Wednesday, May 13, 2020

What Questions Should I Ask During the Interview

What Questions Should I Ask During the Interview The interviewer has a list of questions they ask to learn about you, but you also need to learn about them! What questions will you ask during the interview? The interview has to be an exchange of information. Let me also say that many interviewers have had no formal training in interviewing and it is often the least favorite part of their job (unless they are a recruiter or in HR and then it IS part of their job). The Scope and Tone of Your Questions Have you prepared appropriate and thoughtful questions you would like answered during the interview? This shows your interest in the job, professionalism, maturity and self-confidence. I interviewed a candidate many years ago, for an entry-level job who had very little work experience.   My role at the time was in human resources as the screener, The young candidate began by asking where do you see your company going in 5 years?   I felt this was outside the scope of what he should be asking so early in the interview and I told him so. If he had asked other questions that had to do with his role and expectations of him in the job first, I may have been more willing to consider answering his out of scope questions.   I can understand why he asked this textbook question, but I didnt feel I was the right person to answer them nor was I trained enough to know how to respond.   The candidate should have considered these things: Show interest in the job by asking questions about the job. Understand your audience and ask questions they are qualified to answer. Share why the questions being asked are important to you. Use an inquisitive tone of voice to suggest you are truly seeking information, not judging. Leveling the Playing Field If you are a seasoned candidate, interviewing with a seasoned interviewer, I think you want to use the right mix of questions so you come across confident and curious. Asking questions during a job interview also makes it feel more conversational. For more explanation and logic about these questions, please go read: Interviewing is a fact-finding mission, not an interrogation. Questions You Can Ask Keeping in mind where you are in the interview process and who you are interviewing with is key to deciding which questions to ask (and when). Check out this list of questions you can ask during your job interview.

Friday, May 8, 2020

The Questions YOU Ask During a Job Interview Can Help or Hurt You

The Questions YOU Ask During a Job Interview Can Help or Hurt You The Questions YOU Ask During a Job Interview Can Help or Hurt You The questions you ask in an interview can help you OR knock you out of the running. Joseph had an hour-long interview at 8:00 A.M. with the hiring manager, Susan, for a position he really wanted. He did some research on the company, reread the job description, and brushed up on his top strengths and weaknesses. He was on time and did well during the interview. Until the last 15 minutes. When Susan asked, “Well, Joseph, what questions do you have for me?” Joseph displayed “crap” in the form of mistakes that sabotaged his odds of winning this job. Scenario #1: He didn’t have any questions prepared. Mistake! Solution #1: Prepare your questions, write them down, and bring the piece of paper in with you to the interview. Scenario #2: Joseph asked, “What is the starting salary?” Mistake! Solution #2: Never ever, ever, ever talk salary, even in ranges. Your mission is to get an offer in hand. Once you do, you can ask questions and possibly negotiate. Not before. Not to the human resources (HR) person, a recruiter, or to any interviewer. Scenario #3: Joseph asked, “Is there a training program or structured on-boarding process?” Mistake! Solution #3: Think about the story or perception the interviewer is creating with your questions. Put yourself in their shoes. In this case, they may be thinking, “Wow, he needs hand-holding and may be too high-maintenance for me. I need someone who knows how to do this.” If a training program is mentioned in the job description or on the company website, then it is appropriate to ask for more insights about the structure, length, etc. Scenario #4: Joseph asked, “What does your division or company do?” Really big mistake! Solution #4: It is still shocking how many job seekers ask this question. With the web, calling people you know, social media, and many other resources, there is no excuse like, “I didn’t have time.” By the way, in the U.S., one of my favorite resources (one that I have referred hundreds of job seekers to) is your local city’s Business Journal, both their online resources and the printed publication. Look up American City Business Journals online. The keys to devising great questions from you to the interviewer are: How can I show a strength through the question? How can I convey something to the interviewer that we haven’t already covered but it’s important for them to know about me? How can I avoid inadvertently showing softness in a skill they need strength in? Is my question relevant to the interview? You are there for a purpose. Your questions should focus on helping you understand the job or the team you will be joining. For example: Don’t ask, “What are Boeing’s top challenges as a company?” if you are interviewing for an accounting job where the hiring manager is looking for a very specific set of skills. You’re burning up valuable time, you can read those online or in the papers, and the question is not relevant to the job unless you are interviewing for the CEO or CFO position. Here are my favorite questions to ask in an interview: I’m very self-motivated. How will you measure my success in this position after one full year? The first 30 days are very important for me to meet as many team members as possible. How will you recommend I do that? What are the top 3 skills or experiences you are looking for that may not be mentioned in the job description? Of all of the people who have worked for you, what are the characteristics of those who have stood out as great performers? I have to admit I’m a perfectionist in some areas. What are the aspects of this position that absolutely require precision and attention to detail? Of all of the criteria you have outlined for this position, what are the top 3 in stack rank order? The position we are discussing is something I am very excited about. Can you give me feedback on how I am meeting your qualifications and if I will proceed to the next level of the hiring process? (This is called “going for the close” or “asking for the order” in sales.) As an experienced hiring manager and interviewer, I am impressed when a candidate brings out a piece of paper with their questions written out. Obviously, they are prepared, thoughtful and thorough. It’s even better when they write down the answers under each question! Now that’s the type of employee I need on my team. What a great example showing how that person will prepare for an important meeting. What are your challenges or tricks around the “Do you have any questions?” section of an interview? Write them in the comments section below. We want to hear from you!

