25 Smart Questions to Make You Stand Out During the Interview

25 Smart Questions to Make You Stand Out During the Interview Interviews can be stressful, but if you’ve done your research, prepared your answers, the next thing is to create a list of questions you will ask during the interview. Remember, the interview really should be a mutual exchange of information, not an interrogation. When you ask questions is demonstrates your interest in the company and the position. It also shows you have given careful thought to what the job will entail and whether the company will be a good match. Sending these impressions to the employer can work in your favor. Remember, most employers aren’t hiring “butts in seats.” They want the people they hire to perform, and hopefully better than expected. There are four different categories of questions listed depending on where you are in the interview process and what information you want to gather during your discussion. Basic Questions These questions are good to ask during the pre-screening phone interview or in the early stages of the interviewing process. Gathering the answers early will allow you to ask better follow-up questions later on. They will also provide you with a clearer idea of the skills you will want to emphasize. What do you see ahead for your company in the next five years? What do you consider to be your company’s most important assets? How do you rate your competition? Could you describe a typical day or week in this position? Or Could you describe the typical client or customer I would be dealing with? What are the most important elements of this job? Why is this position available? What did the last person in this position go onto do â€" and what were they like? How is job performance evaluated, and how often does it occur? What are the three main factors you will be using to determine the right person for this job? What was it about my qualifications that most appealed to you? Job-Related Questions These questions allow you to dig deeper into the job requirements and expectations and are best asked of your future manager. What goals do you expect the person who takes this job to achieve during their first 30, 60, and 90 days? Could you tell me about the way the job has been performed in the past? And, what improvements you’d like to see happen? How does “X” get done here? (Where “X” is a key element of the job) What types of skills do you NOT already have on-board that you’re looking to fill with a new hire? If I was starting in this position today, what would you advise me to learn first and do first? Cultural Fit Questions Finding the right cultural fit is important to you AND the employer. There are many elements to cultural fit: management style, processes and procedures, ethics/values, communication styles, levels of trust and empowerment are just a few. Listen carefully and without bias as you ask these questions. Whenever possible, ask relevant follow-up questions to gain further insight or clarification. What do you like best about working here? What type of work do you delegate to your staff? The company may have a formal recognition program; however, what type of recognition have you recently given to one of your staff? Has anyone on your staff been promoted over the last couple of years? If so, what was the reason why this person was promoted? What would be the three things that your peers would say you do extremely well? What opportunities do you make available for professional development and training? What do employees do in their spare time? Does the company welcome celebrating special occasions? What was the last occasion your department celebrated? Trial Close Sometimes it is a good idea to see if you’ve left the interviewer with questions or issues unaddressed. A “trial close” can be a way for you to see what the interviewer is feeling. Are there any reservations you have about my fit for the position that I could try to address? This job sounds like something I’d really like to do â€" is there a fit here? Now that we’ve talked about my qualifications and the job, do you have any concerns about my being successful in this position? Final Questions There are no exceptions. You MUST know the answers to these questions. It allows you to plan how and when you follow-up. What is the next step in this process? What is your time line for getting back to candidates about the next steps? Exuding confidence and interest in the job are two of the most important assets you can possess! Go get the next interview! RELATED:  10 Killer Interview Tactics You Ought to Know

