Career Development ServicesInterviewing & Evaluating An Offer
Interviewing
You have done a good job with your job search so far, and now you have an interview! Let's explore ways to maximize your success in this next step of your job search process!
Know the Organization
- Learn the mission and goals of the organization
- Research size, locations, history and annual or media reports
- Understand the types of customers, primary competitors, and product lines or services
- Consider how the organization links to your current or future career plans
Know Yourself
- Identify transferrable skills - what skills do you have to offer?
- Analyze your strengths - what value do you bring to the organization?
- Be aware of any weaknesses - how should they be addressed?
- Know your goals - why does this organization interest you?
- Know your personal achievements - Download Guide
- Be able to articulate why you are interested in the specific position and the company
- Be ready to provide more details about on anything mentioned on your resume
- Prepare several examples of relevant past accomplishments
Understand Each Perspective
| Employer's Interview Goals | Your Interview Goals | |
| Employers want to learn about you | You want to learn more about them | |
| They are buying |
You are selling | |
| They are trying to screen you out | You are trying to make the cut | |
| They are gaining information about a prospective employee | You are gaining information about a prospective job and employer | |
| To assess your knowledge, skills, abilities | To match your knowledge, skills, and experience to the critical aspects of the job | |
| To evaluate your fit with the job and the organization | To demonstrate that you are a good fit | |
| To hire the best candidate for the job | To fully understand the job |
Got Skills?
How to Prepare
- Prepare 3 - 4 key points
- Connect your background to the job
- Identify ways in which your skills and knowledge can contribute to the employer's needs
- Be able to articulate why you are interested in the specific position and the company
- Be ready to provide more details about on anything mentioned on your resume
- Prepare several examples of relevant past accomplishments
Employer Question Guidelines
- Answer questions with work-related answers, if possible
- Be sure to provide examples
- Questions should address skills, knowledge and experience as they relate to the job.
- Inappropriate questions include those that could lead to job discrimination based on age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or religion
- If you are unclear about how a question relates to the job, ask for clarification
- Download the Questions Asked By Employers Guide
Your Question Guidelines
- Do not ask about salary or benefits in a first interview
- Do ask what would characteristics make a candidate successful in this position, then provide examples of how you have those characteristics
- Be sure to ask about the hiring timeline and next steps
- Download the Questions to Ask Employers Guide
Know your Story
Stories provide more insight into your behavior and personality than a simple answer to an interview question. Seven steps to STAR in your interview stories is adapted from Bob McIntosh, A Practical Look at the Job Search:
1. Relate your experience in a concise, persuasive manner
The STAR formula helps you capture the interviewers' attention and keep your answershort and sweet. Theituation and Task set the stage while your Actions and Results tell your story.
2. Demonstrate self-awareness
"Tell me about a time when you remedied a problem you caused." Briefly own the problem or mistake but highlight the story with your action and results.
3. Reveal more than asked for
"How were you able to improve communications...?" Stories help reveal more than one skill, you can talk about your communication skills as well as leadership, problem solving, coordinating, and interpersonal skills.
4. Elicit follow-up questions
"Thank you. That was a great answer" indicates your story addressed the question. The employer may come back with follow-up questions which means you have gained the employer's interest.
5. Show enthusiasm
You can tell you story about organizing a major event or saving thousands of dollars but if your voice is monotone, there is something missing. Help interviewers' care about your accomplishments, lean forward, look in the eye, and smile when you talk about your actions.
6. Stories tell about your value
Don't be afraid to use the word "I" but remember that employers are looking for team players; give credit where credit is due and demonstrate you're a leader.
7. Preparation is key to success
There is only one way to prepare, you have to completely understand what is required of the position and know what competencies the employer is looking for.
