PREPARING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW PART TWO

The following list presents questions most often asked by recruiters who interview new graduates at university campuses. Although some of the questions may not apply to your situation, they give you a good idea of the types of questions a trained interviewer might ask you in an interview. Look over the list and check any that would be hard for you to answer well. Then practice coming up with positive answers for those problem questions using the Three-step Process for answering interview questions that has been used here. 1. What interests you most about working for this company? 2. What is your greatest strength? What are your weaknesses? 3. What were your major contributions to your last job? 4. What are your greatest career accomplishments? 5. What kind of contribution will you make to our company? 6. What interests you most about this job? 7. What are your professional career goals? 8. Are you willing to travel? 9. Why have you changed jobs so frequently? 10. What would other people say about your work? 11. Have you been responsible for making hiring decisions? 12. Can you delegate responsibility? Give an example. 13. Do you have any questions about the company or the job? 14. How do you work under pressure or tight deadlines? Give example. 15. How do you feel about working for a team? Do you prefer to work independently? 16. How do you deal with conflict? 17. What do you think makes a good employee? 18. Why do you want to work for this company? 19. What kind of work do you enjoy the most? 20. How would you describe the ideal job for you? 21. What jobs are most interesting to you? 22. How would you describe yourself? 23. What kind of work would you like to be doing in 5 or 10 years? (What are your long term goals?) 24. Are you planning on continuing your education? 25. What training have you had that qualifies you for this position? 26. What skills do you have that you can use successfully in this job? 27. What contributions can you make to this organization? 28. Doesn’t this represent a career change for you? 29. How would you describe your current or last employer? May we call them for a reference? 30. Why did you leave your last job? 31. What motivates you towards high job performance? 32. What did you like best or least about your last job? 33. What type of person do you prefer to work with? 34. What physical work environment would you most enjoy? 35. How did you select_as your occupation? 36. Could you tell me what you know about our company? 37. What qualifications do you have that make you feel you will be successful in your field? 38. What is your viewpoint, or rational, for a starting salary? 39. What do you feel determines an individual’s progress in a good company? 40. Why do you think you would like this job? 41. What type of supervisor style do you prefer? 42. What type of skills have you acquired from some of the positions you have held? 43. What does “cooperation” mean to you? 44. Which position in our company would you choose if you were entirely free to do so? 45. What have you done to grow within your occupation within the last two years? 46. Which types of people are difficult for you to get along with? Have you had to deal with them in the past? How would you deal with them in the future? 47. Which jobs have you enjoyed the most? Why? 48. Which jobs have you enjoyed the least? Why? 49. What are your special skills or abilities? 50. How do you feel about working overtime? 51. Have you had summer or previous employment in this or a related field? 52. What are the most important points that you consider in choosing an employer? 53. Which courses have you taken that you feel have prepared you for this position? 54. Which work experiences do you feel have prepared you for this position? 55. If you are the person we select when could you begin working for us? 56. Describe yourself as a person. 57. Do you feel that your college grades are indicative of your abilities? Why? 58. Did you ever make any suggestions to management in a former job? 59. Why should we hire you? 60. Do you think you will be underemployed if you take this position? 61. Are you willing to relocate? 62. How would you define leadership? Success? 63. What is your philosophy of business? 64. What was the most creative work project that you ever completed? In the preparation for a job interview, one must begin by taking a look at oneself. A good look in the mirror would be a good start to make sure nothing is being overlooked. Being clean and neat would definitely be a plus in making a good first impression. A good first impression is key to getting off on the right foot at the start of an interview. There is only going to be one chance at making a positive first impression, so nothing should be overlooked. The first couple of things that should be taken care of prior to the interview are making sure that you are clean and well groomed. By well groomed I mean that the hair should be neat and cut appropriately for the position that is being sought after. There may be more latitude given to someone who is going for a job at record store than someone who is going for a job in bank or an insurance company. So being clean and well groomed would be a great place to start. The second thing that should be taken care of prior to the interview is to make sure the appropriate clothes have been purchased or laid out. Nothing too flashy or too trendy should be worn, you don’t want to show them that you are too wild and crazy for whatever position you are going for. A nice dark suit, whether it is a man or a woman going for the position, would be a step in the right direction. Maybe a dark blue or charcoal suit would probably be your best bet when trying to make the right statement. Anything that is too loud in color would probably not work. It may be the one thing that changes their minds and makes it easier for them to choose some other candidate. Basically, you want to show them that you are serious about the chance you may have at working there and you dont want to ruin your chances by showing up in a leopard suit and yellow shoes. So, something conservative and dark with the appropriate shirt, tie, and shoes would be a great start in preparing for an interview. Don't know what to wear for an interview? Here are some helpful tips: * Wear clothing that is both professional and comfortable for you * Be clean, which goes for you and your clothing * Be fairly conservative in dress--a two-piece suit, white dress shirt, and tie for a man. Women should wear either a suit or a dress, also along the conservative lines. * Wear clean dress shoes * Use a simple, clean hairstyle * Avoid excessive jewelry, make-up, or perfume/cologne Here's what you might want to bring: * A watch (but don't look at it during the interview) * A pen and pad of paper (for taking notes) * Extra copies of your resume * A briefcase or portfolio rather than a backpack or purse Good luck. PREPARING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW PART 2: SALARY NEGOTIATION

