How To Succeed in the Interview

StaffNet Consulting and Placement Group   

Lessons I Learned From 30 Years of Interviewing

• ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! Call the employer within 48 hours to confirm that they received your resume. If you don't know a person's name, ask for the HR Department. This will accomplish two things...First, it will make sure your resume wasn't "lost" in the cracks and Second, it will show the employer you're serious. In today's world, interviewers know that many candidates "Binge" Job Apply. 

• It's OK to be nervous! It just means you really want the position. But please know that there is nothing more compelling to an interviewer than a person that walks that fine line as confident but not cocky.

• It's True...I had most of my decisions made within the first 5 minutes. While I may not have decided to "hire" you....in many cased I decided "not to hire you". First impressions are the most important! You can't "un-ring" a bell.

• Always Be On Time...30 Minutes Early is Better than 30 Seconds late! Keep in mind that some interviews require you to fill out paperwork in advance.

• Be sure to survey the surroundings of the Interviewer. Be able to discuss "sports memorabilia", art or anything relevant in generalities. HOWEVER, be smart....If you see picture of children on the interviewers desk...Don't ask "How long have you been married?"

• The Interviewer really wants you to "interview" them as well as that will say a lot about you! It's all about CONFIDENCE. Be sure to ask compelling questions that prove you know their company. Review the company's website and be prepared to ask a range of questions that prove to the interviewer you are serious about your application. Also, I always took notice of candidates that asked questions about challenges that each company faces..."What are some of the most challenging issues facing your company today?" Most companies have a "Recent News" or "Press Releases" section on their website. This is where you will find great questions to ask. "I saw you just signed a major agreement with XYZ, how with this impact your growth and future plans". 

• Whenever I interviewed a candidate from a "Fortune 500" organization I was always concerned if the candidate would demonstrate his/her ability to "role up their sleeves" and contribute to many different roles in the organization as is the nature of small business. If  this applies to you....make sure you let the interviewer know that your background gives you a great structure but you understand that small business is defined by "speed...agility...change".

• To The NEW TO THE JOB MARKET CANDIDATE...We all had first interviews and first jobs. The interviewer knows that but you were called in for an interview anyway. The interviewer knows you don't have any ON THE JOB experience. The "new to the job market" candidate (whether out of school or new to the job market after 20 years of raising a family)...must convey to the interviewer that "YOU GET IT". Very simply put...If I you don't know that a ditch has to be dug or where to dig it...That is OK since you're new to the job market...BUT if you don't know you need a shovel to dig a ditch....You will be disqualified. You have to know certain "obvious things" about any job...even if you never held that or any position before. Anyone applying for a sales position should know that "you have to been on the phone virtually all of the time in the beginning and that you will be told "NO" 95% of the time. Anyone that is applying for a position in accounting should know that all accounting information is the life line of any company and therefore must be done quickly and accurately etc. It's up to you to prove that you get it...

• A Person who "thinks" they are a great Sales Person will tell you how great he/she is in front of a client....A Real Sales Person will tell the interviewer how he/she got in front of the client in the first place. Be prepared to discuss your plan of attack for getting in front of a client....The interviewer already knows how you will be in front of the client....Your interview is a sales call. No interviewer expects a sales candidate to generate revenue in the first three months. However, you need to tell the interviewer exactly what you will be doing during this time to assure them that after the first three month period you will be productive for the company.

• If you are interviewing for a sales position (within the same industry) you need to be extra careful regarding your response to the question of "Why are you looking for a new job?". If you are interviewing for a position in the same industry that you presently work you really do have 1 strike against you as most interviewers will assume you're looking for a new job due to the fact that you aren't selling enough with your present employer...If you go in armed with this in mind, you can win. The best answers to the question of "Why are you looking for a new job?" if you are in sales are..."I want to work at your company to be able to provide a wider array of products and services to my clients as this will make me much more effective and productive"....."I've heard great things about your company from my clients and I know I can contribute much to your future success". "I want to work at a company that shares the same client focused vision as mine". DO NOT talk about any changes in commission plans or compensation. All commission plans within the same industry are similar. 

• If you say "I can learn a lot here"...you've already lost. You're not being paid to learn you are paid to contribute.

• If you say "I can contribute a lot"...you're still in the game...

• Remember the company's success comes first...then yours.

• Every action you take in the company must result in the company becoming...BETTER...FASTER...MORE PROFITABLE..That's it. If you convey that you acknowledge this fact....You're in the game.

• Working from home is a "benefit" to the employee. It does not benefit the employer. Treat it as a benefit.

• You must acknowledge that you understand and are willing to change throughout your career and that it is your responsibility to be able to change.

• If the Interview ask for your faults or weaknesses DO NOT answer with "I'm a Perfectionist" or "I'm expect too much from myself". Be honest and say "I need to work on my organizational skills" or "I need to work on my communication skills with my fellow employees"...It's OK to be honest.

