• 04
  May 2023

• Handling Interviews & Salary Negotiations.

  
  

  Ms. Aditi Gosalia | Mass Media

In my previous blogs we understood the essential crux of Creating Impactful Resumes and Telephonic Interviews. It goes without saying, a proper research on the company and the job role is a must before you decide to apply for an opportunity. When you are sending your resume to an organisation, remember that a proper cover note with accurate reference to context, source from where you got to know about the opening are all crucial mentions.

Two lines describing your claim to fame and a short summary of why you think you deserve to be considered for an interview opportunity always helps.

Always ensure to present your case as per your candidature, e.g. an entry-level candidate can not afford to say, "Request for an interview opportunity as I am sure I will be able to contribute to your organisation if selected for the job". Do not forget to start and end the cover note with due greetings and be on a graceful cum request mode.

Having applied for an opportunity, either you are due for a telephonic as the first elimination criteria or then a Face-To-Face round. Some organisations have a customised selection process, for instance the resume shortlisting, a test followed by the personal interview and more. Be it either, your ultimate aim should be to communicate to the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the position.

This happens with the accurate amalgamation of ‘The Ultimate Trio’:

• Informed career choices
• Resumes & Portfolio
• Preparedness for the interview and the worst case scenarios

Yes! Luck also matters at times.

During the placement process at the MET Institute’s we groom media students with the essential tips, lessons & mocks for their media jobs. It all depends on how you present yourself during the face-to-face interview in terms of dress code, punctuality, organisation of the necessary documents, self-presentation and engaging in a direct conversation based on the interviewer's non verbal cues at each step and reading between the lines.

It is a good idea to script the answers to the obvious questions of an interview. You need to be aware of stress interviews; where the stress levels of a candidate are tested by dramatic situations that are created specifically for the interview process.

A few quick FAQs with respect to personal Interviews:

• Three words that define you.
• Tell me something that’s not mentioned in your CV.
• Have you ever ended up making wrong decisions? Share your story and how you realised and rectified it.
• Difference between arrogance and confidence.
• You would have decided three years ago that in three years you would want to be in a particular space in your profession. What was that space and have you reached there?
• Three years later where do you envisage yourself to be and how do you plan to reach there?

One area where most of us tend to get hesitant is when we need to discuss money at the time of job interviews and while acquiring professional assignments. This is more to do with 'Climb the ladder stage' of your professional journey.

Yes, the truth about negotiations is that - IT IS NOT EASY!

The foremost important thing is your self-worth. While self-worth has not much to do with money at large but you need to freeze on some figures for professional purposes.

Here is how:

In your mind, decide a figure that you associate to, as yourself worth. Couple of placement agencies, websites and your 1st & 2nd degree professional network can support you with at least the basic details for this, on the basis of which you can plan your next moves. Also understanding the essence and utilisation of monetary and non-monetary benefits during the negotiation is very important.

The three main factors that decide on an opportunity are:

A - Brand Value of the organisation B - Designation & Job profile C - Salary, perks and non-monetary benefits

It is not always necessary that you will get the best of all three. So remember, if two of the three from aforesaid fit in your frame, you are good to go.

When you get to the point during the interview where you are asked for your most recent resume or your expectations, everything is going well. You should have a range of two sums prepared based on the amount you have assigned to your personal sense of worth, your research and any salary ranges indicated in the job description.

• The achiever, the amount which you will quote
• The settler, the amount that you will freeze on or settle for post negotiation

There may come a situation where the company says after all discussions that, ‘we have loved your candidature and believe that it's most suited for the role but XYZ is the best we can offer you to start with'.

If you are looking at a higher amount than the offer but you know that the brand and the role is worth it, ensure to discuss possibilities of non-monetary benefits like bonus, perks, vacations, six month reviews and designation jumps.

Declining offers just on monetary terms unless it's in extremes is not a good idea. If declining the offer is a must, do it in a way that you leave full scope for reconnecting. Never close doors or give personal limitations such as, “I need a minimum of ABC amount as I have a loan to pay.”

Remember organisations may also have personal limitations!

For all the entry level candidates, your priorities should be different. To reach a stage of negotiations or demands, you first need to polish your functional skills through professional training, identify and develop competencies via experience.

Once you deliver results, you can put forward your expectations and reach closer to them by each passing day!

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