(Interview) Tips And Tricks : Salery Negotiations

Interview : Salery Negotiations
General Interview Tips And Tricks

Salary negotiation is more of an art than a science. It usually is one of the most neglected and under-rated aspects of a Job search. I have heard quite a few people say, "I just want to get my foot in the door, and I don't care about how much they pay me to start with. Once I am in, I can get good raise etc." In my opinion, don't ever make that mistake. It just doesn't work that way. Do not accept a position at a salary lower than you know you are worth with the hopes of big raises in the future. The article below by Lee Miller is the best article I have found on this subject. He has also written a book, "Get More Money on Your Next Job", which is very interesting and an informative read.

Principles for Negotiating: The Ten Commandments of Employment Negotiations

Taking into consideration those things that make employment negotiations unique, together with generally applicable negotiating principles, I have developed a set of basic principles which I refer to as The Ten Commandments of Employment Negotiations. These principles, along with what I refer to as the Eleventh Commandment, apply in every employment negotiation.

Commandment 1: Be Prepared

Preparation is critical when negotiating the terms of your employment. The more information you have, the more successful you will be. This is so important that I have devoted a full chapter in my book to preparing for employment negotiations. This is the first commandment because it is the most important single thing you can do to ensure that you get the best deal possible.

Commandment 2: Recognize That Employment Negotiations Are Unique

Employment negotiations are different from other types of negotiations. They are not a one-shot deal like buying a house or a car. When the employment negotiations are over, you will have to work with your former "adversary" on a daily basis; more important, your career success may depend on the person with whom you have just finished negotiating. Therefore, even though you want to negotiate the best possible deal, you need to proceed in a way that doesn't tarnish your image.

By the same token, your future boss will want you to feel good about joining the company. Once an employer has decided that you are the person for the job, the primary concern will not be to negotiate the least expensive compensation package the company can get away with. Rather, the main focus will be on getting you to accept the job. As a result, employment negotiations are unusual in that both sides share that same basic goal.

Commandment 3: Understand Your Needs and Those of Your Prospective Employe

r Any employment negotiation is going to involve trade-offs. To be successful in this type of negotiation, you need to examine your own priorities. What is it that you want? Are comfortable with a low salary and a large equity stake? Do you feel confident that you can meet the requisite criteria to earn a bonus? Are you able to handle dramatic swings in income from year to year? How important is job security to you?

Understanding your needs will also help you determine what type of company you want to work for. (For example, a family-owned company might offer a larger salary than start-up company, but the same start-up company will offer stock or stock options that a family-owned company typically will not.) Regardless of the type of company you are considering, an employer may not be able to give you exactly what you want. There are numerous institutional constraints on how much a company can pay for a given position or what kinds of benefits it can offer.

Understanding what you want and what a company can do within its own organizational and budgetary constraints will enable you to determine what trade-offs are possible in order to maximize what you get. This knowledge will also enable you to walk away from a job when a company cannot offer the type of compensation package that suits your needs.

Commandment 4: Understand the Dynamics of the Particular Negotiations

Sometimes you will have skills or experience for which there is a great demand. You may be the only qualified candidate to have made it through the interview process, and the company would like to hire someone quickly. Similarly, if you have been able to defer discussing compensation until the company has determined you are the best candidate for the job, your bargaining position will be greatly strengthened. These are enviable positions to be in.

On the other hand, you may in fact be one of several candidates the company is considering, any one of whom it would be happy to hire. Under those circumstances, compensation may be the key factor in determining who gets the job. Sizing up the situation and understanding the relative position of each of the parties to the negotiations will help you determine when to press your advantage and when to back off.

Commandment 5: Never Lie, but Use the Truth to Your Advantage

Honesty is important. If you lie during the negotiations, sooner or later you are likely to be caught. Once you are caught lying, you lose all credibility. Even if you don't lose the job, you will be placed at a tremendous disadvantage, and your future credibility on the job will be undermined.

On the other hand, total candor will not be rewarded. You are not required to answer a specific question directly unless the answer helps your position. You can determine what you want to say and how you want to say it. One element of preparation is to understand those areas which may be problematic so you can rehearse how you will handle them when they come up.


