Dear SafetyXChange Members:

My last article for SafetyXChange was about interviewing and the words you shouldn't use to describe yourself to an interviewer. Today, I'd like to stay with the interview theme but offer advice of a more positive nature. Let's look at what questions to ask to make a favorable impression on interviewers.

In Interviews "Q"s Count as Much as "A"s

The interview process is stereotyped as an interrogation in which the interviewer hammers away at the interviewee with a relentless stream of questions. This is utter nonsense. Sure, some interviewers may operate like this. But the truly great interview - whether on the phone or in person - is a process of mutual exploration and identification in which each side serves as both questioner and respondent:

• The interviewee tries to identify the needs and priorities of the organization and demonstrate how he/she can make a difference in delivering results; and
• The interviewer represents the organization to explore the background of the candidate and determine whether there's an appropriate "fit."

Preparing Your "Q"s

To really impress your interviewer, you must come to the interview prepared with incisive questions. That means you have to do some homework! Before showing up, you should have an idea of how you can add value to the organization. You should be ready to demonstrate your flexibility, adaptability and credibility and impress the interviewer that you are quick to learn.

Preparation in itself is something that will help your candidacy. You want to let the interviewer know that you've conducted research on the firm, are familiar with its operations and marketing efforts and understand the competitive landscape. And consider not just the firm but the person who will be interviewing you. If possible, Google the interviewer and gather information on the person's background and career path.

Some Recommended "Q"s

Here are a series of questions that I recommend my clients consider asking:

The Work & Workplace

• What attracted you (the interviewer) to this organization?
• What is the current situation in this division (problems, opportunities)?
• Describe the work environment and culture.
• Describe the style of the management (or leadership) team.
• How are decisions made at the leadership level? At the director level?
• What percentage of your employees are above, at, or below their set goals?
• What are some of the most challenging aspects of this position? This organization?
• What are some of the short- and long-term objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
• What freedom would I have in determining my own work objectives, deadlines and methods of measurement?
• How would I be evaluated in this position?
• What significant changes do you anticipate in the near future?

What to ask the Prospective Boss

• What is your #1 priority this year?
• How often, and in what degree of detail, would you want to be informed about my projects?
• How much do you want to know about problems that come up?
• How does this organization typically handle conflict?
• How does this leadership team make tough decisions?
• Is there any aspect of the corporate culture that you would like to change?

Ethics

• Do you have a formal code of ethics in this company? How is it distributed?
• Are all employees trained in ethical decision-making? Are they encouraged to take responsibility for their behavior? Is there a system for employees to use when they have been asked to do something they consider wrong?
• Do employees have formal channels available to make their concerns known confidentially? Is there a formal committee high in the organization that considers ethical issues?
• How is integrity emphasized to new employees?
• How are senior managers perceived by subordinates in terms of their integrity? How do senior managers and leaders model ethics-related behavior?

One Last Question:

What else do you need to know about me to help you make this decision?

Conclusion

Remember, that an interview is not an interrogation. Concentrating all your efforts on answering questions isn't enough to make the decisive impression - regardless of how impressive your answers are. If you leave that interview without having served up questions of your own, you're most likely not going to get the job. Interviewees must ask questions as well as answer them. Anything less is a recipe for disappointing expectations.

Wishing you career success,

Lauryn Franzoni
ExecuNet
www.execunet.com

SAFETYXCHANGE CONTEST
Interview Embarrassments

What's the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you during a job interview? Send your responses to glennd@bongarde.com. I'm going to assume that you will not want us to use your name and company. So if you do want us to mention you by name, you'll need to say so in your note.

We'll announce the First, Second and Third Place winners next Friday. Good luck, everybody.

INTERVIEW EMBARRASSMENTS
What in the Blazes. . .????

By Glenn Demby

To get things started, I'll give you my most embarrassing interview moment. It happened when I was applying for a job as a lawyer at a Wall Street law firm in New York City. I was at lunch with two associates. Everything was going well. Then one of the associates asked for my business card. No big deal. I searched my wallet. There wasn't a business card to be found.

I knew the darned things were in there somewhere. So I dug deeper. As I did, I inclined forward and leaned my head toward the table and the candle. . .

"Um, Glenn," said one of the associates.

"Don't worry, Rob. I know I got a business card in here." And I kept on digging.

"No, Glenn. You don't understand," Rob snapped back.

But I cut him off. "Here it is!" I smiled, proudly pulling the card out of the wallet.

At that point, Rob started beating me about the head with his cloth napkin. I was stunned.

"What do you think you're doing?," I gasped.

But Rob continued to rain my head with blows from his napkin. I grabbed my own napkin and was just about to retaliate in kind.

And then I smelled it. Burnt hair. Clumps of the stuff were falling from my head. My hair was on fire. That bloody candle! Luckily, Rob had the blaze under control. But it smelled awful. And it left a black patch on my noggin that I was hard-put to explain.

P.S. I got the job and worked for that firm for three years. And, no, I wasn't "fired."

I can't wait to hear your stories!

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