ADVICEJOB SEARCH

Hello my name is

EmployedGood old-fashioned

ADVICE for the

JOB SEARCHMODERN

i

Hello my name is

EmployedGood old-fashioned

ADVICEADVICE for the

JOB SEARCHJOB SEARCHMODERN

designed by melissa mahoney

ii iii

contributorsDiego AlvesJulia BasalJennifer BergusJake BissaroSelic BordenIsabella Broderick-ForsterEmily FalconerSarah GagneCaity GebhardCassie Jeon

Amanda LavelleStorie LibbyMelissa MahoneyStephanie MannEmily MiasJoey O’ConnellMonika SchrauderMike SullivanMarina VlasevichKrista Wiberg

table of contents

»«

1Getting the Interview

3BEGINNING THEJOB SEARCH

2YOURONLINE IMAGE

6THE SCREENINGPROCESS

»«

2During the Interview

8PREPARING FORTHE INTERVIEW

13IN THEINTERVIEW

»«

3After the Interview

19NEGOTIATINGYOUR SALARY

18FOLLOWING UPAFTER THEINTERVIEW

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introductionWelcome to Hello My Name is Employed: Good Old-Fashioned Advice for the Modern Job Search, a manual that will get you out of the post-graduation limbo and into the workforce. As a recent college grad you’re probably thinking, “Old-fash-ioned advice? I wouldn’t ask my grandfather for job advice.” Well this just in: we’re the cool grandpa that uses Skype and runs a successful E-Bay store while rocking sweaters any Urban Outfitters would envy. We’ve got business savvy galore, and we’re here to impart it to you—it might be a little traditional, but its a lot successful.

Employed is meant to be read consecutively from whatever point you are at in the job search. Just beginning? Flip to page one. Already got an interview? Skip right to Chapter Two and get going. We encourage you to read ahead, as that will help prepare you for the next steps on your journey to employment. The topics we discuss include:

» Taking care of your online image

» Understanding the screening process

» Preparing answers to interview questions

» What to wear and how to behave

» Following up after an interview

» Negotiating your salary after the job offer

... and many more!

So what are you waiting for? Stop worrying, start reading, and nail those interviews. The next time you wear a name tag, it’ll say: “Hello my name is Employed.” 1CHAPTER

Getting the Interview

Hello my name is

Job Seeker

1

ONLINE JOB SEARCH

2 3

Your ONLINE imagecleaning up the bad stuff

showing off the good stuff

Today, nearly one in three employers screen potential job candi-dates online, which means that your online image may say a lot about you to a potential employer before you even walk into an interview. Rid yourself of any online “skeletons” by enlisting some of the following tips to clean up your online identity and to maximize your chances of landing the position:

» Search yourself on Google, using a variety of logical keyword combinations

» If any content from your old web pages is unprofessional or in-appropriate, contact the site webmaster and submit a removal request

» Spruce up existing social media sites by deleting unflattering content

» Make a pact with your friends to check in with each other before posting pictures online

Beginning the JOB SEARCHsearch strategies

You’ve worked hard to prepare yourself for your future career. Now, it’s time to show prospective employers you’re the right person for the job. Creating an online portfolio may be one of the best ways to market your expertise, qualifications, and personality. Imagine hav-ing an unlimited and interactive space to showcase your best work to any prospective employer—anytime, anywhere. A solid portfolio can also act as a substitute for lack of experience and help you land the job. It’s also a good idea to bring a standard binder portfolio to the interview to give you good talking points.1

Keep the following in mind when creating your online portfolio:

» Keep visual elements on your site simple and intuitive (use enough white space)

» Make sure the content is easy to access and browse

» Show only your best, proofread work

» Be unique without being flashy

» Promote your portfolio by using Facebook and LinkedIn

» Always update your site and avoid dead links or “under construc-tion” messages, which look unprofessional2

Visit weebly.com or wix.com for free domain and website hosting (no web design experience required).

