A discussion about salary is no minor detail! It not only has a direct effect on the level of offer made, it can literally make or break a person's candidacy with a company. There are some definite rules to salary negotiation that every candidate should know. So keep the following ten commandments in mind during the interview process and also follow my detailed advice in a prior post on what to say when posed with a salary question during the interview.
Candidates make mistakes during the interview all the time. And the worst thing you can do is to ignore them and try to forget that this has happened. Trust me, the manager won't! So just like in the movies, remember that you can always "cut and do a retake" to make things better when necessary.
These small errors can be turned into a positive very easily with a sense of humor, a little bit of humility and a desire to make a great impression.
I've gotten a lot of response about the post on admitting to weaknesses during the interview process. There was one question in particular that I'd like to share from a high-level Finance Professional who felt he asserted himself too much/ the wrong way with upper level management and is looking for a way to "admit to this weakness" without jeopardizing his candidacy.
He writes... "I recently read an article you wrote regarding
"Admitting your weaknesses" and I hoped to solicit some advice. I am an internal audit professional with a big four
audit and consulting background. I've worked my way through the ranks of
both corporate internal audit functions and similar consulting firms.
However, I now find myself unemployed, slightly frustrated, and really
wanting to get back on my feet...."
*Props to my colleague Christina Woodward for suggesting this topic. She left a big company (Pepsi) a year ago to join our little start up Seven Step Recruiting and had thoughts to share about how this type of move affected her job search with us and other smaller companies she interviewed with.
Since it is much more common for candidates to go from a big company to a small company when changing jobs than the other way around, it's important that people understand how to navigate through the associated interview obstacles with making this kind of move.
Continue reading "Downsizing: Going from a big company to small one" »
How do you answer the toughest interview question in the world - "What is your biggest weakness?" Whatever you do, don't try and avoid the real answer. What the manager wants to know more than anything else is NOT what your actual weaknesses are, but if you are honest enough to admit you have one.
Every company performs some level of due diligence on the people they hire. Whether
the HR person does this themselves or hires a 3rd party
to conduct a formal background check, count on everything you say to be
double checked.
Know that any informational discrepancy could cost you the job, even if it involves something very minor or ends up being a completely innocent misunderstanding. So always apply the "background check" factor to every aspect of your job search (writing your resume, answering questions during the interview, filling out a job application, etc..) to avoid this problem.
What a kick in the pants it is to learn that you weren't hired because they think you have too much experience. This happens more often than you think since titles and job duties can vary drastically. What one company calls a "Manager of Software Development" could be synonymous with "Lead Developer" in another or even a "Director of Software" someplace else. This creates the illusion of being overqualified.
Learn how to avoid being turned down for the wrong reasons.
At the end of EVERY interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. It is unbelievably common for candidates to say "no". Understand that not asking questions is tantamount to telling them you are not interested. If you are interested, don't blow it by being misread...be inquisitive!
The point of the interview is to position yourself as a match for the job, right? Then start with something as easy as how you dress. Smart interview attire will help you to fit in (and avoid sticking out!).
It's amazing to me what some candidates will chose to wear to an interview. While they are more than happy to take advice on how to alter and change their comments during the interview, many are still reluctant to change their wardrobe.
When you wear the wrong thing to an interview, consider what goes through a Hiring Manager's mind...
Be mindful of "pecking order"
during the interview process. Unknowingly putting yourself above or below the wrong person can hurt your chances of getting the job.
Picture this...you're the perfect candidate for the job and have been invited back for a third and final round. Someone asks you to meet with "Tom" at the last meeting. You assume he is a subordinate member of the team and are dismissive by not asking him any questions. You come to find out after the fact that this was the VP of the department and you didn't get the job because "Tom" didn't like you.
You want every hiring manager to remember and enjoy their interview with you. So figure out what you can bring to the table to stand out from the competition. By engaging the hiring manager, you will make a connection that will add serious "bonus points" to your interview.
When interviewing for a position, you will always be up against other candidates. Some of these people may be just as qualified as you are (if not more qualified!). So what makes the manager move towards one candidate and not the other?... Answer: chemistry.
If it worked for Goldilocks, it will work for you. By interviewing for jobs that are a little to the left or to the right of what you want, you'll eventually find the one that's ..."juusssst right"!
There is just an overwhelming sea of jobs to swim through no matter where you look online. While you're making sure that you don’t drown in all of this by screening out opportunities, be careful not to fine tune your search too much or you'll miss out. Here's some advice on the more common filters applied ...
Confidential searches are a necessity for those who can't risk having their current employers find out they are looking to leave. Understand how to conceal your identity without handicapping your job search.
