Interview Tips 2: More important Questions to Prepare For

As you probably already know, interviews are basically a series of questions. The employer screens you to ensure you are or are not qualified for the position they wish to fill. Simple as that. Right? Well yes and know. No one really wants to become an interview guru, because that would mean that they have been to a few of them giving the impression that they cannot hold down a job, even if that isn't the case. They do however want to be prepared. nextSource has compiled a list of commonly asked questions that a general interview may hold (this includes the wild card questions in the previous post
If you enter an interview confidently and well prepared, everything else should fall into place.

- Typical question number one: Tell me about your self.
(see previous post: Wild Card Questions)

- Typical question number two: What do you know if anything, about our company?

Research on the hiring company should be preformed prior to the scheduled interview. This includes simple Google searches and any websites the particular company may run. Knowing everything about the company can be a turn off. So elegantly show that you have done your part in learning a bit about the organization while keeping a clear indication that your objective is to learn more.

- Typical question number three: Why would you like to work for our company?
Even if it is true, avoid saying anything related to “it was my last resort”. This is a good opportunity to sell yourself, so do it. Relate to the company and the position you are applying for. This could vary from expressing interest in what the company is doing and how you would like to be a part of it. The industry will determine where this question’s answer ends up. Mention that you would like to bring new ideas and leadership to the company and that you know these ideals are encouraged within the organization.

Additionally, if the position deals with HR mention your people skills, if it deals with Technology mention your computer skills. Same goes for an Accounting position; express organizational and numerical skills and how these pertain to the company.
(If you find that you are stating reasons that do not pertain to your own skills and/or interests then perhaps you should not be taking this interview in the first place.)

- Typical question number four: Why are you applying for this position? or What appears most attractive about this position?

This answer most likely will carry over from the previous question (Why would you like to work for our company?)
Include position based factors that have led to your decision to apply. If there is anything about the job that doesn’t interest you, narrow it down to a single, manageable factor, if at all, so as not to turn off the employers.

- Typical question number five: What skills do you have that may place you above the rest? Or Why should we hire you?
Brag away; tell them why you are so special. Express your background and experiences with different plat forms and your success in meeting goals. Make sure you include items mentioned on your resume.

Again, sell yourself, make the company feel as if they need you. Explain your history in leadership and priority setting. Examples from actual situations where you executed these skills may help put the icing on the cake.

In addition, mentioning your personality traits may be helpful here. Maybe you are a high energy, motivated individual who gets the job done. Mention it. This is an appealing trait especially when considering management positions.

- Typical question number six: What do you look for in a career?

Here the employers are probably addressing your long-term goals. Answer in ways pertaining to opportunity, growth and success. Make sure however, that the answer is job based versus personal goals.

- Typical question number seven: Please describe in your own words what this position entails.

Short and sweet is a good path to take for this. Lean towards the tasks and duties the position would hold. It is important that you know this, since it is the position that you are applying for. However, if you are not completely sure state it as, “I am under the impression that this position requires…” This way an opening is provided for the interviewer to correct you if necessary.

- Typical question number eight: How long do you plan to stay with this company?

This is a very direct and even abrupt question. Calmly address it by explaining your plans to make this position a career. Add that you need to be continuously challenged in order to be successful both personally and for the company. Add that as long as the company provides this opportunity, you intend to stay.

- Typical question number nine: What, if any, are some important trends you see in this industry?

This is a good question to do research on. Be prepared with a few examples. This will demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and how you are willing to implement or follow these trends if necessary.

- Typical question number ten: Why have you left or are you leaving your last or current

If not executed accurately, this question could be harmful. Be honest without hurting your reputation. If you were apart of the millions laid off due to the economic recession, mention it. In all other cases don’t bash your previous employer. Many interviewers are probing you to do just that to see where your company loyalty and ethics lie. Be sure keep everything truthful. Assume all references will be checked.

- Typical question number eleven: What components or duties of your last position did you enjoy most? The least?

This is an important question as the possibility that these components may carry over into the new position. If you enjoyed leadership areas, mention it. It could place you in the managerial running.
This again addresses the research preparation. If you know what the position you are interviewing for has traits that you didn’t enjoy at your previous job. Don’t bring them up in this question. (if this is the case, however, ask yourself why you are applying for this job)

- Typical question number twelve: What are your long-term goals?

This relates back to question six. Gear your answer towards long-term opportunities within the company: “In an organization such as this, I would like to…” or “My ultimate goal is to […] and in a company such as yours, I feel I can achieve this by…”

- Typical question number thirteen: How much do you believe you should be paid in this position?

This is a touchy subject, as you want to be sure you are getting paid enough without the company declining.
Through your research its possible you may have found a salary range for this position. This is great. If you agree simply say: “I have found the range to be between $______ and $______. I believe this is appropriate for this position.

