So you just found out that you have a job interview tomorrow and unfortunately procrastination is a weaknesses you haven’t yet conquered. Here are the down and dirty tips to pull it together at the last minute.
1. Look at the job posting you are applying for, and develop sound bites that address the needs of the employer. Think of examples where you demonstrated the skills that appear in the job posting and develop answers that clearly show an employer that you are the perfect candidate for this position. All sound bites should be 2-3 minutes in length.
2. Use the TODAY acronym to develop additional sound bites of your experiences. TODAY stands for Teamwork, Overcoming Obstacles, Duties of your past positions, Achievements, Your strengths and weaknesses. Remember to clearly describe exactly what you did in each situation. The employer is hiring you, not the other people in your story.
3. Research the company. Search the internet for any recent press releases and check out the company’s website. Know what they do, and develop some idea as to how the position you are hiring for fits within the company.
4. Think of questions to ask an interviewer. Look at the job posting and your research about the company and think of 3-5 questions you can ask during the interview. What are you curious about? Do they manufacture a product you are familiar with, or never even knew existed before you started to research the company? Where does this department fit in the grand scheme of the company? What projects is the department currently working on?
5. Lastly, prepare answers to the following questions: Tell me about yourself, Why did you leave your last position, or why are you looking for a new job, Why should I hire you, and The Salary Question. You know that these questions will be asked in one form or another, so there is no excuse to not have prepared an answer.
And that’s it. Interviewing is just that simple when it’s broken into it’s simplest components. Focus on preparing answers to all of the scenarios above, and you will be ahead of the game. Remember to clearly articulate in each and every sound bite exactly what you did. Practice with a tape recorder to critique yourself, or with a friend to repeat back to you exactly what you did in a situation to make sure you’re preparing correctly.
Very interesting & correct article…
Thanks for such a nice information. Presently I am seeking an opportunity. I didn’t get the job that wished I would have in my previous 3 interviews. After reading the article, I clearly understand why?
But I definitely make sure that I will take care next time and be on the top of everything without leaving any thread loose.
Another tip is to practice the interview before the interview date. Ask a friend or family member to the play the role of the interviewer. Make sure you answer questions in a clear and concise manner.
Understand company’s mission and vision, and who the “key” players are. The interviewer will more than likely ask you if you looked at the company’s website.
Another question to ask is, “…What are the company’s future plans for (fill in the blank)?
I have conflicting information, some people have told me to avoid talking salary, particularly past salary. Is it really needed to know my past salary if I have been out of the job market for some time? If I refuse to give my past salary am I shooting myself in the foot for a follow up interview?
Very useful interview tips.
I liked the “TODAY” mnemotechnics.
Ahh, yet another acronym to remember in this all too frustrating and demoralizing endeavor. So, should I remember STAR and TODAY? How about STARDAY? Hey, I like that.
Another great thing to think about it that you are also interviewing the company to see if there is a fit. Many interviewees try and tell the employer what they want to hear instead of truly finding out if the company is a good match for you.
I have seen many come into a job because they really wanted it only to realize that the company was something that they hated in the end. Don;t waste employers or your time. INTERVIEW them too.
Excellent advise to keep one’s mind sharp!
Thank you!
Thank\’s very much, I\’m just looking for a new job this time so I\’ll take into account this advices
awesome-simple-powerful advice…thanks
Great article. I teach a class on job searching and career development and I truly love the TODAY acronym and plan to incorporate the idea into my class lecture.
Very accurate article. This past semester it took me a few interviews before I finally got it that I needed to do thorough research on the company, have some “wow” stories memorized, and to always turn the personal questions i.e. “Tell me about yourself” into why you’re the right person for the job.
I suggest for those of you who are still in the interview process to check out the top 50 most common interview questions.
http://bhuvans.wordpress.com/2006/08/19/50-common-interview-qa/
Awesome – thanks for stating the obvious. You should add that it’s advisable to wear pants when going to an interview too.
Thanks ….
Good Article
useful advice , thanks
That was very good advise thanks!
Thanks for the very informative post.
Great and informative advice. Much appreciated.
Two questions my clients have found useful to ask: “What are the three or four things that the successful candidate will have to accomplish in the first 30-90 days?” and “How will you know six months from now that you have chosen the right person” These are best addressed to the hiring manager rather than to HR.
