One of the most important aspects of the interview occurs
before a candidate even walks into the room – homework.
Candidates should do thorough research about both the
company and the position for which you are being considered.
Your Reaction Search Executive Search Firm Consultant
will provide candidates with information about the company
and the position for which they are interviewing. But,
candidates should do their own research before the interview
either online or at the library about the nature of the
company and the service they provide to their customers.
Next, prepare a list of questions to ask the person
you are interviewing with about the company and the position.
Being prepared for the interview with a solid base of
knowledge about the company and its business services,
along with questions to ask the interviewer, illustrates
a candidate’s intelligence, resourcefulness, and
interest in the position.
Possible questions could include:
- Why is this position available? Why did the person
previously in this position leave?
- What are your goals for this position? What are your expectations
of someone filling this job?
- What roadblocks are
in store for the candidate filling this position?
- How will job performance be evaluated? Who will perform
the evaluations?
- What opportunities are
there for growth over the next 12 months for someone
entering this position? What are the growth opportunities
in the next 5 years?
- What kind of growth do you anticipate
for your firm over the next year?
Preparing for the interview ::
Each interviewer will have their own way of conducting
an interview. The questions will vary based on the interviewer,
the company, and the position. The Executive Search Firm
Consultant will brief you on in the interviewer’s personality,
what typically happens during similar interviews, and
important questions the interviewer is likely to ask,
among others.
Several common interview questions executive candidates
should be prepared to answer include:
- “Tell me about yourself.” Keep your
answers in the professional realm only, including
information about your previous positions and your
standing in the former employers’ companies;
education and other forms of training; specialized
skills, and any other credentials that may pertain
to the position for which you are currently interviewing.
- “What
do you know about our organization?” This
is where your research will come in handy.
- “Why
are you interested in this position?” Emphasize
any skills or qualifications you have that make you
the best candidate for the position. Also, reiterate your desire
to work for this employer.
- “What have been your
most significant career accomplishments to date?”
Provide the interviewer
with a brief rundown of some of your most recent accomplishments
and/or projects. It helps to be specific. (Tip: Keep
a short list in your day planner or PDA of significant
projects, accomplishments, accolades, etc., while in
your current position. This list will help when it comes
time to answer this question during future interviews.
Also, see our list of tips below.)
- “Describe a situation in which
your work was criticized.” Place your focus
not on the criticism itself, but on how you provided
a remedy for the situation. Also emphasize what you
learned from this process.
- “How would you describe your personality?” Accentuate
the positive aspects of your personality.
- “How do you perform under pressure?” Provide
a specific example of how you met a tight deadline.
- “What have you done to improve yourself over the past year?” Examples
could include taking training courses, attending
seminars, networking with others in the industry.
- “What did you like least about your last position?” Stick
to examples in which you can illustrate how you overcame
this situation or dilemma.
- “Why are you leaving your current employer?” Answers
such as “I’m looking for an opportunity
to advance in my career” work best. Accentuate
the positive.
- “What is your ideal working
environment?”
- “How would your
co-workers describe you?” Be
honest, and be prepared to provide the name of
someone who can vouch for what you tell them. Some interviewers
may want to contact a co-worker.
- “What do you think of your boss?” Again,
think positive.
- “Have you ever fired
anyone? What was the situation, and how did you
handle it?”
- “What are career
goals?” If you’re
interested in a long-term position for the company
you are interviewing with, tell the interviewer. Provide specifics
about what makes the company a good fit for you.
- “Where
do you see yourself in 2 years?” Concentrate
on accomplishments you would like to achieve.
- “Why
should we hire you?” This is your
opportunity. If you think you’re best suited
for the position, say so. And be prepared to tell
the interviewer why.
- “What kind of
salary are you looking for?” It
doesn’t hurt to aim high, but be realistic.
You may have an idea of the salary range from your
research. Ask the interviewer what the average
salary is for someone in their company with your
level of experience and expertise. • “What
other types of jobs/companies are you considering?”
For the interview:
- Arrive 15 minutes early. Being late is never
acceptable
- Be sure you answer the questions the interviewer
asks
- Ask the interviewer to describe the position
and specific responsibilities early in the conversation
so you can relate your skills and background to the position
throughout the course of the interview.
