4 Smart Tips For Answering Job Interview Questions

4 Smart Tips For Answering Job Interview Questions

Job seekers spend hours drafting their cover letters and contacting different companies, hoping to get a job interview. A smart job seeker knows the common interview questions a hiring manager will ask in a job interview and will prepare answers accordingly. Anticipating and crafting interview questions and answers gives you the best shot at making a good impression.

Usually, employers ask a common set of questions. So, we’re going to share some important points regarding those questions and how you should respond to them. Here are five smart tips for answering interview questions:

Do Not Be Impulsive When Answering Questions

Different hiring managers speak at different speeds. Allow the hiring manager to complete the question and listen to each and every word carefully. Some questions start off similar to other questions but demand different responses.

For example, an employer might ask you, “What skills do you have to deal with a customer?” Here, if you listen to only the first part, that is, “What skills do you have…?” you will end up giving a wrong answer.

Take A Pause Before Answering A Question

A job applicant speaks calmly during her job interview

Wait a few seconds after the employer stops speaking to make sure you heard the complete question. Create a mental list of points to include in your response. Do not wander off the point, and answer directly, covering all main points of the questions. Be sure to answer all parts of the employer’s question.

Respond By Stating Your Key Points

Woman answers a behavioral question in a job interview

Repeat your key points 2-3 times while answering the question. Explain how you have applied these points in your previous jobs. Finish your answer by reiterating these points. This will highlight your skills and reinforce your case to the employer as the ideal person for the job.

Tell The Interviewer Something Unique About Yourself

A job seeker tells his interviewer a unique story about himself while answering an interview question

If you are good at creative things like graphic designing, essay writing, event planning, and so on, then you should definitely let them know about your extraordinary skills. It’s important to leave the interviewer with a lasting impression.

Each response must tell the interviewer something new. For example, when you answer questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” you can start out with “As a longtime volunteer at XYZ organization…”

Some final things to keep in mind while going through the job interview…

Listen carefully to your interviewer. It does not matter if you get the job or not, an interviewer is giving you an opportunity for professional growth and therefore deserves respect. Put your phone on “silent mode” before going into your job interview. A ringing tone or message alert may distract you and the interviewer from the discussion.

If you remember these tips during your next job interview, you’ll impress the hiring manager and stand out as a smart, capable, and qualified job candidate. Never underestimate the power of good interview questions and answers!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

ChatGPT: 6 Ways To Use AI In Your Job Search

ChatGPT: 6 Ways To Use AI In Your Job Search

Using ChatGPT to help with your job search isn’t cheating. It allows you to focus your time on the things that really matter, like interviews and conversations. In this article, you’ll see how to use ChatGPT to help you overcome some of the hurdles in your job search so you can focus on talking about […]

The post ChatGPT: 6 Ways To Use AI In Your Job Search appeared first on Career Sherpa.

What To Do If You’ve Lied On Your Resume

What To Do If You’ve Lied On Your Resume

When you land an interview with a company, the deciding factor was probably your resume—specifically, the types of skills and experiences you included on it. But, what if you lied on your resume?

Lying on your resume can come back to bite you in the hiring process. It can hinder your job search and cause more problems down the line if you do get hired. If you’re considering lying on your resume, here’s why you should think twice.

Why Do People Lie On Resumes?

Woman thinking about lying on her resume

Most job seekers lie on their job applications and resumes because they are worried that they can’t get hired based on the facts.

You can get hired with your current qualifications. Have faith! There is a job somewhere out there for you. However, it may not be as grand a role as you’d like if you haven’t earned your stripes in the trenches yet.

It’s important to know your genuine strengths and to leverage them accordingly. It’s your job to sell yourself to potential employers in your resume and in your job interview. You’re a business-of-one, after all. Lying about qualifications to get ahead faster, though, will only put you in harm’s way.

Employers won’t always know if you’ve lied on your resume or are faking your way through a new job. But if they figure it out, you are back to square one. And you’ve been fired.

One TV broadcaster in Toronto, Canada, for example, was fired over 10 years after he was hired purely for lying about completing his education. Marilee Jones was an ambitious academic administrator who attained the position of Dean of Admissions at MIT on the false claim of an undergraduate degree that had never been completed. She was promptly fired after the information was discovered. Some companies will go ahead with verifying your employment, find out you’ve lied, and never tell you. They just won’t hire you—and they’ll flag you as “Do Not Hire”…ever. Let’s avoid that.

