#interviewingmistakes Archives - Page 2 of 2 - First Sun Consulting, LLC | Outplacement Services and Career Transition Firm

Posts

Your #Career : These Are 6 Red Flags That You Shouldn’t Take The Job….If you See One or More of these Warning signs During your #Interview, Maybe this Isn’t the #Workplace for You.

February 20, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The average job hunt takes the better part of three months, according to job search platform TalentWorks. That’s a long time to have your mind focused on how to land the interview, prepare, and make the best impression to get hired. So, it’s no wonder that, once there, many job seekers overlook red flags that they may not be courting the greatest place to work.

“It is important for people to slow down and realize that it’s a two-way interview, because the job is only going to be a great experience for them if it’s a good fit,” says Carisa Miklusak, CEO of recruitment automation platform Tilr, based in Cincinnati. And there are often a number of clues about the job, company culture, and leadership if you just know what to look for, she says.

Here are six red flags to watch out for.

ATTITUDE AND APPEARANCE

You may be nervous, but take a moment to look around and observe your surroundings. What you see may tell you a lot about the company and its people. “From the time that you walk in, it starts with the receptionist. As you’re walking through the office, do people seem friendly, do they try to engage with you, say welcome, say hello, make eye contact?” says Tonya Salerno, principal staffing manager at WinterWyman, based in New York City. People who are happy in their work are generally curious about and friendly to newcomers, she says.

Also, take a look around the office. It doesn’t have to be prime office space, but do you get a sense that people have pride in their workplace? Are common areas tidy or in disarray? Does the place look clean? Do people have personal effects in their work space? Does it look inviting?

“I believe an office is like a second home, and that I should take pride in the space and the people with whom I would be working,” says Salerno.

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:

FSC LinkedIn Network: www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+: https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search: https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Continue of article:

LACK OF PREPARATION

When you sit down with the interviewer, do you have a sense that they know who you are? Has the interviewer reviewed your resume and have some familiarity with your background? If not, they may not be taking the job search as seriously as you are, or it may be a sign that the company has a lot of turnover and doesn’t invest much time in replacing people, Miklusak says. The interviewer should be familiar with the job for which you’re interviewing and have at least a basic familiarity with your background.

HYPOTHETICAL AND SITUATIONAL QUESTIONS

Miklusak says one of her best “job interview hacks” is to listen for hypothetical or situational questions. If an employer asks, ‘How would you react in a situation like this?” listen to the question, she says. “The interviewer is asking because you are likely to be in a situation like that, or in some type of situation where one could make a parallel between the question and the situation.”

So, if an interviewer asks you how you would react if you were in a chaotic situation with little direction, it might be a test to see how you manage disorder. But, it could also be that the interviewer is trying to figure out if you can manage the organization’s way of operating.

A QUEST FOR ELUSIVE CHANGE

If your interviewer talks about how the company is ready for change or needs change, ask a few questions, says Sarah Connors, principal staffing manager and team leader at WinterWyman. Get more information on what needs to be changed, how long it’s been that way, and most importantly, how ready they are to change it.

“I’ve had candidates get excited to be the person to truly impact change at a company, just to find out later that the managing team isn’t ready to change things. So be sure it isn’t just an ideal they’re paying lip service to, but a reality they want you to help deliver,” she says. Or the company may put the responsibility for changing things on you without giving you the resources you need to be successful.

IMPROPER QUESTIONS

There are a number of questions that interviewers aren’t allowed to ask by law. Yet a 2017 Associated Press and CNBC poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that more than half (51%) of those who have been on at least one job interview have been asked at least one inappropriate or personal question. Questions about marital status, medical history, and disabilities topped the list. If interviewers aren’t aware of basic employment law, that could be an indicator that they’re lax in other areas, too.

“It can be a real cultural flag. For example, if a lot of people are asking you if you have kids. It’s either a super-friendly family place, or they want to put you on a plane 100% of the time and they’re real concerned if you do [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][have children],” Miklusak says.

