Catherine Z Jones asked:

Job interviews are tough. I personally do not know too many people that enjoy going on them. Not only are you attempting to impress the interviewer but you also worried about answering interview questions without stammering and thinking of good interview questions to ask.

Many people are self-conscious about themselves during an interview. They stress about everything from the first handshake to the last one. The biggest hurdle is the dreaded question that an interviewer asks regarding your desired salary.

Now that the subject has been brought up, how does one respond? We are going to discuss some things that should help you be less anxious about salary negotiation.

First of all, be prepared for salary negotiation. You know that the subject is going to come up so prepare yourself. Do a little checking on what a person with your qualifications is earning in your demographic area. This will help you to formulate a salary range and give you confidence in discussing your salary when the subject comes up.

Do a little budgeting project. Write down what bills you have to pay each month and factor in for such things as gasoline, groceries, and anything else that may come up. Once you do this, you will have an idea of the absolute minimum salary that you can accept.

Sell yourself. Tell the interviewer why you are worth the salary that you are trying to negotiate for. Be prepared to discuss your skills and achievements.

Convince the interviewer that they need you. It is best not to discuss a salary right away. Instead try to inquire about the position that you are applying for. If an interviewer persists, pleasantly tell them that you can be flexible and would love to talk about the salary after you hear more about the position and your duties.

Always let the interviewer reveal the salary. Do not be the one to initiate a salary negotiation.

When the interviewer does bring up the question of desired salary, try to reflect the question back to them by asking what the employers were expecting to pay someone with your qualifications. If that does not work, give them a salary range that you are comfortable with because of the “homework” you did in preparation for the interview.

Do not lose your bargaining chip by disclosing you past or present salary. When you do this you are effectively forcing an employer’s hand with regards to a salary offer.

If the salary is lower than you expected, make sure that you are taking into consideration any benefits such as insurance, 401k plans, stock options, bonuses, and discounts to mention a few. These benefits can add as much as forty percent to the base salary.

When a salary offer is on the table, do not say yes immediately. Ask for twenty-four hours to think it over. This is good for a couple of reasons. If the offer is higher than you anticipated, you will have the opportunity to calm down and accept the offer with some semblance of decorum. If the offer is lower than you can reasonably accept, you will be alerting the interviewer that they may lose you unless a better salary offer is produced.

Once you and the interviewer have come to an agreement on the salary, get them to put the offer in writing, disclosing everything from the salary to the benefits you will be receiving.

If the offer is just too low and it will not support your needs, be polite in rejecting the offer. You never know when you might do business with in the future and you do not want to leave a bad impression.

Hopefully this has given you a better grasp on the art of salary negotiation and dispelled some of the anxiety of the most feared question in an interview.

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Pamela Watson asked:

Within this article I will share an important secret behind successful job interviewing and career management. We all know that a well designed job search requires much more than revising your resume and learning a few job interview tips. Usually it’s good to get advice from the experts and career counselors or coaches. But, it is far more important to know yourself and to know where you want to end up. Do you have a picture in your mind of where you’ll be in 5 years…10 years? Have you written it down? With this picture or goal in mind, can you now plan for tomorrow’s career strategy? What can you do, tomorrow, that will lead to the better job or the promotion?

The most important secret to successful job interviewing is knowing your career vision – - where you want your career, and your life, to take you. Every step you take towards securing a new position, obtaining a highly desired promotion, reaching short-term career plans should be based upon a big picture – - your career vision. It is what provides the pathway for your personal success. It is what keeps you on track during disappointments and in the midst of organizational or personal changes. We have to know what it is that we’re seeking to be effective within our career moves.

Recently, I received an email from a business associate who wanted to share a promotion within a major corporation. I’ve known this professional for over ten years, have heard him speak of his career goals, and I recognized how valuable his stepping stones mean to him. His careful preparation, and planned risk-taking, was leading to career success that had personal value to him and his family. When necessary he had made adjustments and changed jobs, but he kept focused on achieving the big picture.

The steps to creating your vision are similar to the the way companies create their long-term plans or mission statements. Due to the size and functioning of corporations, it can take months – - sometimes years – - to complete a mission statement.

