TOPICS
25 Words that can hurt your
resume
Changing
Careers or Industries
2nd
Interviews &; 1st Interviews
Salary Question-What
is your current salary?
Thriving on
Phone Interviews
What Are Your
Weaknesses?
"Tell me about yourself"
25
Words that can hurt your resume - Click
Here for article
Changing
Careers or Industries
by: Michael R. Neece, CEO Interview Mastery- http://www.interviewmastery.com/
Most people change their career or industry several times during
their working life. This is normal and healthy. However, when
you're on the cusp of changing you must have a well structured
response to the interviewer concern that you don't have previous
experience in this new field or industry. The following article
gives you an effective response strategy for answering the interviewer's
comment, "I'm concerned that you don't have any previous
experience in this field (or industry)."
The strategy is to focus on what you do have rather than what
you don't have. Here is a powerful response strategy with an example.
Use this framework to write down your own specific response so
you can handle this difficult situation comfortably.
Interviewer
“I'm concerned with your lack of experience (or education)
in this industry (or this career).
Your Response
First: Say the following.
“That's a good concern. I'd like to share with you some
additional information about that.”
Second: Say the following.
“From my previous experience, industry research and informational
interviews, I've learned that to be successful in this career
(or this industry) requires the following:
Third: List your qualities (or strengths) that you want to highlight.
Interview Mastery gives you a list of strengths in the “What
are your strengths?” module and in the download section
of Interview Mastery's online subscription under Quick Reference
Guides. Below is an example of the qualities you could mention.
“A Passionate attention to detail, persistence &; unwavering
focus on results, staying current on industry dynamics and professional
certifications, as well as the flexibility and intellectual agility
to respond to constant change.”
Fourth: You ask a question. “I can give you specific examples
where I've demonstrated each of these talents. Which of these
qualities would you like me to elaborate upon?”
Best of luck on your next interview. It is the most important
moment in your search for a better position.
2nd
Interviews &; 1st Interviews
by: Michael R. Neece, CEO, Interview Mastery - http://www.interviewmastery.com/
2nd Interviews with Some, 1st Interviews with Others
First and second interviews can be quite different. Interviewers
meeting you for the 2nd time have different expectations and they're
more comfortable with you. They expect that you'll be more informed
about their company and express targeted enthusiasm for the position.
The questions you ask 2nd time interviewers are focused on the
company, industry trends, market drivers, key position deliverables,
and competition.
During your 2nd visit, you'll meet new interviewers for the first
time. These interviewers are really 1st time interviewers and
they'll conduct the interview like a 1st time meeting. The difference
is they've heard good things about you and expect you're a strong
candidate. But they'll still have to be convinced. With 1st time
interviewers, conduct yourself like it's your 1st interview because
this is your 1st interview with these evaluators.
Your Questions for 1st and 2nd Interviews
During the 1st interview, interviewer questioning focused on the
position and your qualifications. You ask questions about the
key position requirements and present your experience.
Questions you ask during 1st interviews include:
- What are the key business reasons driving the need for this
position?
- Describe the three top challenges that I'll face in this job?
- What has to happen for you to know you've hired the best person?
- What are the key deliverables that this position must achieve?
- What are the key metrics used to measure success?
Questions you ask during 2nd interviews include:
- Please describe three company initiatives and how the position
is linked.
- What competitors do you feel present the strongest competition?
- What market dynamics do you feel will have the greatest impact?
As with all interviews, make sure you ask the two closing questions
at the end of each meeting.
- What do you feel are my strengths for this position?
- What concerns do you have about my background?
Changing the Game
2nd interviews include meeting higher level people in the company.
Higher level interviewers are more likely to be unskilled but
they're more comfortable interviewing and asking unorthodox questions.
Interviewer skill is not correlated to years of experience or
level in the company.
As you progress through the hiring process you'll encounter different
types of interviews. You may be asked to deliver a presentation.
Panel interviews (multiple interviewers simultaneously), problem
solving/simulation interviews, personality tests, mealtime interviews
are also common on 2nd interviews.
Show Me the Money
Finally, on 2nd and 3rd interviews you'll be questioned about
your salary expectations and possible start date.
Salary
Question-What is your current salary?
By Michael R. Neece, CEO Interview Mastery- http://www.interviewmastery.com/
When companies ask you about your last salary they are trying
to screen you out. This is a high risk moment and hence you want
to delay the salary discussion for later in the hiring process.
