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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.

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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.

Related: The Surprising Ways You Ruined Your Interview Before You Even Opened Your Mouth 

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

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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.

Related: The Right Way To Discuss Your Failures In A Job Interview 

“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.

Related: Three Job Interview Mistakes You Think You Avoided But Actually Didn’t 

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

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Your #Career : How to Spot 4 Common Lies #Employers tell Job Applicants …..When #Interviewing for a Position, Watch Out for the Common Fibs Employers Tend to Tell When they Aren’t Interested.

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  • When interviewing for a position, watch out for the common fibs employers tend to tell when they aren’t interested.
  • A recruiter may tell you, “We aren’t finished interviewing yet,” when trying to stall and wait for a more perfect candidate.
  • If you never hear from an employer again after interviewing and following up, it could be an indication that something is wrong at the company.

By now, we should all know that it’s dangerous to lie on a resume. But you know what? In the job search conversation between employers and candidates, a bit of fibbing sometimes happens on the employer side, too.

Often, there’s no ill will intended. While there are a few bad apples in the bunch (as with the rest of humanity), most recruiters and HR folks are motivated by the desire to put the right people into the jobs they have to fill. The trouble is that overwork and overly large candidate pools can thwart good intentions—so those little white lies meant to spare a job seeker’s feelings end up not doing the candidate any favors.

We asked some recruiting experts to name the biggest lies recruiters tell, so you can spot the untruths and be ready to deal with them

1. ‘We’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities.’

Recruiters meet a lot of people. And most of them have huge candidate databases. Often when they speak this untruth, they mean it: They are keeping your resume on file. Just know that they’re doing so in a gigantic filing cabinet, and that out of sight often means out of mind.

How to handle: Don’t assume that “no” means “never.” Once you’ve started a conversation with a recruiter, don’t let the conversation end just because you’re not offered one job. Stay in touch via professional networking sites, and stay abreast of goings-on at the company so you can be aware of opportunities before they’re posted.

Just remember that there’s a fine line between “staying in touch” and “stalking.” So contact the recruiter only when you have a genuine reason to do so. And as with all professional contacts, don’t just look for favors to ask—also look for ways to be of service.

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

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2. ‘Salary depends on experience.’

Usually, the company has a ballpark figure in mind. If a recruiter asks for your salary requirements or expectations, he’s trying to see whether you’re in that ballpark.

How to handle: In general, it’s better to wait until a job offer is on the table before moving onto salary negotiations—but recruiters sometimes use salary requirements as a way to thin out the candidate pool.

In this case, your best defense is having done thorough research. Make sure you know what’s competitive for the position, the industry and the region, combined with what’s appropriate for someone with your background. That way, you can answer the question in terms of what your research has uncovered (not in terms of what your specific needs are), and then you can add something like, “But of course a conversation about salary makes more sense when we’re discussing a job offer.” Don’t lowball your number, but perhaps let the recruiter know that you’ll weigh nonsalary compensation (vacation days and other perks, for example) with the actual salary offer.

3. ‘You’ll hear from us either way.’

The truth is that you might never hear — or you might not hear when you expect to. The reasons vary, but a lack of communication after an interview can indicate indecisiveness on the part of the hiring team.

How to handle: Tackle this lie preemptively. Always leave a job interview knowing when you can expect to hear from the hirers. That way, you won’t torture yourself wondering whether it’s too soon to call them back. If they say they’ll get back to you by next Friday and they don’t, send a friendly email to check in. You can even use this check-in email as a chance to continue selling yourself as a candidate. If you’ve had any further thoughts about issues raised in the interview, now is a great time to touch on them again. If they need more time, give it to them—but be firm and friendly about following up.

As for a company that never follows up with you after an interview—even to say “no thank you”—that could be a sign that something is wrong at the company. Smart employers know that treating candidates as well as customers is the right way to do business.

4. ‘We aren’t finished interviewing yet.’

