| Job—How to Land the Big One | | | | Level and complexity of previous work |
| Now that the economy is getting better, you | | | | • What did your job at Acme Company |
| may be ready to move up to a significantly bigger | | | | consist of? |
| job—either in your present company, or a new | | | | • Could you describe a typical day on your |
| one. You may have had to put up with stagnant | | | | job? |
| pay raises, the worry of downsizing and burnout | | | | • What sort of things took up most of your |
| from handling two jobs because of productivity | | | | time on this job? |
| demands. So how do you increase your chances | | | | • What kind of decisions did you typically make |
| moving up, and landing a really great job? | | | | on this job? |
| According to a recent survey by Novations | | | | Extent of job responsibilities |
| Selection, Development and Communication, a | | | | • Could you explain just where you fit into the |
| performance improvement firm, nearly half of U.S. | | | | organization? |
| companies now face an employee exodus. | | | | • Could you tell me a little about your boss's |
| Several other surveys back them up, as well, and | | | | job? |
| the reasons given are similar to yours: | | | | • How much contact, typically, did you have |
| dissatisfaction with pay; burnout; pent-up demand. | | | | with your boss? |
| So this is probably a better time than ever to try | | | | • In your contacts with your boss, what kinds |
| to land your next big job. | | | | of things went on? |
| Provided you can trust your boss, my first | | | | • To what extent did your boss leave you |
| suggestion is to talk to the boss and express | | | | alone? |
| your concerns. An honest, ethical boss will respect | | | | • What kind of decisions did he/she expect |
| your feelings and guide you to the best possible | | | | you to make? |
| move—whether that’s inside or outside the | | | | • What kind of staff assistance did you |
| company. If your decision is to build your career | | | | normally get?" |
| with another company, start by learning all you | | | | • In what areas? |
| can about it. Check out several web sites (like | | | | Motivation |
| Hoover’s On-Line.) Use your professional | | | | • How did you happen to go into that job in |
| network to contact anyone in that company to | | | | the first place? |
| learn more about the position. In either case, try | | | | • What attracted you to that kind of work? |
| to get a job description to target your campaign. | | | | • Why did you decide to make a change? |
| Prepare a cover letter that introduces yourself, | | | | • What are some of the things that kept you |
| summarizes key results you’ve accomplished | | | | working at that job? |
| in your career, and highlights to specific features | | | | • Describe what you would consider to be the |
| of your resumé. Prepare a resume that | | | | perfect job for you—disregarding any past |
| presents a clear, relevant, persuasive picture of | | | | jobs you've had. |
| why you think you’re the best candidate for | | | | Attitudes and feelings |
| the position. | | | | • What did you like best about the job |
| Then try to phone the decision-maker for the | | | | • What kind of things didn't you like about the |
| new job and ask about the process for applying. | | | | job? |
| (I don’t recommend sending out unsolicited | | | | • What, in the job, did you find particularly |
| resumes; many just get tossed out. And some | | | | satisfying? |
| may wind up back on your boss’s desk.) It's | | | | • How did you feel about the company as a |
| so much better when you've showed enthusiasm | | | | whole? |
| as you talked to the right person, then followed | | | | • What did you like about the company? |
| up with a personal letter and powerful resume. | | | | • Was there anything about the company or |
| That way, your name may be more familiar | | | | the manner in which theyoperated that you didn't |
| when your resume arrives. You might have an | | | | particularly like or agree with? |
| added advantage by writing on the envelope, | | | | • How would you describe the kind of |
| “As we discussed.” | | | | company it is? |
| Make sure your resume has key words that are | | | | • What kind of atmosphere or climate would |
| linked to the job description and your level of | | | | you say it has? |
| management or technical expertise. Today, many | | | | • How much of a challenge did you find the |
| companies use computer programs to scan | | | | job? |
| resumes electronically and select only those that | | | | • What aspects of the job were challenging? |
| match the criteria for the job. | | | | • How did you feel about the progress you |
| Prepare for the Interview | | | | made? |
| Once you secure an interview, plan to talk about | | | | Questions That Probe More Deeply |
| how your up-to-date skills would match the needs | | | | • What caused you to consider leaving your |
| of the job. Show that you’ve read widely in | | | | present job? |
