The following are suggested steps that you
may take to prepare yourself in a job search
process. These steps are particularly helpful
as you decide which company you would like to
apply for. Once you are called for an interview,
knowing more about yourself, about the job and
the company you are applying for will be very
helpful as you try to convince prospective employers
that you are the person they are looking for.
KNOWING ABOUT YOURSELF AND THE JOB
YOU ARE APPLYING FOR
When somebody calls you on the telephone inviting
you for a job interview, you should be ready
to ask some questions. Knowing more about the
job is the first thing you need to do. Depending
on the position and the agency's recruitment
process, the recruiter may conduct an initial
screening by phone. When recruiter conducts
a phone interview he/she may focus on basic
requirements and information about the position,
i.e. salary range, and type of position being
offered. When the interviewer does a prescreening,
use this as a way of soliciting more information
about the job. Once you get the information
you need, confirm your interview appointment.
As much as possible, avoid telephone interview
as they do not provide the same level of connection
a personal interview provides. Telephone interview
is a risky proposition. It is always best to
have a person-to-person interview.
Recruiters are usually helpful in giving information
regarding what the job is all about and its
requirements. If you ask them, they can even
send you written job descriptions. If you know
more about the job and its requirements, this
will allow you to align your preparation based
on the information you have. The more knowledge
you have about the job, the more intelligent
preparation you can make.
RESEARCHING THE ORGANIZATION
Knowing as much as you can about the organization
provides a tremendous advantage. The interest
you put into learning about the organization
is generally found helpful during the interview.
It creates a positive impression with most interviewers
and will also help you in terms of finding out
for yourself if this specific agency is the
right organization you want to invest your time
and most especially your career. Get as much
information as you can before you go to the
interview. There are a lot of available resources
not only from the agency itself, but also from
their own website, libraries, and local newspapers.
Below are some questions which you may find
helpful when researching the agency. If it is
not possible to get all the information you
want, reserve other questions about the company
during the interview.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
What are the different employment
opportunities available within the agency?
Are there other positions for which you may
qualify?
Are there training programs available?
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
What are the different divisions and departments?
Who is who in this agency?
Who is a possible contact? (useful for future
information interview and networking)
Does the organizational structure provide room
for career growth?
MAJOR OPERATIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL
INFORMATION
Type of poltical and organizational structure?
What is the agency's primary business?
What are its services?
Who are its major clients?
How big is the department and the agency in
terms of total number of employees?
Future staffing plans, i.e. reductions or layoffs?