What To Do If You’ve Lied On Your Resume

Man stressed about lying on his resume

So, what can you do if you’ve lied on your job application or your resume?

Do you try to bluff your way through for 10 years or more? On the job application form, did you tell them about your misdemeanor felony conviction—if not, then when? How can you handle this without losing out on the job?

1. Withdraw Your Application

Woman on phone withdraws her dishonest job application

This is your safest option. Simply call and say you are “withdrawing your application at this time.” If asked for a reason, tell them you’ve “reconsidered your application.”

That’s the truth.

They may assume the timing, title, or money isn’t right or that you have another job offer or you heard something that makes you think it’s not the right company for you. That’s all okay.

2. Revise Your Resume & Ask The Hiring Manager To Refer The New Copy

Man thinking about when he lied on his resume

In this case, you can tell them you “noticed some errors” and “want to correct them.” Note that this won’t work if you’ve created jobs or performance claims that were exaggerated. However, you can truthfully state that you want to be “more exact,” if you wish. They may assume you had someone else write your resume and the errors were theirs.

That said, this isn’t always going to work.

3. Come Clean

Woman on laptop stressed about lying on her resume

This may mean you lose out on the job opportunity, but sometimes people have big hearts. There’s a good chance they are going to find out about the lie(s) anyway through reference checks or your own social media presence (like LinkedIn).

Provide a corrected resume or job application and tell them the truth. In life, we need to own up to our mistakes and learn from them. Tell them that, too—that you made a mistake and you want to make it right. It’s a sign of good character to do that. People make mistakes, especially under pressure (and needing a job is a lot of pressure).

It’s best not to end up in this position, but if the deed is done, these are the top three ways of fixing the problem…

How To Avoid The Problem

You can explain job gaps and sudden departures from school or a former job in the interview. If you have a criminal record, and that would include any DUIs, be upfront about it or call immediately to tell them you neglected to mention it and would like to “set the record straight.”

Some things are not automatic barriers to employment—but lying about them may be.

Now is the time to change your resume and social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, so you never have to worry about this again. Do it today so if your dream job opens up tomorrow, you are polished and ready to stand out to employers on your own merit.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Forget Love. When It Comes To Creative Collaboration, All You Need Is TRUST.

Forget Love. When It Comes To Creative Collaboration, All You Need Is TRUST.

Wearing many different hats on event production, as well as lots of time on TV, commercials, and movie sets has allowed me to make certain observations around TRUST.

When looking for a creative partner to deliver on your vision, in my opinion, TRUST is everything.

Establishing TRUST and having fantastic collaboration require specific skills and qualities. You must be honest, consistent, competent, respectful, and accountable to establish TRUST. When selecting a creative partner, look for people with a shared vision, complementary skills, good chemistry, and reliability.

Check, Check, And Checkmate!

Creative professionals/filmmakers collaborate on a film set

For all the reasons I listed above, I love working with the folks at Wray Ward Advertising of Charlotte and the Tampa Bay production team led by freelance producer Danielle Galalla. Together, over two years and many jobs, we have developed genuine TRUST and all that goes with it. This team excels at maximizing content assets by doing the work of prepping, shooting, and editing—with every production phase feeding the next.

The production process is full of idioms that sometimes seem trite but make sense when we see them in action. Expressions have true meanings. For example:

  • “We’re on a roll” – is a prolonged spell of success.
  • “Nose to the grindstone” – is working hard and consistently striving to improve.
  • “Go beyond”- is when options can be good things, being able to do more good stuff to ensure the work shines.
  • “Make the cut” – that’s because great editing requires choices.
  • “The devil is in the details”- guess what? It is all details. If you don’t have a “Plan A,” then there is no “Plan B” or “Plan C” that you will definitely need as challenges arise.

In summary, you can build strong relationships, create exceptional work, and achieve more when you have TRUST.

So, if you are planning your next production and want it to be great, reach out and let’s talk. Let me walk you through what you might be missing. TRUST me, please.

And THAT, my friends, is a wrap!

How To Introduce Yourself In An Email (Strong Examples)

How To Introduce Yourself In An Email (Strong Examples)

Learning how to introduce yourself in an email is a valuable skill that you can rely on in numerous situations. Being able to quickly connect with people and make a great impression will always come in handy! This guide will teach you how to write a self-introduction email that works. Table of contents What is […]

The post How To Introduce Yourself In An Email (Strong Examples) appeared first on Career Sherpa.

