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#JobSearch : How To Answer The 7 Most Important Job Interview Questions. A MUst Read Prior to your Next Interview!

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You’ve finally landed an interview for your dream job. It’s Thursday at 9PM, and in 12 hours, you’ll be talking to the hiring manager.  But right now, you’re stuck nervously refreshing the “Mission” page on the company website.  How can you prepare yourself?

Well, to start with, give yourself a major “congratulations.“  You’ve already done better than 80% of candidates by landing an interview.  Remind yourself that you were chosen because you stood out from the rest and you are qualified.

Think hard on all the things that make you qualified for the position, and the skill you would bring to the role. And most importantly, keep your mindset positive by remembering to really believe in what you’re capable of. You don’t always need experience in an exact arena to be skillful in the work you do. In fact, there is a scientific basis to the strength of positive affirmations, a tool you can use to get yourself inspired.  What’s more is that confidence is integral to nailing an interview, given that 40% of hiring professionals say that overall confidence influences a candidate’s chances of getting hired.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

So now that you’ve talked yourself up to yourself, how do you get ready to do the same in front of an interviewer? You never know when you’ll be thrown an interrogative curveball, but there are some likely questions you can definitely expect and be prepared for.

1) “Tell me a little about yourself”

What might seem like an innocuous question is actually a very important one. Interviewers often see this as a “warm up” question, and what’s more, it’s often an opening for more in-depth conversation.

In my experience as a career coach, I’ve developed a 4-part formula for acing this question.  Here goes:

  1. Your story:  How you tell your story will show the interviewer that you’re not just applying to jobs at random and counting your blessings that you got an interview.  This is your chance to show them that they are dealing with someone with drive and direction.  In telling your story, you should focus on the why that put you in that interview room, and give a compelling narrative trajectory to your career history.  Focus on a story from childhood or a meaningful moment of clarity that helped stir in you the drive to follow your particular career path.
  2. The “cuff:”  I call this one the cuff, because you want it to come across as “off the cuff.”  That is, you want it to be short and sweet.  This is your chance to address anything you might feel less than confident about on your resumé or application.  Maybe you have a gap in your work history, or you left a job shortly after starting it. Recruiters usually pick up on these things, however, they may not give you another chance to address it in the interview. In speaking directly to a potential flaw or shortcoming that may otherwise be unaddressed, you come across as self-aware and proactive.  Make sure to weave this in in a way that fits in with the overall narrative of your career.
  3. Your “golden skill:”  Employers aren’t swayed by a candidate who over-emphasizes skills across the board.  Instead, focus on a skill that relates closely to the job to which you are applying, and present it in a testimonial fashion. Remember, a “humble brag” plays better here than cockiness. In a study of HR professionals, 72% rated “over-confidence” as “the biggest personality turnoff.” An anecdote about how feedback from someone else helped you realize your strength in a certain area and how this impacted your career goals should do the trick.
  4. Your goal:  This is how you tie a bow around a great story of your personal career trajectory. Think about what you are passionate about within your field and where you would like to see this passion take your career.  Bring this goal around to the mission of the company to which you are applying. Hiring managers want candidates who they are confident will commit long term. By framing your career goals as aligned with the company’s mission, you’ll instill confidence in the interviewer that you’ll be a good hire who sticks around.

This may seem like a lot, but think of it as your “elevator pitch,” a concise and confident sales pitch of yourself as a strong candidate. Write a script out, and practice it until it feels natural.

2) What is your biggest weakness?

This is an opportunity to be truthful and candid, and show that you are self-reflective about your personality and your work performance. Self-awareness is one of the most crucial soft skills in the workplace, and also one that’s in short supply: while 95% of people think that they’re self aware, research indicates only 10–15% actually are. Use this question as an opportunity to show that you’re one of the rare one in ten.

Before we get into what you should say, here’s what not to say:

  • “I’m a perfectionist”—they’ve heard that one before.
  • “I’m a workaholic”—they know this is a way for you to dodge the question.
  • “I take work home with me” — this shows that you struggle with time management.
  • “I’m a people pleaser”—this is your way of telling them you’ll always say “yes,” and it’s not enough of a weakness to make them feel like you’re being vulnerable.

Answering this question well is a balancing act: you want to emphasize something that isn’t a major character flaw or weakness. You also don’t want your answer to read as if you are avoiding the question or that you are unwilling to admit that you have room for growth and improvement.

Prepare for this question by considering the most important qualities of the job to which you are applying and what “flaws” might actually be assets in the role. Are they seeking a collaborator or a self-starter? A leader? Or someone who is good at following direction?

Seems like a tightrope walk? Not all of these ideas will land for every role, but try some on for size and see if you can fit any into your narrative.

  • I lead with emotion, and prefer to trust instincts.
  • I work best on my own, and I’m stronger at hitting goals without excessive guidance.
  • I work better in a team/group environment, and need the collaboration of others to execute a vision.
  • I tend to be better at thinking big picture, and prefer to delegate details to others.
  • I’m best at focusing on small details, and rely on the help of collaborators to see the big picture.

If you’re clear on what your weakness is and you need help explaining it, here’s a five step formula I tell my clients to use for this question, all the time:

  1. Pick a weakness you’ve been working on.  You want to be able to show progress in this narrative of your weaknesses.
  2. Acknowledge how it has been a challenge in the past.  Showing the interviewer that you are aware of how this limitation has affected you in the past will show self-reflection and self-awareness.
  3. Show steps you are taking toward working on.  Give concrete examples of how you are taking on your limitations or weakness head on.
  4. Show how you are making progress. Explain how you have noticed progress in yourself in overcoming your weakness.
  5. Emphasize that you’ve been acknowledged for your progress.  Round out your explanation of this weakness with an anecdote about how colleagues or bosses have noticed the progress you have made.