Even if you are successful in having an embarrassing web page about you removed, that page may still be cached (saved) into Google’s search history. This means that a link to the deleted page(s) will still appear in the search results for your name. Luckily, there is a way to permanently delete the link from the cached search results:

» Follow this link to “Remove content from someone else’s site”: ht tp: / /support .google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1663688.

» Select the appropriate removal request for your situation.

» On the final page, type in the URL you wish to erase.

delete your old web pages from Google searches

» Try online search engines. Thousands of companies post their openings on them, and it’s easy to search by the job and skill you want.

» Create accounts with search engine websites. By creating accounts with sites like Monster.com, you can post your résumé on them and receive emails when a new job opening in your field becomes available.

» Use social networking. Upload your résumé to your profile on sites like LinkedIn. Make sure your social networking profiles re-flect how much you want a job in a specific industry or company: the company just may contact you!

» Include your name in the URL of social networking ac-counts. This makes sure that your professional sites will come up first in a Google search of your name.

» Use your personal network. Your best friend’s company may have a job opening. Ask people you know about their jobs and see if they can help you get a foot in the door.

» Delete any unprofessional email addresses (i.e., buttface69@hostname)

» Avoid broadcasting your entire life online

» Use your school. Most campuses have good job-hunting re-sources and counselors who can help you use those resources to your best advantage.

» Contact employers you would love to work for. Even if there are no job openings available, if you get your name on file the company may look to you first when a position becomes avail-able.

» Create a job search spreadsheet.3 This spreadsheet should keep track of every company you research, as well as all the contact information of companies, connections, and potential employers, so that all the information you need is in one place.

» Target your cover letter and résumé to the specific job you are applying for. This shows that you are interested in the com-pany, not just any job opportunity that comes along.

» Consider temp jobs and internships. These can be valuable sources of experience that often lead to a better permanent job down the line.

With the increasingly competitive job market, searching for a job has become a job in itself. Finding a job today means much more than simply looking for openings and sending out your résumé en masse. The list below provides some innovative job search strategies that you can use to expand your network and find job openings.

4 5

decoding the job descriptionThe job description can be a tricky beast to understand. Listed below are some key phrases used in job descriptions and what they should mean to you.4

You preferably/definitely have experience in a similar position

what they mean

You do not need any direct experience

You are familiar with the task, skill, or software

You generally have had at least a year of experience working with the task, skill, or software

You are very experienced with or have mastery of the task, skill, or software

You can provide evidence of your successful accomplishments

You have skills that will be useful in a number of roles

You are motivated to work hard and do what needs to be done to get the job done right

You take action and do what needs to be done without being told or with little instruction

You work well under deadlines and can excel in a stressful environment

You come up with original and innovative ideas

You can master new tasks quickly and with minimal training

You can adapt to a shifting environment, i.e. changing locations or picking up extra hours

You are able to help your coworkers if they need it and can work well in a team environment

You can communicate with everyone in the company, regardless of position

Experience preffered/ required

Will train

Working knowledge of

Proficient in

Command of

Proven track record

Transferable skills

Highly motivated/Results focused

Self-starter/Proactive

Works well under pressure

Thinks outside of the box

Fast learner

Flexible

Team player/Good interpersonal skills

what they say

Ability to communicate at all levels

“

”

referencesTo begin, one of the most important things is making sure your references know they’re references. It’s not good when a potential employer calls someone on your list and they sound completely surprised during the phone call. And remember: employers aren’t required to stick to your three references. They may call your previ-ous employers, as well.

who to askBe sure to pick people with whom you have a close connection. Coming straight out of college into the work world might mean you don’t have three former employers who you consider to be solid references. Instead of using your old boss from the Dunkin’ Donuts job you had in high school, consider asking professors with whom you have a solid relationship. Even an academic advisor or club president might serve as a reference, as long as you know they can provide insight into your work ethic and general attitude.

how to askIt can be helpful to include a brief description of the position for which you are applying and to refresh the recommender’s memory of projects or experiences you have had with them so they can give a detailed and convincing recommendation.7

using your networkAnother resource during the job search is your network. Most peo-ple think they don’t know the “right” people, or they find the idea of networking intimidating and uncomfortable. It doesn’t have to be! Here is a list of people who are – or could be – part of your network:

» Classmates: Every student has access to classmates who may have similar job interests or even connections to relevant people in their desired industry.

