Lessons I Learned From 30 Years of Interviewing
- ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! Call the employer within 48 hours to confirm that they received your resume. If you don't know a person's name, ask for the HR Department. This will accomplish two things...First, it will make sure your resume wasn't "lost" in the cracks and Second, it will show the employer you're serious. In today's world, interviewers know that many candidates "Binge" Job Apply.
- It's OK to be nervous! It just means you really want the position. But please know that there is nothing more compelling to an interviewer than a person that walks that fine line as confident but not cocky.
- It's True...I had most of my decisions made within the first 5 minutes. While I may not have decided to "hire" you....in many cased I decided "not to hire you". First impressions are the most important! You can't "un-ring" a bell.
- Always Be On Time...30 Minutes Early is Better than 30 Seconds late! Keep in mind that some interviews require you to fill out paperwork in advance.
- Be sure to survey the surroundings of the Interviewer. Be able to discuss "sports memorabilia", art or anything relevant in generalities. HOWEVER, be smart....If you see picture of children on the interviewers desk...Don't ask "How long have you been married?"
- The Interviewer really wants you to "interview" them as well as that will say a lot about you! It's all about CONFIDENCE. Be sure to ask compelling questions that prove you know their company. Review the company's website and be prepared to ask a range of questions that prove to the interviewer you are serious about your application. Also, I always took notice of candidates that asked questions about challenges that each company faces..."What are some of the most challenging issues facing your company today?" Most companies have a "Recent News" or "Press Releases" section on their website. This is where you will find great questions to ask. "I saw you just signed a major agreement with XYZ, how with this impact your growth and future plans".
- Whenever I interviewed a candidate from a "Fortune 500" organization I was always concerned if the candidate would demonstrate his/her ability to "role up their sleeves" and contribute to many different roles in the organization as is the nature of small business. If this applies to you....make sure you let the interviewer know that your background gives you a great structure but you understand that small business is defined by "speed...agility...change".
- To The NEW TO THE JOB MARKET CANDIDATE...We all had first interviews and first jobs. The interviewer knows that but you were called in for an interview anyway. The interviewer knows you don't have any ON THE JOB experience. The "new to the job market" candidate (whether out of school or new to the job market after 20 years of raising a family)...must convey to the interviewer that "YOU GET IT". Very simply put...If I you don't know that a ditch has to be dug or where to dig it...That is OK since you're new to the job market...BUT if you don't know you need a shovel to dig a ditch....You will be disqualified. You have to know certain "obvious things" about any job...even if you never held that or any position before. Anyone applying for a sales position should know that "you have to been on the phone virtually all of the time in the beginning and that you will be told "NO" 95% of the time. Anyone that is applying for a position in accounting should know that all accounting information is the life line of any company and therefore must be done quickly and accurately etc. It's up to you to prove that you get it...
- A Person who "thinks" they are a great Sales Person will tell you how great he/she is in front of a client....A Real Sales Person will tell the interviewer how he/she got in front of the client in the first place. Be prepared to discuss your plan of attack for getting in front of a client....The interviewer already knows how you will be in front of the client....Your interview is a sales call. No interviewer expects a sales candidate to generate revenue in the first three months. However, you need to tell the interviewer exactly what you will be doing during this time to assure them that after the first three month period you will be productive for the company.
- If you are interviewing for a sales position (within the same industry) you need to be extra careful regarding your response to the question of "Why are you looking for a new job?". If you are interviewing for a position in the same industry that you presently work you really do have 1 strike against you as most interviewers will assume you're looking for a new job due to the fact that you aren't selling enough with your present employer...If you go in armed with this in mind, you can win. The best answers to the question of "Why are you looking for a new job?" if you are in sales are..."I want to work at your company to be able to provide a wider array of products and services to my clients as this will make me much more effective and productive"....."I've heard great things about your company from my clients and I know I can contribute much to your future success". "I want to work at a company that shares the same client focused vision as mine". DO NOT talk about any changes in commission plans or compensation. All commission plans within the same industry are similar.
- If you say "I can learn a lot here"...you've already lost. You're not being paid to learn you are paid to contribute.
- If you say "I can contribute a lot"...you're still in the game...
- Remember the company's success comes first...then yours.
- Every action you take in the company must result in the company becoming...BETTER...FASTER...MORE PROFITABLE..That's it. If you convey that you acknowledge this fact....You're in the game.
- Working from home is a "benefit" to the employee. It does not benefit the employer. Treat it as a benefit.
- You must acknowledge that you understand and are willing to change throughout your career and that it is your responsibility to be able to change.
- If the Interview ask for your faults or weaknesses DO NOT answer with "I'm a Perfectionist" or "I'm expect too much from myself". Be honest and say "I need to work on my organizational skills" or "I need to work on my communication skills with my fellow employees"...It's OK to be honest.
- Be able to discuss your mistakes and how you learned from them. The only employee that doesn't make mistakes is "the employee that does nothing".
- Don't ask any questions about compensation, benefits, salary increases, etc. There will be time for that "after" a job offer is given to you.
- It is true....Be sure to ask intelligent questions and be able to prove you researched the company you are interviewing with.
We have great and exciting openings for great and exciting people!
Let StaffNet-Search for You! www.staffnetconsulting.com. Please email us at employment@staffnetconsulting.com or email me directly at sjwilk@staffnetconsulting.com. Please call me at (908) 963-9000.
+Steven Wilk is Executive Director of StaffNet Consulting and Placement Group, LLC and was President of TransNet Corporation for 28 years
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