candidate should possess?

What are the strengths you have found in the most successful employees that you have employed with your company?

What challenges are facing this department now? What are the top priorities of this position?

What would a typical day be like?

Getting Ready For The Job Interview:

A job interview is like a game. It has rules, and the participants have roles to play. What you can win is an offer. What the interviewer can win is the proper person for the job.

Your role as the interviewee is to play the confident applicant who can project talent, willingness and suitability for the opening. If you have done your homework, you have no problem.

What To Do:

Spend the morning in the library researching the company, or talk to friends who know similar organizations.

Interview yourself on a tape recorder until you hear confidence in your answers to questions. Or, role play with friends or family members.

Prepare positive answers to potentially difficult queries like “I’m a little worried about your lack of experience….” Or, “You’ve been out of work a long time, haven’t you?”

Interviews Play One Of The General Roles:

The target-directed interviewer is direct, business-like and a little impersonal. Respond in kind.

The all-in-the-family interviewer is warm, friendly and company oriented. Emphasize your team player attitude.

The thinking person’s interviewer is interested in how you did things or intend to do things. Give logical, expanded answers about the methods and theories.

The make-it-easy-for-me interviewer is unpredictable and prone to snap judgments. Be a responsive audience and let the interviewer keep the center stage.

Talking Salary:

Guidelines for salary negotiations when job discussions get down to the nitty-gritty:

My consultant at Premier Staffing Pros informed me of the salary range, I am comfortable that they will handle negotiations for me.

Try not specifying a figure (It will inevitably be lowered). Get the other person to mention one first, even a salary range (Always a range).

Evade the question If you are asked what you made at your last job, say “That salary is not especially relevant because the job I was doing was very different from what I’ll be doing now."

Establish the value of benefits before agreeing on a salary figure.

If Questions Of Money Arise:

Never give a money amount – stay neutral.

   I am currently earning (___Salary Range__), and I’m sure you’ll make me a fair offer.

Or,

What I’m looking for is a good opportunity where I can bring # year(s) of excellent support skills.

Or,

I would hope that you would make me a fair offer that’s competitive in this market and based on the skills I bring to the position.

Ask For The Job:

All things being equal, people hire people who want to work for them. You could close with….

Questions:

1. What would you like to see me accomplish in the next 30, 60 or 90 days?

2. What project would I be working on first?

3. Is there anything in my background that would prevent me from doing this job to your expectations?

4. Do my skills fit what you are looking for? (Anticipate response and change to handle an objection.)

Mr. /Ms.      ,

Thank you for the time you have spent with me. I know I can handle the job and make a contribution to your company. I’m very excited about this opportunity. Is there any area I fall short on your requirements? (If so, address the issue).

Then, “What is the next step?’

GOOD LUCK AND SEND A FOLLOW UP THANK YOU NOTE