Interviewing

The first impression you make on a potential employer is the most important one. The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. That's why it's always important to dress professionally for a job interview, even if the work environment is casual.

What's the appropriate dress code for an interview? You'll want that first impression to be not just a good one, but, a great one. The candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to make a much better impression than the candidate dressed in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt.

Do you want to negotiate a salary increase this year but are unsure of how you would justify it? Here are some strategies you can implement now to build a strong case for the raise you want in the future.

Let's get one thing out of the way at the start, almost no one likes negotiating salaries – not HR people, not hiring managers, and certainly not job seekers. The process can be embarrassing, time-consuming, heart-breaking, and very costly if not handled well. In my 25 years of search experience, I've found that the best strategy is for all parties involved is to say what you mean, mean what you say, and back up your words with your actions.

Preparation

Felicidades! All your preparation and hard work has paid off. You wrote strong H.I.S.P.A.N.I.C. Resume, were the S.T.A.R. of Your Job Interview, and solidly closed the interview following the Conducting a Winning Interview Checklists. We have responded to numerous questions on how to assess the job offers iHispano.com members receive.

Our primary advice is that you perform your due diligence in assessing a job offer. There are many issues to consider including: the organization, position, people, salary and benefits, and especially the alignment with your career and life goals. Accepting a position for salary alone is often a bad idea.

Consider consulting with your career board of directors, mentors, and other members of your career familia. You might need to conduct additional research using iHispano's Career Development & Management Resources.

Taking these steps will help you accept a position that is a "career fit", fulfilling, and empowering; rather than one which is misaligned, uncomfortable, and disheartening.

We have compiled the following checklist to share with our readers. Mark the items that are most important for you and then compare your offer with your career plan and personal needs.

Evaluating a Job Offer Checklist

The Job

How does the position fit into your career goals?

1. Nature of the work.
   • What are the day to day responsibilities of the position?
   • Ask for a copy of the detailed job description if you do not have one already.
   • Do the responsibilities play to your strengths and not your weaknesses?
   • Will you be learning new skills?
2. Status of the position.
   • Where does the job fit into the organization?
   • How will you contribute to the overall company objectives?
3. Commute.
   • Where is the company located?
   • How long will your commute be to and from work?
   • Is public transportation available?
4. Hours.
   • What are the normal working hours?
   • Will you be required to work weekends, holidays, overtime?
   • How will this fit into your personal schedule?
5. Travel.
   • How much travel is required?
   • Are you comfortable with the areas?
   • What about the countries that you may be required to visit?
6. The boss.
   • Have you met your supervisor?
   • Can I get along with this person?
   • What do you know about his/her management style?
7. Co-workers.
   • Have you met them?
   • How long have they been employed with the company?
   • Do they seem friendly and happy?
   • What is your compatibility quotient?
8. Performance Standards
   • What are the performance goals for this position?
   • How does the performance appraisal system work?
9. Promotional prospects.
   • How long do most people stay with the company?
   • What are the promotional opportunities?

The Company

Is the company a good fit with your values, attitudes and goals?

1. Company stability.
   • How old is the company?
   • What is its financial condition?
   • Will you be helping to create a new company?
   • Is working in a more stable, established environment better for you?
2. Corporate philosophy.
   • Is the company employee friendly?
   • What is its workplace philosophy?
   • What are the average stress levels?
   • Is it a place you would be proud to work?
3. Company product.
   • Does the company product or business appeal to you?
   • Does it match your interests?
4. Size of the organization.
   • Do you prefer working for large or small companies?
   • Larger companies may be more highly structured, smaller ones may offer broader authority and responsibility.
5. Work environment.
   • Is the company family friendly?
   • Is there flexibility for emergencies?
   • How will this position alter my lifestyle?
6. Diversity.
   • Does the company embrace diversity?
   • What are the diversity employment statistics for all levels of the organization?
   • Does it value a Latino perspective?
   • Does the company have a senior level diversity officer?
   • Does the company have formal diversity recruitment, retention, development, and advancement programs?
   • Is there a formal Latino employee group organization?
   • What support does it get from management?
7. Management style.
   • What is the management style of the company leadership?
   • Is it compatible with your style of leadership?
   • Will you be allowed a certain level of autonomy?
8. Training Opportunities.
   • What types of training opportunities are available?
   • Is there a professional development plan for employees?
   • Will the company support involvement in professional associations and organizations?
9. Security.
   • What type of building security is available?
   • What security access is required?
   • Are there security arrangements for travel status?

