Job Interviews

How to Standout from 3,000 Other Job Applicants

By Brie Hobbs on Tuesday, January 25, 2011

As one of the top five of Fortune’s Top 100 Best Companies to Work for in 2010, Google sees thousands of résumés every day. In fact, in 2008 The NewYork Times reported that Google received more than 20,000 résumés each week – that’s an average of two résumés every minute. While most companies don’t see anything like two to three thousand résumés every day, let alone in a year, in today’s economy there’s still numerous applicants for every open job no matter where you apply. So how do you get the job when you’re up against such tough competition?

What Google Looks for in Candidates
Entrepreneur Magazine recently interviewed Google’s staffing manager, Todd Carlisle, on what he looks for in an employee when hiring for Google’s highly coveted jobs, and one of the qualities Carlisle mentions is ambition. “An Ivy League alum with a high GPA is great, but even better is the person who was the first in the family to go to college and did well while working an extra job,” Carlisle said.

It’s probably not a surprise to you that employers are looking for qualities like determination and self-motivation in potential employees. With smaller workforces and heavy workloads, businesses need employees with the drive to help solve problems and boost productivity.

For unemployed job seekers, it’s difficult to stay motivated and driven when finding work has become a full-time job in its own right. For employees who are looking to job hop because of stress, employee engagement issues, or job security concerns at work, it’s tempting to play it safe and lay low in their current position. But, to get the job and stand out from the crowd, determination and aspiration are exactly what you need whether you’re unemployed or just job hopping.

Preparing for Your Next Interview
Before your next interview, come up with several examples that demonstrate your ambition, whether it’s when you took initiative to make a process more efficient at work or when you went to night school while you working full-time to build a better future for you and your family.

Above all, as you continue your job search, remember to stay motivated. Don’t settle. Keep learning. Keep dreaming. Keep growing and doing. The skills you acquire and develop today will help get you the job of your dreams tomorrow.

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From a Hiring Manager’s Perspective: What Are They Thinking After Your Interview?

By Miranda Wilson on Wednesday, January 19, 2011

After you interview for a job, the ever-fun waiting game begins. Will you get a second interview or a call saying, “Thanks for interviewing, but…?” Whether or not you advance in the interview process is now in the hands of the hiring manager. It’s time for the interviewer to process what they’ve learned about you.

So, what could make or break the deal? In deciding whether or not you get a call back for a second interview, here’s an inside look at two questions an interviewer is sure to ask themselves about you.

Do I like the candidate’s personality?

Can this interviewer see you getting along with the team? Would you fit in well with the company culture? On your résumé, you might be a great fit, but there’s a lot that a hiring manager can learn about you during – and after – you interview. Not only will a potential employer evaluate the answers you gave during an interview, but they will take into consideration your nonverbal communication skills, investigate your online personal brand (a.k.a. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), and check your references. All of these items are taken into consideration when a potential employer is debating hiring you to their team.

Is this person driven?

Are you self motivated and eager to learn and take on new projects? Right now, with the continued uncertainty about the economy and tight budgets, companies are still playing it safe when it comes to hiring. With fewer workers and heavier workloads, employers are looking for hard-working, motivated individuals who can stand the test of time.

To determine if you’re the employee for them, hiring managers will be taking all things about you into consideration when making a decision – your work history, your interview responses, and your references’ feedback. To put your best foot forward during the interview, make sure your résumé is up-to-date, research the company, brush up on some potential interview questions, and dress to impress. Also, contact your references so they can be prepared to give you a recommendation. The day of your interview, it’s your day to shine. Your goal is to make a lasting, positive impression that makes the hiring manager want to hire YOU!

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What’s Missing From Your Résumé?

By Miranda Wilson on Monday, January 10, 2011

Do you ever wonder what goes through someone’s mind when they read your résumé? Are elements missing? Could your work history information be explained better? Employers are good at evaluating résumés because they’ve seen so many and have done it for a long time. To help you design a résumé that gets a second look, here are five standout tips.

1. Include a brief summary. Who are you and why should an employer be interested? Highlight your skills and abilities at the beginning of your résumé. The key is to tell the employer why the company should hire you – or what you can bring to the team. Share information like years of experience you have and highlight two or three of your skills. Be specific and keep your résumé summary to about two sentences. Use this as a quick way to grab an employer’s attention and encourage further reading.

2. Don’t be overly wordy. Using more words on your résumé will not necessarily make you look more impressive to a potential employer. They don’t have a lot of time to devote to reading a lengthy document – instead they’re scanning for what stands out. Since you won’t have a lot of time to impress them, be sure to catch their attention quickly. Be clear, concise, and get to the point.

