USAJOBS Questionnaire Challenge Are you Guilty of Deflating your Answers

USAJOBS Questionnaire Challenge Are you Guilty of Deflating your AnswersUSAJOBS Questionnaire Challenge Are you Guilty of Deflating your AnswersUSAJOBS Questionnaire Challenge Are you Guilty of Deflating your Answers?Are You Guilty? The Federal Jobseeker and Deflating Questionnaire ResponsesAlmost every position posted on USAJOBS requires a resume, supporting documents, and a completed self-assessment questionnaire. Many first-time federal jobseekers are unfamiliar with the questionnaire requirement and express surprise when faced with the daunting prospect of answering extensive, detailed questions about their professional experience. Even individuals who possess a greater level of familiarity with the federal application process often feel overwhelmed and confused by these self-assessment questionnaires.The typical questionnaire includes 12-35 questions, and some include up to 100 questions. The responses to these questions are critical to the success of your entire federal job application. In fact, Human Resources Specialists will review your questionnaire score before evaluating your resume if your responses to the self-assessment dont meet the cut-off, your application wont be considered.The questionnaires typically employ a multiple-choice approach. Many federal jobseekers dont realize that their responses can be the determining factor between being Best Qualified and Not Among the Most Qualified. Because many dont grasp the importance of the questionnaire, they fall into the trap of trying to complete it as quickly as possible. Also, and perhaps mora importantly, many jobseekers suffer from Social Desirability Bias, which is a very common human tendency to answer questions in a manner perceived as being viewed more favorably by others and it often takes the form of under-reporting, or deflating, responses on self-assessment questionnaires.A completed self-assessment questionnaire with deflated responses is the death-knell for any federal job app lication. For example, a client contacted us because she had not been rated Best Qualified for a position that she was, in fact, very qualified for (in fact, she had held the position before). In reviewing her application package, we discovered she had deflated her questionnaire responses and didnt take credit where she should have. Had she responded to the questions differently, she likely would have been rated Best Qualified. The questionnaire responses are critical to your application package.As soon as you find an open position of interest, the first thing you should do is to review the self-assessment questionnaire. Most announcements on USAJOBS include a link so that you can preview the questions. Most questionnaires offer the following multiple choice response optionsA I have no experience in performing this work behavior.B I have limited experience in performing this work behavior. I have had exposure to this work behavior but would require additional guidance, instruc tion, or experience to perform it at a proficient level.C I have experience performing this work behavior across routine or predictable situations with minimal supervision or guidance.D I have performed this work behavior independently across a wide range of situations. I have assisted other in carrying out this work behavior. I seek guidance in carrying out this work behavior only in unusually complex situations.E I am considered an expert in carrying out this work behavior. I advise and instruct others in carrying out this work behavior on a regular basis. I am consulted by my colleagues and/or supervisors to carry out this work behavior in unusually complex situations.Make sure you can rate yourself highly if you cant, youre likely wasting your time by completing the application.Tips for completing the Self-Assessment QuestionnaireDo NOT deflate your responses. Give yourself the most credit that you can for each response.Take your time. Read the questions and choices thorou ghly.You CAN give yourself credit from previous positions, not just your current position.You CAN give yourself credit from experience gained in college coursework.Dont let the self-assessment questionnaire overwhelm you. It is designed to weed people out. So if youve found your ideal federal job, dont let the questionnaire be the reason you dont get it.

