Interview Prep - What to do the Day of the Interview

Take care of everything the night before the interview, the last thing you want is to forget something or be late.  So the night before, make sure you've printed out a few copies of your resume, have paper you can take notes on, and have your outfit picked out.  Make sure you know where you're going and have your route mapped out; be aware that drive times from google maps and siri do not accurately factor in traffic, so give yourself plenty of time.  Make sure you set a couple alarms so you wake up on time.  Get plenty of sleep!  Do not under any circumstances pull an all-nighter or go out partying the night before your interview.

Go about your normal routine, if you normally eat breakfast or drink coffee, do so, but don't drink coffee or an energy drink if you typically don't, you don't need to excuse yourself to the restroom in the middle of the interview.  Take your padfolio with your notes, resumes, and directions, and head out the door.

When you arrive (5-15 minutes early), be nice to everyone from the lobby attendant, random people in the elevator, and the receptionist.  Recruiters and hiring managers ask the receptionist about your interaction, if you're nice, and if you'd be a good fit for the department, so make sure you're on your best behavior.  YOUR CELL PHONE SHOULD BE OFF FROM THE MOMENT YOU ENTER THE LOBBY!  In fact, you can just leave it in the car.

This is where all your research, discussion with the recruiter, and soul searching come into play.  You should have already discussed compensation with the recruiter, so you shouldn't need to bring it up unless the recruiter said to or an offer is made on the spot, if this is a final interview with the director, then you can bring up pay and perks.  If you prepared, then just take a deep breath, you're ready.

Do you have any interview-day rituals to get you ready?  Let me know!

Negotiating More Money, Perks, Travel - What's Your Bottom Line?

Traditionally, compensation packages are a taboo topic until the offer stage, this is an idiotic practice which I have never understood.  Many recruiters are starting to ask about compensation expectations up-front, and you need to be prepared to answer.  You should know how much you are currently making and have made for the past few years.  You also need to be able to articulate your bottom line.  How much money do you need in order to take a new job?  Will you need benefits?  Do you want full-time or part-time work?  Will you accept more money for no benefits?  What's a deal breaker for you?

Research the company!  Look at the company’s website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.  Check Glassdoor.com and salary.com for more information on how the company treats employees and what people in your field are typically paid.

Negotiating your salary can be nerve-wracking, but you just need to be honest about what you want.  Asking for more than what you're currently earning is a given, but don't push your luck by asking for too much.  If you're getting paid hourly, then a few dollars more an hour is reasonable, in terms of annual pay, $5-10k give or take a few thousand.  Aim high, but be reasonable, and if the recruiter offers less than you're willing to accept, be honest and say that's too low for you, and name the lowest you could go.  The point is to be honest and respectful while standing your ground.

If the recruiter doesn't mention compensation, it's reasonable to bring it up on the phone screen, at least to ask for a pay range.  "I'm very interested in this opportunity and I'd like to make sure it's in line with what I need.  Do you mind telling me what the pay range is?"  Be prepared for the recruiter to turn the question back on you, and let them know what amount you're targeting and ask if that is something they can meet.

If money isn't the most important factor for you, and you really want benefits, or a flexible schedule, then ask about that and what the company offers.  There's absolutely no point in wasting your time and the recruiter's time if it's not a good fit.