Clark F. Isaacs and Associates Tips


Topics

  • How to interview

  • Tips

    Methods of getting the most out of an interview and presenting yourself as a Number One Candidate
    Six Point Program:

    1. Tell me about yourself?

    This is the most often asked question by an interviewer. What he is not asking for is a description of is the kids, dog, or a bowling average. You respond by asking " I understand what a (type of attorney) does, but from your prospective, what are the duties and responsibilities of this position as related to your firm.

    The technique and purpose here and throughout the entire interview process is to try and never answer a question without asking one first. The purpose is to get clarification and be sure you are answering the question with what the interviewer is asking you.

    2. What is the most important project or expectation which should be completed at the end of each day? The purpose of asking this question is to again refer to your FAB sheet(Described in tip topics) to again describe in detail your accomplishments in this important area.

    3. What would be my first project or production goal? Here refer to your FAB sheet to describe those features and accomplishments in this area. Then add, "what obstacles might I face in the accomplishment of these goals?"

    4. Remember, try not to answer a question without asking one first. This again emphasizes the importance of getting clarification to be sure the answer to a question is directly on point.

    5. Close...

    Sometime at the beginning of the meeting you should have asked the following questions: "Jim...sic, I have not interviewed for some time, but if things go well during this interview and we determine that we have a mutual interest, can we determine the next step today?" The purpose of this statement is to give you the candidate something to close with at the end of the interview. At the conclusion of the interview the following type statement would be made, "Joe...sic, when we first began this interview you and I agreed that if we had a mutual interest in proceeding we could determine the next step today. Joe...sic, I would like you to know that I would like to take the next step. Do you?

    At the end of the interview is when this dialogue should take place:

    Joe ...sic "When we began this meeting you and I agreed that if we had a mutual interest we could determine the next step today."

    "Now based upon the information gathered by you during this meeting, do I have the qualifications for this position?"

    Wait for an answer! What you are asking the interviewer to do is make a decision now rather than waiting until later. It may take him a few moments to reflect, summarize in his mind, and compare you to the position.

    The ideal answer is yes you do. If so, then you must close. "I feel the same way - what's the next step?"

    The interviewer could also answer by saying, "We are interviewing other candidates." Here you would respond with, "How do my qualifications, experience and abilities compare with those candidates?"

    If the interviewer responds with a deficiency in any area your response should be "How much time will I spend in this area?". And whatever the response you would say "I am willing to do whatever it takes to perform up to your expectations." Here is where you ask for the job and tell the interviewer that you can do it.

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