Acing your Interview.
The following is the outline of a presentation by Andrew Davis of Synergistech Communications last given in November, 2005.
Overview
- Know thyself
- Know thy audience
- Communicate
- Assess the fit
- Negotiate
- Relax
- Related information
Know thyself
- What kind of work do you seek?
- industry, location, pace, audience, pay, colleagues, tools, size of team, and so on.
- What are your strengths?
- What do you need to earn?
Know thy Audience
- Understand the job description
- Visit the company web site. Read it.
- Read what the trade press, analysts, even employees have to say
- Anticipate your interviewers' concerns
- Show up early
- Humor HR; it's their turf
- Dress better than they do
- Don't forget your portfolio
- Customize it for their needs
- Be prepared to discuss your role, what you think is good, what you'd do better next time
Communicate
- Respond to their concerns
- Think before you answer
- Be specific
- Be brief
- Don't ever embellish the truth
- Ask whether they've heard enough
- Ask tough questions
- Demonstrate that you respect yourself; expect them to do likewise
- Let them know you’re interested
- Ask 'where from here?'
Assess the fit
- Do you like them?
- Can you succeed there?
- Will the job be good for your career?
- Will it be fun?
Negotiate
- Be frank about your priorities
regarding compensation
- Cash, stock, vacation, telecommuting, training, matching 401(k) plan, and so on
- Don't make fear-based choices
- Do your best not to settle
- If you do, be aware of it
Relax
- Show a sense of humor
- Smile and they’ll smile with you
- Enjoy yourself
- You're much more likeable that way
- Interviews are 50+ percent chemistry
Related information