Commandment 6: Understand the Role That Fairness Plays in the Process

The guiding principle for most employers in determining what they will agree to is fairness. Within the constraints of their budget and organization structure, employers will usually agree to anything that is fair and reasonable in order to hire someone they want. Appeals to fairness are the most powerful weapon available in employment negotiations. Sometimes such an appeal may even convince an employer of the need to adjust its salary structure or increase the amount of money budgeted for a position.

You should be able to justify every request in terms of fairness. If the cost of living is higher where you're going, it is only fair to have your salary increased sufficiently to compensate. If comparable executives in similar companies are given one percent of the company's stock, you should be treated no differently. Your prospective employer will want you to accept its offer and to feel that you have been treated fairly. Understanding the importance of fairness as a negotiating principle can make the difference between success and failure.


Commandment 7: Use Uncertainty to Your Advantage

If an employer is not certain what it will take to recruit you , its initial offer is likely to be close to its best offer. If you have divulged too much information, it will likely not offer you as much as it might have otherwise. By not disclosing exactly what your compensation package is or exactly what it would take to get you to leave your current job, you will force a potential employer to give you its best offer.


Commandment 8: Be Creative

You may not be able to get everything you want, but you want to be sure to get everything you can. Focus on the value of the total package. Look for different ways to achieve your objectives. Be willing to make trade-offs to increase the total value of the deal. Limit your "requirements." When you lock yourself into a position, you limit your ability to be creative.

If you are creative, you can package what you want in ways that are acceptable to the company. You will also be able to find creative "trades" that allow you to withdraw requests that might be problematic to the company in return for improvements in areas where the company has more flexibility.


In the end, however, you still must get the company to agree to those elements of the deal that are critical to you. If you are not able to do so, or if have to give up too much to get what you need, perhaps this is the wrong job for you. However, before you insist on any particular term in your employment package, be sure that it is really essential. By insisting on a particular term you may be giving up something of greater value; you may even be giving up your chance to get the job altogether.


Commandment 9: Focus on Your Goals, Not on Winning

Too often in negotiations winning becomes more important than the actual goals that are achieved. This tendency is particularly problematic in employment negotiations. Not only is it important to focus on achieving your goals; it is also important not to make your future boss feel like a loser in the negotiations. Remember, that this person will control you future career. You will have gained little by negotiating a good deal if you alienate your future boss in the process.


Commandment 10: Know When to Quit Bargaining

There comes a point in every negotiation when you have achieved everything that you could gave reasonably expected to achieve. At that point you should thank the person you are dealing with and accept the offer. If you don't recognize when to stop negotiating, you run the risk of having the company decide that it made a mistake by offering you the job in the first place. Most companies will want to treat you fairly and make you happy, but few companies want to hire a prima donna. Being perceived as greedy or unreasonable may cause the deal to fall apart. Even if it does not, you will have done immeasurable harm to your career with your new employer.


Commandment 11: Never Forget That Employment Is an Ongoing Relationship

This is the most important commandment and cannot be overemphasized.

Employment negotiations are the starting point for your career with the company. They set the tone for your employment relationship. Get too little and you are disadvantaged throughout your career; push too hard and you can sour the relationship before it even begins. How you handle the initial negotiations can have an impact, for better or worse, on how successful your tenure with a company will be.

Following the Ten Commandments of Employment Negotiations and employing the negotiating strategies described in my book will enable you to effectively negotiate the terms of your new employment. Once you have done so, you will be able to start your new job confident that you have achieved the best possible result. If you do your job well, there will be opportunities to negotiate further improvements as time goes on.

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(Interview) Tips And Tricks : What to Ask After the Offer

Interview : What to Ask After the Offer
General Interview Tips And Tricks

All job hunters are waiting for that call -- the one that says they've landed the job. But as eager as you may be to escape either your current job or the unemployment ranks, don't abdicate your power position once the offer comes in. Now it's your turn to sit in the interviewer's seat and ask the company and yourself some tough questions -- the answers to which could mean the difference between career bliss and disaster.



