Interview With The Interviewer
Questions to Ask During an Interview
Mar 29th
You should never leave an interview thinking, “I should have asked them that.”
Most people see an interview as the person behind the desk asking all the questions. The reality is, an interview is a meeting of people, with the prefix “inter” meaning mutually or between. If you’re not asking questions during your interview, you’ll feel as though you’re on the receiving end of a firing squad rather than hunting for a job. When you’re looking for a job, your interviewer shouldn’t be the only one asking questions.
If you don’t get a clear picture of your potential responsibilities, ask for more information. Just because you’ve held a similar position before doesn’t mean that the one you are interviewing for will be the same. Find out how frequently the position has changed hands. If it’s been very volatile, ask why. Ask them to give you an idea of the role that the particular department you’re interviewing for plays in the overall organization.
Just because a position looks great today doesn’t mean it will five years down the road. You never want to be stagnant in the business world, so inquire to see if the position fits nicely with your career aspirations. Does the firm encourage or even fund continued education? What have previous employees in the same position gone on to do? Will you be able to grow from within the firm, or is it a dead end? Be wary of any employees who can’t give you a clear role that the position plays in a career path, and look for a position that encourages growth.
Salary discussion usually doesn’t come until you have a job offer. That being said, don’t be afraid to ask what the range is for the position, and don’t shy away from smaller details about compensation. If the interviewer isn’t forward about it, ask about health and retirement plans. Does the company have health coverage? Do employees have access to a 401(k) plan? If bonuses are part of your compensation, what is the criteria? Are they performance based? The more you know about how compensation works before you are offered a position gives you a better perspective of how strong the offer is.
Lastly, be sure to gain some knowledge on how the company is doing and where it’s headed. Is the company living up to its mission? Is it meeting its revenue goals? How are business operations funded? If the answer to that question is venture capital and bank loans and the revenue goals aren’t being met, there’s a very good chance changes are brewing. Asking to review the firms business plan isn’t a bad idea if you’re applying for a senior position either. You’ll be able to compare what the firm wants to do and what it’s actually doing.
If you’ve been on the hunt for a job for a while it can be easy to jump at the first offer that comes your way. Look before you leap; don’t accept anything before you have a good feel for the company as a whole. Asking questions during your interview conveys your interest in the position and encourages the interviewer to believe that you’re dedicated and success-driven. Regardless of what your elementary school teacher told you, there are such things as stupid questions, but you can avoid asking them by going into an interview with a prepared set of questions designed to cover the bases that the interviewer doesn’t.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on March 29, 2013 at 4:20 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Interview, Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Topics You Should Mention in an Interview
Dec 17th
Congratulations, you’ve scored an interview for your dream job! Now what? The importance of preparing for an interview can’t be stressed enough. Before going in for your interview, research the company and industry/job specific questions. Don’t leave these notes at home, bring your notes and prepared questions with you. You might think you have it covered, but once you’re in the conversation, it’s easy to forget to hit on an important topic or question you had in mind.
Asking the right questions shows you have an understanding and genuine interest in the position at hand. For example, if you have done the proper research on the company before the interview, you may have knowledge of upcoming developments or recent/on-going projects at the company. You should definitely incorporate this somewhere in the interview, but make sure it’s organic. Don’t just blurt out facts; after all, you want to show your communication skills. If there isn’t an opportune time, perhaps you can leave it for your thank you letter or (hopefully) next interview.
Other topics you should mention are your skills and how they relate to the job as well as the industry as a whole. Bringing up events that are going on in the industry is a great way to show your knowledge and interest. Don’t forget to ask about the company culture. You and the hiring manager want to make sure this is good fit. With regards to your skills, note what the job description entails and relate it back to specific examples of past experiences.
Lastly, as the interview wraps up make sure you cover the next steps in the interview process. It shows your enthusiasm over the position and gives you a timeline to work with so you aren’t left wondering.
For more tips, click here.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on December 17, 2012 at 4:22 pm, and is filed under Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Phone Interview Tactics
Nov 9th
It is not uncommon nowadays for companies to do phone interviews before asking candidates to come in for an onsite interview. For them, it’s a time efficient way to screen for the most qualified candidates. You might think it’s not a formal interview, but don’t’ be fooled. If you can’t get through a phone interview, odds are you will not be called back for an in-person interview.
