Few people realize it but the most important thing is not a dollar figure. Far more important is the nature of the job itself.
Once the responsibilities and budget have been determined, a salary range and incentives will follow. If you can get in early
you can shape the job and accordingly, the compensation package.
The importance of being prepared with questions as well as with commentary cannot be stressed too heavily. People buy
your questions sometimes more so than your answers. Being forearmed in this manner will have significant impact and separate
you from the competition.
Caution! Too many success stories while explaining your potential contributions may seem contrived. Try to give examples
of actions you tool to improve situations and let the other party probe for more details for which you are prepared. Being prepared
in this manner will appear less rehearsed.
First and lasting impressions can be more under YOUR control if you are aware that skilled interviewers asking for verifiable accomplishments are also listening carefully for any signs of stress or anxiety or subtle anger – all typical of a “talker” not a “doer”.
To the Interviewer: Don’t keep unlikely candidates up in the air. When he or she is clearly not a candidate, do them a favor
and DO NOT give them hope by making them feel better about their interview. Emotional uplift of that sort is counter-productive.
It is more dignifying to let the candidate leave with some good advice on how to continue his or her interviewing and too, a
positive feeling towards you and your company.
Stay tuned for more InterViewPoints on this site