10 of The Hardest Interview Questions How to Answer Them

10 of The Hardest Interview Questions How to Answer Them A job interview is always a daunting prospect, and in today’s economic downturn, companies are being more selective about who they hire. One of the ways they can filter out the unwanted applicants is to ask difficult questions. Very often how these questions are answered makes the difference between success and failure. This tactic helps the employer find the right applicants, but also difficult questions provide an opportunity for those who are prepared with the right answers. So, here are some of the tough questions you are likely to come across in a job interview, along with strategies to help you answer them. 1) What do you consider to be your weaknesses? This is a tough one because it is asking you to be specific about things that are not your strong points. The trick here is to turn the negative into a positive. This can be achieved by turning a negative personal trait into a positive professional one. For example, you could mention that you tend to neglect family and friends when working on an important project, highlighting your high level of responsibility and determination to see the task through to ultimate success. 2) What are your strengths? The important thing here is to highlight qualities and achievements that are directly related to the position you are applying for. One sure fire way to impress is to include the following skills, Self-motivation Willingness to work long hours Ability to work well in a team Initiative and creativity 3) Could you tell me a little about yourself? This is a classic way for the interviewer to see how you carry yourself, as well as to assess your poise, style and ability to communicate. Don’t talk about childhood experiences, likes and dislikes, but rather recent personal and professional experiences that relate to the position you are applying for. A good idea is to prepare a short statement that describes who you are and what you can bring into the company.   4) What can you tell me about this company? This question reveals whether you have done your research. If you want to make a serious impression on the interviewer, you must do your homework on the company background. All businesses have a web presence, so check out their web site thoroughly. Look for certain buzzwords that they use, and get a feel of what they are about. If they have a mission statement, make sure you understand it. Look for the following information, When the company was established What products and services they provide What are their markets Number of employees and branches 5) What is it that sets you apart from other candidates? This really probes into your reasons for wanting this job. Show your readiness by describing how your career experience, personal qualities and achievements will be an asset for the company. Keep things on a professional level and focus on the benefits you will bring to the organisation. 6) Why did you leave your previous job? This question might be rephrased if you are currently employed, yet the answer is still important. The current economic climate has pushed many talented people into the job market place, so don’t be ashamed to say you were part of a downsizing operation. If you left your previous job, it is better to merely say you “parted on good terms”, citing a lack of advancement opportunities within the company, or perhaps you felt the position wasn’t challenging enough. 7) Where do you see yourself in three years? This question tells the interviewer about your ambitions. It isn’t a good idea to go overboard by saying you will be the next CEO, or be on the Board of Directors. On the other hand, you shouldn’t focus on just having a steady income either. Something balanced that highlights your desire to grow within the company, and to develop yourself professionally, while being a positive team player. 8) Are you a team player? This is a question that requires more of an answer than a simple “yes”.  Give behavioural examples of team involvement, focusing on the overall result rather than your role. Having an open mind and being able to work well in a diverse range of environments is always a good thing to mention at this stage. This question will often lead to a further one concerning how you would deal with conflicts within the team, so be prepared. 9) What didn’t you like about your last job? This is a loaded question that will attempt to reveal your weaknesses. Don’t complain about low salary or long hours, rather say something like you felt your responsibilities weren’t challenging enough. 10) Are there any questions you would like to ask? All interviewees should be given the opportunity to ask questions, and it is a golden rule to do so. Prepare some relevant questions about your prospective employer; perhaps ask if there will be opportunities for professional development within the company. You could ask the interviewer what he or she likes about the company or perhaps enquire about the organisation’s long-term goals, which shows you have ambition. Practicing these answers with a friend or colleague will go a long way towards arming you with the self-confidence necessary to carry yourself in a calm professional manner. This not only shows that you have prepared well, but also that you are someone who really wants the position, and has all the qualities to enhance the company. One final tip is to have piece of paper in front of you, with notes to be used as a prompt. This will add to your self-confidence, after all, it is a lot to remember. By following these pointers, you should shine above the competition, and the interviewer will notice your ability to remain calm under fire, while demonstrating a high level of competency. Author:  Guest Author at Goldmills. Image: Pablo

Are You Applying For Workforce Solutions?

