How To Answer “What Makes You Unique?” In An Interview

How To Answer “What Makes You Unique?” In An Interview

“What makes you unique?” is a question that many interviewers like to use. But due to its perceived simplicity, many applicants are woefully underprepared when they attempt to answer it! This article will teach you how to answer “What makes you unique?” in a way that highlights your abilities and improves your chance of getting […]

The post How To Answer “What Makes You Unique?” In An Interview appeared first on Career Sherpa.

Interview Cheat Sheet: 8 Tips For A Flawless Interview

Interview Cheat Sheet: 8 Tips For A Flawless Interview

Got an interview coming up soon? We know you have a busy life, and sometimes there’s just not enough time in the day to scan through articles to get the information you need. That’s why we created the Interview Cheat Sheet! We pulled the best tips, tricks, and advice from our archives and put them all in one place just for you.


Here are eight solid interview tips from our experts:

Interview Preparation

When you’re preparing for your interview, you need to make sure you cover all of your bases. Here are some tips on what to say to a potential employer:

1. Stay away from superlatives.

Keep it singular. Superlatives such as “weakest,” “worst,” or “biggest” indicate the greatest degree of whatever is it describing. “Biggest weakness” is the weakness of the highest degree implying there are other weaknesses of varying degrees but weaknesses nonetheless. That begs the question: “What are some others?” Likewise, “need most to improve” implies there are others areas for improvement. In any case, try this as an alternative, “If I had to come up with one…” (No negatives, no multiples.)

(Original article: 4 Tips To Answer Tough Interview Questions Correctly)

2. Be prepared with questions for the employer.

Each interview takes on a different format, but somewhere along the way, an employer will likely ask if you have any questions. Even if the interview was packed with information, always have questions prepared to ask the employer that have not been touched on or that you can benefit from by having more information.

Asking questions expresses to an employer that you are serious and sincerely interested in the company and position. Asking the “right” questions can also help solidify a positive impression. For instance, if you have done the proper research on the company before the interview, you may have knowledge of developments happening at the company or within the industry that may have an impact on the job you applied for. Asking questions that express you are thinking ahead about the job and how certain developments may impact the business demonstrates to an employer that you are a “smart” candidate. You are already thinking like you belong in the position and looking ahead at how to address possible challenges. These types of questions can also help the employer see how you fit right in.

(Original article: Information You Must Have Before Your Interview)

3. Show them you did your homework.

One great way to build your interviewing confidence is by conducting plenty of research on the company you’re applying to and the position it’s offering. A common question interviewers ask is, “Do you know anything about our company?” Most times, candidates are forced to answer “No.” If you’re able to share the company’s background information and showcase knowledge of its future goals for the position in question, you’ll undoubtedly catch the interviewer off guard—in a great way!

(Original article: 3 Ways To Build Confidence For A Job Interview)

Interview Questions

Man answers an interview question

Being prepared to answer any question that comes out of the interviewer’s mouth is a big advantage in interviews. Here are some questions to go over before your next interview:

1. “How do you handle stress?”

Interviewers are generally looking for an answer that indicates you can handle multiple priorities and projects at the same time. An answer stating that stress is a natural part of life and you feel equipped to handle the challenges of the job and balance them with the rest of your life may just be the answer that earns you the job.

(Original article: How To Handle Tough Interview Questions)

2. “Tell me about yourself.”

What the hiring manager is really asking: “How do your education, work history, and professional aspirations relate to the open job?”

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.”

(Original article: How To Answer 7 Of The Most Common Interview Questions)

3. “Tell me about a time when you did ______.”

Just because you’ve never done something doesn’t mean you can’t do it. And it surely doesn’t mean you can’t excel at it. If you’re asked a question about prior experience regarding something you’ve never done, the best way to answer isn’t to say “No, I’ve never done that,” or “No, I don’t have experience in that area.” The best way to handle the question is to say something along these lines: “While I have not had any direct experience in XYZ, I am a fast learner, and I am confident that I could (do, manage, direct, handle, etc.) XYZ successfully and exceed your expectations.”

