You receive the phone call, email, or text message from a prospective employer and the first thing that happens is a calm elation of possibly landing that job. Before jumping around the room or falling to your knees in thanks, get a legal-pad and pen to write down a comprehensive and structured approach to your interview. It is wise to continue the professional in developing a plan to execute the interview without overdoing a scripted response.
Write down 10 questions that you would like to ask the interviewer. The last thing a person hiring another individual wants is a candidate without any questions when asked. Some of the questions that would be beneficial are as follows in no specific order:
How does this position relate to the company's mission?How long have they sought someone to fill this position?Why is this position vacant?What are the goals and expectations of a person filling this position?How would he or she describe the corporate culture?What are some of the current or perceived challenges for someone in this position?What do you and other fellow employees like about the organization?Are there potential opportunities for career advancement?What are some of the pressing issues needed to be addressed by the position?How are the interdepartmental, vendor and customer relations?
The questions above are specifically designed to discover the need from the position, the functions required, the work environment, interpersonal relations, and and idea of what is needed by the firm immediately.
The goal for asking these question is to have a thumbnail of what it is like to work there and to get a feel for the job itself. You may add other questions, but don't overdo it. In most cases you will not have time to get through all 10 questions, so just go for those that mix both questions about the position and the corporate culture and work environment. Try to avoid asking questions about salary unless it is not in the advertisement or has not been discussed previously.
After writing your 10 interview questions, practice the most obvious questions asked during an interview such as follows:
Why do you want to work here?Why should we hire you over other more qualified candidates?Do you think that you would be a good fit here?Tell us a bit about yourself.How would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 in respect to your ability to do this job effectively?May we contact your previous employers?What other skills do you have that would enhance this positions?Have you been dismissed from any previous employer due to behavioral or ethical issues?How would you describe your last employment environment?Would any of your previous employers rehire you?
It is very important to review these questions because some of these may pop up during an interview and hesitation or slow answers may convey a sense of insecurity. Also, there are some organizations that use the shock interview tactic meaning that the interviewee may have to arrange a three-way phone call with his or her past employer with the prospective employer listening in. This practice is rare, but some companies subscribe to this process.
Another tactic to be aware of is the situational interview where you may be put into the position during the interview with task to be completed to show competency and proficiency. Again, this is a rare situation, but some firms use this practice.
It is wise to study up on the organization by knowing a bit about the organizational structure, the names of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. If it is a publically traded company, take note of the stock price, and pull up the SEC 10K found on most company web sites. Read the notes because they disclose some internal information that could be beneficial during small-talk to express more of an interest int he welfare of the organization. This distinguishes you from someone just looking for a job.
Make sure that you have at least ten copies of your resume on white or light gray paper using 12 point print. Try to ensure that it is no more than two pages, filled with only relevant information that links you to the job. In this current job market the generic resume of old is over. A rule-of-thumb would be to use a targeted resume that specifically addresses a position based on your skills and the job description. The goal is to use resume to qualify you for the job during the interview. This does not mean to do a total rewrite from what actually got you the interview, but to offer a bit more detail.
Make sure that only the last 10 years or less are covered on the resume because the other will usually be ignored or irrelevant. It is a best practice to wear a dark or gray suit or more business appropriate attire. Please avoid wearing casual or revealing clothing, it may sound elementary, but it happens. Besides that, make sure to get enough rest the night before, groom yourself well on the next day, and arrive at least 15 minutes early, make eye-contact, and smile because it could be a meeting that could change your life.
James L. Adams Jr. is a writer, information technology, and global research analyst. He writes topics related to international affairs, business, information technology, career development, and business development.
View the original article here
