Hire Authority


Tips For Candidates

Before the interview:

  • Be prepared - You only have one shot at a first impression.
  • Make sure you know where to go - Map Quest and/or driving it in advance are always good ideas
  • Research - Find out as much as you can about the company before the interview. Websites, Dun & Bradstreet, and Moody are all good sources, as is Hire-Authority.
  • Dress for success - It is important to dress in business attire for an interview. This is often tough in today's marketplace and exceptions can be made. Business attire for men is a conservative suit, white shirt, tie, belt and dark socks. Women should wear a skirted suit or dress, pumps, simple jewelry, and simple make-up.

During the interview process:

  • Clients are looking for qualifications first. Although selling yourself is an important aspect of any interview, your qualifications should always be the focus.
  • Focus on your strengths. You will rarely go into an interview where you fit every single criteria requested by the client. It is important to focus on your strengths. You want them to remember what you can do, not what you can't.
  • Answer questions briefly. Answers to most questions can be given in three to five sentences. Rambling keeps the interviewer from asking the question that might land you the job.
  • Listen actively. You can gain more headway in getting the job when you know what they are looking for. 
  • Maintain a positive attitude. It is never to your advantage to be negative in an interview. Pessimism and speaking badly of previous co-workers and companies is never recommended.
  • Show an interest in the company and the position. Often the person that wants the position most gets it.
  • Focus on what you can do for the company, not what the company can do for you. Talk about why your skills will help them.
  • Be real. People often go into an interview with all of the right things to say and leave with the interviewer wondering what type of person they really are. A fake interview is evident. Being yourself is as important as knowing the right thing to say.
  • Make sure to leave the interview asking for the job or at least a second interview. It is not advised to talk about money, hours or benefits.

After the interview:

  • Send a "Thank You" note. E-mail is acceptable only when time is a factor. A handwritten note is much more personal and better received.
  • Follow up with your recruiter immediately to tell them what you thought of the interview and your interest level. If you have questions you did not get answered in the interview, we can ask for you. At this time, we will also clear up questions about vacation and benefits.

Negotiating Salary:

Again, when possible, it is best to avoid this conversation. You can do this by referring the client back to Hire-Authority or by stating that the right opportunity is more important than salary.

The best advice is to know what salary range the client is willing to pay, then make sure the salary requirements you tell them fall within that range. Remember, it should always be a range and never a number. (i.e. "I am looking in the low $30's", not "I'm looking for $30,000-$32,000"). When you give actual numbers, you can always count on getting the lower end.

Another way to discuss salary is to discuss what you have made, then leave the conclusion to the client and the recruiter. "I have made anywhere from mid $40's to low $50's." This leaves a lot of room for negotiation.


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