» Professors: Undergraduates also have their professors who are experts in their fields and are very enthusiastic about helping students.

» Campus connections: Take advantage of your campus career center and university-sponsored events such as job fairs and networking receptions. Alumni are a great resource for students who are looking to connect with more experienced professionals.

» Informational interview contacts: Using informational inter-views can be a huge benefit because you can actually speak to someone about their jobs directly.

Networking is not about asking for a job; it’s about building your professional social circle and understanding the demands of the job market of your particular field. Taking someone out for coffee and picking their brain6 or social networking sites like LinkedIn are good techniques for expanding your network.

JOB SEARCHBeginning the JOB SEARCH}{cont’d

CHAPTER

Hello my name is

7

6

SCREENINGThe SCREENING processBefore you are invited to an in-person interview, your potential em-ployer will likely put you through a screening process. The job inter-view is a multistage process, and potential employers can receive interest from hundreds of résumés, many of them from unqualified applicants. The screening process determines whether an appli-cant has the raw skills and experience appropriate for the job and thus helps employers avoid spending time interviewing the wrong candidates. By contrast, the final in-person interview is geared to-wards assessing how well an applicant can translate their proven skills and experience to the job position in question.8

There are at least five different styles for the screening process:

» Human Screening: These interviews are typically conducted over the phone by someone reading a script that has been prepared by the hiring manager. This person typically does not know the specifics of the job. If you are successful in answering the scripted questions you will most likely be directed to the hiring manager.

» Automated Phone Screening: An automated voice reads a set of questions and records your answers, which are then shared with the business’s hiring manager(s).

» Online Screening Questionnaire: You fill out an electronic form attached to the job description.

» Webcam Screening: There are two different types of web-cam interviews: a two-way interview in which you are talking to your interviewer, and a one-way interview in which you are video-recorded answering questions that are prompt-ed on the screen. In either case, it is important to dress as you would if you were present at an in-person interview.

» In-person Screening: Whether it’s at a job fair or chance en-counter in a shopping mall, be ready to market yourself anytime, anywhere.

Screeners can and will call at any moment. Don’t freeze! If you are not prepared, be ready to say something like:

“I am about to head out the door, can I call you back?” or“Right now is not the best time, can you call back in the evening?”

You don’t need to explain why you are unable to talk, just make sure you have the correct information in order to return the call.

a common trick

Job screeners are not the hiring manager, and they cannot hire you. However, failing the screening process guarantees that you will not land the job.

remember 2CHAPTERDuring the Interview

Hello my name is

Interviewee

INTERVIEW

8 9

Preparing for the INTERVIEWthe “elevator pitch”

An elevator pitch (also called an elevator speech or chat) is a brief set of talking points that concisely convey your strengths as a job candidate. The phrase “elevator pitch” comes from the idea that you should be able to “sell” yourself to someone in the short space of an elevator ride. You should always have one or two versions of your elevator pitch ready for use in job interviews, networking situations, or chance encounters: for example, when you find yourself standing in the long line at Starbucks next to an employee (or the owner!) of a company you’d like to work for. Being able to exploit a small moment like this could be the difference between getting your foot in the door and mulling over a missed opportunity.

Job interviewers will expect you to have an elevator pitch. “Tell me about yourself” is a common first interview question that’s usually meant to set you at ease; it also presents the perfect opening for your elevator pitch. (Candidates who haven’t prepared for such a question are often tripped up by the openness of this question and may respond with a rambling answer full of personal or irrelevant detail: “I have four brothers, a dog named Willie, and my favorite color is green ….”) You should be able, in three or four bullet points, to briefly describe why you’re interested in the company and what you would bring to the job.9

In informal settings, you might begin with a casual comment or question about the company, such as, “I’ve heard J&M is a great company to work for. How do you like it there?” before giving your elevator pitch.10 By remaining concise and focused, you improve the likelihood that whoever you are chatting with will remember you -- and just maybe recommend you for a position!11

preliminary researchDuring an interview, you want to be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the company for which you’re interviewing. The company’s website is a good place to start your research. Research the company’s:

» History: When and how did the company get its start? Where is it now? Research trends within the company over the past few years and determine the direction the company might take in the near future.