The Downside of Hiring Generation Y

The Downside of Hiring richtungeration YThe Downside of Hiring richtungeration YFor the most part, I am an enthusiastic supporter of in richtungeration Y, the newest, youngest group of employees in yur workplace. But Gen Y employees do have a downside as a result of their upbringing that can cause negative consequences in the workplace. Interested in the downside of hiring and managing Gen Y employees? While they bring significant skills to your workplace, they have characteristics and attitudes that arent welcome at work. Ive shared the joys of working with Gen Y employees in the past Myths About MillennialsThree More Myths About Millennials Todays article will focus on the downside and what employers can do about it. Ill start with two stories that motivated me to write this piece. Gen Y Stories Staying at our cottage recently, we were joined by my 22-year-old niece and her three best buddies for four days. So, we listened a lot to dreams and schemes since the current young peo ple are experiencing a seriously unfriendly job market. We marveled at their worldview, their limited knowledge of the world and its events, and at the proficiency with which they managed four days of their lives from their smartphones. With this environment in mind, the young ladies decided to have a beach fire and spent the evening chatting and renewing friendships. The next day, my husband tried to build a fire for me. He discovered that, rather than schlepping fire logs to the beach, the girls had burned every piece of kindling in the garage kindling that he had spent two days splitting logs to create. In my next story, our company employs many Gen Y employees, and we are inclined to emphasize their great characteristics. Every once in awhile, we are reminded of their downside. We held a barbecue to celebrate a product launch for the whole company. Employees ordered one of three entrees in advance. And, guess what? The first employees through the line, primarily hungry Gen Ys, helped themselves to as many entrees as they wanted some took all three. The result? The caterer ran out of food before all of our employees could eat. My husband and I, who generally wait until we are sure all of the employees get food, spent the celebration party eating at a local restaurant. So, did many of our employees who missed out on the meal. Did these Gen Y individuals think about what they were doing and the consequences? In both stories, no. But, the stories do highlight the characteristic of many Gen Y people to be thoughtless and self-centered. These are traits that harm their performance and particularly their relationships with their Generation X and Baby Boomer colleagues. The Gen Y Downsides Gen Y employees are different from the employees who are managing them. Once you integrate this information, working with Gen Y, while not easier, is more predictable and you can prepare. These are common situations encountered when you look at the downside of hiring Gen Y employees and tips about how to work with the downside from the perspective of the generations at work. Its All About Me Wonderful MeGen Y welches raised by doting parents in a world that centered around them and their needs. Seriously. Transfer these self-centered individuals to the workplace, and you have scenarios such as the ones I described earlier. Some of the missteps can be resolved if coworkers realize that clear communication can solve some of the problems. For example, in the party buffet line situation, a sign could have reminded the employees that they were allotted one entre, the one they pre-ordered. The caterer could have been prompted to either get the committee head or remind the employees that they could only take one entre or coworkers would go hungry. I could have assumed the young ladies either didnt understand the concept of kindling (yeah, right) or were looking for the lightest wood they could find to traverse 30 stairs. I could have laid out clear expec tations since I had the knowledge that the young people would look for the easiest, most self-centered, thoughtless solution - which they did. And, yes, I dont like it either, but in a way, we need to re-raise these employees. The workplace does have to teach lessons while taking advantage of their marvelous strengths. Im Smart, and I Have the AnswerA Baby Boomer employee reported to her HR office that the Gen Y employees on her team were committing age discrimination. After the HR manager intervened, the conclusion, which the employee agreed with, was that they were having communication problems. The older employee assumed that her greater knowledge and experience would be respected and acted upon by the younger employees. Instead, they challenged her opinions and wanted to do aspects of the project their own way. The employee, who was used to automatic respect and trust from people young enough to be her children and grandchildren, had to learn that while treating each other with mutual respect in the workplace is a must, expecting your ideas to be adopted because you know more is not. The Gen Ys need to understand that they cant reject an idea, no matter where it came from, without weighing its merits. That idea sucks is not enough nor is it a polite exchange among coworkers. Gen Y Employees Lack a Strong Work EthicThe difference between Gen Y and the older generations at work is that they are unwilling to put in the face time that older generations put in at work - they want work-life balance. I remember working at General Motors every executive waited until the plant manager left the parking lot for the day, before leaving. Gen Ys view time as a resource that they can fill with all of their varied interests, projects, hobbies, families, and volunteering. They are willing to work hard at work, but it is only one component of their lives. Time is a limited resource that they dont want to waste. Organizations will do well with Gen Y by recognizing their pri orities and meeting their needs. Supply flexible work schedules, earn their commitment with work that motivates and inspires them and provide leadership that is willing to listen and teach. With this environment, Gen Y will work hard and demonstrate deep commitment. Gen Y Has No Respect for Leaders and No Loyalty to Employers. Gen Y is hungry to learn, but the teaching must be respectful and targeted. Leaders earn the respect that allows Gen Y to learn things they dont know like how to lead people, plan strategically, manage change, and inspire followers. They dont recognize authority as was also evident in an earlier example. A workplace that is meeting Gen Ys needs for respectful interaction, flexible schedules, deep listening, motivational work, and new challenges so skills keep growing, will retain their Gen Y employees. But leaders must earn their respect which leads us to the next downside. Gen Y Wont Take Critical FeedbackThey want praise, praise, praise and thank you. Yes, i t is difficult to critique Gen Y employees work. They do not respond well to authority, and the leaders and managers must prove that they are worth following or the Gen Ys you most want to keep will network their way right out of your organization. But, they are hungry for feedback, at the same time. They want to know how they are doing and they want to improve. The key is for the leader or manager to build their relationship first. Gen Y employees are used to adult supervision from people whom they know love them and have their best interests at heart. If this is where your critical feedback is coming from - their perceived best interests, Gen Y employees are grateful for feedback and suggestions. You can capitalize on their very real strengths, their resourcefulness, doing whatever it takes digitally, and bea fast learner. As always when I am discussing the generations at work, I am not trying to paint a whole generation with the same brush. For every thoughtless Gen Y, you will find thoughtful, caring people who volunteer, are faithful friends, and who work hard to succeed. And often, it is the same person.

