11 Commandments For Smart Negotiating

The job market is the best it's been in 20 years. The Commerce Department estimates that U.S. businesses will need to hire one million new computer scientists, engineers, systems analysts and computer programmers by 2005.

Yet graduates with degrees in computer science are being produced at a fraction of the rate needed. The Information Technology Association of America reports 190,000 current job openings for web experts and other information-technology specialists, and similar shortages are cropping up in other industries as well. 

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These market conditions provide a great opportunity to negotiate an excellent compensation package, but only if you understand how.

There are 11 basic commandments to help you negotiate the best possible deal when changing jobs, whether internally or with a new company. They are:

Be prepared. The more information you have about your market value and the prospective employer, the greater your likelihood of success. This is the first commandment because it's the most important. There's a wealth of information available on the Internet, at the public library and through professional associations and networking groups. Time spent learning how to negotiate and preparing for negotiations may be the best investment you'll ever make.

Recognize that employment negotiations are different. When the negotiations are over, you'll have to work with the person with whom you're negotiating. Moreover, your future success may depend on that person. So, while you want to negotiate the best possible deal, you need to do so in a way that doesn't damage your image. At the same time, the employer's primary concern isn't negotiating the least expensive compensation package it can get away with. Rather, their focus will be on getting you to accept the job.

Understand your needs and those of the employer. To be successful in this type of negotiation, you need to examine your priorities. What do you really want? Are you comfortable with a low salary and a large equity stake? Are you able to handle dramatic swings in income from year to year? Understanding your needs will also help you determine the type of company you want to work for. For example, a family-owned company may be able to offer a competitive salary and a large bonus based on results, but may not be willing to offer significant equity to a non-family member. A start-up company, on the other hand, may not be able to offer market salary, but will typically offer stock options. By recognizing what an employer can and can't do, you'll be able to determine what issues you should press.

Understand the dynamics of the particular negotiations. Sometimes you'll have skills that are in great demand. And sometimes, you may be one of several qualified candidates the company would be happy to hire. Sizing up the situation and understanding the relative position of each party will help you determine when to press your advantage and when to back off.

Never lie, but use the truth to your advantage. It's not only wrong to lie, but in employment negotiations, it's ineffective. If you lie during negotiations, sooner or later you're likely to be caught. Once you are, even if you don't lose the offer, you'll be at a tremendous disadvantage, and your credibility will always be suspect. On the other hand, total candor won't be rewarded. You're under no obligation to blurt out everything you know. You can determine what you want to say and how you want to say it, and try to put everything in its most positive light. One key element of your preparation should be to recognize areas of concern so you can rehearse how to handle them when they inevitably come up.

Understand the role fairness plays in the process. The guiding principle for most employers when negotiating is fairness. Within the constraints of their budget and organizational structure, employers usually will agree to anything that's fair and reasonable to hire someone they want. Appeals to fairness are your most powerful weapon. Thus, you should be able to justify every request you make in terms of fairness. For example, if other computer programmers in similar companies are being given sign-on bonuses, you should expect to be treated no differently. Your prospective employer will want you to accept its offer and feel that you've been treated fairly. Understanding the importance of fairness as a negotiating principle can make the difference between success and failure.

Use uncertainty to your advantage. The more information you convey to a potential employer about your bottom line, the more likely it will limit what you get. Before making an offer, a company typically tries to determine what it will take for you to accept the position. With that information, the prospective employer will be able to determine the minimum package it needs to offer. While they may not offer you as little as they can get away with, if you've divulged too much information, they likely won't offer you as much as they might have otherwise. By not disclosing exactly what your current compensation is or exactly what it would take to get you to leave your job, you'll force a potential employer to make its best offer.

Be creative. Consider the value of the total package. Look for different ways to achieve your objectives. Be willing to make tradeoffs to increase the total value of the deal. If you're creative, you can package what you want in ways that will be acceptable to the company. You'll also be able to find creative "trades" that allow you to withdraw requests that might be problematic to the company in return for improvements in areas where the company has more flexibility. That way, you can maximize the value of the package you negotiate.