Sometimes this is true. Sometimes this means you’re the company’s “Plan B” candidate. But this statement makes it sound as if the company has at least settled on a solid group of contenders, and that’s not always the case. Sometimes recruiters use this line as a stalling tactic when they’re still looking for someone more perfect than anyone in their current candidate pool.

How to handle: Look at this statement as an opportunity to prove yourself. If your post-interview wait time is being extended because the hiring team is “reviewing other candidates,” ask questions like, “Do you have any specific questions or concerns about my ability to handle any aspect of the job? I’d love to address them and demonstrate that I’m the perfect candidate.”

Every interaction with a recruiter or hiring manager is an opportunity to persuade them that you’re the right person for the job. If you’re getting mixed messages, asking direct questions and staying focused will help you understand what’s really going on.

Want more insider career advice like this delivered right to your inbox? Join Monster today, and we’ll send you everything from resume-writing tips to lists of top companies hiring.

Read the original article on Monster. Copyright 2018. Follow Monster on Twitter.

Businessinsider.com | February 5, 2018 | Charles Purdy, Monster

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

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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.

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

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

  1. Managing inclusively: “That time I led a diverse team and our project turned out great . . .”
  2. 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.)
  3. Adaptability: “That time my boss got fired/a reorg took place/my team’s marching orders changed, and I had to adapt by . . .”
  4. 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 . . .”
  5. 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 . . .”

RB

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.

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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.

 

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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.

Related: These Are The Worst Answers To The Most Common Job Interview Questions 

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?”

Related: Three Crucial Questions You Keep Forgetting To Ask On Job Interviews 

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.

Related: These 5 Job Interview Questions Reveal The Most About Job Candidates 

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

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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.

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  • 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.

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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.

Read the original article on Monster. Copyright 2018. Follow Monster on Twitter.

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

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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.

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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?

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.

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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?

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?

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.

Read the original article on Monster. Copyright 2018. Follow Monster on Twitter.

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.

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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!

 

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

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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 

Your #Career : 22 Things that Make you Sound Rude in a Job Interview…Here are Some Particularly Inconsiderate, Alienating Things to Avoid Saying in an Interview.

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Most people don’t try to come across as rude — for whatever reason, they just don’t realize how their actions look to others. That can lead to a rather rude awakening for them down the line, once they’re confronted with the consequences of their conduct.

interview-desk-2

One of the worst places that you can come off as disrespectful is during a job interview. You want to charm and impress your interviewer, not turn them off with bad behavior.

Here are some particularly inconsiderate, alienating things to avoid saying in an interview:

1. ‘I’ve been waiting a while’

You are totally justified in being annoyed that your interviewer kept you waiting. That being said, you get no brownie points for grumbling.

2. ‘Hi! I know I’m late…’

Yes, it’s a bit of a double standard that the interviewee typically can’t be late while the interviewer can get away with it. But the interviewer is typically the one with the power, so just get over it.

Make sure you give yourself enough time to get to the job interview — even if that means showing up super early and waiting around at a nearby Starbucks.

And if you are late, don’t draw attention to it or make excuses. Quickly apologize and move on.

 

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3. ‘What happens if I don’t get along with my boss or coworkers?’

This doesn’t necessarily make you sound rude, per se. It’s a weird question, though. Your interviewer may just assume that you’re impolite and unable to work with others.

4. ‘Are you married?/Do you have kids?/How old are you?/etc.’

Never ask the interviewer any personal questions.

5. ‘I heard this rumor about the CEO. Is it true?’

You should never bring gossip into a job interview. It’s highly unprofessional.

6. ‘Who should I avoid in the office?’

Don’t embroil yourself in coworker drama before you’ve even stepped foot into the office. This just makes you sound like a petty person.

7. ‘What does your company do?’

You didn’t care enough about the job to run a quick Google search? Questions like this will make you look unprepared and inconsiderate.

8. ‘I don’t have weaknesses’

Yes, you do. Claiming not to have shortcomings just makes you come across as arrogant.

