What information should you
gather about the company, the interviewer and the position when preparing for
an interview?
"Knowing
the market, the trends, the competitors, key customers and Key vendors is
extremely important and not only for commercial roles. It’s also interesting to
check information about people working in the targeted department (future
peers, direct reports, and line manager), their name, background. Linked in is
a very useful tool for this purpose.”
How to address questions
that may be controversial in other/your culture(s)?
"Swiss
interviews are unusually extremely respectful, to such an extend that sometime
the recruiting side does not dare to ask these embarrassing questions, I
recommend to provide the answers even to the non-ask questions all along the
interview so be sure that they are not rejecting your application because they
still have doubts "
How to address flexibility
and mobility (versus duration of your stay)?
"Such
questions are difficult to answer even for locals but a way out could be to
answer by returning the question: “ that was actually one of the questions I
had on my list, How does your company handle dual-career mobility?"
How to show motivation?
"Well
selecting the companies and roles you’re targeting will insure that you are
truly motivated for the role your are interviewed for. In such case, being
natural and open is the best way to succeed. Being well prepared and making
sure its visible sends a very positive message ”
How to address salary
questions?
"For
top management positions, where the range is very large, I recommend to discuss
it very openly which head-hunters you trust, asking for confidentiality. But
this should not be discussed too early with the hiring company. “I am sure that
if there is a mutual interest we will find easily an agreement on the
conditions ” could help delaying the discussion. Anyway, offered conditions in
Switzerland are usually to a very acceptable level”
How to address negatives
experiences and gaps in your CV?
“Every life
experiences make you a different person: Be prepared to explain the learning of
each phase of your life, professional or not”
How to end and follow up an
interview?
" Confirm
you want the job before leaving the room and thank each participant personally
and individually by mail within 24H ”
If you liked that post, share it with your network!
Sandrine van den Oudenhoven, job4U2
Copyright job4U2 2012