COMFORT QUESTIONS

If an interviewer asks about your comfort level with certain factors, take note, Miklusak warns. “This question is a huge flag, ‘Do you think you will be comfortable here because . . . ‘ and then the because is something like, ‘Most of the people are younger than you’ or ‘This is a pretty male-orientated sales team,’” she says. Look for what the interviewer is trying to indicate about the culture. Such a question may reflect a flaw, lack of diversity, or issue that has been a problem in the past.

By keeping an eye out for red flags, you can keep focused on finding a job that will be a good fit for you—and more likely free of unpleasant surprises.

FastCompany.com | February 20, 2018

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Your #Career : These 13 Phrases Can Make Or Break Your Job Prospects…The Expressions you’re Using on #JobInterviews may Not be Saying What you Think they Are.

February 7, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Usually, you can tell when you’ve absolutely bombed an interview. If, during the course of your conversation, you reveal that you’re totally unqualified, let slip a particularly unprofessional anecdote, or manage to offend the recruiter or hiring manager, it’s typically not a surprise when you don’t get a callback.

But plenty of times, you’ll leave an interview feeling great only to hear that they won’t be moving forward with you, or worse: You won’t hear anything at all. In situations like those, you might wonder: What did I do wrong?

It just might be the case that the actual words you’re using in your interview might be rubbing employers the wrong way. Take a look at the following words and phrases that drive recruiters crazy, and make sure to eliminate them from your vocab!

1. “I REALLY WANT THIS JOB”

It’s a fact that recruiters want to see passion and enthusiasm from their candidates–but there’s a right way and a wrong way to show it. You might intend for this phrase to demonstrate your eagerness, but in reality, it “comes off as slightly desperate, and desperation doesn’t look good in any context,” says Zachary Painter, career adviser and hiring manager at ResumeGenius.com. “You want to appear confident and competent–not as a hopeless applicant seeking a means to an end.”

Instead, try saying, “I’m very excited that you requested an interview with me, and I look forward to discussing the details of the position,” Painter recommends.

FSC LinkedIn Network: www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+: https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search: https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Continue of article:

2. “DOES THIS POSITION INCLUDE BENEFITS?”

Don’t get us wrong–it’s definitely worth finding out the answer to this question, but there’s a time and a place for everything. “The mistake interviewees make is asking this question too soon,” says April Klimkiewicz, career coach and owner of bliss evolution. “This is an important question, [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][but] one you should ask once the employer has extended an offer.”

Why? “Unfortunately, this can make you look like you’re pursuing this position for all the wrong reasons,” Klimkiewicz says. “Instead, be sure to ask questions that get at how you could ultimately help the company reach their goals. ‘How do you see this position moving the organization toward the mission we’ve discussed,’ is a good alternative.”

3. “UM…”

Who among us hasn’t had a moment when their mind goes completely blank in the middle of an interview? It happens to even the most seasoned veterans, but there are better ways to handle it than just saying “Um…” followed by an awkward pause. The key is to sound thoughtful rather than empty-headed.

“Trying to fill up the silence with words like ‘um’ can make it look like you’re grasping to think of what to say. If you need more than just a few seconds, say, ‘That’s a great question. Let me take a moment to think about it.’ This way, you’ll come across as calm and collected rather than nervous,” Klimkiewicz suggests.

4. “LIKE… / I THINK… / YOU KNOW…”

Along with “um,” these are a few other filler words that have got to go. According to career coach Jena Viviano, they “make you sound unconfident and unintelligent. Not a winning combination for an interview.” Of course, you’re probably not saying these on purpose, so the first step is simply being aware of when and how often you say them.

“Practice is key here. Record yourself answering mock interview questions to see how bad your filler words are. Then work to improve upon that. Also, eradicate passive phrases like ‘I think’ and ‘you know’ with more confident and directive statements,” Viviano says. “This will boost your own confidence and make you sound more impressive to the hiring manager.”

5. “AS I ALREADY SAID…”

It might seem innocuous enough, but “whether this is referencing a previously used situation or just reiterating a skill or accomplishment, the phrase implies that the interviewer wasn’t listening. Even worse, it makes the candidate look like they don’t have relevant experience or skills, since they have to keep restating information that was already covered,” says career coach Donna Shannon.

