School guidance and career counselors often urge you to follow your passion when pursuing a career. They emphasize this because you’re more likely to work harder and achieve greater success if you love your job. But while this may sound practical, in reality, it doesn’t always work that way. In this rapidly modernizing world, careers […]
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An employee in the US is entitled to workers’ compensation, apart from a few exclusions. The law dictates that employers need to have workers’ compensation insurance. We cover these duties and rights under the law and how this form of insurance works. Employer’s Duties Employers will refer workers’ compensation claims to their insurers. An accident […]
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Interview questions are not as straightforward as they seem, and answering just one question incorrectly may put you out of the running for a job.
The takeaway? Be ready to read between the lines.
Here are seven of the most common interview questions, what the hiring manager is really asking, and how you should respond:
What the hiring manager is really asking…
“How does your education, work history, and professional aspirations relate to this position?”
How to respond: Select key work and education information that shows the hiring manager why you are a perfect fit for the job and for the company.
For example, a recent grad might say something like, “I went to X University where I majored in Y and completed an internship at Z Company. During my internship, I did this and that (name achievements that match the job description), which really solidified my passion for this line of work.”
What the hiring manager is really asking…
“Does this position fit into your long-term career goals? Do you even have long-term career goals?”
How to respond: Do NOT say you don’t know (even if you don’t) and do not focus on your personal life (it’s nice that you want to get married, but it’s not relevant). Show the employer you’ve thought about your career path and that your professional goals align with the job.
What the hiring manager is really asking…
“Are you self-aware? Do you know where you could stand to improve and are you proactive about getting better?”
How to respond: A good way to answer this is with real-life feedback that you received in the past. For instance, maybe a former boss told you that you needed to work on your presentation skills.
Note that fact, then tell the employer how you’ve been proactively improving. Avoid any deal breakers (“I don’t like working with other people.”) or cliché answers (“I’m a perfectionist and I work too hard.”).
What the hiring manager is really asking…
“Are you a hard worker? Am I going to have to force you to produce quality work?”
How to respond: Ideal employees are intrinsically motivated, so tell the hiring manager that you find motivation when working toward a goal, contributing to a team effort, and/or developing your skills. Provide a specific example that supports your response.
Finally, even if it’s true, do not tell an employer that you’re motivated by bragging rights, material things, or the fear of being disciplined.
What the hiring manager is really asking…
“How do you respond to failure? Do you learn from your mistakes? Are you resilient?”
How to respond: Similar to the “greatest weakness” question, you need to demonstrate how you’ve turned a negative experience into a learning experience.
To do this, acknowledge one of your failures, take responsibility for it, and explain how you improved as a result. Don’t say you’ve never failed (Delusional much?), don’t play the blame game, and don’t bring up something that’s a deal-breaker (“I failed a drug test once…”).
What the hiring manager is really asking…
“Are you genuinely interested in the job? Are you a good fit for the company?”
How to respond: Your goal for this response is to demonstrate why you and the company are a great match in terms of philosophy and skill. Discuss what you’ve learned about them, noting how you align with their mission, company culture, and reputation.
Next, highlight how you would benefit professionally from the job and how the company would benefit professionally from you.
What the hiring manager is really asking…
“Can you think on your feet? Can you handle pressure? Can you think critically?”
How to respond: When faced with a seemingly absurd question like this one, it’s important you’re not caught off guard.
Resist the urge to tell the interviewer the question is stupid and irrelevant, and instead walk them through your problem-solving thought process. For this particular question, you would talk about how many people are in the U.S., where couches are found (homes, hotels, furniture stores), etc.
As with other parts of the job application process, it’s a good idea to solicit feedback from family, friends, and former colleagues. Try out your answers to each of these questions with at least two people, then revise based on their feedback.
The importance of preparation before an interview cannot be stressed enough. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll be. If you successfully answer the most common interview questions, you’ll be sure to stand out to employers as a great candidate for the position.
Need more help preparing for your next job interview?
We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. Itâs a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you prepare for your next job interview.
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Youâve always been told that you shouldnât write, âTo Whom It May Concern,â on your cover letter. But what should you do when you donât have the name of the hiring manager?
Obviously, itâs ideal to use the hiring managerâs name in your cover letter. So, the first thing you should do is try to track down the hiring managerâs name online (i.e. the company website, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.).
