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Interviewing Tips in a Competitive Market - by DCSI International Executive Recruiting

March 27, 2009

You’ve received a call that you’re being considered for an opening that you’ve applied for, congratulations. This is one of the most competitive times in the marketplace in years, so it’s more critical than ever to get it right in the interview process. As an international executive recruiter, I’ve helped prepare thousands of people for interviews. Below are some tips that will help you make a very positive 1st impression & help you stand out from the rest of the competition.

  • Do your homework. Do as much research on the company/hiring manager you’ll be interviewing with as possible. Information is powerful & it’s easier to access than ever. You should Google the company/hiring manager, visit their website, read the bio’s, & collect as much information as possible. An investment of a few hours upfront can make a difference when it’s ‘go-time’ in your interview.
  • Dress in business attire unless specifically asked not to.
  • Take EVERYONE in the interview process & every line of questioning seriously. It’s “their” process, so be prepared for any question, & be respectful & treat each person you meet, from the CEO to the Administrative Assistants, equally.
  • Be prepared to answer basic questions that typically come up, such as: “Why are you interested in our company & this position?”, “What are you going to be able to bring to our company & why should we hire you?”, & “Why did you leave your last job(s)?”. This last question is a potential land mine or a way to positively stand out.
  • Prepare open ended questions to ask during the interview such as: “Why is the position open & how long has it been open?”, “How will you measure my success in the first 90-120 days?”, “What’s the problem you’re looking to solve by filling this position?”.
  • Remember, the reasons a position is open are limited, someone got fired, promoted, demoted, or it’s a new position due to growth & company expansion. Quickly adapt your presentation to clearly and concisely articulate how your skills & exp. make you the solution they’re looking for.
  • It’s important to keep in mind that conversation is like a pumpkin pie. If there are 2 people in the interview, you each should get half of the conversation (pie. If there’s 3 people, than each gets a third, etc... Don’t take more than your share but don’t speak too little.
  • Be honest, positive & passionate. Don’t say anything negative about your past employers. A company will interview a number of candidates who likely have similar skills & exp. Your positive attitude & presentation will be a major part of what will make you stand out from the rest of the pack. Close the interview by letting them know that you are very interested & ask what the next steps will be & their timeframe.
  • Ask for the business card of each person you’ve met with & send a “Thank You” email within 24 hours of your meeting. The letter should be spell checked & re-read several times prior to sending off! It should express your appreciation of their time, your interest level & how you feel you can make an immediate contribution, & let them know you’re looking forward to hearing from them regarding next steps.
DCSI is an International Executive Search & Firm that Services Global High Technology Industries. To learn more about us, visit www.dcsiconsultants.com.

Contact:
Jerry Damron
DCSI
jerry@dcsiconsultants.com