First of all, ask yourself this question....Do I mind if my current employer finds out I am looking? If not, you don't have to hold back on anything. However, if this is a problem for you then there are some things you will want to do to avoid being caught by your current company.
Being prepared for an interview is not optional if you want to make a good impression. Not knowing certain information ahead of time will only portray presumption, apathy or disinterest.
Whether you're working with a recruiter or not, it is your responsibility to be prepared for an interview. Always have everything you need before going in: Job Title, required skills, preferred skills, level, responsibilities, company info, manager info.
Gaps that don't get addressed on the resume will turn into "black holes" if you are not careful. If you have any extended periods of time when you were unemployed, control the interpretation of this with honest explanations.
Understand that large gaps on your resume are going to raise concerns if you have been out of work for any more than 3 months or even longer up to a year. You never want to put these reasons on the resume itself. But you do want to have an explanation ready if you are called in for an interview. Most importantly, you'll want to bring this explanation up whether you are asked about it or not during the interview. If you don't, employers will assume you were having a hard time finding a job...not the impression you want to make.
Don't be too specific about your career objectives or you may shoot yourself in the foot. Most managers want to hire people that are somewhat open minded to
their future and will be slightly weary of those who have a dead set, concrete
picture of what their career path should be.
So always go with a "less is more" approach to how you communicate your professional goals since you don't know what type of answer the manager will want to hear. Your basic rule of thumb should be this..."If you don't know if your stated objective will help your candidacy for the job, don't say it!"
Continue reading "Pigeon hole-ing yourself with your ambition" »
There is a fine line between playing the field and being a "player". Learn how to make hiring managers aware that you are a hot commodity without turning them off or scaring them away.
Covering competing offers is a very touchy subject. Do this poorly and the hiring manager will feel that you are holding them hostage by this fact and using it solely as a point of leverage. Don't do this at all and you are missing out on an opportunity to attract them to you and create momentum during this final stage. Here are some tips...
Many things can cause even the best of us to "wax on". While this might be tolerated at the bar on a Saturday night with your buddies, this is absolutely fatal during an interview. Learn how to catch yourself from babbling or you will risk coming off as nervous, boring or self-important.
A strong job market combined with a talent shortage provides candidates with serious leverage. However, no one (and I mean NO ONE) likes a cocky candidate! Your hard-to-find skills may be in demand,
but remember that there's ALWAYS competition in play. Stay humble and sell
yourself whether you think you have to or not. Read on as to why...
Continue reading "Don't let this candidate’s market go to your head " »
There is far more information available to you about a job than just the salary, location and qualifications needed. Having additional details about the job will give you a serious upper hand to sell yourself more effectively and demonstrate how much you've prepared for the interview.
And getting the "inside scoop" isn't that hard either. You just need to know where to look and what questions to ask before going into the interview.
Afraid of a percieved "price tag" on your head? Don't like the idea of a "middleman" speaking for you? Think job boards are a "do-it-yourself" kit? Think again before deciding not to use an agency. These perceptions are about as valid as BigFoot himself.
They don't hire "resumes" or "skill sets". So, never leave an interview only portraying these things. This sterility is detrimental to both parties (not to mention boring). Learn how to use preparation and your personality to connect with the Hiring Manager.
Some of the most reasonable things to ask can kill your chances in an interview. Understand how these questions can come across and learn how to rephrase them to avoid this pitfall.
Don't ask perfectly good questions at the wrong time. You'll come off as either presumptious or someone with absolutely no common sense.
Handle this poorly and you'll not only negatively impact the offer you get, but could actually knock yourself out of the running altogether! Learn how to catch this question and quickly throw it back to the manager (before you get burned!)
A lot has changed in the last 5 years. (in other words...Monster is no longer your only option!). Take advantage of these newly emerging resources on the web.
Small things can ruin your chance to make a strong first impression. Avoid the most common blunders (..like wearing white gym socks with your suit).
...why you're looking to leave in the first place! With the market improving, career change is on peoples' minds. Just make sure to think this through heavily before deciding to quit your job.
You can research companies you're interviewing with beforehand online. But, make sure to also have questions that you can ask them in person. By interviewing THEM, you'll not only gain a deeper understanding of what they want, but you'll also be reminding them that you are just as selective as they are.
As impersonal as these can be, many companies conduct first level screening this way. Instead of getting annoyed, learn what these calls are designed to do and nail these conversations.
First, let's be clear about what things we'll help you to address: unpaid parking tickets, being let go, bad credit. But, if what pops up from your past is a felony, well then..... "Houston, we have a problem".
Managers don't just check references as a matter of protocol. They look for very specific things past the obvious positive endorsement. Just like field goals, it may not be the bulk of how you score points, but strong references may be just enough to help you win in the last few minutes of the game.