5 Tips For Nailing Your Next Phone Screen

5 Tips For Nailing Your Next Phone Screen

When you have an employer calling and saying they want to schedule a phone interview with you, that means you look good on paper and they now want to see if you are all that you say you are.
The phone screen is a critical stage in the job search process because how well you communicate and perform will pave the way to the big opportunity of a meeting at their office with the decision makers.

In most instances, the phone screen is conducted by someone from HR. They’ll primarily review your professionalism and communication skills to see if you are articulate, knowledgeable, and have the right experience and skills for the job.

The ultimate mission is to screen out candidates so that the ones who are invited for an in-person interview are the best in the bunch. So, here’s how you can ace the phone screen:

1. Watch Your Intonation & Build Rapport

Your intonation and body language account for 90% of the effectiveness of your communications. If you are on the phone with no video, your intonation is all you have so be enthusiastic and try to build rapport as people hire people they like.

At this point in the process, the screener is also looking to clear up any questions or hesitation they may have about you from reviewing your resume. Be aware of anything on your resume that may be a red flag and prepare to respond to it without coming off as defensive.

You want to be honest and address any concerns, but also know how to steer the response to something more positive that brings back the message of “this is what I have to offer that you need.”

2. Dress The Part And Talk The Part

Woman listens during a phone screen

Are you struggling with confidence before your phone screen? Wear your favorite interview outfit. The one you know you look good in. You’ll feel confident and professional.

Also, today’s “phone screens” don’t necessarily mean just voice. Many employers may request a virtual interview, so be prepared to not only talk the part but dress the part too.

How you look and sound leaves an impression, just like it would from an in-person meeting. Express energy and enthusiasm in your tone.

3. Speak Of Accomplishments When Asked About Previous Jobs And Responsibilities

Job seeker on a phone screen

Employers asking about your past experience aren’t looking for a description of your job. If you want to impress, you need to speak of accomplishments and success and how those experiences have prepared you to contribute and bring success to future employers.

Quantify your experience. Do your research and talk to the need that the job posting highlights and then talk about how you’ve been there, done that, and can directly contribute to the employer’s needs.

4. Be Prepared To Handle The Offbeat Question

Woman answers a difficult interview question during a phone screen

Some phone screens have standard questions directed toward your experience and skills, but there are also employers who may put you on the spot with a scenario to see how you react and respond.

The important thing is to not let these types of questions rattle or stump you. Keep a can-do attitude. Make sure you know your experiences, accomplishments, skills, and strengths like the back of your hand. Also, know how you can help the company reach its goals. It’ll be hard to stump you when you’ve done your research.

5. Be Ready To Talk About Salary Requirements

Man aces his phone screen

You will be asked this to see if you are in their salary range. This can be tricky because if you present a number below what the employer has budgeted, you lose any chance of securing a higher salary, one the employer may (or would) have considered. And if you present a number that is too high, the employer may decide to dismiss your application and resume even before you have had the chance to make your case in an interview.

The best way to respond to a question about salary during a phone screen is to say, “Although the job and the challenge are most important to me, you should know that I am considering a salary in the XX to YY range.” If you make it through the interview process to the last round of interviews, you’ll also want to hone your salary negotiation skills.

Each employer will have a different method of screening applicants over the phone. But with these tips, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.


10 Best Examples Of Problem-Solving Skills For Interviews

10 Best Examples Of Problem-Solving Skills For Interviews

Being prepared to speak about your problem-solving skills is essential if you want to be a competitive applicant for any job. But many job-seekers aren’t sure where to start! This guide will help you come up with great examples of your problem-solving skills, so you can impress the interviewer. The Importance of Demonstrating Problem-Solving Skills […]

The post 10 Best Examples Of Problem-Solving Skills For Interviews appeared first on Career Sherpa.

What To Email When A Recruiter Doesn’t Follow Up

What To Email When A Recruiter Doesn’t Follow Up

You haven’t heard back from a recruiter about a job you’re interested in. What should you say in your follow-up email?

When you’re following up with a recruiter on a job where you feel like they’ve ghosted you or you simply haven’t heard from them in a while, I know that you want to email them and say, “I’m just following up to see where you are in the hiring process.”

