How to Answer 5 Difficult Interview Questions
In preparation for your interviews, you need to expect that there will be at least one, or more, “zingers.” Questions you wish they didn’t ask, but which you know will probably be asked, based upon your resume. So you need to be prepared. Here are some of those difficult questions and how to answer them. The important thing to remember is this: be brief, and then turn it around to illustrate how you can help solve the company’s problem. 1. Why did you leave your last job? Stay positive. Think, take a breath, and go for it. I left for a new growth opportunity. I left to learn new skills in a more challenging job. And then go back to what you can do for them. 2. Why were you fired? The roles and responsibilities turned out not to be what was explained during the hiring process. Or, it was not a good cultural fit and it was a mutually agreed upon departure. That is why I want to work with this company where I feel I will fit in. And I can help you solve problem x. 3.. What is your weakness? Everyone has one. Be ready to talk about something that is not related to the job at hand. For example, if you are in the tech field, perhaps your weakness is in financial analysis. If you are in finance, perhaps it is social media. Then say what you have done to improve, or move on. And I have taken on a course or a project to improve that skills. 4. What have you been doing for the past x years? Be ready for this one if you have not been working for the past x years. I have been (doing one of the following): volunteering, raising children, going to graduate school, doing pro bono consulting. Then say, “And that is why I am excited to use my skills in x for your company.” 5. How would you handle a disagreement with your supervisor? Stay positive..This question is about how you handle adversity and interpersonal communication. Say, “Although we may have disagreed I always put forward my suggestions and solutions to problems.” Give a few positive qualities, characteristic skills and what you did at that company. And this is how I can help you solve your problem. www.geffencareers.com
5 Things to STOP and 5 Things to START in your Job Search
Just checking in to see how your job search is going. Not getting the results you expected? Here are five things you need to STOP doing and 5 things you need to START doing to get unstuck. 1) STOP giving out your business card to everyone your meet. INSTEAD, set up a coffee or a lunch to get to know them better. Start building relationships with people instead of simply collecting cards and building your contact list. 2) STOP wasting your time answering ads on the Internet. INSTEAD, write directly to a hiring manager, a person two levels above you at a company where you would like to work. Not in answer to an ad. Say how you can help them solve their problems and what accomplishments and skills you bring to the table. Ask for the meeting. 3) STOP using job descriptions in your resume. Everyone with the same job has the same job description. INSTEAD focus on your accomplishments with measurable results. Try to quantify your results with numbers, percents, dollars earned, dollars saved, clients satisfied. 4) STOP blaming your age or lack of skills.You can’t change your age but you can improve your chances of being hired. INSTEAD, start upgrading your skills with online courses or certificates at your local community college. 5) STOP complaining about the tough job market and saying woulda, coulda, shoulda. INSTEAD, assess your skills, make a plan, list the companies where you would like to work and start writing, emailing, calling, networking to get the meetings that will lead to the job you want. Do one thing each day that gets you closer to your goal. www.geffencareers.com
How to Research In Preparation for Your Interview!
Preparation for an interview is crucial for your success as a job candidate. Not only must you be prepared to talk about your accomplishments and how you can help the company, you must also learn as much about the company, its mission, and culture as you can. Here are 5 ways to research a company and the people who will interview you: 1. Company website and company LinkedIn page. Learn as much as you can about the company purpose, history, issues and projects. Read the annual report to find out the highlights of the past year, the financials and other info the company wants you to know about. Review the section for investors to find out the score on where the company stands against its competitors. 2. Read reviews on Glass Door by former employees. Here you will find out info on salaries, benefits, people, and the company culture, and maybe, if you are lucky, some negatives they don’t want you to know about. 3. Research the interviewers on their personal LinkedIn pages. Learn about their education, past job history, connections, and interests. See if you have anything in common with the interviewer. This can be a good opener for conversation, just don’t spend a lot of time on it during the interview. Or, maybe you know someone who went to the same school or worked in the same company who knows them. 4. Read trade publications to get further insight. If you are staying in the same industry, you should already be reading your industry publications. If you are changing industries then you definitely must do the research. Every industry has a professional association with free information and more if you become a member.Go to the association homepage for the industry to learn even more 5. Talk to real people who work or have worked in the company. Do you know someone who works there? Talk to them before the interview. If not, do you know someone who can introduce you to someone at the company? Talk to them before the interview. If not, write directly to a hiring manager to get a 15-minute informational meeting. Nothing takes the place of talking to an insider. www.geffencareers.com