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Ready, Set, Interview!

Two of the questions that Seymour mentioned really hit home for me, those being: "What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?" and "How many steps are there in the interview process?"

Both of these questions are ones that at some point or another, I have asked during an interview... or wish I had asked. As for inquiring about the day-to-day tasks, that is something that any prospective employee should be aware of, to make sure that the job they are seeking is the one that they want. I applied for a position at one company that defined "sales associate" as cleaning the restroom and scraping gum off the floor... in addition to selling the product. Now, I don't mean to demean janitorial work as a whole, however I was surprised to learn that it was part of a job description at a high end retail store.

In addition, there have been times I wish I had known how many steps the company had in its interview process, because landing a second interview can be monumental or just a small piece of the puzzle, depending on the company. Many corporate offices have days of training in which they assess prospective employees in the job setting and see how many different tasks and obstacles they can handle. That retail interview I went on? I had to find six outfits for an [albeit, imaginary] affluent customer in one minute's time. And had I known what to expect, I may have been able to put together better ensembles.

Interviewing confidence comes with experience, but it's best to prepare yourself beforheand to the challenges you may face. Knowing more about the specific job you are seeking is an excellent start to gaining that confidence and truly believing that you are the best for the position.

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Posted by Amanda on 12/18/2008 02:13:00 AM
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Ask not what your employer can do for you...

Seymour told you about all of the right questions to ask during an interview, but while interviews are a two-way street, so are your questions. There are a few sensitive topics that should never be discussed during an interview, many of which automatically slip out of the inexperienced or incautious interviewee's mouth and ultimately cost them the position. "What can you do for me?" and "Why should I choose this job over (X)?" are as common as they are potentially disastrous, as are unsolicited questions regarding pay, vacation time, or bonuses. Questions like this make potential employers question your dedication. To paraphrase JFK, "Ask not what your employer can do for you -- ask what you can do for your employer." You'll seem serious about the position if you do this, even if you're just fishing around.

Remember, you're always at your interviewer's mercy, and while the answers to questions regarding how a job will benefit you sometimes beg to be asked, they're best reserved for when you've actually landed one. If you aren't satisfied with your employer, you can always turn them down - you're still young. The key is to let them know that you're dissatisfied with them as an employer after it's too late for them to be dissatisfied with you as an employee.

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Posted by Brian on 12/17/2008 02:37:00 PM
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Interviewing for a Job is a Two-Way Street

After spending days, weeks or months job searching, you just landed an interview with that company you’ve been coveting. You have picked out your best “dress for success” interview attire, practiced interview questions and researched the company website. But did you remember to prepare your own questions? Remember, interviewing for a job is two-way street!

Asking the right questions of your interviewer will help you to determine if your new boss and/or employer are the best fit for you. Not to mention, you’ll impress your interviewer. For example, inquiring about a company’s long term objectives indicates you’re committed for the long-term. Questions posed about training tell your prospective employer that you want to grow and develop with them, and whether they plan to invest in you as an employee.

A few words to the wise, some of your questions may be answered in the course of the interview or on the company website so be careful not to ask something that’s already been addressed. Also, make sure to keep your questions relevant to the job and the company you are interviewing with. You probably want to know about salary and benefits, but you should let the employer raise this subject first or wait until a second interview.

Questions you should consider asking are:

  • What is the company’s organizational structure and how does this department fit in?
  • Can you describe your corporate culture?
  • What type of training do you offer, and are there ongoing training or continuing education classes available?
  • What kind of advancement opportunities exist within the company?
  • What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?
  • What is the management style and how do you approach problem solving?
  • Can you describe your ideal employee?
  • Is there any other information I can provide you?
  • How many steps are there in the interview process?
  • When do you expect to reach a decision?

By asking the right questions, you can be sure to leave the interview with a good sense of whether you’d fit in well, with both the job and the company overall. Good luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/15/2008 09:57:00 AM
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