Don’t do that.

Never use the word “just” or the phrase “I’m just following up.” It sounds passive-aggressive. It’s a real turnoff. And I know you’re thinking, “But they’re the one who blew me off.” They might be, but they’re also the customer in this scenario. You want their job. They’re trying to decide whether to hire you, aka pay you (a business-of-one) to provide a service for the company. They’re the customer. We’re never rude to the customer.

So, here’s what you send instead…

How To Follow Up With A Recruiter

@j.t.odonnell What to email when a recruiter doesn’t follow up. #careertok #jobsearch #learntok #jobs ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

Example of a follow-up email to a recruiter:

Dear recruiter,

I wanted to be proactive and see if there’s anything else I can do to further my candidacy for the XYZ job. I’m really interested.

Sincerely,

Your name

That’s it. By wording your follow-up email this way, you’re being polite, not calling them out, and keeping it short. And that’s exactly what recruiters are looking for.

Does this email get you a response every time? No. But it certainly increases the chances that a recruiter will respond and let you know where everything’s at in the hiring process.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

3 (Hidden) Costs Of CEO Neglect

3 (Hidden) Costs Of CEO Neglect

I was recently working with a midsize business owner/CEO who wanted to know if I thought we were headed to a recession or if what he was hearing on his favorite news show was true about how it wasn’t true and I said…

“TIME OUT.”

They looked at me and it was silent for a few seconds, and I said, would you be open to a discussion about something? They said of course! I said, “What really is the #1 thing on your mind that we should be really talking about?” The person looked away, took a deep breath, and said, “I am really stuck trying to decide where to prioritize my organization given all the uncertainty I am hearing about.” They then rattled off several ideas that all sounded like great ideas to pursue to grow and the individual was very excited and passionate about all of them. They then shared all the risks of changing but they know they need to.

Sound familiar? It led us down a whole different path that ultimately uncovered what so many leaders struggle with when there is so much uncertainty.

When it comes to small to midsized business owners/CEOs, there are typically three reasons I see that lead to them stalling out in their growth.

Reasons Why CEOs Get Stuck In Their Businesses

CEO/businesswoman leads a meeting at work

A. They are paralyzed and work to rationalize why they have not changed anything they are doing, knowing that they need to. I hear things like, “I am too busy,” “Do you know how hard it is to find good help,” “I am still working on sizing the market,” “I think this or that,” “Do I invest, retrench, and just ride it out and hope for the best?”

B. They don’t know where/how to begin, or stick to what they know. This often explains why they use the phrases above as excuses for not moving forward.

C. FOMO (fear of missing out). If they were to prioritize they could miss out on something else so they keep all options open and see what happens.

The problem with all three reasons above is they risk creating financial, operational, and emotional issues that ultimately could take the company down—and result in employees losing jobs.

The Costs Of CEO Neglect: Financial, Operational & Emotional

CEO and other executives talk about their business plan during a meeting

When CEOs fail to address their reasons for getting stuck, A LOT can go wrong. Financially and operationally, there are potential revenue and profit declines, market share losses, and higher costs. Emotionally there will be decreased morale, increased stress, decreased trust, and anxiety without a clear vision and an effective communication plan.

FACT: The #1 mistake that small and midsize business owners make during uncertain times is failing to adapt quickly enough to changes in the market or consumer behavior.

This can manifest in a few different ways:

Sticking with the status quo: Some business owners may be reluctant to change their business models or processes, even when it becomes clear that the old way of doing things is no longer effective.

Clinging to familiar methods or routines: Usually, out of fear of the unknown, even as the business suffers.

Cutting too many corners: Conversely, other business owners may panic and overreact to uncertain conditions by making drastic cuts across the board.

Trying to save money in the wrong places: They may lay off too many employees, reduce marketing and advertising budgets, or stop investing in new products or services altogether.

Failing to communicate effectively: During times of uncertainty, it’s crucial for business owners to communicate clearly and frequently with employees, customers, and other stakeholders.

Hesitating to share bad news or admit to uncertainty: Holding back on the truth can lead to confusion, mistrust, and frustration.

Over-communicating: Sharing too much or too vaguely may also create confusion and uncertainty.

The decisions above may provide some immediate relief, but they can hurt the long-term health of the business.