Salary and Benefits

Is the combined salary and benefits package at market level? Does the benefits package meet your needs? How often is salary reviewed?

1. Salary.
   • Will you be paid the going rate for a position, commensurate with your title and industry standard?
   • Would taking this position create an economic hardship?
   • How are salary increases determined?
   • How often are salary reviews done?
2. Bonuses.
   • Are there bonuses available for peak performance?
   • How are they determined?
3. Vacation.
   • How much vacation will you be eligible for?
   • What is the vacation policy?
4. Sick Days and Holidays.
   • What is the sick day policy and how much time will you be eligible for?
   • How many paid holidays are there?
5. Medical Insurance.
   • Does the employer pay all or part of the premiums on the policy?
   • Is the plan a HMO, preferred provider or other type of plan?
   • Is there an employee cost for routine physicals and prescriptions?
   • What about coverage for family members?
   • When does coverage start?
6. Retirement.
   • Does the company offer a 401K?
   • With a match?
   • What other pension plan is available and how long does it take to get vested?
7. Stock options.
   • Are stock options available?
   • Below market value or with employer contributions?
8. Life and Disability Insurance.
   • Are they available?
   • Can you buy added coverage at low cost?
9. Tuition Assistance.
   • What is the program?
   • Does the company pay all or part of employment related classes?
10. Child care.
    • Are there on site facilities?
    • Any after school programs?
    • Does the company pay any cost or offer a pre-tax program?

¡BUENA SUERTE!

It is rumored that the only word William Shakespeare wrote on his resume was "Available." We'll probably never know if that is true. But it raises an interesting question. How much information is too much and how much is too little when dealing with resume copy?

HISPANIC résumés are persuasive career marketing tools that set you apart from the competition in today's tough job market.

HISPANIC résumés are dynamic and honest portraits of "Brand YOU."

HISPANIC résumés are crafted to be read from the hiring official's perspective. Companies are seeking employees to satisfy some kind need: The need to be more competitive, expand business, make or save money, improve productivity, save time, attract or retain customers, build relationships, solve problems, and so on.

Seven Key Factors of a HISPANIC Résumé:

High-impact summaries of measurable achievements: Your résumé should focus on contributions, core competencies, and skills, with emphasis on what you can accomplish and how you can contribute to the bottom line.

Illustrate your capabilities: Examples of personal and work attributes -- like detail orientation, communication abilities, team working skills, and the ability to multitask -- should be added to the résumé in context to illustrate your competence and ability to contribute to the bottom line.

Strategically aim toward your job target: Your résumé should demonstrate your ability to perform the job by focusing on relevant keyword skills and industry buzzwords. If you are seeking employment in more than one industry, or at more than one level, prepare different versions of your résumé.

Professional in appearance: A good résumé should be eye appealing and have plenty of white space to invite readability and emphasize critical points. The format should also be well organized and designed in a style that is appropriate for the job target.

Actively advocate and sell your candidacy: A Professional Profile or Qualifications Summary at the beginning of the résumé is crucial to advocating your candidacy and capturing readers' interest. It provides a quick overview of your experience and expertise, and establishes who you are, what you can do, and how you can benefit the organization.

No errors: In résumé writing, attention to detail reflects your professionalism and commitment to excellence. To ensure accuracy, the résumé should be proofed several times (by yourself and others) for typos, correct grammar use, formatting consistency, and readability. Even one typo can doom your résumé to the recycling bin.

Internet savvy and keyword loaded: The résumé processing systems used by the majority of employers search for keywords to determine whether you are a match for job vacancies. Without the proper keywords, your résumé will sit unnoticed in a company's database. To ensure that your résumé has the right keywords, research your job target to determine the most important hard skills, soft skills, work experience, and industry terminology for your field.

