EPI Tips

• People have to buy you before they buy from you
• People hire primarily based on emotion, then justify later with logic
• People are most sold by your conviction rather than by your persuasion
• Know your technology, but think PEOPLE
• The decision to hire is made in the first 5 to 10 minutes of the interview, with the remaining time spent justifying that decision

Before you interview for a job opportunity, learn as much about it and the employer as possible. If you found the opening through a recruiter, he or she should be able to provide that information for you. Regardless, conduct research on the Web, visit the library, and tap into industry contacts.

Questions To Ask During The Interview
After you have studied the company make a list of questions to ask the employer:

• "Why is this position available?"
• "What training programs are available to the person in this position?"
• "What are your goals for this position?"
• "What are the traits or characteristics of the person you will hire for this position?"
• "What obstacles must be overcome for the person in this position to succeed?"
• "How will my performance be evaluated?"
• "What opportunities are there for growth in the next 12 months? Two years? Five years?"
• "What growth do you anticipate for your firm in the next 12 months?"
• "What is the next step in the process?"

Questions You May Be Asked

Your recruiter should be able to give you a good idea of the hiring authority's personality, his or her typical interview demeanor, and a few important questions that the employer is likely to ask:

• "Tell me about yourself." (Keep your answer in the professional realm only.  Review your past positions, education and accomplishments.)
• "Why are you interested in this position?"  (Relate how you feel your qualifications match the job requirements.  Also, express your desire to work for the employer.)
• "What are the most significant accomplishments in your career?"  (Identify recent accomplishments that relate to the position and its requirements.)
• "Describe a situation in which your work was criticized."  (Focus on how you resolved the situation and became a better person because of the experience.)

Other Potential Questions:

• "What do you know about the organization?"
• "How would you describe your personality?"
• "How do you perform under pressure?"
• "What have you done to improve yourself over the past year?"
• "What did you like least about your last position?"
• "Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) company?"
• "What is your ideal working environment?"
• "How would your co-workers describe you?"
• "What do you think of your superior? What would he/she say about your performance?"
• "Have you ever terminated anyone?  What was the situation and how did you handle it?"
• "Are you creative?"
• "What are your goals in your career?"
• "Where do you see yourself in two years?"
• "Why should we hire you?"
• "What base salary are you looking for?"
• "What other types of jobs/companies are you considering?"

Closing The Interview
Job candidates often second-guess themselves after interviews. By asking good questions and closing strongly, you can reduce post-interview doubts. If you feel that the interview went well and you want to take the next step, express your interest to the interviewer.

Try an approach like the following: "After learning more about your company, the position and responsibilities, I believe that I have the qualities you are looking for. Are there any issues or concerns that would lead you to believe otherwise?"

This is an effective closing question because it opens the door for the hiring authority to be honest with you about his or her feelings. If concerns do exist, you may be able to create an opportunity to overcome them, and have one final chance to dispel the concerns, sell your strengths and end the interview on a positive note.