Interview Guide II

Tell-Me-About-Yourself Questions

Answer these questions in terms of the qualifications required of the job being filled and your business background.
Keep responses concise and brief.
Avoid being derogatory and/or negative when asked about previous jobs and bosses.
"Tell-me-about-yourself" means, Tell me about your qualifications.
Prepare ahead of time a five to ten minute discussion of your qualifications.
Discuss your experiences.
Tell how well you performed (resulting in raises, promotions, innovative designs, sales volume, increased profits, etc.)

Your Personality Questions

Always answer in terms of your qualifications.
Support your claims by sharing experiences.
Answer personality questions in terms of ACCURATE ANSWERS supported by past experience.

Salary Questions

Avoid talking salary until the job has been offered.
Negotiate salary from strength.
Your present earnings will be on the company application you fill in. Mark the "expected earnings" portion of the application, "Open or Negotiable."
If unemployed, seek a salary equivalent to your last earnings.
On the initial interview, you should NOT directly discuss:
MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
FRINGE BENEFITS
VACATIONS/MONEY

Asking Questions When Interviewing For A Job

Interest Questions

Ask yourself are they related to the job, the company, its products, services and people? An interview is a two-way street. These questions should communicate your interest in the position.

Don't cross-examine the employer.
Ask questions requiring an explanation. Questions which can be answered with a "yes" or "no" are conversation stoppers.
Don't interrupt when the employer is answering YOUR question.
Ask job-relevant questions. Focus on the job, the company, products, services, and people.
Prior to the interview, write your list of Interest Questions and take them with you.
Ask about your potential peers, subordinates, and superiors. Take notes.
Ask the employer how he/she got where they are today.

Job Satisfaction Questions

Do they pertain to the importance of the job, does the authority you'll have match to the responsibility, the reward for a job well done, and the long-range career opportunities?

Don't ask salary questions or about fringe benefits, retirement, or vacations.
Don't go overboard, four to eight questions of this type should be plenty.
Do ask about long-range career opportunities.

Past Performance Questions

Ask questions like:

How many people have held this position in the past several years?
Where are these people now?
Were they promoted or did they leave the company?

Sale Questions

Ask what the employer wants in a candidates, what experience, educational background, and performance.
Always ask what personality characteristics the employer desires.
Make a sales statement based on the employer's prerequisites or desires. (If you lack an asset, sell a compensating asset.)

Ask For The Job

"I can perform the job you want. I've done it before and I've done it well."
"I'd like to work for you. What else do you need to know to make this happen?"

IF YOU MAINTAIN A "QUESTIONING AWARENESS" YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY ASK THE "RIGHT" QUESTIONS, GIVING YOU A CONSIDERABLE ADVANTAGE WHEN INTERVIEWING.

Close

Assume that you are the right person for the position.
Summarize all points of agreement.
Tell the person you want the opportunity and you are sure you could work well with him personally from your initial meeting.
Close after summary. As an example: "Jim, do you make the final decision?" "Fine, I'm ready to pursue the next step in the interviewing process. Can we see Susan tomorrow?" If the interviewer says they would like to see you again or that the interviewer will be in touch with recruiter, summarize and close again. Tell the person you are ready to pursue the next step and ask for a day's notice that you might coordinate your schedule.
On Your Way Out

1. Thank the person for the time.

2. Shake his hand firmly and look the person in the eyes.

3. Tell the interviewer you look forward to the next interview.

4. Say good-bye to the secretary.

Follow Up

Send a handwritten letter, fax, telegram, or e-mail thanking the interviewer for the opportunity of interviewing with the company and 3 or 4 good reasons to consider you. If this doesn't go out the day of the interview or the next day it won't be worth the paper it's written on.
If you do not have an answering service or recording device, buy one, or as an alternative, use the number of a friend who has one.