You a WIIFM?

Have you ever walked into a first interview and, at your very first opportunity, asked one or more of these questions?

What's the salary?
What does your benefits package look like?
Do you have dental? Optical? What about the 401(k)?
How much vacation would I get?
Do you also have personal time?
How many paid holidays are there?
Do you reimburse for college tuition?
Do I get a company discount on x, y, z products?
Do you give me a company car? A cell phone? A laptop?
What's in it for me? Me? Me? Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?

If you have, stop it. Don't do this at a first interview. Never, ever, ever.

Don't be a WIIFM candidate.

Of course you want to know these things (duh). And of course they will matter if that company extends you an offer, and you then need to consider the overall package.

But at the first interview? You need to think about what hiring managers and HR people really care about.

Ready for it?

They want to know what's in it for THEM.

They want to know how you will add value, solve their problems, make them money, save them money, make their lives easier, more productive, more pleasant, BETTER.

They want to know what you bring to the table, and why they should consider you over the gajillion other candidates falling over themselves for that very same position.

So as tempting as it may be to get right to the bottom of the what's in it for you part?

Save this discussion for after it's clear that the prospective employer wants you, needs you, will do what it takes to have you.

In the early interview stages? Think WIIFT instead.

What is in it for them if they hire you? Showcase this.