Post by interview on Feb 22, 2011 10:19:34 GMT -5
Regarding the phone interview:
You'll likely be interviewed by a committee of people (3-5 maybe?).
I would guess it would be semi-similar to a TT phone interview, but chances are one of the committee members will be the other people's boss (or bosses boss), rather than simply a search 'chair.'
If you can figure out exactly who will be interviewing you, do your research on them, their position, education, etc. Just like a TT interview, try and make some type of personal connection with some of them (especially the 'boss') through something like a similar university, state, etc., though I know this is very hard to do over the phone.
They'll likely ask you questions regarding you ability to do the job, and will be looking for answers that match what the KSAs are in the job description (though obviously not robotic parroting of word-for-word descriptions). Make sure you have examples you can use that demonstrate you have the KSAs to successfully do the job, and are willing to be flexible when it comes to assignments/tasks.
Do NOT ask about salary/benefits/relocation expenses/etc. You should already be able to get this information from the job posting and rank of the position (e.g., GS-11, GS-12, etc., plus locality pay). I would say it's fair game to ask about their timeline for a decision, and whether they expect to conduct in person interviews as well (they probably will), and even if there are multiple positions being hired for (though the posting should have indicated something about this).
If you require a security clearance, they should be able to get you an interim pretty quickly, which will get you in the door and working while the full investigation (and final clearance) takes place. The final security clearance may take years to complete (seriously), but if you can get one in hand, you'll probably be able to go to a private company and double your salary based on that alone.
Hope this helps!
You'll likely be interviewed by a committee of people (3-5 maybe?).
I would guess it would be semi-similar to a TT phone interview, but chances are one of the committee members will be the other people's boss (or bosses boss), rather than simply a search 'chair.'
If you can figure out exactly who will be interviewing you, do your research on them, their position, education, etc. Just like a TT interview, try and make some type of personal connection with some of them (especially the 'boss') through something like a similar university, state, etc., though I know this is very hard to do over the phone.
They'll likely ask you questions regarding you ability to do the job, and will be looking for answers that match what the KSAs are in the job description (though obviously not robotic parroting of word-for-word descriptions). Make sure you have examples you can use that demonstrate you have the KSAs to successfully do the job, and are willing to be flexible when it comes to assignments/tasks.
Do NOT ask about salary/benefits/relocation expenses/etc. You should already be able to get this information from the job posting and rank of the position (e.g., GS-11, GS-12, etc., plus locality pay). I would say it's fair game to ask about their timeline for a decision, and whether they expect to conduct in person interviews as well (they probably will), and even if there are multiple positions being hired for (though the posting should have indicated something about this).
If you require a security clearance, they should be able to get you an interim pretty quickly, which will get you in the door and working while the full investigation (and final clearance) takes place. The final security clearance may take years to complete (seriously), but if you can get one in hand, you'll probably be able to go to a private company and double your salary based on that alone.
Hope this helps!