| Everyone knows that the first step to securing a job is | | | | superiors or previous superiors (or your coworkers or |
| a compelling and convincing resume. But most people | | | | former coworkers, for that matter). First of all, there's |
| don't know that the next step, the job interview, is so | | | | nothing for you to gain by doing so. Even if you feel |
| important that if you make a handful of common | | | | your previous superior was totally incompetent, saying |
| mistakes, you'll blow your chances and walk away | | | | so will only backfire by reflecting badly on you. |
| empty-handed. | | | | Secondly, it's a matter of showing respect. And by |
| The Problem: You've got the right education, | | | | giving respect to others, you gain respect yourself. |
| experience, and references, all presented on a well-put | | | | Also, as a warning, I have seen companies and |
| together resume. It's getting you job interviews, but no | | | | recruiters get so "buddy-buddy" with a job candidate |
| job offers. | | | | during an interview that he/she drops his/her guard and |
| The harsh truth: A good resume gets your foot in the | | | | speaks the total truth about a previous boss, which |
| door, but the right qualifications (background and | | | | later in another setting boomerangs at the candidate in |
| experience) are only the first step toward getting the | | | | a negative way. To be safe, no matter what, just don't |
| job. A potential employer wants to know what it would | | | | do it. |
| be like to have you around the office every day-your | | | | 5. Where do you see yourself in the years to come? |
| personality and attitude. That comes through in your | | | | Answering Question #5: This is also a trick question. |
| job interview. | | | | When you have nothing to say, you come across as |
| The Solution: Being prepared to properly answer the | | | | having no aspirations whatsoever and if you say too |
| questions you'll be asked greatly increases your | | | | much about big plans, it looks like you're going to leave |
| chances for success. Knowing what recruiters and | | | | the job when a better position or opportunity comes |
| potential employers are looking for and how they think | | | | along. |
| gives you a distinct advantage. | | | | The correct answer is: "My main interest is this job. I |
| The Job Interview Secrets No One Tells You | | | | want to excel at it and do my very best. That's my |
| As the founder of a successful global headhunting firm | | | | objective and main focus. As far as the future, I would |
| serving Fortune 500 companies for over twelve years, | | | | like to believe that I will become better and better at |
| and author of the books: A Second Life, God is giving | | | | what I do. If this means I will naturally grow into another |
| you a second chance, and Secrets of the Executive | | | | position with this company, time will tell. But again, my |
| Search Experts, well as self help books on "how to | | | | goal is this job and being the best that I can be in this |
| get the job," I have coached thousands of people who | | | | capacity." |
| have gotten the jobs they wanted. Some of the | | | | 6. What do you know about us? |
| secrets I shared with them: | | | | Answering Question #6: The way you answer this |
| Don't talk yourself out of the job! | | | | questions indicates whether you are prepared. It's very |
| When a prospective employer invites you to a job | | | | important to know as much as possible about the |
| interview, it means your skills meet their requirements | | | | company where you are applying for a job. By being |
| and your chances of getting the job are great. The | | | | able to tell them what you know, they see that you |
| rest is really up to you. Nine out of ten people can shift | | | | are serious enough to have done some homework |
| the outcome of an interview toward acceptance, | | | | before arriving for your interview. Also, by learning as |
| rather than rejection, if they know what to do-and not | | | | much as possible about the company, you will be able |
| do. | | | | to ask the right questions and engage in an intelligent |
| - Learn the questions and answers before the | | | | conversation about the company during your interview. |
| interview. | | | | The key information to learn is the size of the |
| Before an interview, practice giving the right answers | | | | company, the structure, products, services, history, the |
| to the questions you may be asked-which are usually | | | | market, locations, etc., as well as details of the job |
| very universal. The potential employer wants to get to | | | | you're applying for. Also know about any important |
| know you better; have you elaborate on your skill set; | | | | events relating to the company and market it operates |
| and figure out if you are a high flyer, go-getter, just a | | | | in that have been covered in the media. This shows |
| "warm body" who will make no additional contribution | | | | that you follow the news and stay up-to-date on what |
| outside of minimal expectations-or worse than that, a | | | | is going on in the world. Plus, you'll come across as |
| flat-liner who will actually drag down their company. | | | | being very smart and truly interested in the company if |
| - Stay on point. | | | | you can figure ut what competitors the company has |
| If a conversation appears casual, don't be tricked into | | | | and how the company's products/services are |
| thinking you don't need to stay on point and cover key | | | | different (better!) than the rest of market. |
| information. Many job seekers are thrown off-balance | | | | 7. Why do you think you are a good match for this |
| when a potential employer asks about a hobby, | | | | position? |
| non-work related activity or common interest in the | | | | Answering Question #7: This is your window of |
| middle of an interview. Answer briefly, but then get | | | | opportunity to put all the hard facts on the table, |
| back to the real topic at hand: the work done by the | | | | convey the ways in which you are a very good match |