3) Why Are You The Best Person For This Job?

The truth is, you don’t know if you are. But you have to believe you are. Remember all that stuff about positive affirmations and confidence?

One way I love to start answering this question is by saying, “here’s what you won’t find about me on my resume…” and from there, share about a soft skill that is important to the job. Here are a few statements/skills to consider:

  • “I execute and don’t require much follow up.”
  • “I am good at anticipating issues and getting ahead of them.”
  • “My superpower is handling an upset customer with ease.”

Once you make a statement like this, back it up with a quick 30 second story that shows them, and doesn’t just tell them, you have an ability. An anecdote like this will give them insight into who you are and how you show up at work. A story like this goes well beyond a warm conversation and a short gander at your resume to paint a picture of who you are. That is everything.

Additionally, this question is really an opportunity to show that you’ve done your homework when it comes to the company. Think back to the cover letter you sent when you applied. Answering this question is a lot like writing a great cover letter: you have to tie your skills and experience directly to the role that you’re interviewing for. Before you walk into the interview, take a look at your resume and write down, for each job, what your biggest accomplishment was and how the skills you used for it in the past relate to the job you want. Knowing this before you walk through the door can help you add a lot of value in this conversation.

Learn as much as you can about the position, as well as the company as a whole and the work culture there. If you can use your network to connect with someone at the company who can give you an insider look at the things, all the better.

Beyond showing that you have the necessary experience and skills to fulfill the responsibilities of the role, your answer to this question gives you a chance to show that you are a good “culture fit.” Finding candidates who fit into the “work culture” is more important than ever.

According to a study by Millennial Branding, 43% of HR pros say that being a good culture fit is the most important quality a candidate can demonstrate.  Company culture isn’t just about the good water cooler banter: 90% of North American CEO and CFOs believe the the quality of a company culture is closely tied to its financial success and its reputation and perception by the public.

Most people will be trying to show that they can perform the specific responsibilities of the job. Indicating that you are factoring in work culture will give you a leg up.

4) How do you deal with conflict in the workplace?

This question is a great way to emphasize that you have strong emotional intelligence , which hiring managers view emotional intelligence as a crucial soft skill. In fact, 71% of hiring managers say they’d prefer a candidate with strong emotional intelligence over a high IQ, and 59% said that they would even pass on a candidate with a high IQ but low emotional intelligence.

By demonstrating your capacity for empathy, and your understanding of dealing with different personality types, you will show that you’re highly emotionally intelligent.

Remember, the last thing you want to do in an interview is express any negativity.  So it’s important when answering the question to tread lightly in how you portray conflict you may have had with co-workers in the past.  You don’t want to make a point about how difficult or obstructive a certain colleague may have been.  Instead, say you noticed that there were certain dynamics that were holding back the team from progress, and you took steps to address them with proactive communication and dialogue.

The interviewer may ask the questions in a way that solicits a more situational answer, such as “tell me about a time you dealt with a conflict at work.” Here’s a formula that I have found successful for answering this questions in a way that paints you in the best possible light.

“I was working with a certain individual, and I noticed that they would often (insert a problem behavior, such as ‘resist taking on more work’) when x situation would arise.  I felt that this was holding back the team from meeting our goals.  I took the opportunity to address this in a careful, one-on-one conversation with my colleague directly, and found that having a frank conversation in private was effective in conveying my concerns.  I learned from this conversation (insert insight about conflict strategies,) so I’m grateful to have had it. After we talked, I found that we were all more on track to meet the team’s goals.”

Emphasizing the companies mission and team’s goal rather than focusing on the shortcoming of past co-workers will show that you results-oriented, and you can see beyond interpersonal dynamics and focus on the greater good of the work.

If you’re someone who is conflict averse, or you’re not confident you have good conflict-resolution skills, here’s a crash course on some communication strategies. These practices will make you confident that you’ll be able to follow through on your promise to be an A+ communicator:

  • Lead with compassion and empathy. Show that you try to understand where someone else is coming from, or why something may make them feel a certain way.
  • “I statements” rather than “you statements.” This helps you focus on your own subjective experience, rather than pointing out flaws in others.
  • Replace “but” with “and.” This seems basic, but it’s an easy fix that can quickly deescalate a conversation from an argument to a discussion.
  • Ask yourself, “Am I listening, or just waiting to talk?” We learned how to take turns in kindergarten, but that doesn’t mean we always remember to apply the principle in conversation

5) Where do you see yourself in five years?

Please, please, don’t say “in your job.”

Like the “a little about yourself” question, this is an opening to show that you have confidence and drive in your career trajectory.  You want to show that you are consistent in your goals and that you’re committed to the hard work and follow-through required for the job. This is also a chance to show that you are confident that you will perform at a level that will allow you to continue to ascend.

Here are three things companies want to hear in your answer to this question:

  • A desire to grow with the company.
  • A desire to be challenged within the company
  • An alignment with your wants and the companies needs

A great answer would emphasize that the opportunity to grow within the company would be aligned with your long term goals for your career, and that you would also be grateful for the opportunity to help others grow and contribute to the common goals of the company.

6) What can we expect from you in your first 90 days?

This is one more chance to show that you’ve done your research. The best way to answer this is to start with some specifics.  Make it clear that you not only understand the responsibilities of the position, but also that you’re thinking ahead to what the short-term and long-term goals for that role might look like.

Here are some specific ideas of how you might spend your first three months that will show that you’ve considered how you would integrate into the company:

  • Meet with managers to discuss the specifics of short-term and long-term goals, and what goals would be extraordinary if you met them.
  • Map out and prioritizing goals that will “move the needle,” and contribute most meaningfully to the company.
  • Make time to be an observer, and learning as much as you can about the company culture and different facets of the business.
  • Connect one-on-one with new co-workers.

