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The Interview ProcessInterviewing Tips for the Professional CandidateHughes & AssociatesHughes &

Associates,

The phone interview is the first verbal contact with a company. This is a timefor information exchange as well as both parties feeling each other out. Propermatches not only include the match of your background to the position's needsbut also a match (gel) of your personality to that of the hiring manager as wellas the company as a whole. The company already has a predetermined idea ofthe personality for which they are looking; therefore, there is no way toprepare in this area.

Phone interviews should not be taken lightly. Be sure to project a verypositive attitude toward your personal and career portions of your life as wellas towards your job search. During your period of search, make sure you havean answering machine and a very professional and articulate message on theanswering machine. If the company has not spoken to you as of yet, a poorlyand amateurish answering machine message, may turn a company completelyoff before the process begins. When the interview call does happen, beprepared. Make sure you have pen and paper ready and take notes. Be sureand write down who calls, his/her title, what you discussed- basically writedown all pertinent information. If a personal interview is offered, thisinformation you write down will become invaluable and give you clues towhat to expect during the face to face interview. When you first know whichcompany or companies are interested in you, do your homework. Find out asmuch information as you can about the company and its office or itsoperations' location. Some good reference publications include but are notlimited to: Thomas' Register of American Mfgrs.; Standard & Poor'sCorporation Records; Dun and Bradstreet's Fitch Corporate Manuals; TheCompany's Annual Report; etc. Make a written list of questions that youwould like answered and commit them to memory so that you can easilyremember them during any of the interviews, Sometimes many of thequestions will be answered through written material given to you by acompany representative prior to your actual interview with the hiringmanager. It is, however, a very good idea to ask the questions again of thehiring manager for a couple of reasons: It shows interest by you in his/her

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company; you get an answer from a different perspective which is from theperson who could end up being your boss; it is important to get all theinformation you can from all sources available no matter how redundant itmight seem at the time. This information is necessary for you to determine ifthe opportunity allows you the growth and progression you desire.

Questions To Consider

GOOD QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER ASKING:

1. Ask for a detailed synopsis of position.

2. Why it is vacant? How Long has it been vacant?

3. What is the growth potential of the position - both short term and long term- for you.

4. Ask for the company's future projections - for this location - for thecompany overall.

5. What training programs does the company have available to new hires aswell as the other employees?

6. Ask questions about company's management philosophies.

7. Performance evaluations - ask how are they conducted and how often.

8. Ask about organizational structure above and below the position.

9. What is the first responsibility that would be assigned to you in theposition?

10. Ask why one should consider working for this company? What does itoffer someone at your level, now and in the future!

QUESTIONS THAT THE COMPANY MAY ASK YOU

1. What do you know about our company?

2. Why are you interested in us and what do you have to offer us?

3. What can you do for us that someone else of your expertise and background

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may not be able to do and how long would it take you to be able to make avalid contribution?

4. What types of positions interest you?

5. What are your salary expectations? Immediate and projected for the future?

6. What previous contributions have you made that stand out?

7. What are your goals both professionally and personally?

8. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?

9. Can you take orders? Can you give orders?

10. What are your hobbies?

11. How is your health?

12. How would you describe yourself?

13. Can you work on your own with little or no direct supervision?

14. What other "types" of positions are you considering?

15. Why are you considering a career change?

16. Why should we hire you?

17. Can you work under pressure or with deadlines?

18. Why do you want ? (type of job for which you are interested)

19. Why did you choose your present career?

20. Why haven't you secured another position before now?

21 What interests you most and least about the position we have?

22 Are you or could you be a good manager?

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23 Are you a good leader? Why?

24 Describe your personality?

25 What other "specific" positions are you currently considering?

26 What is your biggest goal in life?

27 What is the worst thing that we can find out about you?

28 How do you handle and perform routine work?

29 If you come to work for us, would you be willing to transfer if theCompany needed you to do this?

30. Give examples of your own initiative and imagination.

31. Name your outstanding qualities.

32. Do you have any questions?

33. If we offered the position to you right now, what would you say?

The Personal Interview

Arrive on time. This is a must. If you are running late for any reason, makesure you phone the company of this as soon as possible. Bring a list ofreferences that you personally have recently contacted to make them aware ofthe possibility of someone contacting them. It is also a good idea to bring acopy of any transcripts and diplomas to the interview (they will be needed byany company that does hire you anyway ). Your appearance should be yourbest, that's what the company is looking for. You don't want them to think, "ifhe looks like this for an interview, how will he look for normal day to dayactivities?" They assume they are seeing the best "you" during the interview.Do not wear perfume/cologne or use it sparingly. It is always good to brushyour teeth prior to an interview. Your hair should be clean and well groomed.If you are a smoker, make sure you have clothes on that are free of smokesmell. Be prepared to fill out some paperwork. It may be an application,personality or technical tests, or most anything the company feels is necessary.