Focus on your goals, not on winning. Too often in negotiations, the act of winning becomes more important than achieving your goals. And it's also important not to make your future boss feel as if he's lost in the negotiations. You'll have gained little by negotiating a good deal if you alienate your future boss in the process.

Know when to quit bargaining. The one sure way to lose everything you've obtained is to be greedy. There comes a point in every negotiation when you've achieved everything you could have reasonably expected to gain. While most companies will want to treat you fairly and make you happy, few companies want a to hire a prima donna. Being perceived as greedy or unreasonable may cause the deal to fall apart. Even if it doesn't, you'll have done immeasurable harm to your career. This brings us to the 11th and most important commandment:

Never forget that employment is an ongoing relationship. Job negotiations are the starting point for your career with a company. Get too little and you're disadvantaged throughout your career there; push too hard and you can sour the relationship before it begins. 

How To Master Telephone Interviews

Don't be afraid to pick up the phone! The telephone interview is by far becoming more and more popular. Many job hunters still get that adrenalin rush even with the phone interviews. But following the tips and advice in this article will help you master the phone interview and get you to the next step - the face to face interview.

Often, the first step in the hiring process is the telephone interview.

Companies and the recruiters they employ use the telephone interview to develop a pool of candidates to look at closer, and to pare down the number of applicants for a job opening. 

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The advantages to the company are:

• •   the cost is less.
• •   the list of questions can be standardized.
• •   the interview can be delegated to a lower level (cheaper) employee.
• •   it can be done quickly.

The aims on both sides of the telephone are limited. The caller wants a selection of qualified candidates, and the process screens out many candidates. If the call is a straightforward screening call, the caller will likely ask about your experience, availability and salary requirements. Your strategy is to provide facts that support your resume, with some context about your performance. Try using numbers and facts to be effective, however, you don't want to volunteer anything that could disqualify you . Make every effort to sound professional but not personal, as this call is not to establish rapport.

Since you are unlikely to win the job from a telephone interview, your goal is to secure an in-person interview with the person who has the authority to hire. Approach the call with that attitude.

Managing the Telephone Interview

Try to reschedule surprise interviews. Say that you have a conflict and suggest a time you can call back. When you call back, be prepared for the call just as you would for a full-dress interview.

Have ready

• •   pen and paper, a calculator
• •   the job ad and the resume and cover letter which you sent in response to the ad.
• •   a list of your accomplishments which relate to the job you are discussing.
• •   research you have done on the company.
• •   a short list of questions about the job.
• •   your calendar.

The Techniques of a Pro

• •   Smile - it comes through in your voice.
• •   Speak directly into the phone.
• •   Don't smoke, chew gum, eat or drink anything. It all telegraphs to your listener.
• •   Stand up. Your voice sounds stronger.
• •   Avoid ah, er, hum. This habit is especially noticeable on the telephone. This takes
      practice. So practice.

For a winning performance

• •   Confirm the caller's name and company. Get the caller's telephone number.
• •   Be aware that the caller can't see you - can't see your hand gestures, can't see you
      taking notes.
• •   Pace the call. Let the caller do most of the talking, without interruptions.
• •   Do use the technique of repeating or re-phrasing questions. It tells the caller that you
      listened carefully, and gives you time to think about your answer.
• •   Avoid the simple yes or no; add selling points at every opportunity.
• •   If you need time to think, say so - as in radio, silence during a telephone conversation is
      dead air time.
• •   Compensation issues come at the end of the interviewing cycle, never at the telephone
      stage. You can truthfully say you don't know enough about the job to state a salary figure.
      And, of course, you would need a personal interview to really talk with the company.
    Which is another way to go for the personal interview. Re-affirm your qualifications,
    express your interest in the job and the company. Say you would appreciate the
    opportunity to talk about the job further - in person.

 

Watch out for ILLEGAL Interview questions!

I’ll quickly cover the following:

A) Why Employer Ask Illegal Interview Questions.
B) Examples of Illegal Interview Questions.
C) Tips on How To Respond to Illegal Interview Questions.
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Job Interview Fact
U.S. law prohibits certain types of questions and you are by no means required or obligated to answer these questions. These questions are prohibited for a reason: to keep employers from unfairly trying to weed you out as a possible employee.

