The purpose of this guide is to provide a comprehensive reference and guide to a successful interview.

By taking the time to read and understand the following text, you will be able to maximize your opportunity to obtain an offer of employment.

Remember that it is very important to make a good first impression to a prospective employer and the time spent in preparation of the interview is time well spent.

This guide is designed to help you realize that objective and secure an offer.

Good Luck!

THE TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

1. It saves time. An employer can spend one half hour to an hour on the phone instead of 2 hours for an in person interview.
2. The employer wants to be sure you have the skills to do a certain job before paying for transportation and lodging to have you visit his/her workplace.

You Have Three Main Objectives for this Call

1. Give the employer enough information about your background so that he/she knows you can do the job.
2. Get enough information about the company so that you can decide whether or not you are interested in the job.
3. Finally - assuming you have an interest in this position, get a face to face interview - no one was ever hired solely as the result of a telephone interview!

Who Should Make the Call

1. You control when and where you make the call.
2. You can have supporting material ie. resume/references handy.
3. You establish interest/initiative in the employer's eyes
4. The call will usually get done much sooner than if we wait for the hiring manager to call you.

Before the Call

1. Gather supporting material and have it ready.
   • Your resume.
   • Any performance reviews you may have.
   • Names and phone numbers of anyone at the potential employer who would know you (and give you a good reference).
   • A list of questions you would like to have answered.
   • MOST IMPORTANT - a list of the "keys to the job" (see below) and your linkage to those keys - you should get this from your consultant.
2. Know your strengths and weaknesses: How will you answer the question - What are your three strong points (why should I hire you?) and what are your three weaknesses (why shouldn't I hire you?). Rehearse your answers with your recruiter.
3. Salary - Have your salary and expected salary review/raise date available.
4. Have your schedule for the next few weeks in front of you. If the interviewer wants to schedule a face to face interview you will need to know when you are available.
5. Choose a time/place away from kids - doorbells - barking dogs or the UPS man.

Keys to the Position

1. Provide Technical Support for the entire ASIC Design Cycle - Pre-sales to Sign off.
2. Recommend technology, implementation, test strategy and verification approach to customers.
3. Perform engineering work (ASIC Design) as a service to customers.

During the Call

1. Call the interviewer by his/her first name - it establishes a mutual level of respect.
2. Be up for the call - whenever possible stand up! You will be less nervous and sound more excited about the position.
3. Keep the phone from direct contact with your mouth.
4. Have your notes ready - but no script - maybe with one exception to be covered later.
5. You, the candidate, should be talking 80% of the time.
6. After the introduction and small talk pull out the "keys to the job" and address each one of them.

   You would begin....

   • "John/Mary I understand you are looking for someone to provide technical support to customers doing ASIC design! Let me tell you what I've done in that area!"
   • After you have addressed each key - cross it out and go on to the next one.
   • "I also understand you are looking for someone to recommend technology implementation and test strategy to customers! For XYZ Company I.........."

KEY	LINKAGE
Provide Technical Support to Customers.	Write here what you have done in the areas of technical support.
Recommend Technology.	Write here where you have recommended technology.
Perform Engineering Work.	Write here where you have designed.
CAE - Viewlogic/Synopsys	Write here what experience you have with these CAD tools.

• After you have covered all the keys - it's your turn to ask the questions.
• One question that should always be asked is "John/Mary what is your career background - how did you get to be a manager at XYZ Company?
• Another good question is "What needs to be done to make an immediate impact at your company?"

Do Not Ask About:

- Salary
- Benefits
- Working hours - on this call!

This is not the time. Hopefully your recruiter will have answered those questions already. If asked what salary it would take to get you to come to work for their company - Do not give a figure - it is too early and you do not have enough information yet. Simply answer "it is really too early in the process to determine that" and ask another question. If asked about your current salary, answer honestly. Be sure to mention if you have a raise due very soon.

Closing the Conversation

"Mary/John, I understand you're busy and there is only so much we can measure on the phone. I hope I've given you enough information to realize that I have the qualifications for this position. Based on what you've shared with me, I think we should meet - what would be a convenient time?"

Then stop talking!

If there is a problem it will come out here. If an interview is scheduled, Congratulations! You can move on to the next chapter, Preparation for the Face to Face Interview! If the employer declines to set an interview date - ask them where they feel you were lacking. Maybe it was simply a misunderstanding or failure to give them the right information. After clearing this up - ask for the interview again!

