Towards the end of the interview, employers often
ask: "Is there anything you would like to
know about the company or the job!" By
answering "no" -- which is what the
majority of candidates do -- you may be sending
the wrong signals: that you didn't do any
research, are not really interested in the
company, don't know what's important to you in an
employee/employer relationship, or lack
confidence/assertiveness.
Questions about salary, vacation,benefits and
hours of work should be left until you receive a
job offer.
Some topics you may want to explore are:
- company's
goals and objectives
- major
challenges facing the company
- working
conditions
- number
of people you would be working
with or supervising
- reporting
relationship
- travel,
if any
- what
management values and looks for
in employees
- organization's
policy and commitment to
education and development
- opportunities
for advancement
- Is
the company involved in a Quality
program? If so, where are they in
terms of implementation? What's
their process?
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Your own data
collection, which began at the time you first
targeted the organization for job search,
continues throughout the interview as you
interact with the interviewers and note their
communication skills and management styles.
Observe employees in the elevator, halls and the
reception area where your interview is to take
place. What kind of people work here? Do they
look energized, motivated, cordial and
respectful?
It's Q.K. to have a pen and pad to jot down ideas
you want to explore later or to take in prepared
questions. Let your interviewers know what you
are doing and why. For example:
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"Later in the
interview, I will have some questions.
I've jotted them down and, if you don't
mind, I may make a note or two of other
things that come up in the interview to
ask about. " |
If your own
research and the interviewers have done such a
good job that you really don't have any questions
(or you just can't think of a thing to ask), you
might say, "Well I did have a few questions
before I came in, but you've covered them all
during the interview" or "No, actually
between the research I did beforehand and the
helpful information you've provided today, I
think I have a pretty good sense of the company,
the job and your expectations. And I'm even more
convinced I'm your person!"
Key Points to Remember
| 1. |
With preparation,
you'll feel more confident. |
| 2. |
Be yourself. |
| 3. |
Be honest. |
| 4. |
Use good
judgement. |
| 5. |
Let your sense of
humor show. |
| 6. |
If you don't know
something, acknowledge it. |
| 7. |
Allow yourself to
fully participate In the interview. |
| 8. |
Be flexible. |
| 9. |
Believe in
yourself. |
Myth:
Employers are skilled and competent in
employee selection.
Reality: Most
employers get little opportunity to
practise hiring skills. |
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