Remember:
| If it's on your resume, be prepared to discuss it . . . including what's on Page 2 or 3! |
| The interviewer is not your friend. They're evaluating you. |
| Be prepared to ask intelligent questions about the job. |
| Avoid discussing salary at a first interview with a prospective employer. |
| Never lie about dates and salary. |
| Try to answer questions in 30-45 seconds. |
| Don't compare your negotiations with someone else who you know. |
Most interviews contain core questions that allow an employer an opportunity to get acquainted with you as a human being, not just as a technology professional The Basics 1. Tell me about yourself and what you've been doing professionally?
2. What's your current compensation (differentiate between base salary and bonus or other incentives when answering)?
3. Why are you looking for a job? What prompts you to want to look at other things?
Getting more difficult . . . 1. What job duties do you enjoy most/least and why?
2. Have you ever been fired or asked to resign?
3.In your current or last position, what are or were your five most significant accomplishments?
4. Tell me about your two previous reasons for changing jobs
More difficult . . . 1. How much are you looking for?
2.What's most important to you in the next job or organization? What will you need to see of hear in order to know this is the right place for you?
3. What do you know about our company?
Still more difficult . . . 1. Hypothetically, if I called your last manager and asked you to tell me your strengths, what would they tell me?
2. And if I asked them where you could use improvement?
3. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?
Finally! 1. You know, everyone makes mistakes. I've made mistakes. I'm sure you have as well. Tell me about a professional mistake you've made and what you learned from it.
2. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
3. Is there anything that I've forgotten to ask you that is material to conveying your qualifications that you'd like me to know? REHEARSE. REHEARSE. REHEARSE. The fact is that most people cannot arrive at an interview and "wing it." Like developing any good habit, repetition and practice help to promote an outstanding performance.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
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