Master the Interview: A Guide for Working Professionals

Master the Interview will save you hours in the interview preparation process, keying you up for the right questions to ask yourself as well as ones that may arise in the interview room.Throughout this book, Segal consistently offers positive, uplifting guidance while adopting an objective yet empathetic tone. A self-directed, interactive manual that should benefit experienced and new job-seekers alike.- Kirkus Reviews, "The most trusted voice in book reviews since 1993""It's a really terrific and practical book that helps people think about themselves in an organized and disciplined way while prepping for an interview." - Lisa Maguire, Financial Services Professional"This book is one of the best job search books today." - Joshua Waldman, Author of Job Searching with Social Media for DummiesWhat is different about this book than other job interview books on the market? Here are five top ways this book is unique:1) It is a workbook, so you can write and review your own thoughts and learn through doing, guided by expert advice and examples from a host of interviewers and job candidates.2) It is comprehensive, from networking and informational interviewing to negotiations and noncompetition agreements. With a handy overview in the first chapter on how to use the workbook, you can choose to cover what you need, when you need it.3) It does not simply give you one so-called "right" answer to any interview situation or run through a list of potential Q&As, but instead it promotes a nuanced and authentic approach.4) It puts you behind the scenes and into the mind of an interviewer, so you can think more clearly about how you will come across in various contexts (Skype, phone screenings, panel interviews, etc.).5) It includes four chapters that guide you to build a solid and compelling personal value proposition from the ground-up and tailor your presentation for each target employer.Part 1 of this workbook covers preparation, from getting the most out of the information and exercises here to cracking the interview code and increasing your interviewing opportunities through networking. Finally, there is a high-level view on how to make a game plan for your interviews.Part 2 presents four different ways of arriving at your value proposition - namely, through a guided workbook exercise, a core competencies review, a discussion of your particular edge and review of each of these in reference to a specific job. While it is important for you to know your value proposition at a deeper level, an interviewer will often appreciate the direct approach. In other words, know your value and be ready to present it, but focus primarily on what problems you can solve for the company or - as they are sometimes referred to colloquially - what employer "pain points" you can address.Part 3 covers interview questions, including the capstone question "Why do you want to work here?" This is a key chapter to read, especially if you are short on time.Part 4 discusses the unwritten rules of interviewing. These chapters are especially helpful if you have a short time to prepare.Part 5 covers interview blocks, confidence boosts and special points in your candidacy that you may want or need to address. It also includes "behind the scenes" factors that may play into an interview and are not always obvious to the job seeker, as well as a final chapter on following up, evaluating offers and negotiating your job package, as well as more technical points such as employee handbooks and noncompetition agreements.