Interviewing Support

Prepping for the Interview with Your Recruiter

Before you walk into any interview, you should know everything about the company and the position. In today’s world of mass communication, there’s no excuse for lack of research. Your recruiter will be able to "brief" you, but you may want to search the web or the library to be completely prepared.

How to Interview

In any interview, there are several primary questions that a candidate should have answered before ending the interview and making a decision to pursue the opportunity further. These questions should be asked in a natural but professional manner…

1. What are the characteristics or traits of the person who you will hire for this position?

You want to make sure that you understand the company’s culture and you want to make sure that you fit with that culture and it fits with you as a potential employee

2. How does the company measure success for the position?

You want to know what their expectations are and whether you are experienced enough to meet and exceed those expectations

3. Where will this position take me in the company?

This is a career path question. You want to make sure that there is advancement capability and growth opportunity in a fast-track environment

4. Why is this position available?

5. What are your goals; what obstacles must be overcome?

** Be sure to have a pad of paper and pen in order to take notes. **

Be sure to have at least 10 to 20 questions written out before beginning an interview. These questions should center around:

The company and its history
The industry and the marketplace
The future of the company, its positioning in the marketplace
How will this career opportunity positively affect the company’s overall productivity

Be sure to pay attention to quantitative questions. When quantitative questions are being asked, it means that the interviewer is trying to see how you will immediately impact the company. Have your numbers readily accessible to answer these questions promptly, clearly and thoroughly.

There are 5 common questions usually asked by an interviewer…

1. Why do you want to work for us?

Have you done your homework?
Flatter me, the interviewer

2. Why should we hire you?

Opportunity to sell yourself without being obnoxious

3. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses in your current position?

Choose three strengths and answer the question using the word “strengths”
Choose three weaknesses and answer the question using the words “my greatest areas of improvement are…”

4. What are the things that you are most proud of in your personal and/or professional life?

The interviewer is attempting to make you more three-dimensional
Pick three areas to talk about

5. Why are you looking?

In every interview you will be expected to explain how you work, what results you obtained, how those results changed your current company, who you have managed, how they responded to your style and so on. The following is a technique to keep your thoughts logical, clear and concise. Remember the word P A R, PAR stands for:

P = Problem… Set up a real life situation
A = Action… Discuss the appropriate actions taken in the situation
R = Result… Show the preferably positive results of your actions

Before ending the interview, there are two very important questions that must be asked. They should be asked in your own words and professionally. These are CLOSING questions.

1. The first question goes something like this, “Is there anything based on this interview in my background or personality that may preclude me from being hired for this position?”

This is a very candid question and a lot of people have a difficult time asking it
Whether it feels right or not, ask this question…it will prompt 1 of 3 answers
- The first answer could be “No, there is nothing that would keep me from bringing you on board…
  - That is were you thank the interviewer and ask the second question
- The second answer could be “Yes, there is something…
  - The interviewer normally details his or her objections
  - The candidate should thank the potential employer for noticing this and explain that he/she had some reservations on the point also
  - The candidate should state, based on evidence in his/her background, answers to the objections
  - Should the objections not be overcome, explain how training and first-hand experience can overcome this barrier
- The third answer could be “After the interview, I will contact the recruiting company and have then get back to you with feedback”
  - This is a valid answer and as a reminder you, the candidate, will call me no later than one hour after the interview to debrief just as my client will call me 1-1/2 hours after the interview to give me their impression

2. Follow up with the question “What is the next step for me in your process?”

3. DON’T FORGET TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN THE POSITION

Handling the money issue (if the interviewer should bring up)

There are typically two questions asked by a potential employer concerning the money issue during an interview
- The first question is: What are you currently earning?
  - I think the best response is to explain your currently salary, bonus or commissions and leave it at that.
- The second question is: What do you want to make?
  - This is a red flag question. It could be that the interviewer is inexperienced or the interviewer really wants to pin you, the candidate, down on dollars. In either case there is a response that 9 times out of 10 will redirect the question
  - At this point, I am exploring the opportunity with your company. Based on your reputation in your industry, I am sure that should an offer come my way, it will be fair based on my background and experience.

