Welcome and Best Wishes in Your Online Job Search!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

• INTERVIEWING
  Some Helpful Hints
  
  Interviewing is very much like running in the Olympics. On a scale of 1 to 10, you must prepare to score a 9. The employer is expecting a selected person with specific qualifications.
  
  OVERVIEW -- THREE MAJOR OBJECTIVES
  
  • Let’s think of three major objectives for each interview, whether it is your first or third meeting.
   Research the company, the position and who will interview you;
   Prepare yourself both mentally and physically; and
   Sell yourself and follow-up.
  • It’s a good idea for you to stop here and come up with your own objectives. This in-depth thinking WILL pay off.
  
  1) RESEARCH THE COMPANY / THE POSITION / THE INTERVIEWER
  
  • The more preparation, the better you will be. There are many sources available. One of the best is to dig around in the trade, their competitors. Find out their reputation and take into consideration who is saying what. Do they have an axe to grind?
  
  • Your sources can be expanded at the library, directories, the internet where you can possibly find some of the latest new articles on the company. Your stock-broker if it’s a public company. Your recruiter may have some information on the company, their mission statement, etc. ASK.
  
  • Take note of the last person’s name that had the position, if you can find out tacfully and call him/her. Even, if he/she were fired, you can invite him/her for lunch or coffee and judge the situation for yourself.
  
  
  2) PREPARE YOURSELF
  
  Be Prepared with Facts and Data About Yourself
  • Sit down the night before the interview and make two lists. Writing down the list so it reinforces in your memory bank as opposed to just saying it in your mind.
  1) The first list should be: “What if I were the hiring authority (or screener), what would I look for?”
  2) The second list: “What am I bringing to their table?”
  • The second list needs more in-depth thinking on your part and you need to give this list a point value. This will help immensely, when you are in front of the interviewer and generating those attention grabbers.
  • Have facts about your career ready. When you give yourself an adjective you must back it up and give it credibility. Have the data memorized. This is the time to add your personality to your credentials and describe why you believe you are (whatever), by grabbing an example of your past experience that demonstrates WHY and HOW you measure up with your peer group, and gained a leadership role.
  
  Be Prepared for Open-Ended Questions
  • Recognize the open ended (any question that cannot be answered with a fact) questions as a great opportunity to sell your features and benefits. NEVER answer with something common place!! It’s easy to smile, look them in the eye, and stop if you are coming up with something “common place.”
  • Nervous, less confident people feel they have to answer right away. To pause, give their question consideration, is an attention gainer. When you open your mouth, you want it to be an ATTENTION GRABBER. A feature that benefits this employer. More suggestions under preparation later. Just remember to keep your mouth shut if something “common place” comes to mind first.
  • One of the most asked “open-ended request” by interviewers is: “Take five minutes and tell me about yourself.” A loaded question; where do you start? Note, he gave you five minutes, but if he gave you two, take only two. A very common interviewee mistake is to take 20 minutes or the entire allotted interview time. You have just been eliminated. Whatever time frame you have been given take the opportunity to highlight your career and successes and stop. You should frequently rehearse responding to this question in about seven minutes. Do it with your spouse or a friend who will honestly critique your coverage and enthusiasm along with the highlighting of career successes.
  
  Be Prepared for the Tough Questions
  • What is your biggest accomplishment (in business or college, not personal)?
  • Have you identified problems previously overlooked?
  • Have you ever redesigned a poor system?
  • Were you consistent in your performance?
  • How have you increased sales or production?
  • What makes you stand out? What do you feel needs improvement?
  • What do you do well? Dislike to do? ( A chance to add to your credibility!)
  • What do you admire in your boss or bosses? Dislike?
  
  3) SELL YOURSELF
  
  • Go in with the ATTITUDE of selling yourself to the company, FIRST. Not “What’s in this for me?”
  • There are many ways of selling yourself from appearance, body language, enthusiasm, diction, vocabulary, voice tone and projection, confidence, social skills, etc. We could probably list 100 things.
  • YOU, the candidate, are responsible for CREATING the open, warm, friendly environment as quickly as possible. It is a major attribute in gaining the position!
  • Once you have earned the 9+ score in selling yourself, then you have earned the right to #2. That is, the right to ASK good business judgment questions of the Interviewer. Be considerate of their time and where you are in the interview process. ASK what the interview process involves. ASK why the position is open. Verify your research, i.e., their standing in the market place, etc.
  
  DO’S AND DON’TS
  • Try not to leave a position without having another one you want long term. Your stability record is there forever. Even, if your honor has been questioned.
  • Unless, the interviewer states a longer time frame, you should answer the questions in 90 seconds. 90 seconds from the time you open your mouth. Take your time to consider your reply.
  • NEVER, ever, talk negative about your company or boss. The interviewer will think, “Who needs this complainer,” and will go on to someone else. They will not want someone on their team who will not be positive about their company to others. Think of a positive way of expressing why its time for you to consider making a change. Examples: Family owned; opportunity for more growth; bigger challenge; time to make a move and why.
  • Answer questions asked of you with specifics rather than generalities and document your success examples in writing wherever possible. Anything brought to an interview in writing documents an irrefutable fact, and anything else can be considered hearsay. Do not explain how you are going to answer the question, answer the question, and then explain your answer. Just answer the question, and wait for the next one. If the interviewer wants more information on your previous answer, they will ask for more detail. Keep that concise also.
  • Your body language, even while waiting to be called, is on display. Energy level. Patience. If you stand, you probably will give the impression of someone who gets things done. Befriend the receptionist, do not antagonize. Her impression is often asked for. Try hard to be standing when the interviewer approaches. Good eye-to-eye contact. Wipe away those sweaty palms. Strong handshake.
  • Always be on time or call and explain. Reschedule only once.
  
  
  LAST BUT NOT LEAST
  • Do not expect an offer unless you ask for it. Even if you have reservations, you should investigate further, then ask for the position with enthusiastic interest.
  • Get that ball in your court, then you can ask for permission to meet with an employee to have coffee or lunch away from the ears of others to further explore the culture of the company.
  • If you like what you see and hear, accept an offer if one is extended. If not, investigate more or move on to another company.