Finding the right job is not an accidental happenstance.  It can take weeks or months to ensure that there is a proper match between a candidate and an employer.  

To facilitate introductions we learn some basic information about our candidates.  For example.

 

1.) What are your geographic preferences and exclusions? 

2.) What is your expected compensation range and guidelines?

3.) Why are you seeking a career change at this time?

4.) Are you a US citizen or Green Card holder?  If not, how are you authorized to work in US?

5.) Describe your wishes for the next career step.

6.) What is your availability for interviews and starting a job?

7.) What is the best way to reach you by phone?

8.) Don't forget to attach your most recent resume!

 

We also use our industry and functional knowledge to ask candidates some technical and industry specific questions.

 

Throughout the process we try to assess the candidate's personality for that all important "cultural fit".

 

To facilitate a smooth and effective interview process we ask that candidates call us to discuss your interest and reactions to a company after interviews.

 

We also ask that candidates keep us updated on changes in their work status, as the process progresses. 

 

Technique GUARANTEES full confidentiality.  Sensitive personal or professional information, including resumes, WILL NOT be distributed to anyone without first gaining your approval to do so. 

For Candidates

To a large degree, the success of your interview will depend on your ability to discover needs and empathize with the interviewer. You can do this by asking questions that verify your understanding of what the interviewer has just told you, without editorializing, or expressing an opinion. By establishing empathy in this manner, you’ll be in a better position to freely exchange ideas, and demonstrate your suitability for the job.

 

In addition to establishing empathy, there are four intangible fundamentals to a successful interview. These intangibles will influence the way your personality is perceived, and will affect the degree of rapport, or personal chemistry you’ll share with the employer.

 

[1] Enthusiasm --- Leave no doubt as to your level of interest in the job. You may think it’s unnecessary to do this, but employers often choose the more enthusiastic candidate in the case of a two-way tie. Besides, it’s best to keep your options open -- wouldn’t you rather be in a position to turn down an offer, than have a prospective job evaporate from your grasp by giving a lethargic interview?

[2] Technical interest --- Employers look for people who love what they do; people who get excited by the prospect of tearing into the nitty-gritty of the job.

[3] Confidence --- No one likes a braggart, but the candidate who’s sure of his or her abilities will almost certainly be more favorably received.

[4] Intensity --- The last thing you want to do is come across as “flat” in your interview. There’s nothing inherently wrong with being a laid-back person; but sleepwalkers rarely get hired.

 

Since interviewing also involves the exchange of tangible information, make sure to:

• Present your background in a thorough and accurate manner;

• Gather data concerning the company, the industry, the position, and future growth opportunities;

• Link your abilities with the company needs in the mind of the employer; and

• Build a strong case for why the company should hire you, based on the discoveries you make from building rapport and asking the right questions.

Both for your sake and the employer’s, try not to leave an interview without exchanging fundamental information. The more you know about each other, the more potential you’ll have for establishing rapport, and making an informed decision.

 

The Short and Long of It

                 There are two ways to answer interview questions: the short version and the long version. When a question is open-ended, I always suggest to candidates that they say, “Let me give you the short version. If we need to explore some aspect of my answer more fully, I’d be happy to go into greater depth, and give you the long version.”

 

                 The reason you should respond this way is because it’s often difficult to know what type of answer each question will need. A question like, “What was your most difficult assignment?” might take anywhere from thirty seconds to thirty minutes to answer, depending on the detail you choose to give.

 

                 Therefore, you must always remember that the interviewer is the one who asked the question. So you should tailor your answer to what he or she needs to know, without a lot of extraneous rambling or superfluous explanation. Why waste time and create a negative impression by giving a sermon when a short prayer would do just fine?

 

                 Let’s suppose you were interviewing for a sales management position, and the interviewer asked you, “What sort of sales experience have you had in the past?”

 

                 Well, that’s exactly the sort of question that can get you into trouble if you don’t use the short version/long version method. Most people would just start rattling off everything in their memory that relates to their sales experience. Though the information might be useful to the interviewer, your answer could get pretty complicated and long-winded unless it’s neatly packaged.

 

                 One way to answer the question might be, “I’ve held sales positions with three different consumer product companies over a nine-year period. Where would you like me to start?”

                

                 Or, you might simply say, “Let me give you the short version first, and you can tell me where you want to go into more depth. I’ve had nine years experience in consumer product sales with three different companies, and held the titles of district, regional, and national sales manager. What aspect of my background would you like to concentrate on?”

 

                 By using this method, you telegraph to the interviewer that your thoughts are well organized, and that you want to understand the intent of the question before you travel too far in a direction neither of you wants to go. After you get the green light, you can spend your interviewing time discussing in detail the things that are important, not whatever happens to pop into your mind.

Interview Primer #1—Fundamentals

                 There are a number of concrete steps you can take to increase the probability that a job interview will be successful. (You will receive an offer or will be invited to return for additional interviews). Being well prepared will increase your self-confidence and peace of mind, which will in turn improve your performance in the interview.

                 First, a word about interviews in general. Remember that while interviews can occasionally be adversarial, more often an interviewer wants to find an outstanding candidate for the job as much as you want to find a fulfilling job. It helps to think of the process as one where both parties are hoping for a positive outcome.

                 Throughout your life you will be interviewed by some people who are skilled interviewers and by others who are not. There is no one "right" way to interview, and no matter what the format, it is your responsibility to do the best you can in each situation. Because interviewing is an unrehearsed conversation between two strangers, the discussion can take as many paths as there are people. For that reason, it is crucial to be comfortable with the unfolding of the process. Comfort comes in large measure from advance preparation. The only thing you can know for certain is that every interview is unique!

