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Interview Tips
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Our Advice is:
- Get as much information as possible
about the organization. If being represented by a recruiter, ask him/her lots of
questions. Read their website thoroughly, research the firm using Google, Yahoo
Finance, your friends, and your professional network.
- After doing “your homework”
prepare some intelligent questions about their business and how your position fits
within that framework. Concepts to keep in mind: the larger picture, the industry,
competition, what makes them unique, their value proposition.
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Understand that the purpose of the interview
is to get an offer. You can neither accept nor
reject a job without first getting the offer.
Your position to negotiate any opportunity is
stronger with the offer in hand.
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Arrive for the interview on time. If
unfamiliar with the location, do a drive-by
the day before or allocate enough additional
time to arrive early. Make allowances for
heavy traffic. Take written directions. Have
the hiring manager’s telephone number
available in the event of delay; always call
to advise of any holdup.
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Dress appropriately and look the part. Make
sure that clothes fit comfortably, are freshly
laundered and pressed, and reflect
professionalism. Shoes should be clean and
polished. Hair should be neatly trimmed. When
selecting an interview wardrobe, it is better
to err on the conservative side.
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Take several copies of your resume, along with
a list of references, addresses and phone
numbers of previous employers (very helpful
for completing employment applications),
writing samples and educational transcripts.
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Take a portfolio or pad of paper for taking
notes. Taking notes demonstrates professional
competence. Additionally, scientific research
indicates that we forget half of what we hear
within 30 minutes.
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Create three success stories that evidence
your professional skills and capabilities. Be
prepared to describe the work behaviors that
led to your success; describe how you
succeeded.
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Visit the company’s or firm’s website and be
prepared to share knowledge gained from this
investigation.
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Review the job description/responsibilities
and prepare examples from your work experience
that best demonstrate your competence in these
areas.
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Practice answers to difficult interview
inquiries (termination from previous
positions, career mistakes made and lessons
learned, work frustrations and preferences,
why interviewing).
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Prepare for the length and type of interview
(one-on-one or panel), and the interviewer.
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Identify any vacation or prior commitments
that might impact your work schedule. Identify
and be prepared to discuss a possible start
date.
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Unless introduced by the interviewer, plan to
avoid asking questions about compensation,
benefits and vacation time. These are
important considerations, however they are
best left as follow-up when considering an
offer.
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If
asked about money, avoid answering with
specific terms. Indicate that, “in my current
position I earn $XX thousand and while money
is certainly important, the job
responsibilities, opportunities for
professional growth and the work environment
are more important.” Further state, “if
selected, I’ll seriously consider your best
offer.”
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Plan to answer the “tell me about
yourself” question with “as you can
see from my resume, I possess a number of
skills and work experiences. What in
particular is of interest to you?” This
approach will help you avoid rambling about
issues that are not of interest to the hiring
manager.
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Many interviewers will ask, “Do you have
any questions for me?” If you (the
candidate) have relevant questions, pose them.
If all of your questions have been answered,
respond with, “I don’t have any additional
questions at this time, however after giving
the opportunity some thought, I’m sure
additional questions will come to mind. Is
there a convenient time during the next
several days that I can call you to address
these issues?”
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Gather and be prepared to discuss information
about issues and trends that may be impacting
the firm or company. Similarly, gather
information about the interviewer(s).
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Avoid asking about other candidates under
consideration and how you (the candidate)
compare against them.
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Give direct answers to questions while
avoiding long-winded answers. It is not
necessary to tell everything that you know.
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Remember to display enthusiasm. Be aware of
poor posture and/or body language. Remain
alert, yet relaxed.
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Remember to tell the hiring manager that you
(the candidate) are interested in pursuing the
opportunity.
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Questions To Ask During An Interview
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Would you mind if I take notes?
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Why is the opportunity available? How long has
it been available?
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What is the first assignment that will be
given to a person in this position? What
expectations do you have for this assignment?
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What additional goals will be given in the
first 90 days and the first 6 months? What
obstacles or difficulties stand in the way of
reaching these goals?
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If
I am selected for this position, how and when
will my performance be evaluated?
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Please tell me about individuals who have been
successful in this role or otherwise
successful in your firm/company? How did they
succeed?
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Please tell me about individuals who have
performed poorly in this role or in your
organization. What went wrong for them?
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What level of authority does a person have in
this position? What will be expected of me and
what tools will I have to get the job done?
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What is the makeup of the department or firm?
Tell me about the people that I would be
working with in this position.
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How did you get to be where you are in the
company?
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What do you enjoy the most about working for
the company/firm?
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What challenges you the most about your role
in the company/firm?
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What is the most pressing business issue or
problem that you are currently wrestling with?
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What is the biggest challenge that your
company/firm is dealing with today? How do you
see this changing in the future?
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What is the turnover rate in the department or
firm?
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How many billable hours are required? How many
do most associates bill?
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What plans does your company/firm have to
increase business and how could I be of
assistance?
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Is
there anything else that I could elaborate on
so that you would have a better understanding
of my qualifications and suitability for this
position?
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What advise would you give to the successful
candidate on their first day of work?
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How do I fit the profile for this position?
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Other than yourself, who else is involved with
the hiring process and is it possible to meet
with them today?
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How can I learn more about this opportunity
and your company/firm?
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What are the next steps in the selection
process?
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May I have your business card?
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See Also
RESUME
TIPS |
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Back to Resources For Candidates |
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