6. Take criticisms as ways to improve your performance. Even if your interviewer is honest (or, rude) enough to openly discuss your flaws and inadequacies, take it in stride. Your best bet is to honestly acknowledge the deficiency and ask for suggestions on how to improve your performance.
7. Ask for clarifications. Most interviewers appreciate employees who ask (and write notes) for clarification. This tells your interviewer that you are taking their comments seriously. And, it gives you a “to do list” when you leave the meeting.
8. Be truthful. Answer questions honestly. Don’t place false blame. Be straight. Then no matter whatever happens you maintain the most important thing—a clear conscience.
9. When criticized, avoid making excuses. Excuses don’t go very far with most people. Admit it when the interviewer has a legitimate gripe. NOTE: It is almost always a mistake for you to blame one of your subordinates. If you do, your interviewer will feel like his criticism has fallen on deaf ears; or worse, that you don’t understand that anything that happens on your watch is your responsibility.
10. Write a written rebuttal. If you are convinced that your interviewer is being incorrectly negative in your assessment, consider writing a polite, yet clear, and concise rebuttal. Ask that it be attached to your interviewer’s report. (Of course this won’t be particularly valuable if your interviewer is also the owner of the company!)
11. This brings me to my final point: Even paranoid people are right sometimes. If you get the sense that nothing you can say is going to appease your interviewer, it may be time to check the handwriting on the wall. There comes a time when the wisest thing to do is brush up the resume and start looking for greener pastures.
Steve Diggs presents the No Debt No Sweat! Christian Money Management Seminar at churches and other venues nationwide. Visit Steve on the Web at www.stevediggs.com or call 615-834-3063. The author of several books, today Steve serves as a minister for the Antioch Church of Christ in Nashville. For 25 years he was President of the Franklin Group, Inc. Steve and Bonnie have four children whom they have home schooled. The family lives in Brentwood, Tennessee.

• What you can do today to get out of debt and kill the Debt Monster
• A,B,C's of handling your money God's way
• How to save, invest, and retire wisely
• How mutual funds work
• How to stop fighting over money
• What to teach your kids about money
• Learn how home & car buying, college financing and insurance work.
• How to develop a budget that works -- forever!
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