» Mission Statement: How do its values and objectives intersect with your own?

» Products and Services: To what industry does the company belong? who are its competitors? what are the significant trends within the industry? Look beyond the company website to trade journals and other websites for current news and information about the industry.

» Press: Read press releases and other news coverage of the company.

» Location: Plan your travel route to the interview and maybe even make a practice drive. This may seem nit-picky, but being lost or late could doom the interview to failure before it even starts.

Showing that you’ve done your homework will always impress the interviewer. Find subtle ways to reveal your knowledge of the com-pany. Use your research to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job position and company, to expand on statements during the in-terview and to ask informed questions after the interview.

“show, don’t tell” examplesIn an interview, simply saying that you are a self-starter or a quick learner isn’t going to grab the attention of the hiring manager. You’ve got to prove these things to the interviewer and make your-self a credible source.

How? With real examples from your work history that are geared towards the boxes your interviewer is looking to check off (see the section on behavioral interview questions). Let’s look at some com-mon interview questions and a few possible answers that can either put you in the alternate pool or land you the job.

Tell me about yourself.Well, I’m a self starter. For example, on the second day

at my internship at the University Press, I found myself alone in the office because most of the staff was in a meeting. The only thing I knew how to do from my first day was how to file press releases and reviews, so rather than sit and wait for my super-visor, I filed as much as possible until the meeting was over. As you can probably tell, I’m also a quick learner. I’m diligent about taking notes when learning new tasks, so I was able to correctly file the documents in the Press’ complicated filing system without

supervision or needing a refresher.

By making a statement and backing it up with an example, your answer will stick more firmly in the interviewer’s mind and also give you some credibility in the workplace.

So, before you head into the interview, try to stockpile a list of ex-amples that showcase your strengths, abilities, and interpersonal skills. These examples are often what will catch the ear of the inter-viewer and even land you the job!1213

Well I’m a self starter. Once I have the gist of a task I like to get started on it right away because I enjoy being busy. I’m a quick learner: if you give me a task, I can usually pick it up without too much difficulty.

question

commonanswer

excellentanswer

10 11

mock interviewsMock interviews are a great way shake the nervousness of an actu-al interview and also correct your mistakes ahead of time. So what exactly is a mock interview? Typically, they are 30 minute sessions with another person during which you answer common interview questions. A professional such as a professor or supervisor can make a great mock interviewer, but you can also practice with a friend or a family member who can be honest with you and remain serious for the exercise. Many college career offices also offer to do mock interviews with students.

Before the practice session, give your mock interviewer a copy of your résumé, cover letter, and job description to read over. While this isn’t a real interview, it’s important to treat it like one. Dress professionally and also greet your “interviewer” with a smile and a handshake. Keep your answers concise – if you talk longer than two or three minutes, you are probably rambling. After the practice inter-view is over, take some time with your mock interviewer to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your performance. When it comes to exploring your feedback, don’t be defensive! Take notes that you can review later and thank your mock interviewer for helping you. When it comes to an actual interview, you’ll be prepared!14

So you got the interview, researched the job, and done a mock interview. You might think you’re ready, but are there little things you haven’t considered? Here are a few more tips to make yourself look like an interview pro.

» Arrive about 5 minutes early. This will make you look timely, but won’t pressure an interviewer to stop what they are doing to accommodate you.

» Read the paper. Familiarize yourself with national and interna-tional events on the day before and the day of the interview. You don’t want to be caught in the dark if some large national event happened yesterday.

» Be “in it for the long haul.” The only way to answer the ques-tion, “Where do you see yourself in x number of years?” is that you are “in it for the long haul.” Make sure your the interviewer knows you are committed to the position.

quick tips

tips for menDressing for an interview as a man is relatively straightforward: the name of the game is conservative.17

» Wear oxford cotton button downs or cotton dress shirt in pale blue or white.

