Archive for September, 2011
Tough Interview Questions For Employed and Unemployed
Image by Getty Images via @daylife
As much as I recommend having good questions written down and ready to ask the employer during an interview, obviously, most of the questions will be asked by the interviewer. Some of the trickiest questions will be centered on why you left your previous employer and a topic that is near and dear to everyone’s heart: money.
If Current Employed: Why Are You Looking To Make a Change?
If currently employed your answer is always something like, “I really wasn’t looking to make a change but when I saw the ad for the position it really reflected a lot of what I am capable of doing and also seems like it will give me the opportunity to grow. That’s what led me here today.”
If Unemployed: Why Did You Leave Your Current Employer?
If unemployed this question will be best answered by stating reasons such as downsizing, reorganization, merger or acquisition. These are all acceptable reasons for being unemployed as we know this happens across industries at all levels especially nowadays. So it’s nothing to be ashamed of if you were let go from your employer for reasons such as these. However, if you were let go because of performance reasons, you have a bit of explaining to do. If this is the case it doesn’t mean you’re completely at fault. In the past most candidates I have interviewed who were unemployed have never said flat out they were fired for cause. Most applicants claim the position never materialized into what they were told it would be or, after they started, the responsibilities of the position changed. I would never tell you not to be truthful about why you are unemployed. Just be sure to analyze the real issues behind it. Make sure you have good business references that will speak to your skills.
What is your current salary?
One thing I feel very strongly about it is the fact that you must be honest about what you earn. If you make forty eight thousand dollars, you must say forty eight thousand dollars not fifty thousand dollars. Major corporations and medium-size companies require every candidate to provide proof that what they represent as their earnings is true. Sometimes they ask for a current pay stub. If there is a difference between what they say they are earning and what is on the pay stub, the company goes no further and no offer will ever be made. More and more companies are doing this and it is not worth jeopardizing a good opportunity for a few dollars.
What salary are you looking for?
One of my main teachings is that an employer will judge you not by what you say but, instead, the by the quality of the questions you ask them. This is a perfect opportunity to utilize this concept. It is not good to put yourself in a salary box and if you are specific and quote a number, it may be perceived as too much. When you are asked what salary are you looking for simply ask the interviewer, “ What is the range of the position?” Most interviewers will state the hiring range to you and if this happens and it is acceptable, just say: “the salary you quoted is fine?” At this early point in the process you don’t want salary to become an issue. Of course, on the other hand, it’s important at this point in the process to determine if the salary will accommodate your needs so you aren’t wasting your time. Remember that salary is never the only thing you think about when deciding on a position. Things like opportunity, the company itself, how well suited you are for the job, and other perks with accepting the offer, are all factors in your decision. Serious salary discussions should take place after the physical interview.
I am not a big believer in those books that suggest you learn the answers to one hundred questions that the interviewer might ask. I think that is an entirely wrong approach when dealing with something as dynamic as an interview. That being said however, when it comes to questions about money you should be very careful and prepared.
As much as I recommend having good questions written down and ready to ask the employer during an interview, obviously, most of the questions will be asked by the interviewer. Some of the trickiest questions will be centered on why you left your previous employer and a topic that is near and dear to everyone’s heart: money.
If Current Employed: Why Are You Looking To Make a Change?
If currently employed your answer is always something like, “I really wasn’t looking to make a change but when I saw the ad for the position it really reflected a lot of what I am capable of doing and also seems like it will give me the opportunity to grow. That’s what led me here today.”
If Unemployed: Why Did You Leave Your Current Employer?
If unemployed this question will be best answered by stating reasons such as downsizing, reorganization, merger or acquisition. These are all acceptable reasons for being unemployed as we know this happens across industries at all levels especially nowadays. So it’s nothing to be ashamed of if you were let go from your employer for reasons such as these. However, if you were let go because of performance reasons, you have a bit of explaining to do. If this is the case it doesn’t mean you’re completely at fault. In the past most candidates I have interviewed who were unemployed have never said flat out they were fired for cause. Most applicants claim the position never materialized into what they were told it would be or, after they started, the responsibilities of the position changed. I would never tell you not to be truthful about why you are unemployed. Just be sure to analyze the real issues behind it. Make sure you have good business references that will speak to your skills.
