Re: Need interview advice :)

["Cramer, Kim" <kcramer -at- NCSLINK -dot- COM>]

In response to the questions from Cheryle Wiese:

1) If the interviewer does not mention salary or benefits, should I
bring it up?

When interviewers finish asking you questions, they'll usually ask if
you have any questions for them.  I'd simply ask them what salary they
were expecting to pay for the position (this may be somewhat different
from what you are actually offered, but it gives you an idea if the job
is within your acceptable range).  I'd also ask what benefits the
company offers to its employees.

If the salary they mention is too low, don't say anything at this point
in the interview process.  Then, once they've made an offer (this means
they really want you!), negotiate your salary and/or benefits.  Of
course, you're probably not going to get an extra 20K a year, but you
might get an extra 2-4K.  It helps to know the going rates in your area
(check with the STC).  (An aside:  I once worked for a company that I
knew was in a cash flow crunch.  In lieu of a raise, I negotiated an
extra 2 weeks vacation.  It worked out great for both of us!)

Note:  While I might ask about salary range in the first interview, I
wouldn't ask about benefits until the second interview  - you can assume
you're a serious contender at that point, and the company shouldn't have
a problem sharing this info with you.

2) If a job offer is tendered by "company a" is it appropriate to ask
for some time to consider the offer? If so, how much time?

Yes, you can ask for time to consider the offer.  I wouldn't ask for
more than a few days, unless it involves special circumstances such as
relocation.

3) In the first interview with "company b" would it be appropriate to
mention that I had recently interviewed with another company, and was
curious as to when they would be narrowing the field for second
interviews?

I wouldn't mention interviewing with other companies.  This turns me off
when I'm the interviewer.  I would ask when you should expect to hear
back from the company.  In the thank you note that you later send to the
interviewer (you should do this!), you can mention that date ("I look
forward to talking with you again after the 14th" or "I look forward to
talking with you again in August").

My opinions only, YMMV!

*************
Kim Cramer
kcramer -at- ncslink -dot- com
Sr. Information Developer
NCS Education, Mesa AZ
*************

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