successful interview and salary negotiation

by CareerLadder

Successful Interview

and Salary

Negotiation

Interview PrepWorst Body Language Mistakes To Make In

An Interview

Bad Posture

Leaning back is lazy or arrogant, leaning forward is aggressive and slouching is just lazy. Instead, experts say to aim for a neutral position, sitting tall as if a string were connecting your head to the ceiling.

Breaking Eye Contact

We tend to feel uncomfortable holding eye contact once a personal connection has been created.

Don't stare, but try to hold your interviewers gaze for one extra second before breaking away.

Do this especially when shaking hands

Crossed Arms

Arms crossed over your chest signal defensiveness and resistance

When they're open at your sides you appear more approachable.

Excessive Nodding

We undermine how powerful or in focus we are by nodding like a bobble-head doll

Nod once or twice with a smile of agreement. But find your still centre and stay there.

Fidgeting

Stop fidgeting!

The nervous energy will distract the interviewer.

You want [him or her] focused on what you have to say, not the coins jingling in your pocket or the hangnail on your finger.

Mismatched Expressions

If someone asks what you're most passionate about and your face is in deadpan while you answer, it's not going to translate well.

Shifty Eyes

Distracted or upward eye movements can suggest someone is lying or not sure of themselves.

It's important to look someone directly in the eye to convey confidence and certainty.

Staring

It's important to be confident and look the interviewer in the eye

But then break away. Locking eyes with someone for an extended period of time can be interpreted as aggressive, not to mention creepy.

Interview PrepDo Your Research

Find out what OTHERS have to say about the

company/job

Research

Interview PrepCommon Interview Questions

and model answers ?

What is your greatest

strength?

What is your greatest

weakness?

How do you handle stress and pressure?

Describe a difficult work situation / project and how

you overcame it.

How do you evaluate success?

Why are you leaving or have left your job?

Why do you want this

job?

Why should we hire you?

What are your goals for the

future?

10 MOST COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

What is Your Greatest Strength/Weakness?

Good Answer

When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.

I have exceeded my sales goals every quarter and I've earned a bonus each year since I started with my current employer.

Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.

What is Your Greatest Strength/Weakness?

Good Answer

When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.

I have exceeded my sales goals every quarter and I've earned a bonus each year since I started with my current employer.

Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.

Best AnswerComplete and bring along a personality test

report and provide factual evidence.

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Do it on the go - GoodCo

Use GOODCO app to test your personality on the go

How Do You Handle Stress / Pressure?

Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive.

What are the Most Difficult Decisions to Make?

Even though it was difficult when Peter quit without notice, we were able to rearrange the department workload to cover the position until a replacement was hired.

Why Are You Leaving Your Job?

Good Answer

I found myself bored with the work and looking for more challenges. I am an excellent employee and I didn't want my unhappiness to have any impact on the job I was doing for my employer.

There isn't room for growth with my current employer and I'm ready to move on to a new challenge.

Why Are You Leaving Your Job?

Good Answer

I found myself bored with the work and looking for more challenges. I am an excellent employee and I didn't want my unhappiness to have any impact on the job I was doing for my employer.

There isn't room for growth with my current employer and I'm ready to move on to a new challenge.

Best Answer

To be honest, I wasn't considering a move, but, I saw this job posting and was intrigued by the

position and the company. It sounds like an exciting opportunity and an ideal match with

my qualifications.

Interview PrepIntelligent questions to ask your interviewer

What do you like most about working for this company?

This is a great question to start with as it is a fairly easy question for the interviewer to answer. It will give you an insight into whether you would be happy to work for the company.

How would you describe the company culture? Can you give me some examples?

It is very unlikely that an interviewer will tell you that their company culture is anything other than fabulous.

Asking for examples of the culture allows you to assess the company with something more quantifiable than the interviewer’s opinion.

At the same time, it tells the interviewer that you are already thinking about how you will fit in with the company.

How have you recognised/rewarded your employees in the past?

Is this the type of company that praises and rewards staff for a job well done? If so, how does this look? Is it a pat on the back, a promotion, a pay rise? This question should help you find out.

Can you give me examples of teamwork within the company

This is a great question to ask to find out more about the company culture and also see how people work together.

What are the most important things you would like to be accomplished in the first 30, 60 and 90 days of employment?

Want to show a Hiring Manager that you are interested in what you can bring to a company?

Asking questions about what it would be like working in the role is a great way to do this. It can also open up more detailed conversations about the job and what the company is looking to achieve.