» Wear a suit in gray or navy or a navy blazer; avoid black suits or coats (funeral attire!) and no sport coats as they are more casual than blazers.

» Wear ties in either solid colors or a repeating stripe pattern.

» Don’t wear any red ties as they are associated with power.

» Don’t wear a shirt and tie alone; it makes you look like a teenager at a school dance.

» Your shoes and belts should always match in this setting, as should socks and suits.

» Don’t wear anything too formal: avoid French cuffs and the like.

» Avoid excessive patterning in shirts and ties; only one pattern per outfit is a good rule.

what (not) to wearFirst impressions are crucial when it comes to getting a job. So, what you wear to an interview could be a deciding factor in receiving a job offer. It is important to look the part of someone who could work at that company. This doesn’t mean you have to go and buy a whole new wardrobe; check the closet for what you already own, then go shopping if what you own is inadequate. Professional cloth-ing looks clean, modest, formal, and intact.16181920-23

basic tips for all » Dress one step better than you would on the job. You need to look like a picture of a professional ready to work at the com-pany.

» Wear clothing that is free of slogans. The interviewer may not agree with the slogans or the companies they represent.

» Don’t wear anything too revealing or sloppy. Dress in modest and clean clothing.

» Match your attitude to your clothes. Don’t slouch or indulge in any bad habits.

» Cover tattoos and remove piercings. 1-2 ear piercings are acceptable.

» Wear something comfortable and fits well. If you’re uncom-fortable with your dress, the interviewer may think you’re uncom-fortable with the company.

» Do not wear strong scents. The interviewer may have aller-gies.

» Wear little or no jewelry. Too much jewelry draws attention away from what’s important: you.

INTERVIEWPreparing for the INTERVIEW}{cont’d

12 13

what to bringYou want to come into the interview with everything that the inter-viewer will need to see from you. It must be well organized and ready to be handed over at a moment’s notice. You may want to purchase, if you don’t already own it, a small briefcase or a portfolio to put your things into. You don’t want to be holding anything that you can’t put down; remember you will probably have to shake the interviewer’s hand and you don’t want to be juggling ten items trying to do it. One of your hands must be open.23

Do bring: » Directions to the interview location

» Identification, as building security may ask for it

» Three copies (one to give, the others extra copies) of: résumé, cover letter, and a printed list of references with their contact information

» Any samples of your work that you might want to show

» A list of at least three or four questions that you want to ask the interviewer

» A small notepad and pen to take notes

» Phone for emergencies, but it must be turned off during the in-terview

» An umbrella if rain is a risk.

Don’t bring: » Friends and family

» Drinks or food (a small energy bar tucked in your bag is fine)

tips for womenFor women, looking professional for an interview generally means dressing with modesty and class.15

» Buy the best suit that you can afford. A nice suit is an essential component of an interview outfit. It doesn’t matter if it’s a skirt or a pantsuit; pick whatever you are most comfortable in and what suits you best.

» Skirts must not be any shorter than knee-length, and you should wear a pair of tights or pantyhose underneath, even in the sum-mer.

» Tops should be dressy as long as they aren’t too revealing or tight; avoid anything with plunging necklines, even if you are wearing a blazer or jacket over it.

» Color is great, but nothing too flashy or bright: you want to stand out from the crowd, but not because you wore a red suit to an interview. Dark and muted colors work best, so choose navy, charcoal, or black, and leave loud prints behind.

» Shoes should be comfortable. Don’t wear high heels if you can’t walk in them properly and for a long time (imagine a walking tour of the company campus). It’s best to choose heels of moderate height or flats.

» Wear natural-looking make-up; choose earthy colors and don’t wear too much.

» Nails must be clipped and nail polish understated.

» Accessories should be limited to one or two items, nothing chunky or showy.

INTERVIEWIn the INTERVIEWBehavioral questions will show up in just about every interview, so you should prepare specific examples and be ready to discuss your strengths in areas like those listed above. Here are a few examples of behavioral questions:

» Describe a time when you used your communication skills to get an important point across.

