The Strategy and Tactics of Interviewing

Objective of the Interview

The Company

An interviewer has just one objective: to decide whether or not to make you a job offer. While the interviewer will examine your work history and educational background, your strengths and accomplishments will also be important criterion. He or she is also interested in evaluating your level of motivation, values, attitude and personality. In other words, to find out if you are the right person for the job, what your potential is for promotion and whether or not you will fit into the company environment.

• Will you fit in?
• Can you technically handle the job?
• Will you be able to be promoted in the future?
• Can you make an impact to the bottom line?
• Will you be able to grow in the company?

The Candidate

How will you get offered the job you are interviewing for? This is the most important question to consider prior to beginning the interview process. The answer is: Find out what your interviewers want, and then show them how you can help them get it.

Your mindset during the interview process should be to obtain an offer so at the end of the day you have THE OPPORTUNITY to make an informed decision about working for the company. Without the OFFER, there is NO opportunity.

There are three important things to remember about every interview:

1. The person with the best interview gets the job (the person that shows the employer that they can meet the need.)
2. Some studies indicate that for most jobs 75% of a given hire has more to do with the chemistry of the people involved than hard technical qualifications.
3. Ask good questions during each interview to help you make a decision about working for the company.

As with many situations, preparation is the key to success. The job market is very competitive and you probably will not be the only qualified candidate for a position. You should always assume that the company is interviewing others. Based on this, your primary objective should be to interview in such a way that the company makes YOU the offer, not someone else.

There are always a number of questions that will not be asked in the interview but must be answered to the satisfaction of the company:

• How long will you take to become comfortable in the work place?
• Will you be able to handle this job?
• How will you fit in, will you be easy to work with?
• How do you fit the manager's management style?
• What do you have to offer the company?
• What could be a personality conflict?
• Will I enjoy this person?
• Are you confident in yourself & your abilities?
• Will you relate well with your co-workers?
• Do you have a strong work ethic & willingness to go the extra the mile?

The deciding factors may simply be the way you present your skills and qualifications relevant to the position and/or how well you conduct yourself during the interview. If you are interviewing for a job that your Executive Recruiter has arranged, there is already an underlying assumption that you can do the work required. However, no one knows whether you work well with your peers or supervisors. Therefore, your goal in the interview should be to present yourself as able to fit into the organization as well as competent to do the job. One way to do this is to ask good questions about the company and the work. This will enable you to make an intelligent decision about the job ONCE YOU GET AN OFFER. If you do not get the offer, nothing else about the company matters.

This booklet will help you prepare for and succeed at the interview, and is provided courtesy of Management Recruiters of Coeur d'Alene. It is worth your time to understand and apply the principles in this booklet to help you get the offer for your next career step. The tips and techniques outlined here have been tested, and they work! Should you have any questions about your upcoming interview, the company, the opportunity, or the suggestions printed in this booklet, please consult your Executive Recruiter at Management Recruiters of Coeur d'Alene.

To download a copy of the complete 24-page "The Strategy and Tactics of Interviewing Preparation" from MRICDA, complete our no-obligation interest form below. You will receive immediate access to a download link that will include the Objective of the Interview section above, plus the following sections:

Preparation

• Know Thyself
• Research the Company
• Appearance
• Items to bring to the Interview
• Arrival at the Interview

The Interview

• A Typical Sequence of Events
• Interview Tips & Etiquette
  • General Interview Tips
  • Telephone Interviews
  • Interviews at a Restaurant
• Why Employers do not Make the Offer
• How to Deal with Interview Questions
• Questions You Should Ask
• Interview Conclusion
• After the Interview
• Counteroffer
• Resignation Letter
• In Conclusion

Typical Questions you will be Asked

• Background Questions
• Personality Questions
• Motive Questions
• Salary Questions

Example Questions to Ask

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