Will the actual work and job responsibilities provide gratification, fulfillment and challenge?
This question is often overlooked, because applicants get hung up on job titles, salary and benefits. Try to get a clear sense of what an actual day would be like. What will you spend the majority of your time doing? Is the work in line with your values? Will you likely learn this job quickly and become bored and unchallenged?


What are the boss's strengths and weaknesses?
This question can be tough to answer, and it's best saved for after the job offer has been extended. You'll want to get a good idea for your potential boss's management style. Speak to your potential boss as much as possible to get a feel for his personality and what you can live with. Does he micromanage? Will you get consistent feedback and reviews? Does he make small talk, or is every conversation strictly business?


How much change is in the works at your prospective company, and what kind?
Constant change at work can mean constant stress. Find out if there are any big changes coming, such as new processing systems or management, impending retirements or adoption of new procedures that still need to be ironed out. At the same time, remember that some of these transitions will have less effect on your position than others.


How many of my skills and experiences will I be able to use and learn?
Make sure your unique skills and talents will be used and that training and promotion are open in the future. When you decide to move on, you'll want to have a new crop of experiences to sell to your next employer. Your goal is to perform well at work while constantly growing and learning.


How many people have held the position in the past several years?
Knowing how many people have been in your job and why they left can offer you great insights. You'll want to know if they were promoted or quit altogether. A steady stream of resignations may be a sign you could be reentering the job market soon.

While many of the reasons positions eventually become unfulfilling are unavoidable, such as hitting a plateau after repeatedly performing the same duties, job seekers should consider the ways a new position will advance them

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(Interview) Tips And Tricks : After the Interview

Interview : After the Interview
General Interview Tips And Tricks

The final step in the interviewing process is the thank you letter. Thank you letters are used to express appreciation and strengthen your candidacy. Don't underestimate how important they can be, as many candidates do not send them. A thank you letter is a great way to influence your interviewer after you have left the interview. If the employer is not sure about hiring you or someone else, a good thank you letter can help sway them in your direction. It can also solidify their decision by reaffirming they have made the right choice.

The thank you letter lets the employer know that you really want the position, which is important because employers believe a person will perform better if they really want the job. It also shows that you are courteous and professional, and gives you a chance to sell yourself once again and emphasize your good points.

Thank you letters should be sent immediately after your interview by mail, email, or fax. If mailed, they should be sent within 24 hours after your interview, or ideally on the same day if possible. They should be sent to each person that interviewed you, or at least the primary interviewers.

All thank you letters should be written in a way to reaffirm your interest in the position. Thank you letters can be either formal or informal. Email and Fax are the quickest ways to get thank you letters to your interviewers. These means of sending the letter is acceptable in these high tech times, but often adding a personal touch by sending a handwritten note can go a long way. Informal hand-written notes help create a personal connection with the interviewer. Formal letters that are typed do not have the same impact as the personal handwritten letters, but they can allow you to "sell yourself" even more by summarizing why you are right for the job, and list any additional qualification you may not have cited during the interview.

Informal thank you notes should be handwritten on appropriate stationary and sent via mail. This could be a simple note card with the words "Thank You" on the front, or a nice piece of plain stationary. Keep in mind that the paper should still be professional. When writing the letter, use good handwriting. If your cursive writing is not legible, then printing is fine.

Formal thank you notes should be typed in a professional style and can be mailed, faxed, or emailed. These letters are typically a little longer, and you can reiterate why you are perfect for the job.

No matter which type of thank you letter you choose, you should always continue to follow professional business standards. Do not use shorthand or emoticons. Do remember to follow grammatical rules, use proper spelling, and formal your letter appropriately. At the end of your interview, make sure that you have the interviewer's contact information by verifying it with them or asking for a business card.

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(Interview) Tips And Tricks : Employer's Thinking

Interview : Employer's Thinking
General Interview Tips And Tricks

General Recruiting Goals
The company wants to attract and hire competent and motivated people who have experience with, or potential for working their technologies. Recruiting Challenges The technology job market is extremely competitive, there's a huge demand for technical talent. General Recruiting Process
Hiring manager develops job description and gets approval for the position.