Compelling and Inviting: If you do a good job of writing and formatting your résumé, stressing the right keywords and accomplishments -- and making readability a priority -- hiring officials are much more likely to see you as a "must interview".

Check out the H.I.S.P.A.N.I.C. Résumé Checklist

We love the advantages of High Definition (HD) television, radio, DVDs and video games. The pictures are amazingly clear and almost three-dimensional. The surround sound is life-like. HD media not only makes us feel like we are there, but also engages us to become active participants.

Why not evolve your telephone interviews into high definition conversations. You can connect on the phone in a way that the interviewer feels as if you are meeting face-to-face and develops a complete picture of who you are and the value you bring to the employer. In this way you compel the interviewer to advance you to the next stage of the hiring process.

'In Can You Hear Me Now? The Art of Successful Telephone Screening Interviews'));?> we discussed the growing trend by companies to use telephone interviews to pre-screen applicants and winning strategies you can use. Below we provide you with a step-by-step guide to successful high definition phone interviewing. You can read the whole checklist or use any of the following links to connect to your area of interest.

Prepare Your Voice Mail, Answering Machine and Household Member Message Taking

Prepare your Telephone Interview Space

If the Phone Interview Will Occur At a Set Time

Practice Your Telephone Interview Techniques

Try These Winning Telephone Interview Techniques

When a Recruiter Calls Unexpectedly

Conducting the Phone Interview

Closing the Interview

After the Call

Prepare Your Voice Mail, Answering Machine and Household Member Message Taking

• During your job search, keep a simple professional sounding greeting on your answering machine or voicemail.
• Make sure that your message has at least one simple identifier that you are comfortable with, so that the employers know that they have reached the correct number.
  
  Examples: "You've reached the Ruiz family. Please leave a detailed message at the tone and we will return your call as soon as possible" "You've reached Andres and Maria Elena. Please leave a message" or "You've reached 949-000-000. Please leave a message. . ." Again, each job seeker must determine what is comfortable. Don't change your message if you feel uncomfortable about having this information on your outgoing greeting.
• If the position you are applying for requires bilingual skills, repeating your message in Spanish demonstrates proficiency in both languages.
• Ensure that household members understand the importance of taking detailed phone messages in your job search.

Prepare your Telephone Interview Space

• If possible dedicate space at home for your telephone interview. This spot should be quiet, ideally has a door that closes, and is somewhere you can easily talk on the phone.
  You will need to read notes, take notes, and concentrate.
• Keep your resume near the phone. It will be there for the call and will be a constant reminder for your job search.
• Create a small file for each position you apply for within easy reach of the phone. The file should include:
  • the job posting and specific company research (with highlighted key points)
  • a copy of the resume you sent in (if it was modified for the position)
  • your 3 to 5 strengths and position related accomplishments for the position
  • S.T.A.R. stories and note cards
  • specific questions you want to ask the employer
• Have paper and pen handy to take notes. Do not take notes on a computer unless your keyboard is silent.
• Have your calendar or PDA available to schedule an in-person interview.
• Be sure to use a high quality phone, handset or headset when participating in a phone interview. To ensure you are communicating clearly, do not use a speakerphone or a cell phone.
• If you are using a portable phone, make sure your unit has fresh batteries and that you stay within range.
• Place a mirror where you can see the image you are projecting. It comes across in your voice.

If the Phone Interview Will Occur at a Set Time

• Warm up your voice while waiting for the call.
• Review your notes.
• Place a "Do Not Disturb" note on your door.
• Turn off your stereo, TV, and any other potential distractions.
• Have a glass of water handy, in case you need a drink of water.
• Speaking of breaks, if your phone interview is at a set time, make sure you use the rest room.
• Turn off call waiting on your phone.

Practice Your Telephone Interview Techniques

• Have members of your career familia call you to conduct a mock phone interview so you gain experience of being interviewed over the phone. The calls can be scheduled and unscheduled to help you prepare for both types.
• If possible, tape-record the practice interview so you can hear yourself.
• If the position requires Spanish language skills, practice in both languages.
• Practice so that your responses do not sound scripted and you feel comfortable enough to not fumble over important points.

