SkyWater Blog

As a candidate, it’s essential to pull out all of the stops to enhance your chances in a job interview, especially where a vacancy is hotly contested.

Sending a post-interview thank you note is your final opportunity to remind the employer why you are the ideal candidate for the role by demonstrating where your skills and background are an ideal fit for their vacancy. If you’re guilty of sending a standard ‘thank you’ note – or not sending one at all – try the following after your next interview:

Preparing for a great job interview is a job in itself. You’ve done your homework on the company, perfected your resume, answered every question will clarity and confidence. By the time it’s over, you may be tempted to breathe a sigh of relief and think that the ball is now in their court. Well, it’s not. Not quite. Your interviewers invested their time and energy to meet with you. You not only owe them a thank you; you have one more opportunity to remind them of your qualifications for the job.

At the end of every interview, you will normally be given the opportunity to pose questions to the employer. If it is a fiercely contested vacancy, here’s your chance to edge ahead of the field. The responses you are given will also offer insight into whether or not a move to this company is in the best interests of your long-term career plan.

The salary question is a stressful one. But it doesn’t have to derail your job interview. With some thoughtful research, honest soul searching, and careful scripting, you can answer the question with poise every time. Follow these steps.

“What are your salary requirements?”  

That question – or any of its many variations – initiates one of the trickiest, most consequential decisions you’ll have to make when communicating with a potential employer.  

How should you respond?  

With forethought, a well prepared answer, and a clear, confident tone, sure.

But what should you say?  

That depends… on a number of factors. 

If you write “salary negotiable” on the application, it might keep you in the running and buy you some time to figure out a more specific response. But employers are looking for candidates who understand the market, know themselves, and are confident placing a dollar figure on their professional worth.  If you just keep dodging the question by saying it’s all negotiable, you look timid and unprepared for the actual negotiation.  

At the same time, your answer need to vary from employer to employer. Here’s how to determine – and adjust – your response for each opportunity:

Without ever, ever trashing your competition

As a candidate, you want to perform to the best of your ability when invited to an interview. As the employment market becomes more buoyant you may find yourself involved in a number of interviews in a short space of time. Naturally, you’ll want to ensure you are the preferred candidate on each occasion but what exactly is the optimum timing to achieve this?

6 Little Ways Your Attitude is Undermining Your Job Interviews

You’re the perfect candidate for this job.

Your Thank-You Email Is A Smart Marketing Tool

Whether you’re actively job hunting or “just listening” when recruiters reach out, you know probably know what it takes to be a serious candidate.  You need a clear grasp of your own personal “brand:” your career goals, core values, current abilities and professional track record. You need a resume that powerfully, compellingly reflects those things.  And you need to ace every interview, not just with the words you choose but with the levels of engagement and enthusiasm you’re able to convey.

And The 7 Steps You Should Take Instead

There are very few moments in a job search as thrilling as learning that the employer of your dreams is about to extend an offer.

You’ve just gotten word about a great job at a company you admire and, from everything you’ve seen so far, it’s perfect for you.  Next step:  submit your application, resume and cover letter.  Next step after that:  sink into a state of fear and paralysis.  Why?  Because, not long ago, your career hit an ugly little speed bump.  You were demoted.  And while the personal pain of that event has started to subside, you worry that it has put a permanent stain on your resume – and your career aspirations.  As an executive recruiter, I am often struck by how highly competent professionals can remain haunted by a past demotion.  While no one can whip out a magic eraser and undo what has happened, I can offer you something better.  I can tell you what works.  Here is a realistic strategy for dealing with a demotion on your resume, in five simple steps.