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