Another strong answer for this question could start with researching what’s working for the company’s competitors, and offering some creative solutions that you’d love to take initiative on if they hired you. By sharing with them your vision for what’s possible with you on their team, you’re making the job offer a no brainer!

7) Do you have any questions for me?

The answer to this one is simple: “yes.”

That is to say, you want to make sure that you are prepared with just a few questions of your own— not too many, but a few. This will likely be the last question, and therefore the last opportunity you have to show them that you are prepared and enthusiastic, and that you’ve considered your place in the company culture, not just your tasks in the specific position. It also might be the last chance you have to gather info that may be crucial if you are given an offer.

Here are a few directions you might take it:

  • What would success ideally look like from me, if I was in this role?
  • If I did an extraordinary job in this role, what goals would I reach in 6–12 months?
  • What’s a typical day possibly look like in this role?
  • When are you looking for someone to start?
  • I was very excited to read about X Initiative, could you tell me more about that?
  • I noticed a lot of emphasis placed on company work culture, could you tell me about your experience of the culture here?
  • What’s your favorite part about working at X Corp?
  • Do you have a certain story or memory that speaks to your experience of working here?

Every interview will be different, and you may hear all or none of these questions.  But it’s likely that an interviewer will touch on some of these subjects, and preparing to address the ideas that arise from these common questions will help you put your best foot forward in an interview.

Try to remember that, at its most basic, an interview is just a conversation. Stay confident and don’t forget that it’s a two-way street. They want you as badly as you want them!

Forbes.com – December 10, 2020 – Ashley Stahl

#JobSearch : Know Your Worth – Salary Negotiations. With so many people currently seeking employment, the question is, “What salary are you willing to accept?”

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With so many people currently seeking employment, trying to determine what your skills are worth can be challenging. The question is, “What salary are you willing to accept?” If you have been presented with a job offer, you may feel like you MUST accept what is offered or walk away from the position.

 

However, this is not the case. With careful c-level personal branding and these tips, you can negotiate a better salary and gain the compensation you deserve. 

Research, Research, Research

If you have a friend at the company, ask them how pay works there, and if they know anything about the position that you’re trying for.  Especially look at new employee salary, if available.  Keep in mind that their idea of proficiency may not be yours, just saying that you’re proficient in French doesn’t make it so in their eyes.

Call HR and get the name and full list of responsibilities for the position that you’re interviewing for.  You can use this information to find a benchmark position online — essentially, the commonly used title for what you’ll be doing.  This will allow you to do accurate salary research.

Through various sources online, you should be able to find salary ranges for different positions.  If women’s and men’s pay information is available, use the men’s, even if you’re a woman!  Unfortunately, it’s likely to be higher; in this way you can ensure that your negotiations are as fair as you can make them.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Take into account that location is a big factor in pay rate. What’s the cost of living at the job location?  If possible, get average pay rates there and figure out what the salary range for your position is in that area, if you can’t find the specific numbers on that.

Salary Range
Often, employers like to ask about your salary requirements in advance.  They can use this factor to weed out expensive employees or to offer you less, if you were previously underpaid.  Instead of giving them this leverage, whenever possible, avoid giving any information.  State that it’s negotiable, based upon job responsibilities.

If it’s impossible to avoid completely, give the range that you’ve come up with from your research.  And when in negotiations, start at the top of that range, because you know the company is likely to want to start at the bottom. If the salary you’re offered is far below the range that you expected, verify that the list of responsibilities you used is correct.  Verify the position title.

Research has shown that women are less likely to negotiate for a higher salary than men are. It is believed that this is a factor that leads to lower pay for women.  Women, take this into consideration: you are expected to negotiate.

Think Creatively

Compensation isn’t limited to what you bring home in your paycheck. There are other ways you can be compensated for your time and can help you boost your salary negotiations. If your prospective employer won’t increase your starting salary, consider asking for a performance review in six months to give you time to prove your worth. You may also inquire about:

  • Signing bonuses
  • Stocks
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Paid time off
  • Flexibility in your work schedule or location

These terms can bring value without increasing the salary your employer will pay. If the job offer involves a move, find out how much the relocation package is worth and if there will be any expenses on your part.  If there are going to be some, ask for additional compensation or a way to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.  Remember, if your house doesn’t sell right away, it’s possible that you could be carrying 2 mortgages for some time. 

Company Culture is a Factor

Consider the culture of the company.  Salary and benefits aren’t everything. Don’t get me wrong, you need to earn what it takes for you to live at a certain standard, but your happiness in a job and the culture of the company is more important than any pay check that you’ll ever receive. If the company is the right fit and has what you’re looking for, then you should consider all personal and professional benefits related to working in a positive work environment.  You don’t want to be looking for a new job in two years, and the company certainly doesn’t want to be conducting another recruitment in two years.

Practice

Like all other areas of life, practice makes perfect. There is value in practicing your negotiating skills with family members or a friend before you head to the negotiating table. Make sure your loved one offers some resistance so you can practice what you will say when the time comes. Negotiating your salary can be one of the most difficult aspects of interviewing for a new job, especially for women. While you focus on your c-level personal branding when writing a professional resume, you must understand what your real worth is so you can fight for every cent you deserve.

Know Your Bottom-Line

Do ensure that you go in knowing exactly what you’re willing to accept.  Otherwise, you may feel pressured into accepting an offer that you’re not really willing to live with. You need to understand your worth and be prepared to walk away if an employer doesn’t realize that value. If you are the ideal candidate for the position, there is a chance they will offer you more once you let them know you are no longer interested. However, you need to be prepared to follow through if they don’t change their offer.