Try These Winning Telephone Interview Techniques that Help You Sound "Hireable"

If your phone interview is scheduled for the early morning, change out of your pajamas, take a shower, and have a cup of coffee or tea to clear your voice.

• Dress nicely. You will actually project a more professional image than if you were wearing sweats. Dressing better helps you act as if you were at an in-person interview. It can improve your confidence.
• Stand during the phone interview. Many experts say that standing improves your telephone presence and helps you sound more professional. It gets your blood flowing, improves your posture, speeds your response time and makes your voice stronger. Standing and even a little pacing back and forth helps give an action perspective to an otherwise passive activity.
• Look in the mirror regularly and smile. Smiling improves your telephone voice. You will find yourself coming across much friendlier, more interested, and more alert. Seeing yourself as you are speaking on the phone lets you know if you need to change your phone attitude to project a more positive presence.
• Match the interviewer's phone personality. Try to use the same speaking rate, tone and pitch as the interviewer, as much as you are comfortable with. Hearing the familiar speaking style helps the recruiter to feel more connected to you. It is an excellent way to establish rapport quickly over distance and phone lines.

When a Recruiter Calls Unexpectedly

• If you receive an unexpected call from a recruiter and he or she expects to interview you right then and there. Your first step, be calm! Ask for some time to get yourself ready.

  Examples: "Terrific...could you give me a moment to go to a room where we won't be interrupted?" or "Could you give me just a moment to close the door?"

  When they agree, cover the voice piece on the phone and go to your quiet area where you have all of your job search material prepared, take two or three deep breaths, and then continue.

• If you are genuinely unable to devote enough time to an unscheduled phone interview or not ready to continue with the interview, politely ask the recruiter for an alternate time. It is preferable to proceed with the interview; if possible, you might not get a call back. If you must reschedule then, offer to be the one who calls back at a scheduled time.

Conducting the Phone Interview

• Breathe deeply and relax. Speak slowly, clearly and with purpose. Remember your initial goal is to create a great first impression.
• Confirm the interviewers name and the position you are being screened for. Request the correct spelling and pronunciation of the interviewer's name.
• Ask, "how much time will we have for this interview?" This will help you determine how to respond to the recruiter's questions.
• Take notes. You might hear something important about the position or company that you could refer to later. They will also be invaluable to you in preparing for the face-to-face meeting
• Listen carefully to the interviewers questions to understand the intent of the questions. Since telephone interviews are time-limited, you will be able to provide your best responses.
• Use the technique of repeating or re-phrasing questions. It tells the caller that you listened carefully, and gives you time to think about your answer.
• Avoid a simple yes or no answer; add selling points at every opportunity
• Be brief when answering your questions - you want to be thorough and keep up your end of the conversation, but you also don't want to ramble.
• Support your statements with detailed examples of accomplishments when possible. It is easy for someone to get distracted on a phone call, so paint a vivid picture to keep the interviewer interested.
• Use your list of talking points of related skills and accomplishments; cross them off as you work them into the conversation. At the end, if you have some uncrossed items that are relevant to the interviewer, you might ask the following:

  Example: "I thought you might be interested to know I coordinated the Hispanic market development project, quite similar to what you are planning. I managed a $50,000 budget for Latino Friendly Company, Inc and increase our customer base by 30%."

• Use the interviewer's last name occasionally (only use a first name if the recruiter asks you to) and refer to the company by name a few times.
• Do not feel you have to fill in the silences. If you've completed a response, but the interviewer hasn't asked his or her next question, don't start babbling just to fill in airtime. Instead, ask a question of your own related to your last response.
• If you hear anything about the company or position that is particularly interesting or attractive, say so - remarks like "That sounds exciting", "What a great opportunity," or "I worked on a very similar project with my last company and loved it" can convey your interest in the position and the company, which could help increase your chances of being invited to the face-to-face interview
• Deliver a strong finish to your phone interview with thoughtful questions.
• Avoid sniffling, sneezing or coughing. If you can't prevent these actions, say "excuse me."
• No gum chewing, eating or drinking except a little water, if needed keep your voice clear.