An effective way to enhance your previous confident response would be to share with the hiring manager about a time when you did do something very similar—or something that could in some way relate to the experience they are asking you about. However, no matter how you approach the question, be sure to emphasize that you’re confident you can do whatever it is they’re asking you about, and provide examples as to why you feel that way.

(Original article: #1 Interview Question You Must Answer Correctly)

Post-Interview Protocol

Man shakes hands with the hiring manager after a job interview

Even after the interview is over, you need to go the extra mile to impress the employer. Here are some post-interview tips:

1. Follow up with a thank-you note.

Send thank-you notes to all the individuals with whom you had a conversation. Do not send one note to just the hiring manager. You will miss out on all the other contacts that you made. Even a note to the receptionist/office manager is appropriate and helpful but only if you had more of a conversation, not just a “hello.” Make the notes unique to each individual based on the conversation you had with them. Remind them of the conversation you had. Also, in each thank-you note, remind the contact why you bring value to the company/team/position and show your enthusiasm.

As the hiring process progresses or slows, stay in touch with your contacts as appropriate. If the process has slowed, begin to follow up about every two business weeks. Too soon and it will be considered overkill. Much later than two weeks and you’ll be forgotten.

(Original article: How To Follow Up After An Interview)

2. Use the three-paragraph rule.

Your follow-up email should be short, sweet, and personalized. Generally, a good rule of thumb for the length is three paragraphs, with no more than two to three sentences in each paragraph.

First paragraph: Briefly thank them for their time and reiterate your interest in the position.

Second paragraph: Discuss a couple of your strengths and how the company would benefit if you were hired. Consider using bullet points to break up your text.

Third paragraph: Include any points of clarification you might have. Include answers to questions that you weren’t able to answer during the interview, or add new info about yourself that was left out of the interview.

But, remember, keep it brief. Vicky Oliver, author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions, suggests indicating your next point of contact by saying something along the lines of “Look forward to hearing from you within the next two weeks.” If no date was set at the interview, either ask for one or specify you will loop back to them for a decision in two weeks.

(Original article: 6 Tips For Following Up After A Job Interview)

We know how difficult it can be to ace a job interview. We hope our Interview Cheat Sheet helps you prepare for your next one so you can stand out to the hiring manager and land the job. If you’re still not feeling confident, we can help.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s 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.

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.

The Waiting Game: Surviving Job Offer Anxiety

The Waiting Game: Surviving Job Offer Anxiety

Have you ever felt like you totally rocked an interview? You had all your questions and answers prepared, the hiring manager really seemed impressed, and they even hinted at a call back. You wake up the next morning with a huge grin on your face expecting an email or a phone call, but you receive nothing. No worries, right? “They will probably get back to me tomorrow,” you think to yourself.

However, tomorrow comes and goes, as does the next day and the day after that, all without a phone call or an email. Days turn into a week, and you begin to get a bit antsy. Hope starts to dwindle as the questions begin to mount.


  • What’s taking so long?
  • Was my interview not as good as I thought?
  • Did I say something wrong? Did I misread the cues?
  • Was my writing sample terrible?
  • Should I send another email?
  • WHY HAVEN’T THEY CALLED ME BACK?

As time goes on, you are consumed by these questions and can think of nothing else. This is a dangerous time for any job seeker. This inner state of turmoil is often referred to as job offer anxiety.

What Is Job Offer Anxiety?

via GIPHY

Job offer anxiety is the anxiousness and stress one feels usually while waiting for an interview or a callback. This anxiousness is frequently accompanied by tense behavior and rumination. People who suffer from this are in a never-ending search to discover why they haven’t received an interview/callback when everything seemed promising.

In a struggle to answer this question, job seekers start to second-guess their interview and writing skills as each day passes. They blame themselves for not getting the call and their confidence all but disappears. Job offer anxiety can even affect job seekers after they have received an offer.

For instance, a job seeker may receive a job offer that happens to be their second choice. The question of whether to accept the offer or wait for their first choice now arises. This may cause unnecessary panic in the applicant which can lead to a misguided decision. Even just waiting for a callback is extremely destructive to the job search. You end up losing focus and wasting valuable time that could be spent pursuing other job opportunities.

