How to Answer This Question in an Interview: Why do you want to work for this company? How to Interview Like a Pro

How to Intervieiw Like a Pro

What do you say when the employer asks you why you want to work for this company?

1. Don't mention money or benefits

Your answer should be about the company and not about you. The employer does not want to hear that you are thrilled with the benefits or that you think you can get a higher salary here.

The company wants to know what you can contribute and what you know about their operation.

2. Show that you have researched the company thoroughly

Many applicants don't know that much about the company. What little they do know is from the job description itself. Be sure you Google the name of the company to see what the current issues are and thoroughly search the website. You may be surprised what you can find, such as annual reports and surveys.

Here are some examples to show your knowledge.

A. I saw that you won the Sterling Prize last year and my experience is compatible with those principles.

B. I believe your engineering department is the best in the state and I would like to work on the _____ Project.

C. I read in your Annual Report that you are embarking on the ____Project. I have designed some prototypes that could be very helpful in developing this project

3. You can mention locale, but it should not be your first answer

Everyone would like to live in Hawaii or Florida or be near skiing so those really aren't good reasons. However, if your parents live in the area, that is worth mentioning but only as number 3 or 4.

4. Be Sincere

Don't say that this is your dream job unless it really is. If you have always wanted to work here, say so. Tell them that you wanted to get some experience elsewhere so that you could hit the ground running,

5. Show that you are the best-qualified for the position

You want to work for this employer because everything you have done up to this point has prepared you for this position. Then you can briefly go through some of your previous jobs and explain how the duties or experience have relevance to this job.

6. Be enthusiastic

Don't get crazy, but show your future employer that you are a good fit for this job and why.

7. Be careful about making suggestions.

Don't be hasty in making suggestions. If asked how you would do something, don't give a definitive answer. Say you would ask others what they thought and research thoroughly before giving an opinion. No one likes a know-it-all and if you give an off the cuff suggestion, this can backfire.

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of How to Interview Like a Pro, Winner of 13 book awards, How To Negotiate Like A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of 10 book awards, and How to Mediate Like a Pro, Winner of 13 book awards. Visit www.MaryGreenwood.org

How to Negotiate Like a Pro When Renting an Apartment

Renting an Apartment is Like Interviewing for a JobWhen you are looking at apartments, it is almost like a job interview because the owner or agent is looking to pick the best tenant for this rental unit. The agent wants someone who will help keep up the value of the apartment. Here are some tips to help you get to the top of the line.

Look the part
You need to dress the part of a responsible person who will take good care of the apartment. You don't need to wear a suit, but you should look neat and wear nice casual attire. As they say, you don't have a second chance to make a first impression.

Act the part
Just like an interview, a firm (but not too firm) handshake is in order when you introduce yourself. Be sure to look the agent/owner in the eye and smile. I like to make some nice comment, like "what a view!" or "what a nice garden!" or something else positive. The agent will give you his/her card. I like to give my business card. It is a handy way to give my contact information and it shows again that I am a responsible person that can be entrusted with an apartment.

Be observant and ask questions
It is a lot better to see the apartment's problems or flaws before you move in. If you see a water spot or suspect there may be flooding, ask questions about it. If the apartment is near the road, see if you can hear traffic. You should look at the unit with the same diligence you would use if you were considering buying the unit. If you see something, point it out and ask whether it will be fixed before you move in. It is a lot easier to get something fixed before you move in than after!

Visualize yourself in this apartment
I like to visualize myself living in the apartment. This helps because sometimes I can either be too critical or overlook major flaws in the apartment. If I really like a unit, there can be a halo effect so that I don't see any flaws, until it may be too late. Drive through the neighborhood and see if there are people on the street. Do they wave to you? I find it comforting to know my neighbors are friendly. How far away is the grocery store? How close is the nearest restaurant? You are not just renting an apartment, but you are really renting a neighborhood. Trust your instincts. If there is a problem, try to resolve it or walk away.

If you don't like something, speak up
Is there something about the apartment you don't like? Is it perfect except for just one thing? Then speak up. For example, I looked at a rental condo that I really liked. It was spacious and close to the beach. However, it had an ugly old shag carpet that was burnt orange and even covered the steps to the second floor. When I was visualizing myself in this apartment, I just could not get past this shag carpet from the 70's. Finally I thought, "what do I have to lose?" I am not going to take the condo in its present condition. I asked the realtor if it would be possible to replace the rug. Apparently others had complained as well and the realtor said "yes," after consulting with the owners. I rented the condo with a nice new tan carpet that matched my furniture and was very happy. I know I would have been miserable if I had to deal with the orange run on a daily basis!

If you follow these tips, you will be negotiating like a pro!

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of How To Negotiate Like A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of nine book awards, How to Mediate Like a Pro, Winner of twelve book awards, and How to Interview Like a Pro, Winner of twelve book awards. Visit www.MaryGreenwood.org

Be Careful What You Call an Older Employee

Calling an older employee a derogatory name can be age discrimination and grounds for a complaint or lawsuit.

Here is a list, by alphabetical order, of some names not to call your employees.  It does not matter if there is no malicious intent or that the comments were intended as a joke or an endearment. The fact that they are said can be enough to show age discrimination.

Before you meet with an older employee or older applicant, you may want to peruse this list so that you remember not to use any of these terms.

A
Aged
Ancient
Antediluvian
Antiquated
Antique
Archaic
B
Bat
Battle-axe
Been around the block
Biddy
Broken-down
C
Can't teach old dog new tricks
Cautious
Codger
Coot
Creaky
Crone
D
Dear
Debilitated
Declining
Decrepit
Difficult to train
Dinosaur
Duffer
E
Elder
Elder statesman
Emerita
Enfeebled
Elderly
F
Fart
Feeble
Fossill
Fusty
G
Gaffer
Geriatric
Getting on
Goat
Geezer
Golden-ager
Grey
Grey-haired
Grizzled
H
Has-been
Hoary
I
Impaired
Inactive
Infirm
L
Long in tooth
Lots of mileage
M
Mature
Methuselah
N
No spring chicken
Not creative
Not relevant
O
Obsolete
Old
Olden
Old bag
Old bat
Old coot
Old dear
Old duffer
Old-fangled
Old fart
Old-fashioned
Old fogie
Old geezer
Old goat
Old guard
Old hat
Out-moded
Outworn
Oldie
Old Man
Old school
Old-timer
Old Woman
On last leg
Out-dated
Out of date
Over the hill
Over-qualified
P
Passe
Past his/her prime
Prehistoric
Primeval
Primordial
Prune
R
Relic
Retired
Resistant to change
Rusty
S
Seasoned
Senile
Senior
Shot
Slow
T
Time-worn
Tired
U
Useless
V
Venerable
W
Worse for wear

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, How to Interview Like a Pro, and How to Mediate Like a Pro, Winner of over 30 book awards. Email: mgreen464@aol.com; website: www.marygreenwood.org