No matter what decision you make or what happens as part of the negotiation, be enthusiastic, appear gracious, and remain professional.  The company has done you a favor and has already possibly spent thousands of dollars recruiting you. Remember, everyone is a contact in the business world, and the last thing you want to do is burn a bridge.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog – December 7, 2020

#JobSearch : 5 Interview Mistakes That Are Costing You A Chance At Your Dream Job. Great Checklist Before for Today’s Job Interview.

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Interviewing can undoubtedly be a nerve-wracking experience for many. The unfortunate reality is that a great deal of job seekers were never taught how to prepare for an interview. As such, they unknowingly make common mistakes that prevent them from getting their dream job.

Aside from looking polished and professional, arriving on time and doing your research, you should use this time to let your personality shine. Employers want to know you’re qualified for the position, but they also want to know that you’d be a good cultural addition. The way they assess this is through your personality and how you interact with them throughout the interview.

Here are five common mistakes you could be making that are costing you a chance at your dream job.

Avoiding The Salary Question

Unless you’re certain of the exact salary you’re worth, make sure to always give a salary range. This lets employers know the lowest salary you’re open to receiving. Paw Vej, recruitment manager and team leader at Financer, a leading financial comparison website, said, “if you have no idea what your realistic salary is, you have no starting point for a negotiation. Start by figuring out what the average salaries are for the position in which you’re interviewing.” You can utilize sites such as LinkedIn Salary, Glassdoor and Salary.com, to name a few, to get a range of what the typical salary is in your industry and location.

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

While many people recommend not giving a salary and avoiding the question altogether, ultimately everyone has a minimum salary in mind. Furthermore, company’s typically have an inflexible budget if yours exceeds what they can afford. In order to not waste your time or the company’s, it’s important to be transparent upfront.

Likewise, not having taken the time to prepare an answer to this question isn’t always favorable. Larry Pendleton, president and CEO of Government Services Exchange, asserted, “I always know the average pay for a person seeking a specific position, so overshooting and even undershooting the salary question will leave me wondering about the candidate’s confidence.” He added, “a simple Google search will reveal the average salary for any position globally. Know your experience, and be ready with an honest number.”

For rare and unique positions that aren’t easy to benchmark, Sarah Johnston, job search strategist and founder of The Briefcase Coach, recommended candidates to instead respond with, “I’m still learning about this position and what it entails and I’m still not clear on the total compensation. Based on what I know, I feel comfortable sharing that I would need to make between X and X. Does my range match yours for the role?”

Blaming Your Last Company

One of the biggest red flags for an interviewer is when a candidate speaks badly about a current or past employer. Aaron Simmons, founder of Test Prep Genie, explained, “though it’s true that there’s no perfect company, it’s still inappropriate and unprofessional to directly put the blame on them for unfavorable job experiences.” He added, “it gives the interviewer the impression that should you be hired and leave after some years, you would also stab them at the back.”

Conversely, with more awareness being brought to workplace bullying, if you left due to mistreatment, it’s okay to share that the company was not a fit for you while leaving the details for a later time. As an HR professional who was also the victim of workplace bullying, I understand how common it is. While I can empathize with candidates who have also been bullied and mistreated, there’s a fine line between sharing an experience and using an interview to air your grievances and bash a company.

Not Doing Your Homework

Regardless of industry or location, there are standard interview questions in which every company asks. As a job seeker, it’s important that you do your homework and are prepared to answer these questions. An example of a common question is “what makes you interested in working for your company?” Hiring managers typically ask this to better understand your motivation for applying for the job. Not doing your homework and failing to research into the company is a sure way to be disqualified early on.

Before your interview, take the time to visit the company’s website and learn about their core values, the clients or customers they serve, the products or services they deliver, how they give back to the community, the LinkedIn page of the person interviewing you as well as recent events or company milestones. Not only will these provide great talking points and potentially find common ground with the interviewer, but they’ll help you to form insightful questions to ask during the interview.

Failing To Ask Insightful Questions

Interviewing is a two way process. This is the time for you to interview a prospective employer to see if they’re a right fit for you just as they’re wanting to see if you’re a good fit for them.

When you ask questions during an interview, it shows the interviewer you’re engaged, you’ve done your research and you care about more than just a salary. Asking questions only about the salary and benefits tells interviewers you only care about what’s in it for you. Vej shared, “as an interviewer, I need to see that you’re actually interested in the work, otherwise, you’re not going to perform very well, in my experience.”

Failing to ask questions could put you into a toxic workplace situation. For this reason, make sure you ask questions that will give you insight into what you would be entering into should you be made an offer and accept.

Here are some questions to get you started:

  • Why did the last person in this position leave?
  • What would the onboarding look like for someone joining the company?
  • How do you invest in your employees development?
  • What makes you proud to work at (company name)?
  • When and how is feedback given?
  • What would you say would be my biggest challenge if I would join the company?
  • What are some ways you celebrate individuals or company milestones?

Leading With An Ego

You can have an impressive resume with superior qualifications, but if you let your ego lead the interview, interviewers will see you as problematic and opt for someone more humble. There’s a difference between selling yourself versus focusing only on yourself. Vej explained, “if you only focus on yourself, it becomes very difficult for me to see how you can provide value for our company.” The key is being able to connect your accomplishments with how they’ve helped your current or previous employer.

Additionally, when it comes to answering the “what’s your greatest weakness” question, the worst thing you can say is that you have no weaknesses. This shows the interviewer that you lack self awareness. The reason behind asking this question is not only to see how self aware you are, but how you’re working to address and improve those weaknesses.

Candidate’s who lead with their ego feel like the interview is a waste of time and their skills are far superior to any other applicants. Moreover, they use the interview to boast about how great they are. While an interviewer may carry out the rest of the interview, mentally they’ve already written the candidate off.