The representative from the company is trying to make sure there
is reasonable alignment of your salary requirements and their
salary range. The following is just one example of the value you'll
get when you use http://www.interviewmastery.com/?broadcastID=786&broadcastID=786&linkID=5155&ID=20969
Here is a recommend response when this question is asked early
in the interview processes (before they have decided to hire you).
First is the overall strategy then specific examples of how to
respond to this question.
The overall strategy is to delay stating a specific salary number
until the company has decided to hire you. Any discussion of compensation
before this time runs a high risk of eliminating you from further
consideration.
Response Strategy
1. I was paid well and in line with job market conditions.
2. You'd be happy to discuss salary history later in the hiring
process
3. You're interested in the opportunity so far
Specific Examples
When asked “What was your most recent compensation?”
state the following (or something similar that is comfortable
for you).
“I was paid well in my last position and in-line wit h
market conditions and the results I delivered. I will be happy
to discuss my compensation history in detail when we have decided
that I'm the right person for this position.”
If they asked again;
“I realize that you need to make certain that my salary
expectations are consistent with the salary range. To ensure we
are aligned, please tell me the salary range and I'll let you
know how my salary matches the range.”
If they ask yet again;
“When deciding on a position I consider the following factors;
quality of the opportunity, quality of the company and the people
I'd be working with, long term growth potential, location and
compensation.
Compensation is the least important criteria I use to evaluate
a position. So far I'm impressed with what I have learned about
this opportunity and remain very interested.”
Remember that the first person to give a number is at a disadvantage.
You want to discuss salary only when they are absolutely convinced
they can't live without you. It is at this point that you have
negotiating leverage and not until then.
Craft a response that feels comfortable for you and practice
saying it. Decide right now that you are not going to discuss
salary until you are ready.
Best of luck on your next interview.~ It is the most important
moment in your search for a better position.
Thriving
on Phone Interviews
by: Michael R. Neece, CEO Interview Mastery - http://www.interviewmastery.com/
Phone interviews are frequently used by companies to save time
by pre-qualifying your interest and expertise. The following are
some recommendations to ensure your next phone interview is successful
for you.
Isolate Yourself
Phone interviews place you at a disadvantage because you only
have one tool of communication, your voice. The interviewer's
impression of you is shaped by all the sounds coming through the
phone. Insulate yourself from distractions and background noises.
Do not have your phone interview when you are surrounded by a
lot of noise like an outdoor café at a busy intersection.
If the call is on your cell phone make sure the caller can hear
you clearly.
When the phone interviewer first contacts you, make sure it is
comfortable for you to talk on the phone for at least 20 minutes.
If it's not convenient, recommend scheduling another time for
the call.
Schedule the Phone Interview
If you can not speak comfortably when the first call arrives,
ask the interviewer if you could schedule a specific time for
the phone interview. Be sure to define who will call who. It is
recommended that you offer to call the company. This ensures you
are fully prepared and in a situation where you can speak without
interruptions. Schedule the phone interview just like you would
any face-to-face interview.
Stand Up
During the call standup, walk around and smile. All these things
make a big difference in the projection and quality of your voice.
What's Next
At the conclusion, ask the interviewer about next steps and timing
of their hiring process.
Get Face-to-Face
If you are interested, ask for a face-to-face interview. Remember
that your objective (during the phone interview) is to secure
a face-to-face interview. You will be most effective discussing
your background and assessing the company in a face-to-face meeting.
Prepare Your Responses
Phone interviews follow a similar pattern of questioning with
the purpose of screening you out of consideration. Below is a
list of questions most phone interviewers ask. Write down and
practice your responses.
- Tell Me About Yourself.
- What do you know about our company?
- How did you learn about this position?
- What is our current salary?
- What are your compensation requirements?
- Why are you looking for a new position?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Do you have any questions?
Questions You Ask
Questions are your primary tool of influence with an interviewer.
Questions help you direct the conversation and assess if the company
is right for you. Here are some questions to ask during a phone
interview.
Opening Questions:
Questions you ask at the beginning of the phone interview.
- What is your position with this company?
- How much time would you like to speak on the phone?
- What position are you considering me for?
- What are the key things you'd like to learn about my background?
More Questions:
Questions you could ask in the middle of the interview.
- What business imperatives are driving the need for this position?
- Describe the three top challenges that I'll face in this job?
- What are the characteristics of people who are most successful
in your company?
- What are the key deliverables and outcomes that this position
must achieve?
