How Do I Nail the Next Interview Round

How Do I Nail the Next Interview Round How Do I Nail the Next Interview Round You nailed the first interview â€" now what? How to prepare for subsequent interview rounds.Question:  Could you please share with me the best things to remember going into an interview? I’ve had 3 face-to-face, and feel like the one coming up next week is the one! â€" Ron D., Lakeview, NYAnswer:  Congratulations Ron, it sounds like your job search is going well. Many people struggle with maintaining momentum throughout the interview process. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your final interview rounds.Show your cultural fit.Once you’ve proven that you have the right skill set and experience for the job, shift your focus to showcasing how you are a cultural fit. If hired, will you fit in with the team and thrive? Will you be around for the long run?To find out about a company’s culture before your interview, visit sites such as Glassdoor.com and Vault.com, in addition to the company’s corporate site. Additionally, search your network to see if you know anyone who wor ks (or has worked) at the organization and take those people out for a cup of coffee to pick their brain.Prepare for negotiations.I always advise clients to tactfully avoid talking dollars and cents for as long as possible. You want enough interview time to first prove what a value-add you are for the company, so that when they make an offer, you’re no longer just a line item in the budget. You’re a potential contributor.That being said, you should always be prepared for the conversation. Research competitive salary information for the position using resources such as PayScale  and Salary.com, and calculate the total value of your last compensation package. Use that information to develop a compensation range that includes the lowest amount you’d accept and the highest number you think you could ask for within reason. Consider all tangible and intangible benefits that are important to you â€" this could include salary, signing bonus, commission, car allowance, travel budget, training or continued education.If you have the time, I highly recommend checking out Jack Chapman’s articles on negotiation and his book, “Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1,000 a Minute.” His information is easy to understand and incredibly helpful in the salary negotiation process.