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

3 Ways to Ace Your Performance Review - Hallie Crawford

3 Ways to Ace Your Performance Review Hallie’s latest US News article addresses something that stresses almost all business professionals- the dreaded performance review. Read on to find out how to get through it with flying colors. Performance reviews, like public speaking and moving, can be stressful and are not most professionals favorite thing to do. Many employees feel that they arent really relevant or accurate. Some managers view them as more of a formality. According to a Cornerstone OnDemand/Harris study conducted in 2011, less than half (45 percent) of the professionals who participated in performance reviews said the feedback they receive is a fair and accurate representation of their performance. This just adds to an employees stress and frustration about the process. When a performance review is conducted well, however, it can help an organization become stronger. And either way, performance reviews are part of being a professional, so its important to know how to handle them as effectively as you can. Click here for three ways to feel more confident about your next performance review, and ace it.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Using New Method of Writing Resume

Using New Method of Writing ResumeA new method of writing resume is a very good thing. Just a few years ago, it was very hard to write a resume and the main problem was that many applicants used filler words and phrases in their resumes. These fillers are sometimes mixed up with the information in your resume, but you never have to worry about this.With the ease of the internet, it is now very easy to get all the information that you need for your resume from research articles and from the websites of agencies. There are so many of these sources on the internet that you can make your job easier.Your resume should be very simple and concise and should contain only information that is relevant to the job you are applying for. You can start writing your resume after taking some introductory classes or after taking an online course that explains what a resume is. Once you have mastered this new method of writing resume, you can add the information that you want to include in your resume. It is your chance to focus more on the things that are important for a job interview.If you do not want to use this new method of writing resume, you may use this old one, but you should concentrate on getting your application accepted if you do use it. It may take a while to understand the new method of writing resume and to learn how to use it properly.You should make sure that you have a well-written application letter that is written very well and that will impress the employer that you are ready to meet the requirements that he wants for his employees. Your letter should also explain the experiences and talents that you have that can make him hire you. You can be as creative as you want to, but the chances are that you will have problems getting hired.The other great idea for you to be able to save time and money when you apply for a job is to go online and look for sample resumes for the companies that you want to apply for. These samples will save you time in preparing your own resume and also you will not have to worry about the grammar and spelling mistakes that you usually make in your application.Using the samples that you find online will not only save you a lot of time, but you will also find that they are very good at telling you how to format your resume, including the use of bullet points and lists. For a better chance of getting hired, you can consider using these samples as your sample for your own resume.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Is the Gig Economy Fake