• Be able to discuss your mistakes and how you learned from them. The only employee that doesn't make mistakes is "the employee that does nothing".

• Don't ask any questions about compensation, benefits, salary increases, etc. There will be time for that "after" a job offer is given to you.

• It is true....Be sure to ask intelligent questions and be able to prove you researched the company you are interviewing with.

We have great and exciting openings for great and exciting people!

Let StaffNet-Search for You! www.staffnetconsulting.com. Please email us at employment@staffnetconsulting.com or email me directly at sjwilk@staffnetconsulting.com. Please call me at (908) 963-9000.

 

+Steven Wilk is Executive Director of StaffNet Consulting and Placement Group, LLC and was President of TransNet Corporation for 28 years

Resume DO's and DONT'S

StaffNet Consulting and Placement Group

RESUME'S DO'S and DONT'S

Your resume is the first or second impression you will make on a potential employer. Further, it is most likely screened by a recruiter.....so you have to make this count.

Below are some important points.

• DO NOT include your picture with your resume - In today's world, you do not know who is looking at these pictures. You may look young/old for your age. You may remind the screener of a bad situation. Perhaps you don't photograph well. NOTHING GOOD COMES FROM A PHOTOGRAPH

• Make sure to include a OBJECTIVE that directly includes how you will use your skills and personal characteristics to achieve the company's goals as either making them Faster...Better....and/or More Profitable. ALWAYS include that your primary mission is to "assist the company achieve it's goals" and that you acknowledge the need for "continual process improvement". Companies are concerned about employees ability to change in today's environment. Be proactive and acknowledge that "changing" is part of your job description.

• List all previous positions with the most current on the top of the list. The reality is that most potential employers only care about your last 3 years of employment. For any other issues, they just are required to confirm employment dates. PLEASE NOTE THAT EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION IS ONLY REQUIRED TO CONFIRM DATES OF EMPLOYMENT, POSITION AND SALARY.

• Note your "detailed" accomplishments at each position. If you were in sales be sure to indicate your sales revenue results per month/quarter and how that exceeded quota. If you were in purchasing be sure to indicate how quickly product was delivered to the required location and how you monitored inventory.

• IT'S OK to have different versions of your resume. Many sales positions are looking for expertise in selling to different sectors...Medical, Finance, Food and Beverage etc. You may have sold to all three, so be able to offer all three versions.

• If you are applying for a position that would result in a "promotion" to management be sure to note how you acknowledge that all companies/departments must work as a team and you spent much of your time "mentoring" new employees or participated in their selection.

Be sure to follow up with a phone call after you mail/email your resume.

Let StaffNet-Work for You. Please email us at employment@staffnetconsulting.com or call us at (908) 963-9000. My direct email is sjwilk@staffnetconsulting.com.

Lessons I Learned from Working and Hiring for Fortune 500 Companies

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StaffNet Consulting and Placement Group

Lessons I learned from Hiring and Working for Fortune 500 Companies

It is true that for "most" people "working" for a large corporation, their time with a large company will help them in their long term career goals. P&G has no comparison on a resume, as do IBM, GE and  Pepsi. I had the privilege of working for the world's largest telecommunications company from 1979 to 1981 and eventually provide staffing services for some of the worlds largest technology, pharmaceutical, personal care products and finance companies from 1995 to present. Certainly these companies can afford a longer term view that will provide you with significant training and growth opportunities. 

I had the privilege of being hired by and working for the largest telecommunications company in the world in 1979. During my 36 months with this company I spent 18 months in formal training classes ranging from technology to sales and administration. Again, many of those that aspire to work in any commercial enterprise will truly benefit from a brief stint with a large organization. Listed below are a few ways to get hired and "sustain" a career in a large organization or get a few years of invaluable experience and world class training.

• The hiring process for a large corporation is like being picked for a soccer team. The "captain" needs to make sure you will stay in your lane and not go after the ball in "another lane" no matter what! This is much different than interviewing for a "small" company where the interviewer and company what to make sure you are willing to pitch in area when required.

• You will most likely have to go through "at least" 3 different interviews...at 3 separate times. First with HR....Then the manager you will be working for....Then with the manager that has the authority to approve. Please don't think that if you're fortunate to have your "third" interview that this will be your most challenging. Many "hiring managers" depend heavily on the manager that will be working with you every day.

• Keep in mind that there is a very good chance that the position you are interviewing for will be filled by an "insider". A person that already works for this company and was laid off and allowed some time to find another position within the company. Don't be disappointed as this is a fact of corporate life and hiring.

• Please do no challenge the hiring manage by statements such as "My goal is to have your job" or "I hope to be your boss". The sentiment is appreciated but will work against you. You should state that "you want to contribute to the success of the department".