A) Why Employers Ask Illegal Interview Questions.
The interview is where you get your chance to sell yourself directly to the employer. During the interview the employer is obviously trying to learn more about you and how you may or may not fit in the company. The main reason why an employer might purposely slip in some illegal questions is basically to try and get information to keep you from getting a job. Most illegal questions revolve around personal information and asking them is usually not related to the job and is often discriminatory in nature.

Another reason some employers ask illegal questions is because they just don’t know any better. Many interviewers are not trained at all and simply don’t know what is legal versus illegal. Please keep this in mind, it may just be a poorly trained, inexperienced or just curious interviewer and not meant to be harmful or discriminatory at all.

B) Examples of Illegal Interview Questions.

Illegal questions generally fall into 4 categories:

1. Disabilities & Physical Skills
2. Personal Background
3. Race, Creed, or Color
4. Family & Relationship Items

10 Sample Illegal Questions:

1. How tall are you?
2. Are you a US Citizen?
3. How old are you?
4. Are you really a man?
5. Are you Chinese or Japanese?
6. What religion are you?
7. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?
8. Have you ever been arrested?
9. Are you married?
10. How many children do you have?

C) Tips On How To Respond To Illegal Interview Questions.
First and foremost, avoid reacting in a hostile fashion remember that you can always decide later to decline the job offer. Your goal during the interview is to try and get the job offer.

Response 1:
Go ahead and answer the question. If you don’t feel uncomfortable and you think your answer is in your favor, why worry? Go ahead and answer the question and make no mention that you think its improper or illegal. Just remember that you run the risk of harming your candidacy if you give an answer not favorable to what the interviewer has in mind.

Response 2:
Refuse to answer the question. You are within your rights but in a delicate and sensitive area with regards to the potential job offer. You can say politely that you don’t feel comfortable answering the question and ask to move on. You may even want to mention to the interviewer that the question is illegal and doesn’t pertain to the job. The key here is to be as tactful as possible. But keep in mind, you may come across as confrontational or not a "team player" in the eyes of the interviewer.

Eight Job Interviewing Mistakes To Avoid

1. - DON'T SHOW UP LATE.
There is no easier way to lose points with a prospective employer than to show up late. First impressions do last. And unfortunately, showing up late screams things like "I am unreliable" or "your time is not important to me". Is this what you want a prospective employer to think before you even have a chance to utter a word? Make it a point to try to be early to every interview. That way, bad weather, traffic and that last minute phone call stand less chance of ruining your entrance. If the unforeseen 18-wheeler does happen to dump 10 tons of tomatoes across the interstate, upon arrival, apologize first thing, offer a quickexplanation and move on. (Ideally you would have called from your cell phone as soon as you caught sight of the delay.)

2. - DON'T ACT DISINTERESTED.
No matter what the circumstance never act disinterested during an interview. If 10 minutes into the meeting you become certain that nothing on the planet could convince you to take a job with the company continue to pay attention and act like you care about the conversation. Remember that the interviewer does not exist in a vacuum. He or she has friends, relatives, and associates who may influence future job opportunities. If you behave poorly, the interviewer will remember and will share the story of you and your unprofessional behavior with others. Haven’t you shared bad job search experiences with people close to you? The interviewer is probably no different.

3. - DON'T BE UNPREPARED.
Being prepared has many facets. Interviewers expect you to know something about the company and the position you are seeking. Having this knowledge makes you appear both motivated and truly interested. So make sure you do your research! Excellent sources of information include, the Internet, periodicals and people already in the field. Another facet of being prepared is being ready for the types of questions that may be asked. There are numerous articles on the web and in bookstores with practice interview questions and answers. Make sure to utilize all such resources available to you. And finally, don’t forget to have extra copies of your resume and references on hand should they be requested.

4. - DON'T FORGET YOUR MANNERS.
No matter how old fashioned it appears to use word like "please", "sir", "ma’am" and "thank you", do not delete these words from your vocabulary. These simple words can work wonders towards making a positive impression. Always use a respectful tone of voice. Do not unnecessarily interrupt the interviewer. Maintain eye contact and a pleasant expression. Leave the slang, slouching and gum chewing at home. Good manners signals respect for yourself and the people around you; never underestimate their importance.