GO WITH THE FLOW

GO WITH THE FLOW GO WITH THE FLOW GO WITH THE FLOW MIT Invents Sensor Robot for Small Underground Pipes by Carol Milano3D model, Leak Detection Robot. Photo Courtesy of Mechatronics Research Lab, MITDimitris Chatzigeorgiou (MIT Ph.D. candidate) left Athens for MIT in 2008, to pursue his Masters degree (MS), and quickly discovered an exciting project his advisor welches working on. Kamal Youcef Toumi, professor of mechanical engineering, had been exploring the serious problem of freshwater loss with other engineers in the Persian Gulf, a constant concern in arid regions. Their international group came up with the idea of creating a robot to detect leaks in water pipes, explains Chatzigeorgiou, who joined MITs new team for the project. His group collaborates with engineers and students at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia (KFUPM), which sponsors and funds the project.No city in the world is free of water leaks reports Youcef Toumi. Some pipes may have le aks exceeding 40% of clean, processed water ready for consumer use With increasing populations, new technologies are important for generating clean water and distributing it efficiently, he stresses. Undetected, water or gas leaks beneath city streets can cause danger to both residents and properties. Chatzigeorgious MS project involved identifying promising leak detection techniques for sensors. Old corrosive metal pipes are being replaced with cheaper, non-corrosive plastic. No current approach has worked well enough in small plastic pipes. fruchtwein detection systems are slow, inefficient, and costly. They use above-ground acoustic sensors to listen for faint sounds or vibrations caused by leaks.Swimming module of the water pipe leak detection system, a palm-sized autonomous underwater vehicle that will be deployed in city water distribution networks. Photo Courtesy of Mechatronics Research Lab, MITThe MIT-KFUPM leak-detection robot fits inside pipes as narrow as four inches in diameter. It detects leaks of one to two millimeters in length, with higher speed and accuracy than other techniques, by sensing pressure changes. We discovered that our system for detecting leaks in water pipes also detects gas leaks, says Chatzigeorgiou, now completing his PhD studies in Mechanical Engineering. He worked mainly on the wheeled robot for gas pipelines and on optimizing the detection system. You Wu, MS student in mechanical engineering, concentrated on a swimming robot for water pipes.These autonomous robots move around, do inspections, and collect and report the data, all from inside the pipes, notes Youcef Toumi. An intelligent machine doing maneuvers in complex pipe networks combines mechanical and electrical engineering skills. The required motion planning and execution use different types of sensing to perform efficiently. Mechanical engineers provide computational fluid dynamics system modeling including electronics the wireless communication systems and contro l and estimation algorithms and their implementation. Instrumentation involves actuators, sensors, and an on-board computing platform that controls the robot and does detectionDeveloping the two prototypes, which work well at the lab level, required 13 or 14 versions. The cost for the two prototypes was $1,000 in parts and production, reports Chatzigeorgiou. Several gas and water companies have visited the lab to see the robot and explore potential future collaboration. The technology needs further development and testing outside the lab. The next step is evaluating the prototypes effectiveness in a gas companys certified testing facility for leak detection. Were optimistic about the results of these tests I think the robot will generate a lot of industry attention. We hope to keep moving towards commercializing or licensing the technology. Several patents have already been issued more are expected.Chatzigeorgiou, lead author on articles published in four engineering journals, has visited KFUPMs team annually since 2010. At several international conferences about water systems, hes presented the leak detecting robot. Everyones excited about our technology, and that maybe our product can fill the current need.Side view of a Carrier Prototype. Photo Courtesy of Mechatronics Research Lab, MITRobotics is very exciting, and a bit unique, says Dr. Chris Jones, director of Strategic Technology Development at iRobot Corporation in Bedford, MA. Mechanical, electrical and software engineers must work together throughout the product development process to elegantly solve engineering challenges. The best robot designers possess an in-depth knowledge in one engineering field, but have a working knowledge across all of them. Its important that an engineer has a good understanding of all the parts of a machine artificial intelligence, sensors and action and how they work together.Robotics has become an even more exciting area of research and development, integrating many disciplines, including mechanical engineering, controls, and instrumentation, agrees Youcef Toumi. Its a great way for young engineers to learn and practice engineering By applying your skills to problems that matter to people whether its aging infrastructure, self-driving cars, or robot helpers for the elderly you can help provide real solutions for mankind.