Forbes.com – November 30, 2020 – Heidi Lynne Kurter

#JobSearch : 5 Interview Questions to Ask During COVID. Not Only are the Questions you will Be Asked Different, but the Questions YOU ask SHOULD be as Well.

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It’s clear that the global pandemic that has consumed 2020 has also changed the way our professional world operates.  If you’re in an active job search or feel like you may be one of the next victims of a layoff or furlough at your work place, understand that interviewing has changed.

Not only are the questions you will be asked different, but the questions YOU ask SHOULD be as well. Companies have reinvented their work environments due to COVID, and it can leave candidates with questions that need to be answered.

As you prepare for your next job interview, there are some things you will want to consider:

✅ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦?
Companies usually have an onboarding process that may include a week or more of touring the office, meeting key department heads, attending new employee orientation, etc. If you are working remotely, onboarding from home can be tricky. So, what are the plans they have in place to integrate you into your new team? The sooner you are incorporated and engaged, the sooner you will be able to demonstrate you were the right pick for the job.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

✅ 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬? Asking this question gets to how they value their staff. You can ask how many employees they had to lay-off temporarily or permanently. How a company treats and values their employees will show you a lot, and may help you determine whether this is a place you want to work.

✅ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝? Most companies will have a protocol in place by this time, but you should know what it is. If they don’t have one, you may want to rethink this company.

✅ 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬? There are many different types of changes they could have made. There are physical changes within an office building, such as office spacing, cleaning procedures… They could also be offering mental health support to employees struggling with the challenges of this long-term pandemic or losing a family member. The types of supports they have made gives you an idea of the culture and how well the company works together.

✅ 𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞? This is an obvious question, but there are ramifications if it is. What tools do they supply to outfit your office at home? Do you know how to use the technology and collaboration tools? What are you expected to provide yourself?

The more you know about specifics before accepting an offer of employment in today’s unpredictable work environments, the more focus you will be able to give to your new job duties.

FSC Career Blog Author: Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog | November 23, 2020

#JobSearch : How To Answer New, Hard Interview Questions Employers Now Ask. Companies are Asking about a New Line of Interview Questioning that is Stumping Them.

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Career Counseling clients started asking about a new line of interview questioning that is stumping them. They wanted guidance on how to develop an effective answer to diversity questions. Larger employers, especially Fortune 500 employers, have begun to add one or two diversity questions into their interviewing process. These are very difficult when you are not prepared for them.

One Fortune 100 Recruiter said, “our company has implemented a few new policies in response to the need to diversify the workforce. The key problem is that hiring managers often introduce their personal biases into the hiring process. So, the first change has been to send our hiring managers resumes to review where the recruiter has replaced the job candidate’s name with a number.

This way, everyone is equal, and no one brings personal biases into the interviewing process. Having had twenty years of hiring experience, I’ll tell you EVERYONE is raised with some innate biases against other cultures, races, genders, or sexual orientation. If you don’t think so, ask Baby Boomers what they think of tattoos? You will hear an opinion, for sure. Our company wants to level the playing field when hiring new employees and develop a culture where they feel they belong. We now have all our hiring managers ask a couple of diversity questions during the job interview.”

“Diversity initiatives are now at the forefront of every HR leader’s to-do list,” said a Chief of Human Resources who asked to remain nameless. “SHRM (the Society of Human Resources Management) has provided plenty of valuable resources to help companies big and small deal with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues which start with hiring new talent. I’ve been sitting through numerous webinars in the last few months covering this topic. Our company is smaller, and we are just beginning to develop a diversity plan. I am currently asking job candidates at least one diversity question in their interview with me.”

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Diversity questions often catch people off guard. It is a sign of the times that more employers are asking these, though. The job hunter, if unprepared, typically answers diversity questions poorly. That can mean elimination from that job.

Right approach

We live in a global workplace with many companies doing business with other nations. How do you define diversity? It’s not just race, but it can also include gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, and generational gap.

To answer appropriately, you must stress these three things:

·        tolerance

·        acceptance

·        inclusion

Older, more mature workers may have more biases because of the times which they were raised. Maybe you support vets. Perhaps you dislike a nationality because of war experiences. You must bring a more neutral attitude to your job in these sensitive times. All ages can have biases, so you are likely not immune from this issue, whether you are 30 or 60.

Answering Diversity questions

Here are a few questions and sample answers to help you understand how you can answer these questions.

Describe a time you were in a group of diverse people?

One client was from the Middle East, and she had experienced a great deal of discrimination. This question threw her in the interview. She confessed she had a complete block on how to handle this question. I worked with her in our interview coaching session to make her position and experiences better known. She said:

“I’m usually the person with the most diversity in any workgroup because of my Middle East birth. I have found others are usually afraid to ask me questions for fear of offending me. I am rather introverted, and in my culture, men’s opinions mattered more. I have realized that I must speak out more frequently and offer my ideas. I now actively participate in brainstorming sessions to solve problems. I even talk a bit about some of my life growing up in the Middle East. People are more comfortable around me because I made a significant effort to be more open and share.”

Here is how a male engineer in a global company answered.

“In my company, we have people from all over the world, so our workgroup is very diverse. I noticed some people are very quiet in the group. They offer more if we two are talking, but they remain silent in a group. I have realized the reluctance to speak in a larger group was because of age or generational differences or cultural differences. I then took on a more active role in group settings, even though I am not the leader. I’ll ask each person by name if they have any ideas or anything to add. This approach has given us new and better ideas to solve problems because everyone comes from a different perspective. It has also helped build more acceptance and make these people feel included and not like outsiders.”

As a manager, what strategies have you used to address diversity challenges?