Is the Gig Economy Fake The explosion of on-demand sharing services through smartphone apps like Uber has produced talk of the new “gig economy,” where people increasingly work as self-employed independent contractors. That concept may be dashed by a lawsuit brought against Uber, charging that their workers are actually employees and not independent contractors. In the meantime, there is significant argument as to whether the new gig economy exists at all, or if it is just overhyped reporting on typical conditions. The Wall Street Journal posited that “Proof of a Gig Economy Revolution Is Hard to Find,” citing Labor Department statistics showing that the percentage of Americans classified as self-employed and unincorporated has been on a steady decline since 1995. Approximately 6.5% of Americans are self-employed, as compared to 8.5% in 1995. It is possible that people could be dabbling in the gig economy as a side job, but the number of Americans holding down multiple jobs has also been decreasing steadily. Neither self-employment nor multiple-job numbers indicate any sort of an upward trend. If the gig economy exists, it has not shown up yet in Labor Department Statistics. Read Next: What it Takes to Make $2,000 a Week Working for TaskRabbit Other estimates include the Government Accounting Office (GAO) tally of a contingent workforce including on-call and temporary workers. The GAO determined this contingent workforce is approximately 8% of the total, but without a frame of reference, it is hard to call that evidence of an increasing gig economy. According to Forbes, one of the conclusions of the GAO report may hold the real answer: depending on the exact definitions used, the contingent workforce could be assumed to be anywhere between 5% and 30%. Economists Larry Katz of Harvard and Alan Krueger of Princeton found fuzzy definitions in interviewing those in the gig economy, noting that a majority of those who have a regular job in addition to gig employment do not consider the gig employment as a “regular job” and thus do not report having multiple jobs in standard government surveys. Katz and Krueger argue that there is evidence that the gig economy is expanding, primarily in tax information. The share of workers receiving 1099 forms and filing Schedule C forms, the necessary evils of self-employment, is on the increase even though the standard self-employment measures from the Labor Department are down. This backs up the premise of a significant unreported slice of the gig economy. Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) compiled data from the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and produced charts showing a decline in the number of traditional 9-to-5 full-time employees and an increase in the number of independent contractors, based on the ability to receive less than full wages and benefits in return for job flexibility. Definitions and reporting criteria may be the reason for the divergence from Labor Department values. So is there a new gig economy revolution, or are we just slapping a new name on an old situation? The gig economy may be based more on perception, such as the staggering market valuation of companies like Uber, compared to their actual effect on employment. It is also possible that the gig economy has not yet made it to standard Labor Department data, either through natural time lags or underreporting. Either way, it seems likely that opportunities for a gig economy revolution are increasing, but it is too early to say that the revolution has arrived. Let’s see what happens after a year or two of on-demand company expansions, legal challenges, and the response of an economy mired in slow growth and desperate for an increase in full-time jobs. More From MoneyTips: Top Retirement Planning Mistakes of the Self-Employed Best Paying Part-Time Jobs Retirement and the Self-Employed Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time  0:00/Duration  0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type  LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time  -0:00  SharePlayback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedAudio TrackFullscreenThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. 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Monday, March 16, 2020

