While jokes about the craziest interview questions and answers abound, the reality is this meeting between an employer and a job seeker significantly impacts life. The variables are as numerous as the list of Fortune 500 companies: structured/unstructured, phone/video, objective/subjective practices, scientific data collection.. cultural fit… timed tests… 30 minutes or 3 months… Whatever the methods, the outcome is the same: either a job offer or not. The job seeker’s hand in this outcome is infinitely higher than typically imagined and ultimately the career services provider’s connection to the interview.
~ Melanie Reinersman, M.A., insights@careerdevelopmentalliance.com
Photo by Christina@wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
FOCUS ON: Interviewing Practices
How employment interviews came to be and what methods work doesn’t matter as much as what is perceived to be good practice yet now considered to be flawed. For example, the behavioral interview questions may favor story-tellers and thus not appropriate in all cases (e.g., it may be more applicable to sales jobs than software engineering). Read more cautions about interviewing practices from Fast Company.
JOB SEARCHING: Handling an Offer During the First Interview
How can a job seeker effectively negotiate a salary when the offer comes early in the first interview? Without the advantage of having data to back up the argument for a higher salary, the job seeker can rely on (1) a plan to walk away if negotiations break down (i.e., don’t be desperate); (2) a reading of the interviewer’s styles (i.e., don’t be coy with a forceful manager); (3) the focus on what you want, not how low the offer is. Read more from Everydayinterviewtips.com.
BONUS!
JOB SEARCHING: Email Versus Snail Mail Thank You Notes
The majority of the time, the job seeker should send an email thank you, due to its timeliness and capacity to demonstrate technical savvy. More tips about sending hours, subject lines and spelling round out this helpful guide to following up the interview. Read More.
What Other Career Development Professionals Are Saying: Ask Questions to Find a Fit
“Being prepared is key.” Louise Garver, Executive Coach, explains that job interviews should be a dialogue, meaning both parties speak up. The job seeker who doesn’t ask questions indicates a lack of interest or worse (e.g., a poor attention span). Garver shares a list of appropriate questions for a job seeker to ask, such as, “How much freedom would I have in determining my objectives and deadlines?” Read more questions on Garver’s blog.
TOP TEN: Ways an Interview Coach can Help Job Seekers
If your client is seeking a new job, be sure to share the ways you help with an often stressful aspect of the search: the interview. Obviously, you can help the client brainstorm answers, but also tell your client if their arrogance or energy level may be a problem. Read all ten.
QUOTES
“If you don’t know why you’d hire you, neither will they.” - Frank Sonnenberg
“They want you to be the solution. Whoever is waiting in there for you—interviewer, examiner, casting agent—is hoping you are the answer to their search.” - Kate White