*Recruiter develops recruiting sources and posts the position

* Applicants email resumes
* Recruiter reviews resumes
* Recruiter phone screens promising applicants
* Technical team and hiring managers interview candidates
* Recruiter checks references
* Recruiter or hiring manager extends offer
* Offer is negotiated
* New team welcomes candidate, if applicable


Interviewer's job at the Interview:

* Make sure that the candidate is comfortable so that he/she can perform their best
* Ask Technical Questions to assess the candidate's technical knowledge
* Ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes/no answer
* Let the candidate do most of the talking, just listen and evaluate
* Get a feel for candidate's enthusiasm about the company and new technologies
* Tell all good things about day-to-day life at the company
* Tell them how the company can make them financially rich

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(Interview) Tips And Tricks : Mastering the Interview

Interview : Mastering the Interview
General Interview Tips And Tricks

Go Through The Process

There are many different types of interviews designed to serve different purposes or situations. Regardless of the type of interview, most will incorporate the following stages: establishing rapport, exchanging information, and closing the interview. Pay attention to the job titles of the interviewer(s). This can help you decide how much technical detail to provide in your responses.

Establishing Rapport

This is a very important part of the interview because while establishing rapport, first impressions are made, and the tone of the interview is set. Some people suggest that the decision to hire is greatly influenced by the first five minutes of the interview. A good interviewer will introduce him/herself, and take the lead. Follow his or her lead - if they are chatty, be chatty; if they are formal, be formal. Some employers use what seems to be casual conversation to get to know you on a more personal level ? this may be crucial to a hiring decision!

Tips:

? Smile and maintain eye contact. This is one way of communicating confidence, even if you don't feel it.

? If the interviewer offers his or her hand, shake it firmly. If they don't, it is appropriate to offer yours.

? Wait until the interviewer sits or offers you a seat before sitting down.

? If the interviewer is making small talk, participate. Keep your answers short and positive.

Exchange of Information

This is the bulk of the interview. It is your opportunity to let the interviewer know what you have to offer, and your chance to learn more about the organization.

Tips:

? When you answer a question, look the interviewer in the eye.

? Be aware of the interviewer's reactions. If he or she looks confused, ask if you can clarify anything.

? Be aware of what your body is saying. Avoid closed postures. Sit upright, but not stiffly.

? Try to find a comfortable position as that will make you feel more relaxed.

? Control your nervous habits. Don't swing your foot, talk with your hands (to an extreme), or fiddle with jewelers, buttons, pens, etc.

? Show that you are interested in the job by asking questions.

? Try not to appear bored or anxious. Don't look at your watch.

Closing the Interview

When the interviewer is done gathering the information that is needed, he or she will ask if you have anything to add, or if you have any questions. This is your opportunity to mentally review your inventory of skills and make sure that you have communicated everything that you wanted to. If any of your questions have not been addressed during the course of the interview, now is the time to ask them.

Tips:

? Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration.

? Ask when you can expect to hear from him/her.

? If it is not known when a decision will be reached, ask if you can phone in a week's time to inquire about the progress.

? If the interviewer offers his/her hand, shake it firmly. Otherwise, it is fine to offer yours first.

? If not already discussed, you can offer to leave a sample of your work, or portfolio if you have one.


Think about the following points. Do any of them apply to you?

Oversell
Trying too hard to impress; bragging; acting aggressively.

Undersell
Failing to emphasize the fact that you have related skills; discussing experience using negative qualifiers (i.e. "I have a little experience..." ).

Body Language
It is easy to create a negative impression without even realizing that you are doing it. Are you staring at your feet, or talking to the interviewer's shoulder? Be aware of what your actions say about you.

Lack of Honesty
The slightest stretching of the truth may result in you being screened out.

Negative Attitude
The interview is not an opportunity for you to complain about your current supervisor or co-workers (or even about 'little' things, such as the weather).

Lack of Preparation
You have to know about the organization and the occupation. If you don't, it will appear as though you are not interested in the position.

