SPEAKING OF BUSINESS: Arm yourself for interviews with questions, knowledge

Q: I have been interviewing for a job for the last few months. What insight would you offer to me if I were interviewing for a position in one of your companies?
A: To begin with, as the requirements of the job are unfolded for you at the interview, meet them point-by-point with your qualifications. Come prepared with knowledge about the position and company. Following are some tips to assist you in better preparing for job interviews:
? Bring your notes with you.
Interviews are not closed-book exams. Bring a crib sheet with your notes. Highlight three key points. Prepare at least three questions to ask the interviewer. At the end of the interview ask, ?What are the next steps in this interview process, and when might I hear from you??
? Identify your strengths.
Before an interview, identify four or five of your most valuable strengths, along with an example of how you have demonstrated each. During the interview, be sure to convey these four to five strengths, no matter what questions you are asked.
? Know yourself.
Research the company you are interviewing with and know yourself. Know your strengths and interests as they relate to the company and the available position. Be prepared to discuss what value you would add toward achieving the purpose of the job.
? First impression.
Establish the tone of the interview when introductions are made. You should always offer a firm, but not overwhelming, handshake and make direct eye contact with the interviewer. Practice your handshake. It could be the beginning of a new opportunity.
? Develop a strategy.
Unless you are the last person to be interviewed, the impression you make will most likely fade with each subsequent interview the interviewer undertakes. And, if you are not remembered, you will not be offered the job. It is important for you to develop a strategy to keep your name and skills constantly in the forefront of the interviewer?s mind. For example, you should bring handouts to show your work.
? Mind your manners.
Brush up on your manners. Some interviews are held over lunch and can be the determining factor in deciding whether you are polished enough for the opportunity. Therefore, your table manners will also make an impression.
? Answer questions honestly and completely.
Answer all questions honestly, completely and in the most efficient manner. If you try to offer a full and complete answer initially, you will better be able to back it up when asked pointed questions about the experience.
Here are some questions you should ask:.
1. What are some of the more difficult problems facing someone in this position? How do you think these could best be handled?
2. What would be a typical career path for an individual working in this position?
3. In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products and services over the years?
4. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
5. How is one judged? How is success measured and determined?
6. To whom would I report should I get the position? If that person is not one of the interviewers, ask if you would have the opportunity to meet that person.
7. What type of training is required, and how long will the training period last? What type of training is available?
8. What are the realistic chances for growth in the job? Where are the opportunities for greatest growth within the company?
9. What are the skills and attributes most needed to get ahead in the company?
10. Who will be the company?s major competitor over the next few years? How does the interviewer feel the company stacks up against the competitors?
11. What has been the growth pattern of the company over the last five years? Is it profitable, and, if so, how profitable? Is the company privately or publicly held?
Always ask for the position! You always want to make sure the interviewer knows you want the job. This is simple to do, but very few people do it. Asking for the position is one aspect of the interviewing process that will leave a great impression.
You should always send thank-you notes to all the interviewers. Write a brief follow-up letter thanking the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to interview. You should do this immediately ? within the same day of the interview. Within the letter, as well as expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to interview with the recruiter, state your continued enthusiasm about the position and the company. Recap your strengths, being careful to relate them to the requirements of the job and the company. Request to meet again. The letter should be no longer than one page.

Windsor resident Russell Disberger is a founding member of Aspen Business Group, a Northern Colorado-based specialty consulting and venture-capital firm. He can be reached at (970) 396-7009, or by e-mail at russell@aspenbusinessgroup.com. Some of the information in this column was taken from Knock?Em Dead, The Ultimate Job Seeker?s Handbook by Martin Yate.

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