| the field and are current with the cutting edge of | | | | • Describe for me a typical day on your |
| what’s going on in your field. Plan your | | | | present (last) job. |
| answers to potential questions, like these: | | | | • What particular part of your job did you like |
| • Walk me through that (situation, meeting, | | | | best? Least? |
| discussion, etc.). | | | | • How did you like working in that department |
| • What happened then? | | | | (assignment, office)? |
| • How did you feel about it? | | | | • If you could have changed things, what |
| • What would you do differently if you had to | | | | would you have suggested? |
| do it again? | | | | • What's the most difficult situation you have |
| • Can you give me a specific example of a | | | | ever had to work in? |
| time that you acted unwisely? | | | | • If you could write you own job description, |
| • What was going through your mind at the | | | | what would it be? |
| time? | | | | • This new job I've just described to |
| • How did you get involved in your last team | | | | you--what about it is most appealing? |
| assignment? | | | | • How does this job compare with others you |
| • What was your last big challenge? | | | | are now considering? |
| • What role did you play? | | | | • What do you eventually want to do? Five |
| • How did you get that role? | | | | years from now? Ten years? |
| • If I were a fly on the wall, what would I | | | | • What has been your greatest creative |
| have seen taking place? | | | | achievement? |
| • What other key things happened? | | | | • Tell me about your most recent creative |
| • How do you make decisions? | | | | disappointment, when you justcouldn't get the job |
| • How did you feel about the decision process | | | | done in your own way, on your own terms. |
| you usually use? | | | | • What additional information do you think I |
| • Tell me about one of those times when you | | | | should have about you? |
| were especially frustrated. | | | | • Where do you want to wind up, |
| • Especially proud? | | | | professionally, at the height of your career? |
| • What did you do in each situation? | | | | • Tell me why you prefer to work alone (or, in |
| • What were the critical points that stick in | | | | a group). |
| your mind? | | | | • Why do you prefer to work in a structured |
| • What kind of thought and planning was | | | | (unstructured) situation? |
| involved in your last major decision? | | | | • How do you respond to criticism? |
| • What do you regret most about your | | | | • How do you respond to strong creative |
| career? | | | | direction? |
| • Tell me when and how you first became | | | | •Tell me why you like specific directions |
| interested in _______(discipline). | | | | (non-specific assignments). |
| • What were your thoughts that led you to | | | | What you the candidate should ask-- |
| major in (college major)? | | | | • Why is the position available? |
| • What courses were most challenging? Why? | | | | • What happened to the incumbent? |
| • With (work experience), what were your | | | | • What are some of the primary objectives of |
| typical duties and tasks? | | | | the job? |
| • In what area did/do you spend the most | | | | • What are you looking for in a candidate? |
| time? | | | | • What type and how much training will be |
| • What are your most significant skill areas? | | | | provided? |
| • How did you gain that knowledge/skill?” | | | | • What is a typical workday like? |
| • Tell me about the equipment, tools, | | | | • What are the skills and abilities considered |
| machinery with which you work?” | | | | necessary? |
| • What has been your most challenging | | | | • What does it take to be successful here? |
| technical project?” | | | | • What do you like best about _____? |
| • You have seen the job description; what | | | | • What do you like least about _____? |
| seems to interest you the most? | | | | • How is performance evaluated? |
| • How is it appealing?” | | | | • What are key priorities for the company/ |
| • Tell me about your specific experience with | | | | department/job? |
| (equipment, technology, etc.). | | | | • What’s the process for making decisions |
| • How do you assess your skills in relationship | | | | here? |
| to this position? | | | | • How much independence of thinking and |
| • Where are you strongest technically? How | | | | acting do you look for in an employee? |
| so? | | | | • Where will this job lead to? |
| • Where would you say you are you the | | | | A final thought: Follow up every interview with a |
| weakest in relationship to this position? | | | | thank-you note briefly noting why you’re |
| • How has technology affected the way that | | | | excited about being considered for the position. |
| you work? | | | | It’s a great opportunity to re-sell yourself by |
| • Tell me about your short and long term | | | | recalling two or three key points you made in the |
| career goals. | | | | interview. Good luck! |
| • Why do you want this job? | | | | |