Interview Coaching
It's the Toughest Economy in Decades
Lots of people say, “I don't need help. I'm really good at interviewing.”
I'm fine with that. My services aren't for everyone.
Some people don't need help. But many who think they don't need help are
fooling themselves.
Get personalized answers to the most common, most difficult interview
questions; the ones that throw most applicants off their game and put the
interview into a tailspin.
Eliminate nervousness and stress by practicing those difficult answers and
getting feedback. Go from jittery to cool and confident.
Be convincing by developing a personalized strategy for talking about how you can contribute.
Get candid, expect feedback on your answers and how to improve.
Rehearsing is an absolute MUST, but you can't sound scripted or you will blow your chances of getting the job!
Test Yourself: Are You Ready to Interview?
To be ready to interview, you should know how
to:
- Bond with the interviewer
- Powerfully articulate your strengths
- Stand out from the crowd
- Nail the tough questions
- Turn questions like “What are your weaknesses?” into a chance to
brag about yourself
- Keep salary questions from knocking you out
- Protect your weak spots
- Keep from unnecessarily divulging unflattering information
- Negotiate better offers
IF YOU'RE NOT PREPARED, let’s talk.
Call me at 847-673-0339
It’s Not About How Qualified You Are
Your qualifications got you the job interview, but
they WON'T win the interview. The next guy and
the next are also well qualified. Plus, we've
all
seen much less qualified candidates win jobs
because they interviewed well.
Whether you get the job-or not-depends on three
things employers and recruiters have
consistently identified as being most important:
clear communications, enthusiasm, and good
human relations. I can tell you how to
bring out
those qualities.
For over fifteen years, I've been helping people
to prepare for job interviews-and win the offer!
Tired of coming in second, third, or worse?
Let’s talk. I've helped people from all across
America to breakthrough results.
Click here to contact Steve-or call 847-673-0339
Employers Say Applicants Aren't Prepared
Employers complain that many job applicants
are dreadfully unprepared. Many
applicants just
don't know how to prepare.
Articulating Skills and Value
A lot of us have been so busy doing great work
that we haven't asked
ourselves WHAT we do
well, and HOW we produce value.
Being Humble
Many of us have been trained to be humble.
Our parents told us not to brag.
The corporate
culture has demanded that we speak about
"we," rather than
"I." Almost ALL of us have a
tough time tooting our own horn. Preparing well
for job interviews is uncomfortable territory.
Interview Questions are in Code
The problem is, many job interview questions
are not straightforward
questions. The employer doesn't really want you to answer the question
asked. Job interview questions are often spoken in code.
For example, consider this question:
“Why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?”
It sounds like the boss wants you to start talking at length about:
- The great companies you've worked for
- How you are a fabulous, results-oriented, bottom-line kind of person
- The impressive schools you attended
- The way you spend your free time with your lovely family
Wrong!
I'll tell you the right answer this shortly.
Crack the Code
To be successful, you need to crack the code and know:
- What does the boss really want?
- What is the boss really asking you?
- How can you best communicate your value?
Job interviews consist of four basic questions and one statement. Each one
of these has to be nailed. Winging it doesn't work! Here are the keys to
answering these questions:
- Tell Me About Yourself
Meaning: How can you contribute here?
Strategy: Prepare specific one-minute illustrations of your problem-solving
and moneymaking abilities with quantifiable results. Remember, people won't
be impressed just because you've had responsibility. Many idiots have loads
of responsibility You have to show results.
- Why do You Want to Work Here?
Meaning: Are you going to work out — or will I have to re-hire in a few months?
This includes all questions about your knowledge of the company and your
long-term career goals. Make sure you know enough about the company to make
a credible assertion that you'd rather work there than for a competitor. Ask
enough questions to make sure the job, management style, culture, and other
factors are a good match for you and your career goals.
- All “Sensitive” Questions
Meaning: Are you a toad? Will I regret hiring you?
This category includes the most feared questions:
- “Why were you fired”
- “Why are you job hopping?”
- “Why did you stay with the same company so long?”
Know and rehearse brief answers to any sensitive questions. Use positive
information about your past and turn previous mistakes into lessons and
defects into virtues. Key: Ask a question to artfully re-focus the
interviewer on how you can contribute.
- Salary
What was your last salary?
How much do you need to earn?
Don't get screened out over money, and STOP getting paid less than you're
worth. Usually, but not always, the best strategy is to avoid any
conversation around money until after you have an offer, and let the
employer be the first one to mention a dollar figure.
Then, you need to ask for what you want. A recent study suggests that while
it is true that women are paid less than men for doing the same work, the
problem isn't always with the employer. This study found that many times,
men and women were made similar offers, but the men asked for more. The
women didn't.
- “Don't call Us, We'll Call You.”
Rather than sitting at home waiting for the employer to call you back, take
charge. Use a structured follow-up to make sure you can be in touch with
the boss after the interview, without being a pest.
