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Larry Cheatham
Larry Cheatham is Vice President of Corporate Services (a division of Eby Corporation). Corporate Services provides Payroll Services to clients in and out of the construction industry. Larry holds a bachelor's degree from Harding University and a Master of Science from the University of Missouri. A resident of the Wichita area since 1978, Larry is a member of the Wichita Independent Business Association, Work Force Alliance of South Central Kansas, a national and local member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a past Chairman of the Maude Carpenter Children's Center Board of Trustees. Contact Mr. Cheatham at (316) 641-3123 or (316) 268-3571.
Banking & Finance
2004-04-01 14:46:00
Interviewing do's and don'ts
:  Some time back I read an article on interviewing do’s and don’ts.  I can’t find it now.  Can you provide some tips?
ANSWER:  First and foremost, come to your interview(s) prepared. Be prepared to talk about the company or agency interviewing you, your work background and education plus the skills you have that the potential employer needs.Have a good idea of the company's history, markets, products and major clients. What awards has it won recently? What press events were covered recently? Do you know the salary range of the position you want?  Are you aware in general of the benefits programs the new employer offers? Be ready to answer why (based upon your research of the company) you are intrigued by this company and want to be a part of the organization.Second, never lie on your resume, application or in the interview. However, do be extremely positive about your previous education and work experiences. Describe quickly the positions you held and the duties you performed. Talk about the challenges you met and successfully overcame. Those challenges may have been production related. The challenges could have come from difficult people in a customer service position. What did you do yourself and whom around you did you enlist to help in becoming successful in the situation? Speak specifically about the increase in sales by your previous department; the specific gains in quality or reliability of your products; or, how much profitability grew from the hard work of you and others in the succeeding months.Elaborate on the work skills you gained from your work life. Did you learn a specific trade? Become certified in a particular field or to operate a type of equipment? Are these certifications current now? Did you learn or grow significantly in a "soft" skill - patience, customer relations, technical writing? Tie these into the present position you want - how will this background help you and your potential employer be successful? Third, ask questions. An interview should be a two-way exchange of information. Ask why the position is open? Is it new because of company growth? Is it open because the previous employee retired? Was let go? When do they want the new employee to start? What are the work hours? Ask what kind of benefits program the company has to offer? When will you be eligible? I would wait for the employer to talk salary.Remember, in an interview you are selling yourself. Be on time. Be clean and well kept. Dress appropriately for the job you are applying for and look like you are ready to go to work. Use good posture. Make eye contact. Smile and be friendly with everyone you meet. Speak confidently. Now, go get the job you want!
 
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