Maneuvering Tough Interview Questions Well

There is always something about a person or resume that may spark tough questions. Here are some thoughts on how to answer these like a pro. 1) Your resume shows you have bounced from job to job or city to city. When interviewer asks why you move so much, a good answer may be that you like to seek out challenges and that all your past jobs have given you a variety of skills that you believe you can implement at this new job. Also emphasize that you want to continue to grow so they know you will be someone who sticks around! 2) You may be young and not had a lot of work experience. Sometimes you have to do a lot of grunt work at entry level positions. They may ask things like "How do you feel about making copies and getting coffee?" Your answer could be genuine - I hate that ...but I will do anything needed for a great job and a great boss and in time I hope I will prove myslef more valuable and give me more to do. That shows you have a positive attitude and want to grow. 3) The inevitable question if you are leaving a job is why are you leaving? One answer is that you like your job but believe this is a unique opportunity that you cannot pass up. That kind of answer does not disparage your current employer and shows you are a go-getter!

Sneaky Interview Tricks To Learn What You are Really Getting Into (Part II)

So there are some things you really want to know after an interview but how can I ask these questions without being crass? 1) You want to know "Will I ever get promoted or is this a dead end job?" Ask where are the people that had this job before me? You want to see whether they stayed at the company, left, or moved up. This answer says a lot about the potential of the position. 2) You want to know "Do people like it here?" Ask nothing! You can see it on people's faces and in their interactions. This is a good reason to come a little early to an interview to see what is going on. Ask to use the restroom and observe as you walk. Are people chatting, laughing, or crickets? Find former employees through your linkedin or facebook networks. They may be happy to give you insight as well.

Sneaky Interview Tricks To Learn What You are Really Getting Into (Part I)

So there are some questions in an interview you really want to know the answer to but you just don't know how to ask without sounding crass...Here are some thoughts: 1) You want to know "What is the salary?" Here is what you can ask - I'd love to understand this role better. How does a typical workday go, what the compensation like, and how many people would I be supervising? Because It's perfectly fine to ask about pay, but it's tough to pull off a pointed questions. Wrap it in a few other quearies, and they'll give you some ballpark figures. Also websites help to know a general range (www.salary.com) for example to see if the salary seems fair. 2) You want to know "Is the boss crazy? Ask How can I succeed here? You will be able to tease out boss' expectations. When they say we want you to have a work-life balance you know one thing but when they say we want you to dedicate yourself to work that says something else. Employee turnover is also an important signal of what its like to wortk there.

Interview Mistakes to Avoid (Part II)

You are about to interview for your dream job! Don't blow it! 1. Qualify Nothing. A lot of people have negative speech habits like kinda, actually, literally, well... (i.e. I am kinda thinking about moving to the area). These types of qualifiers serve as a hedge and make it seem like you are not confident about yourself or the position. Disclaimers are also a distraction for an interviewer. (i.e. Well, I was considering following up.) These statements undermine your credibility. Check your speech "tics" before an interview. Have friend listen to you and note the "tics" or record yourself on a conversation with a friend to find these speech patterns - because literally a speech tic could literally kill any chances you have of getting the job, literally. 2. Stay on Topic. Talk only about things that directly correlate with your ability to do the job; your knowledge, skills, and abilities. For legal reasons, interviewers are trained to stay away from trouble spots but interviewees often open up too much when interviewing. For example, you may casually mention a family problem or talk about your favorite sports team. You never know when a interviewer may be a die hard fan of a rival sports team. Don't ever let extraneous things impede your chances to get the job - when really your ability is all that matters. 3. Pare Down. Many people bring extraneous things to an interview. They really serve as a distraction to you and others. Consider leaving the cell phone in the car. Bring a small purse, if any, so that your hands are always free to shake hands without too much of a juggling act. Leave drinks, magazines, etc. at home too. Everything you bring in is subject to judgment by the interviewer so keep it to minimum and most importantly keep the focus on you and your ability to do a great job!

Interview Mistakes to Avoid (Part I)

You are applying for your dream job! Don't blow it! 1) Ladies (and men!) leave the stilettos at home. The first sign you will not be hired is if you are not dressed for the part. Either overdress with too much makeup, jewelry, or impractical shoes. This is the not the look that says I can put in a 12 hour day in these things. Show you are serious - that does not mean dowdy but it does mean you don't wear every fashion forward piece you own at once. You can also dress too down for an interview. Say you are applying for an entry level job in a mail room, don't come in running shoes and t-shirt to the interview. Wear sophisticated clothes - one step above what is to be expected on the job, not a whole ladder. 2) Don't air your grievances. One of the most important parts of the interview is when you explain the decisions you have made - why you have chosen prior jobs and why you are moving to another job now. These explanations speak volumes about your motivation and attitude. It is never flattering to use this time to air your frustrations about your current boss or bad situation. Find a positive way to frame the situation. You don't have to fake it and say it was all rosy, but say how much you learned from your experiences and how you have learned to deal with difficult situations in a positive way.

Thoughts on Good Leadership (Part III)

How do you get slackers to chip in? The initial reaction is to think what is their problem? But really we should ask is everything ok? Often people check out for a reason, home struggles, parent illness, etc. If someone is riding coattails, check on them and then assign them a task where others will be impacted so they invest in it too. No one wants to let a group down. Have them do a specific task you can monitor and followup with them, on both their task and any personal problems. They will be motivated to help out when you show you care. How do you encourage creative thinking? When you can, start a project with a brainstorming session where people can speak freely. There should be no such thing as a lousy idea - keep a log and keep building. Suggestions are seeds of thought that a group can work together to nurture the good seeds.

Thoughts on Good Leadership (Part II)

What is the best way to step up in a leadership position when there is no clear leader? When you are in a group where there is no clear leader, the easiest way to help steer the group is to say "I am happy to ensure that everything goes smoothly. I want everyone here to have what they need to make things happen. That tone says I am here to serve and give and that will allow you to naturally find yourself in a leadership position. An effective leader cares most about everyone doing their best to get the job done well, even if that means taking a supporting role. Once you're in command, how to gain trust of team members? Give them a lot of independence but check in on each person periodically, in other words, let people succeed and let them fail while providing training and guidance. When a new project needs to be launched put someone in charge of it. If the project succeeds let the person know what a great job they did and if it fails don't get mad, work with them to rectify it. From Simon Sinek, author of Leaders Eat Last.

Thoughts on Good Leadership (Part I)

What attribute does a leader need most? See yourself as teh protector of those in your group. A good boss will make sure that her employees have all the tools they need to do their job. Public acknowledgement of hard work will make people feel appreciated and safe. If people feel unsafe or that their leader is trying to take advantage of them they will concentrate on protecting themselves and as a result focus less on the task at hand. What is a common mistake leaders make? Thinking you have to have all the answers. No one knows everything a good leader is comfortable with that. Instead be grateful to be surrounded by people that can help you figure things out. Also when things are not done perfectly, good leaders don't get angry. They are not afraid to discuss how to adapt for the future. From Simon Sinek - Leaders Eat Last.