How CEOs Can Properly Assess Business Opportunities & Challenges

CEO shakes hands with another executive during a meeting

Here are ideas on how to assess the various opportunities and challenges you are facing:

  1. Conduct a risk assessment: A risk assessment can help you identify potential risks and opportunities that could impact your business. You can do this by analyzing your business processes, reviewing your financial statements, identifying potential legal or regulatory issues, and assessing your competition. Once you have identified these risks, you can prioritize them based on their likelihood and potential impact on your business. Solidify your current business foundation first and foremost!
  2. Develop a strategic plan: A strategic plan can help you prioritize opportunities that align with your business goals and objectives. This plan should outline the steps you need to take to achieve your goals, including the resources required and timelines for completion. By prioritizing your opportunities, you can focus on those that have the most potential to drive growth and profitability.
  3. Seek expert advice: As a business owner/CEO, you may not have all the expertise required to identify and prioritize risks and opportunities. Seeking advice from experts such as consultants, lawyers, accountants, or industry peers can provide valuable insights and help you prioritize your risks and opportunities effectively. Joining peer advisory groups to bring outside perspectives in a confidential/safe place can confirm your decisions, catch risks you didn’t see, and/or provide new ideas for you to consider.

In summary, having a solid business foundation is crucial for a CEO before pursuing new products or services because it ensures they have a clear understanding of the market, and provides financial stability, operational efficiency, risk management, and strategic planning abilities.

Overall, prioritization is essential for small/midsize business owners to effectively manage their workload and achieve their goals. It’s important to identify any barriers to prioritization and work to overcome them to ensure that tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

If you want to connect with me to discuss further or provide other insights please let me know at [email protected] or connect with me on LinkedIn.

5 Ways Every Small Business CEO Should Think About M&A In 2023

5 Ways Every Small Business CEO Should Think About M&A In 2023

I recently worked with an accidental CEO early in her career. She took over a business upon the sudden death of the previous owner. She stepped in as the interim president, not knowing that she was walking into a situation that would ultimately be a turn-around or shut-down situation. Or, that this would become her new career.

Not only did she succeed in turning the business around, she now leads a larger and very successful business, less than 10 years later, and is now looking to acquire a company in order to expand.

Why Small Business CEOs Should Consider M&A Right Now

Mergers and acquisitions, M&A, partnership concept

As a small business CEO, if you are not thinking of M&A as part of your strategic growth in your 3-to-5-year plan, you are potentially ignoring the largest opportunities for growth. If you are waiting until the economy stabilizes, you are missing an opportunity. As you consider acquisitions, there are five things you should contemplate:

1. Is your house in order? Do a self-audit or at least look in the mirror before starting down the road of a transaction. Do you have the right players, in the right seats, and is everything running smoothly? Understand where you will be stretched during a transaction and where you will pull from to meet the needs.

2. Understand your risk tolerance. Identify the risk you can tolerate if things don’t go according to plan with either your organic business or the slowing economy. Do you have your reserves and contingency plans? Thorough due diligence should be expected; small and mid-sized acquisitions by small and mid-sized companies often mean more detailed due diligence because of the catastrophic impact a failed deal could have on a business. Involve your team members in the diligence as practicable; besides becoming invested in the success of the transaction and post-integration, they become better leaders as a result.

3. What’s the growth opportunity? Specifically, what’s the strategic growth opportunity? M&A can drive growth, especially during slower economic times when organic growth may be lagging.

4. What’s the culture like? Culture is often neglected, especially in small deals, even though people and culture are a significant part of how the small business became successful. Culture diligence is as important as financial and operational diligence. A culture clash can kill a deal or cause a post-deal integration failure.

5. Are you being bold enough? Through exponential growth, a small business can disrupt an industry and become the industry leader. Acquire one business a year and you can be positioned to be that industry leader. In short, don’t miss an opportunity by waiting for a stable economy; a good deal in tough times is a good deal.

Finally, if you are struggling to contemplate these on your own, seek some help. Smart small business owners know they should work with mentors and coaches to help them navigate the expansion of their business. You are heading into unfamiliar territory. It only makes sense to have someone who’s been there to help you navigate the process and help you take advantage of the M&A opportunities in your industry and business model.

As a Vistage Chair, I work with high-performing CEOs like you who are committed to what we call “a life of climb”—continuously working together to be better leaders who enjoy better outcomes for their companies. If this article resonates with you, I invite you to connect with me by email at [email protected], or on LinkedIn.