| company and how you can make a valuable | | | | and why you are so unique. Remember, just saying |
| contribution. The reality is: this interview is your only | | | | that you are a hard worker and a very pleasant |
| chance to get this job. So don't close your one | | | | person is a given. You need to come up with facts |
| window of opportunity by screwing up the | | | | about what you can bring to the table that others |
| conversation. | | | | cannot. By thoughtfully assessing yourself, your skills, |
| - How to tell them about yourself. | | | | and experience while approaching your job search, |
| Every company considers it a great test to see how | | | | you will have a specific answer to this question. The |
| effectively a job candidate communicates. Practice the | | | | things you say that stand out could determine whether |
| format and structure of possible job interview | | | | you get the job or someone else gets it. So, think of |
| situations-meaning how to get to the point and sell | | | | facts related to your skill set, your experience, a |
| yourself convincingly and engagingly. | | | | network you may have developed, or strong |
| Don't make the mistake of taking only five minutes to | | | | job-related interests that will bear fruit in the near |
| tell a prospective employer about yourself. The | | | | future. |
| interviewer will wonder what kind of life you have if | | | | 8. What is your current salary? |
| you can describe it in such a short amount of time. | | | | Answering Question #8: Talking about salary can be |
| Don't focus completely on your skill set and say | | | | challenging. If the new job is for a more prestigious |
| nothing about yourself as a person, or you'll lose your | | | | company than your previous employer, and the new |
| potential new employer before you're halfway through. | | | | job tasks are more challenging, you may believe at the |
| Questions most commonly asked during a job | | | | start of the process that the job is more important |
| interview. | | | | than the pay. But when a job offer comes through, |
| Here are the eight universal questions usually asked | | | | most people change their minds, often saying |
| during a job interview, followed by how to effectively | | | | something like, "But that's less than I have been |
| answer them: | | | | making." Most companies know this will happen, so |
| 1. Please tell me/us about yourself. | | | | they pay close attention to the salary question to |
| Answering Question #1: Focus on hard facts that the | | | | make sure they are not wasting time on the wrong |
| employer needs to know. First of all, convince them | | | | candidate. |
| that you can do the job you're interviewing for. Talk | | | | The reality is that everyone, including the job candidate, |
| about specific relevant job experiences in your | | | | knows that when they have made a lot more money |
| background. Companies prefer, for the most part, to | | | | in the past and accept a big drop in pay for a new job, |
| hire people who have successfully done the same job, | | | | they are likely to grab the next position that comes |
| or something similar, elsewhere. If our work experience | | | | along with higher pay and jump ship. This is |
| matches up with what the potential employer needs to | | | | understandable when someone has a number of |
| have done, then the risk factor that you'll screw up is | | | | years of experience and a certain lifestyle, expenses, |
| very limited. | | | | and status quo to maintain. |
| But before hitting the hard facts, share information | | | | When asked about salary, the trick is to first get the |
| about yourself as a person. Everyone likes people | | | | company to reveal a number. Your best approach is |
| who start out by saying where they are originally from | | | | to just say, "If you feel I am a good fit for this |
| and a little about their personal situation. Then go on to | | | | company and this position, I am sure we will come to |
| where you went to school and run through your work | | | | terms," or "The main thing is whether I fit the |
| history. Big time gaps in work history are not good; | | | | requirements of what you are looking for, and if that's |
| neither is jumping from job to job if you don't have a | | | | so, I would be very happy to receive an offer from |
| good explanation for why. | | | | you first, because I am very interested in this |
| 2. What do you do outside of work, or what non-work | | | | opportunity." (Say this even if you are not.) By saying |
| related interests do you have? | | | | this you keep the focus on getting the job, while not |
| Answering Question #2: Companies ask a job | | | | disqualifying yourself because of salary demands. You |
| candidate this question because most really do want | | | | can negotiate a salary once you know that you truly |
| to hire stable people with good, balanced lives. | | | | have their interest-by getting an offer, not before. If |
| Incorrect answers are: "I like to hang out at the bars," | | | | they know that in your current job you earn much |
| or "I have no interests except for watching television." | | | | more than the new position would pay, that's a |
| Nobody wants to hire a bar hopper or someone who | | | | different story. Then you have to decide whether |
| spends all of their spare time glued to the television. On | | | | taking a pay cut is worth it to you, because they're |
| the other hand, having too many outside interests can | | | | probably not going to meet or exceed your current |
| give the impression that they are likely to affect the | | | | salary. |
| quality of your work in a very negative way. I have | | | | When you learn at the start of the job search process |
| seen numerous occasions where people say that | | | | that the salary range of a potential new job is below |
| maintaining their social life with friends is important to | | | | what you currently earn, you need to do some soul |
