Interview Prep Guide

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Written by Nelson Technology

Introduction

As you know, interviews can be nerve racking; yet they are your best opportunity to learn about the potential position and the company, as well as determine if your individual talents will be beneficial for the company.


In this guide, Nelson Technology has included several things you can do to make your interview as successful as possible. We offer good solid information to help you effectively prepare and ultimately receive the job offer. Please feel free to share this with your colleagues and friends.


Most of all, good luck with your Interview!

Do Your Homework


On the Company


Learn as much as you can about the company. Know the history, current market and financial situation, and vision for the future. Some possible sources are:


Your Recruiter
Company Website
Trade Journals
Periodicals
10K Reports/Annual Reports
Business associates
Friends


On the Opportunity


Gain a thorough understanding of the position. Know what the expectations are for the position – main duties and responsibilities.



On Yourself


You are your own salesperson. Know the product you are marketing.


Be able to convey transferable technical and industry knowledge
Be sure your resume is error-free
Review all dates, positions, accomplishments, duties, responsibilities
Focus on the more recent positions, including your last ten years of work.
Review your experience and skill set
Pay attention to your attitude and professional presentation
Know your strengths and areas for growth
Be able to illustrate how specific past achievements can help the company
Concentrate on your communication skills and image delivery
Have education verification and certifications available




Some Useful Interview Tips


Selling yourself to a prospective employer can be stressful. To overcome nerves, practice interviewing. Practice with your Recruiter, a spouse, a friend, a relative – anyone you trust – to conduct realistic interviews and to provide feedback.


Tell the employer why you are interested in the opportunity with the company.


Tell the employer why you are the most qualified person for the position – highlighting your areas of expertise and major accomplishments.


If you do want the Job, make sure and ask for it.



Interview Checklist


Plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
Be excited about the position and the company.
Ask very specific questions.
Do not discuss salary or benefit packages. Remain open. Let your Recruiter handle these sensitive negotiations
Sell your enthusiasm!
Mirror the interviewer’s demeanor.
Elaborate. Avoid answering questions with “yes” or “no” only. Market yourself by highlighting your experiences and knowledge.
Remember to be humble. Never think you have the job “in the bag”.
Stress your accomplishments, achievements and records.
Always represent yourself honestly and sincerely.
Try not to make negative comments about previous employers.
Tell your potential employer what you are going to do for them – not what they can do for you.


Being prepared will help you be confident and relaxed during the interview.


Speak with your Recruiter about specific issues that may be raised in the interview. Become familiar with the interview style(s) that you will encounter.



Questions and Answers


How to Handle Questions


Interviewers often ask difficult questions that are designed to see how you will react to unfamiliar situations or under stress. By becoming familiar with the types of questions you will likely encounter, you will have the ability to respond with confidence and greater ease.


Always remember to:


Answer the question that is asked. Do not sidestep a question by answering a different question or asking a different question. Ask for the question to be repeated if you are unclear about it.
Respond honestly and directly. This is a time to focus on your strengths. When discussing negative experiences, explain what you learned and how that knowledge will be applied to future situations.
Take a moment to organize your thoughts. Some questions may be best answered in chronological order while others may be best answered in order of importance.
Get to the point. The interview is a dialogue – not a monologue. If you think your answer is going on too long, wrap it up.
Be enthusiastic. How can you expect the interviewer to be energized by your responses if you are not?
Reflect on former jobs in a positive manner. A good strategy is to focus on “more”. You want more responsibilities, more challenges, and more opportunities. If you have been laid off or fired, focus on the valuable learning experiences and how they have helped you to perform even better.
Never speak negatively of past supervisors or employers.
Keep in mind the position you are interviewing for is your primary objective. Let the interviewer see how this position will help you meet your career goals.


Typical Interview Questions


What are your short-term objectives? Long-term?
What do you look for in a job?
What is the difference between a good position and an excellent one?
Why are you leaving? Why did your business fail?
Why did you choose to interview with my organization?
What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?
Why should we hire you?
Do you work well under pressure, deadlines, etc.?
How are you best managed?
How has your early career or background influenced your progression and/or current management style?
How has your management style changed over the years?
What amount of compensation are you seeking and why? (Refer to your Recruiter)
What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
What are your five biggest accomplishments in your present or last job? In your career?
What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
What business credit or character references can you give us?
What qualifications do you have that make you think you will be successful in this business?
In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?
Will you stay with us throughout the contract?
If you could start again, what would you do differently?
How do you rate yourself as a professional? As an executive?
What new goals or objectives have you established recently? Why?
How have you changed the nature of your job?
What qualities have you liked or disliked in your boss?
What was the most difficult ethical decision you ever had to make? What was the result?
Why have you not obtained a job so far?
What features of your previous jobs have you disliked?
Would you describe a few situations in which your work was criticized?


