Winning the interview game

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Game Plan: Interview Strategies and Tactics

want to waste time with lukewarm candidates. Express that interest with excitement and sincerity. Susan also preempted a concern of many interviewers by stating she understands the position requirements. If no questions are asked, interviewers often wonder whether job seekers know what the job entails, and the risk of a mismatch enters the interviewer’s mind. Susan succeeds in removing any doubt about this issue. Her question can possibly salvage an unsuccessful interview. The interviewer has two possible responses. The first is to say I have everything I need and we will follow-up in a week or so. This response is not at all helpful and the job seeker must hope for the best. The second option is for interviewers to be more forthcoming and provide a direct and honest answer, to a degree. For instance, the interviewer might identify a previously unmentioned position requirement with which the job seeker appears to have minimal experience. Thus, “Susan, you do not seem to have experience working with an ad agency.� In this situation, Susan has a final chance to save the day by extracting an unused vignette. Scott stands to signal the end of the interview and thanks Susan for meeting with him. She also stands, thanks Scott for taking the time to meet with her and asks when she can expect to hear from him. He tells her within two weeks. Susan extends her hand, reminiscent of the first impression moment, with full smile, firm handshake, direct eye contact, and, with a confident voice, she says that she looks forward to hearing from him. As she leaves the office, Susan makes it a point to bid farewell to the receptionist and remarks that she hopes they can meet again.

You Want to Know My Salary? The last thing parents will tell their children is the amount of money they take home each week. Divulging the amount is often compared to sharing an embarrassing health problem with a physician. Yet, executive recruiters and human resources executives do not hesitate to request your current and recent compensation, including every last perk. Be prepared for this question at the end of the interview, but


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