Q: It would seem to me that it is best to interview with most of the companies that I'm interested in during the same time period so I can make a better informed decision. Is this true?
A: Yes, it is usually better to try to bring more than one offer into fruition at the same time, enabling you to evaluate them side by side. Remember , as long as these companies are actively pursuing you, you are in control, in the driver's seat. You do not need to qualify your interest until someone puts an offer on the table, at which time you can begin to negotiate salary and other factors (availability date, etc.).
Q: If I'm talking with several companies at the same time, how can I pretend to be interested in all of them?
A: First, I don't think you have to pretend; your interest can and should be genuine. In the exploratory stage it is perfectly normal for you to show interest in more than one potential employer; however, you should be prepared to say why each company interests you. When one or more of them makes you an offer, you move to the next stage, giving you more information on the particulars such as salary, type of job, scope of responsibility, location, etc. At this stage you can qualify your interest by either accepting, rejecting or negotiating further.
Q: After an initial interview on campus, I was invited to visit the headquarters of the corporation. During this second interview, I was asked what salary I was looking for, a question I was not prepared to answer. What should I have said?
A: In my opinion, this is not a very fair question for someone in your position to be asked, for the following reason: salaries are pegged to specific jobs and specific levels of responsibility, and they are usually expressed in ranges. When they ask you to state your expectation, they are putting you at a disadvantage, unless you know the specifics of the job and its scope. Nevertheless, this question is often asked to see how you will respond. One way is to say simply that your requirements would depend on the specific job and responsibilities assigned. If they have a specific job in mind, then they likely know the range permitted for that job. If this is the case, you may be able to get them to share that information with you. In all cases, however, you are the one on the scene and are in the best position to judge what kind of response is appropriate to the discussion.
Q: I've been talking with two different companies about job opportunities. One of them is in multimedia development, the other in 3D graphics. The multimedia company made me an offer this week, but I'm really more interested in the other, because that's the kind of work I really want to do. Do you have any suggestions?
A: First, I would ask the multimedia company to give me some time, whatever I can negotiate, to consider their offer. Second, I would tell the 3D company in a very polite, tactful way that I have received an offer; not to pressure them, but simply to let them know that I will have to make a decision soon and would like very much to work for them if they can make a comparable offer. The key here is to keep the discussion on a very professional level and hope that this will move them to make a competitive offer.
Q: I've been pursuing employment with a consulting firm that I would love to work for, which specializes in network management and support. They are doing exactly the kind of work that I do best, but they have no openings. Should I continue to pursue them?
A: I believe one of the most powerful weapons you have for gaining employment with a particular company is the conviction that the work of this organization is an ideal match for your skills and interests. Many jobs are filled not only from existing openings but also from the targeted persistence of people like you. I would suggest that you keep them in your sights for as long as you can afford to, focusing on the contributions you can make: the problems you can solve for them, the needs you can fill for them, the tasks you can perform for them. Find a reason to keep in touch with new information or a new idea from time to time. Your hope is that they will become just as convinced as you are that this is an ideal match and will find a way to bring you on board.
Copyright 1996 by Jack Wilson