You can also call up the company directly to ask for the name. Simply call up the company and say, âHi, my name is ____ and Iâm applying for a position at your company. Would it be possible for me to get the name of the hiring manager so I can address him or her in my cover letter?â
If the hiring managerâs name is nowhere to be found and the company is unwilling to give you his or her name, you should use âDear Hiring Teamâ in your cover letter salutation. By addressing your cover letter to the hiring team, you increase your chances of getting it in front of the right pair of eyes.
But what if you know the name of someone else (not involved with hiring) who works at the company? Can you just address it to them instead?
Absolutely not!
âThat person may not be the person thatâs hiring, and they could easily throw [your cover letter] in the trash,â says J.T. OâDonnell, founder and CEO of Work It Daily. âYou donât know if theyâre going to forward it to the right person or not. You DO NOT want to risk that.â
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Is every element of your career plan working together to help you get the results you want? Are you confident that the career plan you’ve developed will get you out of your career rut for good? If you’re not getting the results you want out of your career, we can help.
We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. Itâs a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you write a cover letterâthe right way.
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I hear stories all the time about job seekers applying for almost every job they come across in their job search. My advice? Stop. Here’s why…
That type of job search doesn’t work.
@j.t.odonnell why this type of job search never works… @j.t.odonnell @workitdaily #learnontiktok #careertiktok #edutok #jobsearch #jobtips #jobapplication #careerhacks #careeradvice ⬠original sound – J.T. O’Donnell
In order to actually find a job that’s a good match for you, you need to stop applying online to random, out-of-state jobs that you’re not exactly qualified for. If you do this in your job search, you’re basically not looking for work at all.
And I know that’s hard to hear.
We think we have all this experienceâthat employers will look at us and think, “Oh, this person would be a great fit for the job.” That’s not how it works.
First, if you’re not in state, they’re thinking, “When will I interview you?” Second, if you don’t have the exact experience, they’re thinking, “I don’t have time to train you. I’m already far behind.”
Employers want to hire the exact match for the job. That’s why you’re not getting any responses.
Now, all hope isn’t lost. You just have to learn something called a proactive job search, which is a more strategic job search than the “apply for every job” type of job search (I call it the “spray & pray” method). Think of yourself as a job shopper instead, which is actually a lot more fun and effective.
If you want to learn how to conduct a proactive job search, check out my FREE community. It’s a safe place where professionals like you are learning how to become empowered in their careers so they can finally find career happiness and satisfaction. More importantly, I have tons of resources inside this community that can help you find a jobâfast!
Whatever you do, please stop the insanity of blindly applying for jobs. It’s not doing you any favors. All it’s doing is frustrating you. And you don’t deserve that.
Sign up for my FREE community and become a Workplace Renegade today! My team and I are looking forward to working with you soon.
LinkedIn has made it very easy to upload your resume as a PDF to make it part of your LinkedIn profile. While it’s tempting to do this rather than build a full profile from scratch, you should avoid it.
Your resume and LinkedIn profile should be treated as two separate resources for your job search. Sure they are very similar, and you should use your resume as a guide for your LinkedIn profile, but a slight separation of the two is important!
Here’s why…
Your LinkedIn profile is fully (or at least semi-) public. Your contact information (address, phone number, email, etc.) are not necessarily public on your LinkedIn profile, but will become public if you upload your resume.
Even if you remove this private information from your resume before you upload it, by uploading your resume, you have made the resume itself public. You no longer have control. That means that anyone is free to view, copy, download, use, pirate, and distribute your resumeâall without your knowledge or consent.
Whatever information you’re given by LinkedIn about views of your profile and downloads of your resume is after the factâafter your resume has been downloaded and is in the possession of someone else.
Posting your resume on LinkedIn changes your job search from a private one to a public one. It practically screams, “I’m looking for a job!” While it helps your job search for the trusted people of your professional network to be quietly notified that you’re looking for new opportunities, it does not help to announce it to the world.
Why? Because recruiters, employers, potential clients, and quality networkers are looking for top candidates. Top candidates are, by definition, people who are in demand. A top candidate, therefore, rarely “needs” a job, although he or she is open to opportunities. By publicly screaming, “I’m looking for a job!” you are simultaneously announcing that you are not a top candidate.