What is your current salary?
One thing I feel very strongly about it is the fact that you must be honest about what you earn. If you make forty eight thousand dollars, you must say forty eight thousand dollars not fifty thousand dollars. Major corporations and medium-size companies require every candidate to provide proof that what they represent as their earnings is true. Sometimes they ask for a current pay stub. If there is a difference between what they say they are earning and what is on the pay stub, the company goes no further and no offer will ever be made. More and more companies are doing this and it is not worth jeopardizing a good opportunity for a few dollars.
What salary are you looking for?
One of my main teachings is that an employer will judge you not by what you say but, instead, the by the quality of the questions you ask them. This is a perfect opportunity to utilize this concept. It is not good to put yourself in a salary box and if you are specific and quote a number, it may be perceived as too much. When you are asked what salary are you looking for simply ask the interviewer, “ What is the range of the position?” Most interviewers will state the hiring range to you and if this happens and it is acceptable, just say: “the salary you quoted is fine?” At this early point in the process you don’t want salary to become an issue. Of course, on the other hand, it’s important at this point in the process to determine if the salary will accommodate your needs so you aren’t wasting your time. Remember that salary is never the only thing you think about when deciding on a position. Things like opportunity, the company itself, how well suited you are for the job, and other perks with accepting the offer, are all factors in your decision. Serious salary discussions should take place after the physical interview.
I am not a big believer in those books that suggest you learn the answers to one hundred questions that the interviewer might ask. I think that is an entirely wrong approach when dealing with something as dynamic as an interview. That being said however, when it comes to questions about money you should be very careful and prepared.
Two Best Job Hunting Tips
Image via Wikipedia
If I had one minute to help you get a job here is what I would tell you:
In every communication you make with a prospective employer (cover letter, resume, phone conversation, in-person interview) tell them at least one way you 1. saved your previous employer money 2. Increased their profits 3. increased the speed with which work was accomplished.
When you communicate one of the big three above make sure you quantify it (put a dollars and cents value on it)
The minute is up.
Gotta go.
Job Interview Nerves Gone Forever
Believe it or not, I have always enjoyed the opportunity to go on a job interview. However, I realize that I am unique in this regard. But trust me I’m not bragging about it. In a
other socially interactive activities such as going to a
business networking event or nightclubs, I find the experiences a little frightening or at least uncomfortable.
But luckily these activities are not mandatory, so I can avoid them. But nearly every human being at some point or another is forced to go on a job interview.
The question under discussion here is: why do I find activities like going to nightclubs, networking events and (heaven forbid) job fairs uncomfortable, while I find job job interviews are fun and exhilarating?
Maybe I’m an oddball, but then again maybe I’m onto something.
The results of my investigation are not scientific but maybe you might find them enlightening.
I think I’m nervous at business networking events, nightclubs and job fairs, because I do not understand my role in these situations.
My role in these situations is not clear to me. What am I supposed to do at a nightclub? Enjoy the ambience and chit chat? And as for business networking events, what
are they all about? Am I supposed to casually introduce and befriend strangers for the purpose of maybe gaining their business? Business networking events are a strange hybrid between night clubs and interviewing. And how about job fairs? Determining my role at a job
fair is like asking me to stay calm, cool and collected in a nightmare.
I realize my nervousness in all these normal socially interactive activities is totally irrational. Many people attend them and profit from them. But not me. My conclusion: is I do not excel at these events because I do not clearly understand my role.
But luckily for me nightclubbing, networking events and (heaven forbid) job fairs are not mandatory. Job interviews on the other hand must be experienced by nearly every human being at some point in their life.
Let me share with you now some tips, actually it’s more like a working philosophy, on how you can change the way you look at job interviews and maybe gain a more positive attitude and make the experience more joyful and less nerve-wracking.
First, in a job interview situation you must understand your role. And remember it is merely a role. The spotlight is on you and that is a good thing. In nightclubs, business networking events and job fairs the spotlight is on everyone. I find that confusing.
My role in a job interview is complex but at least it can be clearly defined.
