Expert Direction on Job Changing Methodologies
by Gary Ames - Selected writings by a professional job campaign manager.
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Interview Call Checklist

Keep This Page by the Phone

Gary Ames

  
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 u    Accept the offer to interview warmly and gladly. 

v    Get the names and titles of the people you will be meeting with. 

w    Ask “How much time shall I allow for this meeting?” 

x    Ask about the range of interview times available.  Ideally you are the only candidate.  Otherwise, try to meet later in the interview process.  Last is best.

y    “What is your phone number in case I must reschedule?”

z    Get clear directions.  The web site www.mapsonus.com provides detailed directions with a graphic of each intersection.

{    Now is the best time to request information on the company: i.e. sales brochures, PR releases, organizational chart, and annual report.  “Can you send me a job description?”  “How else can I learn more about you and the challenges I’d be handling before our meeting?” 

|    Find a way to say ‘Why do you like me?’  i.e. “What prompted you to pull my resume out of the stack and call?”  

} Find a way to say ‘What are your hot buttons?’ i.e.  “What are the most important things you’re looking for in this employee?”  “What is your conception / vision of the ideal candidate?”  “What would you like to say about the person who succeeds in this job a year from now?”

Key Point:  Avoid getting interviewed over the phone, if possible.

Now it is time to get busy with research and interview preparation.

See your Reference Librarian (the one who knows tons about the tons of expensive books on the shelves.) 

For information on mid-size to larger companies see: www.hoovers.com, www.ceoexpress.com, www.corporateinformation.com, http://www.flipdog.com/corp/resourceCenter.html.

Use multiple search engines: www.altavista.com, www.google.com.  www.gogettem.com, www.northernlight.com, www.dogpile.com.

Flip the web site!  In the AltaVista advanced search box, enter –

link:company.com – this shows all web pages that link to the target.  This is ideal for focused research on how to contribute.

For smaller and independent companies:  Due diligence is crucial. 
It is your career and there is so much at stake! 

 
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1. Advanced Job Search  2. Communication  3. Documents  4. Getting Interviews  5. Interviewing  6. Research  7. Miscellaneous  8. Tools