How to camouflage an employment gap on your resume

How to camouflage an employment gemeinsame agrarpolitik on your resumeHow to camouflage an employment gap on your resumeAs a certified professional resume writer, I work with a lot of clients throughout all different stages of their careers, but one of the most common questions/concerns people have is how to camouflage an employment gap. People wonder how big of an impact a break in employment will make and what to do about it, so Im showing you exactly how to camouflage an employment gap on your resume.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreUse nontraditional work experience to your advantageWhen you want to camouflage an employment gap on your resume, its important to use nontraditional work experience to your advantage. Nontraditional work experience could be anything including volunteer work, side projects, classes/class projects, caring for family members, etc. The goal of includi ng this information is to highlight what you did during your employment gap and to show that you were active throughout the gap. Additionally, this information can shed light on why you have an employment gap in the first place. Maybe you took a break to go to school, to raise kids or to care for a loved one who was ill. All of those situations are extremely commendable and relatable, so its important to include that information on your resume.If youre listing class projects on your resume, use the school name in place of the company name, and include something along the lines of Class Title Project Manager, Student Project Manager, or Class Title Student in place of a job title.Gather specific metrics and achievements for each roleThe key to a great resume is highlighting exactly what youve achieved and what you can bring to a new role. This is not the place to include a general job description that can be used for anyone with that job title. Highlighting your value, what youve acc omplished, and what you bring to the table is especially important when you have an employment gap. Regardless of a break in your employment, if you can show a potential employer that youre a beneficial hire, the break in employment wont really matter.Try to answer these questions for each role you put on your resumeWhat did you do at this role?How many people did you work with or manage?What kind of projects did you work on?What were the results of those projects?This will help ensure that your resume immediately reflects your achievements and what you can bring to the table.Anyone can say that theyre great at their job, but very few people can actually show it. When youre noting your achievements,think about how you can quantify what youve done.Include certifications and specialized trainingWhen you want to camouflage an employment gap, including relevant certifications and specialized training can make a huge difference. Even if you dont have specific certifications but youve had internal training, taken an online course, or even just an online tutorial, include that in your resume. This will help an employer see how you align with the position youre applying for. If you took a break from work to focus on school or family, but kept up with certifications, that indicates motivation and ambition which areimportant traits to highlight on your resume.For example, you can take some online tutorials and training sessions on QuickBooks or Adobe Photoshop via YouTube and list that as specialized training. As long as the training gives you an advantage and further educates you on a subject, you can list it on your resume.Here are 10 free online certifications to help boost your resumeExplore contract or temporary positions to add current work experience to your resumeWhen youve had a break in employment, one of the best ways to get back into the game is to add current work experience on your resume. Once youve completed the steps above, try to gain some traditional work experience so that a current position can headline your resume.Research shows that the temporary employment industry employs more Americans than ever.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the temporary help services industry now employs around 2.8 1000000 Americans per week, an all-time high. While there seems to be a negative connotation with the words temporary and contract, these positions can open many doors for you. Contract and/or temporary work can help you in four main waysIt will give you current work to put on your resumeIt gives you immediate income while youre searching for a long term positionIt lets you network with industry professionalsIt gives you the opportunity to show off your capabilitiesIf you excel at your temporary position, chances are that you will meet people who can a) point you in the right direction, b) know of a job that may interest you, or c) will work with you to keep you at the company but progress to an area that best suits your qualif ications.There is truly no downside to temporary work.Its not always smart to take a position in an industry or path youre not interested in, temporary work gives you the opportunity to explore your options and networking opportunities.It may be intimidating and daunting, but learning how to camouflage an employment gap on your resume isnt as hard as it seems. The most important things are to stay active and highlight your skills and abilities. Dont be stagnant and wallow in your sorrows. Take charge of your life, get out there, and make it happenThis article first appeared on Writestyleonline.com.