An easy way to avoid this? Think up some more situations to draw from in advance. “Look for new situations that describe [your] expertise. A good exercise before the interview is to review the job description and write out relevant stories for each one of the responsibilities. This way, when the employer asks about a similar situation, the candidate has quality stories ready to go,” Shannon recommends.

6. HARD-WORKING, FAST-LEARNER, SELF-MOTIVATED, ETC.

You might think that words like these sound nice in your elevator pitch, but recruiters have been around the block enough times before to know that they’re all flash and no substance.

“These are cliché words that don’t really mean anything. They don’t describe what makes you special, or even whether you are a good fit for the company,” says Aurora Meneghello, career coach and founder of Repurpose Your Purpose.

“Instead of using those terms, practice telling a short and specific story that shows how you worked hard, or learned fast. Personal, relevant anecdotes will set you apart from most candidates, and could be the most memorable part of your interview,” Meneghello says.

7. “WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF GETTING HIRED?”

Let’s be honest: This is probably on your mind 24/7 throughout the entire interview process. But just because you’re dying to know the answer doesn’t mean you should actually ask the question.

“If you ask this, you can bet your chances are zero–this goes beyond desperation and moves into ‘pathetic’ territory,” Painter says. Instead, Painter recommends saying something along the lines of, “The prospect of working here is really exciting, and I think I’d be a great addition to your team.”

8. FIRED, HATE, TERRIBLE, ETC.

Words like these are fine if you’re venting outside of the office to a close friend or significant other. But during the interview? Not so much.

“Avoid negative language and put-downs, whether referring to yourself, previous jobs, work environments, or the world in general. No one wants to hire a negative person!” Meneghello says. Even if you’ve had some genuinely difficult experience in the past, “show that you can keep your cool under pressure, and can be a discreet, forgiving, and generous team member.”

Have a hard time holding back when a certain subject comes up? “Avoid the topic of what didn’t work or does not work in your current situation, and talk instead about what you are looking for, using positive language,” Meneghello advises. “Hiring managers already understand that if you are looking for a new job you must not be happy at your current one–no need to belabor the point. Focus on why you want to join their team instead.”

9. “MY MANAGER AND I DIDN’T GET ALONG”

This is one negative phrase that you’ll want to avoid in particular. When hiring a new team member, hiring managers want to ensure that the folks they bring in will gel well with the current employees–and “this makes you look ungrateful, entitled, and hard to work with,” Viviano says.

Instead, try saying something like “I’ve spent the past two years at Company X and I’ve learned a lot from that experience. But I’m looking for something that has more growth potential, challenging projects, and a team that is diverse and forward-thinking,” Viviano suggests. “The key is to focus on the opportunity ahead, not the opportunity behind you. Be grateful and be ready to move on.”

10. “I’M A PERFECTIONIST”

Almost every recruiter has heard this eye roll-inducing answer to the question, “What is your greatest weakness?”

“It’s a cliché answer, and it shows that you haven’t done your homework,” Klimkiewicz says. When recruiters ask about areas of improvement, they’re really trying “to see if you’re self-aware,” Viviano says. “By answering this way you sound inauthentic, pompous, and like you actually haven’t thought through your real weaknesses. Give a real weakness. It could be procrastination, public speaking, data analysis–whatever it is, just make sure it isn’t crucial to the success of you doing your job and always explain how you are working to improve upon it,” Viviano recommends.

11. “JUST/ACTUALLY/I AM NO EXPERT BUT…”

People often lean on these words in an attempt to sound humble or hedge their opinions, but believe us: Wwords like these aren’t doing you any favors in interviews.

“Some of us have a tendency to use words that undermine our authority or convey insecurity. This can happen because of lack of self-esteem, being brought up in a culture where being confident was frowned upon, or simply out of habit,” Meneghello explains. “I invite you to get to the root cause of your language patterns, and to work on shifting them if you want long-term results.”