» Describe a job or school experience when you had to serve as a leader (or work as part of a team) in order to accomplish a goal.

» What did you do in your last job that illustrates your organization and planning abilities? Be specific.24

recent college grad interview Q’sIf you’re a recent college grad, your employer is bound to have questions about your college experience. If your résumé isn’t ex-actly brimming with extracurriculars, don’t panic! You can turn what you appear to be lacking into an experience you learned from.

Let’s say you didn’t have time for extracurricular activities because all your free time was spent at your part-time job. When an em-ployer asks, you can explain what you would have participated in had you had the time, while acknowledging what you gained from your part-time job. You might respond to this type of question with something like: “I always wished I’d had more time to write for the school newspaper. Whenever I wasn’t in class or studying, I had to work to pay for school and my living expenses. Juggling my time between work and school did prepare me for the professional work-place though, as I am used to working under the pressure of time constraints and manage my time wisely.”25

types of interview Q’sAt some point in your interview, you are likely to encounter a ques-tion or two that you are not sure how to handle. By thinking about some common types of interview questions, you’ll be better pre-pared to think on your feet, spin negatives into positives, and polite-ly deflect awkward or inappropriate questions.

“behavioral” interview Q’sWhen potential employers ask behavioral interview questions, they are less interested in “correct” answers than they are in getting a sense of who you are. Behavioral interviewing is based on the idea that your past actions can predict your future performance.

When an interviewer is assessing you as a candidate for the job, your personality and work habits can be just as important as your GPA or what software you know. Each job is a bit different, of course, but employers often look for these qualities:

» Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

» Project management or decision-making skills. Describe projects you’ve worked on that demonstrate your analytical, fact-finding talent and time-management skills.

» Uses effective strategies for handling conflict or disagreement.

» Ability to learn from past mistakes. Describe a mistake or failure that you’ve learned from. How you handle failure can reveal a great deal about your attitude (do you accept some responsibili-ty, or blame others?) and potential for growth.

» Self-learning. Show that you are motivated to seek out answers and teach yourself skills on the fly with minimal guidance.

INTERVIEWPreparing for the INTERVIEW}{cont’d

14 15

common behavioral Q’s for college grads » Describe your most rewarding college experience.

» What was your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you handle it?

» Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your aca-demic achievement?

Expect questions that are meant to highlight what seems like some-thing you are missing that other candidates might have. An employ-er might also ask about a class in which you received a less-than-stellar grade; be prepared to explain what that experience taught you and how you learned from it!

illegal or inappropriate interview Q’sSome questions simply should not be asked during an interview. Inappropriate or illegal questions may involve the candidate’s race, gender, religion, marital status, age, disabilities, ethnic background, country of origin, sexual preferences or age. The top ten illegal in-terview questions are as follows:

» Where were you born?

» What is your native language?

» Are you married?

» Do you have children?

» Do you plan to get pregnant?

» How old are you?

» Do you observe any religious holidays?

» Do you have a disability or chronic illness?

» Are you in the National Guard?

» Do you smoke or use alcohol?

These questions might be asked by a naive interviewer, or a ma-licious one intent on putting you in the hotseat. There are several ways to get around these questions while remaining tactful and re-spectful.

1. Answer it. If you think the interviewer was simply trying to get to know you and naively asked an illegal question, you may want to answer the question if it does not make you too uncomfortable. While the question may be poorly phrased, your answer to it can highlight relevant strengths, such as being able to speak another language, and engaging in small talk can help to strengthen your connection with the interviewer.

2. Side-step it. Without being confrontational, question the inter-viewer’s interest in that information. Ask “Why?” The interviewer is then made to explain the question and its intent.

3. Turn the tables. Rather than pause awkwardly, avoid the ques-tion altogether by steering the conversation towards the skills and experiences you feel are more relevant to the job. Respond, “Well, that’s an interesting question, but I would rather discuss...”

