Below are questions you may want to ask the Interviewer.

1. Why is this position open?
2. How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
3. What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
4. What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
5. What is most pressing? What would you like to have done in the next 3 months.
6. What are some of the long term objectives you would like to see completed?
7. What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
8. How do you think these could best be handled?
9. What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances. etc?
10. What freedom would I have in determining my own work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement?
11. What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame?
12. In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products and services over the years?
13. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
14. How is one evaluated in this position?
15. What accounts for success within the company?

*These questions are presented only as interviewing guidelines. They are meant to help you prepare for the interview. Some questions may or may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation.

Below are questions you may be asked in the interview:

1. Tell me about yourself? (try to hold your response to 2 minutes)
2. What do you know about our company?
3. Why should we hire you?
4. What can you do for us that someone else can’t?
5. What do you look for in a job?
6. What skills and qualifications are essential for success in the position of ______?
7. How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
8. How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?
9. Describe your management style.
10. What do you believe is the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?
11. Why are you looking for a new career?
12. How would your colleagues describe you?
13. How would your boss describe you?
14. How would you describe yourself?
15. What do you think of your present or past boss?
16. What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last position?
17. What were the five most significant accomplishments in your career so far?
18. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
19. How much do you expect if we offer you this position?
20. Why do you want to work for us?
21. What other positions are you considering?
22. Have you kept up in your field with additional training?
23. What are your career goals?
24. What are your strong points?
25. What are your weak points?
26. How did you do in school?
27. What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years?
28. If you took the job, what would you accomplish in the first year?
29. What was wrong with your current or last position?
30. What kind of hours are you used to working or would like to work?
31. Do you have your reference list with you? (Remember don’t give it out unless it is asked for).
32. Can you explain your salary history?
33. What questions didn’t I ask that you expected?
34. Do you have any questions for me? (See Questions for the Interviewer that you might want to ask).

Below are some general tips to get you prepared for your interview.

+Plan Ahead
Research the company and the position if possible, as well as the people you will meet with at the interview. Review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Have your facts ready! Bring a copy of your resume as well as professional and personal references.

+Role Play
Once you have finished studying, begin role playing (rehearsing). Write down answers if it helps to make your presentation more concise. Try to keep your answers to the information your new employer will want to know.

+Dress To Impress
You only have one chance to make a first impression. It is always better to be overdressed than under dressed.

+Don’t Be Late
Always keep in mind that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So be on time at the particular location of the interview. Also, if you are there too early, you can wait in a nearby cafe or shop. Do not check in with the receptionist more than 15 minutes early. And if you are going to be late, then the best option is call them. Also, public transportation may be useless if the traffic is heavy.

+Don’t Smoke
Do not smoke for at least 1-2 hours prior to your interview. Smoke smell lingers and can turn off many interviewers no matter how much you have to bring to the table.

+Don’t Wear Too Much Perfume/Cologne
While you think your perfume or cologne is a magnificent smell, people have many different preferences. Additionally, many people have allergies to these types of smells.

+Handshake
Don’t forget to give a firm handshake!

+Eye Contact
Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Show you want the job with your interest.

+Be Positive
In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers.

+Smile
Everyone wants to hire a pleasant, happy employee. Don’t forget to smile!

+Adapt
Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer.

+Relate
Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Focus on achievements relevant to the position.

+Sell Yourself
Interviewing is about selling yourself. The product you are selling is you. Give them reasons to buy. Tell them what you can do for them. Emphasize what you can bring to the company, department and position. Convince them that your product is better than the competition’s.

+Be Honest
Be honest with every question. No need to lie about your background and/or skills. If you get caught, then you will definitely lose out. Job interviews are about matching needs. If there is not a good match, then there is no chance of a job.

+Don’t Talk Too Much
Always remember that communication is a two-way street, so give them a chance. Also, don’t interrupt the interviewer when he/she is talking. Give him/her a chance to talk. One common mistake candidates make when interviewing is talking too much. It is important to listen to the question asked and answer that question. Keep your answers to two to three minutes at the most. When you limit your time, you tend to stay more focused. It is very easy to stray off the subject and ramble about things irrelevant to the job if your answer is too long.

+Encourage
Encourage the interviewer to share information about his or her company. Demonstrate your interest.

+Talking Salary
Timing is everything in the interview. Let them bring up the subject of money. If you are asked what your salary expectations are too early in the process, just say you would rather postpone that discussion until you have more information about the position.

+Thank You
Thank the interviewer for their time and express to them before you leave how interested you are in the position (if that is the case). Follow up with a thank you note. Email or Snail Mail is acceptable. Keep it brief.

Counter Offers

KIMDOM CAPITAL understands that there are many personal and professional factors at play when accepting or turning down offers. The most popular is the counter offer. The top 2 most common forms of counter offer are the “financial raise” counter and the “emotional plea” counter from the current employer at the resignation stage.

Below are 10 decisive reasons why accepting a counter offer is not a good idea.

Top 10 Reasons Not to Accept a Counter Offer

1. After resigning, you have made your employer aware that you were looking and unhappy. Your loyalty will now be in question.
2. When promotion/raise time comes around, your employer will remember who is loyal and who is not.
3. When making difficult decisions about cut-backs, the company may begin with those that are deemed less loyal.
4. Accepting a Counter Offer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal pride, to simply be bought at the last minute.
5. Where was the extra money for a counter offer at during your last performance review? Most companies have strict wage/salary guidelines and may be simply giving your next raise early or buying time to hire someone in your place.
6. The same circumstances that now cause you to consider making a change almost always reoccur within the next 6-12 months.
7. Statistics show that if you accept a counter offer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in 6 months or being let go within 1 year are extremely high.
8. Once the word gets out, the relationship you now enjoy with co-workers will never be the same. You lose personal satisfaction of the peer group acceptance.
9. What type of company do you want to work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you what you are worth?
10. Accepting counter offers after already accepting another position burns bridges with other companies, your recruiter, and ultimately shows all 3 parties that you can be bought.