The interviewing process can involve anywhere from two to four steps. The first one to two interviews may be over the phone, with one or two face-to-face interviews to follow. The phone interviews generally run 30-60 minutes, and the face-toface interviews may last several hours.

Know the Company:
A thorough understanding of the companyís products and services shows your interest in the company and allows you to ask intelligent questions.

Know Yourself:
Be prepared to answer any questions about your background (College GPA, exam scores and history, reasons for job changes, specific technical examples of accomplishments, etc.) and why you are interested in this particular job, company and location. Itís a good idea to bring a brief example of a report you created, or an example of your technical work.

Dress for Success:
Thereís no question that office dress codes have changed over the years, but it is best to dress conservatively when meeting with a prospective employer. For men, a dark suit, a pressed white shirt, and a traditional tie is appropriate. For women, a dark business suit is suggested.

Be Prompt:
Give yourself ample travel time to arrive at your destination. Arriving at least ten minutes early prevents you from feeling rushed, expresses courtesy to the company, and underscores your interest in the position.

Be Confident:
Greet everyone you meet with a solid handshake and make eye contact. Speak clearly and repeat their name back to them (ìHi Mark, itís a pleasure to meet youî). This shows interest and confidence, and helps you remember their name.

Practice Good Body Language:
To express your enthusiasm, sit forward in your seat and maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Body language is a strong indicator of your confidence and your ability to work with others.

Show Enthusiasm:
Interviewers want to assess your technical accomplishments, but they also want to know if you would be a good fit with the organization. Donít be afraid to vocalize your excitement for the position and your willingness to take on the challenges that it will bring.

Take Your Time:
Think through answers, so you are confident that the answer you give is the best representation of who you are. Speak slowly and donít be afraid of short silences between yourself and the interviewer. This will help you to come across as relaxed and confident.

Ask Questions:
Asking questions conveys a genuine interest in the position and the ability to think on your feet.

Write a Thank-You Note:
Itís important to send a thank-you note soon after an interview. This shows appreciation for the companyís time as well as your interest in the position.

Below are a few common questions about interviewing and how to handle job offers.

Q: Is business casual ever appropriate for a job interview (and what is considered business casual in the actuarial profession)?
A: Business casual is definitely becoming more popular and is acceptable to wear to an interview only if the prospective employer specifically suggests it. Standard business casual for men is a light-colored, button-down long sleeve shirt, dark slacks, and for women includes a light colored blouse with dark skirt or pants or a dress, provided it is not sleeveless. Never wear jeans to an interview.

Q: At what stage during the interview process should salary expectations and benefits be addressed?
A: These topics should be discussed near or at the offer stage of the interview process. You are interviewing for the specific work and company, not just benefits or salary, so naturally these issues should be secondary to the type of work and company culture. Your Stewart Search Advisor will help you to evaluate the salary and benefits. If you are directly asked about your salary expectations, a safe answer is that you are looking to be appropriately compensated given your level of experience. More importantly, impress the fact that work responsibility and potential for growth opportunities are the issues in which you are most interested.

Q: What are appropriate interviewing expenses?
A: Only submit genuine travel expenses that all interviewees to the company would incur. This includes airfare, hotel, meals, cab fare/rental car if necessary. Donít give the company the chance to view you as nickel-and-diming them by submitting receipts for coffee, mileage to the airport, a midday snack, magazines, etc.

Q: What should I expect for a reasonable job offer??
A: Keep in mind that this answer depends on your particular skill set, years of experience, geographic location, among other things. However, on average we are seeing most companies offering at least a 5-10% increase in salary. It is important to keep in mind that other factors come into play when considering a job offer, including relocation assistance, signing bonus, geographic location, and job growth opportunities.

Q: I received an offer from a company that offers incentive-based pay; what is this and why should I consider it since the base salary offered is below what I earn now?
A: Many companies are shifting towards incentive-based pay. This means that the base salary on your offer may be only slightly higher than what you currently make, but the bonus structure is designed to increase your yearly income significantly above the level of your current position. This bonus is often derived from your personal work performance, the performance of your unit, and overall performance of the company. A Stewart Search Advisor can help you to determine if a job offer or your current income is reasonable and appropriate for your skills.

Q: How long will I have to decide whether or not to accept an offer?
A: It is standard for companies to grant you at least one week to decide. Changing jobs is a major life change, and you may need that time to be certain of your final decision. Given the company's position or extenuating circumstances, you may be given more or less time. Balance the company's time frame with your own requirements to be sure you're making the best decision for yourself and your career.

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