Administrative Salary Hiring Trends for 2017 - TheJobNetwork

Administrative Salary Hiring Trends for 2017 - TheJobNetworkIf you work in the office or administrative support sector, youre in luck. These occupations are poised to see about a million and a half new job openings by 2022. Companies are filling vacancies and making new ones at a rapid pace, seeking employees who have experience in the industry, a proven track record for collaboration and initiative, excellent communication skills, technological savvy, a positive attitude, and are keen to advance.1Here are some trends to watch out for this year.1. Job Title ChangesAdmin professionals are being tasked with differentand morejob responsibilities. This is starting to reflect in titles like Chief Executive Administrator, Director of First Impressions, Administrative Chief of Staff, Director of Administration, and Administrative Services Manager.2. Job Description ObsolescenceYour job description doesnt match your day-to-day work at all. Youre doing so much more and such bigger tasks that you hardly recognize the job you were hired to do. Its time to revamp your job description. Ask your manager if you can sit down and create an updated version. This helps hold both of you accountable, and will help to show your performance more accurately when review (and raise) time comes along.3. Salary BumpsGood news Salaries are improving by an average of 3% or moreespecially for certain senior and HR positions. If you speak another language, or you have a Certified Administrative Professional designation, or youre a specialist in the MS Office Suite, youre likely to be in line for more money.4. Diversifying RolesIn this new global world, different skills and experience will be more in demand. Bilingualism, customer service skills, financial savvy, etc. Start thinking about what you offer outside the box in the new economy.5. TechnologyGone are the days of getting jobs just because of lightning fast typing speed. New technology happens fastand administrative professionals have to keep up. Educate yourself and specialize in multi-skilled roles involving online marketing, web development, customer service, and other online aspects of your job, and youll go far. Youll want to focus less on the old standards of spreadsheets and data entry and more on new things like web conferencing, IT hardware, and other software systems.6. EducationThere will be a trend toward employers requiring an associates degreeat minimumfor their administrative hires. Get yourself on the cutting edge and get your associatesor even your bachelorsto stay ahead of the curve.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

8 Things Parents of Successful Kids Do Differently

8 Things Parents of Successful Kids Do Differently When it comes to parenting, every person has his or her own style depending on whats best for their families and their personal lives. But its no secret that parenting styles can greatly shape the future of a child, and determine their success in life.Some parenting decisions have been proven to produce more successful children than others. Heres what the parents of successful children are doing different1. They exhibit an authoritative parenting style.Parents who raise successful children exhibit an authoritative parenting style, rather than authoritarian. Authoritative parenting can be compared to a hosting a democracy. Authoritative parents set rules and expect them to be followed, but they also allow rules to be up-for-debate. Authoritarian parents do not allow debate or evenquestioning of rules. Children of authoritarian parents tend to have lower self-esteem and are at a greater risk for wirtschaftskrise than those of authorita tive parents, according to Psychology Today.2. They choose a healthy diet and exercise regime for themselves.Parents who are in good physical shape are better able to keep up with their kids and spend more time with them. Further, children look up to their parents, so being a fit role model means having fit children. Children with healthy parents are likely to mimic healthy behaviors throughout their lives.3. They expose their children to different cultures.Exposing children to different places, people, and cultures helps them to utilize parts of their brains that are not used in their natural childhood environment. According to The Telegraph.Traveling activates the area of the brain responsible for a childs cognitive functioning, social intelligence, attention, motivation, and memory.4. They give their children chores.The Harvard Grant Study claims that the biggest predictor of ones success is whether or not they were given chores as a child. Chores help children learn discipline, prioritization, cooperation, and teamwork. Chores arechildrens first peek into the real world and the hard work it requires, allowing them to anticipate the dedication required of advanced schooling orcareers.5. They teach their children how to learn from failures.Parents of successful children stress legitimate effort over actual success. While good grades are important to these parents, hard work is even more so. A child whos able to work hard but recoup when something goes wrong is much more poised for lifelong success than a child whos scared to abflug for fear they wont be perfect.6. They eat dinner as a family.Having a regular meal together as a family gives children consistency and structure, instituting personal discipline early. Family dinners also help to build relationships among family members and allow for children to address any issues they may be having.The American College of Pediatricians found that children who regularly eat meals with their families are less likel y to exhibit negative high-risk behaviors, likely as a result of being less lonely and having stronger familial relationships.7. They give children their own responsibilities.Aside from assigning them chores, parents of successful children let them learn how to be responsible by themselves allowing their kids to make their own decisions with their time and prioritization. For example, successful parents might allow their child to plan their schedule for the week, or decide what to bring to school for lunch.8. They help their kids develop social skills.Helping children learn how to interact and work well with others can determine the childs success in the future. A 20-year study published in the American Journal of Public Health discovered that socially competent children are more likely to have a college degree and a career by the time they turn 25, and less likely to be arrested, engage in binge drinking, or apply for public housing.