Continuing from last time, here are the signs you might be shown the door, and what to do if and when the axe falls.

First of all, trust your gut. That's really just another way to say that you need to pay attention to your perceptions, intuition, and instincts. You probably have a good sense of how things appear when they're "normal," so you usually can tell when things are a little weird, strained, or goofy. Here's a pretty good list of warning signs.

A friend told me once that he kept seeing his boss and other managers in meetings with HR people and just KNEW that he was gonna get blown out. He went so far as to check with a HR person he knew, calling her at home over the weekend. She told him that there was nothing going on that she knew of, so he chilled a bit, but the hairs on the back of his neck were still at attention, and he SWORE that something was up. Sure enough, he got cut a few days later.

Why was he so sure? For one thing, he knew that the company was in transition and he'd had a blowup with the big boss a few months earlier. The issue had been "settled" and everyone made nice, but he was wise enough to know that some wounds don't heal … and that some heels wound! He figured that it was just a matter of time and he was right. Here are some things to do to prepare … just in case.

If the axe DOES fall, make sure that you get the best deal possible from your soon-to-be former employer.

Remember, when you're ushered into that little room and handed a piece of paper with your severance terms, DON'T SIGN IT. The company, naturally, wants you to, but you will usually have a few days to look it over, so take your time. Bring it home with you and read it carefully, preferably with your spouse or partner.

You may be in a state of shock, numb, or just very angry or sad, so give yourself some time to review it. A while back, I was laid off, but managed to get the company to extend my health benefits a bit, just by asking. You can even negotiate for more money, a later departure date, use of the office or anything else, just by asking. You won't necessarily get everything you ask for, but if you don't ask, you'll never know.

In the event of a layoff or cutback - when several individuals or A LOT of them are let go - your leverage and ability to negotiate will be limited. The company probably has a set of guidelines they're following and exceptions are rare, but it still doesn't hurt to ask.

Above all, stay cool. Don't yell, scream, make threats, or get violent. Crying is OK; for women, too.

Seriously, though, in today's economy, layoffs are par for the course. But as a wise man once said, "Dig your well before you're thirsty." In other words, always be prepared.

Next week, we'll talk a little bit about networking and dealing with the first few days of a layoff. The following week, we'll resume our job interview/employment discussion. If you're confused, please don't be. I'll lay out both series - with links to each part - next time!

Richard Pachter is the MOLI View's Exception To The Rule.

That signpost up ahead ... it's The Twilight Zone ... the period when you don't know what the hell is going on with your job interview. But let's shed a little light on the subject.

Before the interview is over, you need to know what's next. Or at least try to find out. Unfortunately, though you might expect the interviewer to be the one driving the train, it ain't always so. Often, the interviewer is a screener, a buffer or a non-player, and they just report to the real decision-maker. From there, it's up to them. Experience has taught me that from this point, you've got about less than a 50-50 chance of ever hearing from them again. Sounds crazy, but there are a zillion reasons for this.

I once interviewed for a gig and thought it was a done deal. I followed up by phone and e-mail and then started seeing postings for a job above the one I'd pursued and realized that they'd decided to create a new position. I wasn't interested (or qualified) so I dropped it, but I assume that during the internal consultation process, the principals realized that they needed to deal with that need first. I wasn't upset, but a little surprised that they didn't figure this out earlier. I'm sure mine wasn't the only applicant's time they'd wasted.

But before you walk out the door, ask what's next: Who is the decision-maker? When will they make their decision? Will they be contacting you? If you don't hear from them by the end of the week (or whenever), is it OK if you get back to them? Who should you call? What number (or e-mail address)?

It's also a good idea to ask - sometime during the interview - if there are other candidates for the position and if they're internal (within the company) or external. You may not get an answer, but surprisingly, you often will. If there are internal candidates, you may also get an indication whether or not they're seriously being considered for the job. Some companies have to post jobs externally, even if they have someone already lined up, but it never hurts to ask. Just be cool about it.

Following up after the interview is important, though doing so doesn't ensure that they'll follow up with you. Regardless, it's good manners, at the very least, to send a note (by e-mail) thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration. You can also reinforce your value as a candidate by expressing your interest and enthusiasm for the company and the gig. But don't overdo it. And don't send flowers, candy or anything else to the interview - unless you just fell in love and don't care if you get the job or not!

The next step is the toughest: waiting. You shouldn't bug anyone, so just chill. Or actually, DON'T chill; keep looking for a job. Even if you think you aced the interview and nailed the gig, there's no guarantee that you actually did. Pretend you didn't, in fact, and keep looking.

