The Bridge Connection

The Interviewing Process:

The interviewing process consists of the following parts:

Planning/preparation

1.  Understand the product you are selling:

      YOU are the product and YOU are the sales representative.

 Any successful sale depends on knowledge of product and the ability to communicate the positives of that product and be ready to answer objections.  Do not be afraid of rejection, learn from your experience and try to turn rejection into something positive.  Most sales people like to hear "no" because that gives them a chance to explain and reinforce the benefits further.

Learn about the product (YOU) through self evaluation and from advice from others including professional guidance counselors which may be found at your local schools and colleges and private practices.

2. Know what recruiters seek:

a. Vocational Skills and knowledge:

Do you possess the positive combination of education and skills required for the position you are seeking?

b. Goal Achievement::

Do you have the ability to identify and work toward specific goals?  Do such goals challenge your abilities?

c. Direction:

Have you defined your basic personal needs?  Have you determined what type of position will satisfy your knowledge, skills, and goals?

d. Ability to Communicate:

Do you have the ability to organize your thoughts and ideas effectively? Can you express them clearly when speaking and writing?  Can you present your ideas to others in a persuasive way?

e. Self-knowledge:

Can you realistically assess you own capabilities?  See yourself as others see you? Clearly recognize your strengths and weaknesses?

f.  Self-confidence:

Do you demonstrate a sense of maturity that enables you to deal positively and effectively with situations and people?

g. Intelligence:

Do you have the ability to understand the job assignment? Learn the details of operation? Contribute original ideas to your work?

h. Willingness to accept responsibility:

Are you someone who recognized what needs to be done and is willing to do it?

 j. Initiative:

Do you have the ability to identify the purpose for work and to take action?

k. Leadership:

Can you guide and direct others to obtain the recognized objectives?

l. Energy level:

Do you demonstrate a forcefulness and capacity to make things move ahead? Can you maintain your work effort at an above-average rate?

m. Imagination:

Can you confront and deal with problems that may not have standard solutions?

n. Flexibility:

Are you capable of changing and being receptive to new situations and ideas?

o. Interpersonal skills:

Can you bring out the best efforts of individuals so they become effective, enthusiastic members of a team?

p. Ability to handle conflict:

Can you successfully contend with stressful situations and antagonism?

3. Understand and be able to handle "fear":     

Being fearful and nervous before and during the interview process is natural. You can handle fear and uncertainty better by understanding yourself, your goals, and the process:

Take time to write at least five (5) responses to each of the following:

What do employers fear most about the interviewing process?

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What do YOU fear most about the interviewing process?

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5.

What are the worst things that could happen if the employer's fears were realized?

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5.

What are the worst things that could happen if your fears were realized?

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5.

Now go back and re-evaluate your thinking about fear

Actively participate in the interview:

The interview is a confirmation process on how well you "fit" the organization's needs and culture.  If you have got to the point of an interview, a decision has been made that you have at least met the minimum qualifications for the job you are seeking in most cases.  A determination whether you actually meet these qualifications is determined by interviewing questions and your verbal and non-verbal behaviors during the interview.  You should be honest in your answers. Click this link for some sample tough interview questions that may or may not be asked:

Sample Interview Questions

Investigate:

Once the interview is complete, review the process aster you leave, what could you have done better or did you forget to include some vital information.  This can be rectified by including a brief statement in the "thank-you" note you will send after the interview.

Also, investigate the organization further.  Is the the place that you really want to spend some of your time.  Ask questions from current and former employees.  If the organization has a website, become familiar with that.  Go to the library and do some research.

Remember, you have to make a decision too as to whether you want to work for the organization.  This process is not a on-way street. 

Decide:

After the interview, your research, and receiving a firm job offer in writing, you must decide whether to accept the job offered or not.  Their are many factors which should be considered.  There is no such thing as an "ideal job" but we must prioritize.  Some parts are just not negotiable while others are less important to you (travel, relocation, salary, etc).  You must decide if this is the job for you and can you make a serious contribution to the organization. Do not accept the offer on the phone, ask to have more time to consider and try to get another face-to-face negotiating interview if possible.  Most organizations will offer a lower than expected package in anticipation that you will negotiate.  Surprisingly, a lot of people accept the initial offer and the organization is all for the better; whereas, the employee could have got more if they only negotated. After the job offer, the ball is in your park, deal with it to your advantage.

Good Luck!!!!