Ace Tough Interview Questions And Evade Tricky Ones
How do you handle job interview questions about flexible hours? And how do you negotiate salary when you’ve been out of the workforce caring for kids or family?
You don’t. Evade these questions until you’ve got the upper hand.
To find out how working moms and moms returning to work should handle these tough questions, we asked career coach Boni Candelario (aka Coach’m Up Boni because of her skills in coaching others up to meet their goals).
She specializes in helping women, and working moms in particular, climb the corporate ladder, re-enter the workforce or start their own businesses, and gives tips on resumes for moms.
MTW. When a mom is asked about time out of the workforce caring for kids or family, how should she respond?
Boni: Be confident in your decision to stay home and focus on the skills you gained. In your resume, fill in the gaps by including any volunteer work you did for your community.
Sample interview response: I chose to stay home to build a strong and loving foundation for my children. I am confident they are now well supported and so I am eager to return to the work I love. During my time at home, I volunteered at my local ________ (church, children’s school, charity, etc) and gained excellent experience in _________ (marketing, communications, public relations, or other business function.) Then explain how you would apply your skills & experience to the open position.
MTW: Many working moms are willing to trade salary for time. When and if should this be raised during an interview?
Boni: During the interview, you can ask about a typical workday for the position and if any employees currently work flexible hours.
Time is money; therefore I would not discuss the possibility of a flexible work arrangement in return for a lower salary until after you are offered the position. Only then can you give a detailed response on your salary requirements & negotiate the possibility of working a flexible schedule as a form of compensation.
MTW: If a mom is asked about salary requirements during the interview, how should she respond?
Boni: Please don’t discuss salary until after you have been offered the position. There are many elements to a compensation package that can be negotiated in your favor and you run the risk of pricing your way out of the position by giving a fixed number too soon.
Please don’t discuss salary until after you have been offered the position.
If an employer requires an answer on your salary requirements, and has notified you that you are a finalist for the position, you can say they are flexible and offer a salary range but delay any detailed response until after you have been made an offer and understand all of the possible benefits that offer may include.
MTW: What should I bring to the interview?
Boni: Make sure to bring a formal portfolio or folder and include the following items:
• The job posting or description
• A notebook & pen for taking notes, jotting down questions, and collecting business cards of every person you meet with.
• Multiple copies of your resume, cover letter & references
• Research on the company to review prior to the interview, and
• Writing samples or other work samples that illustrate the skills needed for the position.
Go lightly on the perfume please
MTW: Moms take pains to look good in an interview? What are some guidelines when it comes to makeup and perfume wearing for an interview?
Boni: Too much perfume is as offensive as heavy body odor. Limit yourself to one scent and only one item (body wash, lotion, powder or perfume) of that scent; please don’t layer. If using a perfume, a quick dab on the pulse points is sufficient. To make sure the scent is not too strong, have a group of honest friends/family give their opinion as you walk into a room.
To get more tips, follow Boni on Twitter or visit her site, coachmup.com. Or read more in this blog post by Boni.
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Filed Under: Job Opportunities • Managing Your Career • Moms Returning to Work • Working Moms Resources
About the Author: Julie Power is a writer and editor with experience in both the United States and Australia. After living in the United States for 16 years, she recently returned to live in Sydney with her husband and twin boys (9 years old).
Follow @juliepower
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Great post. Lots of helpful advice for interviewees!
I particularly appreciated the advice about going light on the perfume. As a multiple chemical sensitivity patient, I actually would suggest no fragrance at all. (MCS is on the rise and you’d be surprised at how many people struggle with it).
Once upon a time, when I was still healthy enough to be working out in the traditional workforce, I sat in on interviews for potential new-hires and helped my manager decide who would be a good fit for the team.
Considering that fragrances can make me sick enough to cause me to actually pass out, I think the perfume advice above is a good point that many people might not even think of.
I just followed Boni on twitter.
Jeanne
i agree with Jeanne on this one – please go light on the perfume! i’m not particularly sensitive, though last night at whole foods i had to change lines because the scent of the woman in front of me made me gag (literally).
great advice!
As an ex-recruiter thank you so much for the comment about perfume. I’m really sensitive to strong perfumes and can be quite ill. It’s really hard to focus in a small, enclosed space with over-powering scent.
If you have a sweat issue, it’s fine. Some people do (mostly guys I’ve noticed) anyone who’s interviewed for a short length of time has come across it so don’t worry and take a hankerchief or something if you need it.
I used to work with an organisation that would help get solo parents of welfare and into work after sometimes not much work experience. You would be surprised the skills you have so sit down and think of good examples of when you have done things that relate to the competencies they are looking for in the role. Be prepared and always say what the (great) result was after you did what you did.