Your LinkedIn profile needs to showcase your value and appeal, not your (real or perceived) desperation.
Resumes work best when they are tailored to specific job openings or employers. Posting your resume online means you have given up the chance to best present your resume to any legitimate recruiters or employers who view it. And the substance of the resume should be worked into your LinkedIn profile anyway.
Remember: if your LinkedIn profile is compelling, then a legitimate recruiter or employer surfing through LinkedIn will contact you. And then you can decide whether to provide your (targeted) resume.
So, in conclusion, posting your resume online gives you additional risk, but no reward.
Struggling to write your resume or optimize your LinkedIn profile?
We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. Itâs a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you write your resume and optimize your LinkedIn profileâthe right way.
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Team dynamics can often be difficult to negotiate. At work, generally speaking, you are on a team and you contribute. The problem is that you also want to elevate your career and stand out to your boss. So, how can you do that without the rest of the team feeling like you are a jerk (or worse)?
I’ve had the gift of working in amazing environments on rock star teams. I have also had the (ahem) opposite experience. I’ve managed teams, been part of teams, as well as been an individual contributor, and through these years, I’ve found there are a few surefire ways to show you’re an asset without being a show-off.
Here’s how you can effectively show your value at work (without being a jerk):
My favorite direct reports were good for their word. They were trustworthy. You could truly count on them to deliver, and not just for me. I would see these team members and teammates always doing what they said they would. People notice. It might not seem like it, but when you do what you say always, you will get the important assignments. Being the one that does the important stuff is viewed as valuable, and you’re valuable without being a jerkâyou’re the good guy that people can count on to get stuff done.
The people who come to me with solutions stand out. Problem solvers who are actively working on solutions to organizational challenges stand out for obvious reasons. They care about the problems of the company and are taking the time to solve them. There is a BIG difference between people who solve problems and people who try not to create them. The problem solvers stand out. And when they include others in the solution, all the better, because they are showing me that they are leaders who can activate others to join the cause of solving the big problems we’re facing.
Further, managers know that a team builds a victory and solves a problem together. Good managers also can see who’s doing the lion’s share of the work and really contributing to the victory. If it’s you, be sure you are gracious in sharing that victory with the teamâthat stands out to good managers and to the team.
Be monomaniacal about achieving the goals of the company and the team. When you see the team headed down a rabbit hole, gently guide them back to land. Be the one who is focused on achieving the goals and you will stand out. You might be considered a jerk for being the one who asks for focus by the ones who are unfocused, but they will forgive you when you achieve the goals, solve the problems, and share the victory (see above).
I frequently advocate being a student of your industry. This is applicable to standing out without being perceived as a jerk when you are sharing information with your teammates about the industry and the business. When you are the go-to for information and insights, you are going to stand out. However, if you do this in a smarty-pants spirit, you are on a slippery slope to Jerktown, population: 1.
Being a trusted resource means you are sharing information in the spirit of continuous learning and development. Share that you saw something interesting in the media about the company, competitor, or industry. And when you share this information, offer an insight and an initiation to hear what the recipient of this information thinks.
If you do awesome work, it’s ok to privately share what you’re proud of with your managerâkey word, privately. Schedule time to share your excitement with your manager. You should try to have monthly check-ins with your manager so that you can gather feedback and continue to advance your career. Keep in mind when you are privately sharing your work with your manager, do it from a place of excitement and pride, not from a place of ego and bragger-y. Excitement is contagious. Your manager may also be able to help you take the work even further.
Need more help showing your value at work?
We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. Itâs a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you advance your career.
Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!
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Do your PTO request obtain denied? Because of restructurings, layoffs, and crunches, companies are usually now buckling upon workers and their PTO. Here is my concern…
Quitting is not going to help the situation .
If you quit due to the fact your PTO request has been denied, that will, inside fact, hurt your probabilities of getting hired. Plus if our economy storage containers, there will be less jobs, and then it can going to be some sort of lot harder to acquire a reference or explain las vegas dui attorney give up .
@j. t. odonnell when your PTO obtain gets denied… @workitdaily @j. t. odonnell #joblife #worklife #pto #careeradvice #careerhacks #careertiktok #edutok #learnontiktok ⬠original audio – J. T. O’Donnell
When your own personal PTO request is dissmissed off, you would like to ask why.
