The Underground Guide to Job Interviewing: A Quick and Irreverent Primer for the Working Professional
By Todd Moster
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About this ebook
Chances are -- unless, perhaps, you're Paris Hilton -- you've had to interview for a job at some point in your life. Employment interviews are a fact of life, as sure as bad weather and often as welcome. And in a cut-throat job market in which more qualified candidates are competing for a smaller number of jobs, the stakes are higher than ever. They need an edge. This book is for them.
Written by a veteran recruiter who’s prepared hundreds of candidates for interviews, The Underground Guide to Job Interviewing is written for busy, on-the go people -- job seekers who don’t have the time for preachy, in-depth tomes on job interviewing, or a Dr. Seuss-style books better suited for students seeking a summer job. Short, occasionally subversive and always entertaining, it’s designed to read in one or two sittings and then used as a quick reference guide.
Job candidates concerned about employers who seem to have all the leverage now have an ally. Unabashedly embracing the predicament of the job seeker, The Underground Guide provides a roadmap to interview and career success.
Todd Moster
An accomplished attorney, former writer for documentary television, and longtime executive recruiter, Todd Moster has been involved in more job interview scenarios than any decent human being should be expected to endure. A 1982 graduate of UCLA School of Law, Todd held several jobs in the legal profession, from attorney for the Federal Aviation Administration to deputy district attorney, associate attorney for three different law firms, and finally, as a business and real estate partner for a well-regarded Los Angeles law firm. He has taken more than fifty jury trials to verdict and presided over small claims and traffic cases as a judge pro tem. Todd left the practice of law fourteen years ago to become an executive recruiter in the legal industry. He worked for two of the largest recruiting companies in the world before founding his own legal search firm, Moster Legal Placement, Inc. (http://www.mosterlegal.com), in 2008. Over the course of his career as a recruiter, Todd has prepared thousands of people for job interviews. He's recruited and placed a variety of legal professionals into jobs with law firms and corporations, including law firm partners and associates, in-house corporate attorneys, paralegals, and legal marketing directors. His company offers a specialized coaching service, Interview BootCamp® (http://www.mosterlegal.com/Bootcamp.html), which trains professionals in effective job interview techniques. Todd has also worked in documentary television, including as a writer for the popular History Channel show "The Great Ships." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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The Underground Guide to Job Interviewing - Todd Moster
Praise For THE UNDERGROUND GUIDE TO JOB INTERVIEWING
This timely guide is an accessible, insightful, winning presentation of hugely valuable information. Moster shows job seekers in every field how to turn interviewing—an often an intimidating, mysterious process—into a golden opportunity to shine.
—Doug Levinson, Business Consultant; Adjunct Professor, University of Southern California; Principal, Strategy that Rocks; Author, 75/25, 3/4 of an MBA, 1/4 of the Grief
Job interviews are serious endeavors, but that doesn’t mean a book about them has to be boring. Fortunately, Todd doesn’t seem to feel that way either. Blending just the right amount of practical tips, theory and humor, he’s put together the perfect book for busy professionals who need a crash course in job interview techniques, but don’t have the time or patience for a ponderous tome. The Underground Guide, instead, goes underneath the surface, fleshing out a quick lay of the land without pretense or embellishment. The product of someone who’s prepared hundreds of people for interviews over the years, it comes down unabashedly on the side of the job seeker, and isn’t afraid to show a little attitude in the process.
—Mark Goulston, M.D., Author, Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone (AMA-COM, 2009) and Get Out of Your Own Way (with coauthor Phillip Goldberg) (Perigee Trade, 1996)
Todd Moster’s book on interviewing is a must-read for anyone who anticipates a job interview with any degree of trepidation. His clarity of thought guides the reader through the most important elements of the interview process. His style incorporates humor into a plethora of useful strategies and tactics. It is evident that Moster thoroughly knows his topic, and explains it in a gentle and non-threatening manner. If you are going to be going through job interviews, especially for a professional position, read this book. Then read it again.
—Bill Saleebey, Ph.D., Author, Connecting: Beyond the Name Tag
The Underground Guide to Job Interviewing is a comprehensive, well written, funny book that is a quick read, and will reinforce what you already know and provide you with some new tips on successful interviewing.
—Susan Wise Miller, M.A., Founder of California Career Services, award-winning National Certified Career Counselor (NCCC), a Master Career Counselor (NCDA), Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE) and expert witness on vocational issues.
…an irreverent yet essential guide for the professional looking to leapfrog the job-hunting competition…It’s easier to find a job when you have a job, but it’s easier still when you follow Todd’s unique advice.
—Marty Rudoy, Attorney and Partner at Rudoy Fleck, Los Angeles, California
Don’t let Todd’s witty commentaries and delightful stories distract you. The Moster method works and helped land me a job in one of the toughest market in years. Using his method, I was able to genuinely connect with my interviewers and made a lasting impression.