The first question gets the interviewer onto the content of the job, and sets out the criteria against with performance can be judged early on.
Answers to both can also provide an opportunity to provide a relevant pre-prepared “sound bite” as suggested in the posting.
I will use your TODAY strategy next Wednesday, during my job interview at Baxter in the Netherlands for a new position.
good advice and very informative….thanks!
Thanks! The article succinctly presented the interviewing strategies that are needed to face the I-Panel with some ease. I also enjoy reading thoughtful responses from other contributors to the article’s blog.
I usually see the salary disclosure and negotiation question as a cat and mouse game, both before and during an interview. A reasonable level of discretion should be demonstrated by the interviewee in order to stay within a range that will generate continued interest from the interviewers/employer – not being too underpriced or overpriced. It is a balancing art.
Thanks! The article succinctly presented the interviewing strategies that are needed to face the I-Panel with some ease. I also enjoy reading thoughtful responses from other contributors to the article’s blog.
I usually see the salary disclosure and negotiation question as a “cat and mouse” game, both before and during an interview. A reasonable level of discretion should be demonstrated by the interviewee in order to stay within a range that will generate continued interest from the interviewers/employer – not being too underpriced or overpriced. It is a “balancing art”.
Good Article,
I myself am a recruiter and work with a really great firm placing people all over the US with reputable Fortune 500 companies and sometimes small but emerging companies.
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Recently I’ve been chronicling my personal recruiting woes with candidates that I come across. I think anyone looking for a job would find GREAT tips in scoring a new position.
2 articles that you may find helpful:
http://complicatedconversations.com/?p=364
and
http://complicatedconversations.com/?p=214
Either way Happy Reading…
Storm Writer
This is really great info; I appreciate you posting it. One thing I really struggle with is how to handle the salary question. Quite honestly, I feel like the subject should not be breached until at least the second interview. However, in almost every interview I’ve had in the last 6 months, it has come up in the initial interview. The problem is, everyone who sees my resume jumps to the conclusion that they can’t afford me. What is the best thing to say when asked the dreaded salary question?
Good tips. Thanks!
Fascinating and very informative way for dealing with one of the most stressful situations imaginable. The Today acronym is a very useful way for remembering how to employ this strategy.
On the salary question, one wonders if asked specifically what you made on your last job if you should give the number up. One can always ask in reply if there is a range for the position and then answer honestly if you can work within that range. “I’m comfortable with that range.” Dancing around it or deflecting the question only works for so long. Eventually one might have to give it up. Sites like Salary.com or Payscale.com might help in the research phase. Research is critical as is judging the mood of the buyer. Survey showed that 90% of HR persons say salary is negotiable. Don’t let the interviewers decide what we need to make!
More advice on the salary question:
Bad answer:
“In my last job I earned $35,000 – so, now I’m looking for $40,000”
If you can avoid it, don’t give an exact number. The first person to name a price in a salary negotiation loses. Instead, re-iterate your commitment to the job itself. If you have to, give a broad range based on research you’ve conducted on that particular role, in your particular city.
Good answer:
“I’m more interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I’d expect to be paid the appropriate range for this role, based on my years of experience. I also think a fair salary would bear in mind the high cost of living here in New York City.”
Regarding the salary question defer and delay. Never be the first to say a number.
Employers will go to great lengths to try to get candidates to disclose their salary requirements first. As the buyer of a service – your time – they are trying to bring down the price they will pay by talking about numbers prematurely and by getting you to give up information first. This puts them at a significant advantage in the subsequent negotiation.
Before you start talking pay (and salary negotiations) with a prospective employer, you need to find out how much the job (and you) are worth. You will need to take the time to research salaries, so, you are prepared to get what you’re worth and a job offer that’s realistic and reasonable.
If you’re asked what your salary requirements are, say that they are open based upon the position and the overall benefits and compensation package. Or tell the employer you’d like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary. Another option is to give the employer a salary range based upon the salary research you’ve done up front. Once you’ve received the offer you don’t need to accept (or reject) it right away. A simple I need to think it over can get you an increase in the original offer.
I made the experience that very often in this competitive market the numbrer one major requirement is to have exactly matching job skills and experience as requested. If not so than you might make it up to number 2 in the interview but than still the job goes to a person that had the exact job for a couple of years in the past. So how do I overcome this?
