26 Chapter 1 Exploring Careers
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
the person you are meeting. Listen closely if the receptionist corrects
your pronunciation of the interviewer’s name. Then wait patiently to be
welcomed into the interviewer’s offi ce.
Greet the interviewer with a fi rm handshake. When you are offered
a seat, sit up straight with feet fl at on the fl oor. Look alert, maintain eye
contact, and speak clearly. If you believe you can do the job, explain why.
Practice answering common interview questions with a friend or family
member so your responses refl ect accuracy and enthusiasm.
The interviewer should bring up the topic of pay. If the job is available
at a specifi c pay rate, your decision should be easy to make. Either you will
accept or reject the rate. By rejecting a fi xed rate, you reject the job.
If the pay level is fl exible and the job appeals to you, you should say
“salary is negotiable.” This means you are willing to discuss pay after all
the benefi ts and other features of the job are discussed.
Do not feel obliged during the interview to declare the specifi c pay
you expect. You will want to consider all that you learn about company
benefi ts and weigh everything accordingly. If the interviewer presses
you to declare a salary level, state a range that is not excessive. You
will not want to make the mistake of quoting a pay so high that the
interviewer eliminates you from consideration.
After the Interview
After completing a job interview, send a follow-up letter right away using
a standard business format, 1-14. Thank the interviewer for his or her time
and express your continuing interest in the position. This is your chance
to clarify any points about your qualifi cations.
If the interviewer does not contact you as promised, follow up with
a telephone call. When you make the call, be brief. Just say something
like, “Good afternoon, Mr. Smith. This is (name) calling. I had an
interview with you on (date). I am still interested in the position and
wonder if you have made your decision.” Whatever the interviewer’s
response, be as pleasant and positive as you were during the interview.
If you do not get the job, try not to be discouraged. Usually many
applicants compete for the same job. Learn from this experience by
evaluating what went well in the interview and what you would do
differently. Then continue your job search. Try to be positive and think
about all the other employment opportunities that may be better than the
job you did not get.
Evaluate Job Offers
When considering a job offer, you will need to carefully consider the
facts provided by the interviewer. Always use diplomacy when discussing
sensitive topics.
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Physical workplace. Is the location convenient? Is the atmosphere
conducive to your working style? Is public transportation
conveniently located, or will you need a car?
Living Living
Green Green
When you become
employed, get involved
in recycling efforts at the
workplace. You might
want to suggest that your
company have a “green”
committee that investigates
ways the company can be
an environmentally friendly
workplace.