Not only will answering your cell phone, showing up late or dressing inappropriately kill your chances, but so will what you say. Even if you think a comment is completely innocent it may be a career killer.
- So, tell me a little about yourself.
The article says that it is hard to know what the interviewer is looking for this question, which is often the first question, but it is safe to assume they want a bit of background on your professional history. If you begin with your place of birth, childhood or God forbid your bad relationship with your parents the interview will be pretty much over. The article also says that is okay to"Ask them where they'd like you to begin," says Carolyn Thompson, an executive recruiter and author of 10 Steps to Finding the Perfect Job. Are they looking for your entire professional background, or just your most recent work experience? "It gives you a point to work forward or backward from," Thompson explains.
- Wall Street Journal's Fins Finance - Why do you want to leave your current job?
The article says that if you are going on interviews you should want to leave a current employer. It continues by saying that you should never bad mouth your current employer and say that you are just looking for a change. It's okay, according to the article, to discuss a problem with the current employer, but you must show how you attempted to solve it so you don't sound like a whiner.Rita Boyle, a senior executive search consultant with New Jersey-based Cornerstone Search Group, suggests explaining how the change is the next logical step for your career path.
"Explain why you're running to their company instead of why you're running away from your current one," Boyle says.
Other no-nos? Noting that you want to leave your company (or join a new one) because of anything relating to location, pay, or benefits.
- Wall Street Journal's Fins Finance - What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
This question requires some degree of modesty. Answering it without the slightest bit of modesty will help kill the interview. The worst thing is to say you don't have any weaknesses. Just as bad is identifying a weakness but not explaining how you got through it. They want to know how you are able to work through those challenges.
When it comes to strengths don't overbuild yourself but don't give a one size fits all answer either.Mark Herschberg, a career skills professor at the Levin Institute in New York City, says almost every candidate trots out a platitude about being smart or hard-working.
"In those cases, I respond, '95% of the candidates gave me that same answer, can you tell me anything that distinguishes you from them?'" he says.
- Wall Street Journal's Fins Finance - How would your current or former colleagues describe you?
This is not the same question as above; don't give the same answer. There is a difference between how you see yourself and how those you work with see you.
Don't claim to be a great person to hang out with after work. The prospective employer wants to know about during work hours. Likewise don't claim to be the only person to do anything right. Instead think about what each level of the workforce (subordinates, bosses, equals) think about you. How would each of them define you. - What is your goal for the short term?
You need to know how they are defining short-term. They may be thinking 18 months while you are thinking six months, so make sure you get a time-frame upfront. Knowing this can change your answer to a more appropriate one. One thing you don't ever want to say you are leaving in short order to start your own business, go back to school, or that you see yourself in the interviewer's job. - Are there certain tasks or types of people you don't like?
This is a particularly loaded question, according to Steven Raz, co-founder of Cornerstone Search Group, so make sure to tread carefully. Steer clear of any answer that is abrasive to authority figures, he counsels.
At the same time, Bruce Hurwitz of Hurwitz Strategic Staffing, a New York City executive recruiting firm, advises not to feign a universally agreeable demeanor. Be honest here, and note the things you tend to avoid -- whether it's people who are overly chatty, or jobs that require endless data input -- as long as the tasks or personalities aren't going to be an inherent part of the role.
- Wall Street Journal's Fins Finance - Do you have any questions?
According to the article not having a question or "coming up blank" shows that you aren't thoughtful or interested in the job. I was surprised to read this, because I don't know how many times I have said there wasn't anything I could think of and I still landed the job. I mean if I feel the interviewer had covered everything why would I have a question? So I was particularly curious what the article had to say about this.And not just any questions in return are appropriate. No-nos include asking about compensation for the job, what the company does, if you can work from home, how much vacation time you'll get, or if the drug and background testing are really mandatory. Ask queries that will help "match up your skills, experiences and accomplishments with what they're looking for," says Raz.
Some good questions to ask might be:
Instead of fumbling in the final minutes of the interview, be prepared with a few great questions that show you're interested in both the company and the job.
- Wall Street Journal's Fins Finance - In this position, how will you measure success?
- How has your career unfolded here?
- What are your priorities for next year, in light of what's happening in the market?
- How was your firm able to close (a recent deal)?
Again this is not a place to discuss compensation or benefits. Instead focusing on your career with them and showing that you are interested in the company even knowing what is in the news regarding them, as you can see by the suggested questions above.
So that I can find the correct addresses and contacts for the publications, I want to submit work to. It is an invaluable tool to the freelancer, but isn't really in the budget of this freelancer either.