- Discuss
your qualifications, and stress the accomplishments
that are most pertinent to this position.
- Conduct
yourself professionally. Be aware of what your
body language is saying. Smile, make eye contact,
don't slouch, and maintain your composure.
- Anticipate
difficult questions about your chosen career
path and prepare in advance so you can turn apparent
weaknesses into strengths.
- Dress appropriately.
Make your first impression on a prospective employer
a professional one.
- Ask questions throughout
the interview. An interview should be a mutual
exchange of information, not a one-sided conversation.
- Listen.
By focusing not only on the interviewer’s
words, but also on their tone and body language,
you will be able to pick up on their style. Form your answers accordingly.
This will also enable you to establish a personal
rapport with the interviewer.
Don'ts ...
- Answer vague questions. Rather than trying
to answer an unclear question, ask the interviewer
to more specific.
- Interrupt the interviewer. If you
don't have time to listen, then neither does the
person conducting the interview.
- Smoke, chew gum, or
place anything on the interviewer’s
desk.
- Be overly familiar, even if the interviewer
is.
- Wear heavy perfume or cologne.
- Ramble. Long answers
can make you sound apologetic or indecisive. On the
other hand, don’t answer questions
with a simple “yes” or “no.” Explain
yourself in detail when possible
- Lie. Answer
questions as truthfully as possible.
- Make
derogatory remarks about your present or former employers
or companies. This could have a negative effect on
the interviewer’s perception of you.
Closing the interview:
If candidates are prepared for the interview, there
is no need to doubt your answers after the interview.
If you feel that the interview went well and you would
like to continue the interview process, express your
interest to the interviewer. For example, “After
hearing more about your company, the position and the
responsibilities at hand, I am certain that I possess
the qualities that you are looking for in the (title)
position. Based on our conversation and my qualifications,
are there any issues or concerns that you have that would
lead you to believe otherwise?”
You have a right to be assertive. This is a great closing
question because it opens the door for the interviewer
to be honest with you about his or her feelings concerning
your qualifications for the position. If concerns do
exist, this is the opportunity to address them.
A few things to remember during the closing process:
Make
sure you answer the following two questions: “Why
are you interested in the company?” and “What
can you offer?”
- Don't be discouraged if no definite offer
is made or specific salary discussed. The interviewer
will likely want to communicate with a superior or
interview other applicants before making a decision.
- Express
thanks for the interviewer’s time
and consideration.
- Ask for the interviewer’s
business card so you can write a thank you letter.
Following up after the interview ::
After leaving the interview, take a few minutes to write
down key issues that were raised during the interview,
such as specific qualifications for the position, your
strengths in meeting these needs, areas of concern
and how to address them, etc.
Then, call your Executive Search Firm Consultant. Follow-up
at this stage is critical.
Finally, write a thank you letter no later than 24 hours
after the interview.
If you do add a references section, make sure it says
more than “References available upon request.” And,
be sure to verify current contact numbers with your references
beforehand. It’s also good to let them know to
expect a call and to provide them information concerning
the position for which you are applying.
This is also a good place to include information about
any specialized skills or training you have, such as
languages spoken, proficiencies with computer software
or hardware, and other pertinent information. Other possibilities
include professional training, appointments, and licenses.
However, candidates should never include hobbies or a
list of personal interests anywhere on a resume.
Twelve tips from RSI Executive Search Firm ::
Our executive search team has highlighted 12 of the career
accomplishments that most interest employers. Think
of how you might incorporate them into your resume.
Approach each one from the viewpoint of an Executive
Search Firm Consultant: How can this past accomplishment
benefit a potential employer?
1. Increased revenues - be specific.
2. Saved money.
3. Increased efficiency.
4. You were directly responsible for cutting overhead.
5. Increased sales – again, be specific.
6. Improved workplace safety.
7. Purchasing accomplishments.
8. Implemented new products or lines.
9. Improved record-keeping process.
10. Increased productivity.
11. Successful advertising campaigns you’ve been
involved in.
12. Effective budgeting.
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