100 Ways to Ace an Interview and Interview Questions BusinessMarch 7th, 2011 There is a lot of advice on the internet about preparing for interviews and how to answer specific questions and while much of that is useful, there is not that much content out there that helps with the small behaviors that make a big difference in an interview. I’ve been hiring and interviewing people now for over 5 years and I have paid close attention to the signs that people exhibit in their interviews to reveal what they are really like. Behaviors of a person speak a lot louder than words as it is very hard to change your behaviors on the spot, unlike prepared answers, which are easy to remember and be prepared for. Behaviors will take time to practice, make a much bigger impact and its important to know what behaviors work well in an interview so you can practice them in advance and learn the techniques as habits. Please consider sharing this article if you enjoy it and feel free to sign up for my RSS feed here. Take a shower, you want to smell neutral
Government Jobs About 2 million people are employed in a government job, making the federal government America's largest employer. Only 10% of these workers are located in Washington, D.C., the rest work in federal government jobs throughout the United States and overseas. Government employees are hired in just about every career field and in a wide variety of occupations. Government Salary and Benefits The salaries for most government jobs are based on a "General Schedule" (GS) pay scale. Government Job Search The best place to start looking for a government job is on the USAJobs web site. Agency and Department Job Sites If you're interested in working at a specific government agency or department, you'll find career information available on the careers section of the agency web site: There are other sites which provide information and resources for finding a government job. More Information Applying for Federal Government Jobs Instructions on how to apply for a government job.
The 25 most difficult questions If you are one of those executive types unhappy at your present post and embarking on a New Year's resolution to find a new one, here's a helping hand. The job interview is considered to be the most critical aspect of every expedition that brings you face-to- face with the future boss. One must prepare for it with the same tenacity and quickness as one does for a fencing tournament or a chess match. This article has been excerpted from "PARTING COMPANY: How to Survive the Loss of a Job and Find Another Successfully" by William J. Morin and James C. Morin is chairman and Cabrera is president of New York-based Drake Beam Morin, nation's major outplacement firm, which has opened offices in Philadelphia. 1. Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extracareful that you don't run off at the mouth. 2. You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
How to Stand Out in an Interview Let's face it, some interviews are about whether the finer details of your skills match what the employer needs but for graduates there is some great advice out there, especially for the assessment day kind of stuff: 1. In any 'group' activities immediately volunteer to be the timekeeper and then be self-aware in terms of getting too caught up in the 'right answer' to the exercise (the idea is actually to see how you all interact), let others fall into that trap and then use it to practice a bit of mediation; 2. If you get asked to talk about yourself in an introduction or in a proper presentation try to actually just be yourself here, at least in the sense that you should just talk about something that makes you comfortable and genuine in the act of communicating. 3. 4. 5.
Good Ways to Deliver Bad News The first job of a leader is to be a clear communicator. And one of the toughest challenges for a communicator is to deliver bad news. So leaders who want people to take them at their word in good times had better choose their words wisely during bad times. Dr. Robert Buckman, 50, has delivered more than his share of bad news. A specialist in breast cancer, he is a medical oncologist at the Toronto-Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre and an associate professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. The protocol that Buckman developed has caught on. Serious stuff. Buckman recently sat down with Fast Company to deliver some of his ideas about delivering bad news. Start by listening, instead of talking. Don't just "get right down to business." Eventually it will be time for you to talk. Explore perceptions before you try to define reality. Let's say I'm your boss and I have to give you a rotten performance review. You might say, "I've done pretty well." Legitimize emotions.
4 Essential Questions to Ask at the End of a Job Interview “I am always surprised how some interviewees tend to trail off towards the end of an interview instead of finishing strong and leaving a lasting impression,” says Zachary Rose, CEO and founder of Green Education Services, a green jobs training firm in New York City. Whether you’re a senior preparing for campus recruiting or a recent graduate still hunting for a job, here are the top questions experts recommend asking at the end of a job interview to leave a great final impression on hiring managers and establish yourself as a top candidate. “Is There Any Reason Why You Wouldn’t Hire Me?” Kelsey Meyer, senior vice president of Digital Talent Agents in Columbia, Mo., says, “A recent candidate asked, ‘If you were to not offer the job to me, what would be the reason?’ This was extremely straightforward and a little blunt, but it allowed me to communicate any hesitations I had about the candidate before he left the interview, and he could address them right there.” Michael B. The Bottom Line
To Work Abroad Successfully, Put Down Roots The Benefits of Becoming a Local By Tim Leffel When most people start thinking about working abroad, they generally fall into one of two camps. Those in the first camp plan on securing a solid job before they go. These people intend to spend anywhere from a summer to several years in a foreign place, with a relatively set idea of how they will spend their workdays. The other camp is made up of floaters, those trying to pick up travel funds that will allow the journey to continue. Unfortunately, both options come with plenty of hurdles. The hurdle for the floaters is the question, “Why you?” Why It Pays to Be a Local When my wife and I worked as English teachers in South Korea, we initially arrived thinking we had jobs, but they fell through when it turned out that the recruiter had botched our arrival date. Adam Berg left New York City and arrived in the southern Kyushu province of Japan to stay a while with his fiancé, who was teaching English. Finding Opportunities, in Time
The Resume Is Dead, The Bio Is King :: Tips :: The 99 Percent If you’re a designer, entrepreneur, or creative – you probably haven’t been asked for your resume in a long time. Instead, people Google you – and quickly assess your talents based on your website, portfolio, and social media profiles. Do they resonate with what you’re sharing? Do they identify with your story? one are the days of “Just the facts, M’am.” To help you with this, your bio should address the following 5 questions: Who am I? Your bio is the lynchpin for expanding your thought leadership and recognition, especially online. Here’s the challenge: who taught you how to write your bio? Admittedly, most of us never got a lesson in this essential task. The personal branding industry has only muddied the waters. Instead, share more of what you really care about. With all this in mind, here’s a few key pointers for reinventing your bio as a story: 1. You’re a creative. 2. Explain the origin for how you came to see the world in this way. 3. Think frugally here. 4. What’s Your Take?
Must-Ask Interview Questions - Pongo Resume An interview is supposed to be a dialog, not an inquisition. If you don't have any questions prepared to ask the prospective employer, you’re missing a huge opportunity. At your next interview, be sure to present at least five questions to illustrate your preparedness, your enthusiasm for the job, and your desire to ensure a good fit. Both you and your interviewers should have a say in evaluating the potential match between the organization’s needs and your ability and desire to fulfill them. If you fail to ask questions, you’re making it more difficult for the employer to get a balanced idea of your qualifications and your personality – key elements of selecting a new hire. In effect, you’re forcing them to decide if the opportunity is right for you. Job candidates who don’t ask questions may be perceived as unprepared, uninterested, overly nervous, or lacking communication skills. The Five Must-Ask Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Interviewers want and expect you to have questions.