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Be sure and shake hands "Firmly" with everyone you meet and greet them. A"wimpy" hand shake is a bad first impression. During an interview, sit uprightin the chair. Do not ever smoke during an interview even if the interviewerasks if you would like to. Also look the interviewer in the eye - this is a keythat even the most inept interviewer looks for. Never answer questions with asimple "yes" or "no" answer. The only way the interviewer can get to knowyou is if you talk with him/her. Always give specifics

without rambling on for too long and never lie. Do not ever make bad remarksabout your former or present company or boss. This will get you exited fromany interview very quickly. Use the phrase "difference in philosophies" orsomething similar.

Remember, the manager is not likely to be a "professional" interviewer. Whenthe interview lags or is straying from discussing necessary topics, it is you thatmust re-direct the conversation. This can help make or break whether you endup getting an offer or not. Go into the interview determined to come out of itwith an offer whether you plan to accept or not. If you receive an offer, youcan say yes or no to it. If you don't receive an offer, the company has said noand you had no choice in saying anything. Before leaving an interview, besure and tell the interviewer that you would like an offer. Remember, this inno way commits you to taking it. Thank the interviewer for his/her time andthe opportunity to talk with him/her. Make sure you know the interviewer'sfull name and how to spell it (as well as title). It would be best to get abusiness card if possible. If you go through the Personnel Dept. first, you canget this information ahead of time and write it down. Always carry a currentcopy of your resume with you. Have pen and paper with you (out of sight) incase it is needed. Never write notes during an interview. If you go to lunch,never have an alcoholic beverage even if it is offered. Make sure that eachinterviewer realizes all your good points but do not over sell yourself. Beproud of your accomplishments but do not act conceited. Show eagerness andinterest in the position, nobody wants to hire a dull, uninterested person. Ifsalary is discussed, you can and should inform the company of your currentsalary. Tell them that your desired salary level is something commensuratewith your level of experience within their company. Inform them that you areconfident that you know your performance will allow you to be at or abovecompetitive salaries after being employed by any new employer after a certainlength of time.

At the end of the interview, make sure you reiterate why you qualify for the

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job, how you can fill the needs of the job, and make sure you ask for the job.Be courteous and tactful to everyone-you never know who will be asked toevaluate you, sometimes even secretaries. Offers usually come out within 2-3weeks unless there are unusual circumstances. All evaluations must bereviewed, references checked, and salary packages have to be determined.Normally a verbal offer is extended by phone with the written offer toimmediately follow. Also, never say "No" without taking some time to thinkand review, even if you feel sure that the answer is No. After you haveevaluated the offer and its ramifications from all angles, then you can makeyour yes or no decision. After the interview, make sure to write down alldetails concerning the interview: the job, its description, its responsibilities,growth potential, the names of all the persons you met, etc. As soon aspossible, send a short letter to each interviewer thanking them for their timeand the opportunity to visit with them concerning the available opening. Makesure you reiterate your interest in them and the position and again ask for anoffer. Make sure your letter, although brief, should be perfect in every respect;grammatically, spelling, form, punctuation, etc.

We realize that everything we have mentioned seems simple and we havespent many hours trying to make the information as simple as possible.However, no matter how simple it sounds, all of the steps and information isvery important. We can not stress that too much. We could have provided a lotmore information and advice, however, we felt that we had already included atleast 90% of the essentials and an individual can only remember so muchduring the interview process. You are not a Professional interviewee,however, with the enclosed information and with practice, you should be ableto get enough offers to secure a new satisfactory career opportunity.

Hughes And Associates, Inc.3737 Government Boulevard, Suite #306

Mobile AL 36693251-661-8888

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