Other Interview Questions to be Prepared For

No one can predict the exact questions that an interviewer will ask, but your recruiter should be able to give you a good idea of the hiring authority’s personality, his or her typical interview demeanor, and a few important questions that the employer is likely to ask. To prepare, think about how you would answer the following questions:

Tell me about yourself. Keep your answer in the professional realm only. Review your past positions, education and other strengths.
What do you know about our organization? If you’ve done your research correctly, you should have no problem answering this one. Be positive.
Why are you interested in this position? Relate how you feel your qualifications really match the requirements of the job. Also, express your desire to work for that company.
What are the most significant accomplishments in your career so far? Pick recent accomplishments that relate to this position and its requirements.
Describe a situation in which your work was criticized. Focus on how you solved the situation and how you became a better person because of it.
How would you describe your personality?
How do you perform under pressure?
What have you done to improve yourself over the past year?
What did you like least about your last position?
Are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) company?
What is your ideal working environment?
How would your co-workers describe you?
What do you think of your boss?
Have you ever fired anyone? What was the situation and how did you handle it?
Are you creative?
What are your goals in your career?
Where do you see yourself in two years?
What kind of salary are you looking for?
What other types of jobs/companies are you considering?

Do's and Don'ts of Interviewing

Dos

Arrive 15 minutes early. Late attendance is never excusable.
Clarify questions. Be sure you answered the questions the employer really asked.
Get the interviewer to describe the position and responsibilities early in the conversation so you can relate your skills and background to the position throughout the interview.
Give your qualifications. Stress the accomplishments that are most pertinent to the job.
Conduct yourself professionally. Be aware of what your body language is saying. Smile, make eye contact, don’t slouch and maintain composure.
Anticipate tough questions. Prepare in advance so you can turn apparent weaknesses into strengths.
Dress appropriately. Make your first impression a professional one.
Ask questions throughout the interview. An interview should be a mutual exchange of information, not a one-sided conversation.
Listen. This is probably the most important ability of all. By concentrating not only on the employer’s words, but also on the tone of voice and body language, you will be able to pick up on the employer’s style. Once you understand how a hiring authority thinks, pattern your answers accordingly and you will be able to better relate to him or her.

Don’ts

Don’t answer vague questions. Rather than answering questions you think you hear, get the employer to be more specific and then respond.
Never interrupt the employer. If you don’t have time to listen, neither does the employer.
Don’t smoke, chew gum or place anything on the employer’s desk.
Don’t be overly familiar, even if the employer is doing all of these things.
Don’t wear heavy perfume or cologne.
Don’t ramble. Long answers often make the speaker sound apologetic or indecisive.
On the other hand, don’t answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible.
Do not lie. Answer questions as truthfully as possible.
Do not make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.

Following Up

When you get in your car, immediately write down key issues uncovered in the interview. Think of the qualifications the employer is looking for and match your strengths to them. Call your recruiter! Follow-up now is critical. A "thank you" letter should be written no later than 24 hours after the interview.

Writing Thank You Letters

Tips for sending your follow-up letter:

Send out your thank-you letters no later than 24 hours after your interview has ended.
Always keep your audience in mind. Address the issues and the concerns that were mentioned during the interview.
Use the thank-you letter as a follow-up "sales" letter, in which you restate your reasons for wanting the position and remind the interviewer why you're qualified.
Mention anything of importance that your interviewer might've neglected to ask in person.
If you're only writing a few sentences, send a handwritten note. Otherwise, send a typed, formatted letter (see sample letters below).
Thank everyone who contributed to your job search. If sending email, send separate emails to each individual you interviewed with.
If you decide after the interview that you don't want the job after all, write a respectful note withdrawing your application.
Choose your words carefully when using email. Email creates an instant written record, so don't let the speed and the ease of sending it blind you to the fact that you will be judged on what you've said and how you've said it.