5. - DON'T DRESS INAPPROPRIATELY.
Whether you like it or not, the job interview is not the time to express your individuality. Always remember that your goal is to gain employment, not to make a fashion statement. Accordingly, you should not dress in any way that will distract attention from you and your qualifications. Things to avoid include unconventional hair colors, excessive jewelry and makeup and any clothes that you would wear to a nightclub. Prior to the interview, contact the companies HR department and inquire about the company dress code. Do your best to dress accordingly. If there is any doubt, err on the side of being overdressed.

6. - DON'T BE UNTRUTHFUL
Never, ever lie during an interview. Mistruths have an uncanny habit of catching up to people. If the interviewer catches you in a lie during the interview, you have seriously damaged your chances of being hired. After all, would you hire someone that you couldn’t trust? If your employer finds out you lied after you have been hired, it could be grounds for dismissal. Even if they do not dismiss you, you are still in serious trouble as you have damaged your integrity in the eyes of your boss. The bottom line is that you should always be truthful when interviewing.

7. - DON'T BE MODEST.
When searching for the right job, put your modesty aside. Don’t be afraid to confidently describe your skills and accomplishments. After all, if you don’t sing your praises to your potential boss, then who will? Don’t count on your resume to do all the work; it is only a tool to help you land the interview. Once you get your foot in the door, it is up to you to convince the interviewer that you are the ideal person for the job. Worried that you will come across as conceited instead of self-confident? Then practice how and what you will say with a friend or family member who can provide honest feedback. 

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8. - DON'T FORGET THE "THANK YOU NOTE".
Once the interview has concluded, take a few moments to jot down your impressions of the interviewer, what you talked about and any interesting points that were brought up during the meeting. The ideal time and place to do this is in your car a soon as you have exited the building, as your thoughts will be most fresh at this time. Use this information as you compose a well thought out thank you note to the interviewer. Mail this note no later than the day following the interview. Remember promptness signals interest. 

 

 

 

How To Handle The Job Hopping Question

The Career Landscape Has Changed
As the economy changes and pink slips pop up, the once optional choice of changing jobs has become a mandatory step towards the top. Times change: 15 years ago employers may have easily rejected a good candidate who held five jobs in eight years. Today, in the wake of company mergers, corporate acquisitions, dot.com shutdowns, mass lay-offs and restructuring, hiring managers are more forgiving of job hoppers. They are realizing it is more of the norm. 

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While today’s employers may be less weary of job changers than their predecessors, some may still have misgivings. That is why you must come prepared with confident, reassuring answers to tricky questions like:

The Tough Interview Question: quot;Why have you switched jobs so often?"

What Is The Interviewer After?
When interviewers ask such an uncomfortable question, they are usually looking or one of the following:

1. A reason to choose you. Valid reason(s) for your jumping jobs.
2. A reason to eliminate you from the selection process. Any red flags that indicate you are the problem and will not last long at the company.

Popular Reasons For Switching Jobs Often
To receive the employer’s approval and acceptance of your reasons for changing careers, formulate an acceptable response to counter the job hopping issue. Some popular reasons for switching jobs include:

1. Taking care of domestic demands, death/extended illness in immediate family, etc.
2. Moving because of spouse’s job, desire to travel, climate, family, etc.
3. Continually seeking more satisfaction in the workplace
4. Experiencing different jobs to determine where true interests lay
5. Working in positions that were only temporary (internships, summer jobs, campaign work, etc.)
6. Wanting more responsibilities, more money, more respect, more prestige, more flexibility, etc.

Be Honest With Your Answers
Don’t try to leave employment skeletons in your closet because sooner or later, they will invariably come back to haunt you. Be bold. Take full responsibility for whatever leaps you made in your professional past and explain why you did what you did and how you’re a better candidate because of such actions.