Links Around the Web

Introducing My Book Launch Team and Book Reviews/Links Around the Web This has been such a great book launch month so its only fitting that I end the last day of the month introducing you to my book launch team!  I was just looking at a photo of me one month ago signing my very first book and realized how so many things have changed in just a month! I think over this past month I have signed over 100 books and now my work is officially in the hands of thousands of people. Very rewarding, thats for sure! So before I say good-bye to this book launch month, I wanted to introduce you to my absolutely amazing book launch team.  These women helped me get the word out about my book and helped my book make it to #36 on Amazons Women Business category! We had over 50 amazing women on the book launch team and some of them you get to meet today!  If you havent picked up your copy of The Professional Womans Guide,  click here to buy it on Amazon today! If you have read my book, I would also REALLY appreciate an Amazon review. Thank you ahead of time! Thanks again ladies! Couldnt have done it without you! Drena Campbell I am Vice President of a manufacturing company that is male dominant. I am the only female within the company managing all day to day operations. I am also a Mom of 3, a blogger, writer, and editor. Contact Info: Email: dcamp5@yahoo.com LinkedIn: Drena Campbell Blog: campbelldrena.blogspot.com Patti Webb Based in Atlanta, GA, Patti bases her leadership skills from 8 years of coaching high school, collegiate and masters rowing. She is currently a Marketing Manager for an independent book publisher, and is President of her high school Alumni Association. Contact Info: Twitter: @CoxswainPatti LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pattiwebb Blog: www.icoxswain.blogspot.com Catherine Stetler Young professional in Central Pennsylvania, Catherine has a Masters in Public Administration and works for the local government. Savvy She is a CPA with over twenty-five years of accounting experience working in private industry. She is also the creator and writer of Savvy Working Gal http://savvyworkinggal.blogspot.com a website that provides advice and tips on career and finance issues. Contact Info: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Savvy-Working-Gal/425705514169613 Twitter: @savvyworkinggal http://feeds.feedburner.com/SavvyWorkingGal https://plus.google.com/109625535356742105524/posts http://www.pinterest.com/savvyworkinggal http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2661666/savvy-working-gal Marisa Donegon I am a supply chain professional who loves learning about career and personal growth. I am starting my Masters in Operations and Project Management, and currently works as a Material Planner for a manufacturing company. Contact Info: Facebook: Marisa Donegon Twitter: @marisajf531 LinkedIn: Marisa Donegon Gmail: Marisa.Donegon@gmail.com Katie Robinson Katie coordinates and collaborates with creative minds to turn multiple ideas into one creation. Currently, she works as the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Production Management at Sesame Workshop and runs an advice blog called Ask the Young Professional where she gives advice to succeed in and outside of work as a savvy twenty-something. Contact Info: LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/katieelizabethrobinson Email: Asktheyoungprofessional@gmail.com Blog: www.asktheyoungprofessional.com Twitter: @kter218, @AsktheYoPro Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AskTheYoungProfessional Alexis LaRee Alexis LaRee is a Career Consultant and Career Development Facilitator with a passion for guiding Millennial women through career success. In 2013, Alexis established Alexis LaRee Career Consulting where she offers women a combination of career and lifestyle services by guiding them through resume writing, career satisfaction indication, interviewing techniques, navigating the office, taking care of the self, and more. Contact Info: Email: alexislareeconsulting@gmail.com Twitter:  @alexlaree Blog:  http://careergirlnetwork.com/author/alexislaree/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/alexislareeconsulting Lisa Wisniewski I am a Doctoral student in Educational Leadership at the University of Hartford. I am active in the Polish-American community and ran an international conference in 2013 for students and young professionals. Contact Info: Facebook:  Lisa Wisniewski LinkedIn: Lisa Wisniewski Twitter: @Lisus85 Adelaida Diaz Adelaida Diaz is a Program Assistant for a University with 8 years of experience in the Education field. Adelaida has a degree in Business Administration. Adelaida is also a member of Delaware Valley Translators Association, the Womens Professional Network and Member of the National Language Service Corps. Contact Info: LinkedIn: Adelaida Diaz Twitter: @MsAdelaidaDiaz Amanda J.P. Esquivel Amanda J.P. Esquivel is a Project Manager at Global Defense, Inc., where she works with a wide array of stakeholders to integrate complex information systems. She has a passion for strategically solving business problems and discovering efficiencies by deriving insights from analytical information. Amanda is a member of the Board of Advisors of Interra Energy, LLC, a local development-stage company. She has 12 years of broad functional experience that includes Strategy Formulation Analytical Decision Making, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Project Management, Business Process Engineering, and Consulting. Amanda enjoys mentoring and advising professionals and entrepreneurs. Amanda earned a B.S. in Global Business Management from CSU San Marcos and an MBA from Rady School of Management in 2011, and is an active member of the Rady Alumni Board. I also wanted to thank all of these bloggers for hosting me and writing reviews during book launch month! Reviews: Review of The Professional Womans Guide to Managing Men at Breaking Books   Review of The Professional Womans Guide to Managing Men at Savvy Working Gal Review: How to Manage the Boys Club at Kerrys Blog Book Review: The Professional Womans Guide to Managing Men at The Elite Millennial Guest articles: How to Negotiate With Men  at Stilettos on the Glass Ceiling 5 Ways to Get Promoted to Leadership at Careers in Government Gals, its time to Guy Talk  at ProfessionGal 10 Ways to be More Assertive and Smart at Work at Levo League 5 Ways to Get Over Perfection  at Levo League How to Identify Your Female Leadership Strengths at Savvy Working Gal Everything You Need to Know About Working With Men Before Your Graduate by Pink Black Magazine Interviews: Podcast interview with Mark Anthony Dyson at The Voice of Job Seekers Interview at The Daily Interview: How an Accomplished MBA Made a Jump Into Her Own Business Women Leading the Way Radio Podcast: Professional Women Managing Men Its been a busy, fun month thats for sure.  I am looking forward to a little bit of rest but of course I have plenty of new surprises in store for you next month too! Thanks again for all your support and encouragement this month! I couldnt have done it without you.  Like I said in the acknowledgments in the book: Thank you to everyone who has ever read my blog. I hope that I have inspired you and thank you so much for sharing this journey with me. Without readers, I wouldnt be able to write so thank you for reading and pushing me to write this book.

