This can be a tricky question. What the interviewer is trying to figure out is if you will be departing soon to earn an advanced degree. Some companies may be looking for this (the many companies that help pay for an MBA) or they may be looking for someone to learn and advance on the job.
You’re going to have to decipher what the organization you’re interviewing with is looking for. Try looking on their website and see if tuition reimbursment is a benefit. If they offer those benefits, they may encourage their employees to pursue higher education. I would suggest letting the interviewer know that you will be working in the best interest of the company. This can be interpertued to mean delaying schooling if needed or possible re-entering the classroom.
Posted on October 16th, 2008 under All Posts, Interview Questions •
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Most interviewers are good about asking the proper questions. As an interviewee, you need to make sure you avoid mentioning certain things. I know that when you first sit down with your interviewer you want to build some rapport. This is fine but you have to start off with some safe topics. What can you and your interviewer agree on? Talk about the great weather you been having or maybe mention how Interstate I-10 just keeps on getting more congested than ever. These are things everyone can relate to. Try to avoid mentioning the following during the interview.
1. Personal info- I recommend making no mention of your family, pets, vacations, leisure activities, and definitely no politics.
2. Criticism of past jobs or bosses.- Regardless of how your past experiences have gone, I’m sure you learned something of value you can mention.
3. Health Issues- Keep this to yourself. Enough said.
4. Name Dropping- I don’t care if your neighbor is the president of the company your interviewing with. Don’t drop names.
Keep the interview moving with discussion of your professional accomplishments and what you are able to bring to the company you are interviewing with.
Posted on October 13th, 2008 under All Posts •
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With this question the interviewer is trying to ascertain how knowledagble you are regarding stress management and how well you apply those techniques to yourself and others. In your answer, detail some constructive ways in which you handle stress. You might mention reflecting at the end of a stressful day on what went wrong and how you can do better. Tell the interviewer that you often devise plans on how to deal with situations that are stress-inducing for you or your team.
Posted on October 10th, 2008 under All Posts, Interview Questions •
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Job fairs are a fantastic place to meet employers and find a job. At these fairs you have an opportunity to sell yourself and convince a recruiter that you are the best candidate for your desired position. All too often though, job candidates fail to take full advantage of many opportunities a career fair presents. Lets go over some tips and guidelines.
1. Arrive prepared
Before you arrive, gather as much information as you can about the companies attending and the positions they may be looking for. Decide ahead of time what companies interest you and why. When you speak with a recruiter they will want to know why you want to work there.
2. Wear A Suit
Too many people show up at job fairs dangerously under dressed. Simply wearing work clothes or your best outfit isn’t enough. You have to wear a suit. There is no way to get around this. It’s a must. It doesn’t matter what kind of jobs are being presented, you must wear a suit. Men, this means dress shoes, matching suit jacket and pants, dress shirt, and tie. Ladies, you have a wear suit also though you have the option of wearing either pants or a skirt.
3. Act Professional
This means standing upright with your head up. Offer the person you are speaking with a firm handshake and look them in the eye. Listen carefully to what they say and speak slowly and clearly. Try not to act too anxious or nervous. Be proud of what you have to offer any potential organization.
4. Sell Yourself
You probably won’t get much time to speak with each recruiter so make it what you have to say really count. Have a pitch already prepared before you arrive be ready to tailor to individual companies. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself and tell the recruiter what you can bring to the company. After the conversation is over look the person you are speaking with in the eye and ask for an interview. The worst they will say is that they may get back with you.
5. Follow Up
Get a business card from the recruiter you spoke with so that you can send him or her a thank you note. In the note, thank them for taking the time to speak with you and reiterate why you are the best candidate for the job.
One more tip. When you first arrive practice your pitch with a company you are not interested in. This should help smooth out your pitch before you talk to the company you really want to work for.
Posted on October 7th, 2008 under All Posts •
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This question gives you an opportunity to indicate the types of achievements and qualities you admire which in turn reflects your personal qualities and values. Your values are what the interviewer is searching for. Choose an individual with admirable qualities who reflects your values. You might start off your answer like this:
” I admire Mayor Michael Kim for many reasons. First, he is someone who is able to listen and effectively manage the diverse needs of his constituents. Second……..”
After you have explained who you admire and why, make sure the interviewer knows that you strive to develop similar traits and achievements in yourself. Do not select someone based only on things that can be viewed negatively or superficially such as wealth, fame, or power.