In your answer, try to:

1. Tie Your Work Together.
   If you worked in different capacities, relate those duties to the position you’re applying for.
   Answer Example:
   "Since I worked in public relations, marketing and promotions, my communication skills continually improved in various mediums which would aid your advertising firm."
2. Explain Why This Time Will Be Different.
   If you always had to leave jobs because your husband was in the military, say how his retiring will change your pattern. If you jumped whenever another offer looked better, say how you have learned loyalty, stability and commitment take precedence over money.
   Answer Example:
   "After I graduated from college, I wanted to test my talents in many different fields but now I know that my true passion is for architecture."
3. Reveal How Your Checkered Career Path Can Benefit The Company.
   List how your skills, experience and education improved in each of your previous jobs and that such a varied background can bring a fresh perspective to the current position.
   Answer Example:
   "Since the film and music industries are so closely related, I feel my experience in the recording and commercial music business helped me acquire unique contacts and skills that will improve your film production company."

Avoid Potential Interview Disasters

There are definitely things that you can do to avoid minor mishaps which could ultimately blow an interview. Become familiar with these 7 potential interview disasters so you can prevent them from obstructing your path to that ideal job. 

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1. DON'T ARRIVE LATE
Showing up late is both rude and inconsiderate. Is this the first impression that you want to leave with a potential employer? Map out your route and try it out before the interview. Plan on being at least half an hour early to your appointment. This will provide a buffer to protect against wrong turns, traffic jams and all the other mishaps that may befall you. If you arrive early, you can use the time to calm your nerves. 2. DON'T SAY THE WRONG NAME
Many a nervous candidate has been known to accidentally call the interviewer the wrong name. In order to avoid this disconcerting faux pau, find out who you will be speaking to before the interview. Memorize the name(s). If this information is not available prior to the meeting, then write the person’s name on your notepad as soon as you sit down for the interview. If you do slip-up, do not make a huge fuss. Apologize quickly (and sincerely) and move on.
3. DON'T SAY THE WRONG THING
Choose your words carefully. Avoid impulsive answers; the first thing that pops into your head may not be the best response. Remember, it’s ok to pause if you need some time to think. Feel free to say "that’s a good question; let me take a moment to think about it." This demonstrates that you think before you speak. Is your everyday speech peppered with expletives or other potentially offensive phrases? If so, take care to avoid these during your meeting.
4. DON'T BECOME SPEECHLESS
Interviews are stressful situations for even the most qualified candidates. This tension can lead to candidates "freezing up" during the meeting. Alleviate some of the expected stress by practicing mock interview questions. Have a friend conduct simulated interviews. If possible, have him/her conduct the interview in a variety of manners including reserved, rushed, and disinterested. This way you will be better prepared for whatever the interview may bring.
5. MONITOR YOUR INTERNAL SYSTEM
Nature has a funny way of acting up at the wrong moments. Fortunately, you can help prevent these unwanted incidents. Avoid the awkwardness of a growling stomach by eating a few hours before the interview. Be careful in what you eat and drink in the 24 hours prior to the interview. Do not overindulge; an upset stomach or hangover is formidable distraction.
6. DON'T BE TOO MODEST
The interview is no place for humbleness. Too much modesty can make you appear introverted or lacking confidence. Don’t be afraid to be your own cheerleader. Prior to the interview, make a list of your accomplishments both personally and professionally; practice talking about them. Have a friend listen to your answers as you practice. This will help prevent you from crossing the line between justifiable pride and boasting.
7. DON'T LACK ENTHUSIASM
No one wants to work with a stick in the mud. With this in mind, how can you prevent from appearing lukewarm? Smile and maintain eye contact. Sit forward in your chair. Avoid speaking in a monotone. Be positive in your responses.

Bouncing Back From A Bad Interview

Nobody is perfect. Nobody lives a perfect life or always has a perfect day. And it is absolutely possible that one of those not-so- perfect days may happen to coincide with the day of a job interview.

Even though we do not like to admit it, we sometimes perform poorly during job interviews. The easiest thing to do is pout, sulk, complain, and whine, but those things don’t really help your job hunt. What is worse, a bad reaction to a sub-par interview, may carry over into future interviews, and make your job hunt much more difficult. Instead, you can make the most of the situation, by recovering quickly. These tips should help you get on your way. 

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Mind Your Manners
One of the worst things you could possibly do after a bad interview is chock the whole thing up as a loss and not follow standard post- interview procedures.

