Have you ever thought of the reverse? Here you are willing to devote many years of service to an organization and perhaps they are the ones who should be examined.
Not that you should antagonize and harass the interviewer but rather you should prepare and demonstrate your concern, research skills and thorough overall nature of any project you involve yourself with.
Are these not the skills and attributes that good employers are endlessly searching for in the job selection process rather than corporate interview ?Parlor Games ??
What questions should you ask and how should you prepare for these important events?
Firstly if you have not been able to find out previously ask if the firm is privately owned, a government agency or a non profit organization? You would be amazed at how often this issue is muddled or even hidden. Does the organization have main goals and purpose defined? What are the major products or services? Are there upcoming products or changes in the pipeline of goods and services?
It never hurts to ask what skills, education, experience and knowledge are required to qualify by the position so that you can better hone your approach. Similarly what personal qualities and traits are best desired for the job? Does the jobs involve defined duties or is the job description and duties in a state of flux or perhaps even worse not defined until into the fire.
There are two differing views on asking about money and salary. Some think it is crash and insulting. Yet others insist that if you do not ask about salary and bonuses you are showing that you are not a practical person and in the end are not really serious about the job. As they say it is your choice depending on how you read the tea leaves so to speak. Remember that it is you who will pay the price. You may be giving up a good position to come to this new job and at the worst you will invest substantial time and energy. It is best to remember that when you make a value judgment whether to ask or no ask about salary, benefits and job position bonus values.
Lastly look to the concern that the employer places on employee values and welfare. Does the firm really have sincere concerns regarding the personal and career growth of their employees? Look for emphasis on training, industry contacts, on the job and outsourced training and education that are practical and purposeful rather than a sugar coated approach that is only done for appearances and presentation effects after the horse has bolted so to speak from the corporate barn.
Lastly and most importantly it should be stated and emphasized that if the employer or employee who is conducting the interview takes exception to these basic employee questions you should be grateful.
You have saved yourself a lot of grief and wasted time and energy.
It can said by example that if the gal or guy on the date is a horror show it is not a good idea to marry that person.
However employers and your prospective employer who is sitting across the desk or hotel room at you may not. A major component of fire departments is to prevent rather than fight fires. Preparation and planning shows an employee with traits and skills that they admire and hire. You may think that it is just great to do things at the last moment. However have you ever considered the extra effort and meager results that usually results? By waiting to the last moment you are severely limiting both your options as well as your success rate.
A major way to demonstrate your planning skills as well as your ability to implement your plans is to do an in-depth investigation of the company that you are planning to work for. In the end you should know more about the company ? its strengths, shortcomings, goals, customers and products than even the person interviewing you.
What questions should you focus on in your research?
First of course what is the ownership of the company, Is it privately owned, a public company on the stock exchange or a government institution. Public companies have a wealth of information available from your stock broker, online or at your public library. Private companies are somewhat more guarded. You can shine in your research skills here. Again online searches and the public library may be useful. Newspaper searches or clippings again at the library may also yield results. Seeks out customers and even competitors for your targeted company. After all who knows better about the sales and problems of the aspirin company than the salesman of the competitive product Tylenol?
Government organizations present a challenge in that some information is available And even more is supposed to available but may be well be shielded from public view by a possessive protective beauracy. Again your research and interpersonal skills and contacts come into play.
Find out what the main stated goals of the organization are. Is this consistent with their appararent actions and direction. Consistency down the line is important. The captain may be sailing in one direction yet the staff is paddling like mad in another direction to stay out of harms way.
Prepare for questions as to what skills, education, experience and knowledge you will bring to the organization. It is important that this meshes with the job position.
The employer may well ask you what salary you are asking. Again research industry standards in that particular field. Total salary including benefits, bonuses and perks are what count.
Be prepared to discuss ongoing concerns in the specific field and industry involved as well as current trends. Ongoing educational needs in the field, particular field and the firm are important.
Finally at the end of the interview it is always best to ask for feedback. Are there any questions not covered? Are there areas for improvement in your presentation, education or skills? Assuming you are successfully hired what areas of emphasis should you have ? training, skill development and personal development?
It is said that those that do not plan plan to fail. Don't fall in that trap. Be proactive. Plan and follow through. Woody Allen's comment that ?95 % of life is just showing up? is more than appropriate. However it must be stressed ? show up fully prepared.
Bill Piker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Small Business, Finances and Small Business. Bill Pikerbillys_office@yahoo.comwww.ace-training.netwww.aceempoymentservices.net. Bill Piker's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.