In the short term, you can work toward this if you “practice getting straight to the point: instead of saying ‘Actually, I was wondering if I may ask,’ ask the question without a preamble, and get used to [skipping] ‘just,’ ‘a little,’ and other words that do not move the conversation forward,” she says.

12. “I DON’T REALLY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPANY”

Recruiters aren’t just being polite when they ask if you have any questions for them about the company or position. “Part of the reason hiring managers ask this question is to gauge your interest in and knowledge of the company. If you care, you’ll have pertinent questions that will, hopefully, lead to a fruitful conversation,” Painter says.

There’s no limit of great questions you can ask, but a couple that Painter recommends in particular are, “Can you tell me about some of the current challenges facing your department, and what the team’s strategy is regarding those issues?” and “How do you measure success for this position?”

13. “WHEN CAN I START?”

You might have seen a cool, confident character bust this line out in a movie or TV show before, resulting in a hearty laugh from the hiring manager and an assurance that they’ve got the job. But that just goes to show you that you shouldn’t believe everything you see on the silver screen.

“Such a question usually follows an interview that seemingly went well. Fact is, it sounds arrogant, unprofessional, and presumptuous,” Painter says. As a substitute, Painter recommends going with, “Thank you very much for your time! I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

FastCompany.com | September 12, 2017 | BY EMILY MOORE—GLASSDOOR 8 MINUTE READ

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Your #Career : Use these 5 Prompts to Show off your #SoftSkills on #JobInterviews ….So Here are a Few Prompts to Help you Zero in On a Concrete Narrative From your #WorkExperience

January 31, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

This week’s issue of my early-careers newsletter, Hit the Ground Running, is all about “soft skills,” those people-focused capabilities you keep hearing about. One thing I’ve heard from jobseekers is that just knowing about an in-demand skill is fine, but the real challenge is telling hiring managers about a time they actually demonstrated it.

FSC LinkedIn Network: www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+: https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search: https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Continue of article:

So here are a few prompts to help you zero in on a concrete narrative from your work experience:

Managing inclusively: “That time I led a diverse team and our project turned out great . . .”
Problem-solving: “That time something went wrong unexpectedly and I came up with a way to solve it . . .” (Hint: Think small! “I overhauled our supply chain” is fine but needn’t be so complicated.)
Adaptability: “That time my boss got fired/a reorg took place/my team’s marching orders changed, and I had to adapt by . . .”
Emotional intelligence: “That time I looked at the numbers–even though I’m not a data wonk–and figured out what our customers really wanted . . .”
Empathy/storytelling: “That time I built a tool or came up with a new process, pitched it to my boss/coworkers, and they actually adopted it . . .”

FastCompany.com | January 31, 2018

Your #Career : Here’s How You Can Prepare For These Common #InterviewQuestions …These are the Questions that #HiringManagers Ask Again & Again.

January 25, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

No matter how many you go on, job interviews can always be nerve wrecking. You put on your nicest clothes, print out your resume, and remind yourself to smile real big–and just when you think everything is going well, the interviewer hits you with a curveball question you aren’t prepared for.

Luckily, you’re not going to let that happen again and you’re planning ahead to ace this month’s interview. The best way to for anything is to do your research ahead of time–which is why we’re here to help.

If you’re preparing for a big interview, prepping beforehand with these 15 interview questions will help you get one step closer to that dream job.

1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF?

Most interviews start with this question, and how you answer it will make your first impression. If you stumble over the answer and aren’t quite sure what to say, your lack of confidence in yourself is showing. If you start listing all your greatest accomplishments and talk too much, your ego might look a little too big. You need to find a good balance between being confident but not pretentious.

The best way to prepare for this question is to prepare an elevator pitch about who you are. Skip your personal history and give about two to three sentences about your career path and how you ended up in this interview, applying for this job. You don’t need to be too detailed, there are plenty more questions coming. You just want to leave enough curiosity that the interviewer becomes excited to learn more about you throughout the interview.

FSC LinkedIn Network: www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+: https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search: https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Continue of article:

2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][INSERT COMPANY NAME]?