If you have ever suffered from job offer anxiety, have no fear. Here are some specific causes of job offer anxiety and ways to overcome them.

Cause #1 – Forgetting To Continue The Job Search

via GIPHY

The solution: Apply for other jobs.

This advice seems obvious, but many people become so focused on the callback that they forget about the end goal: getting a job.

What better way to distract yourself than to continue looking for other jobs? Continuing your job search allows you to take your mind off the callback and get back to using your time wisely. Sitting around and waiting for the perfect job to get back to you isn’t productive and won’t get you anywhere closer to realizing your goal.

And who knows? While you are being focused and productive, time will pass a lot more quickly and you might finally get that callback you were waiting for, and if not, at least you expanded your job opportunities.

Cause #2 – Restlessness And Insomnia

via GIPHY

The solution: Exercise.

All that stress and anxiety can inflict heavy damage to your body and overall health. Those at WebMD.com recommend people with high anxiety to “relieve tension with vigorous exercise or massage.” The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has found that “regular participation in aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem.”

When it comes to reducing stress and anxiety, exercise should not be overlooked.

Cause #3 – Lack Of Perspective

via GIPHY

The solution: Realize that HR is on a different time frame than you.

There is no doubt that, when searching for a job, time seems to creep by at a snail’s pace. Some like to believe that hiring managers sit at their desk with an evil smirk tapping their fingers together (think Mr. Burns from The Simpsons) purposefully making candidates wait in despair.

Yet, it’s easy to forget that employers may have responsibilities other than hiring candidates. Hiring managers would love nothing more than to get through all the applicants in a timely manner. But like every job, things tend to pop up unexpectedly that require immediate attention. It’s important to remember this, take a deep breath, and give the hiring manager the benefit of the doubt.

Cause #4 – Not Sure When To Follow Up

via GIPHY

The solution: Use proper follow-up etiquette.

It’s important to remember that the interview doesn’t end until you have sent a follow-up thank-you letter. Susan Adams of Forbes advises applicants to send a follow-up letter as soon as possible. If you wait too long, other prospective employees might beat you to it.

While sending a handwritten note is a nice thought, it takes much too long for the employer to receive it. So, email is always the best choice for sending your follow-up thank-you note. It’s also a nice touch if you add a high point from the interview in your message.

However, even after the follow-up thank-you letter, applicants can still find themselves without a response. In this case, it is appropriate to follow up again.

In “4 Things You Need To Do After The Interview To Get The Job,” Sudy Bharadwaj believes that periodically following up every few weeks is a great way to stay on the hiring manager’s mind. He recommends that: “Instead of asking, ‘Have you made a decision yet?’ forward a recent article you’ve read that you believe he’ll find interesting and helpful. Following up in this way demonstrates that you’re a great network connection instead of a pesky wannabe employee.”

Cause #5 – Lack Of Confidence In Your Resume

via GIPHY

The solution: Check if you made common resume mistakes and/or get your resume reviewed by trained coaches.

One last measure to reduce stress and anxiety during the job search is to make sure your resume is in tip-top shape. Knowing that your resume is up to par can be a great boost to your confidence.

An excellent way to get some tips on your resume is to pass it out to your friends and colleagues. They might be able to bring some fresh ideas to your resume and suggest edits to improve it.

We hope you found these tips for overcoming job offer anxiety to be helpful, no matter where you are in your career. And remember…only worry about the things you can control. You’ll avoid a lot of stress and anxiety this way!

We know how difficult it is to overcome anxiety in your job search. If you’re struggling to find a job, we’re here for you.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

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.

17 Job Interview Do’s And Don’ts You Need To Know

17 Job Interview Do’s And Don’ts You Need To Know

Being familiar with the basic interview “do’s” and “don’ts” can go a long way when it comes to your job search. But unfortunately, many of these golden rules often get ignored! This list of the “do’s” and “don’ts” of interviewing will help you walk into the room with confidence that you’re putting your best foot […]

The post 17 Job Interview Do’s And Don’ts You Need To Know appeared first on Career Sherpa.

