Effective Interviewing

Easy to overlook are the basics. Know that the image you represent at first glance is often the most enduring. So, dress conservatively, be early and be prepared. Have at least two copies of your resume with you and smile. Shake hands firmly. Be confident.

Your job during the interview is to find out what is important to the people interviewing you. In doing so, you can tailor your presentation of yourself to what the interviewers find most important. This does not mean that you want to tell them what they want to hear; rather, you want to provide them the information about yourself which corresponds directly to what they are most interested in. Questions like "What do you see as the most challenging aspect of this role?" and "What qualities do you see as most important for this role?" These questions will open a door to the interviewer's mind enabling you to see how you fit into their view of the ideal candidate and making the appropriate points about yourself that show the interviewer that you, indeed, are the right person for the opportunity (or not).

If an interviewer asks an open ended question like "What do you think about…" turn the question around a bit and ask, "Would you like know how I handled (a situation related to the question) ? Or a question like "Tell me about yourself" should be handled by stating "I've been in the Pharmaceutical Industry for X years and have been involved in a variety of roles including THIS, THAT, and THE OTHER THING. For the past Y years, I have done… What specifically would you like me to talk about?" With this approach, you'll get to point out the things that you've done that are important to the interviewer and the company. Remember, stay focused on the role and your ability to perform it.

Don't ever discuss salary or benefits. This is simply not the time. You need to be able to say, if asked, "I'd like to find out more about the role before we discuss salary; I'm sure if you feel that I am the most qualified for the role and I feel that the opportunity is right for me, we will find some mutually agreeable formula to make it happen."

At the end of the interview, ask "closing questions" like "What is your timeframe for filling this role?" "Where do we go from here?" "What would you like me to do next?"