Q: We are living in the digital age. Skype or automated online video interviews become very common. How different are they from traditional face-to-face interviews? What should the candidates know to be prepared and succeed in this particular type of the interview?
A: THERE ARE TRICKS TO LOOKING INTO A CAMERA VS A HUMAN FACE. IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO READ RESPONSES VIA THE CAMERA – AS WELL AS TO CONNECT WITH YOUR INTERVIEWER.
It would be to your advantage to practice a SKYPE interview before your actual interview to get feedback and view yourself. Are you coming across the way you “think” you are coming across?
Q: Even the most experienced candidates have difficulties answering tricky questions during the interview. Is there the golden rule how to answer expected, but difficult questions about desired salary, your biggest weakness or a bad experience with a previous employer?
A: PREPARATION AND PRACTICE ARE THE KEYS TO ANSWERING QUESTIONS – THE UNEXPECTED ONES AS WELL AS THE “TRIED AND TRUE.”
Being able to hear or see yourself in practice sessions before the interview will be an eye-opener if you’ve never had the experience before.
Q: It’s not only important to give right answers during the interview. It’s crucial to ask the right questions. So what questions should the candidates ask?
A: Questions NOT to ask in the first rounds of interviewing.
Questions about salary, stock options, vacation, holiday schedule, benefits.
Don’t ask questions that have already been answered in the interview.
Don’t “grill” the interviewer – it’s ok to ask about the person’s background, but as an interested party, not an interrogator.
Questions TO ASK in the first rounds of interviewing.
Ask for a copy of the job description.
Ask why is this job open?
What qualities are you seeking in the person for this job?
What is the next step? When will you make your selection?
Q: Your book “What to Say in Every Job Interview: How to Understand What Managers are Really Asking and Give the Answers that Land the Job” helps to decode the hidden meaning behind interview questions. Can you please teach our readers how to understand what interviewers really want to hear?
A: THE EMPLOYER IS SEEKING THE “IDEAL CANDIDATE” – SOMEONE WHO IS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT WHAT THIS COMPANY/POSITION DOES – AND IS QUALIFIED IN ALMOST EVERY WAY.
In my book “What to Say in Every Job Interview” – I teach candidates to determine what the employers are seeking and what “factors” are important. For instance – communication/relating with others. Once you determine the “factors” – you can include these factors in your resume and your answers to let the employer know that you are the right person for the job.
EMPLOYER’S CONCERNS —#1 – Can he/she do the job? #2 – Do we “like” her/him – will he/she fit in?” #3 Can we afford this person?
Q: What books, blogs or other resources would you recommend to our readers who want to find their dream job?
A: Of course, I am going to recommend www.interviewcoach.com – where my coaches and I offer a full-service of ways to improve your interviewing skills, answers, and preparation.
By giving you tools, techniques, and feedback – you will be ready to take-on whatever is thrown your way.
Carole Martin – The Interview Coach – Follow me on Twitter and Linkedin – My blog –
www.interviewcoach.com/blog
Thank you for the interview.