That’s not the case when you create your own personal one. The process doesn’t take as long, and there’s no need to get an entire management team together to complete it. What’s most important is that yours be based on your “reality” and your “dream.” Between these two areas is a “gap of compromise” that allows you to create a successful vision of your career. Whether you’re searching for a new job, a promotion, or career satisfaction, it’s important to have a vivid picture in your mind of where you’re heading.

Your career vision can be drawn directly from your personal values, family background, financial desires, geographical limitations, physical needs, etc. At least 25% of it should deal with your reality.

So, if you have an deeply embedded, vivid picture of your career goals, it makes life so much easier in your job search. You begin to fully use your network in a way that will get you better job leads. You are then able to clearly identify what company or position can further your career and synchronize with your goals. You can fully evaluate a company before, during, and after the interview. You begin to use a much more efficient job search strategy.

Many job seekers send their resumes to numerous job boards, recruiters with generic opening statements and introductions. You throw enough darts and sooner or later something’s going stick, rights? But will that new position lead you to your desired position? Or will you be looking for a new position 6 months after accepting the offer? The secret to successful job interviews centers on you knowing where you expect to end your journey. With this knowledge you can search for a new job with a clearer sense of what it is that you will accept, or not accept.

Job interviews are designed to review the results of your career-related actions, as well as to determine how well you will fit within the company. If you’ve done your homework (self evaluation and company research), then your vision should directly impact the short-term step of interviewing. By understanding where you’re heading, you’re more likely to successfully manage interview questions – - as well as decide if the position is one that will lead you closer to career success.

Are you ready to succeed within your career? Then, grab a pen and paper, take a seat, and start writing about your dreams….your reality…and chart your vision. Best wishes to your career success!

Discover how my E-Consultation process can support your efforts to build a network, reach hiring managers, and land interviews…and not use up your valuable time! Visit Beacon Career Management to request an E-Consultation and discover the most effective job search strategies.

Job interviewing is a critical part of an individual’s job search. This is the time to sell your skills and experiences. It is critically important to practice prior to your interviews. Job seekers only get one chance in an interview. A job hunting Best Practice is to practice interviewing with a friend or career coach. This will help you prepare properly and get you focused on winning the interview for that perfect job.

1. Research the company before the interview.

You should be familiar with the company you are applying to. Review company profile, annual reports, mission, vision, and other relevant information that the interviewer might ask.

2. Practice with some common questions and answers.

Prepare and rehearse responses to frequently asked questions during interviews. Practice in front a mirror or with an audience such as your friends, family members or ideally an expert. They can provide feedback of what to do and not to do during job interviews.

3.Respect the time of your interviewer.

Time is gold in every business or institution because everyone is busy with their respective duties. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. This way you will have time to relax and not look stressed before the interview as well as not waste the interviewer’s time.

4. Display confidence in your behavior and the way you communicate.

The interviewer can easily perceive if you are confident through your posture, dress, walk, energy, and eye contact. Greet the employer with a firm handshake. Let the interviewer start the dialogue and listen carefully. Always welcome questions with a smile. Before answering the question, think and develop answers in your head. Ask the interviewer to restate a question if you are confused. Most importantly, give honest and direct answers.

5. Demonstrate positive statements and attitude.

Smile, be polite, and try to relax during the interview. The attitudes that you express must express that you are willing to work. You must also exhibit willingness to expand your knowledge. You must remember that employers like to hear your plan for future development and commitment to learning.

6. If you have worked before, talk about what you have learned from it.

Review your previous work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the company’s needs.

7. Encourage the interviewer to share about the company information.

Demonstrate your interest by encouraging the interviewer to share information about the company. This way the interviewer will appreciate your interest to the company and your willingness to be a part of their team.

8. Bring extra Personal Data Sheet or Work Portfolio.

An attractive personal data sheet or work portfolio provides additional information that your prospective employer might want to hold on to for future references.

9. End the interview positively.

The end of the interview is the time to let the prospective employer know if you are interested in the job or not. A positive end to the interview is a way of ensuring your success. At this time restate your strengths and accomplishments that you have emphasized during the interview. Express also your appreciation for the interviewer’s time.

10. Review and evaluate your interview’s strengths and weaknesses following your interview.

Evaluating your strengths and weaknesses immediately after the job interview. If you don’t get the job consider asking the interviewer what you did well and in what areas you will need improvement.

By: Bob Stanley

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