Robin Ryan
The 5 Point Agenda is a predetermined analysis in which you select your five most marketable points and repeatedly illustrate these points throughout the interview process. (Location 234)
Examine your previous experience. Write out the major responsibilities for each job you’ve held. Note any special accomplishments. (Location 246)
Strong entrepreneurial drive was responsible for delivering new programs, HR systems, and major policy enhancements. (Location 276)
Fifteen years of experience for two Fortune 500 companies. (Location 289)
Before every job interview, you will customize your 5 Point Agenda to reflect the responsibilities of the job as well as the company’s goals and objectives. (Location 294)
The 60 Second Sell is a tool that helps you target your skills to meet the employer’s needs. It allows you to summarize your most marketable strengths in a brief and concise manner. (Location 303)
The 60 Second Sell is a 60-second statement that you customize for each interview and that summarizes and links together your 5 Point Agenda. You will want to put the points of your 5 Point Agenda into an order that allows you to present them in the most logical and effective manner. When you link the ideas into sentences, they should be spoken in 60 seconds or less. Once memorized, this statement will be easy for you to recall and use during the interview. (Location 309)
You need to open the interview by using your 60 Second Sell. (Location 315)
Questions such as Tell me about yourself require a brief summary noting your most marketable skills, not a life story. Another question to which your 60 Second Sell is the perfect answer: Why should I hire you? This question is asking you to convince the employer to hire you. Other applicable inquiries include: What are your strengths? What makes you think you are qualified for this job? What makes you think you will succeed in this position? Why do you want this job? These questions offer you an excellent way to stress your 5 Point Agenda (your most marketable (Location 317)
“I’d bring fifteen years of visual design and technical writing experience, having worked for two Fortune 500 companies. I’m highly creative. In my past positions, I’ve delivered original concepts producing sophisticated graphics and illustrations for the manufacturing and technical departments. I’ve primarily worked on complex manuals and webpages. I not only have excellent writing and editing skills in English but am completely fluent in Spanish, French, and Italian. I’ve always produced creative results and feel that I would be able to make significant contributions to meet your team’s goals too.” (Location 350)
Both the 60 Second Sell and the 5 Point Agenda must be customized and created for each interview. (Location 356)
There are four key components to successfully answering interview questions: (Location 568)
Whenever possible, give a specific work example of how you’ve operated in the past. Employers want assurance that you’ll be able to do the job. Offering explanations that include examples of how you solved a key problem, saved money, or added to the bottom line can be very influential. (Location 581)
Good reasons to depart include wanting more challenge or growth opportunities, (Location 623)
I’m looking for a challenge that will really use my abilities and strengths so I can continue to grow and make a contribution.” (Location 626)
An answer that I always used was, “Chocolate—I have a definite weakness for chocolate!” (Location 637)
your greatest weakness?” I might say: “Well, you know, I can be pretty type A when I’m working on a project. I just get so absorbed, I forget to look at the time. Before I know it, the time to leave has long gone by and I’m still there. I guess that’s a weakness. (Location 639)
Other acceptable responses include admitting you are a workaholic, that you are a perfectionist, or that you get impatient with your own performance and sometimes are too hard on yourself if you make a mistake. (Location 648)
The employer fears you are overqualified and will get bored and want to leave the job quickly if he hires you. (Location 660)
Do not show that you are desperate, that you’ll take any job—that is always a major turnoff. Stress why this job fits for you now. Talk about life changes, need for more structure, desire to make a long-term contribution. You can say that you wish to spend (Location 662)
Try: “In my current job, I try to plan out all major projects in a reverse timeline. I start with the deadline and work backward to set divisional deadlines for each part of the project. (Location 671)
Try: “In the past, I’ve been a resourceful problem solver. Could you be more specific about the types of problems I’ll need to solve here? (Location 704)
This is a great opportunity to stress that you enjoy learning new things, are adaptable, and are willing to take on new tasks as needed. (Location 712)
I recommend sticking to work-related situations. (Location 716)
If you have ever had to fire someone, then use that experience. (Location 720)