How To Answer Any Behavioral Interview Question In 2022

How To Answer Any Behavioral Interview Question In 2022

We’ve gotten a lot of questions lately about interviews, which is a good thing because it means our readers are putting in the work and getting interviews (So, kudos to you!). But what we want to talk about today is a very particular type of interview question that hiring managers are increasingly asking these days. This kind of question—a behavioral question—can be a curveball.


So, let’s get started by talking about what a behavioral question is.

What Is A Behavioral Interview Question?

A behavioral interview question is a special type of question. It’s one that requires more than a one-word answer. It’s the type of question where you are not going to respond with just a “yes” or “no.” In contrast, you’re going to have to elaborate in order to deliver an answer properly.

For example, a behavioral question would look something like, “Tell me about a time when you had to do X or Y…” You’re going to see these questions all the time during interviews because it helps the hiring manager get inside your head and understand how you approach and tackle certain problems.

Remember, an employer wants to make sure that you’re the right fit for the job. It’s not just that you have the experience. It’s also that you have the aptitude and the know-how to apply that experience so that you can do the job successfully in the way that you need to do it. This is what makes them feel comfortable with you as a hire—and all of this has to come out in your answer.

Now that you understand what a behavioral interview question is, and why it’s so important to answer it thoroughly and correctly, I’m going to give you a methodology you can use to answer each and every behavioral interview question effectively. It’s called the “Experience + Learn = Grow model.

It’s a system we’ve designed that allows you to come up with answers that give the employer exactly what they want to hear.

How To Answer A Behavioral Interview Question

Professional woman answers a behavioral question during a job interview

Step 1: Outline an experience that you’ve had that explains why you can do what they’re asking you to do.

Step 2: Talk about what you learned from that experience—how it made you smarter and better in your job.

Step 3: Talk about how you grew as a professional so that you can take that experience and use it to your advantage going forward.

When you answer behavioral questions using the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model, you’re mentally taking the hiring manager through the process they need to go through to come to the conclusion that you can do the job.

It’s also important that you ask good questions in an interview in order to make a great impression.

Example Of A Behavioral Interview Question & Answer

Job seeker successfully answers a behavioral interview question

So, here’s an actual example of a typical behavioral question that you might get asked in your next interview:

“Tell me your greatest accomplishment on the job.”

Now, again, if you are going to use the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model here, you have to share enough information for the hiring manager to fully understand that you are capable of doing the job.

Let’s say you’re a customer service representative. Your answer might be:

Experience: “Well, as a customer service representative, the greatest accomplishment I ever had was learning how to deal with difficult customers. I remember a time when I got a call from a really angry customer. We had double-charged her, and she was irate. She was swearing at me and yelling at me on the phone. She was completely out of control, and I didn’t know what to do.”

Learn: “But I realized that if I stepped back for a second and didn’t take what she was saying personally, I could recognize how she was feeling. I could put myself in her shoes. So, I was able to do that. And in doing so, I was able to calmly address her needs, figure out what was going on, get her a credit, and really exceed her expectations. When it was all said and done, she was totally calmed down. She was apologetic for her behavior—for swearing at me—and most importantly, she was grateful and even gave me a four-star review afterward.”

Grow: “That really taught me the power of patience and empathy. When I’m talking to customers now, every time I get a difficult customer, I’m able to immediately go into that empathy mode so that I can give them a great customer service experience.”

Do you see how that answer followed the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model? By taking the time to map out your answers to questions like this, you can really make sure that you’re covering your bases, and helping the hiring manager understand just how effective you can be in the job.

There are lots of behavioral questions that you can get asked in an interview. In fact, at Work It Daily, we have a list of 18 potential questions that we take our clients through. To give you an idea of some other ones that you might come across, here are two more that you should be prepared to answer:

  1. “What would your co-workers say about you if we asked them?”
  2. “Tell me about a time when you got a difficult and unrealistic request from somebody, but they were really enthusiastic about it. What did you do?”

Those are just a couple more examples of the types of behavioral questions you can get asked, which again require much more than a typical one-word answer.

Most importantly, the “Experience + Learn = Grow” structure helps you consistently deliver the right answer at the right time!

Need more help preparing for behavioral interview questions?

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s 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.

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.

