MASTER THE INTERVIEW

A career coach offers solid job-interview advice in a workbook format.

Segal’s debut work is divided into five parts, each addressing a different aspect of the interview process. Overall, the book offers some familiar material, but it’s all packaged in a helpful way, effectively integrating open-ended questions and self-assessment exercises into each chapter. This is probably the strongest aspect of the book, as these queries immediately immerse job-seekers in the interview process so that the event itself will seem less formidable. The first part of the book covers general preparation and includes chapters on networking and interview strategy. Part 2 is about developing a “personal value proposition” and identifying one’s core competencies. The third part concentrates on specific questions that employers are likely to ask; a particularly helpful chapter discusses how to answer the toughest ones, such as “What are your weaknesses?” Part 4, the “Unwritten Rules of Interviewing,” is a self-contained primer on such basics as attitude, dress, and courtesy and how to adopt an appropriate interview style. Part 5 tackles “Final Considerations,” including how to deal with potential negatives, such as being underqualified or overqualified for a position; it also offers insight into how hiring decisions are made and wise counsel on what to do after the interview is over. One of the more valuable chapters steps through “nine common blocks” and how to overcome them; for example, for “Fear of Failure to Measure Up,” Segal advises that one realize that an interviewer “should not have enough importance in your life for you to worry whether you will be ‘worthy’ of a certain role or advancement.” Also helpful are the author’s observations about making career changes, dealing with a disability, or having a “questionable element in your background.” Throughout this book, Segal consistently offers positive, uplifting guidance while adopting an objective yet empathetic tone.

A self-directed, interactive manual that should benefit experienced and new job-seekers alike.