Chapter 6

Effective Strategies to Get the Job You Want: Interviewing Strategies

Copyright 2011. Raymond Gerson

Chapter Objectives

• Learn how to do well in job interviews• Improve your ability to answer questions

asked by interviewers• Develop talking points for job interviews• Communicate effectively• Learn how to negotiate salaries

Introduction• Your job application,

resume and cover letter were written to get you an interview

• You will need to prepare to do well in the interview

• It is important to make a good impression

• For professional jobs you may have multiple interviews and strong competition

General Tips for Job Interviews

• Prepare and learn as much as possible about the company and job

• Be well groomed and dressed in professional manner• Arrive a few minutes early• Be positive and enthusiastic • Emphasize your qualifications and how you will

contribute• Send the interviewer a thank you note• Activities 6.1 and 6.2 address past interview mistakes

and solutions

Common Interview Questions

• Think about and discuss how you would answer the following questions and later look at suggested answers in Chapter 6

• Can you tell me something about yourself?

• What do you know about this company?

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Common Interview Questions (Cont’d)

• What qualifications do you have for the job?• Where do you want to be in your career in a

few years?• How well do you work under pressure?• What are your salary expectations?• How well do you work with others?

Common Interview Questions

• What were your biggest accomplishments in your last job?

• What subjects did you like best in school?• How much work did you miss in past jobs?• What is a tough problem you solved on the

job and how did you do it?• Please do Activities 6.3 and 6.4

Talking Points

• Prepare for an interview by developing a few talking points

• Talking points are like sound bites of information you want the interviewer to know

• In an ideal interview each person will speak about 50% of the time and listen for the other half

Talking Points (Cont’d)

• It is best not to speak in any one period for over two minutes

• Memorize your talking points and bring them into the conversation when appropriate

• Some talking points can be used when responding to questions and others can be expressed at the end of the interview

• Please do Activity 6.5

Asking Your Questions• It is best to ask a few

intelligent questions of your own

• Your questions show interest and also help you to find out if you want the job

• Some questions you will naturally ask during the interview. Other questions can be asked at the end of the interview

Questions You Can Ask

• The questions that follow will give you ideas, but your own questions are best. More examples are in Chapter 6.

• Based on my research, I understand the role of this job to be -------------. Is this correct?

• What are the skills and qualities of your most successful employees?

• Would you please describe your training opportunities?

Questions You Can Ask (Cont’d)

• How will I receive feedback on my performance and how often?

• Which of your companies' goals are most important?

• What do you like most about working for this company?

• What is your management style?

Appropriate Questions for Follow-up Interviews

• What is the pay range for this position?• Based on my qualifications, don’t you think

that $ ---------- a year would be appropriate?• Is there anything else you need to know to

make a decision?• Can you explain your companies' benefit

package?• Please do Activity 6.6

Salary Negotiation

• Research salary ranges for the job you want

• Research salaries of the company of interest

• Know the least you will accept

• Do not discuss salary until you know they want to hire you

Salary Negotiation (Cont’d)

• Try to get the employer to mention salary first• If you are asked what you want ask, “What salary did

you have in mind?”• Suggest a range where your minimum and maximum

are a little higher than their minimum and maximum• Ask about benefits, raises and promotions• Wait 24 hours to think an offer over before accepting• When you accept an offer also ask for it in writing

Summary of Main Points• The purpose of a job interview is to get the job if

you determine that you want it• Research, preparation and practicing mock

interviews can help you to do well during the job interview

• Asking some good questions of your own during a job interview is important to determine if you want the job

• Before negotiating salary do your research and only discuss salary when you know the employer wants to make you an offer