Interviewing to Succeed

Interviewing to Succeed A key point to remember is that a Job Search is a Sales Process with you as the Product. Know what you have to offer that is of value to the employer and demonstrate that. Balance your desire to sell yourself

with Your need to learn enough to decide if the job is the right match for you.

Remember, each interview is a two-way street! Both the employer and you have something to sell and something to buy. The employer has need for certain work to be done to achieve its goals and offers compensation and development opportunities in return. You need income and career-enhancing opportunities and offer the value to the employer to meet its business goals.

Interview Preparation

Review all the materials you have already submitted. Check and update your research. Search for new information to tailor your approach to the organization. Check your network for further details. Evaluate which of your success stories are most useful for this opportunity.

In Depth Interview Preparation

Potential Research examples: What is the strategy, vision, mission of the company? What are their organization goals and values? Who are the executives? What are the current trends in revenues, market share, competitors? What are the critical issues facing the organization? What is the culture? What is the role of the job function in relation to the organization? Are there new plans or changed circumstances related to the job? What can you learn about the interviewers?

The Phone Screening Interview

The interviewer is trying to find out: •do you meet the minimum requirements. • how you present yourself. •whether it is worth their time to bring you in. •in the government contracting community - whether you are in the pay range set for the position in the contract.

Phone Screening Interviews

Your role is: • to present your best self for the specific job.

• to ask questions that are critical to your decision to proceed. If called without warning, do not hesitate to reschedule if needed. Get the full name of the employer and the position so you can pull your file before answering questions. Get the phone screener’s contact information and send a short thank you note afterwards.

Types of In-Person Interviews

Most interviews are still in-person. Some done virtually. Common styles of interviews are: chronological history, behavior-based or include testing. Types of interviews: Supervisor only, multiple interviewers in sequence, or a panel. Other potential aspects of interviews include: tests, demonstrations, presentations, written materials or portfolio.

Setting up the In Person Interviews

Interviews are the time to both learn about the job and to demonstrate the value you will add to the employer. Schedule at times that work for you and the employer. Ask about who you will be interviewing with and the time frame when you schedule. Bring copies of your resume. Take notes as needed.

In-Person Interviews The interviewers are trying to

find out: • Can you do the job? Do you have the knowledge, skills, attributes relevant to the position. •Will you do the job? Do you have the interest, motivation, enthusiasm, dependability needed for the position? Will you interact with the customers well? •Do you fit with the organization? Will your attributes, and personal style to succeed in that company?

Conducting the In-Person Interviews

Ask every interviewer, what their time allows. Work with that. Make sure that you offer some specific information about your value that is directly related to their needs. Ask questions to learn more about the position and the hiring manager. Sadly, many interviewers are not well-trained in interviewing. If so, be pro-active in selling yourself but do not control the interview.

Your Questions Ask questions to assess the opportunity in relation to your goals Potential ‘good’ questions include:

•goals and future plans of the organization/function •short-term and 12 month goals of the hiring manager •issues tied to your own specific goals and needs •management style of your supervisor •what constitutes success or high performance in the position

Your questions should be an outgrowth of your research and each

shows a good interviewer what is important to you.

Remember, each interview is a two-way street!

Balance your desire to sell with the need to learn if the job is the right match. Be prepared, do your research. Demonstrate your value in terms important to the job and employer. Ask questions to assess the organization and opportunity to meet your needs.

After an Interview

Send thank you notes immediately to each interviewer. This is a good time to provide further information about yourself, if you are interested in the job. State if no longer interested but that you might be interested in other positions with the company. Follow-up if you remain interested. Keep your job search going until you have accepted and started a new job.

Good luck! And if you are a security cleared professional looking for a new opportunity check out www.ClearedJobs.Net