—Attorney (name withheld) placed by Todd with law firm in 2011
Whether you’re starting a business or advancing on enemy territory in a war, certain fundamentals apply. You have to know your terrain—both the roads to take and the minefields to avoid. You need a clear objective. You must prepare. And you need to work. Hard. The Underground Guide to Job Interviewing applies these principles to the business microcosm of the employment interview in a practical and entertaining manner. Taut, streetwise and filled with real-world examples, The Underground Guide provides a formula sure to increase the Interviewing IQ of all but the most clueless (or illiterate) job seekers.
—Charles F. Goetz, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Distinguished Lecturer, Goizueta Business School, Emory University; Serial Entrepreneur; Author, The Great Entrepreneurial Divide, The Winning Tactics of Successful Entrepreneurs and Why Everyone Else Fails!
Love it! Todd Moster has created an easy, fun, slightly snarky read on a critical topic: Job Interviewing. I can’t tell you how many times I have interviewed people who really could have used this book. If you’re even slightly leaning towards buying this, do it! It is packed with helpful information and is presented in a non-pretentious, enjoyable, straight-forward fashion. I wish I had something like it for my end of the desk - the employer doing the interview!
—Faith Pincus, CEO, Pincus Professional Education CLE Seminars; CEO, Finz Advance Tapes case summaries; Author, upcoming ABA book, Be Heard: Public Speaking for Attorneys
Don’t read this book unless you’re ready to quit your boring job and start interviewing for the one you really want. Todd Moster’s mix of practical advice and good-natured silliness delivers the keys to your new corner office.
—David Ackert, President, The Ackert Advisory; Founder, Practice Boomers; Author
The Underground Guide to Job Interviewing is a wonderful tool and resource to make preparing for your next interview a success. Down to earth, fun, and chock full of expert guidance and tips, it asks some of the basic and profound questions that every candidate comes to terms with in the selection process, from What do you want to be when you grow up? to Where do you see yourself in five years? to What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever made? While addressing these minefield
questions and other challenges inherent to the job search process, Todd serves as your headhunter guidance counselor, ready to walk you through the trickiest areas of the hiring process step by step. Red flags, useful websites, and very useful rules of thumb round out this book that covers everything from how to research prospective employers to how to ask insightful questions that add to your candidacy and how to negotiate your offer without giving away your hand too early on. Prepare to be entertained, enlightened, and armed for a successful job search that will help you stand out as a rarity among your peers.
—Paul Falcone, Author, 96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before You Hire (AMACOM, 2009)
Much like a television show that reveals the secrets of how magic tricks are performed, The Underground Guide to Job Interviewing peels back the veil of mystery surrounding the job interview. The book presents a wealth of information forged from years of Todd Moster’s experience as a top recruiter in a highly competitive market as well as his own unique experience in interviews. Unlike other books written on the topic of interview strategy, Todd’s Guide finds a refreshing balance between being a highly informative manual and a humorous page-turner.
—Bradley McGavin, Esq., Associate Attorney at Fine-stone Schumaker Cocquyt & Ongania, Ventura, California
Todd Moster has created a gem of a book. There are so many myths out there about the interview process. Too many
experts give advice that is akin to getting dating tips from your grandparents. The Underground Guide to Job Interviewing is the perfect antidote; it’s timely, modern, cuts to the heart of the matter, and is written for professionals by someone who has spent years in the interview trenches.
—Gideon Grunfeld, J.D., Former big-firm lawyer and Fortune 500 HR Executive; President, Successful Career Strategies, Inc.; Founder, Law Firm University
* * * *
THE UNDERGROUND GUIDE TO JOB INTERVIEWING
A Quick and Irreverent Primer for the Working Professional
By Todd Moster,Esq.
Copyright 2012 Todd Moster, Esq.
All rights reserved.
Smashwords Edition
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to others. If you would like to share this book, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2010916786
* * * *
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Mistakes Are Good
Chapter I: Provisos, Excuses, and Admonitions
• Common Sense Is Key
• This Guide Is Directed to the Professional
• This Guide Is Geared to Job Interviews, Not Resumes
• Sometimes, There’s More Than One Correct Way to Do a Job Interview
• The Real World Is Not Always a Pretty Place
• This Guide Is for Job Seekers, Not Employers
• It All Comes Down to the Basics
• I’m Here for You
Chapter II: Preparing for the Interview: Do Your Research!
Your Internal Preparation
• What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
• What Are Your Job Search Objectives?
Your External Preparation
• Do Your Research
Research the Job Description
Research the Firm or Company
Why Research Is So Important
• Review, Rephrase, and Recite Your Resume and Experience in Detail
The Importance of Ready Access to Information
Get Yourself Ready for Showtime
Chapter III: The Day of Your Interview: A Few Basic Considerations
What to Wear to Your Interview
When to Arrive at the Interview
• Don’t Be Late
• Arrive 7–10 Minutes before Your Appointment
What to Bring with You
Have Your Emotional House in Order
Chapter IV: Asking Questions
The Types of Questions You Want to Ask
• Ask the Questions That Are Important to You
• How You Ask Is as Important as What You Ask
Examples of Questions to Ask
The Types of Questions You Should Not Ask
Preparing Your Questions Prior to the Interview
Chapter V: Answering the Tough