Every job interview ends with this question, it seems.  How you answer this question can determine if you get a call back, or not.

I have contacted some experts in the field of interviewing and will post their answers here.

The first is from my friend, Bob Nelson, who writes:

 I have a strong bias about a good answer for this question and that involves PROJECTING ONESELF INTO THE POSITION.  Imagine that you were just hired for the job, what questions would you ask about getting the job done–use those same questions!  This gives a lot of room for interpretation, but might include:
Who will I be working with?
What projects or responsiblities would I be starting on?
Who can I approach about questions or problems?
How can I learn what has previously been done?
What additional background would be useful for me to have?
etc., etc
Bob Nelson, Ph.D., is president of Nelson Motivation Inc. in San Diego; a frequent presenter at management meetings, conferences and associations; and a best-selling author of 1001 Ways to Reward Employees (now in its 50th printing with over 1.5 million copies in print), 1001 Ways to Energize Employees, The 1001 Rewards & Recognition Fieldbook and The Management Bible.  For more information or to sign up for Bob’s free Tip of the Week, visit www.nelson-motivation.com.
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The next answer is from Dan Beigler, who has his own ad agency specializing in help wanted advertising.  His answer reflects his personality, BTW.  He makes me laugh with each email he sends me…
His answer:
 Yes, how do you like your coffee?               

Dan Biegler

DBdesign  908-217-6997
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The next answer is from Nick Corcodilos, of ASK THE HEADHUNTER fame. Visit Nick at http://asktheheadhunter.com
  “Would you like me to take a few minutes at your whiteboard to explain what I think are the challenges and problems you’re facing in your business today, and then show you how I would tackle them to make your department more profitable?”
and more:
 What else does a manager really need/want to hear? What else would make you stand out as the top candidate? Now, here’s the catch that proves the outcome of every job interview is really YOUR responsibility: If you’re not ready to go to the whiteboard to do this presentation, you have no business in the interview and you don’t deserve the job.
 

         

Nick started headhunting in 1979 in one of America’s most competitive job markets: California’s Silicon Valley. Using the methods described in his book and on the ATH forum, he has helped people win management and staff jobs in companies including IBM, GE, Hewlett-Packard and Merrill Lynch.

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The next answer is from Jerry Mattern, a great guy who is the HR director at Quebecor Printing, a very large national printing company.

Thank you so much for the interview, however, could you describe the ideal candidate that you are looking for?

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1) when can I start?
… or even better…
2) I’m available to start next Monday … how does that work for you?
From Mitch Ummel of the Ummel Group, an IT headhunting company based in Topeka, KS.

What answers do YOU HAVE that might help almost any jobseeker?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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