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By obtaining company information you will be able to express the marketable skills you offer the organization.

Skill Testing

Technical professionals must demonstrate their skills from previous placements or be screened and tested to prove technical knowledge. We also insist on both a phone and personal interview to access interpersonal skills.

ERS has been so successful at testing and qualifying candidates that we are known for placing the right employee in the right job. We have honed this skill which is why our IT staffing services differ from our competitors.

Phone Interview

The most important thing to remember is that you are working towards obtaining a personal, face-to-face meeting with a prospective employer. If you can create the proper first impression on the telephone your chances of being invited for a personal visit are greatly enhanced.

Tips for Phone Interviews

• Be enthusiastic and assertive.
• Remember that you don't have the benefits of expression and eye contact to show your excitement and interest. Be ready to provide specific examples of projects and accomplishments which showcase your skills. Avoid: speaking too fast, having music or other noises in the background, chewing or smoking, speaking too close to the receiver – anything that can create an unpleasant image of yourself.
• Do not ask questions that appear to be selfishly motivated. This is the most common mistake people make on phone interviews – you should not even bring up the subjects of money or benefits. Your only goal at this point should be selling the company on your skills and experience – talking about money prematurely can only have negative effects.
• Prepare your answers to the obvious questions such as:
  • Why are you leaving your present position? (Have a positive reason for this move).
  • What are your strong/weak points?
  • What were your biggest accomplishments in your last position?
  • What contributions can you make to our company?
• The best way of answering this last question is to do research on the company you will be interviewing with: check out the company's web site, do your homework, find out what they are doing and be prepared to point out how you can help them achieve their goals.
• As a parting comment let the potential employer know that you are very interested in the position and why. The enthusiasm you display could be the deciding factor between you and another candidate.
• Please call your consultant, immediately after the phone interview to discuss a follow-up strategy.

If your phone interview doesn't occur at the scheduled time, please be patient. Oftentimes, people are unable to keep an appointed telephone call because a business meeting went longer than expected or were sick.

Be Ready for the Conversation

• Pen and paper, a calculator
• The job description and your resume.
• A list of your accomplishments which relate to the job you are discussing.
• Research you have done on the company.
• A short list of questions about the job.
• Your calendar and schedule availability.

The Techniques of a Pro

• Smile - it comes through in your voice.
• Speak directly into the phone.
• Don't smoke, chew gum, eat or drink anything. It all telegraphs to your listener.
• Stand up. Your voice sounds stronger.
• Avoid ah, er, hum. This habit is especially noticeable on the telephone.

Tips for a Winning Performance

• Confirm the caller's name and company. Get the caller's telephone number if you get disconnected
• Be aware that the caller can't see you – can't see your hand gestures, or can't see you taking notes.
• Pace the call. Let the caller do most of the talking, without interruptions.
• Do use the technique of repeating or re-phrasing questions. It tells the caller that you listened carefully, and gives you time to think about your answer.
• Avoid the simple yes or no; add selling points at every opportunity. If you need time to think, say so – as in radio, silence during a telephone conversation is dead air time.
• Compensation issues come at the end of the interviewing cycle, never at the telephone stage. You can truthfully say you don't know enough about the job to state a salary figure. And, of course, you would need a personal interview to really talk with the company, which is another way to go for the personal interview.

Re-affirm your qualifications; express your interest in the job and the company. Say you would appreciate the opportunity to talk about the job further – IN PERSON.

Prepare for the Actual Interview

• Practice answers to common questions.
• Prepare a list of questions to ask the employer.
• Practice your interview with a friend or colleague.
• Bring several copies of your resume, a list of references, and, if appropriate, any work samples.
• Dress professionally and comfortably. You are judged by appearance.

Before the Interview

• Be on time. Being on time is evidence of your commitment, dependability and professionalism.
• Be positive and cooperative with all employees you come in contact with at the interview location.
• Be courteous to the receptionist, his/her opinion counts too.
• Greeting everybody with a firm handshake and smile.
• Think of the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation.
• Don't forget to turn off your cellular phone and pager.

During the Interview

• Show self-confidence.
• Make eye contact with the interviewer and answer his questions directly in a clear voice.
• Establish a rapport with the interviewer and remember to listen.
• Reflect before answering a difficult question.
• When it is your turn, ask the questions you have prepared in advance. These should cover any information about the company and job position you could not find in your own research. Express your interest in the job opportunity.
• Display your initiative by talking about what functions you could perform that would benefit the organization and provide details of how your experience fits the position.
• Avoid negative body language. An interviewer wants to see how well you react under pressure.
• Don't make negative comments about current or former employers.

After the Interview

• End the interview with a handshake and thank the interviewer for his or her time.
• Reiterate your interest in the position and your qualifications.
• Ask the interviewer if there are any concerns about your qualifications.
• If they offer to contact you, politely ask when you should expect the call.
• Contact your Career Service Consultant immediately. We follow-up with the employer and your feedback helps.
• Send a "Thanks for the Interview" note, after the interview via email.

Common Job Interview Questions

By rehearsing interview questions, you'll become more familiar with your own qualifications and will be well prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer. Some examples are:

"Tell me about yourself."

"Why do you want to work here?" or "What about our company interests you?"

"Why did you leave your last job?"

"What are your best skills?"

"What is your major weakness?"

"What are your career goals?" or "What are your future plans?"

"What salary are you expecting?"