Lack of Enthusiasm
If you are not excited about the work at the interview, the employer will not assume that your attitude will improve when hired.

Great interviews arise from careful groundwork. You can ace your next interview if you:

1. Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. This is the state from which great basketball players or Olympic skaters operate. You'll need to quiet the negative self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting. You'll focus on the present moment and will be less apt to experience lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.


2. Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic self, professional yet real. Engage in true conversation with your interviewer, resting on the preparation you did prior to coming to the meeting. Conduct several trial runs with another person simulating the interview before it actually occurs. It's the same as anticipating the questions you'll be asked on a final exam.


3. Set goals for the interview. It is your job to leave the meeting feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities, experience and achievements. If you sense there are misconceptions, clear them up before leaving. If the interviewer doesn't get around to asking you important questions, pose them yourself (diplomatically) and answer them. Don't leave the meeting without getting your own questions answered so that you have a clear idea of what you would be getting yourself into. If possible, try to get further interviews, especially with other key players.


4. Know the question behind the question. Ultimately, every question boils down to, "Why should we hire you?" Be sure you answer that completely. If there is a question about your meeting deadlines, consider whether the interviewer is probing delicately about your personal life, careful not to ask you whether your family responsibilities will interfere with your work. Find away to address fears if you sense they are present.


5. Follow up with an effective "thank you" letter. Don't write this letter lightly. It is another opportunity to market yourself. Find some areas discussed in the meeting and expand upon them in your letter. Writing a letter after a meeting is a very minimum. Standing out among the other candidates will occur if you thoughtfully consider this follow up letter as an additional interview in which you get to do all the talking. Propose useful ideas that demonstrate your added value to the team.


6. Consider the interviewer's agenda. Much is on the shoulders of the interviewer. He or she has the responsibility of hiring the right candidate. Your ability to do the job will need to be justified. "Are there additional pluses here?" "Will this person fit the culture of this organization?" These as well as other questions will be heavily on the interviewer's mind. Find ways to demonstrate your qualities above and beyond just doing the job.


7. Expect to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself." This is a pet question of prepared and even unprepared interviewers. Everything you include should answer the question, "Why should we hire you?" Carefully prepare your answer to include examples of achievements from your work life that closely match the elements of the job before you. Obviously, you'll want to know as much about the job description as you can before you respond to the question.


8. Watch those nonverbal clues. Experts estimate that words express only 30% to 35% of what people actually communicate; facial expressions and body movements and actions convey the rest. Make and keep eye contact. Walk and sit with a confident air. Lean toward an interviewer to show interest and enthusiasm. Speak with a well-modulated voice that supports appropriate excitement for the opportunity before you.


9. Be smart about money questions. Don't fall into the trap of telling the interviewer your financial expectations. You may be asking for too little or too much money and in each case ruin your chances of being offered the job. Instead, ask what salary range the job falls in. Attempt to postpone a money discussion until you have a better understanding of the scope of responsibilities of the job.


10. Don't hang out your dirty laundry. Be careful not to bare your soul and tell tales that are inappropriate or beyond the scope of the interview. State your previous experience in the most positive terms. Even if you disagreed with a former employer, express your enthusiasm for earlier situations as much as you can. Whenever you speak negatively about another person or situation in which you were directly involved, you run the risk (early in the relationship) of appearing like a troubled person who may have difficulty working with others.

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(Interview) Tips And Tricks : Do and Don't In Interview

Interview : Do and Don't In Interview
General Interview Tips And Tricks

What To Do....

* Do express yourself clearly with a strong voice and good diction and grammar.
* Do pay close attention to your personal appearance; dress to your advantage.
* Do make concrete goals in planning for your career.
* Do offer a firm handshake.
* Do look the interviewer in the eye (but don't stare him or her down).
* Do fill out applications neatly and completely.
* Do have as much knowledge about the industry, employer, and position as possible.
* Do take criticism gracefully.
* Do equip yourself with a strong knowledge of the company.
* Do have prepared questions about the employer and position.
* Do display a sense of humor.
* Do display self-confidence.
* Do bring a pen and small notebook with you to the interview.
* Do remember the interviewer's name and use it during the interview.
* Do take time to think before answering difficult or unexpected questions.
* Do take an extra copy of your resume and a list of references with you to the interview.
* Do follow-up with a thank-you note restating your interest in the position.
* Do contact the employer by phone if the interviewer does not contact you one week after the time from which he or she indicated you would be notified.

