{"id":189,"date":"2008-09-18T12:16:00","date_gmt":"2008-09-18T12:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/2008\/09\/acing-a-job-interview.html"},"modified":"2008-09-18T12:16:00","modified_gmt":"2008-09-18T12:16:00","slug":"acing-a-job-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/2008\/09\/acing-a-job-interview.html","title":{"rendered":"Acing a Job Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>
Many companies are going under. People are losing jobs. Some just want to get a better one. Women who stayed home to raise kids are getting back into the workforce. New graduates are looking for their starter jobs. With so many people competing for income earning situations, doing a great job interview is more critical than ever.<\/p>\n

If you need a job and are scared, that\u2019s the energy you put out to the Universe. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fear expresses a lack of faith. Therefore, when you\u2019re scared, the Law of Attraction supports the doubt you feel. If you feel desperate and willing to take almost anything that pays the bills, that\u2019s what you\u2019ll get. Instead, reframe your situation as an opportunity to find a good job that makes you happy. They\u2019re out there! Many people do get them. Not all. But companies are hiring. Why not you?<\/p>\n

Focus on doing the best you can to apply to all GOOD jobs and make a fabulous impression on the person you interview with. That shows the Universe you’re serious, and brings better opportunities. That\u2019s why I\u2019m delighted to have an excerpt from the book, No-Nonsense Job Interviews: How to Impress Prospective Employers and Ace Any Interview<\/span><\/a> (Career Press (July 1, 2008) by Arnold G. Boldt<\/span><\/a>, who also wrote No-Nonsense Resumes<\/a> and No-Nonsense Cover Letters<\/a> No-Nonsense Job Interviews<\/a> has all the info you need to make the best impression possible when doing an interview. Besides his own, each chapter has advice from other pros.<\/p>\n

In Chapter 7, Simple Truths About Handling the 5 Toughest Challenges<\/span>, Boldt gives great tips for handling an incompetent interviewer, fielding illegal questions, interviewing on short notice, explaining an extended employment gap and the one I\u2019m excerpting, Premature Salary Discussion. I frequently hear people complain that they don\u2019t know what to say when they\u2019re asked about the salary they want before they get a feel for the job or make an impression. So I chose to reprint how to handle this challenge.<\/p>\n

CHALLENGE #5: PREMATURE SALARY DISCUSSION <\/span><\/p>\n

Several of my colleagues who are experts in the field of salary negotiation claim that whoever first mentions a salary number\u2014the interviewer or the candidate\u2014is suddenly in the weaker position. In general, this is a fairly accurate assessment. Ideally, the salary topic should not be discussed until a job offer is on the table. You have everything to lose if your response isn\u2019t perfectly in tune with what the interviewer has in mind. A common question sprung by many interviewers early in the process is, \u201cWhat kind of salary are you looking for?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

At this early stage, it is extremely difficult to respond to this question directly and honestly without a high risk of weakening or even torpedoing your candidacy. If you reply with a number that is too low (either because you are too willing to be underpaid, or are worried that asking for too much will price yourself out of the running), you actually devalue your abilities. A lowball reply may even raise suspicion about your motives or cause the interviewer to doubt your understanding of the position. On the other hand, if you reply with a number that the interviewer perceives as too high, you may, in fact, price yourself right out of the market and cause the interviewer to conclude that the organization can\u2019t afford you. Either way, you\u2019ve hurt your chances to get a job offer.<\/p>\n

To be fair, some interviewers deliberately introduce the salary question early in the process to instantly determine your level of experience and possibly save everyone time. Some interviewers want to determine early on whether you\u2019ll settle for the low end of the scale. Still others are truly \u201cshopping\u201d among candidates, believing they are acting in the best interests of the organization by seeking out the least expensive candidate available. The best scenario for you is when the interviewer or other decision-maker is prepared to pay whatever is necessary to hire the person identified as the best candidate to get the job done.<\/p>\n

Because it\u2019s difficult to determine the interviewer\u2019s motivation when the question is broached prematurely, it\u2019s recommended that you gracefully defer a discussion of salary unless and until a job offer is actually extended to you. How can you accomplish this without appearing insubordinate, overly shrewd, or even cagey? Try adapting one of the following statements to your unique situation\u2014perhaps they will spark your own approach to deferring the salary discussion until there\u2019s a job offer on the table. <\/span><\/p>\n

* I\u2019d be pleased to consider any reasonable offer. How about if we come back to the salary discussion after we\u2019ve more fully reviewed the details of the position and what you\u2019re really looking for, and after you\u2019ve had the chance to see the value I can bring to this organization.<\/p>\n

* Before we talk about compensation, could we discuss more fully your expectations for the position and how my qualifications meet your needs?<\/p>\n

* I really need some more information on your expectations for the position before I could speak with any certainty about salary.<\/p>\n

* My top priority is finding the right opportunity and a good fit. Once we determine there\u00eds mutual benefit, I would be open to any fair offer.<\/p>\n

* Compensation involves so many factors besides salary\u2014for example, vacation time, medical benefits, and tuition assistance\u2014that I would need to understand more about your overall compensation strategy and how this position fits. I\u2019m sure if you decide that I\u2019m the best candidate for the position, we could come to a mutually beneficial agreement.<\/p>\n

The next chapter addresses salary discussions and negotiations in much greater detail.
————–
Arnold G. Boldt<\/span><\/a><\/span> is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and Job & Career Transition Coach and a managing partner of Arnold-Smith Associates, a career transition consulting firm. Check out No-Nonsense Job Interviews<\/a> if you or someone you care about is looking for a job.<\/p>\n

If you enjoyed my post, please leave a comment and\/or click on the bookmark and write a short review at some of the sites, especially Stumbleupon and Digg. Thanks!

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Many companies are going under. People are losing jobs. Some just want to get a better one. Women who stayed home to raise kids are getting back into the workforce. New graduates are looking for their starter jobs. 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