There are too many factors you cannot foresee:

1. Often times, a bad interview in your mind wasn’t that bad in reality. For all you know, it might be the best one your interviewer has had in a long time.
2. You cannot read the mind of you interviewer, you cannot be absolutely certain about what the interviewer is looking for, and you cannot be absolutely certain about the impression you make. So, you cannot assume you have slim chances.
3. Not getting selected for one particular position does not rule you out of the running for future possible positions.
4. One interview may not be your last interaction with a company or an interviewer. So make the best possible impression. Be sure to:
   • º   Be courteous and maintain composure as you leave the interview
   • º   Send a thank you letter, note, email, or other form of correspondence.

Make a List
Even the worst of the worst interviews can still have some value. To really benefit from the interview-gone-bad, try the following:

1. As soon as you get out of an interview you would classify as "bad", create a list of every aspect of the interview that made it "bad". Spend as much time as you need on the list so that you can capture every problem; but make sure you create the list right after the interview, so everything is fresh in your mind.
2. Next, create a list of every possible solution to the problems you just listed. This should be an ongoing process.
3. Continue adding to your problems list. New interviews might reveal new problems. Over time, you will come up with solutions to those problems as well.
4. Continue adding to your solutions list. Ideas can come to you at anytime and you may happen to come up with better solutions to problems you already solved.

Check It Twice
The use of lists really helps you to recognize problems and figure out solutions to them. To truly get the most out of them, however, the lists need to be used as constant reminders.

1. Post your lists on a wall, the refrigerator door, or a mirror. Put the lists in a spot where you will see them regularly. Let them serve as a constant reminder of your ongoing self-improvement.
2. Study your lists in between and especially right before interviews. Your lists should be as important as any background research you do on a company. The test of how much you learn is your next interview.
3. Take your lists with you to an interview. Immediately after the interview, examine your lists. Note problems that reoccurred, problems you overcame, solutions that occurred, solutions that did not work, and any new problems that emerged. Your lists should be ever changing.

5 Skills You MUST Convey During The Interview

This article discusses the five key "secret skills" that interviewers examine and how to demonstrate them in an interview situation.
These five skills are:
1. Organizational
2. Critical Thinking
3. Communication
4. Interpersonal
5. Multi-Tasking

1. ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
Unless you are applying for a job as a mad scientist, organization is an essential skill for any job. Employers can get sense of how an individual will handle large workloads by how organized that person is during the interview. Moreover, a person that makes a sincere effort to stay organized is an employee that will take a job seriously and make a sincere effort to get things done. 

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The best way to display these skills:

• •   Dress professionally and neatly for an interview.
• •   Keep supplies or materials on hand if you think they might be pertinent to the interview.
      This can go beyond pen, paper, resumes, and business cards depending on
      the position you apply for.
• •   Organize your thoughts before the interview. Preparation for typical interview questions
      will reflect a sense of general readiness.

2. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Nobody wants a mindless drone for an employee. If they did, they would buy a robot. Employers want people that can think on their feet and respond. They are looking for people that won't come crying with every little setback. They are looking for problem solvers. Having critical thinking skills means that you can come through in the clutch. The best way to display these skills:

• •   Prior to the interview, prepare of a list of anecdotes or previous jobs that required critical
      thinking to solve a problem. When applicable, bring these examples up in the interview.
• •   Talk your way through the answers. Let the interviewer understand your train of thought
      when responding to questions. This can also buy you a little extra time if you are
      unsure of how to answer.

3. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is the number one fear in America, but making an impact requires these skills. Unless you can communicate ideas to others effectively, you may not come across as very confident. This is precisely why so many employers ask for individuals with good communication skills, often including public speaking.

The best way to display these skills:

• •   Practice speaking, or answering interview questions in a mirror. This will get you used
      to speaking aloud and let you see the things you may be doing wrong.
• •   Practice interviews with another person, so you can learn to keep cool when reacting to
      another person's comments.
• •   Stay calm and ALWAYS MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT. It's hard to disagree with a confident
      person. Once you SEEM confident, you hold all the cards.

4. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Along with being able to communicate your own ideas well, you have to be receptive to other ideas and work constructively with them. Companies need versatile team players: people that will work hard on their own and increase the depth and effectiveness of a group effort. The best way to display these skills:

• •   As in the case of critical thinking, it is a good idea to prepare a list of examples in which
      you were part of a successful team effort. These items may not be on your resume, but
      could come up in an interview.
• •   When possible, reflect back on cases where you coordinated a team effort. It is one
      thing to work well in a group, but it is even better when you show that you can
      also lead and take charge of a group.
• •   Don't be afraid to mention troubles within a team that you had to overcome. A group of
      people will not agree on everything 100% of the time. Being able to work
      through problems and succeed is paramount.

5. MULTI-TASKING SKILLS
Businesses are always happy to drive down costs, and the best way to do this is by hiring fewer individuals who can multi-task. It is often the case that one efficient employee can do the work of two typical employees. Employees are paid for the hours they work, and employers want to get the most out of what they pay. An employee that can complete multiple tasks at once is the solution.

The best way to display these skills:

• •   When discussing previous positions held, include situations where you worked on
      multiple tasks at the same time.
• •   Prepare a list of projects that required you to separate tasks into clusters that could be
      addressed simultaneously. Be ready to explain the thinking behind your separation
      system.
• •   Show a willingness to take on many responsibilities. Any worker can pick up one or two,
•     but if you can pick up more without getting spread to thin, you become a valuable asset.

5 Tips To Rescue a Sinking Interview

1. BE UPFRONT
The last thing an interviewer wants to hear is a list of excuses he has heard a thousand times before. Trying to cover your tracks like this is just a waste of breath and could potentially insult your interviewer's intelligence.

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Take a different approach. Replace a list of excuses with the following sequence of events.

• •   Identify the Problem First - tell the interviewer about the mistake before he can address
      it.
• •   Admit fault - apologize for the problem and recognize your shortcomings as the cause.
• •   Explain Typical Behavior - let the interview know that mistakes, like being late, are freak
      occurrences and that you normally don't make them.

2. ASK QUESTIONS
Occasionally, you may start to feel uncomfortable during an interview. If you do not manage to regain composure, the interview will only go downhill. Taking focus away from you buys time. Sometimes turning the tables can also turn the interview around.

Asking questions will force the interviewer to talk and possibly mention characteristics he is looking for. In keeping questions as a back up plan, be sure to:

• •   Prepare - come up with some questions ahead of time and make sure they are
      appropriate to the particular company and position.
• •   Pay Attention - don't just ask a question and then zone out as you regroup. The
      interviewer could be giving you valuable information or ask you a question in response.

3. GET FEEDBACK
One easy way to lose your cool is to get halfway through answering a question only to discover that the interviewer is bored beyond belief. There is no need to be scared…yet. This is another place where questions can help.

Instead of using questions to get comfortable, use questions to get information. Your response may not be answering the right question, the question may have been unclear, or you may be spouting an incoherent nonsense. If you are caught in this situation:

• •   Stop - Do not be afraid to break mid-answer to ask a clarification question.
• •   Be Direct - if clarification does not put you at ease, ask the interviewer if he has any
      concerns about you as a candidate for the position.

4. TRY FLATTERY
A good mood is contagious. If you can get the interviewer into a happier state of mind, you may manage to give the mood of the entire interview a boost. Plus, nobody minds the occasional compliment. Whether it's a nice word about the company, the office, or the culture, a compliment can go a long way in a rough interview.

Choosing which compliments to pay, however, is not a simple task. Take to heart these suggestions before you start dropping kind words:

• •   Show Preparation - consider paying a compliment that shows you have done research
      on the company, such as commenting on a shift in strategy or other recent
      business decision.
• •   Be sincere - a compliment has the ability to make you appear to be an upbeat person;
      do not let a poor attitude offset that.
• •   Don't Push It - compliments should not be too numerous, too personal, or too
      emphatic; eventually an interviewer will see through your ploy.

5. MOVE ON
Sometimes you can be fully qualified, answer every question perfectly, and make all the right decisions, but still get a cold shoulder from an interviewer. At these times, you have to remember: it's not your fault.