Seven Most Valuable Tips

Interviewing with The company recruiters is important. It could have a major impact on your future. To help make it a positive experience both for you and the company, Here are 7 valuable tips:

 

1. Ask yourself these questions.

What do you want to do?

Where do you want to work?

What do you have to offer?

What is my lifestyle, salary $, location?

 

2. Research Yourself.

Skills that you would like to develop or improve.

Talents and abilities that you have and would like to use in a job setting.

Activities and tasks that you would like to avoid in a job setting.

Kinds of people and environment that you prefer.

Current career and educational goals.

Past experiences that you would like to highlight and what you have learned from them. These could be any kind of experience including work, volunteer, academic, athletic, artistic, and travel. Think broadly.

 

3. Submit your resume beforehand.
This gives the recruiter a "snapshot" of you prior to the interview and guides the line of questioning. If possible, bring a list of your course work to the interview.

 

4. Research the company.
Read our recruitment literature, attend the company information sessions and technical presentations, and talk to our representatives. Read about us in current and past issues of newspapers, business magazines and technical journals. We also have an on-line news home page.

 

5. Demonstrate your abilities.
Be prepared to answer technical questions, especially about projects you've worked on in class or related work experience and hobbies, and to walk us through the processes involved. The company will be as interested in how you arrived at the answers you came up with as in the answers themselves. If possible, bring a concrete sample of something that demonstrates your knowledge, skills and abilities. In the case of team projects, tell us about your role in the group.

 

6. Differentiate yourself.
Let the interviewer know why you should get a job over other candidates. Show your enthusiasm. Let the interviewer know what professional areas you are excited and curious about. Remember that the interview also is an opportunity for you to check out whether the company is where you want to be. We encourage you to ask questions (but don't dominate the meeting).

 

7. Discuss your important personal strengths.
The company wants candidates with expertise in their field, but we're looking for applicants who also have the following qualities:

Interpersonal skills: ability to work well with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Flexibility: ability to handle frequent change.

Team Player: ability to both a good team member and a good team leader.

Analytical thinking skills: ability to ask pertinent questions, see the big picture as well as its parts, and evaluate how the parts fit together.

Communication: ability to communicate verbally and in writing in a clear, concise, nonjudgmental manner.

Commitment: especially to continuous improvement, both professionally/personally.

 

The age-old advice to "be yourself" is still the best general thought to keep in mind as you prepare for an interview. If you know yourself and the answers to these questions, you'll be better positioned for your interview with the company.

 

The Easy Questions

                 Tell me about yourself.

                 Why did you select your major?

                 Tell me about your job at ________?

                 What are you looking for in a job?

                 What are your strengths and weaknesses?

                 What are your long and short-term goals?

                 Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?

                 Why do you want to work for the company?

                 What do you know about the company?

 

The Hard Questions

             Describe a time you were placed in a difficult situation - how did you resolve it?

                 How do you work in tight deadline situations? - describe a time you worked under a tight deadline.

                 Describe a situation where you had a conflict with someone professionally - how did you resolve it?

                 Why should I hire you?

 

Now the Ball is in Your Court - YOU Ask Questions!

 

Don't be shy!  Interviewers love to hear you ask them questions and demonstrate interest in them and their company.  In fact, most successful interviews hinge on the candidate asking 3-5 well thought out questions.  It’s just like dating, you have to show interest to be noticed.  Playing hard to get is always a deal breaker

 

Interview Primer #2-Tips and Questions

How long do you have to prove yourself in an interview? Half an hour? Fifteen minutes? University of Toledo researchers found that job seekers have under 30 seconds to make their mark on interviewers.

Since first impressions are sometimes made before job seekers even open their mouths, nonverbal communication -- or, body language -- is an essential part of any interview.

 

Seeing Eye-to-Eye

 

Some people make too little eye contact. Others make too much. The right amount, according to experts, lies somewhere in between.

 

"Make eye contact and periodically break away," says David Givens, Director of the Center for Nonverbal Studies in Spokane, Washington.

 

"The one caution I would give," he adds, "is that when you break away, do not look down. It gives connotations of submissiveness."

 

Be Forward Thinking

 

The interviewer offers you a chair. You sit down and lean back. You've already made your first mistake.

Always lean forward during a job interview.

 

"Leaning back shows an attitude of being too relaxed," says Givens. "Leaning to the side can connote that you don't like the interviewer."

 

Givens suggests leaning about 10 degrees forward.

 

Avoid Strong Expressions

 

Interviews are not personality parades. Nonverbal communication experts warn against showing too much expression during interviews.

 

"You want to show some positive emotion, but it has to be understated and conservative," says Givens.

 

The one exception is the handshake. For that, Givens suggests a "toothy smile."

 

Negative Signs

 

The successful candidate should also know what signs to avoid. These include:

 

· Hand behind the head: This is a universal sign that people are uncertain or annoyed, according to Givens.

· Palm-down gestures: Avoid these signs as they are generally reserved for authority figures. Flashing power signs in an interview might hint at a power struggle.

· Tilting heads: While Givens acknowledges that this is a "great courtship signal," he advises against it for the job interview.

 

Laughter:  Feel free to laugh along with the interviewer, but don't erupt into laughter on your own.

Interview Primer #3—Body Language

Technique Recruiting, Inc.

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