Next: how and where to keep looking, and ways to follow up without being a pain in the ass.

Richard Pachter is the MOLI View's Pillar of Sanity.

Last time, we focused a bit on salary. Of course, money is an important part of the interview, but don't let it dominate the discussion.

It's a good thing to also talk about the job! First of all, you'll want to know what you're expected to do, and second, it's an excellent way to get the conversation away from money and show the interviewer that it's not the only thing you're about - even if it is!

Asking questions also demonstrates that you're interested in the job, the company, and the industry. Even though you haven't been hired (yet), you're engaged. That's good. Just be cool; don't start chattering like a parrot or make it appear that you're overly inquisitive. Things could backfire for you if they think you're some kind of spy or reporter!

Every job varies, but a good way to start is to ask who you'd be reporting to and working with. You don't necessarily need names, just titles or positions. This is a sneaky way to find out a bunch of things: for example, if there are other people doing the same job that you're interviewing for, they're probably pretty busy … or else the other guys are leaving. Ask! "Am I replacing anyone?" It's good to know. You might be stepping into a potential political minefield. Try discovering the circumstances of any departures. Did they jump or were they pushed?

How's business? Is the company in good shape? Have there been any layoffs lately? (It's not unheard of to fill empty positions while eliminating others.) Who's the competition and how are they doing?

What kind of computer will you be using, Mac or PC? If it makes a difference to you, it would be good to know. It might even be a point of negotiation if they offer you the gig.

How about the hours? What time does work start and end? An hour for lunch or a half?

What about insurance? Don't assume that there are "full" benefits. I know someone who learned - after he accepted a job and began working - that his health insurance covered him, but not his wife!

Before the interview, think about every question you'd like answered and jot 'em down. Some of them may not be very important, but others are, so prioritize a bit, and pick your shots. Don't dominate the conversation, either. Try to make it appear as natural as possible, but remember: you're being observed, so make sure that the perception you create is a good one.

We'll have more on interviews next time, as well as what to do when they're over, but let's end with a laugh; here are some amusing items people put on their resumes.

Richard Pachter is the MOLI View's Martian Manhunter.

Job interviews can be tense affairs. No one wants to appear desperate or needy, but there are times when we feel that way. Employers want to get a sense of who you are and how you think. If you're nervous or feel like a dork, you're not at your best. You know it - and it shows. So what can you do about it?

We've already gotten into things like preparation and doing a bit of upfront research about the prospective employer and the position. But it's well worth repeating, because if you have your stuff together and can relax a bit, you'll do MUCH better. It could even wind up being a pleasurable experience.

If you're qualified for the job, understand what's expected of you, and feel prepared, you're good to go.

But the one thing that most people worry about is money. "What are they going to offer?" "What should I say if they ask me what I wanna make?"

A book I recommended previously, Negotiating Your Salary: How To Make $1,000 a Minute by Jack Chapman, says to never be the first one to mention a number. If asked, you can always try to change the subject or say something like, "Well, I have no upper limit," and then just shut up. Chapman's point is that the first person who says a number loses, and that if the applicant comes in too high or too low, they risk being eliminated.

Think about it: If they've budgeted $50K for the position and you say you want 30, they may wonder why they're bothering with you. If you ask for 100K, you're gonna blow them away and they're going to be wrapping things up quickly and usher you out the door.

So what do you do? Chapman and most others agree that you need to have a number in your head - or maybe several. More about that later, but what if they ask you to provide a salary history or "income requirements?" Ignore 'em. That's right; just pretend you never heard the question. In fact, to you, it's irrelevant. You want every possible dime (or the equivalent in benefits or perks), so why be bound by the past?

Some job listings may even say that applications won't be considered without salary histories. I say, screw 'em, which means you can either ignore the request or address it in your cover letter by saying that you're not sure if the information is relevant or applicable to the current position and that you'd expect to be fairly compensated. Period. Or, if you dare, you can respond by asking what the position is budgeted for, which sounds ballsy, but I did it and got a direct answer from a slightly bemused interviewer … and I also got the job!

When you walk into the interview, you should have some idea of what you're looking for. And if you can't avoid answering the question, then provide a range: "from the high forties to the mid-fifties" or whatever. If the interviewer gives YOU a range, ignore the low number. Pretend you never heard it. The high number is what they're offering you, since you're so well qualified. Right?

Next: more.

Richard Pachter is the MOLI View's Relativistic Bomb.