You should also get a greater insight into what would be expected of you should you secure the role.

Questions to Never Ask at a Job Interview"How much does the job

pay?" 

"What kind of benefits

package do you offer?"

"What are the hours?"

"How many annual leave will I get?"

"Can I telecommut

e?"

"What kind of company

is this?"

"What do you like least about

your employer?"

"How much help will I

get?"

"Can I work at another job part time?"

"Do you do background

checks?"

“So when is the baby

due?"

"How did I do?"

Not asking questions at

all.

Post-InterviewHow to follow up

Phone InterviewFor a phone screen, send a quick email message like this one:

Dear PamThanks for chatting with me on Monday about the Sales Manager position at Angry Chocolates. It was terrific to meet you, and the position sounds very close to my background and interests. I’m looking forward to the next conversation. If you need any more information, please let me know. Have a terrific rest of the week.

Best,Adrian Tan

Face-to-Face Interview

The minute you get home, write down your notes and questions about the interview before you have a chance to forget them. Who were the interviewers?

Write down the specific questions and concerns each interviewer had.

Write down your own observations and questions, too.

Thank You Note

Dear Pam

Thanks for a lively conversation about Supply Chain mechanics and international trade laws last Thursday. I was happy to meet you, Steve and Vince. Looking forward to continuing the discussion and learning more about what’s in the works at Angry Chocolates.

Enjoy your week,

Adrian Tan

How long should you wait?

Salary Negotiation

Some fun facts

Standing tall - each inch above average may be worth $789 more per year.

$75,000 p.a. is the most you need to be happy, nothing more

Most raises are given out in Jan, Jun & Dec

Do your researchGet your salary info from these websites

Understand your value

If you're in high demand elsewhere, you have leverage.

Draw attention to it, but be careful not to emphasize it too much.

Avoid acting overly confident or cocky.

It's OK to mention that you have interviews at other companies, but don't try to force a favourable decision.

Be reasonable

Before you ask for a raise, assess the company’s financial status to see whether the timing is right. The fluctuating economy has taken a toll on many businesses, and you should consider the landscape before you negotiate a higher salary.

If the company has recently downsized or laid off employees and you were lucky enough to make the cut, it’s probably not a great time to ask for extra compensation.

Let the company bring up the salary negotiation issue

Avoid being the first to propose a salary figure.

Tell them you're interested in a mutually rewarding career with the company and you're sure you can agree on an acceptable compensation package.

If you're backed into a corner, introduce your salary range, but make it clear that it is "up for discussion." Don't ramble on. Say what you have to and then be quiet and listen.

Emphasize the benefits of your skills

Quantify your successes in terms of cost savings, increased productivity and overall contribution to the company.

This will help the interviewers recognize the benefits of having you join their team, and will help boost the salary offer.

If you earned performance bonuses or incentive awards, mention those so that you'll be viewed as an achiever, well worth top dollar.

Be flexible

If you want this job, consider agreeing to start at the salary level they're offering, so long as they offer additional bonuses for specific accomplishments.

Money is important, but consider the complete compensation package. Negotiate other perks and benefits and get them in writing.

Ask about the frequency of potential salary increases.

Common Salary Negotiation MistakesRevealing How

Much You Would Accept. 

Focusing on Need/Greed

Rather Than Value.

Weak Research or Negotiation Preparation.

Making a Salary Pitch Too Early.

Accepting Job Offer Too Quickly.

Declining Job Offer Too Quickly.

Asking For Too Many Changes

in Counteroffer.

Taking Salary Negotiations Personally.

Not Asking for Final Offer in

Writing.

Need More Tips?

FOLLOW recruitplus.com

AND MY PERSONAL BLOG adriantan.com.sg

MORE STUFF TO READHeadhunted is a must-read for people planning for their careers. I am impressed by the information presented, especially from the headhunter’s perspective. In this book, experts in the industry provide practical insights into career planning.– Francis Koh | Managing Director, CAPITA

Some great tips and insights from two industry experts. A mustread for anyone considering their career options.– Ben Batten | Country General Manager, VOLT

Adrian and Steven have put together a useful career resource for jobseekers, based on their headhunting experiences, and angled to fit Singapore’s context. It is easy to read and reflecting questions and issues faced by job seekers, and highlighting the importance of building skills and a positive mindset. I’m glad that the authors have produced a handy kit to guide PMEs towards better jobs.– Gilbert Tan | CEO, Employment and Employability Institute

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by CareerLadder

Successful Interview

and Salary

Negotiation