3. Be honest. In other words, don’t say you have five years of experience in something if you don’t. It’s always in your best interest to be truthful because an employer will find out. Employers are being more and more cautious about hiring. They’re not only checking your references, but they’re also searching for information online. Make sure you’re honest and upfront.

4. Identify your results. Employers are more interested in your impact than your job duties, so include quantifiable information on your résumé to identify your accomplishments. Don’t just tell an employer what your responsibilities have been, but also identify how you’ve made a difference. For instance, if you’ve previously helped raise funds for something, tell how much money you received. If you created a system for streamlining your company’s printing process, tell how much time and money you saved the company. Also, if you’ve managed individuals, specify exactly how many.

5. Brag a little. If you’ve won an award or received a certificate for a job well done, make sure you share it on your résumé. Now is your chance to let others know why you’re amazing and the right person for the job. Create a short section at the end of your résumé and title it “Accomplishments.” Then, list out a few of your greatest achievements.

Creating a résumé isn’t a difficult process, but it does take a little strategizing and time. Block off some time on your calendar to focus on yours, and use these tips and others from our Résumé Boot Camp to ensure that yours isn’t missing something it needs.

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Is Your Job Search Too Broad?

By Miranda Wilson on Monday, November 8, 2010

Looking for a new job can be a time-consuming task, full of twists and turns along the way. To better help you search for a job, some advice is to focus on niches that interest you. This will help you narrow your search and dedicate more time to finding the right job for your skills.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many industries have seen an increase in employment. So, you might want to see if any of these areas are of interest to you!

Employment in computer systems and related services increased by 8,000 in October. Overall since June of 2009, this niche has seen an employment increase by 53,000
Professions in health care increased by 24,000 jobs in October.
Employment in retail saw an October increase of 28,000, particularly among automobile dealers, which increased by more than 6,000 and electronics and appliance stores which increased by over 5,000.
Employment in manufacturing and construction is holding steady.

As you continue with your job search or begin to embark on a job hop, be sure you have a focus. Here a few tips to help you make yourself more marketable to the industry you’re wanting to work in.

Tailor your résumé to the industry. If there are specific skills you have that would be a great fit for a niche job, list them on your résumé.
Get to know people. Sometimes getting a job depends not on what you know, but who you know. Try to get plugged into networking meetings where you could make new contacts to help get your foot in the door.
Utilize the internet. In addition to sites like Monster and CareerBuilder, also check out online niche job boards to locate jobs through specific search criteria. Here is an example of a website to check out for identifying niche markets.

Knowing which job industries are hiring and what you have a passion for doing can have a great impact on your job search success. When you narrow down what you’re looking for, your job hunt tactics can become more direct, helping you to better hit the bull’s-eye and find the right job for you.

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7 Tricky Job Interview Questions and Ways to Respond

By ibk on Friday, September 17, 2010

It’s normal to feel a bit nervous about an interview. You are meeting someone you don’t know well and you have a very short period of time to make a standout first impression. And, then they stump you with questions you’re not sure you know how to respond to. Many people misinterpret questions asked by employers, so they either say something they shouldn’t or they don’t know the appropriate way to respond. Once you know what to expect, you will likely perform better. To help you, here are some frequently asked questions and how you can answer them correctly.

What are your strengths? This question gives you the opportunity to talk about your attributes. This is a good time to showcase how your skills correlate to the key job description. For example, if you’re applying for a job as a bank teller, telling the employer that you’re excellent at baking bread is probably not the best answer to give considering it’s not the skill they’re looking for. Always tie in your strengths and be sure you explain how your skills and strengths correlate to the job.

What are your weaknesses? This is a common question, but can be very tricky. Be careful how you phrase your answer. Employers know that you have weaknesses – we all do. So, don’t tell them that you don’t have any weaknesses. First, be straightforward and honest about your weaknesses, but be sure to positively phrase your weaknesses as challenges you have overcome or are currently working to overcome. For example, instead of saying, “My weakness is that I’m highly disorganized and I have trouble with task management.” You say something more like, “Being organized wasn’t always my strongest point but I have taken time to implement and incorporate a daily and weekly time management system that has allowed me to better handle more projects and consistently complete them on time.”

The key to answering this question is to show the employer that you’re taking steps to better yourself and are constantly working on turning your weaknesses into strengths.