No matter how confident and qualified you are, you are not in complete control of the interview. You have bad days from time to time. Interviewers can have bad days too, and that can affect your interview. It's not fair, but it's the truth. An interview could be going badly due to no fault of your own. 

 

Mastering The Meal Interview

1. MIND YOUR MANNERS
It may seem unnecessary to mention, but those basic table manners you were taught as a child still matter. In casual settings, poor manners are not always corrected. Therefore, you could have picked up some habits that your mother would be ashamed of and more likely than not, your interviewer probably will not be too be impressed by them either.

Here are just a few of the habits you should be mindful of during a meal interview: 

Job Vacancy Indonesia, Employee  

• •   BE POLITE. In addition to evaluating your answers to questions, an interviewer is also
      assessing your personality. Be courteous and respectful to everyone,
      especially the wait staff. Words such as "please" and "thank you" speak worlds about
      your character.
• •   BE AWARE. Keeping you elbows on the table, chewing with your mouth open, talking
      with your mouth full all convey a negative impression. Pay attention to even
      your smallest actions.
• •   BE PREPARED. If you feel uncertain about your table manners, consult the experts.
      Emily Post's books on etiquette are considered to be among the
      definitive works on etiquette. There is no shame in doing research; after all, this is an
      interview.

2. THE DISH DILEMMA
Even though you are being treated to a nice meal, you are not free to order any dish you like. You are in an interview, and therefore, you have the duty of maintaining a certain level of professionalism and formality throughout the meal.

There are no definitive rules of food selection, and you may have to make a game-time decision. However, following these rules will help you steer clear of trouble:

• •   AVOID MESSES. Steer clear of foods that have to be eaten with your hands or have a
      tendency to splatter. It is hard to recover from the embarrassment of
      splashing your interviewer with spaghetti sauce, nor do you want to inadvertently adorn
      yourself with gravy or cream sauce. So stick to foods that can be cut into small pieces
      with a knife and fork.
• •   NO STENCHES. Avoid foods that have a strong or unpleasant order. You are better off
      having an interviewer not remember you at all rather than as the
      candidate with bad breath. So no matter how much you love onions and garlic, lay off
      the stinkers for one meal.
• •   KEEP IT QUIET. You need to be able to conduct a civil conversation. Avoid foods that are
      crunchy and noisy to eat. In a public setting there is a lot of noise that
      could drown out the voice of a person sitting across from you so try not to order food that
      would add to the problem.
• •   FOLLOW THE LEADER. You may be wondering if a menu item is priced too high or if to
      order an appetizer first, etc. The answer is to follow your interviewer's lead.
      Try to order food in the same price range as the interviewer and order the same number
      of courses. You do not want to be sitting idle while the recruiter is still eating.

3. CONSUME AND CONVERSE
You are at an interview and also dining out. This means you need to not only be talking, but also eating. It can sometimes be difficult to do both.

Try and keep these issues in mind when posed with the challenge of eating and talking at the same time:

• •   YOU ARE IN CONTROL. Don't feel so pressured to talk that you don't eat at all. This can
      be interpreted as nervousness.
• •   ASK QUESTIONS. When going to an interview, it is always a good idea to have
      questions. This will allow you get more information on the company and
      show that you have done your homework. During the meal interview, it
      will also give you the opportunity to actually eat as your interviewer responds to your
      questions.

4. FINISHING WITH A BANG
Unlike that of a standard interview, the end of a meal interview does not just end with a handshake and a "Thank You". There are other things to keep in mind including:

• •   DON'T OFFER TO PAY. It's never expected of a job candidate, and you don't need to do
      it.
• •   NEVER ASK FOR A DOGGY BAG. No matter how delicious the meal was, requesting to
      take a portion of it home is not appropriate for the setting.
• •   REAFFIRM YOUR INTEREST. Let the interviewer know how much you would like to work
      for his/her company.
• •   A "Thank You" AND HANDSHAKE CAN'T HURT. As in any interview, don't forget to thank
•     the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. In addition, be sure to
•     be gracious and say that you enjoyed the meal and end the interview with a firm
•     handshake. Make sure to follow up with a thank you letter in the morning.