A Secret Weapon for Resume Skill Words

A Secret Weapon for Resume Skill Words Committed Show that youre devoted to yur work, begin to finish. Again, show instead of tell. Criticism on the job station ought to be overcomed and handling all moods of people ought to be succeeded. Thus when writing down your job skills take some time to strategize and find out the very best approach to organize them in your resume. Your resume ought to be platzset up in a simple, professional way. Dependent on the recommendation of our expert sources, here are a couple of broad types of skills your resume could include, together with unique approaches to express them. A persons skill set is comprised of an assortment of personal skills that theyve acquired through education and employment. Your skills section stipulates a window into how much capability it is possible to bring to the provider. If you place on your resume that you speak excellent French, once your experience is truly limited to 8th grade lessons, you face the poss ibility of interviewing with somebody who spent a semester in Paris. You presently have a huge amount of skills, therefore its just an issue of rounding them up and figuring out which ones result in the ideal applicant package. Again, experience is something which happens to younot what you achieve. If youre searching for a job for a sommelier, list your understanding of wine fundamentals and food pairing, and your experience with inventory administration. Talk about the sorts of teams you worked on, and the way you succeeded. Everyone can call himself a tough worker. The Fundamentals of Resume Skill Words Revealed So, having the ability to drive is most likely the top rated hard skill you have to have to do the job. There are a few skills which dont necessarily belong on your resume, however awesome youre at them. If you get a wide variety of technical abilities, however, your abilities may wind up being precisely what gets you hired. You saw above how to choose the most s uitable collection of hard abilities vs soft skills. If you would like to build soft abilities, it may not be as easy as with the hard abilities, but nevertheless, it can be accomplished. Some skills could be relevant while others arent. Key skills are work-related skills that you want to do a job. Soft skills are crucial for a candidate who would like to switch to another industry, as these skills are often transferable, Scott states. Keep away from over-used words like communication abilities. The Characteristics of Resume Skill Words Another major part is that employers also be aware of the person who takes initiative to learn. If youre fighting to think of any, you can attempt utilizing the job descriptions of ads in your industry, in plus-rechnen to looking at LinkedIn profiles of individuals working in similar roles. Your skills are an overview of what you could do for the possible employer if you were offered the work at this time. Therefore, if you come to an inter view, the deficiency of Soft Skills may be one reason you werent chosen for the job. The Lost Secret of Resume Skill Words If youre able to do that, an employer will certainly notice. Make certain that you state the positive results you had on your organization or employer. Hiring managers want to scan your resume and locate the information that they need in record time in order that they are able to move on to the next resume. They appreciate the use of bullet points because it makes it easier to read through your list of qualifications. One should make certain that your resume presents the employer that youre a consummate problem solver. Downloading somebody elses expertise will be able to help you see what you require, and will be able to help you brainstorm strategies to get there. Superb people skills are a critical portion of what makes you such a standout employee whod be an asset to any company that provides you with an opportunity to shine. The absolute most impor tant consideration to take away from this is that selecting and understanding the suitable skills for the position is the main thing. Resume Skill Words Features It is possible to find below a list of the greatest skills you may put on your resume based on the kind of job which you are applying for. The SES application procedure is full of potential pitfalls. For instance, if the position youre applying for is for content marketing, but you havent written online content, maybe you should find different jobs that fit your skills. The ideal approach would be to figure out the essence of the job. If youre asking for a position that demands an extremely particular set of skills like a technical or engineering job, then the employer will probably need to realize that youve got the suitable hard skills first. To pass the inspection, its necessary for you to match a particular amount of these keywords. If youre interested in submitting an application for a particular job, review th e post carefully and observe the list of skill requirements.