Are You Applying For Workforce Solutions?If you're an employer who needs to promote yourself in the workforce, or help someone else improve their job experience, then it's important to be familiar with the various ways that resume writing can be used to increase your visibility. You need to think about how the resume and cover letter you choose will help your potential prospects realize that you are indeed an asset to their careers.As mentioned above, there is no single particular scenario where the process of research and study is completely free. The truth is that employers who want to learn more about the applicant they are about to interview or about the best person for a particular position would want to use many different types of approaches to getting them what they need.A company that is trying to promote a particular type of product or service might want to get a very comprehensive and well-written job resume, while an employer who needs to highlight all of the positive poin ts about an employee's work ethic and attitude may want to reach out to an agency who specializes in workforce solutions. One important thing to remember when choosing the kind of professional you wish to hire to help your career is that the job needs to be relevant. You need to make sure that your resume and cover letter are created for the specific purpose of helping someone decide if the kind of help you offer is right for them.For example, if a company wants to promote itself as a company that specifically focuses on computer support issues, it is very important that the writer of the resume and cover letter to spell out in detail what is needed by the kind of help the company can provide. It should also be pointed out that it is important to emphasize the things that the company does that make its employees special and unique.This is especially important because it helps to remind the reader about people's habits and the way that they work. The employment of specific and vivid language is important so that the reader will find the attention drawn to the company's strengths and uses that attention to help boost the candidate'chances of receiving a call back.The same is true for those candidates who are seeking employment to bring about a change in their current position, or are in search of a new skill set that will better suit their needs. When you use a strategic approach to determine which resumes to send out to which people, you can greatly increase the chance that your campaign will yield results.What's more, the person you send the resume to can easily see how they match to the job that you are trying to fill, and this can be very helpful in determining if the new recruit you're considering is the right fit for the position. If they are not, you may then be able to consider another approach to get what you want.Finally, the way you handle your job application form is very important. In fact, the cover letter can be seen as the first, and perhaps most important step in your effort to improve your visibility in the workplace.

My own marriage and the myth of the stay-at-home dad

My own marriage and the myth of the stay-at-home dad For those of you who dont know whats going on in my marriage, please read My First Day of Marriage Counseling, and maybe you will want to leave a comment about how if you were my husband, youd divorce me for blogging about my marriage. My husband, in fact, has brought up divorce for other reasons. I am not totally sure which ones, to be honest, but I think it is career related since I have a great career and his sort of stalled when he became a stay-at-home dad and then went to hell from there. I know that there are a lot of stay-at-home dads. But while it may seem like there are a lot who are happy, I think its really just that every single one of the happy ones is blogging. There are a lot of stay-at-home dads in my neighborhood. After all, I live in a town where you can buy a house for under $200,000, so living on one income is not that hard here. Thats part of the reason we moved to Madison. So my friend who writes for a very huge and widely read publication needed some stay-at-home dads to interview. And I said, I know a bunch. Ill give you names. But you know what? None of them would talk. And of course my husband would not talk, because stay-at-home parenting has been a disaster for us. And if you ask all the high-level women who have men at home with their kids, (there are tons) their husbands are not talking. So Im going to tell you the truth about stay-at-home dads: The happy ones are working part-time at something they love. This is not surprising because the majority of women with kids would rather work part-time than either stay-at home full-time or work full-time. Which explains why were done with the stay-at-home dad routine. Not that I really know what my husband is doing, though, because we are barely talking. We are doing what I imagine lots of couples do when things fall apart: Acting totally normal at events where normal families show up as families, and then pretending we dont know each other at home. And I do feel a little like I dont know him. Last night I accepted a LinkedIn invitation from a friend. I went immediately to see our common connections my favorite thing to on LinkedIn and, there was my husband. I wasnt shocked that she knew him. I was shocked by what he wrote for his profession. Stay-at-home dad, former online game producer. Surely writing stay-at-home dad on a LinkedIn profile cannot be good. But thats what he is, so what else is he going to write? I went to LinkedIn to investigate the stay-at-home situation. When I searched the string stay at home, I got 471 results. It makes sense, I guess, because the biggest problem people have when they leave work to take care of a kid is that they lose their contacts. So LinkedIn would be an obvious thing to do to make going back to work easier. The list was mostly moms. The first guy I saw was not only a stay-at-home dad, but in his special skills section he lists baby stuff. As the career expert in my household, I always think Im ten steps ahead of my husband. But I didnt know that somewhere in the back of his mind, while were at soccer games and swimming lessons, he has been wrestling with the question of what to write on LinkedIn, which is really the question of how to present himself professionally when hes abandoned his profession. I feel very lucky that Im the one who kept up a career. So we are interviewing babysitters because my husband needs time to think, and you cant think about the state of your life and what to do about it when you are taking care of kids. While I was conducting an interview, my husband was scurrying around getting camp lunches ready for the next day. This is an endearing thing about my husband he is the king of details, and I am terrible with them. Every time there is something wrong in the lunchbox, my son comes home and asks if I could please not pack his lunch anymore. So my husband was running around the house and he bumped into me. A normal thing to do would be to say Im sorry. But we are not talking to each other. And the babysitter saw that an opportunity to be normal was somehow missed. I needed to say something to explain the weirdness, because good babysitters do not work in homes of messed up families. I thought a little story might make things feel like I have some control. So I said, Um. My husband and I are, uh. Well. We are And the babysitter said, Oh, dont worry. I know. I read your blog.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese More Professionals Vulnerable to Addictions

