Page 79 - 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions

72 Nail the Job Interview!

You can only do these two things after you have had a chance to
interview for the position - not at the beginning or in the middle of
the interview. You need to have the opportunity to determine what
the job is worth based on the duties and responsibilities of the posi-
tion - something you can best evaluate after you have a chance to
ask questions about the position. You also want the opportunity to
promote your value to the employer which you have a chance to
demonstrate and support during the give and tale of the interview.
Interviewers who bring up salary early - during a telephone
screening interview or early in the initial interview - are usually
trying to screen people out of consideration based on salary
expectations that are either too high or even too low! Attempt to
stall by indicating that salary is “open” or that you need to know
more about the position before you can discuss salary.

41. Delay accepting an offer until you can consider it.

Once you are offered the job, your immediate response may be to
accept it right there on the spot. In most cases you are better off to
request at least a day or two to consider the offer. This gives you a
chance to weigh whether you really want this job; check your status
at any other organizations where you have applied for a position;
and perhaps to even negotiate a better employment package either
with this employer or at one of the other firms, which may decide
that if they want you they will have to act now.
It is reasonable to ask for 24-48 hours to consider the offer as
well as discuss it with other family members. If a geographical move
is involved, a longer period of time is not unreasonable.

42. Close by asking when to follow up.

At the end of the interview make sure you how what the next step
is - further interviews or an employment decision - and when the
employer expects to male a decision. Once she indicates a hiring
decision date, ask if you may call a day or two after that date if you
have not yet heard. If she says they expect to make a decision by
the loth, ask, ‘‘YI haven’t heard anything by the 12th’ mnay I callyou
to check my status?” In most cases you will be given an okay to call.