7 Secrets To A Successful Informational Interview

7 Secrets To A Successful Informational Interview

An informational interview is a meeting where a job seeker asks for advice rather than employment. Rather than get a job offer, a job seeker uses informational interviews to:

  • Learn more about a company or job function
  • Inquire about job leads
  • Network

    For job seekers, informational interviews can secure meetings with managers, shape positive first impressions, and develop relationships that may pay off in the future. Managers are open to informational interviews because:

    • They do not require a big time investment. Informational interviews can be done during lunch or during an afternoon coffee break.
    • They can give managers an opportunity to identify new talent, either for now or in the future, without a formal recruiting process.
    • Informational interviews allow managers to give advice. Who doesn’t like to have their ego stroked?

    Here are my tips on how you can succeed in your informational interviews:

    1. Ask For An Informational Interview

    After you’ve identified who you want to meet, ask friends, family, ex-co-workers, and fellow alums if they have contacts at a certain company or a particular line of work. Utilize social networking tools, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to find contacts. In the introduction email, keep it short and simple. Provide some background information on yourself and explain why you want to meet.

    2. Clearly Define What You Want To Get Out Of The Meeting

    Woman goes in for an informational interview

    If you don’t know what you want, the person on the other side of the table will have a hard time helping you. I’d recommend going for easy wins such as learning more about a company or a job function. So prepare questions such as: “What do you like about working for company X?” or “When you think about successful folks in position Y, what made them successful?”

    3. Getting A Job Should Not Be Your Immediate Goal

    Woman asks a question during an informational interview

    Job seekers often ask for a job at the beginning. Resist that temptation. If the manager does have a job, asking for it at the beginning is premature, especially if you haven’t proven yourself. If he or she does not have a job, you and the manager have to overcome the early letdown. Instead, focus on asking good questions and creating a good impression. Then, at the end, do ask if the manager is hiring, but don’t push it.

    4. Go With The Flow

    Man asks a question during an informational interview

    Some managers use the informational interview as an informal job interview. If the manager wants to deviate from your prepared list of questions and ask you more formal interview questions, let him or her do so. Who knows? You might get a job offer at the end of the interview.

    5. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

    Woman smiles during an informational interview

    An informational interview can range from an informal career chat to a structured interview. Prepare for any scenario. Have those general career questions ready, and at the same time, don’t be surprised if the interviewer asks tough questions like, “What’s your biggest weakness?” Remember the saying, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

    6. Dress For Success

    Man goes in for an informational interview

    It’s always worth reminding: dress professionally.

    7. Don’t Forget To Follow Up And Send The Thank-You Note

    Woman shakes hands with a colleague after an informational interview

    Don’t forget to send a thank-you email or note after the informational interview. In addition, send updates every couple of weeks. The manager invested time into your career; he or she will be interested in your progress. And who knows, that manager may not have had openings a while ago, but he or she may be hiring now.

    As a job seeker, an informational interview can be the secret to job search success. If you want to have a successful informational interview, just remember these seven tips. Good luck!

    Need more help with your job search?

    We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s 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.

    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.

    Best “What Sets You Apart From Other Candidates?” Answers

    Best “What Sets You Apart From Other Candidates?” Answers

    “What sets you apart from other candidates?” is a question that gets asked in interviews quite often. But despite this, it still trips up many applicants! This in-depth guide will teach you how to approach answering this question in a way that leaves a great impression and improves your chances of getting hired. Table of […]

    The post Best “What Sets You Apart From Other Candidates?” Answers appeared first on Career Sherpa.

    Job Interview Tips For Fresh Graduates

    Job Interview Tips For Fresh Graduates

    When in college, you’re used to competition. From scholarships to internships, you compete at every step with other students. Although you may think applying for internships and scholarships is just a lesser version of a job hunt, the world of employment is a much more competitive landscape.


    Cleaning out your dorm, ridding school supplies with a textbook buy and sell back service, shopping for business attire, and getting student loan bills should be the signs that the party is over and it’s time to pay the tab. One thing that might not dawn on you is thousands of other kids your age are in the same boat and there are a lot fewer dream jobs than dream seekers.

