INTERVIEWING TIPS
As illustrated with the graphing example on the home page of this site, controlling your image is paramount to resume success. Teaching you how to understand, control and elevate your image during interviews is equally important. For example, many job seekers learn how to use numbers and paint a big picture of their skills and abilities in their resumes--yet they never speak this way during interviews. Using Frank as an example, take a moment and read the first answer he gave in a practice interview session below. Frank wants to use his experience servicing commercial accounts to move into a Customer Service Management position paying $30,000. How strongly do you think the answer below would position Frank for such a position?

Before Example
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Employer Question:
Can you tell me of an instance in which you solved a major customer service problem?

Frank's Answer:
Yes, I managed front desk customer service and problem solving which included having to look up orders, verify their location and expedite shipments if needed. Sometimes I had to do this with our commercial accounts as well.
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Now take a moment and compare the answer above to Frank's new answer below.

After Example
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Employer Question:
Can you tell me of an instance in which you solved a major customer service problem?

Frank's New Answer:
Yes, I managed customer service for commercial accounts that generate sales of $1/2 million to $5 million per year. One day a key account customer came in who was quite upset. He had placed an order for $125,000 worth of merchandise that should have arrived that day for a special event. Knowing the importance of this account, I immediately looked up the order, found where it was located, called my shipping manager and had a driver and an assistant allocated to go across town and pick up the order ASAP. They then delivered the order and stayed to unpack and set up all items for the event. The event went smoothly and successfully with the client being quite surprised at the immediate response we provided in solving his problem. Since that time this account has increased its purchases from us by another 30%, or about another $1.5 million annually, and this has been achieved within a highly competitive marketplace. In fact, I have a nice thank you note with me from that customer which describes his satisfaction with the services I provided that day -- if you'd like to read it.
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Do you feel that Frank's new answer elevates his image and positions him as being qualified for the Customer Service Management position? By using numbers to describe the sales volume of the accounts he services Frank elevated and expanded his image. By providing a short story which he told in less than a minute Frank was able to illustrate his problem solving skills and the value he can provide as a Customer Service Manager. Both strategies are a key component in winning at interviews.

My interviewing book is quite different than most interviewing books which include a wide range of questions you might be asked during an interview. Such books provide a multitude of answers that you have to memorize, or try to remember, in order to succeed during your interviews. In contrast, this book helps you analyze the specific needs of each employer prior to the interview and allows you to identify the unique skills and abilities you have to offer that particular employer. This results in your being able to sell yourself in the strongest manner compared to trying to memorize a whole raft of generic answers that don't sell your unique skills and abilities.

Here's a success story from one job seeker who used the interviewing book and succeeded in landing a job he really wanted. It says much about the value of this booklet. As with any testimonial, please keep in mind that your results will vary and depend on your skills and the wage and labor conditions where you are seeking employment.

"I used your interviewing book to the fullest. I had a total of 7 interviews with 3 different companies and received an offer from all three. I had come a long ways considering I was 0 for 5 in interviews before using your booklet. The difference was I knew where the employers were going with their questions and the skills they were looking for as a result of using your interviewing booklet. I wish you could have seen me, I was bursting with enthusiasm and confidence. What a difference being prepared makes. The job I landed is with a company ranked the "11th Best Company in America to Work For" by Fortune Magazine. I and the other people who were hired ended up competing against a total of 2,300 applicants! Wow what odds! Thanks again!" Mark Fredericks, Investment Representative

The first section of the interviewing book takes you through 13 criteria that employers typically judge applicants by as they interview them. Employers always know there is a certain level of risk anytime they hire an employee. Their goal is to hire employees who present the least risk. Using the 13 criteria you'll be able to assess the risk you present to employers and learn interviewing strategies that eliminate or minimize the risk employers would perceive in hiring you.

Graphs are used to analyze before and after interviews and to determine how job seekers' answers and they way they present themselves affect the image employers form of them during an interview. An example of a failed interview is followed by a second interview that succeeded.

The interview can typically be seen as having three cycles - the introduction, the question phase, and the closing phase. You're guided in understanding each phase with particular emphasis on the question phase. This is where the bulk of interviewers focus their attention. It is in this phase that you'll be asked many questions about your background in order for employers to identify your weaknesses.

Many employers will refer to your resume to ask you questions, so you're guided in reviewing it to make sure that you effectively anticipate those questions and develop strong answers to market yourself.

You're also guided in analyzing ads and job descriptions for the positions you're interested in. You are shown how to use them as a guide in identifying the full range of questions employers will ask you about your skills and experience. You'll also be guided in identifying hidden needs employers may have but that aren't listed in such ads or job descriptions. By identifying an employer's hidden needs you can then market how you can fulfill those needs.

Many employers also want to find out how you can contribute to their bottom line. In other words, how will your skills and abilities increase their sales, profitability or productivity. In this section you'll learn how to anticipate and effectively answer such questions.

Many interviewers do a poor job of interviewing applicants and may not bring up issues that are most important in selling you as the top candidate. Therefore, it's imperative that you have questions ready that you can ask which allow you to introduce and sell your top skills -- even if the employer doesn't inquire about them.

Employers are also concerned about assessing your personality, values and coping style. This section helps you anticipate such questions and formulate answers that sell you in the best light.

Questions about employment history are a major problem area for job seekers -- whether it's having changed jobs too often or whether it's making a career change to a field in which you have little experience. This section helps you identify potential work history problems that an employer may be concerned about and then shows you how to deal with such questions effectively.

It's likely you'll also be asked questions about education, extracurricular activities, your references and the salary you want. This section guides you in anticipating questions you'll be asked about these issues and in developing strong answers.

At the close of the interview, it's important that you restate your top qualifications and ask a series of questions to determine where you stand. This section guides you in doing this and provides several pointers on how to follow-up effectively after your interview is over.

Thank-you letters are a must and give you an opportunity to remind the employer of your top skills. Thank-you letters also allow you to introduce new information about yourself that may not have been discussed during the interview. The thank-you letter examples in this booklet are excellent.

Additional tips and examples are provided on how to answer the 10 Most Popular Interview Questions as well as how to de-emphasize your weaknesses, use power words and quantify, and provide answers that demonstrate the full depth of your skills and experience.

The booklet ends with a detailed checklist to be sure that you are thoroughly prepared for your interviews. You also have a chance to complete a graph to see how employers will rate their risk in hiring you and determine whether you look overqualified, qualified or unqualified.