Maybe your employer cannot approve the entire period off that you have been requesting, yet they could approve portion of it. Or might be your boss is simply worried about a few coverage, however, you could aid in getting that protection. The goal would be to attempt to work with all of them on that.
But if you take action like you don’t find your requested PTO, I had created be really careful with getting that time off anyhow or quitting, because this could hurt you together with your career.
Helping you browsing through other workplace issues?
I’d really like it if you joined up with my FREE community where professionals just like you are learning just how to become empowered within their careers so they can easily finally find career joy and satisfaction. Moreover, My partner and i have tons of sources inside this community of which can help you get ready for your next job search.
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Managing a team of people from different backgrounds can be daunting if you do not have the essential skill set. This article explains the perks of incorporating employee feedback into your management strategy.
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Essentially, career planning is your guide towards your professional goals. It involves considering the potential jobs and roles you might take on in specific industries, which can help you build your dream career. When you know your career path, it helps you stay motivated at work because you have a clear vision of what you […]
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Everyone knows that a student’s first priority is to catch up on their coursework. However, it’s equally important for a student to learn and ensure they receive the best quality education possible—even with a job on the side. That is where flexibility in scheduling comes into play. By utilizing the flexibility of your schedule, you […]
The post Flexible Scheduling Required – How to Hold a Job From One College Semester to Another appeared first on Jobacle.com.
Even when you have the education and professional background to qualify for the job, don’t count on it as a sure win that you will be asked to come in for an interview. In fact, your qualifications may hinder your chances.
It’s very common in today’s market for employers to dismiss a job applicant’s resume because they are âoverqualified.”
Sometimes there’s an abundant supply of highly qualified candidates but not enough jobs to go around for everyone. In those cases, job seekers may resort to applying for positions where the level of expertise required on the job is below their previous position’s requirements. In addition, those making a career change often need to seek out entry-level positions, where there may be more job opportunities.
The challenge for job seekers is not simply competing with so many other applicants but finding a fine balance of information to place on their resume without coming off as overqualified. Employers are mostly concerned that, if you take a lesser position, you will leave once you find a position that is more commensurate with your skills.
Here are a few tips to help guide you in preparing your resume for the next job opportunity and avoid coming off as overqualified and ruining your chances of landing the job offer:
Focus on what the employer is looking for and show them you can do it. If some of your management experience is not a part of their job description, then don’t mention it. This tip is especially critical for applicants moving from one career to another.
For instance, if you had your own mortgage or construction firm and are now just looking for a sales job, just speak to your experience driving sales. You can also change your title from “Owner” to “Sales Manager.” As you list your professional experience, be sure to quantify your sales results.
Many of today’s positions require candidates to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. If you continued to pursue education to obtain other degrees, earning you the title of Ph.D., M.D., or others, don’t be so quick to include that information on your resume.
You have to ask if it is at all relevant to the job you are applying for. It’s great if you moved on to obtain your Ph.D. in neuroscience, but if the employer’s business and the job is focused on finance and accounting for toy manufacturing/distribution, your additional education will be of little relevance and may sway an employer to reconsider whether you are right for the position.
Write a disruptive cover letter that tells a story about why you’re passionate about the position, how you feel a connection to the company, and how your experience, skills, and talent make you the right fit. If there’s a chance your resume comes off as overqualified, even after following the tips above, make sure to provide sufficient explanation in your cover letter.
Give the employer confidence that you are challenged by the opportunity and will be there a year from now. The employer needs to know that you are not simply taking the job because you can’t find anything better. They also need to be assured you aren’t going to be quick to run off to another job as soon as the market improves or another opportunity opens up that is more in line with your level of experience from your previous positions.
Your resume is a marketing tool to help get your foot in the door for an interview. Placing too much information or irrelevant information will only give the employer more reason to dismiss you. Carefully review the job posting and do your research to really understand what skills and experience are desired for the position so that you present your resume and qualifications in the best light. Not everything you’ve accomplished, regardless of how significant it is, is appropriate to include on your resume.
Need more help optimizing your resume? We’re here for you!
We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. Itâs a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you write your resumeâthe right way.
It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.