    Landing an interview is never enough. You need to go beyond the usual to impress your potential employer and get the job. Here are a few job interview tips to help you improve your chances of success as a recent college graduate looking for your first real job out of school:

    Prepare To The Core

    We all know preparation is the key to succeeding in an interview. But most recent college graduates don’t prepare enough, which is why they fail. If you want to get the job, then you need to prove that you’ve done your homework. Preparation doesn’t simply mean skimming through the company’s Wikipedia page and website. You need to go out of your way to find out as much as you can about the company—about its culture, the industry trends, and so on. That’s how you demonstrate your worth to the interviewer.

    Draft Stories

    Recent college grad attends a job interview

    Your interviewer wants to see how your current skills complement the requirements of the job. The best way to prove them is to draft stories about your previous achievements. Why? Because stories are more convincing than factual data (in the job interview, not on your resume). Make sure your stories are interesting and to the point. Have a good opening line and see to it that you’ve learned them by heart. Be clear and avoid sounding like a robot. To keep your stories concise, use the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model to answer behavioral interview questions.

    Avoid Overselling Yourself

    Recent college grad listens to an interview question

    You know how they say that you should “be yourself” to make the best impression? It’s advice that you should stay away from when being interviewed. While it’s good to be enthusiastic, energetic, and positive during your interview, don’t oversell yourself. The simple reason for this is that employers know that there’s a lot of talent in the market. And candidates can go to any extent to get the job—even exaggerate their skills and experience. So if you’re going to say something, you better back it with solid proof (aka quantify your accomplishments).

    Focus On Your Potential

    Recent college grad shakes hands with the hiring manager after a job interview

    Like any other candidate, you too are not perfect, which is why you shouldn’t give the interviewer a chance to talk about where you lack. Instead, lay more emphasis on your potential, which clearly shows that you have what it takes to succeed at the job. If you don’t have real-world experience to boast of or if your past achievements aren’t relevant to the job, then you should talk about your quick learning and adapting abilities. If they ask about your weaknesses, mention them, and then talk about what you’re doing to improve. It helps you win the confidence of your interviewer to a great extent.

    Remember, as a recent college graduate, you might not have highly specialized skills and years of experience under your belt, but you do have something unique to offer. That’s the uniqueness that you need to use to make an impact on your interviewer.

    Here at Work It Daily, we understand how difficult it is to find a job and grow your career as a recent college grad. If you’re struggling to find a job that’s right for you, we can help.

    We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

    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.

    Answering “How Would You Describe Yourself?” In Interviews

    Answering “How Would You Describe Yourself?” In Interviews

    “How would you describe yourself?” is a common interview question that trips up many applicants. It seems simple at first, but it requires a lot of self-reflection to answer effectively! This guide will teach you how to describe yourself during an interview in a way that improves your chance of getting the job. Table of […]

    The post Answering “How Would You Describe Yourself?” In Interviews appeared first on Career Sherpa.

    How To Answer “What Motivates You?” In An Interview

    How To Answer “What Motivates You?” In An Interview

    “What motivates you?” is an incredibly common interview question that stumps job-seekers all the time. It might seem simple, but there are many layers to an effective answer. This guide will teach you how to answer “What motivates you?” so you can use this question as an opportunity to make a great impression. Table of […]

    The post How To Answer “What Motivates You?” In An Interview appeared first on Career Sherpa.

    Should You Tell Your Boss About A Job Interview?

    Should You Tell Your Boss About A Job Interview?

    Somebody reached out to me recently and said, “I love my current company, but it’s time to move on. I like my boss, and I know when I leave I’m going to leave them in a lurch. I have a final interview tomorrow and I feel like they know something’s going on. I should probably tell them, right?”

    No, you don’t tell them.


    Why You Shouldn’t Tell Your Boss You’re Interviewing For A New Job

    @j.t.odonnell Should you tell your boss about your job interview? #jobsearchtips #jobsearch #jobtips #careertiktok #careeradvice #careertips ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

    You shouldn’t tell your boss you’re interviewing for a new job because you’re going to make this situation so much more awkward. It will actually hurt you in the long run from a relationship standpoint. If you want this boss—who you appreciate so much—to be a reference one day, then you need to do the right thing.

    So, here’s what you should do.