If you acquired this interview through a staffing agency, they may already know the expected salary.

If you don’t know a rage, ask if there is one and go from there. Additionally, you may state: “At my current/previous position my salary is/was $______. I would like to increase this figure, however, my top priority is in the job itself."

If at all possible, avoid this question till the end.

Interview Tips: Wild Card Questions

Every interview consists of the same core questions including the feared, "Tell me about yourself". The biggest struggle with this question is that interviewees don't know how to properly answer it. 

'Tell me about yourself' doesn't translate into 'tell me everything about you'. Employers don't want to become your friend they just want an idea of your work ethic and habits. This is typically one of the trick questions potential employers ask to make or break the interview.

So, what do you do if this question arises? Tell them where you went to school (if applicable), where you got your training, previous work experience, and where you'd like the position you're interviewing for to take you.

If after this they ask for more personal information, answer carefully, if concerned whether or not its appropriate suggest otherwise.

What about the wild card questions? 
ever hear questions like, "If you were a cereal, what would you be?” or "If you were writing an autobiography, what would its title be?" No? Well here are some tips to avoid the surprise factor if in fact they do arise.

Many employers, just like the trick question above will throw in wild card questions to catch you off guard. This allows them to link it back to business.

For instance, the cereal question may be referring to actual job requirements. If you say tutti-frutti’s, they may take it as a suggestion that you are not a serious worker. Even if that is not the case. Grape Nuts on the other hand suggest humor with solidarity. 

How bout an autobiography? This may refer to your ability to sell, in this case yourself. It doesn’t have to be overly clever, it could just be a song title, or like or favorite quote the can explain your qualities while also making you appealing. 

Questions like this are impossible to prepare for, because they are always unpredictable. However, practicing answering "silly" questions on the spot may help eliminate the surprise factor. Have friends or family quiz you before your next interview, if anything it will be a fun game.

 

Top Temporary Jobs

Courtesy of The Bureau of Labor Statistics, here is a list of the best areas for temporary employment for 2008 through 2018.                                                                        

1. Freight, stock and material movers - 40,000 recently added positions 
2. Customer service representative - 34,200 recently added positions 
3. Construction worker - 33,700 recently added positions 
4. Team assemblers - 31,700 recently added positions 
5. Production workers, project aid - 28,300 recently added positions 
6. Employment, recruitment and placement specialists - 24,500 recently added positions 
7. Registered nurses - 20,000 recently added positions 
8. Office clerks - 16,200 recently added positions  
9. All other production workers - 14,900 recently added positions
10. All other assemblers and fabricators - 14,400 recently added positions

Hot Jobs For Facebook Addicts…Seriously

As we can all see, the age of social networking has arrived. The biggest so far, Facebook. It started as a way for college kids to connect and has grown to a world wide phenomenon, anyone whose anyone has a Facebook account. As these jobs may not relate to grandma and grandpa, the newly graduated college students may get a kick out of them.

Recruiter: Searching for qualified candidates has come to be very digital. As a recruiter knowledge of social networks is very beneficial. Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter and job boards have become some of the biggest sources for employment. Additionally, employers are beginning to select one advocate to run a company personality on Facebook or LinkedIn in order to hold a place in the competitive industry.

Social media marketing manager: Companies want people with social networking skills to help run web 2.0 interfaces. Similar to the recruiter, employers want people to run their social networking profiles.

Tech reporter/blogger: If surfing the web is your way of passing the time then this might be your dream job. Companies want people to scout the web for stories and build a list of sources and data to convert into articles. Online news bases can connect to a larger amount of readers and a broader market, making for a larger web of connections.
 Product managers and developers: The web helps these positions gather valuable information on consumers. No better place to find what people like then on the world wide web. The translate this information into something marketable to the masses, thus creating productivity.

More on Social Networking: Using it to Your Advantage

Those that are particularly savvy when it comes to technology have probably been long time social networkers in one form or another. Yet since the recession began, more and more are finding the benefits tied to online networking.

LinkedIn was averaging about 1 million new users per month, but when September's economic melt down hit they were averaging about 1 million new users ever two weeks. Job seekers, employed, and employers are filling every social networking site in hopes of creating a strong web of connections, finding jobs and filling positions.

Facebook took one of the biggest surges in new member rates consisting primarily of advertisers and job seekers. Similarly, Twitter gathered millions of new seekers, employers and companies seeking similar opportunities and even some recruiters.

Why social networking?

Experts stand by the mere fact that the internet allows us to quickly make connections without needing to know the person first. True, e-mail and snail mail allowed for generally the same thing, but social networking has evolved to almost a necessary tool.

The tree of connections for most businesses is generally elaborate and involves the friends of friends of friends tier system. With social networking sites this tree can grow into a wide web of connections which can advance a business in many ways. Peoples boundaries of personal information and relationships are almost non-existent on the web. They are willing to share information and make connections more online then in the “real-world”.