9. ‘S—,’ ‘b—-,’ ‘f—,’ etc.

Hold off on the profanities. Curse words will make you sound vulgar and unprofessional.

10. ‘How did I do?’ or ‘Did I get the job?’

This one puts the interviewer on the spot. If you really want feedback, wait until you get the offer or rejection, and then ask in an email what you did well or could have done better.

11. ‘I feel like this is your organization’s big weakness’

It’s great if you’re coming to the table with a lot of ideas on how to improve the organization. Try to keep your language positive, though, or your interviewer may wonder why you’re even interviewing in the first place.

12. ‘Excuse me, I need to take this call really quickly’

Are you kidding me?

13. ‘I just need a job’

Seriously, contain your enthusiasm. This may be true, but definitely don’t admit it to your interviewer.

14. ‘Hi — let’s get started’

Don’t just barge in and start talking. You may be nervous and eager to get it over with, but remember to introduce yourself first.

15. ‘Sorry — I’ve got to run!’

What have you got, a date or something? Try to keep your schedule relatively uncluttered on the day of the interview.

16. ‘I’d like a coffee/water/tea’

If the interviewer offers, then it’s fine to ask for a beverage. Just don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you.” In fact, you should show off that you have good manners when you can during the interview.

17. ‘I … I … I …’

Yes, job interviews are all about discussing yourself and your abilities. That being said, you want to keep the focus on how you can help the organization. The conversation should always go back to that main thesis.

18. ‘The office isn’t what I thought it would be’

You’re here as a job candidate, not as a super-critical interior decorator. Don’t imply that you’re disappointed or underwhelmed.

19. ‘How did you get this role?’

You really don’t want to say anything that could be considered condescending to the person standing between you and a potential job.

20. ‘Can you believe this election?’ or ‘Who did you vote for?’

Keep politics out of conversations with your interviewer. If they bring it up first, then do what you can to change the conversation.

21. ‘Dude/honey/girls/ladies/man’

This one’s a toss-up. Some people are totally cool with being called things like “guys” or “ladies.” Others get really irked. It’s probably better to err on the side of caution here, lest you come off as belittling or disrespectful.

22. ‘That’s not how I’m used to doing it’

If you start talking about the nitty gritty details of your new job, make sure to avoid coming across like you think you know better than anyone else. Criticizing the company’s way of doing this is a surefire way to alienate your interviewer.

 

Businessinsider.com | December 5, 2016 | Jacquelyn Smith, Rachel Gillett and Áine Cain

 

Your #Career : The Right Way To Discuss Your Failures In A Job Interview…Take Complete Ownership—Even If it Wasn’t All your Fault. Here’s How.

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In interviewing hundreds of people, I’ve found that the way a candidate answers one key question tells me more about them than any other. I’ll usually wait until the candidate has relaxed somewhat and begins to open up. Then, about halfway through the interview, I’ll ask, “What has been a moment of significant professional disappointment or failure, and what caused it?”
Interview

Straightforward enough, right? Yes, but I’m listening for a few key things. First, it asks an interviewee to come up with a specific moment. Rather than the standard “What are your weaknesses?” question, which more often provokes groans from jobseekers, it asks for a concrete professional incident. But this gives a candidate plenty of options: Do they focus on a lost promotion, or a failed project? Do they make it about themselves, or about their company? You can see a lot of their personality by how they interpret the question.

What’s more, by asking what caused the failure, the question doesn’t require an applicant to take responsibility for it, though they might choose to. In my experience, these are three types of answers I typically hear—with some responses earning better marks than others.

THE NON-FAILURE FAILURE

I once spent too much time on a project because I refused to hand over something that I couldn’t be proud of.

This is the answer that induces silent yawns from hiring managers. It’s a candidate’s attempt to convey a strength wrapped in the veneer of a weakness. You’ll often get this answer from people early in their careers who aren’t yet comfortable with the idea that failure and weakness are part of any job.

 

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If a candidate who’s still early in their career answers this way, I’ll often give them a second chance: “That could also be interpreted as a moment of strength and having high standards. Do you have another example?”