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese More Professionals Vulnerable to Addictions She was at the top of her game. She was a lawyer who traveled all over the country, handling big shopping mall real estate deals. She had four young children, a terrific nanny, an easy-going husband, and a family proud of her achievements.But what no one knew was that she was an addict. That is, until she was arrested by an undercover narcotics officer when she tried to buy cocaine.And despite her promises to get help, she eventually was disbarred after a second arrest for buying cocaine, was divorced by her husband, and lost custody of her children. She now attends addiction meetings daily, has a small apartment and a dog, and works in an antiques store.She is my cousin.Experts say professionals like her all too often become addicted to everything from pornography to drugs to gambling. And, with the stressful business times being felt from Wall Street to Main Street U.S.A., it can serve as a catalyst to more addictions in the executive ranks.But unlike other addicts, executives ofte n need a different kind of rehabilitation one that emphasizes that while they are successful professionally, they need help in their personal life. In fact, top-notch professionals often have to be taught that while they are smart -- it's their thinking that got them into the addiction mess in the first place.Also, experts say these kinds of addicts are different because these high-ranking employees are more secretive. In other words, you're not going to see them sit in a bar and drink. And, it's another reason they can become addicted to online porn or gambling -- it's easier to hide from others.But let's back up for a minute and look at where it all started. Experts say these executive addicts often were the kind of children who wanted to achieve a great deal, even from a young age. Often, that meant less playtime and less social interaction. These kids wanted to be the family standout, to go to college and become as self-sufficient as possible, as soon as possible.And while such self-reliance can lead to professional success, it also feeds narcissistic tendencies that keep these hotshots away from forming close personal relationships. Still, the driven executive often doesnt think of this as a problem until he or she begins handling stress with too much drinking, or stealing from the company coffers, or buying cocaine -- instead of turning to personal relationships for support.At the same time, it is that driven, focused personality that makes executives good candidates for rehabilitation, because they understand how much they have to lose. Let's hope they get the message before it's too late and they lose everything they've worked so hard to gain.del.icio.us

How to Write a Resume When Youve Been There Less Than a Year

How to Write a Resume When You've Been There Less Than a YearIt's not difficult to find a writer willing to help you write a resume when you've been there less than a year. The writing process can be simple but it's important to understand the principles behind creating the resume that will tell the world how you feel about them. This is the one document that will be your first impression of yourself and the employer so be sure to take your time.When you're writing resume when you've been there less than a year, keep it short and sweet. There is no reason to bore them with information about your schooling or your experiences. All you need to do is tell them the basics of you and why you are the perfect candidate for their opening. You don't want to bore them so make sure to provide some information and then get to the meat of your story.Some people prefer to write their resume after they've been there less than a year but this is usually an old-fashioned method. It is easy to forget some of the most vital information that an employer will be looking for so be sure to highlight those skills you have learned since being employed by them. Don't forget to mention any training you have received such as continuing education or the like.If you are unsure about how to write a resume when you've been there less than a year then it's a good idea to get help from someone who is experienced in the job search. You may ask your family and friends who might know someone who has been through the process before. It's a great way to get past any potential hesitation because they know how to overcome those feelings.Don't ever include dates of employment in your resume. Employers are used to seeing dated work histories and the thought of having someone who only worked for them for ayear is probably just too far fetched. It's also an opportunity for you to cover up any mistakes you may have made during your employment and erase the time period you were off working. There are plenty of resumes out there so you should be able to find something that is perfect for you.You don't have to have extensive knowledge of the business to be a great writer. Most employers today are more interested in a solid foundation for the person applying than they are in the individual's business experience. In fact, your experience when you've been there less than a year is the best way to leave a good impression on them.You're also going to want to show your potential employer that you have all of the necessary qualifications they are looking for. Make sure you focus on the areas you are knowledgeable in and make sure that the resume focuses on your strengths. For example, if you are a gifted writer, then explain this in your resume.In summary, a resume when you've been there less than a year should be simple to write but it's going to be your first impression on your employer. You need to know how to manage your time properly to have the opportunity to impress them in the first pa ge. When you've been there less than a year, be sure to go back and review all of your other resumes to see what was written in them and what wasn't.