Closing Questions:
Questions you ask at the end of the phone interview.
- What additional information would you like me to provide?
- What concerns do you have at this point?
- When is the best time to follow up with you?
Best of luck on your next interview. It is the most important
moment in your search for a better position.
What
Are Your Weaknesses?
By: Michael R. Neece, CEO http://www.interviewmastery.com/?broadcastID=752&broadcastID=752&linkID=4398&ID=20969
Conventional advice recommends you respond to this question by
stating a weakness that is really a positive or translating a
weakness into a positive like “I'm a workaholic and I spend
lots of hours at work ensuring I do my job to the best of my abilities.”
Interviewers see right through this technique and it's rarely
effective.
When interviewers ask this question they really don't care what
your weaknesses are. They care about how you handle this question
and what your response indicates about you.
The response strategy to this question is:
First, highlight your strengths for this position
Second, highlight an area that you are working to improve upon
Third, describe what you are doing to improve
Fourth, describe how this new skill improves your value to the
company
Finally, ask a question.
To prepare your response, identify a new skill you have just
learned or a skill you are learning now or a skill you are planning
to develop. Whatever improvement area you highlight, relate it
to the position or your profession.
Here is a fill-in-the-blank template.
“While there are several strengths I bring to this position,
including _____________ (and then you insert a couple of strengths),
I am currently working to improve my knowledge of _____________
(blank). I feel this is important because it allows me to deliver
added results in the areas of ____________ (and here you just
insert a couple of areas).
Here's how this example might sound if you were seeking a position
in sales or customer service and you are taking a course in finance
&; accounting.
“While there are several strengths I bring to this position,
including being a top performer in my previous position and possessing
strong industry knowledge, I am currently working to enhance
my knowledge in the areas of business finance. I feel this is
important because it allows me to directly relate products and
services to customer's return-on-investment and to recommend department
cost saving initiatives.
Would you like me to elaborate on either of these?”
Did you notice I asked a question right at the end? Asking
a question will make the interview more conversational and avoid
it becoming an interrogation. The response strategy described
here is just one of hundreds of techniques provided in Interview
Mastery.
"Tell
me about yourself"
by: Michael R. Neece, CEO
Interview Mastery - http://www.interviewmastery.com/
"Tell me about yourself" is the most common interview
question and the first question interviewers ask. Plan and practice
your response so you can use this question to your advantage.
Knowing how to respond will help you influence the interview's
direction in your favor.
Here is a three step response strategy;
First, provide a
brief overview of your most relevant experience. The interviewer
is not interested in a history lesson, but they are interested
in your most recent experience that is relevant. The overview
of your experience should be presented in reverse chronological
order.
Second, highlight
a few of your experience, education and personal qualities like
"results- focused", "persistence" and "detail
oriented". This is one of the only times during the interview
when you can highlight some of your personal qualities, so take
advantage of it.
Third, ask a question
to uncover this interviewer's hidden job requirements. This is
called the "Target Question" and it is described in
detail in Interview Mastery's module titled "Opening."
Keep your response brief, between 60 and 90 seconds. Speaking
longer will lose the interviewer's attention. If at any point,
you feel you have been speaking too long, stop and ask the interviewer
a question. For example, you might ask "Am I giving you enough
or too much detail at this point?" Asking a question will
solicit a response from the interviewer, re-engage their attention,
and help promote a two way conversation.
Below is a sample fill-in-the-blank template to help you prepare
your response. Please note that this is just a guide to get you
started. Also notice that I concluded the response with a question.
"I'm a (insert a descriptive position title) with expertise
and skills in __________, __________ and, __________. My experience
includes __________ (insert knowledge or skill) and __________.
My industry experience encompasses the __________ (industry) and,
__________ industries. My background also includes roles as ___________
(position title), ___________ (position title) and, ___________
(position title). My education/certifications include __________
(degree or certification) and __________ (degree or certification).
Colleagues describe me as __________ (insert personal quality
i.e. results focused or detailed oriented), __________ and, __________.
(Interview Mastery provides a list of 20+ strengths for you to
select from). Highlights of my professional accomplishments related
to this opportunity are _________________________ (describe the
results you delivered) when I was the ___________ (position title)
at ___________ (company )
and _________________________ when I was the ___________ (position
title) at ___________ (company)".
"What parts of my background would you like to discuss first?
Or “In your opinion, what are the key skills required to
be successful in this position?”
Best of luck on your next interview. It is the most important
moment in your search for a better position.
|
