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The
interview is actually a very simple process if you are
prepared. This is your time to demonstrate your aptitude
to perform the job that you are interviewing for.
1. Be professional, confident and look your best. The
first impression is a lasting impression. Unfortunately
most hiring authorities draw conclusions about
candidates’ way too early in the interview process.
2. Bring a pen and pad (notebook) with questions written
down pertaining to the position. (i.e. What is expected
of me? What happened to the prior incumbent?)
3. Make the interviewer talk 60% - 70% of the time by
having a list of probing questions pertaining to the job
responsibilities of the position, division and company
goals, company culture, etc. Answer questions with a
question. For example: If you are asked about a specific
qualification, answer the question fully, then inquire
as to how that fits what the company is looking for.
Don’t be afraid to probe into the duties of the
position. When a requirement is mentioned that fits one
of your strengths, bring it out. An excellent question
to ask is: “If you have two candidates with almost
identical backgrounds what quality or qualities would
make you choose one over the other?” Or, you might say:
“If the perfect candidate was standing in front of you,
reporting for work, could you describe that candidate?”
4. Energy, Drive, Initiative – Don’t ever compromise on
this one. It is the universal trait of success. The key
to personal success is to do more than you have to, so
give the interviewer some examples of your initiative
and personal successes and extra efforts.
5. Trend of Performance Over Time – Indicate the impact
you have had with your current and previous employer's)
over the past five to ten years. This would include:
Major accomplishments and organizational changes that
you have implemented. This is a good time to share what
you can do for the interviewer’s company. HAVE A PLAN
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW!
6. Experience, Education and Industry Background – Use
this along with the Past Accomplishments category:
Strong education and experience can sometimes offset a
weaker accomplishments rating.
7. Problem Solving and Thinking Skills – Express that
you have the ability to solve job-related problems and
anticipate what needs to be done. (Elaborate)
8. Management and Organizations – (If going in for a
management position). Let the interviewer know that you
have the ability to persuade and motivate others. Team
leadership is a component of both management and
personality. Share management ability and style, and
organizational skills.
9.Team Leadership – (If going in for a management
position). The ability to persuade and motivate others.
Explain how you motivate your immediate subordinates and
people who work in different departments.
10. Character: Values, Commitment and Goals - Summarize
your integrity, honesty, responsibility, openness, and
fairness in dealing with others. Express your commitment
to the organization, and have a plan as to what you can
do for the Company. THIS TOPIC SHOULD BE SAVED FOR THE
END OF THE INTERVIEW, OR WAIT FOR THE SECOND INTERVIEW.
11. Watch your body language. Maintain good posture,
leaning slightly forward indicates interest. Maintain
eye contact. Leaning back could give the impression of a
lax attitude. The interviewer gives body language as
well. You can determine if you are keeping the
interviewer’s interest by reading his or her body
language. This holds true to some extent for a telephone
interview as well. Although you cannot see the
interviewer, you can detect from voice inflections
whether you have his or her attention. If the
interviewer is on a speakerphone and you hear their
voice fading in and out, it means that he or she is
probably walking around the room and you may not have
his/her full attention. If that happens, ask the
interviewer to pick up the receiver as you are having
difficulty hearing and don’t want to miss anything he or
she says. At that point, you will again have the
interviewer’s full attention.
12. On your pad, have a list of your strengths. Let the
interviewer know why you are the perfect fit for the
position. EXAMPLE: If interviewing for a supervisory
position, one major weakness may be the tendency to “do
everything yourself.” This is a very common problem that
indicates a lack of willingness to delegate work. The
best way to overcome this is to step back from your
desk, look at the project you have for the day and
determine which REALLY requires your personal attention.
Anything that can be delegated should be given to
subordinates who can then use them as a learning tool
while your time is freed up to attend to the more urgent
and sensitive issues. What you have done at this point
is turn a negative into a positive.
One of the toughest interview questions that you can be
asked is “Tell me about yourself.” Rather than guess
where the interviewer wants you to begin, use this very
simple response: “I’d be happy to. Where would you like
me to begin?” Once you have the interviewers reply, you
have a point of reference and can begin answering the
question.
13. STAY POSITIVE! Even if you decide that you don’t
feel the position is right for you, never communicate
that during the interview. Once you get home, you may
change your mind. After you have considered it, if you
still feel the position is not a good fit for you, let
us know and we can withdraw you gracefully, but keep the
door open for future consideration.
14. VERY IMPORTANT! At the conclusion of the interview,
state that you are very interested in pursuing this
position, and then ask, “Where do we go from here?” or
“What is the next step?” If you really think you hit a
home run, ask: “When do I start?” What you are doing is
asking for feedback on how well you did. Another
excellent “closing” question would be: “Is there any
reason that you could not offer me this position (job)
today?”
15. Do not discuss salary or benefits. If asked about
your current salary, advise what it is but indicate that
you wouldn’t want to comment on the salary without
knowing all about the opportunity. Just like you
wouldn’t want to buy a car without knowing all about the
options available, you wouldn’t want to commit too early
on your “price”. You might say: “Compensation is
extremely important to me, and I will consider your best
offer, but frankly what is most important at this point
is what I can offer your company and what the future
will hold for both of us in a long term relationship.”
16. Have available a list of references that you can
present if requested. These references should include
names of former supervisors in previous jobs who would
be willing to discuss in detail your work performance,
usually for positions covering only the last five years.
Be sure that you have checked your references thoroughly
so that you can be assured that they will provide
positive feedback to the inquirer. If you feel it may be
necessary, have a friend call them to see what they will
say about you. If desired, your recruiter can call your
references and provide you with feedback on their
responses.
17. Bring two to three additional original copies of
your resume, each in presentation folders (the number of
copies depends upon how many people you are going to
see). This has the effect of setting your resume out
above the others. In addition, bring a copy of your most
recent performance review (if applicable) and a sample
of any written material prepared by you in the course of
performing your duties (again, if applicable). Take care
to make sure that the write-up does not contain any
proprietary information such as names of the customer or
any other items that may lead to the customer’s
identity.
18. Call your recruiter as soon as possible right after
the interview to advice of how things went. We will then
call our client for their feedback and advise you of
their impression.
Remember: Preparation is everything
As soon as you can, write down what happened in the
interview. Note such things as what was discussed, who
you met with, what strengths/weaknesses of yours were
discussed, what positives/negatives about the company
and position you perceived and anything else you see as
being relevant. This will come in very handy if
additional interviewing is required.
You should now be prepared to Follow Up the interview.
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