Conducting International Business Check This Out First

Conducting grenzberschreitend Business Check This Out First Culture is a tricky thing. It can be hard enough to do business in your country, let alone to strike deals across international borders, where whole new minefields of unspoken assumptions, pregnant gestures, and deeply held beliefs await. Last May, I spoke with author and INSEAD professor Erin Meyer about the challenges of cross-cultural recruiting, but working with people from other cultures in any capacity poses its own unique challenges. Luckily, todays business people dont have to go blindly into the international market. They have the benefit of extensive sociocultural research on their side, not to mention interactive tools like Towergate Insurances Cultural Guide to International Business.Created by digital marketing and SEO agency Builtvisible the same company responsible for the Small Business Skills Challenge we reported on in N ovember the Cultural Guide uses data collected from 101 countries around the world by the Hofstede Centre, as well asinput from author and interculturalist Chris Smit,to create a visual representation of the national cultural differences that are relevant to international business.The Cultural Guide measures countries along six metrics, also developed by the Hofstede CentrePower Distancehow willing are people with no power to accept the unequal spread of power in their country?Individualismare individuals loyal to themselves first and foremost, or do they put the group ahead of themselves?Masculinitydespite the title of this metric, its not strictly a measurement of gender differences. Rather, it measures the extent to which people value the achievement of goals and the importance of status over the process of goal achievement. In other words are people mostly goal-oriented (masculine), or do they place more value on the process that leads to achieving the goal (feminine)?Uncertain ty Avoidancedo the people of the country prefer to avoid the unknown via strict rules and regulations, or do they handle ambiguity well and rely less on rigid, codes and structures? Do people take risks or play it tresor?Pragmatismare people practical and future-oriented, or do they take a more normative approach to the world, preferring to focus on the present?Indulgencedo people value (and indulge in) leisure and self-expression, or do they prefer restraint and strict social norms? (It should be noted that the Cultural Guide calls this metric controversial and speculative, as much of the data used to measure it is incomplete.)Countries are measured on a 100-point scale in each metric lower numbers mean lower scores in a given metric, and higher numbers mean higher scores. Explanations of each metric also include example characteristics of countries and implications for business in those countries, depending on a countrys scores. For example, the tool states that people in countrie s with high individualism scores tend to be more task-oriented people in countries with low pragmatism scores tend to value and respect tradition. Likewise, when doing business in countries with low masculinity scores, the tool says its better to reach for compromise than to go for confrontation when working with businessesin a high power distance country, people need to respect the chain of command.More useful than checking out each countrys individual scores fascinating as that may be is using the tool to compare two countries with one another. A user can choose their country and compare it with a country in which they plan on doing business. The tool then generates a chart that shows the overlap (and differences) between each country andthescores of each country in each metric. Heres an example comparison between the U.S. and BulgariaOlivia Wiltshire, digital executive at Builtvisibile, says she hopes people will be able to use this tool as means to help them more successfully and confidently enter into business with companies in other countries.For example, the guide has the capability of informing the user whether a country has a high level of masculinity or not, Wiltshire explains. If a country is masculine, then making decisions even if they are bad decisions is seen as better than making no decision at all. Knowing this sort of cultural information before entering business with this country will therefore help you mold your approach and perhaps even adapt your strategy before opening up business conversations or beginning meetings.Wiltshire says the guide should be beneficial to businesses of all size, entrepreneurs, and even people who are just starting up.Ultimately, I think the information in this guide is something to take note of especially if these people are looking to go global or do business in/with different countries, Wiltshire says. At the same time, I think this guide is also a useful tool for anyone interested in becoming more cultur ally aware.

