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Disclaimer: It is hoped that the information provided on these web pages will be helpful to readers. Take what you need and leave the rest. We assume that readers understand that any advice must be weighed against an individual's situation. Some of the information on these pages may be inappropriate for your circumstances. So use your head! Neither John Barry, Jim Thomas, or Linda Tuerk can be held responsible for an individual's particular use of these suggestions.

Interviewing and Using Your Checklist:

The following suggestions address several facets of interviewing. Yes, candidates should concern themselves with putting their best foot forward, but they should also be methodically interviewing the company to identify potential impediments to their own success. It is hard to believe how many people accept job offers without project definition, without meeting more than one person they will work with, without knowing what site they will work at.

Most hiring authorities do not lie about situations at their companies when asked directly about them, but some can neglect to paint the whole picture unless prompted. Candidates need to determine what their key considerations are and then investigate those issues thoroughly during the interviewing process. Be at least as critical of the company as they are being of you. If you are diligent, you will avoid a lot of disappointment in the long run.

Your checklist should include the items most important to you in the definition of a "good" company. Here are some additional suggestions you might add to your personal checklist as well as some suggestions for making a good impression:

1. Make sure your clothes are clean, pressed, and of good quality. A three-piece suit is rarely necessary in the Valley (banks and defense firms), but a jacket for both men and women is recommended.

2. Watch for visible wear on belts and shoes. Women: no spiked heels or open-toed shoes.

3. Don't wear tinted eyeglasses indoors that make it difficult for people to make eye contact with you.

4. Keep a copy of your self-assessment in the glove compartment of your car. Arrive at the company parking lot a few minutes early, take some deep breaths, and remind yourself of how good you are!

5. If you smoke, be prepared for it to be held against you. At the very least, try to keep yourself and your clothes from smelling like cigarettes; don't smoke in the car with the windows up, for example. Do not drink alcohol before an interview.

6. Watch out for too much makeup, jewelry, and dragon nails. Hair needs to be clean and neat.

7. Everyone of all levels should meet with Human Resources to avoid any misrepresentation of benefits. Do not accept a recruiter's word on insurance coverage or assume the book you have been given is the most recent. Be suspicious if you are not being allowed to meet with HR.

8. Don't keep secrets of your own past the second or third round of interviews. At an appropriate time, after mutual interest has been established, be candid about the three-week vacation you have planned in three months. Or that you might not be able to start for eight weeks. Or an old criminal record is going to show up on a security check. Don't wait until the offer to spring this on them; the manipulation is obvious. It has been my experience that problems (including former substance abuse problems) can be overcome with great success if they are dealt with early and directly.

9. Do some preliminary research on the company, and arrive at the interview with several intelligent business questions.

10. Relate your experiences to the company's challenges as they are presented to you. Discuss your part in the solution. Communicate the skills you have; do not assume that the resume has already spoken for you.

11. Confirm everything your headhunter told you about the company, opportunity, manager, benefits, and perquisites. EVERYTHING. Also, pay attention to the perspective of users/customers/partners, management, and the technical people you are meeting. Are they consistent?

12. Remember that before accepting an offer, you have a right to interview with at least two levels of management above your position, a representative of the user community you would work closely with, and one or two members of your peer group. If you are not meeting enough people to make an intelligent decision, walk away. Management candidates should meet with at least two Vice Presidents, two peers, and at least two subordinates from the department/team they will inherit (critical). Go through the recommended checklist before offer acceptance.

13. Ask yourself at each step in the process if you would like to continue. Don't waste their time if you are definitely not interested.

14. Be prepared to supply as many as six references within a day.

15. Drug tests: if the company requires one and you choose to use, remove yourself from consideration; don't try to beat the test.

16. Be prepared to accept an offer when it is given; your relationship will get off to a better start than if you reply, "Sounds good. Let me think about it." Your questions should be answered by then, and you should have been able to tell them at what dollar figure you would accept their offer. Don't haggle like a used car salesman; if your salary demands are reasonable they should make it happen. If they don't, consider it a red flag. If some concerns have not been addressed, it is up to you to initiate a meeting to clarify any questions remaining.

NOTE: Overkill from all these questions is possible, but very rare. At some point, recognize that moving is always a risk, and go ahead with your decision based on the information you have.

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