Why You Should Think Newspaper in Your Interviews - Hire Imaging

Why You Should Think “Newspaper” in Your Interviews - Hire Imaging Learn “newspaper style” in your interviewing technique. Written and oral, it can rescue the toughest of interview scenarios. I have a request of you. The next time you pick up a newspaper â€" old-fashioned paper or high-tech online â€" notice the way each item is written.   The headline summarizes the article. The first paragraph lays out the entire story. The first sentence of every paragraph tells what the whole paragraph is about. The major facts of every story always come first. Less important, more detailed points come later, and the most insignificant are at the end. There’s solid reasoning behind this big-picture-up-front format. It lets you, the reader get what you want out of the news article very rapidly and effectively. You can stop reading any article after a paragraph or two, and still know the gist of the story. And when an article really interests you, you can dig deeper into the minutiae by reading further. What does this have to do with your interviews? Just as when you read the newspaper, your interviewer always has the right to dig deeper, or shift to a different subject. You have the prerogative to discontinue any article after only a headline or a paragraph. And your interviewer can redirect you to a different topic, simply by asking another question. Your interviewer has the right to dig deeper, or shift to a different subject. Click To Tweet So, organize your answers to interview questions in “newspaper style.” State your main point in the first sentence or two of each answer. Don’t flounder in details to set up the scenario for your main point.  If you do, a new question may cut you off before you get to your main point. You’ll run the risk of appearing narrow-minded, inconsistent, and detail-oriented to a fault â€" even if you’re not!   I’ve found that very few folks â€" including senior-level executives â€" have realized what their news reveals to them daily. If you learn and become skilled at newspaper style â€" both orally and in writing your job search communications will improve. You’ll see that it goes beyond interviews to your resume, letters, social media profiles, and networking. And beyond job search, your general business communications will be enhanced â€" from memos, to group presentations. “People care about what newspapers tell them to care about.” ~ Delia Parr What do you think? Feel free to comment below!

Finding Careers That Help Bring Systemic Change - CareerAlley

Finding Careers That Help Bring Systemic Change - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Finding a career that allows you to feel satisfied in the everyday work you commit to is a powerful achievement to celebrate. When you feel your time is being used well, you know that youll be more adept at problem-solving and doing all you can to put your best effort forward. However, what some may describe as having their time used well, others may consider in a different context. Finding a career that allows you to feel satisfied in the everyday work you commit to is a powerful achievement to celebrate. Tweet This For some, sitting down with a child who needs medical help and allowing them to go through the entire course of treatment is something that will make their year, even if it helps only one person. For others, larger, systemic change is something they find more helpful. Of course, that doesnt mean you need to be on a board of directors to give your job that macro sense of meaning. Even the building of one bridge connecting two communities can save an entire town thousands of hours of unneeded, alternate-route driving. So how can you find jobs that implement systemic change in the best setting? We would recommend that you consider the following: Pexels CC0 License Consider Industry Impacts Impacts on industry can be just as important as having impact on society at large because the movers and shakers of the corporate world have real consequences on how society is shaped in most first-world nations. This is why learning about new formats of structural dependence such as through AWS training can help you not only refine yourself as a talented and dedicated professional but understand the frameworks in which businesses operate. This can help you be at the cutting edge of managing industrial movements or bringing further efficiency and potential to each business vision. Youll notice a real difference when following a career path such as this, and better than that, these skills are transferable to many real-world scenarios. Research Case Studies Research the case studies of industries or job roles that have had the most impact before, and how you might learn to subvert that through finding your own path. For example, many nonprofits aimed at helping people avoid predatory lending practices have helped thousands upon thousands of people falling into debt to a poorly regulated industry. When you understand the case studies of how businesses operate and how staff are expected to act within said industries, you can dedicate yourself anew to a stellar cause. Think Big Picture Thinking big picture can help you avoid the limited thinking that comes with a certain situational context, and instead can give you the tools to truly lay down your professional excellence. Its when we think on this macro level that we can apply ourselves to ethics and virtues. For example, we may wish to join a regulatory body for a new and relatively unchecked industry in order to help shape the future of said enterprise, instead of launching your own business within it. Provided you have the big picture cap on at all times, most of your actions will be a little more cautious and that can only be a good thing. With this advice, we hope you can find careers that will help you make the system change. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search