Here is your role in a job interview should you choose to accept it:
It is to be charming, humble, confident and occasionally blunt. My role at a job interview is to be humorous but only once, maybe twice. But most of all, regardless how much I want the job, my main “actor’s motivation” is: I don’t need this job or the money. If the interviewer
even catches a whiff of desperation, down comes the curtain and the show is over.
The main thing is to play your role to the hilt. Don’t think about the money. Does an actor when “in character” think about pay? Of course not. They are totally immersed in portraying the character so as to draw the audience in and give them an emotional reaction.
When job interviewing you are an actor on the stage. Yes there is an intellectual dimension and it is important. But more important is the emotional reaction you elicit from the interviewer.
There are only only three mistakes an actor can make. Not being relaxed, not being prepared and not being focussed and totally committed to the role. Keep those three guideposts in mind and you will knock them dead.
Savor the moment and the spotlight. Bask in your moment on the stage.
So that at the conclusion of your performance the interviewer will say to himself as you exit the stage, “I have never seen anything like that! I want an encore!”
Telephone Interview Template
Did they set you up with
a telephone interview before bringing you in?
In this corporate cost-cutting world, companies routinely do telephone interviews to save time and money. It is far cheaper for them to do a telephone interview than a physical interview.
Also, you should understand that a telephone interview is a hyper-weedout type of interview.
It’s a good cheap way for a company to speak with the candidate and try to quickly elicit any knockout
factors before meeting with that candidate face-to-face.
With that in mind, my considered advice would be match their hyper-weedout mentality with your own tactic: be hyper-prepared.
Here’s how you can do that: make a telephone interview worksheet template and use one for every phone interview.
The template consists of six sections.
Section 1: At the top put Company name, address date of interview contact names, position title, basically all the “housekeeping” details of the position you
are phone interviewing for should be in the top section.
Section 2: Jump Start Section: on each template write the following: Take the lead in the conversation! As soon as the interviewer calls say” I’ve been looking forward to speaking with you about the opportunity since I first found out about it. I’m somewhat familiar with what you are looking for from reading the ad, but could you please tell me where your needs are focused?”
Section 3: Listen and write down the top three requirement of the position as described by interviewer.
Section 4: is the T account section. This takes the most time to prepare. Before the phone interview you write down on the left side of the “T” the requirements of the position and on the right side how you have fulfilled those requirements in a previous position.
Section 5: Have a list of solid, incisive questions about the position listed on the work sheet.
Section 6: If the position is of interest to you then ask for the physical interview.
You might think that this is a lot of preparation for just a phone interview. You would be thinking incorrectly.
Mis-steps and fumbles on the phone are more devastating on a phone interview than a physical
interview. So be a good boy scout and be prepared. Prepare intensively for a phone
interview.
Best Interview Tip: Don’t Be Dead Meat
I worked for over twenty years in a small Recruiting Firm. There were some good times and some bad times. You see
when you are dealing with a lot of money (think a candidate’s yearly salary) an ambitious and egotistical person’s career, and big fees to the firm (sometimes
$30,000 or more) it can get pretty intense.
All sales is a numbers game and believe it or not, we could predict the number of placements we would make with mathematical accuracy based on the number of interviews a recruiter had set up. Usually about 5 or 6 interviews would result in a placement and a big commission.
So everything depended on the candidate
interviewing well. To that end “interview prep” was a big part of our job.
Usually the prep was done in the evening the night
before the interview. There would be a pretty long check list of items to cover and the prep took about an hour.
But of all the items covered nothing was more important than insisting that the candidate have a set of good, penetrating questions to ask the prospective employer. So when the interviewer asked the inevitable “do you have any questions ?” our candidate would blow the manager away with their incisive questions.
The day after the interview we would debrief the employer. One of the worst thigs that could happen would be for the prospective employer to say something like:
“Gee, the interview went pretty good, but when I asked the candidate if they had any questions he kind of gave me
a blank look. So I think we will keep looking”
We would call such a person “dead meat” (or worse) and we would probably never send that candidate out on an interview again.
There a many reasons why you should always be prepared with good questions when coming into an interview.
But here is my favorite:
“Employers will judge you NOT by what you say but instead by the quality and gravitas of the questions you ask them.”
Think about that the next time you prepare to interview.