University 101 Starting Uni this year things you need to know University of Manchester Careers Blog

University 101 Starting Uni this year things you need to know University of Manchester Careers Blog Going to University is a unique experience and we hope you enjoy it.   It can be a little bewildering when you first start, meeting new people, settling into a new home and a new city plus  getting to grips with your studies. Its easy to get swept away on a tide of new experiences and before you know it you are graduating and looking for a job.   Woah. crazy right? A few things  you need to know now to help you plan ahead The good news is  there are currently lots of  graduate level jobs ?? There are also a lot of graduates so you need to stand out! Some jobs you need a relevant degree, others will take any degree, but either way they will want a range of skills. Even a first class degree cannot always make up for having little or no experience. Yes, employers will train you but they expect you to have developed some skills along the way. Use your time at university well. This is how you will gain the skills employers want proof of! Before you arrive:  investigate: How can you get a part time job? Can you volunteer? Can you get involved with sports, societies or other extra curricular activities? What support can you access Careers, money advice, welfare advice etc? Its not just for when things go wrong, its to get ahead of the game to make things go better! Freshers / welcome week There will be fairs tours and people all over the campus trying to get your attention. It can be overwhelming, so focus on what you need to find out. Then go and have some fun. Weeks 1-4 Get settled in, work out your timetable and consider your committments so far. Start thinking ahead future proof yourself. You may or many not have a clue what you want to do after University, but dont put off thinking about it. You might decide you want to go into a  job where the main method of recruitment is via internships in your 2nd year.   To get one of these you need experience in your first year.   Even if you change your mind the experience will be valuable so get it anyway! So in First year do some of these: Volunteer Be active in a society or sport or hobby get involved and make a difference. Attend an employer insight day or a spring internship. Get a part time job. Do something constructive in your vacations. Think about your future, talk to people, gather data and get some advice! Whichever University you choose there are people to support you and help you make the right choice for you. Visit your careers team and have a chat.  Oh yes and if you are coming to Manchester invest in an umbrella and some wellies (only partly joking!) All Undergraduate career planning employability Getting started job market Part-time Volunteering work experience