Preparation for the Face to Face Interview

The following are necessary ingredients for a successful interview.

Physical Preparation

For men, wear a dark business suit with a white shirt, conservative tie, dark socks, well shined shoes and well groomed hair, face and hands.

The same dress code applies to women. A suit, light colored blouse, moderate jewelry and accessories, and pumps (not sandals) will convey the most groomed, professional image.

Attitude Preparation

If your decision at the end of your discussion is to join that organization, the proper positive attitude needs to have been prevalent throughout the interview.

What You Should Know about an Employer

1. in order to make the right decision, and
2. by having done your "homework" you have demonstrated a genuine interest in their company.

The applicant should know the answers to the following questions prior to meeting the potential employer:

1. What products or services does the company offer?
2. When was the company established?
3. What is the approximate sales volume? Number of employees? Number of subsidiaries? Number of branches and plants?
4. What has been their growth in volume and marketplace?
5. What is their marketplace? Who is their competition? Who are their customers?
6. How is the company organized? Centralized or decentralized?

There are a variety of informative publications from which you can compile information to answer the above questions.

Those of Most Benefit Are:

1. Dun & Bradstreet "Million Dollar Directory"
2. Directory of Corporate Affiliates
3. The Corporation's Annual Report
4. Thomas Register of American Manufacturers
5. Standard & Poors Corporation Records
6. Moody's Manuals
7. Fitch Corporation Manuals
8. McGrae's Blue Book
9. Poor's Register of Directors & Executives

What the Employer Should Know about You

The Tangible

The Intangible

1. Communication skills - how well do you present yourself and your ideas?
2. Your attitude - do you have a positive attitude about yourself and your career?
3. Your aptitude - based on both educational and actual experience.
4. Your potential - how your attitude and aptitude combine to contribute to that company.
5. Your motivation - what are your short and long term career goals, what is your level of maturity, what is your personal motivation and reasons for success?

The Interview

1. Convince the employer that you can make a positive contribution to their organization (taking into consideration their investments in your salary and your training time),

2. Convince the employer that you will be a compatible member of their team. Bear in mind that both you and the employer are selling and evaluating each other.

Listed below are general guidelines for interview conduct:

1. Plan to arrive a few minutes early - late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.

2. If presented with an application, fill it out neatly and completely even if you have brought your personal resume. Unwillingness to fill out the application, or writing in of "see resume" may disqualify you from some positions immediately.

3. Shake hands firmly and greet the interviewer with his or her surname - if not sure of the pronunciation, please ask the interviewer to repeat their name.

4. It is your responsibility to establish an immediate level of rapport so that you may communicate comfortably.

5. Direct the interviewer to detail the duties of the position early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to their needs.

6. Make sure that your positive traits are communicated to the interviewer in a factual and sincere manner.

7. Emphasize your strong points and minimize your liabilities.

8. Respond to each question in a thoughtful, truthful, concise and complete manner.

9. Be aware of your posture and body language - they communicate attitudes and impressions.

10. Never close the door on opportunity - always conduct yourself as if you were determined to get the position you are discussing.

11. Manage the interview, do not take charge but establish equal status; not subordinate, not dominant.

12. Keep a list of all the people you talk with, their titles and the correct spelling of their names. You will need these to write thank you letters after the interview.

Interview Questions to Expect

1. Why do you want to change jobs or why did you leave your last job?
2. What do you identify as your most significant accomplishment in your last job?
3. How many hours do you normally work per week.
4. What did you like and dislike about your last job?
5. How did you get along with your superiors and subordinates?
6. Can you be demanding of your subordinates?
7. How would you evaluate the company you were with last?
8. What were its competitive strengths and weaknesses?
9. What would you like to tell me about yourself?
10. What best qualifies you for the available position?
11. How long will it take you to start making a significant contribution?
12. How do you feel about our company - its size, industry, and competitive position?
13. What interests you most about the available position?
14. How would you structure this job or organize your department?
15. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
16. What is your job potential?
17. What are your career goals?
18. Do you want to own your own business?
19. How long will you stay with us? Are you willing to relocate?
20. What control or financial data would you want and why? How would you establish your primary inside and outside lines of communication?
21. Were you a good student?
22. Have you kept up in your field? How?
23. What do you do in your spare time?
24. At what age do you want to retire?
25. What did your father do? Your Mother?
26. What do your brothers and sisters do?
27. Do you participate in civic affairs?
28. What professional associations do you belong to?
29. What is your credit standing?
30. What are your personal likes and dislikes? How many children do you have?
31. Would you describe your family as a close one?
32. How aggressive are you?
33. What motivates you to work?
34. Is money a strong incentive for you?
35. Would you rather work alone or in a team?
36. What do you look for when hiring people?
37. Have you ever fired anyone?
38. What do you think of the current economic and political situation?
39. Will you sign a noncompete agreement or employment contract?
40. What salary do you expect to receive?
41. What was your salary in your last job?
42. Why should we hire you?
43. Do you want the job?

