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Look for Chemistry

What should you look for during an interview?

Be looking for the ideal work environment that will fit their personality and work style. There are a number of areas to examine:

• Do your research to determine it’s the type of company you want to work for.
• Make sure there is chemistry with the hiring manager and team you’re going to be working with.
• Make sure it will accommodate your lifestyle with work schedule, salary and benefits.

Most important, you need to love what you do. You need to be excited and motivated to do that type of work.

What mistakes are made during interviews?

People make mistakes on both ends. Sometimes the manager may not fully disclose the pros and cons of the job. Sometimes the applicant may try to make themselves fit in a place they don’t belong. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. If you like independence, make sure you’re not trying for a job in a team environment.

What questions should you ask?

You need to get a realistic view of the job. As an applicant, you can ask questions to draw that out. You should be asking as many questions of the company as they ask of you.

Some questions she recommends asking include:

• Ask about the previous employee. Why did she leave? What are the top five things a candidate needs to be successful in this position?
• Ask about the manager’s style: What does she like or what does she not like?
• Ask how would you (the interviewer) describe success on the job?

(Article first printed in the East Valley Tribune on September 18, 2005 and revised in 2008.)

About the Author

Denise Gredler specializes is helping companies create ideal work environments. She is president and founder of BestCompaniesAZ (found online at www.BestCompaniesAZ.com), a company that helps superstar employees find great places to work and a founding partner of the Best Places to Work in the Valley Program.