Walk Like a Recruiter...Think Like a Candidate

Walk Like a Recruiter...Think Like a Candidate I often blog tips for recruiters to help them with their option paralysis and heres one tip I really think more recruiters should adopt: think like candidates (walking into an interview like an Egyptian may just freak them out!) If youre a recruiter reading this blog, congratulations for taking the time out to do that.  But how do you find the time bearing in mind how many tools you have at your disposal, how many competitors you have (which include your clients, and even savvy candidates to get to the job before you do!), and you don’t have a time machine? The amount of kit you have access to is possibly giving you option paralysis (I never get sick of using that in meetings!) The amount of online content has never been greater, and its growing, while you sleep, source,  advertise  and whilst you read this (really insightful!) blog. Why should recruiters think like candidates? Well, if you do you are likely to get: More relevant job applications Less pointless approaches More profile views More followers / connections / likes / comments / shares etc More respect That enough? Some Obvious Thoughts: Use their language not yours when talking online â€" you’ll get more profile views, more shares / likes / comments / respect. In my early recruitment career I was involved in many a row about FMCG and TMT not really being a candidate term and that recruiters needed to use keywords that candidate use (especially if they are not candidates yet and thus are not hunting for jobs loaded with your techie speak). They don’t all realise that they are candidates. Yes they have put their CV on to LinkedIn, but the vast majority have no clue about being recruited / head hunted / InMail’d. They will often find it irritating to suggest that they are job seekers. What are you doing with your profile and online activities that will make them feel comfortable being approached by you?   I could write a book of tips on this (and trust me, they’re super-quick-and-nifty-no-excuses tips… ) but you’ll have to wait for another blog for those. News flash â€" just because you advertise a job, doesn’t mean your ideal candidates will apply â€" unless you’re Kevin with a dreamy field and a ball! (Those who don’t get that analogy are too damn young!) Some Not so Obvious Thoughts: Are they on Twitter? Stop rolling your eyes!  Get off of your bike (my mum used that term to get me to listen and stop being insolent!).  Really think about using this medium to listen and approach â€" it’s really effective.   Using Twitter is only ineffective if all you do is bleat on about jobs all day long, so stop it and be smarter! Some of my recruitment clients have made placements from listening and approaching on Twitter â€" think about it!   And don’t use the excuse that you don’t know if they’re on Twitter, ask them if they are! Are you a business developer?   Do want to find vacancies? Check out where candidates look for jobs â€" of course job boards, but where else?   For example, have you tried the ever so gorgeous TwitJobSearch (no, it not a search engine to find twits!)   My recruiters foam at the mouth with this â€" a way of searching Twitter for jobs, without having a Twitter account oh yes sir! If you have great client and candidate meetings and have the odd 15 minutes here or there, write some stuff down and approach a reputable blog in your sector and submit some content. (If you don’t know what blogs in your sector attract candidates and clients you really need to nail this down, see point 2 in the obvious section, rinse and repeat). Editors of blogs get really giddy about external content. No excuses. You’ve all got something to say otherwise your meetings would be really dull. Blogging really doesn’t take that long, you won’t go grey and you may even find that your ideal talent and clients will respect you more and be more open to a coffee (at which point you can totally dazzle them). So, you now have a few things to consider: Can you grab 1 or 2 things from this blog and get more tactical? What the hell was I on about re: Kevin and the ball? How are you going to get the Bangles’ “Walk like an Egyptian” out of your head today?

