Interviewing Tips
Horizon Hospitality is pleased to provide our candidates with valuable information on HOW TO GET HIRED. The articles below will help you to be prepared for your interviews.
Interview Impulse Control - Put your brain in gear before engaging your mouth!
Counteroffer Acceptance - The road to career ruin.
How to Ask for and Get the Job - If you want to be hired, you must close the sale.
Reduce your Interview Anxiety - The best antidote for job search stress is practice and preparation.
Greed isn't Good - If you held out for more money, now get ready to suffer the consequences.
Ten Steps to a Successful Goodbye - How to complete the final chapter in your current job.
- Tricky Questions in Behavioral Interviews
- Favorite Interview Questions - Twenty probing questions to be prepared to answer.
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
For a face-to-face meeting wtih a prospective employer
Arrive 15 minutes early.
Dress professionally and conservatively. Navy or dark gray business suit for men. Conservatively cut business dress or suit for women.
Introduce yourself with a firm handshake and sincere smile while maintaining eye contact.
Always be positive and never speak negatively about a prior employer.
Listen carefully to questions and don't be afraid to ask for clarification if needed.
Be honest. If between jobs or out of work force for a while, simply say so. State reasons - more schooling, foreign travel, family care, attempt to change careers.
Be clear and concise with your response.
Always be confident and enthusiastic.
Practice the anticipated questions that may be asked and your answers to those questions. Be sure to practice these steps out loud to yourself before the interview.
What are the duties and responsibilities of the position I'm applying for? This is an excellent icebreaker question for the hiring authority and a great start to a successful interview. What percentage of my job is dedicated to administration and management? (This should = 100%.)
What is my number one priority that has to be done before I leave each day? Why? (Priorities are personal.)
What are the goals for the position? What obstacles would prevent me from reaching my goals?
What are the short and long term goals set for the person in this position?
Have questions for the hiring authority. Questions must be written out before the interview, while avoiding the topic of compensation and benefits for the first interview.
SALARY - this is a trap question. If the question is brought up, a very good response is "I would like as much as the position will pay" OR "I am currently making $_____. Although I would like an increase, I don't know enough about the opportunity to answer that fairly." Be very careful that you don't short yourself. Be sure to keep in mind your base salary, performance bonuses, benefits, etc.
ASK FOR THE JOB! - "I haven't interviewed in a while, what is the next step? Can we conclude our business today if all goes well?" OR summarize what you've done that ties in with the new position and ask, "Do I have the qualifications you're looking for?" Then remain silent for an answer. If the hiring authority says, "I'm looking at other people," you say , "How do my qualifications match the people you're considering."