Few job seekers are prepared to discuss their pay requirements prior to a job offer or to negotiate it well after a job offer is made. As a result of their blunders, many job seekers are eliminated from consideration during the selection process without even knowing why. Others who do get a job offer too often mishandle the discussion of pay in a way that results in their being paid less than they might have received - or losing a job offer they might have accepted.

The fact is that most people don't negotiate their salaries at all because few know how to negotiate effectively. At one time or another, each of us has probably failed at this process. Most job seekers accept the first offer thrown their way because they're afraid that negotiating will kill any chances to get the job.

Negotiation experts cite four strategic mistakes that novice negotiators often make. Although these mistakes refer to negotiations in general, they are often at the root of salary negotiation problems as well.

1. Lack of persistence.

2. Impatience.

3. Going in too low. All too often one side in the negotiation process accepts in advance a settlement that is lower than the other side had in mind. Once a low position is revealed, an experienced negotiator is unlikely to go higher.

4. Lack of research. Few people are prepared with facts to back up their position in negotiations. They go on "fell" to establish a value. Lack of preparation can be a very expensive mistake.

Three Rules of Salary Negotiation

* Early pay discussions can screen you out. Early in the traditional screening process, many employers want to know how much you expect to be paid. Before the interview, they may seek this information on applications and in want ads. And some employers ask you how much you expect to earn very early in the interview process. Just why is this information so important to them? The reason is that many employers don't want to waste their time with people who have salary expectations far above what they are willing to pay. Put simply, they want the information so that they can screen you out. Employers look for ways to eliminate as many people as possible during the early phases of a traditional interview process. There may be many applicants for an opening, particularly if the job was advertised or is reasonably attractive in some way. Employers will try to find out whether you want more money than they are willing to pay. If so, they figure that, if hired, you may soon leave for a better-paying job.
* Know the probable salary range in advance. Approaching an interview without being prepared for discussions of pay is not wise. Although you will have to do a bit of research, knowing what an employer is likely to pay is essential in salary negotiations. The trick is to think in terms of a wide range in salary, rather than a particular number. Keep in mind that larger organizations tend to pay more than smaller ones, and various areas of the country differ greatly in pay scales. Find out the general range that jobs of this sort are likely to pay in your area. That information is relatively easy to obtain; all it may take is asking those who work in similar jobs, finding the information online or advertisement.
* Bracket the salary range. let's assume that you have done your homework and you know a range that you are likely to be offered for a given job in your area. And let's also assume that you run into an interviewer who insists on knowing how much you expect to be paid. Good luck.