What Not To Do....

* Don't be overbearing, overaggressive or conceited.
* Don't show a lack of interest or enthusiasm.
* Don't emphasize money as your main interest in the job.
* Don't expect too much too soon - be open to the idea of starting at the bottom and working your way up.
* Don't make excuses for unfavorable factors on your record.
* Don't condemn past employers or institutions of education; keep comments positive.
*Don't display a marked dislike for schoolwork.
*Don't be indecisive.
* Don't display intolerance or prejudice.
* Don't interview unless you are interested in the job...don't just "shop around."
* Don't be late to the interview.
* Don't state specific geographic restrictions.
* Don't contradict yourself in responses.
* Don't take notes during the interview - jot down your notes immediately after the interview.
* Don't forget: YOU control the content of the interview.
* Don't glorify your past experiences - getting into a job for which you are under qualified is not recommended.
* Don't assume that all employers will be delighted to hear of your plans for graduate school.
* Don't smoke, chew gum, etc. even if offered or if the interviewer does so.



Do's and Don'ts of Interview

Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are not. Be yourself.

A group discussion is your chance to be more vocal. The evaluator wants to hear you speak.

Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.

Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.

Don't start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.
Work out various strategies to help you make an entry: initiate the discussion or agree with someone else's point and then move onto express your views.

Opening the discussion is not the only way of gaining attention and recognition. If you do not give valuable insights during the discussion, all your efforts of initiating the discussion will be in vain.

Your body language says a lot about you - your gestures and mannerisms are more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say.

Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points across clearly and fluently.

Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.

Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key is to stay objective: Don't take the discussion personally.

Always be polite: Try to avoid using extreme phrases like: 'I strongly object' or 'I disagree'. Instead try phrases like: 'I would like to share my views on...' or 'One difference between your point and mine...' or "I beg to differ with you" Ch etanaS

Brush up on your leadership skills; motivate the other members of the team to speak (this surely does not mean that the only thing that you do in the GD is to say "let us hear what the young lady with the blue scarf has to say," or "Raghu, let us hear your views" - Essentially be subtle), and listen to their views. Be receptive to others' opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive.

If you have a group of like-minded friends, you can have a mock group discussion where you can learn from each other through giving and receiving feedback.

Apart from the above points, the panel will also judge team members for their alertness and presence of mind, problem-solving abilities, ability to work as a team without alienating certain members, and creativity.

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(Interview) Tips And Tricks : Ask Questions to HR

Interview : Ask Question to HR
General Interview Tips And Tricks

*What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job?
*How often are performance reviews given?
* Please describe the duties of the job for me.
*What products (or services) are in the development stage now?
*Do you have plans for expansion?
*What are your growth projections for next year?
*Have you cut your staff in the last three years?
*Are salary adjustments geared to the cost of living or job performance?
*Does your company encourage further education?
*How do you feel about creativity and individuality?
*Do you offer flextime?
*What is the usual promotional time frame?
*Does your company offer either single or dual career-track programs?
*What do you like best about your job/company?
*Once the probation period is completed, how much authority will have over decisions?
*Has there been much turnover in this job area?
*Do you fill positions from the outside or promote from within first?
*Is your company environmentally conscious? In what ways?
*In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors?
*Is this a new position or am I replacing someone?
*What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now?
*May I talk with the last person who held this position?
*What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position?
*What skills are especially important for someone in this position?
*What characteristics do the achievers in this company seem to share?
* ho was the last person that filled this position, what made them successful at it, where are they today, and how may I contact them?
*Is there a lot of team/project work?
*Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects?
*Where does this position fit into the organizational structure?
*How much travel, if any, is involved in this position?
*What is the next course of action? When should I expect to hear from you or should I contact you?

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