Newly Corporate

A friend of mine who is a college senior recently sent me few questions she had about interviewing. The questions are relevant to everyone who is interviewing, from the seasoned professional to college students interviewing for their first positions. Here are the questions (in bold) and the answers:

1. How much ground should I expect to be covered in a first interview?
First interviews are usually largely informational. You will discuss the company, the role you are interviewing and then have some basic situational questions (like: Explain how you dealt with a problem member of a team you worked with in the past.) that are meant to screen out people that don’t fit the type they are looking for. The exception to this would be smaller businesses that often only have one main interview and possibly a meeting with some of the management. Just be yourself and answer the questions while accurately showcasing your strengths and you’ll either make it to the next round or be hired right there.

2. I know every company is different, but I’m sure there is a general set of points that all potential employers cover when they first meet someone.
Here are the basics most employers will look to cover:
- What you gained from the experience you listed on your resume
- How you interact on an inter-personal level
- Whether your personality type will fit in at the company (Are you too aggressive? Too harsh?)
- What you value (and if those values coincide with the values of the company you are applying at)
- Some level of skill or knowledge proficiency test could be administered depending on the job

3. Would a first interview get to the point of “this is what our salary range” is?
Probably not unless it is a small business as I mentioned above. You can try asking but, I would reccommend against it in most cases because it looks like you are very salary focused. They will most likely make a salary offer in the final round or in the form of an offer letter. For more great tips on salary negotiation, check out “The answer to the toughest interview question” or watch this blog for our future post on all the intricacies of salary negotiation.

4. I applied to work at one division of the company and I’m optimistic that a spot will open up at that division before summer. But then again, what if a spot didn’t….? Is this something to mention?
That depends on your personal preference. Is a position in your chosen division a deal breaker? If so, you should have a number of alternates and try to mention you passion for a given division in a diplomatic fashion. Employers appreciate flexibility, coming into a company in a division that is not necessarily your first choice and then working your way to where you want to be can often be even a better option than just getting into the division you want and staying in there. It gives you a depth of experience that can be an advantage in almost any situation.

5. What if I was offered a job in a division I didn’t necessarily want and then I saw a spot at the division I do want open? Would that be off limits to me?
You should definitly ask this in your first interview if it is a concern but, I would put it more diplomatically. If you really don’t want the first job and wouldnt do a good job, let them know you are focusing on the other division. However, if you are willing to take the first job and just want to know what your opportunities look like, ask something like, “What are the opportunities for mobility in this position? If I would like to pursue a position in a different division after gaining experience in the first, does your company support this? What would a typical position rotation time line look like?”. It shows your passion for one division without painting you as a job hopper.

6. What is a good way to ask about possibilities for promotions in the company?
Much like the last one, this question can be a bite dicey. I would recommend asking the interviewer first what their career path was, this can give you an idea of how people are promoted. After they answer, ask them about the career paths of their peers or manager. After this, it is safe to ask if that will be similar to the career path of the role you are interviewing for. Be sure to check out “5 Questions You Should Ask In Every Interview” for more questions to ask your interviewer.

7. Can I ask how large the staff is and how many people work in the office at a given time? Or would they assume I know?
If this information is public, you should try to figure it out beforehand. However, if the company is private or is a smaller organization, it is definitely acceptable and recommended to ask this about the size of an organization. Another good question for any company is how much they are expecting to grow both their revenue and their workforce. It always good to know how fast an organization is growing for career planning purposes.

8. If I turned out to not like the job in one division, do you think I’ll be ruled out for jobs in another?
Only if you don’t work hard or you have a bad attitude where you are. If you are a hard worker and an asset to the organization, a good company should bend over backward to keep you. This includes moving you to another division when a job opens up or even helping you find a position at another location if necessary (even abroad, as Grant discovered.)

9. Do I refer to the interviewer as Jim or Mr. Johnson?
Mr.Johnson is the safest bet until the interviewer asks you to call them by their first name (if they do). Traditional manners can go a long way in interviews.

10. Should I be more talkative or more quiet and listening? Am I letting them sell the job to me or is this where I make my impression? They have already seen my resume….
Interact the way you would on the job. Don’t interrupt but, answer in the fashion you feel comfortable. If you push yourself to be more or less talkative you run the risk of being hired but not being happy because you don’t really fit in (remember, the first interview is really analyzing whether you will fit in).

Overall, be yourself, be respectful, be passionate and you will be successful!