| them-meaning their weekly outings with friends will | | | | searching to decide if you still want the job. Simply ask |
| always be more important than deadlines at work. A | | | | yourself: Will this job take me further down the road to |
| negative impression can also be given when people | | | | where I want to be in my career? If so, be prepared |
| say they engage in a lot of sports activities, either as a | | | | to answer their salary question truthfully by saying, "My |
| participant or a fan, because it can mean that adjusting | | | | pay today is 'X' amount of dollars and I know what my |
| their schedule to attend or view a sporting event can | | | | expenses are. I am not sure what your pay range is |
| interfere with or be more important than any activity at | | | | for this position, but I want to emphasize that at this |
| the company. | | | | point in my life, I seek to learn more and expand my |
| For the correct answers, the key is to show there is | | | | skill set. This is more important to me than anything |
| balance in your life. Safe activities to talk about are: | | | | else, even if it means taking a pay cut." |
| going to the gym, spending quality time with family, and | | | | On the other hand, if you have no other choice but to |
| going to church, the movies, or the theater, etc. Having | | | | accept a salary cut-whether it's due to a bad |
| a unique interest, such as astronomy or something else | | | | economy, the chance that your current job may be |
| mainstream (meaning not bizarre), will always be a | | | | eliminated, or because you feel unhappy and unfulfilled |
| positive. And because most companies want | | | | in your current job-ask yourself if this may be a |
| employees who have stable lives, being married or | | | | chance to go in a better direction in life, where you will |
| having a boyfriend/girlfriend is a great plus. | | | | be experiencing new values and beliefs that can help |
| 3. What are your strong points and your weak points? | | | | you grow and evolve. If you believe this is correct, |
| Answering Question #3: Many job candidates are very | | | | sincerely say to the hiring company that you are |
| comfortable talking about their strong sides, but have | | | | venturing into new territory where you genuinely want |
| difficulty stating weak points. Being unable to do so | | | | to try something new and different, and that the |
| gives the impression that you are not good at | | | | position in question is therefore of great interest to you. |
| assessing yourself-when you may hesitate because | | | | Being honest-with yourself and your potential new |
| you're afraid you might not get the job. The truth is, | | | | employer-is the key here. Turn around and imagine |
| everyone has flaws. As a recruiter I don't mind flaws | | | | that you are a company that is hiring. You don't want |
| as long as they don't affect the person's ability to do a | | | | to go through the entire hiring process and then shortly |
| good job. | | | | afterward see your new employee jump ship. Being |
| If little is revealed, the trick used by many companies is | | | | honest will never backfire on you. |
| to then ask, "What would your current boss say about | | | | People need to look at the long term and understand |
| your weak points?" And, in most situations, a company | | | | that their own best interests should be driven by |
| that's considering hiring you will do an extensive | | | | seeking knowledge and job growth more than |
| reference check and may ask your former bosses | | | | immediate gratification, because the payoff down the |
| this question. Bottom line, by being open you will come | | | | road will be tremendously higher than just working for |
| across as a person who has nothing to hide-but don't | | | | the paycheck and the ego. A hunger for more and |
| be so honest it's ridiculous. | | | | more money is such a strong driving force that many |
| A highly educated young man I considered recruiting a | | | | people even go into fields/jobs/careers that don't |
| few years ago, nonchalantly answered this question | | | | provide them with much fulfillment besides making |
| by saying, "I'm lazy. I don't like to get up early in the | | | | money. Money is important, in that you should always |
| morning." Needless to say, I didn't refer him for an | | | | try to ensure that you are paid market rate. But you |
| interview. During over 3,000 recruitments I have | | | | should never turn down great opportunities because of |
| conducted as a headhunter, not once has a client said, | | | | greed for a short-term paycheck when the long-term |
| "Find me a lazy, arrogant job candidate with no drive | | | | payoff is usually greater when you are driven by a |
| and initiative." | | | | quest for knowledge in areas where your passions |
| Some examples of the best way to answer this | | | | can thrive. |
| question is by saying things such as, "I speak only | | | | A proven system for making your job search more |
| English and wish I had taken time to learn another | | | | successful is detailed in the life manual, A Second Life, |
| language," or "I can seem too eager because I get so | | | | God is giving you a second chance. It contains an |
| involved in my work," or "I wish I were better at | | | | extensive chapter with detailed guidance on how to |
| speaking in front of large groups." These types of | | | | find a job, interview tips, winning the job and creating a |
| answers convey weaknesses that can be overcome. | | | | job insurance policy once you've got the job. It also tells |
| It's very important that your weaknesses wouldn't | | | | you how to fully develop all five key areas of life, so |
| affect your job performance. | | | | that if you are struggling in the job market, you won't |
| 4. Tell me about the previous managers/supervisors | | | | feel like the world is going to end. Go to the Web site: |
| that you reported to. | | | | to download a free book excerpt and articles |
| Answering Question #4: N ever talk badly about your | | | | containing more job/career tips. |