When a hiring manager asks this question, not only do they want to know why you want to work for them, but they also want to know what you know about the company. This question tests how well you know what the company does and how passionate you are about the work they do–so make sure you know the company well and can speak truthfully about your desires to work there.

3. HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS JOB?

When asked this during an interview, don’t just say you heard about the job on a website. This is your opportunity to go into more details about why you love this company and what motivates you to want to work there. Moreover, if you have a personal connection at the company, this would be a good time to mention their name.

4. TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING ON YOUR RESUME

Everyone has something on their resume that they’re really proud of. Whether it’s a skill or achievement you’ve listed, or a specific place you worked at, consider answering this question with the most interesting thing on your resume. Plus, don’t just say something relevant to your most recent position–you’re already going to be asked about that. Instead, think back to one of the older positions listed on your resume, and talk about how that job helped you grow into the person you are today.

5. WHY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A JOB? OR, WHY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT JOB?

This question might seem innocuous, but this is how interviewers weed out the people who are either a) just looking for any job, b) were fired from their last position, or c) might have a high turnover rate, meaning you won’t be sticking around for too long. Focus on the positives and be specific. Think about why you are looking for a job: Did you just graduate, and this will be your first real job? Are you switching career paths? Are you leaving a current job for this one?

If you are currently working somewhere, you should also be prepared to answer, “Why do you want to leave your current job for this one?”

6. WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU?

When asked this question, keep in mind that the recruiter is looking to hear what skills you have that you’re going to bring to the team. Don’t give a vague answer, such as, “I’m friendly and a hard worker.” Instead, be specific, summarize your work history and achievements, and use numbers when possible.

For example, say how many years of experience you have or name some of the accomplishments you made at your last company. The more specific you can be about what your skills are and how valuable an employee you are, the better the interviewer will be able to picture you working there.

7. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

This can seem like a heavy question during an interview, especially when you haven’t prepared for it ahead of time. Keep in mind that you’re in an interview setting, so you don’t need to go into all the details about what your personal life goals are for the next five years. Focus on your career goals and be realistic.

If you plan to work at this company for five years, make sure you understand who would be working above you, and what potential career growth there is. The hiring manager asks this question to find out if you set realistic goals, if you are ambitious, and to confirm that the position you are interviewing for aligns with these goals and growth.

If this position isn’t exactly a job with a lot of future opportunity, you can simply answer this by noting that you are not certain what your future is going to look like, but that you believe this position is going to help you navigate yourself in the right direction.

8. TELL ME ABOUT A CONFLICT YOU FACED AT WORK AND HOW YOU DEALT WITH IT

This question is important to ace because it helps an interviewer understand how you deal with conflict. It also helps test how well you think on your feet–so if you prepare ahead of time with a specific example, you’ll avoid the awkward moment of silence while you try to think of an example.

Once you have an example in mind, simply explain what happened, how you resolved the issue in a professional manner, and try to end the story with a happy note about how you reached a resolution or compromise with your coworker.

9. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?

Similar to the “where do you see yourself in five years” question, the interviewer is looking to understand how realistic you are when setting goals, how ambitious you are, and whether or not the job and company will be a good place for you to grow.

Again, try to set aside your personal goals (don’t say your dream job is to be paid to take Instagram photos) and focus on your career goals. Think about how this job is going to set you up for the future and get you closer to your dream job. But don’t be that person who says, “To be CEO of this company.”

10. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OUT OF YOUR TEAM/COWORKERS?

This question is meant to understand how you work on a team and whether you will be the right cultural fit for the company. To prepare for this answer, make sure you research the company ahead of time. You can always tell a little bit about a what a company’s culture is like by looking through their social media profiles or reading their reviews on Glassdoor.

11. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OUT OF YOUR MANAGER?

Again, the hiring manager is looking to understand what kind of employee you would be and whether you will be a good fit to add to their team. In some interviews, your future manager might be interviewing you. Answer this question as honestly as possible and pull examples from your current manager if you can show how they positively help you work better.

12. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH STRESS?

