How do you handle a deadline?

How do you handle a deadline?

“I do great, I havent missed one yet.”

Not a good answer !!!

Why you may ask?

Remember math class? The answer is not important, but the process in which you get the result is !

During the course of an interview, many interviewers are trying to get a glimpse of you, the person, your routines, likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, etc.

The process in getting to know a person goes beyond, the bottom line result. The ways in which you have found your success, the roads you have taken, the struggles and triumphs all make up your character but also contribute to your skill set as well.

How you handle up hill climbs and challenges and your approach is key. Life is not perfect, companies are not and procedures may not be. How do you react when there is a breakdown?

What do you do when the documents you were waiting for to meet a deadline dont arrive in time?

Many times in life we learn a lot more from our mistakes and failures than we do from our successes. Dont be afraid to mention these, it makes you a real person, it also allows the employers to see that you are adapt to change, to new circumstance and can meet demands if fires arise.

We find out who we are and who are colleagues are when facing challenging times, this is how we find out our leaders and strongest players. Its a red flag when an interviewee has never faced challenges at work, or has had obstacles to climb.

This gives the sense to the interviewer that you were either not given much responsibility or do not challenge yourself, or maybe you are just not being fully open in your responses.

Silicon Staffing

www.siliconstaffing.co

Initial Interview; Dont Negotiate Salary

In an initial interview dont make the mistake of negotiating a price !

The initial interview is an opportunity to get to know your potential employer and it is a time for the employer to get to know you as well. The last thing you want to do is use the initial contact as a means of negotiating your future salary.

Of course every minute is an observation and a chance to lay out the standards and expectations from both sides, you can negotiate your salary by showing your value based on your experience, understanding and being a good fit for the company.

You may be asked directly what your salary expectations are, answer directly. If the company cant afford you, thats ok, you dont want to accept a job where you believe you are under paid and are constantly looking for an upgrade. Thats not a good situation for you and not fair to your employer.

Be honest in your evaluation of what your needs are and what your goals are, they maybe different and by placing your answer in this format, it will also give you an opportunity to negotiate later without closing yourself off and pinning yourself to a number.

No one under any circumstance wants to start anything negotiating price, its usually a bad sign!

Do you want to work with a vendor who puts more attention on invoicing you or providing a service? Do you go on a first date and discuss if you should have a joint bank account, or before starting your meal negotiate on who pays for it?

Of course not, so why would you take that approach in an interview.

Yes, every minute is a negotiation but it doesnt have to be direct, it can be subtle, show your value through your observations, experiences and what you can bring to a company. We sometimes forget that a company is just that, a company of people, a group of people, working towards the same common goal. So if your common goal is your bottom line, how can that fit into any company unless you are working for the Wolf of Wall Street!

Bottom line is that many applicants go into the interview process trying to give the right answer. Which is the wrong answer. Be honest, dont be afraid to layout your expectations, your needs and desires. Essentially what you will find if you continue to do this is that, you will end up in jobs you wont like and likely wont succeed in. Set a target and pursue it.

The initial interview is for both sides to get a better understanding of one another to see if there is a potential future, in being honest, you allow this relationship to mature and grow. You also give yourself the best opportunity to land a job you truly enjoy and are a good fit for. Dont make a mistake on settling for a job, it is only delaying our career success and potential.

Silicon Staffing

www.siliconstaffing.co