the Interview Expert 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Newsletter
Greetings!
 
Welcome to your latest issue of the Interview Expert newsletter.

Every issue explores the key elements of a successful job interview and strategic job search techniques - so you can master your skills and land the job you really want!
 
In this issue we talk about how you can prepare effectively for Stages Two and Three in the interview process.
How to Prepare for Each Stage of the
Interview Process:  Part 2
 
In the first part of this series, we discussed Stage One of the interview process - the Screening Interview. This issue focuses on the next stages.
 
Stage Two: Second Interview
 
The hiring manager typically conducts the second interview, with or without human resources staff involvement. The hiring manager is interested drilling deep into your technical skills and experience to find out if you really can do what you've said you can.
 
At the same time, these managers need to determine whether you have the motivation and drive to get the job done as well as how easy you are to supervise and manage. And, if this is the final round in their interview process, they'll try to figure out whether you fit in with the rest of the team and the organization. At this stage, you'll be asked questions such as:  
  • Describe the work environment in which you really thrive.
  • What kind of support do you need from your supervisor or colleagues to do your very best work?
  • Tell me about things that really motivate you.
  • Tell me about a time when you worked on a project but were not the leader. How did you contribute and how did you support the leader?
How to Prepare for the Second Interview 
  • Identify the major projects you've worked on that directly relate to the job. Then, from reports or other documents, pull out the technical details to help you remember exactly what you did.
  • Think about the key components of your best work environment so you can say exactly what helps you perform your very best.
  • Review your performance appraisals to recall exactly what your boss and/or colleagues said about you.
  • Identify how your contribution to team efforts helped the team work better and achieve better results.
Stage Three: Subsequent Interviews
 
Assuming there is a third stage of interviews, the hiring organization is clearly interested in hiring you. At this point, the main concern is that you'll fit in with their team and the organization. Typically, you'll be asked to meet other members of the team. This may include meeting the boss' boss or the boss' peers in other units. They'll also try to sell you on the job and the organization.
 
How to Prepare for Subsequent Interviews
  • Identify, research and articulate the areas of fit between you, the boss, the team, the operating unit and the broader organization.  First, you need to know how you naturally like to work: Do you think outside the box? Can you get big ideas off the ground? Do you love to bring order to chaos? Are you someone who gets everyone on the same page? The key is to find out if the boss, team, operating unit and organization values your natural abilities.
  • As a starting point, look at the organization's mission, vision and value statement to see if they align with your natural inclinations, whether they be creating innovative solutions, getting projects off the ground, making things better through continuous improvement or improving teamwork and collaboration.
  • Then, find out more. When you meet the team, ask them for details about their major projects. Find out whether those projects were innovations or continuous improvement projects. Ask how they got them done. Did they work in teams or independently?
  • Check out the boss and the team, too. Ask them what they need from others to perform their very best. Ask them to describe their personal work-styles. Ask what achievements their boss praised or rewarded them for. Ask them to describe the best performer and explain what that person does differently from the rest.  Then, give some examples of the environments in which you performed your best work. Watch their reaction to see if it resonates with them. Then, ask if that sounds similar to the way their unit and organization operate.
By preparing for each stage of the interview process, you'll arrive at your next interview with the confidence to land the job you really want!
 
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Questions?  Comments?  Topics for future newsletters?
Feel free to e-mail us anytime at the Interview Expert newsletter.
 
 
And don't forget to check the Interview Expert blog for more free resources including information on how to answer standard interview questions. 

Can't get past the first interview?
Are you always a close second in the final round?
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Sincerely,
 
Heather
 
Heather McNab
the Interview Expert 
 
416-239-4406
[email protected]      
 
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Personal Branding
Heather
How do you stand out
from the crowd of other job candidates?
 
It's critical to create a solid, market-focused personal branding statement that takes everything about you and makes it everything about them.  
 
This step is so important that I've  designed a special package to help you create one -- fast.  
It's called Make Me Memorable.  We work with you to create your own unique brand so you stand out from the crowd. 
 
And you don't have to wait for your next interview --
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