A hiring manager can gauge a person based on how they present themselves on the phone. You should be confident and professional, but still show your personality. Think of it this way: what if the position you are interviewing for requires lots of conference calls? This is a way of testing those skills.
Most people feel uncomfortable during a phone interview. Where do do? How do you prepare? Do you sit still? Where do you focus?
- You should always treat the phone interview the same way you would an in-person job interview.
- Research the company and be prepared for the basic interview questions.
- Make sure you are in an area that has good reception and quiet. This part is very important. Background noises are distracting and show you aren’t prepared and might not care of the interview or position. If you are at a coffee shop, choose a quiet one that doesn’t play overhead music.
- Eliminate any and all potential distractions. This is along the same lines of finding a quiet room. If you are home and have a dog, make sure you’re in separate rooms.
- Also, turn off the TV or other devices.
- Don’t get too comfortable in the room. You don’t necessarily have to dress up (unless this works for mental preparation), but don’t get too relaxed and sleepy.
- If possible, schedule the interview for a time of day when you’re most alert.
- Follow up 24-48 hours after the interview.
It’s not all nerve racking. There are benefits to having a phone interview. You can have all your materials right in front of you and you can save time by not having to travel elsewhere. For your best chance at nailing the phone interview prepare in advance.
For a list of more tips, click here.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on November 9, 2012 at 12:51 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
How to Close an Interview on a High Note
Oct 1st
It’s all leading up to this moment. The interview is coming to a close as the interviewer asks “do you have any questions for me?” The key is to find an even balance between being too aggressive and too passive.
Examples of passive questions are ones pertaining to you and the hiring process. The final note of the interview should not end with these questions:
- How did I do on the interview?
- How much is the salary and what are the benefits packages?
- What happens next?
- When do you expect to make a decision?
We all want to know what the answers to the above questions, especially about the hiring process. If the interviewer does not lay out the next steps of the process then you can ask, but have stronger questions relating to the position lined up. Above all, never ask if you can still take your pre-planned vacation that happens to fall around the time of the start date. This is a valid question, but should not come up until after you are offered the position.
Questions leaning towards the aggressive end of the spectrum, yet still acceptable are as follow:
- Why did you want to interview me?
- Why is this job important to the business as a whole?
- How would you describe the best people you have in this company/department?
- Why is this position available?
At some point in the interview the interviewer generally informs you as to why the position is open. If the interview is coming to a close and this has not been brought up then it is perfectly acceptable to ask the interviewer why the position is available. You want to make sure you are making an informed decision to continue an expressed interested in the company. If they choose not to disclose this information you may want to take note as this could be a red flag down the line.
You should always save questions for this point in the interview, this way you aren’t the interviewee saying “no, I think we’ve covered all I need to know.”
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on October 1, 2012 at 3:56 pm, and is filed under Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Video Interviewing 101
Sep 10th
The question of whether or not companies are moving towards video interviews has been answered. More and more companies are conducting video interviews. According to a new survey conducted by OfficeTeam, 6 in 10 companies conduct job interviews via video. Now the question becomes, are you ready for them?
A video interview generally involves a candidate answering a series of pre-determined interview questions using a webcam to record their answers. There two common practices for video interviewing: one-way and two-way interviews.
One-way interviews pre-screen candidates by having them respond to pre-set questions without a recruiter on the other end. Two-way interviews are conducted using a video calling service, such as Skype. Candidates and recruiters interact as part of a two-way, live interactive interview process, which tend to be used later in the interview process.
Here are 10 tips to review when participating in video interviews:
- Test the technology
- Choose the right location
- Take a trial run
- Look at the camera, not the screen
- Dress appropriately
- Calm your nerves and exude confidence
- Speak loudly and clearly
- Think about timing
- Don’t let mistakes throw you off
- Treat is like a real interview, do your research
Video interviews are an excellent way to showcase you and your glowing personality. Research shows this is not a trend that will disappear in a few years so it’s best to get used to the idea and start practicing. You never know a company might make such a request.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on September 10, 2012 at 1:29 pm, and is filed under Interview, Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Key Characteristics to Depict for Getting Hired
Aug 20th
When you secure an interview the employer generally sees potential in you; whether it’s because of a skill set you hold, your educational background or prior work experiences. You still have to prove you are the best candidate for the position when you interview with hiring managers though. They are looking for someone who also fits with the corporate culture of the company.