Interview Questions to Ask

1. What is the first problem that needs the attention of the person you hire?
2. What other problems need attention now?
3. What has been done about any of these to date?
4. How has this job been performed in the past?
5. Why is it now vacant?
6. Do you have a written job description for this position?
7. What are its major responsibilities?
8. What authority would I have? How would you define its scope?
9. What are the company's five-year sales and profit projections?
10. What needs to be done to reach these projections?
11. What are the company's major strengths and weaknesses in the manufacturing process?
12. What are its strengths and weaknesses in its products and its competitive positions?
13. Whom do you identify as your major competitors? What is your market share?
14. What are their strengths and weaknesses?
15. How do you view the future for your industry?
16. Do you have any plans for new products, services or acquisitions?
17. Might this company be sold or acquired?
18. What is the company's current financial strength?
19. What can you tell me about the individual to whom I would report?
20. What can you tell me about other persons in key positions?
21. What can you tell me about the subordinates I would have?
22. How would you define your management philosophy?
23. Are employees afforded an opportunity for continuing education?
24. What are you looking for in the person who will fill this job?
25. Where could this position lead?
26. Is there a training and indoctrination program? Please describe.

PITFALLS

1. Do not smoke or chew gum.
2. Avoid answering questions with a simple yes or no - relate back to your own accomplishments whenever possible.
3. Do not lie.
4. Never make derogatory statements about your present or former employers.
5. Make sure that the employer realizes that your interest is based on a positive opportunity that he may have, and not a reaction to a negative situation that you may be currently involved in.
6. Do not inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or any other benefits - only after the employer has broached the issue may you open yourself to discussion. When the employer initiates the subject of salary, indicate that your interest will be based upon the company itself, your associates, the position and opportunity. If those aspects are positive to both you and the employer, express your belief that terms can be reached fairly and amicably.
7. Do not be overbearing, overly aggressive, conceited, or leave the opinion that "you know it all."
8. Do not be evasive or make excuses for unfavorable factors in your background.
9. Do not display the attitude of "what can you do for me."

Closing the Interview

You must make a definitive, qualified statement that:

1. I can do the job.
   
2. Here is why I know I can do the job.
   
3. I want the job.

Avoid making general statements that do not commit your feelings such as:

1. It looks very interesting.
   
2. Very nice people.
   
3. I think I can do it.
   I might be able to solve your problems.
   

Keep in mind that your statement must be positive and definitive.

If, after the interview, your decision has not been made and you wish some time to think it over, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. However, make sure you set a definite date when you can provide that answer. In many cases, the employer may want to communicate with other members of his team before making a decision. Do not be discouraged if a direct offer is not made or a specific salary discussed.

Even in that situation, try to set a specific date when these matters can be discussed further. When the interview is coming to a close, keep in mind that there are two questions uppermost in the employer's mind:

1. Why are you interested in this company?
2. What can you offer that company?

Confirm with the interviewer that you have answered both of these questions to his satisfaction, and thank him for the interview, his time, and his consideration.

Call Your Counselor

Follow Up

The content of that call and letter should include:

1. Your appreciation of their time and consideration.

2. Your confidence in your abilities to handle the position.

3. Your desire to be part of their organization. A definitive statement expressing your decision, i.e., I want the job.

It may also be stated that your commitment to accepting this position was based on a thorough analysis by yourself and your family subsequent to the interview. In closing, express your belief that this will be a mutually beneficial association.

Congratulations on your upcoming interview and "Knock 'em Dead!"