Posted on September 30th, 2008 under All Posts, Interview Questions •
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How important is a handshake when it comes to getting a job? We all know it’s important. I’m sure you have heard before, a hand shake must be firm. It can’t be limp or overly tight…must be palm to palm. But that’s it right? It’s just a handshake.
Well a new study out of the University of Iowa says that a firm handshake is more critical than dress or physical appearance when comes to forming a first impression and securing a job. Researcher George Stewart, associate professor of management and organizations in the Tippie College of Business, said “…that the first impression begins with a handshake that sets the tone for the rest of the interview.
The study found that those with the best handshakes were also considered to be the most employable by the interviewers and seen as having more extroverted personalities and greater social skills. Stewart says that the key to a great shake is a complete, firm grip, eye contact and a vigorous up-and-down movement.
I’ve noticed one problem many encounter when they are interviewing is sweaty palms. If you get nervous and your hands turn into clammy fountains…don’t sweat it. Just keep a handkerchief in your pants or blazer pocket and give it a few squeezes while waiting in the reception area.
So there you have it folks. A firm, eye to eye handshake. But if it makes such a great impression why stop at job interviews. If it helps foster a good impression with interviewers, I’m sure it works well with other people. Try shaking hands like this with everyone you meet like this and reap the benefits.
Posted on September 29th, 2008 under All Posts •
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A nice open ended question that gives you the chance to the tell the interviewer about your relevant management experience. The focus of your answer should be on your accomplishments and responsibilities as a manager. In particular, detail the managerial experiences you’ve had that would provide value to the employer interviewing you. The key to this question is to emphasize relevant skills and experience.
Posted on September 25th, 2008 under All Posts, Interview Questions •
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Ahh…the thank you note. Not many people looking for work bother ever sending one. Yes it takes time and becomes another thing added to your to-do list but it’s something small you can do that will demonstrate that you are a gracious professional. Not to mention it will give you a leg up on the competition.
So when do you send you a thank you letter? You definitely send one after your job interview and you may also consider sending one after you have simply applied for an opening.
Lets start with the first case. After you finish your interview make sure you get a business card or contact info from the interviewer. Promptly send them brief note thanking them for the opportunity to interview. Briefly re-emphasize your interest in the position and why you think you will make a positive impact on the organization. Now should you send an email or a letter? While an email is certainly better than nothing, I feel like an traditional letter will make much more of an impact. It takes more time and has more sincerity in the eyes of the interviewer.
The second instance in which you may want to send a thank you note is after you have just applied for a job. This is much more difficult since you probably won’t have any idea who to send the letter to. You’re going to have to do some old-fashioned research and call the organization and tell them what you’re attempting to do. The receptionist for the department will usually give the correct name and address of the hiring manager. If you hint in any way that you are going to call this person they won’t give you any info. This note will be similar to one we just discussed except that you will thank them not for the interview but for taking the time to review your application. Hardly anyone ever does this and you will surely stick out in the hiring managers mind more than you could possibly hope for. Good luck!
Posted on September 24th, 2008 under All Posts •
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When an interviewer is searching for clues into your leadership abilities they may ask some variation of, “Tell me about a work situation in which you experienced conflict and how you resolved it”.
This is a great question and will give you an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and application of conflict management techniqiues such as listening objectively, evaluating all of the information, and facilitating compromise. It would be wise to brush up on this subject before the interview. Give the interviewer an example from your work history and take him or her through the steps you took to successfully resolve the conflict.
Posted on September 17th, 2008 under All Posts, Interview Questions •
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I think like most people I’ve always judged a boss by their management style not their gender. But research seems to indicate that the gender of your boss may influence workers’ mental and physical health. Are the leadership styles of men and women that different or are they just perceived to be different? Is one style better than the other?
Scott Schieman, a professor of sociology at the University of Toronto and Taralyn McMullen, a PhD candidate have data that indicates the significance of gender.
Dr. Schieman said “The gender of supervisors matters differently for the health of women and men subordinates-and this pattern generally holds net of an array of workplace conditions,”.
results clearly indicated that women working under a single female supervisor suffered more distress and physical symptoms as compared with women working for a male boss.
Ladies who worked under a mixed-gender pair of supervisors displayed a higher level of distress and physical symptoms than those under one male manager.
In case of men, those working under a single supervisor had similar levels of distress irrespective of their boss’ gender.
Results of the study indicate that If governed by two managers, one male and one female, men indicated lower distress levels and fewer physical symptoms than men who worked for a lone male supervisor.
While more research is clearly warranted this raising interesting questions. What do think?
you can read the full article here.
Posted on September 16th, 2008 under All Posts •
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