Interviewing Tips:

• Listen, Listen, Listen
• Review the company literature prior to interviewing - make sure you are fully prepared.
• Don't say negative things about your present employer during the interview. It's O.K. to think they are "heading in the wrong direction" or "aren't providing new technical challenges."
• Ask questions that relate to the business of the company. Examples: market share, profit margin, add-on business, how is the documentation and support?
• Show passion and interest in your recent jobs and accomplishments.
• Before the discussion ends, ask if you should clarify any points in the discussion.
• Be able to elaborate on the information in your resume and explain what your role was.
• Be prepared to speak in-depth about your accomplishments, strengths and weakness.
• Practice before you go in...Strategize about the flow of the interview.
• If interested, go after the job! Send a Thank You Letter.

Questions For The Interviewer

• Ask about the information you researched.
• Describe my job duties.
• Is this a newly created position?
• What are the companies short and long term goals?
• What do you like most about working for this company?
• What is a typical day like for you?
• To whom would I report?
• Whom will I supervise?
• Tell me about the training program I will experience.
• What is the company's promotional policy?
• With whom will I be working most closely?
• When can I expect to hear from you?

Ending The Interview

• When it appears that the interviewer is about to end the interview, there are certain points you should make sure you have covered before you leave the room:
• Be aware of the interview process yet to come before a candidate is selected for the job (e.g., another interview in same/other location, meetings with other individuals in organization, etc.)
• Ask the interviewer when you can expect to hear about a decision or ask when you should make an inquiry as a follow-up.
• Express your interest in the position and thank the interviewer for interviewing you.
• Ask for a business card or ensure that you have the interviewer's name, title, address so that you can send a thank-you letter. Make sure your letter arrives within 24 hours of the interview.

Phone interview tips

• Congratulations you’ve landed a phone interview. Just because this is not a physical interview does not mean that the meeting is not critically important. Preparation is the key to any successful interview. In order to leave a positive impression, please consider the following.
• Choose the Right Place and Time:
• Make sure you have confirmed who is calling whom and at what number.
• If at all possible, use a land line not a cell phone.
• Choose a private place, at a desk if possible.
• Be ready for the call ten minutes in advance.
• If for some unforeseen reason you are running late, call and let them know before you are late.
• Be Prepared:
• • Research the company and position.
• • Have prepared, written questions about the company and position. What is the company's promotional policy?
• With whom will I be working most closely?
• • Have the workspace in front of you cleared of everything except for the materials you need for this call:
• o Resume
• o List of prepared questions
• o Note pad and pen in order to take notes
• • Understand your past accomplishments and how they can add value to this new position.
• • Be able to effectively illustrate past positions and the reasons you left other jobs.
• • If there are gaps in your employment history, be able to articulate the what and why.
• Communicate Effectively:
• Make sure there is a smile in your voice.
• Listen well.
• Show enthusiasm and interest for the job.
• Be yourself and have fun.
• Wrap Up:
• Thank the interviewer for his/her time.
• Ask about next steps in the interview process.
• Send personalized thank you notes to everyone you spoke with.

Insurance News

read more of Today's Insurance News