Paul Freiberger covers the interview process from many different angles. "When can you start" covers interview questions, salary negotiations, and preparation, preparation, preparation.
The book divides potential questions into three categories (1) tell us about yourself (2) perform some task related to your experience (3) quasi-philosophical conundrums. I work in the technology field, where the puzzle type questions are common, so I found that section most useful to me personally. I have a better insight now in how to approach these questions. It helped me re-orient my goal from trying to solve the puzzle in the exact way it was meant to be solved to showing that I am a creative out of the box thinker. I am much likely to be successful if I am not flustered because I don't know how the exact solution to the puzzle. The fact that I can morph the puzzle was a revelation.
The book makes it clear that most questions do not have the right and the wrong answer. The interviewer is looking to see how the candidates reacts, thinks, and behaves rather than getting a specific answer. "When can you start?" not only provides some sample questions and answers, but also helps you prepare for questions you have not anticipated.
The interviewer is looking to see if people will enjoy working with you. The book helps with what to stress and what to avoid to give the interviewer a positive answer to this question. The interviewer is trying to find out whether you will succeed in your job. "When can you start" tells you how to make it obvious that you will. Even the questions about your weaknesses can be turned around to be positive.
Almost as important as the question the interviewer asks the candidate, are the questions that the candidate asks the interviewer. This is another chance to highlight your strengths and your preparation. The book provides a long list of good question which can be starting point for forming your own questions.
I found a section on phone interview techniques quite useful. Ideas and techniques for keeping track of people during a phone group interview were funny and helpful at the same time. Phone interview, according to the book, is an open book test. And the book makes sure you fully take advantage of having helpful materials at your hands.
There is a long chapter on salary negotiations. It is very explicit with suggestions on how to put off the salary discussion and turns specifics into ranges. All these techniques are designed to make the other side make the first offer. The book also helps you recognize the situations when you can't avoid being first.
Confident people are judged to be competent. Using this book as part of your preparation for an interview will make you more confident.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Preparation: An Oxygen Tank for the Job Interviewee
2. Design Your Research Manual
3. Master the Informational Interview
4. New Rules for the Phone Interview
5. The Only Question You Must Be Able to Answer
6. (Don't) Tell Me About Your Weaknesses
7. How to Succeed in a Panel Interview
8. Where Does the Law Draw the Line?
9. Trick Questions
10. Say "Thank You" and Mean It
11. The New Interview, Courtesy of Google and Others
12. Turn the Tables: When It's Your Turn to Pose Questions
13. A Guide to Salary Negotiation
14. More Linchpins for Success
15. The Ideal Interview
I am grateful to the publisher for sending me a review copy of the book, I enjoyed reading it, and I especially appreciated the new perspective I now have on the puzzle interviews.
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.
Ali Julia review ★★★★★