Closing the Interview

• Show you're interested. When it feels right and it sounds like the interview is wrapping up, ask for a date to meet for face-to-face interview.

  Example: "This sounds like a great position and I know I could step in and contribute. I would love the opportunity to sit down with you in person and discuss this even further. When could we meet for an interview?"

• If the interviewer hedges or says "I'll call you", try to politely probe a little further. Ask "When might I likely hear back from you?"
• If you are invited for the face-to-face interview, be certain to thank the interviewer and get the important details - when, where, with whom you are interviewing, the format of the interview or process (length and how many interviews are normally undertaken) and is there anything in particular you need to bring. Repeat the key details to make sure your notes are accurate.
• Remember to thank the interviewer for the opportunity and their time.
• Do not hang up until the interviewer has hung up.

After the Call

• Immediately after the call, add to your notes about what you were asked and how you answered.
• Next, write a short thank-you note. Adapt the wording for a phone interview.

  Example: "Thank you for spending time with me on the phone today talking about the enrollment management position. I enjoyed the conversation and have a better understanding of the job. I'd be interested in an on-site interview, and would welcome the opportunity to further discuss my candidacy."

For additional information on interviewing, go to More Articles.

BUENA SUERTE!

Many companies are using telephone interviews to pre-screen applicants and narrow down the list of candidates who get invited to personal interviews.

When receiving such a call, a job seeker might feel like he or she is playing the television game show Jeopardy™ except with much higher stakes. Below are some examples of how Telephone Screening Interview Jeopardy™ has played out for some candidates.

CATEGORY 1: Voicemail Roulette

The Answer: Your voicemail activates with Salsa, Merengue, or Daddy Yankee playing in the background and a message "You've reached the big guy, not here, out having fun, you know what to do."

The Question: Why did the company recruiter hang-up without leaving a message?

CATEGORY 2: Don't Cell Yourself Out of a Job Interview

The Answer: You are out in public, it is very noisy, and your cell phone rings. A recruiter is on the line and you choose to hold the conversation by speaking louder over the clamor

The Question: Why did the recruiter ask two questions, end the call, and you never heard from them again?

DAILY DOUBLE 3: The 3 P's of Successful Telephone Interviews: Preparation, Practice and Performance

The Answer:

Preparation

• You provided companies with appropriate phone contact information
• Changed your voice mail to job search mode – professional and repeated in Spanish, if applying for a position requiring bilingual proficiency
• Developed your elevator speech, personal brand statement, targeted answers, S.T.A.R. stories, and company/position specific questions you might ask
• Set-up your noise-free telephone interview space with your company folders, resume, talking points

Practice

• Rehearsed your professional phone voice that is authentic, comfortable, caring and interested in the conversation
• Observed your breathing and body language (smiling, gesturing, and posture affect your phone voice)
• Conducted a dry-run with friends, coach or career center and received feedback on your performance
• Reviewed and revised your answers based on feedback
• Practiced for expected and handling unexpected interview calls

Performance

• Sounded hirable during the call
• Demonstrated your value to the employer
• Took notes on key points plus the interviewer's name and contact information
• Closed the phone interview by showing interest in position being discussed
• Followed-up with a performance-based thank you note

The Question: Why did you get invited to an onsite interview with the company you want to work for?

More About Telephone Screening Interviews

Telephone interviews save companies time and money. There are other reasons that telephone interviews might be required. For example, if the position of interest requires good telephone skills, hearing your voice and communication style on the telephone makes a lot of sense from the employer's standpoint.

The phone interview is the second step in the process for many recruiters. During a phone interview, interviewers can determine whether you are as good as you sound on paper, if you can communicate, and if you would be a good addition to the company.

The phone interview is a way for both you and the interviewer to test the waters. Think of it as a trial run for the face-to-face interview and your objective is to win that face-to-face interview!

Some phone interviews are conducted to check that your qualifications match the job requirements, and might only take a few minutes. A more detailed pre-selection interview could last 20 minutes to an hour.

The telephone interview is designed to screen people out... but that does not mean you cannot impress them so much that they immediately screen you in.

For additional information on interviewing, go to more articles.

BUENA SUERTE!