If the candidate is more experienced, though, this answer worries me. It implies they still haven’t learned to be comfortable with their own shortcomings. Acknowledging your weaknesses is critical to making career progress—you first need to know when you mess up and then think critically about why.

So as an interviewer, if you can only get a “non-failure failure” from a candidate, it may be time to move on.

THE BLAME-IT-ON-OTHERS DISAPPOINTMENT

I once was due for a promotion, but my manager didn’t give it to me because there was another candidate who was my boss’s favorite.

This answer upsets me the most. It shows that the candidate doesn’t focus quite enough on the things that are actually within in their control, choosing instead to rationalize their disappointments by putting responsibility on someone or something else.

This type of employee may not be looking (or ready) to grow outside their current role; they’re simply expecting to get promoted just for doing their job and nothing more.

But not necessarily. Sometimes life is really is unfair. Maybe they wereslighted! While this might be true, when you’re hiring, you want to find people who view any situation as an opportunity to assess how they might’ve done things differently to achieve a better outcome—even if they weren’t at fault. You want people who put the burden of responsibility on themselves, even if others may share in it, too. These are likely to be the hires who will surprise you by going above and beyond.

COMPLETE OWNERSHIP

I was once working on a project, and the client hated the result. I realized that I could’ve put more effort into the project and worked to better understand their needs up front. It taught me a lot about my approach to kicking off new projects going forward.

This is the ideal answer. When someone says this, I often have to stifle a grin.

Make no mistake: There are multiple people or systems at fault in pretty much any failure situation. The point isn’t to ask a jobseeker to pretend otherwise; in this example, it’s more than likely that the client didn’t do a perfect job of explaining what they wanted, or maybe they changed the scope of the project after it started. Even so, it’s still critical for a candidate to take complete ownership of a problem. That’s the starting point for finding any workable solution.

So yes, complete ownership might seem extreme, but the people who default to that tendency may have some serious advantages over those who don’t. First, they may be more likely to view situations through the lens of, “How can I improve this?” Rather than wait for others to change, they quickly take action within their span of control to improve a situation—including persuading others to act. They realize that their role in the company isn’t just their narrow job description, but includes doing whatever it takes to get a successful result.

Second, they’re the ones who are most likely to improve their own skills by choice. Rather than waiting for formal training, they spend their downtime teaching themselves the ins and outs of a new marketing technology, for instance, or how to program in a new language. They’re passionate, and they’re problem solvers. They realize their own potential and constantly pursue a better version of themselves.

Finally, taking complete ownership of your failures shows you’re someone who avoids politics. Rather then expending emotional energy complaining about other team members, these people realize their own ability to influence a situation and address interpersonal issues head-on.

So while it may seem a little reductive, try testing out this interview question as a hiring manager. It may help you build a team of people who shirk petty politics and are always striving to improve their own skills. And if you’re a job seeker and an interviewer asks you to discuss your failures, don’t hold back—own up to what went wrong and how the experience taught you to switch up your approach. That just may improve your chances that the interview itself will turn out a success.

Allen Gannett is the CEO of TrackMaven, a content and social marketing analytics company. He is based in Washington, D.C., and can be followed at @Allen.

FastCompany.com |  ALLEN GANNETT  | 10.30.16 5:00 AM

Your #Career : 10 Ways You’re Blowing A Job Interview, and How to Fix…After Interviewing Hundreds of Applicants, Here are a Few Common Mistakes that Damage your Chances of Success.

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As you know, it’s not always easy to get an interview for a job, but when you do get that call-back for a live interview, it feels great and a little nerve-wracking. When I used to get that all-important call giving me the time to come in for an interview, I know it would start to do a number on my head. I wanted the job so much more once I knew I had a real shot at it. The problem is that mistakes tend to occur the moment you become fixated on how great it would be to have that job rather than focusing on preparation and the best way to approach the interview.

PeopleAwaitingInterview

 

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