Hello my professional friends. I hope you are well when you are reading my writing here. Let us stay productive and think positive during this Work From Home (WFH) initiative. One of many ways is by sharing insight and experience in a hope we can learn something new. I am going to share my personal insight and experience on effective and efficient conversation with your potential employer in an interview session.
INTERVIEW SERIES (#1) – CONTRIBUTION BEFORE EXPECTATION
Have you ever experienced how-much-should-I-ask moment when asked how-much-is-your-expectation question during an interview session? Many people (interviewers and interviewees) tend to rush to expectation question part. Believe me this can happen during your first interview session.
Some people feel clueless when they have to present their expected number and some of them will throw any number (most of the time higher than what is on their mind) and they create their own puzzling situation when asked with the following question: Where does that number come from? You will throw lots of reasoning to justify your number and of course it is the only way to proceed. However, it will feel to the interviewer that you are defending your number instead of justifying it.
I am not going to share tips on how to avoid it. I am going to share what you can do before you arrive at that moment.
Interview session is basically a preliminary assessment session for both parties. You have to maximize this opportunity to deliver the concept of CONTRIBUTION BEFORE EXPECTATION. How to do that?
Do not hesitate to ask questions. People are not mind reader. Prepare your questions before the session to gain and confirm information you have gathered before interview. Prioritize questions that will lead to the essential information you need to gauge how big and strategic the role is compared to your current one.
Feel proud of your current role. Do elaborate on what and how you have contributed to your current company. Engage your interviewer in two-way discussion on how you will contribute and whether you can implement in your future role. At the end of the discussion you will get clearer picture of yourself in your potential future role and company.
Two points above will lead you into excitement or (maybe) disappointment. Whatever it will be, you will be ready to make an informed decision. Should mutual excitement be shared between both parties, rest assured you will feel just and confident when you arrive at the moment of: How much is your expectation?
