Let us assume your job campaign has produced one or more interviews. As you start out for these inter views, bear in mind that each person who has requested or suggested an interview is doubtless very busy. Therefore, make it a point to be on time. You'll be starting off on the wrong foot if you are late for the interview. It's a fact that many executives regard punctuality as a virtue that an employee must have.
Sometimes it is the policy of a company to have applicants fill out certain forms prior to the interview. Do this willingly and graciously. Remember that the interview starts the moment you step in from the front door-?the receptionist, the personnel assistant, even a guard, will be aware of your reactions as their first impression of you.
Some companies-and their number is increasing-insist on giving applicants psychological tests of different kinds, depending on the position under consideration. Some applicants regard these tests as a necessary evil, while others are afraid of them.
It is suggested that you take the tests in your stride-very likely you will come out quite well from them. If, however, you try to be over smart about taking them, you will not be as likely to make the grade. Some executives think the tests are a waste of time; others regard them as an excellent corollary to the overall impression and record they have of the applicant and, therefore, as very helpful.
Remember that the interviewer, whether a personnel assistant or the president of the company, is interested in matching your qualifications with the position that is open. He knows the specifications-?you do not. Do not, therefore, try to dominate the interview or show how interesting a conversationalist you can be.
Answer questions briefly but fully. Don't forget that a good salesman knows when to stop talking. In other words, take your cue from the interviewer, answer his questions, but don't expound at length, and don't argue over a difference of opinion.
Sit quietly J be relaxed and don't fidget. If you show signs of nervousness or peculiar mannerisms, the inter viewer may decide that you are a person who will cause friction or unrest among coworkers. This does not, however, mean that you should maintain a cold or distant exterior. You certainly should show some enthusiasm for and interest in the position you are applying for. Above all, don't smoke unless it is suggested. And don't chew gum. Many people object to it and regard it as impolite.
Watch your language. Profanity, off-color jokes and uncouth gestures, as attempts to show how relaxed and friendly you feel, do not appeal to any interviewer. Avoid them.
Some General Suggestions:
Try not to forget that the purpose of the interview is to find out what you can do for the company. Don't, therefore, try to sell yourself on the basis of needing a job, supporting a family or wanting more money. Talk about what you can do to best serve the company by means of the job you are applying for.
Prepare yourself before the interview. Find out all you can about the company, its officers, its products, its methods of operation, its problems, etc. If you can, you might secure a Dun & Bradstreet report on the company.
In a sense, you are trying to make a sale-?to sell yourself and your abilities-at the interview. For this reason it is important to take your cue from the inter viewer and leave when the interview is obviously over. Do not stay on and keep talking, trying to emphasize what has already been said. A good salesman leaves on his own initiative and thereby leaves the customer with a desire for more information. Remember, if the inter viewer suggests another interview, you have gone a long way toward getting the job you are after.
And-very important-be sure to send a note of thanks for the interesting discussion. You might also, in your note of thanks, say something about the points that were discussed.
The more important the position, the more inter views you will probably have with different officials of the company. We have seen applicants lose out because they grew impatient and tried to press for a decision. We have seen others who grew disgusted and resisted additional interviews. Needless to say, these attitudes did not "make the sale."
Now let us assume you have "made the sale." You have reached the point where the matter of remuneration is to be discussed. Don't bring this matter up yourself. Let the employer make the overture. The chances are that you will be asked the compensation you would consider. This is the most crucial moment in the entire interview. If you price yourself too high, or too low, you are taking a chance.
Generally speaking, as regards an executive or supervisory position, other factors such as bonuses, pension, group insurance, etc., are to be considered in connection with remuneration. It is recommended that the remuneration figure you submit should be from 10 to 15 percent higher than what you expect will be offered. If the employer accepts your figure, you are that much ahead. If the employer indicates that your figure is not in line with his, you can always make it lower, considering the other factors mentioned above.
Of course, each interview is different. Each will present different problems that will require different solutions. The points we have mentioned here are basic and should serve you well if you follow them.
Typical Questions Asked at the Executive, Professional and Office-Worker Interview
Following are typical questions that you will doubt less be asked at the interview. They should be studied, and the answers practiced:
- Do I have your resume?
- Do you think you are qualified for this type of work?
- Do you know that the position you are applying for has the following duties?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- Did you bring your references with you?
- Are we free to call these references for a personal, direct answer?
- Why did you leave your last position?
- Can you tell me some more about your experience?
- The salary for your type of position is 15 percent less than that specified in your resume. Why?
- Is your present employer aware of the feet that you wish to leave?
- Have you ever been fired from a job?
- Do you enjoy the work you are now doing?
- Have you had education beyond college?
- What were your average grades in college?
- Why do you feel that you have the qualifications for this position?
- What duties did you like the most in your past jobs?
- What kind of people do you like most as coworkers?
- What made you leave your last position?
- What do you consider the greatest accomplishment in the business world?
- Can I see the portfolio of your references?
- Can I see the history of your salaries?
- What is the lowest salary you will accept?
- What other organizations, besides the ones you described in the resume, do you belong to?
- Are you willing to relocate?
- How much of your time can you devote to travel, in case of need?
- What type of reading, besides newspapers, do you do?
- How often do you watch television?
- What kind of programs do you enjoy most on television?
- Are you undertaking any additional adult education? What field? Why?
- How much do you enjoy sports?
- Have you collected unemployment insurance at any time?
- How long, within the last three years, have you been sick?
- How often do you take a physical examination?
- Do you have any objection to some overtime, occasionally?
- What kind of security clearance do you have?
In this type of interview, the worker is asked the kind of work he is looking for and how he can match his experience to the job for which he is applying.
In other jobs, the worker is required to undertake a whole range of tasks. Of course, job duties keep changing as technology advances and new industrial processes are developed, and as new products or services are offered.
The matter of salary will doubtless come up for discussion during the interview. This is something that the worker himself must decide, after considering such matters as the kind of business, whether some of the so-called fringe benefits are sufficient to compensate for some sacrifice in salary, the union scale (if there is a union), the physical conditions where the work is to be performed, whether the job is indoors or outdoors, its possible hazards, and whether it requires standing, stooping or heavy lifting. Full consideration of these and other job-related factors should bring about a satisfactory evaluation of the salary. In some instances the company pays standard hourly rates.
Typical Questions Asked at the Skilled-and Semiskilled-Worker Interview
- What can I do for you?
- Why are you interested in working for us?
- What are your personal qualifications?
- What is your experience?
- Do you want to be paid by the hour or by the week?
- What experience do you have in this field?
- Is this job in line with your experience?
- What makes you think you can fill the requirements of this job?
- Have you served in the armed forces?
- What kind of work did you do in the Army?
- Are you wondering if this job is worked in shifts?
- Do you know that the opening we have is in the 4:00 to 12:00 P.M. shift?
- Are you a union man?
- Why did you leave your previous job?
- Have you ever been fired from a job? Why?
- Can I see your references?
- How long have you known Mr. . , ,?
- Are you familiar with our method of payment?
- Are you willing to join the union with which we have a contract?
- Who recommended you to us?
- Are you a Communist?
- Do you have any prejudices about working with members of minorities?
- Are you able to work overtime in case it is necessary?
- Are you a religious person?
- Is it all right to check your references?