Unfortunately, the cross paradigm publish or perish still exist. It is essential to our times. An in so marketing, yourself to other potential employers. This means advertising yourself outside of your university or your community college. I have held assistant administrator positions, director positions, assistant student service positions, and a mantra of other positions. Point of fact, I will not hire anyone that is not published within referee journals. I will not hire anyone that is not recognized throughout the educational community. I will not hire anyone that is not affiliated with any educational organizations. These are simple ramifications to become recognize within the inside of your community college or university. It is imperative to market yourself as a candidate of impeccable caliber. Without this marketing, you are sure to be looked over time and time again. And for sure I do not send you Christmas cards because, I simply have no idea of who or what you are. It is imperative to market yourself as last year’s hottest item on the shelf. You are the shiny new hope to the University, or the community college. Otherwise you are reliving Groundhog Day, again and again. Pull out your high school diploma remember why you went to college. Ask yourself, is this the Avenue That I set forth for myself. If the answer is yes then keep on reliving Groundhog Day. If the answer is no it is time for a paradigm shift into the job market you wish to market yourself in. Remember, you or your best marketer. There is no one that can market your skills better than you. Remember, the market we live in is called publish or perish. That paradigm still exists today , because Of the old stagnant methodologies.
The mistakes within our market of the University is we try to walk through this complex minutia without a referee to guide us through such rigorous problems. I have started a business called life coach. I help professionals steer their life towards their goals. I keep track of their briefcase and make sure their presentations are of corporate and business etiquette. I make sure that they are wearing the right attire each and every day for recognition within side of their perspective educational fields. Someone, did this for me I’m simply providing a global community service. I am a better person because of my own personal life coach. I am willing to take on anyone and everyone to assist them in obtaining their dream employment. I have numerous techniques and skills to make sure your dream job is obtained within 30 days, as long as you have the proper credentials foresaid job. 100% guarantee.
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Regarding salary: If your last position’s salary isn’t relevant in this situation, say that. If it’s because you’re changing industries, company size, or if you were over/under compensated at your last position let the employer know that you don’t expect anything like that–it’s a whole new world–but understand that they have a budget. So ask what’s the budget range they’ve been given for this position? If you’d expect to be toward the higher end of that range because of where you were in the past, then say that. People get it.
Hiring mgrs/HR directors know that people would rather be at the higher end of the scale. Bringing you in lower risks guaranteeing your unhappiness and a short tenure at the company.
Think of it this way, if you’re going to hire someone to do work on your home or car, and they say “I’d just like to be fairly compensated for the work I do relative to my experience,” how are you going to respond? What goes through your mind? It’s the same situation.
Ralf–and anyone always coming in at #2–it’s also about “fit” and likability with a position. If I had 2 candidates, one that exactly did what I wanted him to do in an old job, and another who wasn’t a clearer fit, but I liked them more and thought we’d work together well, they’d learn the job quickly–I’d hire the other candidate.
Try to establish a genuine rapport with the hiring manger that you’d be working for. Show that you understand where they’re coming from–that you can be an ally for them and will make them look very good.
Great tips for job interview, not to forget Malanie, you are right too, thanks once again
I have read a nice advice “TODAY”
This is good information and I have done all that before hand, I had few phone interviews but in my case it turns out they all wanted relevant experience, I had all the necessary experience and background but not the specific experience. How do you address that? How can I get past that?
Any feedback is appreciated.
Good question Danny. It sounds like in your case you need to be a little more aggressive about proving your point to them. They’re calling you for the phone interview, so there’s something interesting in your background that’s attracting them, but you’re not closing the deal in the phone interview.
Why don’t you try asking more questions of them to get to the heart of what they’re looking for in the position? Ask what was it about your resume that caused them to call? What’s the biggest challenge they’re facing in filling the position? What’s the biggest challenge/immediate problem anyone hired is going to face in their first 6 months?
On your end–have bulletpoints outlining ALL of your superstar examples in front of you. Listen carefully to what they want in the position, and make connections between what they’re asking for and what you have.
Then in your answer–start by saying–it sounds like your major concern is Y, well, in my last job I faced a similar challenge…etc. You need to connect the dots for them and convince them that you’re right for the position.
You can also elaborate on times when you’ve been thrown into situations with little direction and had to figure it out under extreme pressure–to demonstrate that you can handle whatever you’re facing there.
Don’t let them draw all the conclusions–you can fight for the position and convince them that you’re the right candidate.