A Seven Point Guide to Successful Interviewing
Edited from a Business Journal article by Richard Pinsker with thanks to Nyborg-Dow Associates.
It’s important for job seekers to realize that potential employers may not immediately recognize everything you have to offer. This is intended to help you succeed and may give you leverage over other candidates. Your experienced recruiter can help greatly in presenting the qualities you possess that go beyond what you’ve written in your resume and you should value their assistance highly.
In
order to gain the greatest benefit from past experience, carefully organize
your achievements and think about the technical theories and aspects of
them. Be ready to discuss how you implemented your ideas in order to accomplish
your goals. During the interview speaking about your career in vague terms will
only make you seem unsure. Know who you are and be able to speak confidently. Be
clear about how you think you can fit into the organization and what you can
"bring to the party".
Most
managers give minimal attention what you’ve written. Instead, they for "buzz"
words that stand out as a potential solution to their immediate dilemma.
Designing your resume as though it was a marketing tool will increase your
success ratio greatly. The content should be no more than two pages with further
enhancement discussed verbally or added as a supplement. Depend on your
accomplished recruiter can give you feedback.
While
the HR department tries to circulate resumes to the correct department,
they are often so overloaded that expedient delivery is impossible. They are
generally not your best inroad to a company. If you are not working with a
reliable recruiter, target people in the group you wish to penetrate.
References
from former employers and peers are almost always checked and often via indirect
methods. Over the years, managers and senior engineers build strong, wide
networks that allow them to "back door" reference most potential candidates. Be
sure to contact all your references and alert them to possible calls. Having
your recruiter pre-check references, especially if you are in doubt, gives the
reference an opportunity to think through their response before being
interrogated by your potential boss.
Don't
burn your bridges! Handle each interview as if this were the opportunity of
a lifetime. You can always reject an offer, but there is no way to change a
first impression. The folks you speak with may be the ones who interview you for
a job next time around.
Salary
Negotiation. Don't offer information about what you expect or desire.
If asked, give only the facts: Current salary, last review and if asked what you
expect, "I'm sure you would make me a fair offer." It is unlikely that you would
be able to "name" the correct salary and could leave yourself open to messy
negotiation. A seasoned recruiter will help get you the best possible offer and
keep you from seeming either naïve or over expectant.
The
most important thing I can add to this list is: People hire people that they
like and want to work with. Try to see what you and the interviewer have in
common personally. Most importantly, ask for the job!
No one knows what is going on inside your head. You must express a desire for
the position (if you are truly interested) so that the interviewer knows you
want to join the team.
Good luck out there!
Still have questions? Call or email us at:
802-394-0040