Research: Six Important Sources of Helpful Information
Websites: Start by consulting the company’s website.
Online Searches – Most online services have business reference sections where applicants can download a wealth of information about a company’s history, product line, and earnings.
The Public Library: Don’t neglect your public library, which may have annual reports, company histories, founders’ bios, corporate rankings on sales and earnings, and other important information.
Stock brokers: If the company you are interested in is publicly traded, your stock broker will also have copies of the company’s annual report and other important documents with the government.
Networking – Network with friends and colleagues in similar positions and fields to learn about job security and salary growth prospects.
Trade Associations – Talk to professional associations, a valuable resource because they survey their members’ salaries and can tell you the high and low salaries for the job you want.
Assess Your Own Skills – Recruiters complain that many job applicants don’t take the time to think about their accomplishments and how best to communicate them in the interview.
Recruiter Questions: Make a list of questions that can be asked and practice answering them so that your thoughts are organized when you get to the interview.
Your own questions: Based on your research, develop and memorize a list of questions that you would like to ask the interviewer that demonstrates your understanding of the company.
Determine your minimum and ideal salary requirements: ask yourself what you would like to earn and what you would settle for if you were offered the job (don’t just think about salary, it is the whole package that counts).
The real interview: selling yourself
First impressions are crucial – be well groomed and look professional.
Confidence and Body Language: Appear confident and relaxed during the interview and use humor where appropriate, especially to defuse inappropriate or sensitive questions.
Pacing: Let the interviewer set the pace, don’t interrupt or ask questions (you don’t want to come off as too aggressive).
Be Enthusiastic – Enthusiasm is often the important factor in hiring; They want team players, but also someone who comes in with new ideas and enthusiasm.
Talk about money: While salary may be the most important thing on your mind, remember the cardinal rule of negotiation: never, never mention money until they do. If the interview is drawing to a close and money hasn’t been mentioned yet, it’s okay to say “Can you give me an idea of what the salary range might be?” If the employer mentions a low figure, explain that you know that people in your profession are paid from X to Y and that with your skills and experience, of course, you would want to be paid near the top of that scale.
Repeat, repeat, repeat: As you shake hands and say goodbye, repeat the key message that you want the job. A good approach is to say, “Steve, you have given me a great picture of ABC Company and confirm that ABC Company is still my first choice. Working for you is something I would really like to do. Thank you for taking the time to meet me. If you need any other information, give me a call. “
Closing the deal: If you get to the point in the interview where you agree to the money, don’t be so surprised that you forget to put it in writing.
Interview follow-up: Send a short thank you card after the interview, even if you don’t get the job, to remind the recruiter of your availability.