Answering this question will help hiring managers identify any potential red flags you might have. You want to show that you can handle stress in a professional and positive manner that helps you continue working or won’t stop you from accomplishing your goals. Moreover, be specific and explain what you actually do to deal with stress–like taking a 15-minute break to take a walk outside, or crossing items off on a to-do list, etc.

13. WHAT WOULD THE FIRST 30 DAYS IN THIS POSITION LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

This question helps a company understand what you will get done in your first month, to three months in the position–and how you answer it will signal whether or not you’re the right person for the job. Start by mentioning what information you would need to get started, and what would help you transition into the new role. Then focus on your best skills and how you would apply those to this position right away.

14. WHAT ARE YOUR SALARY REQUIREMENTS?

Some interviewers ask this question, others don’t. It’s always better to be prepared, especially because you want to make sure you would be paid a fair wage for the value you are going to add. That’s why we built our Know Your Worth tool–to help you determine what you should be paid.

Note: While employers can ask what your salary expectations are, in certain places it is illegal for them to ask what your previous salary was.

15. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

The last question you will always be asked during an interview is whether or not you have any questions for the interviewer. This is your chance to really stand out–so don’t blow it by saying you don’t, or that your questions have already been answered. Even if you don’t have any questions, there’s always a question you can ask at the end of an interview.

Keep a list of at least three to five questions in the back of your mind so that no matter what, there are at least two questions you have to ask at the end of the interview. Recruiters say that actually enjoy getting to answer some questions at the end of an interview–they did just listen to you talk about themselves, so ask about them for a change. Once this part is over, you can rest easy and walk out of the interview knowing you aced it!

FastCompany.com | January 25, 2018 | BY ISABEL THOTTAM—GLASSDOOR 8 MINUTE READ

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Your #Career : The Best Way to Answer “Why are You Leaving your Job?” Without Making your #Interviewer Worry… There are Many Reasons Why you Might have Left your Last Job, and Not All of Them are Rosy.

January 10, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Answering the interview question “Why are you leaving your job?” can be difficult.
You want to show your motivations, but also not worry the interviewer.
Emphasize results, be polite, and don’t dwell on your current/previous employer. Focus on you.

There are many reasons why you might have left your last job, and not all of them are rosy. Perhaps you worked for a toxic boss, or you met obstacles on your way up the ladder. Or, maybe you were just plain bored with your work.

When an interviewer asks why you want to leave your current job, he or she wants to try to “understand your motives and gain insight as to how [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][you] handle work relationships,” says Duncan Mathison, author of “Unlock the Hidden Job Market: 6 Steps to a Successful Search When Times are Tough“. “In particular they are asking themselves, ‘Will they leave us in the lurch if they become dissatisfied?’ or, ‘Is there some dirt here?'” In short, asking “Why did you leave your last job?” is one way for the interviewer to ensure you’re a person of integrity.

How to answer interview questions like this

The best strategy for effectively answering this tough interview question is to prepare for it. Here’s how to be ready and how to recover when you’re not.

FSC LinkedIn Network: www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+: https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search: https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Continue of article:

Emphasize results

Do: Focus on results: Make a list of things you accomplished in your last position and focus on those, ending with something like, “‘Having successfully done that, I’m ready for another challenge,'” suggests Stephen Balzac, president of 7 Steps Ahead, a business consulting firm in Stow, Massachusetts. “Now what you’re saying to the interviewer is: ‘You can count on me to get results and stay here until I do.'”

Don’t: Answer in a way that doesn’t reassure the interviewer. “Answers such as, ‘I wasn’t being challenged’, ‘The work was no longer interesting’ or ‘The pay was too low’ all say the same thing to the interviewer: that you might leave at any time if things aren’t to your liking,” Balzac says.

Recover: If you give a bland answer, circle back to it quickly. And if you can’t, revisit why you left your last job just before you end the interview. This allows you to leave the interviewer with your previous accomplishments top of mind.

Be polite

Do: Remember that employers run the show and can act as they see fit, Mathison says. “Yet, at the same time, make it clear that the organization you seek has the qualities to perform at a higher level,” he says. An example: “We all know that sometimes promises exceed reality. Our CEO was comfortable, as many are, with pushing the limits. But I feel that lasting business partnerships and profitability are built on my ability to deliver on my promises, so I’m looking for that type of company.”

