Q: Can I ask about salary in the first phone call/interview? (DR, email ).
A: Yes, you can, but I would generally advise against it. The early stages of the interviewing/application process should be about persuading the recruiter that you have what they're looking for, and the money talk can come later. There’ll be time enough for counting when the dealing’s done…
You might think it's a waste of time to burrow down a rabbit hole without knowing the is at the end, but, by in large, we should generally have a good idea of what the employer is going to offer. If it is a job in your sector, they will be guided at some level by industry norms.
If it's a starter role, it may not be easy to discern the likely pay, but I would still leave it to before, or during, the second interview. The practice of doing the first interview will be of value to you no matter what happens. Wondering about how you might introduce the money question could deflect you from focusing on what you need to achieve.
You don't want to get into negotiations too early. And more to the point, your negotiating position is stronger when you have given them a good taste of what you offer.
Others may give different advice on this. But that would be my opening gambit without knowing your story inside out.
Go strong on what matters to them
Q: How do I identify my strengths? I’ve an interview coming up and I don’t know where to start. (SD, email ).
A: There is a hole in your question. You need to identify the strengths that are relevant to the position you are chasing.
Your strength of doing 100 press ups without taking a breath is not relevant if you’re going for a job as a software programmer. But it might be a clincher if you’re a gym instructor. The point I am making here is that you must decide what strengths matter in the job you are pursuing.
Read the jobs spec closely. Figure out what exactly is involved in it. Make a list. It could include teamwork, sales skills, an ability to work on your own initiative and so on. Then go through the list and see what strengths you have that relate to the role.
Then elaborate on those strengths on the same piece of paper - have you significant qualifications, some training, on-the-job experience or just an interest? make sure that you do a good job of selling your key ones when you turn up at the interview, and you give yourself a better chance of doing this by getting them down on paper beforehand and turning them over in your head in the build-up to the big day.
Too often, candidates identify and elaborate in their CVs and interviews on strengths that are not relevant to the job. They approach jobs from their side of the table. Oh, what have I got? What am I good at?
I recommend starting at the other side of the table – what is the employer looking for, what really matters to them in this role, and then, as I outline above, what have I got to meet those needs?
Slí Nua Careers (www.SliNuaCareers.com ) offer a full online service. Their services include CV preparation, interview training, public speaking and presentation skills, and career direction. For more details, visit www.slinuacareers.com Email your questions to [email protected].
