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How to prepare a good interview?

How should I prepare for the final interview with a hiring manager?

  • This will be my first job so I have no idea how to prepare for this interview. How do I ask for a proper salary? How do I find out about benefits before the interview? I feel like I should prepare myself as much as possible so as not to be taken advantage of because I am fresh out of college. The job is a non-technical entry level (processing) position at a software company in San Diego, California. I don't expect the pay to be very high, but given the cost of living in San Diego it would help if i knew how to negotiate something decent. EDIT: It is a large software company with thousands of employees.

  • Answer:

    The advice from Suzanne and Marcy is good.  Also: If it's a small company (few hundred not a few thousand) they may not be quite a competent at matching market salaries.  Either way, YOU DO NOT NEED TO AGREE TO ANYTHING AT THE INTERVIEW.  If they mention a number, you can say you need some time to think about it. The same goes for benefits.  At some point they should spell out what they offer.  You do not have to make a decision about it right then, EVEN IF THEY ASK YOU TO. You can take the data you collect (ie, what they offer) and then do some research.  Use online sources like Glass Door, etc etc.  There are many discussions on Quora about other resources you can use, as well, for free.  None of these are definitive -- but they can help you understand if $35k is a typical salary, or 85k is more normal.

Nathan Wolfson at Quora Visit the source

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If it's a large software company (which you didn't state) there will be compensation guidelines already in place. The hiring manager will stay within that range. If the company wants to hire you after the final "go round" then either the HM or HR will brief you about the comp and benefits..if the company is smaller, well, that's entirely another matter. There is more flexibility to negotiate..a good way to ask ( provided you've been given signals of a positive hire nature) is to merely say "A comp package is not my number 1 priority, but, of course, a consideration of my employment with the company." Then ask "What does yours include specifically?" The money talk is ALWAYS a part of the hire process..

Suzanne Levison

I copied a link. If it does not work, watch this video on YouTube. No B.S. Job Search Advice: Preparing for Second Interviews

Jeff Altman

Prepare some specific questions about the job and get clarification about the job's boundaries - that will show the hiring manager that you are enthusiastic about the tasks you'll be asked to perform while in the job.  Suzanne Levison's statements about comp and benefits pretty much says it all.

Marcy Diamond Garb

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