“Many of our customers are from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds, so being savvy on how to act and what to say shows insight and good business acumen. As a result, I have taken several classes on diversity and became more sensitive to this issue. I do my best to promote tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion. I work with some resistant people who need additional training classes and coaching to be more sensitive. I coach them privately or call in HR and have HR offer a training course for my teams and indirect reports. I sell it as a terrific way to get more input from every person on the team, which allows us to come up with new ideas, productivity, and process/system or design improvements. That approach has been successful for me.”

Another answered with a clear-cut example:

“I had a female tech employee come to me and stated she overheard some men talking about their salaries. She did the same job and was shocked to hear that these men made more than $10,000 more than her. She requested an immediate raise to be equal to her male peers. I investigated the issue, and I found that all seven women I had in my division were underpaid. I took the issue to senior leadership and asked them to rectify the situation. This was not an easy sell because the company was in a so-called ‘no promotion, no raises’ timeframe. I talked to all the women involved and kept them informed. I was able to get equity raises through and retroactive to the beginning of the year. I pushed hard for this because it was the right thing to do. I feel strongly we need to offer fair, equitable pay to both men and women.”

Think about a few diversity questions you might be asked. (This Forbes article has more). Many interviewers want you to offer a specific work example. Think about the best illustration you can present, showing you to be accepting and tolerant. Write out your answer. Roleplay and say the words out loud. Perfect the answer, so you are ready to handle these challenging questions when asked.

 

Forbes.com | November 3, 2020 | Robin Ryan

#JobSearch : 6 Things You Need To Do Before, During And After A Job Interview. A MUst REad!

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To have a successful job interview, there are a few key things you need to focus on. Preparation beforehand is critical, as is the way you perform in the interview itself and the way you follow up afterwards.

These tips will help you ace your next virtual or in-person interview.

Before the interview.

Research

It’s important to research the company you’ll potentially be working for so that you have a better understanding of the company culture and what working there is like. Look at the company’s website as well as sites like Glassdoor to get a feel for what employees think about working for the company. Read reviews to see if anything raises a red flag and if overall employee outlook on the company is positive or negative.

Prepare questions

It’s just as important for you to ask questions at the end of a job interview as it is for you to answer them, because that helps you gain more insight into what working at the company is really like. You want to make your questions as specific as possible and avoid asking anything that could be answered by going to their website. If you want to know about company culture, try asking for clarification of something you’ve read – ‘I saw on the website that one of your core values is learning. Can you tell me more about the kind of learning and development options that you offer?’

You first impression begins the moment you turn on your video in Zoom. It’s of utmost importance that your background is clean and clutter free and you are dressed professionally. If you can’t find a good background in your home, use a virtual one instead. Replace the handshake with a greeting and thank the hiring manager for inviting you to the interview. Be sure to look directly at the camera when you’re speaking so that it gives the impression you’re looking the hiring manager in their eyes. You can look at them when they’re speaking, but when it’s your turn, speak to the camera not their picture.

Talk about more than just what’s on your resume.

The hiring manager has already looked over your resume, so they know the details of your work history. The interview is when you can elaborate and give more details about your accomplishments and the type of work you did. Back up your answers with statistics wherever possible, as this helps to show how you’ll add value to the company.

Don’t answer yes or no questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Always elaborate on your answers. Saying yes or no doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything about you, so don’t throw away an opportunity to sell your abilities by using one word answers. If you’re asked if you have experience working with a specific program or software, say yes and explain how you used it. If your answer is no, think of something comparable that you do have experience with and explain how you think it’s relevant.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Follow up.

Stay in contact with the hiring manager.

No matter how well or how poorly you think the interview went, you absolutely must follow up afterwards. A quick message to the hiring manager thanking them for their time goes a long way. In your follow up, you should include the position you interviewed for, a quick takeaway from your interview, and a reiteration about why you’d like the job. If you want to get creative, you can send a video message or a link to your website if you have a portfolio of work you’d like to share.

Continue to follow up regarding next steps like a second round of interviews or a decision being made. You should already know when the hiring manager intends to reach out, so be proactive and send an email if you haven’t heard from them by a few days after they said they’d be in touch. Keep this email short and to the point – a couple of sentences will suffice.

Forbes.com | October 30, 2020 | Ashira Prossack

#JobSearch : 3 Reasons You’re Not Getting More Job Interviews (Even Though You’re Qualified). “Screw This! I Can Do Better!”

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“Screw this! I can do better!” Some variation of this usually pops in your head the moment you decide to get serious about searching for a new position. Fueled with excitement and optimism, the idea of landing a new job elsewhere seems worth the effort.

But, after more rejection emails than you’re willing to admit, you start to wonder if you’re really cut out for the next step in your career. You question if now is the right time, if you should stay put and if you’re even qualified. Even though you know you have what it takes to excel in the role you want, the lack of job interviews makes you contemplate if you’re in over your head, especially given the current job market.

However, rather than second-guessing your skills, it might be time to reevaluate your job search approach instead. Here are three reasons you’re not getting more job interviews even though you know you’re qualified for the roles you want. 

You’re not clear on what you want to do next.

Most people, whenever you ask them what they want, they’ll usually tell you what they don’t want instead. But, it’s not enough to want to leave your current job, you have to know where you’re headed. Especially at a time when the job market isn’t what it used to be, you can’t afford to toss your resume out into the wind and hope for the best. Applying for jobs without crystal clear clarity is a sure way to get denied, even when you know you’re qualified.