It should be understood that by no means is social networking something that should or could replace real-world tools. The combination of both can make a world of a difference. Here are a few tips on how to approach the web of social networks.


Look before you leap. If you are new to the social networking scene, it is best to do your research. In other words narrow your memberships to just a few sites to begin with. Once signed up fiddle around with the site, see what it offers, find people similar to you and learn the ropes. Good things to note; Facebook is still universally used for connecting with friends and fellow classmates or alumni versus potential employers or bosses. Where LinkedIn is primarily a business network, where you can connect with friends, past colleagues or potential employers to build your connections tree.


Describe yourself with detail. In the “About Me” section offered by almost all sites, be sure to fill it out accurately and carefully. Treat it as if it were you explaining yourself to a potential employer and mention your skills, experience or accomplishments.


Don’t advertise yourself. There is a fine line between explaining your talents and blatantly advertising yourself. Network yourself tastefully. Kindly ask recruiters if they have jobs available or offer suggestions to a fellow member, without flaunting your accreditation.

Keep it clean. You’ve heard about students getting suspended from school due to inappropriate online content, be it MySpace or Facebook. This can happen in the business world as well, usually with bigger consequences. Keep photos of your best friends bachelor’s party to your personal networks, privately. Ensure all public profiles geared toward business remain strictly professional.

Make connections vs. just searching for a job. Although searching for jobs may be your main goal, connections are just as important if not more. Look for friends with similar interest, job history or skills. Share ideas with them and build off of that.

Think outside the box. If you receive an interview, gather as much research as you can. Gather important names, learn the history of the potential company, check out their site if possible.

Respect privacy. In addition to keeping your site professional, be sure to maintain a privacy balance among connections, especially your boss. Keep private things invisible to your boss, and confidentially share an online relationship.

Get yourself out there. Online networking has its perks. You get to avoid the uncomfortable handshakes and reluctant introductions that come with personal networking. Online you can join groups that match interests, find old friends that could connect you with employers and get in touch with your industry without awkward introductions.

Grab onto the reigns and embark on the adventure and benefit social networking offers.

Get that Job through Fairs and Expos

When beginning your new year, new job hunt journey, be careful to consider all possibilities.

Detriot area recently reported that a job placement appeared high at a local Career Expo.

As the economy begins its slow recovery, companies, particularly industrial and automotive, are beginning to hire.

Many recruiters at the fair were instructed to hire employees on the spot! Personal interviews and interactions are the best way to portray your skills and appealing work qualities. Theres no better place then Career Expos or Job Fairs !

The Best Resume: Key Items To Include When Writing Your Resume

No two employers are alike and to try and pinpoint a resume format that will please all is nearly impossible. What is possible however, is including key items that are universally necessary.  

A resume is a written explanation of your skills experience and certification. Poorly executed resumes can result in loss of interviews or even worse, end up in the trash. No one knows you better then yourself, so opt out of professional writers, take a deep breath and write your own using these helpful tips.

1. Use a Processor You’re Familiar With
Don’t fuss over downloading the latest resume writing tools. Stick with what you know. The most typical, and easiest is Microsoft Word. It is compatible and houses all the features you’ll need.

2. Tone Down the Yuppie Language
As tempting as it is to Share you’re awesome vocabulary skills, don’t. Keep the language professional and clean. Demonstrate your fluent language skills in you’re interview. If its too wordy, some employers may turn it away.

3. Make Your Contact Information Visible
Essentially, your resume is you, on paper. Make sure your name is distinct from all other text. Contact information should follow your name in smaller font.

4. Let Your Certification Be Known
If you are professionally certified or affiliated with any major companies. Place the logo on your resume either along side your name or on the top of the page. Such subtle additions can set your resume apart from others both visually and certifiably.

5. Keep the Formatting Clean
Use standard fonts such as Times, Times New Roman, Ariel or Verdana. Keep Font sizes at or around 10 or 11 point, bold headings and justify all text. Avoid tables. Instead use in tab formatting.

6. Divide Sections Accordingly
Typically there are six key areas to include.
Summary
Professional Certification/Awards/Honors/Affiliations
Technical Skills
Professional Experience/Work Experience
Education
Other Information (awards recognition apart from professional / Hobbies etc.)

(*Note: order may be changed if more important or recent items within experience level, expertise, any degrees and profession. If you recently acquired a degree, the Education section would come after Summary rather then at the end.)

7. Include Keywords
Recruiters are beginning to utilize keyword searches to find resumes. For most skills, more then one way of mentioning them can be found. To ensure your resume gets found, express key skills in all possible ways.
For example: “Microsoft SQL Server 2005”, “MS SQL Server 2005”, or “MS SQL 2005”.