» Phone Interviews: Since your interviewer cannot see you, make sure you have your résumé, cover letter, notes regarding the company you are applying for, and other notes surrounding you so that you have quick reference to all the information you need. Because an interviewer cannot see your body language, it is necessary that you sound energetic—standing up during the interview may help with this. Make sure you have a quiet place to talk and a fully charged phone, with a charger on-hand.

» Group Interview: The first type of group interview is the can-didate group interview. In this type of interview you will listen to information about the company and may be asked ques-tions or to participate in a group exercise alongside other ap-plicants. The second, more common type of group interview is the panel group interview, in which you individually are inter-viewed by a group or committee of employers. Be prepared to answer questions just like you would in a one-on-one interview.

» Individual Interview: This one-on-one, in-person interview is the most common type and probably the one you’re most fa-miliar with. Make sure you know ahead of time how long the interview will be so that you know how much to prepare and how much information to incorporate into your answers.

» Second/On-Site Interview: Second interviews are when you’re asked back again. You may have passed through the first round but the company may want to know more about you before mak-ing a final decision. You may meet with three to five individuals. These could include a representative from Human Resources, the department head, the office staff, and the department head’s supervisor. After this, if all goes well, an offer is usually made.

» Task Oriented/Testing Interview: This is an inter-view where you are given some task that puts your abil-ities to the test. For example, you might be asked to cri-tique a website, solve a problem, take a writing test, or give a presentation to demonstrate your communication skills.

» Stress Interview: You may encounter an interview where the interviewer deliberately creates tension to see how you will re-spond to stress; however, these are very rare.26

}{cont’d INTERVIEWIn the INTERVIEWinterview formats

There are several different types of interviews you may find yourself facing once an employer sees you as a potential candidate. It’s im-portant to understand what each of these interview formats entail so that you can be prepared.

}{cont’d INTERVIEWIn the INTERVIEW

16

what to ask the interviewerAt the end of the interview, the interviewer will give you a chance to ask questions. Always prepare for this opportunity. This is not only a chance to learn more about your job position, but also a continua-tion of your assessment. Interviewers will pay attention to how intel-ligent and well-informed your questions are, so plan ahead. Some questions you might want to ask include:

» How would you describe the work environment here?

» What are common attributes of your top performers?

» What excites you most about your job, and what do you like most about this company?

» Can you give me some examples of collaboration and projects within the company?

» What are the most important things you’d like to see me accom-plish in the first 60 and 90 days of my employment?

» What opportunities for professional development do you offer?

» How does this job position fit into your organization/company?

There are also many questions an applicant should not ask.27 Don’t ask questions that could be easily answered by checking out the company’s website. Steer clear of “Why?” questions, questions re-garding salary, benefits, vacation days, sick days and flexibility of hours and others including:

» Who is your competition?

» How often do reviews occur?

» Would you like to see my references?

» Do I get my own office?

» Will you monitor my social networking profiles? 3CHAPTERAfter the Interview

Hello my name is

Employed

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INTERVIEWafter the INTERVIEW

You should send your interviewer a thank you note one to three days after your interview. Opinions vary as to whether you should send an email, a handwritten note, or both, but the most important thing is that you send one. Thank you notes let your interviewer know that you appreciate their time, give you a chance to smooth over any awkward responses you gave during the interview, and further express your enthusiasm about the position.

When composing your note, here are a few things to keep in mind: » Always date the note and use a formal salutation (e.g. “Dear Ms./Mr./Dr.”)

» Begin by thanking the interviewer(s) for their time

» Mention part of the interview conversation that you particularly enjoyed

» Give specific examples to express your interest, but remain con-cise. Try not to exceed five sentences in the body.

» End on a positive, forward-looking note (e.g. “I look forward to hearing from you”)

» Sign your full name at the bottom after a closing salutation (e.g. “Respectfully” or “Regards”)

thank you notes

Whether you nailed the interview (great!) or barely got by (not so great), there are two things you can do to solidify your position as a top candidate, smooth over any faux pas, and prove that you are up to par: thank you notes and follow up emails. Try to make these courtesies a habit, as they communicate not only your gratitude and recognition of others’ time but also your capacity to follow through effectively as a professional.

