Capture Consulting, Inc.

In preparing for an interviewing, whether face to face or phone, it is important you know about the company and individual you're interviewing with. Company information is easily obtainable off the company's information web site. There are also many other sources if the company is publicly held.

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Knowing yourself, your skills, accomplishments and goals can play a big part in your interviewing success. You should be prepared to give the hiring official the information they ask for at the time of the interview. Below are a few questions to help you know yourself.  There are many good interviewing books on the market to help you in the process. You can never be too prepared.
 

Can you tell me about a time when you...

• Worked effectively under pressure.

• Had to adapt to a difficult situation.

• Had to deal with an irate customer, tenant, etc.

• Made the wrong hiring decision.

• Had to fire an employee.

General questions

• What is the most significant thing you have learned from your present/last job?

• Which job in your career did you like most and why?

• Describe your personality.

• How do you handle criticism?

• What would your boss say about you?

• What is the hardest thing you've ever had to do in your job?

• If you could change anything about your present/last company, what would it be?

• What type of people do you not like to work with?

• What is your biggest accomplishment in your career?

• Do you consider yourself to be a team player? In what way?

A Seven Point Guide to Successful Interviewing

Edited from a Business Journal article by Richard Pinsker with thanks to Nyborg-Dow Associates.

It’s important for job seekers to realize that potential employers may not immediately recognize everything you have to offer. This is intended to help you succeed and may give you leverage over other candidates. Your experienced recruiter can help greatly in presenting the qualities you possess that go beyond what you’ve written in your resume and you should value their assistance highly.

    •  In order to gain the greatest benefit from past experience, carefully organize your achievements and think about the technical theories and aspects of them. Be ready to discuss how you implemented your ideas in order to accomplish your goals. During the interview speaking about your career in vague terms will only make you seem unsure. Know who you are and be able to speak confidently. Be clear about how you think you can fit into the organization and what you can "bring to the party".

    •  Most managers give minimal attention what you’ve written. Instead, they for "buzz" words that stand out as a potential solution to their immediate dilemma. Designing your resume as though it was a marketing tool will increase your success ratio greatly. The content should be no more than two pages with further enhancement discussed verbally or added as a supplement. Depend on your accomplished recruiter can give you feedback.

    •  While the HR department tries to circulate resumes to the correct department, they are often so overloaded that expedient delivery is impossible. They are generally not your best inroad to a company. If you are not working with a reliable recruiter, target people in the group you wish to penetrate.

    •  References from former employers and peers are almost always checked and often via indirect methods. Over the years, managers and senior engineers build strong, wide networks that allow them to "back door" reference most potential candidates. Be sure to contact all your references and alert them to possible calls. Having your recruiter pre-check references, especially if you are in doubt, gives the reference an opportunity to think through their response before being interrogated by your potential boss.

    •  Don't burn your bridges! Handle each interview as if this were the opportunity of a lifetime. You can always reject an offer, but there is no way to change a first impression. The folks you speak with may be the ones who interview you for a job next time around.

    •  Salary Negotiation. Don't offer information about what you expect or desire. If asked, give only the facts: Current salary, last review and if asked what you expect, "I'm sure you would make me a fair offer." It is unlikely that you would be able to "name" the correct salary and could leave yourself open to messy negotiation. A seasoned recruiter will help get you the best possible offer and keep you from seeming either naïve or over expectant.

    •  The most important thing I can add to this list is:  People hire people that they like and want to work with.  Try to see what you and the interviewer have in common personally.  Most importantly, ask for the job!  No one knows what is going on inside your head.  You must express a desire for the position (if you are truly interested) so that the interviewer knows you want to join the team. 

 

There is no set format for the perfect resume. Ideally the most concise and the easiest to read is the reverse chronological resume.

Simple guidelines to follow are:

a) tell them what you want,

b) why you're qualified,

c) where and how you've done the work and

d) your accomplishments in that job (quantified with numbers, statistics, etc.).

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• Putting an objective on your resume may give the hiring official guidance however, it may also limit you as far as options for other possible positions in a company. If you decide to put an objective on your resume, be sure it is directed and encompassing of your skills, don't be vague. Hiring officials want to know the route of your resume. You may change your objective for different markets if necessary.
   

• The information on your resume should be factual, positive, quantitative and concise. It should list education, accomplishment and work history. The accomplishments seem to be more effective when built into the body of the resume under each position. The information should also support your objective or goal. Leave out any information not pertinent to the position.
   

• Be aware of any time gaps in your employment history. This is unaccountable time and may cause the elimination of your resume.
   

• Use strong action verbs and descriptive phrases for emphasis. Accurate phrases are more effective than lengthy sentences. Also, do not use a font size that is too small or difficult to read.  It's better to have your resume expand to another page if necessary.
   

• Keep a list of pre-notified references, which would be available upon request.
   

• Always attach a cover letter specifically referencing the company. This is your introduction into a company; it can open or close the door for you. The main goal is to get the interview.
   

• Prior to submitting your correspondence to any company, proof read thoroughly for proper grammar, syntax and any typing errors.
   

• Make sure your phone numbers are clearly identifiable and dates of positions are in the proper chronological order.