As a headhunter, you recognize them almost as soon as you meet them. That rock star candidate who will stand out from the rest and be much more likely to be offered the job. Why? Because the top notch candidates, the ones with passion as well as prowess, share a number of common characteristics.
As a headhunter, I screen and interview candidates regularly, so I know first-hand about putting candidates on the spot with difficult questions… and how stressful it can be! The only way to handle tough questions is to be as prepared as possible. In this post I’ve outlined the 13 toughest questions interviewers almost always ask, and provided guidance on how to answer them.
As a headhunter I give interview advice every day, and over four years in the business I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Here are my top interview prep tips, with some very specific advice on how to set yourself up for success in an interview. Better yet, the advice is valid for any discipline and any level of seniority. Here we go…
I have an admission to make; in the past, I have acted like a loser. Let me explain.
A few months ago, I was in a slump. Though I have been successful in my career, and I have been blessed to work with wonderful co-workers and clients, a slump seems to come around every 2-3 years whether I like it or not. And this slump was a bad one. In spite of knowing better, I chose to act like a loser.
So, how does this relate to you and your job search? Here is how I (incorrectly) handled my slump:
Having been in the headhunting industry for nearly 20 years, it takes a lot to shock or surprise me during an interview. I have a tendency to credit myself with “having seen it all”. Every so often, though, I meet someone that throws me a curveball – in good and/or bad ways – and that makes me reflect on just how unique every person that we meet is.
As a recruiter, I get this question all the time. I head up the IT group, so for example I’ll often be approached by a Java Developer who would like to become an Oracle DBA. No matter what industry you’re in, the question for candidates remains the same … what’s the best way to go about changing the direction of my career?
You interviewed for a great job that scores checkmarks all around on your career wish list. So when you get the call that the job is yours, do you simply agree to sign on the dotted line? Or should you negotiate the terms of your contract to see how much more you can improve the offer?
Want your resume to get noticed? The words you choose to use count. You most likely already know that you have to include keywords in your resume. Most companies now use some type of applicant tracking software that looks for keywords that match specific job requirements. If your resume lacks the right combination of job-specific keywords, it will end up in the proverbial round file.
Want to stand out in an interview from a sea of other candidates? Come to the interview prepared with a list of good questions. In a face-to-face interview, asking insightful questions is your opportunity to show how you think and demonstrate your value to the company. Plus it helps you decide if it’s the job you really want. Here are some good ones to get you started.