FOLLOWING UPFOLLOWING UP

After sending your thank you note, you should follow up on the po-sition to stay fresh in the hiring manager’s mind. Follow up emails should be friendly yet concise—remember that you are establishing yourself as a professional connection, not as a chatty wannabe em-ployee.

If you’ve been interviewed from a large list of potential candidates with a long hiring period, check in with the hiring manager via email once every two weeks. If the hiring window is shorter than a month, you may want to follow up weekly. If you haven’t received any re-plies after a month, it may be time to move on to the next hunt.

following up

SALARYNegotiating yourSALARYBeing prepared when a company makes you an offer will help you be compensated for what your skills are worth. There are various things you can do to figure out how much you’re worth, like looking at salary surveys for that field. Salary calculators are available online for virtually every field, and you can double-check those fig-ures with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (United States Department of Labor). In addition to researching salary ranges in your field, look into the cost of living for where you’ll be hired. Although you may think your salary will let you live comfortably, some places (like major cities) have high rent and fuel costs, which could leave you at a disadvantage.

research salaries in your field know how to negotiatePrepared for the interview or meeting where you’ll be discussing salary. Increase your salary expectations slightly in order to leave room for negotiation.2829

Do: » Wait for the employer to make an offer

» Factor in the benefits package (e.g. health care or 401K)

» Negotiate! Present hard evidence for support

» Be flexible

» End the salary conversation on friendly terms

» Respond to an offer in a timely manner

Don’t: » Completely rely on online salary sites for salary ranges

» Interrupt your employer during the discussion

» Mention personal reasons for why you need a pay increase

» Show disappointment if your desired salary is denied or rene-gotiated

» Rush your employer to give you a definite answer

» Confuse a high salary with higher happiness

The following are some helpful websites for researching salary ranges:

» www.simplyhired.com

» www.salary.com

» http://salaries-by-city.findthedata.org

» www.payscale.com

» www.indeed.com/salary

researching salary ranges

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12. “Top Interview Questions.” - CareerBuilder.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.Mills, Corinne. “10 Most Frequently Asked Inter-view Questions.” Career Advice Article:. The Telegraph, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

13. Martin, Carole. “Email to a Friend.” Practice Your Interview Techniques in a Mock Interview. Monster, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

14. Doyle, Alison. “Interview Outfits for Women: What to Wear to An Interview.” About.com Job Searching. About, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

15. Doyle, Alison. “Dressing For Success.” About.com Job Searching. About, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

16. Doyle, Alison. “Interview Outfits for Men: What to Wear to An Interview.” About.com Job Searching. About, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

17. Doyle, Alison. “How to Dress for An Interview.” About.com Job Searching. About, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

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18. Doyle, Alison. “What Not to Wear on An Interview.” About.com Job Searching. About, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

19. Kallor, Amber. “What to Wear to an Interview: The New Rules.” CNN. Cable News Network, 26 July 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

20. Angie. “What to Wear to a Job Interview.” YouLookFab. N.p., 29 Apr. 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

21. Martin, Carole. “Email to a Friend.” Interview Attire: 10 Interview Fashion Blunders. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

22. Carole, Martin. “Dress for Interview Success.” Interview Attire: 10 Interview Fashion Blunders. Monster, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Doyle, Alison. “What to Bring to an Interview.” About.com Job Searching. About, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

23. Rose, Angela. “What to Bring to an Interview.” Hcareers. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

24. Denham, Tom. “50 Behavioral-based Interview Questions You Might Be Asked.” Careers and Worklife. N.p., 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

25. Fry, Ronald W. 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions. Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career, 2000. Print.

26. Denham, Tom. “The 8 Major Types of Interviews.” Careers and Worklife. N.p., 18 Dec. 2009. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

27. LearnVest. “10 Job Interview Questions You Should Never Ask.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 03 Oct. 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

28. Trikha, Ritika. “8 Etiquette Tips for Salary Negotiation.” US News RSS. N.p., 5 June 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

29. Green, Alison. “10 Salary Negotiating Mistakes to Avoid.” US News RSS. N.p., 30 May 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.