After about a year of researching and close to 100 interviews my friend KC got a job. It looks like it may just be the perfect job for this time in his life. KC has boiled down all of the interview questions into three categories (or basic questions):
1. Can you do this job?
2. Why do you want to work here?
3. Will you fit our company culture?
I think he has it nailed. If you go to an interview prepared to answer these three crucial questions, you will have it nailed too.
Thanks for the wisdom KC.
1) KNOW the purpose of the interview FROM THE EMPLOYER’S PERSPECTIVE. Are they looking to screen applicants? Are they hiring a lot of people? Or are they looking for just one person who will fit the company culture?
2) ADJUST your goals for the iinterview to MATCH the employer’s goal. If they are using the interview to screen out applicants, your goal should be to make it past the initial screening to the next interview. Too many times applicants go into the initial interview trying to get the job and screen themselves OUT by being too agressive.
3) LISTEN. (My good friend Clara used to say, “That’s why God gave us two ears and one mouth — so we could listen twice as much as we talk.” Not bad advice!)
4) ASK questions — To clarify. To learn more about the company or position. To determine the next steps, how many people are in the running, when you will meet next.
5) Be COURTEOUS. Thank the interviewer for his/her time. Send a handwritten thank you note — a lot of memorable credibility for a little amount of work!
A great resource for learning more about interviewing can be found at http://www.interviewcoach.com/. Carole Martin is The Interview Coach. Check out her free stuff!
1) KNOW the purpose of the interview FROM THE EMPLOYER’S PERSPECTIVE. Are they looking to screen applicants? Are they hiring a lot of people? Or are they looking for just one person who will fit the company culture?
2) ADJUST your goals for the iinterview to MATCH the employer’s goal. If they are using the interview to screen out applicants, your goal should be to make it past the initial screening to the next interview. Too many times applicants go into the initial interview trying to get the job and screen themselves OUT by being too agressive.
3) LISTEN. (My good friend Clara used to say, “That’s why God gave us two ears and one mouth — so we could listen twice as much as we talk.” Not bad advice!)
4) ASK questions — To clarify. To learn more about the company or position. To determine the next steps, how many people are in the running, when you will meet next.
5) Be COURTEOUS. Thank the interviewer for his/her time. Send a handwritten thank you note — a lot of memorable credibility for a little amount of work!
A great resource for learning more about interviewing can be found at http://www.interviewcoach.com/. Carole Martin is The Interview Coach. Check out her free stuff!
