Acing your Interview

Andrew Davis

Synergistech Communications

Overview

• Know thyself

• Know thy audience

• Communicate

• Assess the fit

• Negotiate

• Relax

• For more info...

Know thyself

• What kind of work do you seek?– industry, location, pace, audience, pay,

colleagues, tools, etc.

• What are your strengths?

• What do you need to earn?

Know thy Audience

• Understand the job description

• Visit the company web site. Read it.

• Read what the trade press, analysts, even employees have to say– redherring.com, vault.com, Business 2.0,

FastCompany.com

• Anticipate your interviewers’ concerns

Know thy Audience (2)

• Show up early– Humor HR; it’s their turf

• Dress better than they do

• Don’t forget your portfolio– Customize it for their needs– Be prepared to discuss your role, what you

think is good, what you’d do better next time

Communicate

• Respond to their concerns– Think before you answer– Be specific– Be brief– Don’t ever embellish the truth– Ask whether they’ve heard enough

Communicate (2)

• Ask tough questions

• Demonstrate that you respect yourself; expect them to do likewise

• Let them know you’re interested

• Ask ‘where from here?’

Assess the fit

• Do you like them?

• Can you succeed there?

• Will the job be good for your career?

• Will it be fun?

Negotiate

• Be frank about your priorities– cash, stock, stress, personality fit, benefits, etc

• Don’t make fear-based choices

• Do your best not to settle– If you do, be aware of it

Relax

• Show a sense of humor– Smile and they’ll smile with you

• Enjoy yourself– You’re much more likeable that way– Interviews are 50+ percent chemistry

For more info...

See our site’s Advice section

www.synergistech.com707-554-9365

866-591-2968

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