When you’re not clear on which type of jobs you should pursue, you risk appearing overqualified for some jobs and unqualified for others. So many high-achievers tell me that they’re frustrated because they keep hearing that they’re amazing but they’re not getting hired. One of the main reasons for that is because, even with great experience, without a clear focus on what you want to do next, it’s much harder to communicate in your resume and application why you’re the best person for the job. Getting crystal clear on the type of roles you want next not only makes your job search more organized and more efficient but also makes you a better candidate, which increases your chance of landing more job interviews when you apply for the right roles.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

You’re not clearly showing why you’re ready for the roles you want.

If you’re always hearing from your family and friends that your resume looks good but you never seem to hear back from companies when you apply for jobs, then you’re likely struggling in this area. Even if you’re clear on the roles you want next, if you’re not clearly showing why you’re ready for them, your efforts will be futile.

For instance, if you’re ready to finally secure a senior management position, but your resume only talks about projects and supporting tasks and doesn’t mention one word about your leadership skills and your ability to manage or develop a team, then you’re not clearly showing why you’re ready for the management position. To get more job interviews, you need to show how your experience aligns with the roles you desire next. Don’t just outline your career history in your resume and hope someone is willing to take the time to understand why they should hire you. Eliminate the guesswork and show how your experience has prepared you for the next step in your career.

You’re not clear on how to stand out ahead of the crowd.

If you’re still applying to eight jobs a day, stuffing your resume with keywords, and only relying on application portals to get noticed, then you’re probably not clear on how to stand out ahead of the crowd. Worse, if you’re still waiting for recruiters to reach out to you on LinkedIn, without being proactive, then you’re limiting yourself and your job opportunities. Once you know what you want, and how to show you’re ready for it, you have to be willing to take it a step further to stand out and impress hiring managers.

But, I get it. Maybe you’re still wondering if it’s even possible to stand out in the current job market. If so, the answer is a resounding yes. One of my clients recently landed her first director role at a competitive company in the middle of a pandemic and the recruiter told her that she beat out 4,000 candidates for the position. But it wasn’t because she got lucky. It was because she decided to stand out and be strategic. She mastered how to reach out directly to the right hiring managers. She decided to get out of her comfort zone. She learned how to genuinely connect with new people at companies she loved and she didn’t just wait and hope for the best.

If you’re having trouble getting interviews, instead of doubting your skills, doubt your strategy. It might be time to take a step back. Get crystal clear on what you want, take the time to show you’re ready for it, and master how to stand out ahead of the crowd.

Author: Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure the positions they’ve been chasing. Grab her free guide.

 

Forbes.com | October 29, 2020

 

#JobSearch : 10 Things You Should Always Bring With You to an Interview. If You Want to Be One of the “Chosen” to Land an Interview, You Must Be at the Top of your Game.

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The current state of the economy and the job market has made it challenging to find a job. If you want to be one of the “chosen” to land an interview, you must be at the top of your game. No longer is it enough to simply appear at an interview dressed in a suit and armed with a positive attitude. Today’s candidates must be thoroughly prepared for each interview they attend.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

An important component of that preparation is knowing the ten things you should always bring with you to an interview.

  1. Five copies of your resume – even if you have submitted your resume electronically, it is still important to bring along hard copies. In many cases, candidates will find themselves interviewed by multiple managers, so it is always important to have enough resumes to go around.
  2. Professional references – be sure to bring a list of 3-5 professional references. Include each reference’s contact information, including email address as well as the capacity by which they know you.
  3. Personal references – more and more companies are turning to personal references to round out the interview process, so bring a list of personal references as well. Phone numbers, email address, and relationship should be carefully noted for each reference.
  4. Work History – keep a list of your previous employers, including physical address, phone number, employment dates, and manager names. Being unable to provide this information is unprofessional and may raise an eyebrow or two.
  5. Education – bring a list of each school you attended, the address, and the degree, or program studied.
  6. Skills – As technology continues to evolve, many potential employers are interested in what programs candidates have mastered. You should also include any specialized skills or equipment you can operate
  7. Questions – almost all hiring managers will end the interview by asking if the candidate has any questions – prepare a list in advance. It is a great idea to do this by carefully reviewing the company website. The questions should be thought provoking and relevant.
  8. Documentation – Bring along any professional certifications, as well as a valid driver’s license and social security card. In the event that the position is immediately offered to you, you will have all of the information needed with you.
  9. Samples – Many jobs require a candidate to provide samples of their work. Be sure to bring along representations of your best work. This applies to almost all jobs. For example, an architect may bring along samples of their designs while a teacher might bring lesson plans or an example of a teaching plan.
  10. Attitude – never underestimate the power of your attitude – remember you are selling yourself, so it is crucial you come prepared to do just that. Be well rested and eat shortly before your interview.

Being adequately prepared for an interview is the first step towards has a successful session. Be sure to prepare your interview items in advance so you are not rushing around trying to locate everything right before your interview.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog | October 29, 2020

#JobSearch : How To Talk About A Layoff Or Furlough In A Job Interview. You will Be Asked About your Career Moves and Layoff(s).

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Mass layoffs and furloughs have been announced across a variety of industries — travel and leisure, media, energy, financial services, etc. (Business Insider keeps a running tally here). While losing your job may be more commonplace now, it can still be difficult to talk about, especially in a job interview, where you might feel less confident admitting any negative news.

You will likely be asked about your various career moves and transitions, especially your most recent ones. You may also be asked about any gaps in your resume. Finally, with layoffs prominently featured in the news and top of mind for many, the interviewer may ask you outright if you were downsized.

The good news is that, with so many people affected, there is less stigma attached to being laid off or furloughed. The better news is that you have control on how you talk about a layoff or furlough. You can minimize the negative impact of being laid off or furloughed and still ace your job interview by taking these five steps:

1 – Address what the interviewer really wants to know

Remember that the purpose of the job interview is to determine if you’re the best candidate for the job. The prospective employer wants their problem solved. They really aren’t focused on you, except for what you can do for them. In the same way, they don’t really care about your layoff, except what it might reveal about how good an employee you will be.