It is best to note that you are taking a course, using a tutorial, attending professional conferences or regular meetings, or reading a book to gain or improve a skill. (Location 724)
“I enjoy doing research on the Internet and spend free time downloading business articles we can use here to improve our division’s website content.” (Location 726)
“Often stress results from inadequate time management and then feeling panicked at the end to get the job done and meet a deadline. (Location 751)
Explain that you read trade journals, get industry e-newsletters, take classes, read books, or maintain membership in professional associations to remain current and advance your skills. (Location 759)
“One boss didn’t give me very much feedback. In fact, I only heard from him when there was a problem. (Location 770)
Open communication, I guess, is what was lacking. I think that’s really important to have between me and a supervisor.” (Location 773)
“Listening to what you had to say about this job, I know you want someone like me who has the right skill set and a positive, ‘get it done’ attitude. I have . . . ,” (Location 802)
“Everyone was surprised when we came to work one morning and found out the company was being acquired. (Location 979)
“First could you tell me more about how large your budget is and the resources and staff assigned to the project?” (Location 1024)
“That I could be a strong contributor. I know you need someone who can . . (Location 1099)
Try to give specific examples that show you as a self-starter, an innovator, or a team leader with creative ideas. Mention how you improved a process, added a new service, organized something, or recognized a trend and contributed solutions to capitalize on it. (Location 1649)
Secrets of Establishing Your Value Always, always, always establish your value first. (Location 1702)
This is your opportunity to determine that this job, company, and boss are a good place for you. (Location 1812)
Before the interview, prepare a list of pertinent questions that you would like answered to determine if this position is really a good job for you. Write or type out your questions on a piece of paper that you can take out when it’s your turn to ask questions. (Location 1823)
Here are 37 questions that you can consider asking. (Location 1842)
First say, “Certainly, may I ask what dates and times you have available?” You are probing to determine how many people they are talking to. Try to be the first or last person they interview. (Location 2091)
Clearly explain what you are like as a manager and listen to what they like. (Location 2166)
Therefore using Skype is tremendously useful to get a ‘feel’ of a candidate and a better understanding of their personality prior to bringing them in. (Location 2213)
This is a fatal error. I can’t stress enough how important it is that you prepare prior to the interview. Write out answers to prospective questions. Analyze and prepare your 5 Point Agenda. Memorize your 60 Second Sell. (Location 2364)
9. Failure to Demonstrate Skills Many people will sit through the interview without clearly telling the employer what skills they’d bring to the job. They’re quiet; their answers may be very general or very vague. Employers don’t hire for vague generalities. They hire for specifics. Specific skills, past experience, examples of how you have done that kind of work before—specifics are what employers make decisions to hire on. Be sure to be detailed but concise whenever you answer. (Location 2377)
Decide if you will carry a briefcase or a simple leather-bound notebook holder into the interview. (Location 2478)
To demonstrate that you are relaxed and confident, sit with your hands on your lap, or rest them open on the table if one is in front of you. Equally acceptable is to open your notepad and hold a pen. (Location 2491)
We all get suspicious of a person who focuses his eyes on the floor, or to the side, but rarely on us. Practice until it is second nature to look at the person when answering a question. (Location 2495)
Show-and-tell examples may be a form you developed that sped up production, articles you have written, materials you have created, webpages you’ve laid out, brochures that list you (Location 2514)
Read up on trends. Notice industry changes and current problems, so as to be nimble in discussing your position and the field in which your work is done. (Location 2522)
Become well versed in the products, services, and operations of the company you are interviewing with. (Location 2524)
Highlight Transferable Skills (Location 2548)
questions, and you’ve followed with yours. You’ve learned about the next stage and when the company will be making a decision. Just before you get up to leave, close with your 60 Second Sell. (Location 2612)
Here’s how one client won the job: (Location 2615)
There are times when follow-up can win you the job. Here’s what to do: 1. Call to verify that the employer selected another candidate. (Location 2699)
2. Check back in four to six weeks to see if the person is working out. If he isn’t, the employer will be very glad to hear from you. (Location 2708)