    You go in for the job interview. If you get the job, decide if you want to take it or not, and then go to your boss and resign. And, if possible, try to offer more than two weeks’ notice. Maybe you could give your boss three weeks’ notice. That is the better thing to do to show them that you respect them and you’re trying not to leave them in the lurch.

    My issue with you telling them you’re interviewing for a new job is that they’re probably going to want to try to keep you, but study after study shows that never works out. You’ve revealed that you want to leave, so they’re never going to trust you again. And a lot of times they just end up keeping you and offering for you to stay, only to get frustrated and let you go, or you stay and you’re still not really happy and you leave anyways. Those situations lead to bad blood and then you won’t be able to use your boss as a reference.

    The right thing to do is wait. Go in for the interview, get the job offer, decide if you want the new job, and then resign professionally. And again, if possible, give your boss an extra week’s notice. You’ll leave on good terms without damaging any professional relationships you’ve made.

    Navigating a job search can be tricky, especially if you’re still employed. The good news is, I can help.

    I’d love it if you joined my FREE community where professionals like you are learning how to become empowered in their careers so they can finally find career happiness and satisfaction, and overcome job burnout once and for all!

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    How To Answer “Why Are You Interested In This Job?”

    How To Answer “Why Are You Interested In This Job?”

    A common interview question employers ask during job interviews is, “Why are you interested in this position?” They want to know why you want to work at their company, and the specific motivation behind why you applied for the job (not that you need a paycheck).


    Knowing how to answer interview questions well is always important, especially with this question.

    To persuade the employer that you have a true connection to the company and a passion for the job you applied for, your answer to this interview question should start with, “I’m interested in this job, at this company, because…” and then list at least three reasons why you want to work there.

    Here is how you should structure your answer to the interview question, “Why are you interested in this job?”

    Reason #1 – Professional Fit

    Your first reason should always show fit in terms of professional skills.

    Example: “I’m interested in this job because I can see that, in this role, my skills could help solve this problem within your company. I also see an opportunity for me to learn and grow these skills, so we both would benefit personally, professionally, and financially. If I can come in here and solve problems and accomplish your goals, I know I can develop my career the way that I want to.”

    This part of your answer lets them know that you are excited about what you will be able to accomplish for them, while still emphasizing what they are getting out of the bargain. You need to sell yourself as a business-of-one who can provide a service better than the competition.

    Reason #2 – Cultural Fit

    Man shakes the hiring manager's hand before a job interview

    Your second reason when answering, “Why are you interested in this job?” also shows fit, but in a different way.

    Example: “Also, I like the culture of this organization. From what I’ve heard and what I’ve been reading about the company, it seems like a great fit for my personality and my values. I really connect with your mission statement, and feel passionate about the work that you do.”

    This is a general answer, so if you can be more specific by actually naming a couple of things you’ve heard or read about the company’s workplace culture that you like, it will help your cause. This is one area where your pre-interview research is critical.

    Here are a few things you may want to look for when you research the company:

    1. Is this a top company in the field/industry?
    2. Is this company known for cutting-edge products or other innovations?
    3. Does this company have a great reputation for customer service?
    4. Is this company known for being a great place to work?
    5. Does this company value and/or provide resources for employee development?

    Mention those things that truly speak to you and your values so your sincerity shows.

    Reason #3 – Personal Fit

    Woman answers the interview question, "Why are you interested in this position?"

    Wrap up your answer to this interview question with something that personalizes it a bit more.

    Examples:

    1. “And this job is in a great location for me. I’ve always wanted to move here.”
    2. “And this job is only five minutes from my house, so eliminating the commute is a big plus.”
    3. “And I’ve always used your products, and I just love them. I am really excited about being a part of that.”

    Say something that gives you another reason of your own for wanting this job. This interview answer is a fantastic place to let your enthusiasm for the job show. It’s very appealing to employers, and it gives them one more reason to hire you.

    Download Work It Daily\u2019s free list of common interview questions

    You’ll have a very clear and thorough answer to the question, “Why are you interested in this job?” if you follow the formula above. Set yourself apart from the competition today!

    Are you struggling to answer other common interview questions? We can help.

    We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s 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.

    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.