3 Productivity Apps That are Useful for Remote Workers - CareerMetis.com

3 Productivity Apps That are Useful for Remote Workers Source : Pixabay.comToday’s flexible office, with its share of both on-site and remote employees, has popularized the project-based workdayâ€"as opposed to an hours-based understanding of the workweek.When it comes to flexible and remote work options, who among us would shun the ability to move to Mexico and work from afar, if given the option?Let’s take a closer look at exactly how certain apps encourage collaboration, productivity, and closer connectedness to colleagues and teams.1) SlackevalevalIt’s difficult to overstate how much tools like Slack have transformed the nature of interoffice communications: Venture Beat currently estimatesthat Slack has 6 million daily users, compared to 500,000 in February of 2015. It’s amazing what a difference three years can make! In addition to providing a low-pressure platform for discussing team projects, Slack provides a forum for sharing non-work-related humor via differently designated channels that employees can choose to join at will.This communication hub also benefits remote employees by providing a central location for work and non-related communication alike, mimicking the feeling of being physically present in the office while not actually requiring itâ€"a necessity for today’s flexible work-life schedules. At my place of work, there seem to be almost as many employees who opt to work from home as those who come into the office every day.Some employees do both, wanting the flexibility of staying home or adjusting their schedule if they have a doctor’s appointment while staying connected to office culture.If it weren’t for my office Slack channels, my day would be filled with considerably less joy. Slack emojis seem to have entered our language lexicon with as much gusto as acronyms and emoticons have invaded our text messages.Although some might argue that the over-digitalization of workplace communication is further eroding our ability to have a face-to-face conversation, I would argue that for the more introverted among us, Slack is a godsend to helping us start those in-person interactions in the break room or during a traditional team meeting.2) AsanaevalMy content editing team utilizes Asana for all its product management organization, utilizing tasks and subtasks and organizing them by week into a calendar-based planning system.The app-based nature of this platform also facilitates easy access to progress on project goals for external-facing clients who value having access to our accomplishments at a glance. It’s simple to download a mobile app in addition to the desktop app, making team collaboration and real-time updates on SEO-optimizationprojects easily accessible from anywhereâ€"rather than merely the office. Those mobile reminders make it especially convenient to learn the status of a given project, regardless of where we are, at the momentâ€"whether at the office or standing in line at the grocery store.Though some may view the ever-on presence of Asana as in trusive, it’s always possible to turn off mobile push notifications, if preferred.evalAdditionally, the optional presence of whimsical creatures that fly across the screen upon completion of a task can practically gamify the virtual workspace.Who doesn’t want to mimic the feeling of leveling up, à la after-school, childhood video game sessions?3) Google DocsIt’s fascinating that Google Docs was labeled a telecommuting tool in 2014 because nowadays, it’s simply part of many companies’ workflowsâ€"regardless of whether employees are communicating from home or the office.Maybe it’s simply a reflection of our obsession with digital interoffice communication platforms, but in any case, cloud-based document sharing is no longer considered “high tech,” but, rather, the norm. The ubiquitous nature of Gmail makes it simple to work with Google Docs via desktop or mobile devices, as well.In any case, I utilize Google Docs on a daily basis for document sharing, writing and edit ing collaboration, and storage of important work-related PDFs and contracts.G Suite provides a number of tools that improve staff communication, including Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. These document-sharing applications have become integral to collaborative teamwork across various operating systems and locations.It’s also simple to adjust individual documents for limited editing access or privacy so that documents are only available to certain readers when sharing top-secret information.And Google Docs is compatible with a variety of operating systems, allowing recipients to utilize Open Office documents, in the event their particular device does not have Microsoft Word or other programs installed.Other ToolsThere are numerous other productivity apps useful for traditional office programs and project managersâ€"as well as entrepreneurs and contract workers like web designers and freelance writers. evalSome of these appsâ€"like f.lux, which cuts down on excess blue light when dark outâ€"have more to do with the quality of life and sleep than workflow. However, the ability to sleep is arguably just as important as daytime productivity, since precious little work is accomplished on no sleep.Others, like Focus Keeper and Pomodoro Keeper, utilize the Pomodoro techniqueto encourage short periodic breaksâ€"which, in theory, make the most of the time that you do spend on work, rather than allowing us to lose our concentration through inefficiency or burnout.Believe it or not, working smarter is better than working harder: it is indeed possible to incorporate breaks into a busy workday and still get everything done; in fact, research has suggested that our brains are more efficient when we take brief diversions, rather than trying to power through when we’re fatigued.Personally speaking, f.lux saves my eyes from overexposure to blue light due to my early morning work hours and inevitable late-night news bingingâ€"since it works for both smartphones and desktops.And apps like Focus Keeper are the perfect solution to long Fridays when work tends to get away from me unless I can refresh myself periodically with a quick trip to the break room for water or a fast jaunt outside with a coworker.evalOur lives have been forever changed by mobile apps and anywhere-access to work documents and communication platforms. However, given the increased flexibility this technology allows us, would we really want to have it any other way?What apps do you consider essential to your daily workflow? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.