Don’t: Badmouth the boss or the company. “That implies you may be difficult to manage,” Mathison says.

Recover: Acknowledge you were hard on your previous employer and restate your answer like this: “That might be a little harsh. I know that my former company is trying to do its best under the circumstances. I’m looking for a company that’s a better fit for me.” This also shows that you’re self-aware and have decent manners.

One final tip for the interview

Don’t dwell too long on your previous employer—the interview is about you, after all. “Always bring the conversation back to your results and reliability,” Balzac notes.

BusinessInsider.com | January 10, 2018 | Margot Carmichael Lester, Monster

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Your #Career : Here’s How to Answer 5 of the Most Difficult #InterviewQuestions … The #Interview is an Elimination Process. The #Employer is trying to Weed out Those Who are Not the Most Worthy of the Position.

January 6, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

You reworked your resume, perfected your cover letter and landed the big interview. But walking through the door is only the beginning — especially if the interviewer throws some hard-hitting questions your way and you don’t know how to respond.

“The interview is an elimination process,” says Dr. Thomas J. Denham, a career counselor at Careers in Transition LLC in Colonie, New York. “The employer is trying to weed out those who are not the most worthy of the position.”

Here, Denham offers some advice on how to answer five of the toughest interview questions:

1. What is your biggest weakness?

Strelka Institute/Flickr

Questions like these, says Denham, are asked so that interviewees admit a weakness that justifies their being shown the door. He recommends responding with: “I have a tendency to say yes and get over-committed.” Then follow that with an example of how you are working on prioritizing and setting personal limits. Never draw negative attention to yourself by stating a weakness that would lead an employer to think you are not the best person for the job, Denham says. “The focus of your interview should be on your strengths,” he says.

FSC LinkedIn Network: www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+: https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search: https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Continue of article:

2. What salary do you think you deserve?

“The person who states the salary is the loser,” says Denham, explaining that if you are the first to throw out a number, the number you give could be less than what the employer was planning to pay. Wait for the employer to give a range, and when it does ask you for a figure you expect to be making, choose a salary that is higher than the median they provide. Use our salary tool to find out what you can realistically expect. Also, don’t talk salary on the first interview.

3. Why should I hire you?

Strelka Institute/Flickr

For this one, Denham says it’s important to prepare before the interview. “Go back to your resume and look through it for the three to five things that make you outstanding,” he says. These qualities should accent your work ability, like “I’m a hard worker” or “I get things done.” You have to demonstrate a track record of results. “The notion is that past performance is always the best predictor of future performance,” Denham says.

4. What didn’t you like about your last job?

The employer who asks this question could be looking for you to answer with something that would indicate a weakness of yours, once again in an attempt to eliminate you. So while it may be tempting to trash your boss or complain about the hours (they expected me to be in at 8 a.m.!), try answering with something like this: “I did not feel my responsibilities were challenging enough.” Then the employer will feel confident that you are ready for whatever they may throw at you.

5. Where do you see yourself in three to five years?

Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/flickr

The worst answer you can provide to this one, Denham says, is “I have no idea,” even though that might be the truth. “It’s basically like saying, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing with my life and I have no idea how long I’ll stay with this job,'” Denham says. Try a response like “I’ve done a lot of self-assessment, and what I’ve learned about myself is that I want to make a commitment to this career and I want to build my career here.”

Answering tough interview questions is just one step in landing the job. There’s follow-up interviews, salary negotiation, then making a great impression when you start working. Join Monster and you’ll have access to expert job search advice, plus job alerts sent to your inbox.

Career expert and best-selling author of Girl on Top, Nicole Williams is redefining the world of work—making it glamorous, entertaining and relevant to modern women. Her Web site, Nicolewilliams.com, is the go-to destination site for modern working women.

FastCompany.com | January 5, 2018 | Nicole Williams, Monster

Your #Career : Three Questions You Must Ask If You Want The Job…The #JobSearch Today is more Competitive & Time-Consuming than ever Before. Given this Environment, the Only Recipients of Job Offers are the Applicants who Interview Well & Manage their Job Searches.