• When interviewing for a large organization DO NOT state that "I can learn a lot here". Even if their world class training is exceptional. The company pays you to "contribute". You pay a school/vocational institute to "learn".

• Be able to talk about "methodology" and "systems". If you're applying for a position in sales or marketing, be prepared to discuss "How you went about your job" and "How you measured your step by step progress" and "How you implemented systems to avoid obstacles". This will be much different in a small organization. Be able to talk about software systems that you have used in the past to help make you and your company more productive.

• The Interviewer wants you to interview him/her too. Don't hesitate to ask questions such as "Tell me about your experiences here!"..."How did you attain your position with this company".

• Large or small company, the interviewer will ask "Why are you looking for a new job?". While there are not right answers....There are a few wrong ones! Don't answer that you want more money...you don't like you manager....Your company is asking too much of you.....Your company misled you when you were originally hired...These are all wrong answers and lead the interviewer to think you will/may have the same issues. The best answers I ever got were...I've heard a lot about your company and it's exciting products and growth and I believe I can contribute to the future....I want to work at a company like yours that is committed to excellence and a leader in the industry...I work with wonderful people that have been our company for a long period of time and will be there for a longer time and I am looking for a company where I can not only be for a long time but can also grow professionally as the company grows. All interviewers know you are hoping to make more money. Interviewers are looking for passionate people that enjoy what they do!

• If you are interviewing for a sales position (within the same industry) you need to be extra careful regarding your response to the question of "Why are you looking for a new job?". If you are interviewing for a position in the same industry that you presently work you really do have 1 strike against you as most interviewers will assume you're looking for a new job due to the fact that you aren't selling enough with your present employer...If you go in armed with this in mind, you can win. The best answers to the question of "Why are you looking for a new job?" if you are in sales are..."I want to work at your company to be able to provide a wider array of products and services to my clients as this will make me much more effective and productive"....."I've heard great things about your company from my clients and I know I can contribute much to your future success". "I want to work at a company that shares the same client focused vision as mine". DO NOT talk about any changes in commission plans or compensation. All commission plans within the same industry are similar. 

• Large organizations, especially in Technology, are looking for "authenticity" in their candidates. You need to demonstrate your leadership skills, thinking skills and uniqueness. Much of this is addressed by your confidence during the interview process. Indeed, many large organizations will give your qualitative and quantitative tests. For the qualitative tests, there are looking for "consistency" in your replies and thought process. For the quantitative test, they are actually looking for your thought process more so than the correct answer.

StaffNet Consulting and Placement Group has placed many qualified candidate in large organizations. Both with and without experience. Large organizations offer great opportunity for growth and advancement. Let StaffNet-Searh for You. Please email me at sjwilk@staffnetconsulting.com or call me at (908) 963-9000. Please visit us at http://staffnetconsulting.com.

Steven J. Wilk is Executive Director of StaffNet Consulting and Placement Group, LLC and was President of TransNet Corporation for 28 years

What Interviewers DO and DON'T Want to Hear!

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StaffNet Consulting and Placement Group

What Interviewers DO and DON'T Want to Hear!

During your interview there are certain things that you may say or not say that "you think" are beneficial to your cause but may have the opposite effect.

• ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! Call the employer within 48 hours to confirm that they received your resume. If you don't know a person's name, ask for the HR Department. This will accomplish two things...First, it will make sure your resume wasn't "lost" in the cracks and Second, it will show the employer your seriousness. In today's world, interviewers know that many candidates "Binge" Job Apply. This is a repeat....but is very important.

• If the interviewer asks when you are available to start work (and you are presently employed)...DO NOT say "I am available immediately". The interviewer understands that you must/should give your present employer "at least" a 2 week notice. If you say "I am available immediately" the interviewer will assume a lack of loyalty and will assume you would do the same to them.

• If the interviewer ask for some personal weakness or faults...DO NOT say "I am a perfectionist" or "I Expect too much from myself". The interview has heard that before. It's OK to state your real weaknesses..We all have them.

• The interviewer wants to hear that work is very important to you but that you are also committed (if not more so) to family/friends/charities....etc.

• The interviewer doesn't want to hear how great you as much as what you are doing to get even better improve yourself.

• The interviewer wants to hear about something in your life you are passionate about....besides your work.

• The interviewer wants to hear that you understand that you are not just a team player but you want to take an active role in continual process improvement.

• The interviewer wants to hear that you know that you will only advance if the company and your co-workers succeed.

• The interviewer doesn't want to hear why you want to leave your present employer as much as they want to hear "Why do you want to join our company?"

• The interviewer doesn't want to hear that "I can learn a lot here!" but rather the interviewer wants to hear "I can contribute a lot here!".

+Steven Wilk  is Executive Director of StaffNet Consulting and Placement Group, LLC and was President of +TRANSNET  for 28 years