| Job interviews often require you to show your | | | | (3) Are you being asked to disclose |
| skills by demonstrating how you would solve a | | | | information about specific programs and |
| specific problem. Very reasonable... but what | | | | processes from your current career or |
| if you suspect you are being asked to address | | | | business? |
| a situation that vexes your prospective | | | | |
| employer. Your best efforts will help your | | | | I would view these requests as a danger |
| employer while you gain no reward. | | | | signal. Your manager may be testing your |
| | | | loyalty and ethics. If not, you have to ask |
| When this happens, you may find yourself | | | | about this prospective employer's value |
| wondering if you've been invited because the | | | | system.. |
| interviewer wants to pick your brain. You | | | | |
| sense they want your expertise without paying | | | | (4) Are you asked to prepare a written |
| for it. | | | | report? |
| | | | |
| Professional consultants run into this | | | | Be sure to write your name and identifying |
| challenge all the time. That's why so many | | | | information on every page. |
| independent professionals charge for a | | | | |
| diagnosis and preliminary review of your | | | | Frankly, I would take a risk and ask |
| business challenge. | | | | directly, "If you implement my |
| | | | recommendations, what will my compensation |
| When interviewing, you may feel more | | | | look like?" You will learn a lot about the |
| constrained, especially if you need or really | | | | company from the response you get to your |
| want the job. Here are some suggestions - but | | | | question. |
| it is always a judgment call. You are on the | | | | |
| scene. | | | | (5) Are you asked for on-the-spot |
| | | | recommendations to a specific, complex |
| (1) Are your interviewer's requests common | | | | challenge? |
| within your industry? | | | | |
| | | | This technique may be legitimate. Some |
| If not, recognize a red flag. For example, a | | | | interviewers want to see how you approach a |
| senior manager normally would not be asked | | | | problem, such as the kinds of questions you |
| for a writing sample. You have to decide if | | | | ask. Your interviewer may want to assess how |
| the company is coming from left field or if | | | | you think on your feet. |
| the HR people are incompetent or bored. Your | | | | |
| own boss may be unaware or unable to change | | | | But sometimes they are facing a real problem |
| the hiring process. | | | | and they want to get free advice. Consider |
| | | | saying something like, "We had a similar |
| (2) Did you initiate the contact through a | | | | problem in my last job. And here is what I |
| back-door or informational interview | | | | did..." |
| approach? | | | | |
| | | | Bottom line: If you haven't undertaken a job |
| As a mid-life career changer, you might be | | | | search for awhile, you may be surprised by |
| selling the employer on creating a job, not | | | | your interviews. A senior manager faces |
| just filling one. Some experts recommend | | | | challenges you never experienced in your |
| using the opportunity to demonstrate your | | | | earlier career. Interview styles change over |
| problem-solving skills by presenting yourself | | | | time. And your career may have moved to a new |
| as a consultant, not a candidate. | | | | industry with different customs and culture. |
| | | | |