January 4, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

At one time or another, we have all made the leap from high school or college to the real world and have likely spent some time on the interviewing circuit. As I recall my first interview experiences, I vividly remember my father’s advice on the art of interviewing. My father, Paul Micali, was a sales trainer, manager, author and public speaker. It’s fascinating to me that his words of wisdom, three decades ago, are even more relevant today.

Through our many interviews, we hopefully all learn the basics: a firm handshake, strong eye contact, smiling, proper posture, body language, tone of voice, key questions, answers and stories. But my father’s advice was all about “how” to end the interview; that time when the interviewer and interviewee have no more to say and look at one another across the desk in awkward silence.

It was at that point that my father explicitly instructed me to ask that all-powerful question — that question that no interviewee ever wants to ask.

“What are my chances of getting this job?”

I couldn’t imagine being so brazen and presumptuous! To make matters worse, I was instructed to ask the question three times in three different ways:

1. What are my chances of getting this job?

2. How soon will you be making a decision?

3. Based on your timeline, can I plan to hear from you in one or two weeks?

It took every ounce of courage I had to muster up the confidence to ask these questions. However, I’m so glad that I did. The answers to these questions provided me with the roadmap to guide and jumpstart my career. Fast forward 30 years, as a talent acquisition consultant and a career coach; I see the absolute necessity for every candidate to ask these questions in an interview.

The job search today is more competitive and time-consuming than ever before. With job postings on LinkedIn, Indeed, Zip Recruiter, company websites and alike, companies are deluged with resumes. Today, each position commands between 250 and 300 applicants with a mere 2% being called in for an interview. A job seeker in today’s market must put forth a patient and disciplined approach in applying for positions online, networking and directly reaching out to companies. Given this environment, the only recipients of job offers are the applicants who interview well and manage their job searches.

Assuming your interview has gone well, you have arrived at the point where “how” you handle the ending can be crucial to your outcome.

Here are three reasons why asking this infamous question, “What are my chances of getting this job?” are crucial to your interview.

1. You will show the interviewer that you are serious about this position and that you want this job.

When someone visibly shows through their words and actions that they want something, they tend to work hard to get it! As the interviewee, you will be displaying to the hiring manager that your meeting has a definite purpose and that you mean business. It may have taken you four weeks to get to this point in the process, and you deserve to know your position in the lineup!

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:

FSC LinkedIn Network: www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+: https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Continue of article:

2. You will send the signal that you have a productive jobsearch underway.

And that you are weighing different opportunities. In other words, you are interviewing with other companies. You have been proactive in your job search, not waiting around to hear from companies. If you are as good as you think you are and the hiring manager agrees, they won’t waste time and will quickly move your candidacy forward.

3. You will overcome the hiring manager’s potential objections, turning a “no” into a “yes.”

When you ask this question, an honest answer from the interviewer provides you with a snapshot of how he/she sees you in the position. If the hiring manager mentions an area where you may not reach the expectations outlined in the job description, this is your opportunity to overcome their perspective with specific results and stories. If you don’t ask the question, you will miss the chance to turn a “no” into a “yes.” In fact, you will leave the meeting not knowing where you stand in the interviewee lineup!

Of course, if the answer is that your chances are good, then you can continue your pursuit with, “How soon can I expect to hear from you?” and “Can I look forward to speaking with you in two weeks?” These questions will further convey that you remain very interested in the position and would like to know the timeline involved in securing the job.

From the perspectives of the hiring manager, recruiter and career coach, when the interviewee doesn’t ask for the job, we question if the candidate really wants the position.

We have all heard the expression, “Ask better questions and get better answers.”

I challenge you to ask yourself: “Do you want this job?” ….. If the answer is yes, then ask for it, three times!

The answers will give you the roadmap to guide and jumpstart your career and your life.

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?

Author: Donna Poudrier – Career coach and recruiter Donna Poudrier helps job seekers and new grads find the “right job” to jumpstart their careers.

Forbes.com | January 4, 2018