There are no set of answers to these questions. To respond effectively, your answers must be direct, honest, enthusiastic, and succinct.



Recommended Answers


Consider the following points when answering the following common interview questions:


What is wrong with your present company?


Remember to focus on the positive. Explain how you have enjoyed your employment there and that there are good people in management. Convey your desire to handle more responsibilities that are not available in your current position – you are looking for an opportunity that offers more career growth.



Why are you interested in leaving your present position?


Remember, you want to stay positive and avoid discussing the negative aspects about your past or present employer. You may consider something like this: “I enjoy my work, but I am ready to expand my knowledge and take on more. Frankly, these opportunities are not available in my present position.”


Questions to Ask



An interview is a dialogue where information is exchanged. You may want to ask questions to help you learn more about the position and company. This may also provide you an opportunity to evaluate the interest and objectives of the interviewer.


Who are your major competitors and how do they stack up against you in terms of product, market share, methods of marketing, strengths and weaknesses?
Tell me about the history/growth of the company.
In the recent history of the company, what has been the biggest advance and what has been the biggest setback?
What is your highest priority in the next six months and how could someone like me help?
Tell me about a typical day.
What are the characteristics of your top people?
Where do you see your company going in the next several years?
What are three main qualities you are looking for in a candidate?
How do you see me fitting in with your company?
If I were to ask your top employees what they like most/least about the company, what would they say?
How do I compare with other qualified applicants?
Do you have any hesitations about me being successful with your company?
What does your interview process entail?
When may I return and meet some of the people with whom I would be working?
What are your personal satisfactions and disappointments since you have been with the firm?




Closing the Interview



-If there is some important information that has not been shared in the interview, such as a planned vacation or your desire to work remotely, make that information known before you leave.


-Be sure to find out what the next steps to the hiring process will be and when they are likely to occur.


-If timely and appropriate, directly express your interest in the opportunity. Ask for the Job.



Dress and Appearance

Make sure and ask your Recruiter what the appropriate dress is. By doing your research you should have a general idea as how to dress to the interview. When in doubt overdress.


Money Tips


How to Handle Compensation


Compensation is a very delicate topic and often requires extensive negotiations to arrive at a figure that is fair and acceptable. It’s in the best interest of Nelson Technology to ensure you are compensated at a fair marketrate.


Remember to keep focused on the opportunity! The position is the single most important factor in your decision. A dynamic job in a great work environment with other quality people offers benefits that money alone cannot buy. Money will not change a poor position or company into a good one.


Money Do’s and Don’ts


Be flexible! You are looking for a fair compensation.
Keep your Recruiter involved. Part of our job is to assist with sensitive compensation negotiations and provide a buffer to help both parties reach a fair and acceptable compensation rate in a professional manner.
Compensation discussions. Be sure to discuss all relevant compensation issues with your Recruiter.



Post Interview Prep


“Thank You” Letter


It is essential you write a follow up letter after the interview. You must continue to sell yourself by following up and reinforcing your qualifications. Follow up gives you a chance to say things you have forgotten to say, or to correct things you wish you had said differently.


Send the follow up letter as soon as possible. This conveys a sense of urgency and high interest in the opportunity. Ideally, your letter should go out the next day.
Be brief and to the point.
The letter should address four key areas:
Thank them for their time
Express interest and enthusiasm in the company and position
Reflecting the interviewer’s own words, highlight your experiences and accomplishments that amplify your qualifications
Ask for the next interview or position


It is important to have someone carefully proofread your letter; then, forward the letter to your Recruiter for a final proof. Your Recruiter will make necessary corrections or changes so the letter will represent you in the best way. Once you all agree on a final version, sign a hard copy and drop it in the mail. We do not recommend e-mailing your follow up letter because it is less personal.



More Tips: 25 Things to Not Do


A recent survey of companies when asked why they did not hire a qualified contractor led to this compilation of answers:


Lack of technical knowledge
Not understanding the job they are applying for
Poor personal appearance
Lack of interest and enthusiasm
Over-emphasis on the money
Criticism of past employers
Failure to maintain good eye contact with the interviewer
Limp “dead fish” handshake
Late for the interview
Failure to express appreciation for the interviewer’s time
Did not ask enough detailed questions about the position
Lacked sufficient detail when responding to questions – failure to give examples
Overbearing, over-aggressive, conceited, “know-it-all” complex
Inability to express oneself clearly
Lack of confidence, ill at ease
Lack of factual information
Lack of manners, courtesy
Lack of maturity
Lack of vitality
Indecisive
Merely shopping around
Cynical
Lack of a strong work ethic
Intolerant
Inability to take criticism/not open to being mentored