A layoff or furlough can impact you negatively if the prospective employer thinks you were let go for performance reasons. You can counter that by confirming that you were one among many and not singled out for cause. The prospective employer might worry that your time away from work has eroded your skills. You can counter that by keeping your skills and expertise updated. The prospective employer might assume your recent bad experience has soured your attitude or work ethic. You can counter that by showing high energy and enthusiasm during the interview.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

2 — Keep your answer concise

Concise means just enough information. You don’t want to say too little, such as avoiding talking about the layoff or furlough at all. This makes it appears as if you’re hiding something. At the same time, you don’t want to say too much and keep referencing it throughout the job interview. This is like going on a date where the other person spends the whole time talking about their ex! The incident is in the past, and the job interview is for the future. You want to assure the prospective employer that you only have eyes for them.

3 — Keep your tone neutral and non-judgmental

The prospective employer wants to hire someone who will be committed and a positive addition to the team. If you bad mouth your previous employer, your next employer will worry you will say the same about them. Even if the layoff or furlough was handled terribly or you felt you were treated unfairly or you have whatever good reason for having a negative opinion about your past employer, keep your tone neutral and non-judgmental when you explain what happened. (it helps when you keep your answers concise!)

Getting to a neutral tone when you are talking about a difficult issue is something you may need to practice. As a longtime recruiter, I have sat in too many interviews where the candidate clearly still harbors negative feelings toward a past employer. Outline in advance what you will say about the layoff or furlough. Practice saying it until you can do it without getting emotional – e.g., sad, angry, defensive. Role play with someone else who will probe on this issue to make sure you’re comfortable talking about it. (Read more tips here on how to handle a hostile interview.)

4 — Refocus the interview back to the job opening

The likelihood is that the interviewer will move on quickly after hearing a satisfactory explanation for your layoff or furlough. But you can help move the interview along by initiating the transition back to the job opening at hand. For example, as you talk about your recent job, you mention that you left because you were laid off, and then you immediately highlight the skills, expertise and experience you gained at the job that is relevant to this particular opening. No need to wait for the interviewer to sign off on your layoff explanation and give you permission to move on. The job interview is a conversation, a two-way street, and you can control the agenda as much as the interviewer by refocusing the interview on the job opening.

5 — Line up references to support your story

Too many job seekers wait till they have an impending job offer before lining up their list of professional references. It takes time to reach your references and confirm that: 1) they agree to give you a reference; 2) you have their most updated contact information; and 3) they know what to say to give you the strongest and most relevant reference possible.

Number 3 surprises some people, but you need to coach your references. You don’t need to tell them what to say word-for-word (and legitimate references won’t want you to do that anyway). However, you need to tell them what jobs you’re going for so they can highlight the relevant aspects of your previous work together. This includes talking about the circumstances surrounding your layoff or furlough – even if only to confirm that it wasn’t performance-related. Having your references lined up in advance, including someone who will corroborate your account of the layoff or furlough, will make you more confident and comfortable in your job interview.

You determine how strong a candidate you are, not your layoff or furlough

Being laid off or furloughed is the end of that job, but certainly not your career. You can still come across as a strong candidate during the job interview by highlighting the skills, expertise and experience you do have. Remember that the prospective employer is focused on hiring a solution to their problem, not your layoff or furlough at all.

 

Forbes.com | October 28, 2020 | Caroline Ceniza-Levine

#JobSearch : Interview Responses to Avoid at All Costs. You Need to Answer the Questions Correctly to Get the Job.

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An interview is your opportunity to sell yourself. Regardless of how much you may look the part, you need to answer the questions correctly to get the job. Interviewers ask key questions and look for certain types of answers. Honesty is always the best policy, but remember that it is okay not to offer information that was not asked.

Never bash your former employer.
It doesn’t matter if your last boss was the Wicked Witch of the Workforce, don’t say anything negative about your former employer. Instead of saying that you left your last job to get away from your boss that micromanages like it’s going out of style, say that you are looking for an employer that wants to utilize your talents and allow you to truly contribute to the company. Instead of saying what you hated about your last employer, focus on what you love about the employer that you are interviewing with.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Avoid slang.
It doesn’t matter if everyone you know uses double negatives and slang, don’t use them in your interview responses. Always make sure that you look and sound intelligent and articulate in an interview. You might be a college graduate from an ivy league school, but if you speak like you dropped out of grade school in your interview, there’s a good chance that you won’t be getting the job. An interview is the place to be as professional as possible.

Always have questions.
Almost all interviews end with the interviewer asking you if you have any questions about the position or the company. Be certain to have some questions. However, avoid questions about pay, vacation time, hours, bonuses, and similar things that depend on you actually having the job. Instead, do some research on the company that you are interviewing with and ask a question about something that you read. This shows that you are interested about the company and have done some research.

Never say you were fired.
When asked why you left your last place of employment, never under any circumstances should you say that you were fired, even if you were. You could say instead that you and your manager agreed that your last position may not have been the best fit. Do not lie about why you left, but avoid using the words fired, terminated, and let go in your explanation of why you are no longer with your previous company.

Don’t lie.
It’s better to admit that there is something that you don’t know than to lie. If you find yourself put on the spot with a question that you don’t know how to answer, it is perfectly acceptable to ask for a moment or two to consider your answer. When you give the interviewer a well thought out response to the question that was posed, you can also make a point of emphasizing that you don’t make snap judgments and decisions, but instead prefer to think through how you are going to answer the situation. In many situations, this type of personality trait can be an asset.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

FSC Career Blog | October 23, 2020