Interview Types
You may be asked about salary requirements in the initial stages of the job interview process:
- Research the job market and learn the salary range for the types of jobs for which you will be interviewing
- Determine your minimun requirements and be prepared to consider a reasonable salary range and benefits
- Avoid naming a specific figure, simply say you are open to negotiation should you be offered the job
Don't miss your chance to follow up:
- Handwritten note
- Phone Call
You have already quantified your qualifications, now it is time to negotiate based on your unique knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to the job and job market:
- Negotiation involves compromise, work to acheive a win-win situation
- Don't discuss your personal or financial problems, focus on your ability to perform and achieve results
- Some salary scales are non-negotiable, you might ask for accelerated reviews or non-fixed benefits such paid memberships, time off, flexible schedule or a delayed start date
After considering a job offer (the job, salary, benefits, etc.) and weighing the pros and cons, you make a decision: You don't want the job.
The reality is, not every job is right for every person. Remember the purpose of the interview: It gives the company representatives an opportunity to decide if you're a good candidate for the job and lets you evaluate if the position and company are the right fit for you.
If you choose to reject the company's offer, here are five things to know:
- It's okay to say no, thank you. You aren't the first person to reject a job offer. In addition, the position is going to be filled by another candidate.
- A rejected employer may appreciate your answer. If you know the job or company is not a good fit for you, declining the job offer is the right thing to do. Hiring an employee is expensive. Accepting a job offer you are unsure of-and then resigning a few months later-costs time and money for both you and the organization.
- Say thank you. There must have been something that kept both you and the employer interested through at least two rounds of interviews. Be sure to thank the person offering the job for their interest in hiring you. (Note: Leave a good impression. You may want to work for that company in the future!)
- Be professional when you tell other people. Don't bad-mouth a company or specific person within an organization. Note: If you believe any interviewers acted inappropriately (asked illegal or uncomfortable questions), speak to someone in your campus career center. While it's not appropriate for you to speak ill of someone in your rejection letter, you also need not let improper recruiting conduct go unaddressed.
- Give them your decision in writing. It is imperative that you send an e-mail or letter to the person making the offer letting him or her know of your decision. In large organizations, a formal job offer letter may come from a human resources representative. In this case, send a letter to the hiring manager and forward a copy of the letter to the HR representative. As with thank-you letters, rejection letters are professional and concise.
Reasons why candidates don't receive a job offer
- Lack of enthusiasm and interest in the position
- Inappropriate attire
- Responses do not contain enough detail
- Inability to connect experiences and education to the position and the organization
- Unclear and/or unrelated career goals
- Limited knowledge of the organization and the position
Understanding Job Fit and Benefits
You have worked hard, hopefully with an end in mind but remember this is only the beginning:
- What do you need from a boss, supervisor, mentor, or team?
- How do you fit in and where does this opportunity lead?
- What are the onboarding, job training, and professional development opportunities?
You have already quantified your qualifications, now it is time to negotiate based on your unique knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to the job and job market:
- Negotiation involves compromise, work to acheive a win-win situation
- Don't discuss your personal or financial problems, focus on your ability to perform and achieve results
- Some salary scales are non-negotiable, you might ask for accelerated reviews or non-fixed benefits such paid memberships, time off, flexible schedule or a delayed start date
A good benefits package can add as much as 30 percent to your overall compensation, and some of it goes to you untaxed. Many organizations that have recruiting programs aimed at hiring new college graduates offer a wide range of benefits.
Evaluating a Job Offer
Trying to decide what is right for you? There is no right or wrong way to make a career decision, your choices should reflect both personal and financial priorities. It is important to take time to research and evaluate opportunities and their relevance to your life and career goals.
Know your market value. Now is the time to apply your research skills and do your homework. Salary is often based upon the value of your ability to produce:
- What is the national average for graduates in your field?
- What special skills and experience do you have to offer?
- What is your bottom line and how can you improve their bottom line?
You may be asked about salary requirements in the initial stages of the job interview process:
- Research the job market and learn the salary range for the types of jobs for which you will be interviewing - Job Seekers Salary Calculator
- Determine your minimun requirements and be prepared to consider a reasonable salary range and benefits
- Avoid naming a specific figure, simply say you are open to negotiation should you be offered the job
Salary is only a part of the benefits package and evaluating an offer goes beyond compensation:
- Job - Does the position help you meet your current and future goals?
- Location - What about the commute and cost of living?
- Organization - Have you considered the company culture, people, and relationships?