There are 4 general characteristic traits that stand out to hiring managers.
- Hard Work Ethic
- Playing Well With Others
- Showing Initiative
- Strong Communication Skills
It is important to show you are willing to make sacrifices to complete a job/task. Tell about a time you made a personal sacrifice for work. Employers want a team player and someone they can count on when they are up against a pressing deadline. They want someone who can work well with others and communicate effectively. Providing the hiring manager with a time when you and a team worked together on a successful project is always a great way to show your teamwork skills.
The best way to show initiative is to research the company prior to your interview. Don’t just stop there – research the hiring managers that you will be meeting. If you can find commonality between you and the interviewer you will have a leg up against other potential candidates. This ties back in with fitting with the culture and having great communication skills. At the end of the day, if you have excellent technical skills, but poor communication skills you are at risk of losing the job to a candidate which has both skill sets.
If you are positive, energetic and follow up without being asked to then you are setting yourself up to rise above the competition. For examples of how you can be resourceful, click here.
Remember – always stay alert, responsive and proactive.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on August 20, 2012 at 10:38 am, and is filed under Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Interview Questions for Employers
Jul 9th
Knowing the right questions to ask on an interview can be tough. Knowing when and how to ask them at the appropriate time can be even more challenging. At some point in the interview you know the interviewer will ask “Do you have any questions for me?” and you need to be prepared.
Below are some examples of good and bad interview questions:
- “What do you do, exactly?”
- “How many personal, sick and vacation days will I get?”
- Why is this position vacant?” – This is a seemingly appropriate question, but can appear gossipy. It is best to wait and see if the interviewer mentions why the position is available.
You should be able to determine if you and company/position are a good fit from the questions you ask on an interview. The best way to accomplish this is by asking bold questions.
- How receptive are you to feedback from your employees when you do something they disagree with?
- As a manager, what frustrates you about the people that work for you?
- Is there a project your department is working on now? If so, how are you interacting with your staff on it?
Don’t play it safe by only asking the same general questions as everyone else. If you want to make a memorable impression dig deep and ask questions related specifically to the position and department you are interviewing for.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on July 9, 2012 at 12:27 pm, and is filed under Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Show Your Interest
May 29th
While this may seem like an obvious statement, we have to reiterate how important it is to show you’re interested in the job you’re interviewing for. Do not assume that just because you applied and showed up on time for the interview that the hiring manager believes you’re extremely interested in the position.
Believe it or not, you may be interested before the interview and not so interested after meeting with the hiring manager. Also, you want to be sure that the hiring manager doesn’t mistake your nervousness for disinterest in the role.
How can you prevent a non-verbal miscommunication with the hiring manager?
- Make sure you show your gratitude and interest. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. After learning more about the position, I am confident that it’s exactly what I’m looking for. I am very interested in the role.
- Take deep breaths and don’t let your nervousness override your integrity and personality.
- Make eye contact
- Firmly shake the hiring managers hand
- Express yourself. Don’t leave the interview without taking advantage of the opportunity to sell yourself. With confidence, express how, after hearing more about the various responsibilities of the position, you can be a successful candidate. Use specific examples if possible.
In reality, please and thank you are actually magic words. Say it like you mean it and let them know you’re interested. Hiring managers aren’t mid readers.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on May 29, 2012 at 7:42 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Interview, Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Calling The Graduating Class of 2012!
May 7th
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on May 7, 2012 at 4:53 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Human Resource, Interview, Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
How To Answer…
May 1st
If you find yourself interviewing for a job while you’re currently employed, you will, most likely, encounter this question:
“Why do you want to leave your current job?”
Tread lightly here because you should not mention any reasons that may cross over the job responsibilities that match the job your interviewing for.
Pick two things that you feel you have outgrown in your current role. The main reason for your leaving should never be negative.
For instance:
“While I have really enjoyed my time at company, I am looking for a more challenging role where I can learn and grow.”
You also must elaborate on why you are not learning and growing with your current company.
Go to the interview prepared to give specific examples why and how you think you can take these new responsibilities and learn, contribute, and grow within this company.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on May 1, 2012 at 8:05 pm, and is filed under Interview, Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