Why are you seeking new employment? Be careful of how you answer this question. The last thing you want to do is bash a former employer. Telling an interviewer about the bad bosses you have had and how miserable they made your life will not get you anywhere in an interview. Instead, say something like, “I learned a lot from my previous job, but I am ready for new opportunities and to continue growing my skill set.”

Tell us about your work gap: If you have a work gap, an employer may be curious to know why and may ask what you did during that period. This is a great time to talk about opportunities where you’ve worked on growing your skills or discovering new talents. This shows the employer that even though you were out of a job, you still took the time to keep your skills current.

If you’re currently unemployed and have a work gap, seek out opportunities to use your skills in volunteer organizations. This still allows you to do work that interests you that you could also put in a portfolio.

What is a difficult situation you’ve faced in the past and how have you handled it? This interview question will help an interviewer discover how you handled and overcame certain situations in the past. For this question, don’t go into extreme detail about the situation, but tell how you implemented solutions to solve the problem. Give concrete examples. Before your interview, refresh your memory on how you have tackled difficult situations.

What are your salary requirements? It is best not to bring up salary negotiations in the first interview unless you interviewer mentions it first. Be sure to do your homework prior to the interview to know a salary range for the job. To help with your research, check out salary.com. But remember, don’t discuss salary until the employer mentions it.

Why should we hire you? Talk about your skills and how you can be an asset to the company. Remember to tie your strengths into the job description. Also talk about how your skills can benefit the company. Impress them with what you can do for them. Give examples and highlight why your skills qualify or make you the best candidate for the job.

At first glance, some questions may seem difficult for you to answer, but they don’t have to be that way. Use the above tips to learn how you can effectively answer some frequently asked interview questions and shine during your next interview.

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8 Tips to a Job Interview over Lunch or Dinner

By ibk on Friday, September 10, 2010

At some point in your job search or career, you may be invited to a job interview over breakfast, lunch, or dinner. While meal times are usually relaxing and entertaining, business-related dining for a job interview is more professional and employers use the opportunity to test an applicant’s social skills. If you’re nervous about attending a job interview over lunch or dinner, don’t panic. Use these tips to help improve your dining etiquette and get the job.

Arrive early. Many lunch interviews will take place during office hours, so interviewers may be pressed for time to get back to the office. Be respectful of their time and show up when expected.

Dress appropriately. Even though you might be in a casual restaurant, be sure to dress appropriately for the interview. For instance, you might wear a suit if you’re applying for a more professional job or a nice pair of slacks if it’s an industrial job. Depending on what kind of job you’re applying for, make sure you find out what is appropriate for that specific field.

Turn off cell phone. You’re making a first impression from the minute you step into the restaurant. Stay focused on why you’re there. To avoid possible distractions while dining, it’s best to leave your cell phone in the car during an interview. If you’re expecting an emergency phone call, be cautious and let your host know in advance. If you must take your phone with you, put it on silent.

Make conversation. Prior to your interview, gather as much information as you can and talk with the interviewer about what you know about their company and their job. It’s easy to get nervous during an interview, but don’t let that prevent you from being conversational. Chat with your interviewer as you’re ordering your food.

Use good manners. Be sure to sit up straight and engage yourself with your surroundings. Don’t slouch on the table. Since it’s an interview, you’re going to get a lot of questions so avoid talking with a mouth full of food. Also, avoid ordering food like spaghetti or lobster so you don’t make a mess, and remember to keep your elbows off the table.

Follow the interviewers lead. Mirror the body language of your host. If they lean forward, do so too. Also, follow their lead when ordering your food. Stay within the price range of your host, but if your host asks you to go ahead and order first, pick something that isn’t too expensive. Also, be sure to make your food choice quickly. Don’t spend a lot of time trying to decide what you want to order. Remember the reason you’re there is to interview, not to hang out with friends.

Be polite. Don’t be rude to a server or restaurant staff because it will reflect badly on you. Don’t forget your host is watchful of your behavior so be sure to say please and thank you when necessary.

Send a follow-up thank-you note. In a situation where you and other candidates may possess equal qualifications for a job, a thank-you note can be used as a tie breaker. So, after your lunch or dinner, be sure to follow up with a thank-you note.

Most interviews conducted during a breakfast, lunch, or dinner setting are a little different than being in the interviewer’s office. These interviews can reveal your social skills and how you act in situations other than the business environment. Remember that confidence goes a long way in every interview so be sure to smile and maintain eye contact when necessary. Relax, enjoy the food and company, and show potential employers that you’re the perfect match for the position you’re interviewing for.