Posts tagged Interviewing
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, How To Answer, 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. |
Preparing for the Interview
Mar 6th
Scoring an interview is only half the battle – you also have to land the job. Here is a list of some of the best ways to be prepared if you want to land your dream job.
Do Your Research
Know the company you are interviewing for inside and out, and be ready to ask questions. A good place to start is the company’s website or their LinkedIn if they have one. Check out the company’s mission, what projects they are pursuing, and be aware of their competitors. Ellen Gordon Reeves, the author of Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?, stresses the importance of research: “you need to know as much as possible about the people you are interviewing with”.
Review Accomplishments from Your Last Job
Spend some time thinking about what you accomplished at your last job, and be ready to talk about your position and what your specific duties were. Especially if you’ve been unemployed, it’s always a good idea to spend some time refreshing your memory. Be sure to come up with a few specific problems you’ve dealt with, in order to be prepared for questions.
Know Why You Want the Job
Yes, you want to be able to pay the rent, but why are you really applying to this job specifically? What are your underlying goals and motivations? What do you know about the industry and what can you bring to the company? There are all questions you should have answers to before you go in for the interview.
Be Prepared to Answer Questions
Don’t bet on spontaneously coming up with great answers to interview questions. Have a friend sit down and be serious about going over potential interview questions . It will feel awkward at first, but practice is the best way to ensure that your answers come naturally.
Employers generally want to get a good sense of the following:
- Your background, experiences, education, and overall qualifications
- Your knowledge of the job,, their company, and the industry.
- Your personality, work style and social style.
- Your skills
- Your future goals, career aspirations and how motivated you will be in the position.
Be able to talk about this list of things, and you should be able to answer most questions you are given in an interview.
If you’d like a list of common interview questions, you can find them broken down into categories here:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/practice/a/practice-interview-questions.htm.
Be Prepared with Questions for the Interviewer
You should come to every interview with at least three good questions to ask your interviewer. If you’ve done your research on the company, coming up with some questions shouldn’t be hard. Here are some examples of solid questions:
-What performance expectations do you have for a successful employee in this position?
-Tell me about some of the company ( or department’s) successes in the past few years.
-Can you explain a typical project that I would be working on? What does a day in this position look like?
Look the Part
Don’t feel like you need to go out and buy an expensive outfit, but do make sure you plan an outfit ahead of time so will look put together. For a first interview it is always best to look more conservative than not, even if the company turns out to have a more business casual environment.
Bring Your Resume
It seems obvious, but can be easy to forget. Always have three copies.
Good luck!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on March 6, 2013 at 6:14 pm, and is filed under Job Search, Office Observations, To Do Before You Interview. 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. |
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. |
Tips for Securing Your Next Job
Aug 10th
It is no surprise that even the best candidates can get lost in the shuffle of incoming applicants. Aside from being qualified you need to STAND OUT amongst the competition. You might be reading this and wondering how you can make a lasting impression.
Below are some techniques to stand out to an employer.
- Show – Don’t Just Tell
- Leverage Your References
- Consider a Video Resume
- Know Things About the Company
Applications that embody the nature of the work prove to be very impressive to the hiring manager. The best way to impress an employer is to actually do the job, and do it well. Rather than employers asking you to do the job, be proactive and show them ahead of time what you are capable of accomplishing for them. Providing references is fairly common on an application nowadays. You can take this piece a step further by asking your references to contact the employer. Video resumes are an excellent way to show who you are and stand out of the crowd. Just consider the company and position you are applying to before sending this resume format as it may not be compatible with the company’s culture.
Other techniques for landing your next job are:
- Invest Time Up Front in Finding Your Focus.
- Know Your Values
- Manage Your Time Well
- Invest in Activities with the Greatest Return on Investment (ROI)
- Assess What is Working and What is Not
Most importantly, be genuine in your interview. Study up on the company and show you are truly interested in them. This is a standard job searching routine that can go a long way!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on August 10, 2012 at 2:02 pm, and is filed under Job Search. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Summer Interviewing Tips and Tricks
Jul 16th
The hot summer sun can present a challenge when going on interviews. Here are some summer interview tips and tricks we would like to leave you with for your upcoming interviews.
- Arrive to an interview 15-20 minutes early to cool off.
- Try Boscia Fresh Blotting Linens. They absorb excess oil and banish shine without disturbing your makeup. These are great to have in your bag so you arrive looking fresh with makeup in tact.
- Wear appropriate attire for summer interviews.
You can look professional and still stay cool when interviewing in the summer months. Be sure to still dress appropriately for the employer.
- Bring along a comb, cologne and deodorant along with the breath mints and your resume.
- If you wear a suit, throw the jacket over your arm or shoulder. It’s hot out – employers understand and you look professional without overheating.
- Ladies, for additional fun summer wardrobe suggestions visit here.
Most importantly, be prepared and do not let the heat distract you from what you from an amazing interview!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on July 16, 2012 at 9:55 am, and is filed under Interview. 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. |
Insight To Our Client Relationships
Nov 21st
Happy Monday Mentionings!
In a recent post by Todd Vician at Recruiting Blogs, he describes how candidates who back out of accepted job offers affect business relationships beyond that of candidate and recruiter.
On the inside, a side that candidates don’t usually experience, recruiters interact with their clients on the candidate’s behalf. These client relationships have been built and nurtured overtime.
As you may have learned, interviewing is a long and involved process. Relationships are formed, networking is done, and maintaining a good reputation should be top priority. It’s hard to continue working with a candidate who has lied, let you down, or backed out of an opportunity that they already accepted.
Like Vician explains to his candidate who went MIA after accepting a job offer with one of his clients:
“I gently reminded him of all the concerns he had expressed about his current company, the opportunity for a fresh start, how our role was more aligned to his stated future goals…etc. But, he was unswayed and he reneged his acceptance with us. So, I wished him well but also candidly shared with him that I didn’t expect we could ever come to terms again given that we now had to try to backfill the role we had sold him into with our client and might lose the work and client as a result. I impressed upon him that it wasn’t a personal issue but that his decision resulted in a very negative experience on our business and in our client relationship. I also commented that if he had any cold feet, he should have notified us sooner as a courtesy.”
When working with a multitude of parties in your job search be sure to always follow up and keep your recruiter updated. Even if you’ve received a counter offer and dread the inevitable awkward conversation – it’s better to let your recruiter know what is going on so they can follow up on their end with the client.
Think about:
- The other professionals involved in the process
- How quickly you are responding to questions, offers, etc. Take time to think long and hard about your decisions before acting irrationally or rashly
- Ask questions and follow up
If you find yourself in a bind regarding a job search, counter offer, or interview conundrum – please feel free to email sbellow(at)pyramidcg(dot)com with any questions.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on November 21, 2011 at 9:25 pm, and is filed under Awkwardly Asking, Chronicles For Candidates, Mentionings, Office Observations. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Link Love – The Job Board
Feb 3rd
The Job Bored, one of our favorite career blogs, has shared “Job Interview: Ten Tips for Success!” Out of all the blogs we read and interview tips we have quoted, these are some of the best, and in hindsight, the most obvious.
One of the greatest ways to be successful during an interview is to relax and be prepared. This specific blog post from “The Job Bored” elaborates.
In general when going on an interview you want to remember to be yourself, act professionally, and be honest. Stay tuned for a post dedicated to – how to spin a negative past experience into something positive and constructive in an interview.
We hope you enjoy today’s post and have a chance to visit The Job Bored. Just Relax!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 3, 2011 at 3:02 pm, and is filed under Sites For Seekers, To Do Before You Interview. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
