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Job search for six figure executives: It’s not a shell game

By rashley, October 29, 2009 7:37 pm

Krishna P. was set to interview with a major company starting a new group/product line.  As he prepared he had no idea where to focus, what part of his experience would be appropriate to mention and even if the job as group manager was a replacement or new job.

To say he was at a disadvantage for his first interviews is an understatement.  How could he have prevented this confusion? If he wanted to rise above all the competition, he needed to have precise answers to all the interview questions.  He could only do that if he could anticipate their needs.

He could have asked questions of the internal recruiter who first contacted him.  Why didn’t he?  For some odd reason candidates don’t understand they are expected to ask questions about the job so they can prepare for the interviews.

The employer is highly motivated to hire the right person for the job. It isn’t a shell game.  They want you to have all the information you can have to make your attempts at the job spot-on.  It would have been ok to ask the recruiter why she felt he was a good candidate for the job.

It is ok to ask about the organization, reporting structure and growth plans.  It is even more ok to ask if this is a new position and if not, why?  If the person moved up in the company, great.  If they left, it’s ok to ask what they might have done differently to be more effective.

You can also ask the recruiter what the hiring manager considers to be the top three priorities for the job.  The answer may be different from the job description.  If people skills are stressed you know what examples to use.  If technical expertise is their main concern, you know to tilt your answers that direction.

Ask questions and help the employer hire you.

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If you would like support creating your own compelling and expeditious job search, contact me at coach at jobsearchdebugged dot com.  We can focus on your specific challenges and define a custom program.

My clients get hired; not brag–fact.
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Perhaps you feel a proven book with field tested techniques is your first step toward an effective job search.  You can download Job Search Debugged
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categories Career advice, INTERVIEW ADVICE, Job Search Tools, Recruiters, Six Figure Jobs, coaching | tags , ,

One Response to “Job search for six figure executives: It’s not a shell game”

  1. Interview but no offer? | Rita Ashley, Career Coach says:
    May 5, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    [...] the internet wisely to learn what you can about the company, the job and the [...]

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