| When a "perfect" opportunity comes along, if you | | | | evaluations are conducted and how raises are |
| have even one moment of doubt, no matter how | | | | determined. |
| fleeting or illusive, pay attention. That is your inner | | | | 6. Ask if you will have help or if you are the |
| wisdom trying to tell you something. | | | | whole staff. |
| How many times have you silenced those little | | | | Will you have a secretary or share a secretary? |
| voices in your head or ignored the flutter in your | | | | If not, will you be expected to do everything by |
| chest at a moment of decision? We all do it. That | | | | yourself? If someone is available to help, how do |
| quiet clues goes by so fast, it's easy to miss | | | | you access his or her services? Ask for what |
| them. In fact, often you have to train yourself | | | | you want in the way of administrative help. |
| not only to listen but also to trust what you hear. | | | | 7. Check out the logistics |
| This is especially true when you badly need a job | | | | Is there parking? Where is it? What does it cost? |
| and someone offers you one that is "too good to | | | | Who pays for it? Is that considered part of your |
| be true." Before you accept, consider these rules: | | | | salary? If it's in a parking garage, you will want to |
| 1. Interview the interviewer. | | | | know how safe is it and how far it is from the |
| An interview is two-way street. The hiring person | | | | building and the nearest highway. |
| wants to know if you are the right person for | | | | 8. Clarify flexibility or rigidity of rules (starting and |
| the job, and you want to know if this is the right | | | | ending times, lunch), especially when you are a |
| job for you. Have your own questions ready. | | | | salaried employee. |
| 2. Be suspicious of your first impressions, | | | | How much leeway is there in the rules? If you |
| especially if they are glowing. | | | | are a manager, will you have flexibility in starting |
| If the person interviewing you is so charming you | | | | and ending times, lunch hours, or working late? |
| would buy whatever she's selling or tell her | | | | You will want to know how much structure there |
| anything she wants to know, slow down. A job | | | | is and how that structure applies to your position. |
| interview is both a sales pitch (for the company) | | | | If the leash seems inappropriately tight for the |
| and an interrogation. | | | | position, question it. |
| 3. When your inner voice talks to you, pay | | | | 9. If possible (it rarely is), ask your predecessor |
| attention. | | | | why he or she quit. |
| It's easy to ignore that sinking sensation in your | | | | This is, of course, a fantasy. If I you could meet |
| stomach--your "gut reaction." But the body never | | | | the person who inhabited your job and your |
| lies. If you need this job, you can talk yourself | | | | workspace, he would probably not tell you why |
| into anything. Pay attention to the messages | | | | he left. He undoubtedly would have said something |
| between the lines, the others person's body | | | | about a better offer or a great career |
| language, everything from over-eagerness to | | | | opportunity. He would not have confided that he |
| signs of lack of interest. | | | | was overworked and underappreciated. |
| 4. Take time to get the feel of your workspace. | | | | 10. Find out if there are any little perks no one |
| Be sure to see where you will work. Places have | | | | has mentioned. |
| energy. Walk around; touch things; check the | | | | Sometimes there are extras--an unusually great |
| lighting and the ambiance. Picture it with your | | | | benefit package, a membership in the |
| things in it. If you can't, that's an important clue. | | | | neighborhood "Y," bonuses for a job well done, or |
| 5. Clarify exactly what your job responsibilities will | | | | personal days. Be sure to ask about them. |
| be and how you will be evaluated. | | | | The best preparation for a job interview is to |
| Ask for a run down on the scope of your job | | | | think through in advance the 100 questions an |
| and a job description if one is available. If not, get | | | | interviewer might ask and have your own |
| as many details as possible. Question everything, | | | | questions written out and ready. Don't wing it; |
| especially how often and by what method | | | | there is too much riding on the interaction. |