How to Make Your Strongest Case to the Hiring Manager

How to Make Your Strongest Case to the Hiring ManagerHow to Make Your Strongest Case to the Hiring ManagerIn a job interview, you should interpret every question asked as, Tell me why I should hire you?As youre walking from reception to the board room, the small chit chat is really, Do I like you enough to hire you?When the recruiter asks you to walk him through your resume it really means, Walk me through the milestones, choices and results that will back up my choice to hire you.Every single part of the interview process is meant to establish your qualifications for the job.Here are five messages you want to get across to the hiring manager to make your strongest caseIve got the skillsThis is at the top of every recruiters list they want to know if you can handle the activities and responsibilities that go along with the job e.g., do you have the technical knowledge to handle specific software? Can you handle specific types of clients e.g., high-net-worth, mom and pop, Fortune 500 companies? Make sure to share examples of when youve done this. If you havent done something listed in the job skills, provide an alternative e.g., you took a class or did something similar. Just make sure you can back up how similar it is.Ill fit inIn most companies, you wont be working in a vacuum youll be interacting with and maybe managing other people. Its important to understand what kind of people your target employer has working for them and maybe talk about past experiences working in a similar environment. You want to prove that you will fit into their organization seamlessly.I get your work cultureThere are other aspects of fitting in. Work styles, history, size and overall culture of a company are important aspects and you need to demonstrate that you get it. Dont spend a lot of time talking about your Fortune 500 experience if your target employer is a fast-growing start-up. On the other side, if your experience is working in smaller offices and your target employer is a big company, you want to make sure they understand that you can navigate multiple layers and hierarchy.I am on top of current market conditionsTiming is critical when it comes to job search so it is very helpful to establish that you are the right hire at the right time. If you establish relevance to a particular market condition your potential employer might be facing, it might take precedence over your ability to do the rest of the job or fit in with the team or company.I am highly motivatedYou will always need to prove that you want them regardless of how much your next employer may want you. This means coming into an interview with high energy, understanding your role, their people, their culture, the market conditions and being excited about working there. It means clearly stating that you would love to work there.Too many job candidates act like they dont want the job because they think it will make them more attractive to the hiring manager. Playing hard to get is never de sirable to employers. You must show them that you are motivated to make a move now.If you show that you can execute responsibilities, with their people, in their culture, in current market conditions, and that you are all-in then you can prove that youre right for the job.

How to Answer 5 of the Trickiest Interview Questions

How to Answer 5 of the Trickiest Interview QuestionsHow to Answer 5 of the Trickiest Interview Questions5 Tricky Interview Questions and How to Handle ThemDont get tripped up by these tricky interview questions.Youve done your homework, youre looking sharp and youre brimming with confidence for your job interview. From the opening handshake, you feel like youre in control and this job is yours.That is, until the interviewer asks that one really awkward, tricky interview question. How do you answer it without making yourself look badeanstalt? Could you tank all of your hard work with just one bad answer?The answer is,sadly, yes. You can. There are a lot of difficult interview questions out there that interviewers like to ask to trip you up a little and see how you handle it. The question may actually seem harmless enough until you start to answer and realize that youre quickly headed down a bad path with your answer.You have to be ready for these questions so you can give answers that present you in a positive light and allow you to sidestep those little traps. Here are five common - but tricky - interview questions and how to handle them.Tell me about yourself. How would you describe yourself?A chance to talk about yourself? Great Wait a second. This could be a trap. It is a trap. Keep these things in mind with this tricky interview questionThis isnt an invitation to brag about everything amazing youve ever done professionally or otherwise. Trying too hard to make yourself look good just comes across as arrogance, and nobody likes that.At this point, the interviewer doesnt care about your pets or your grandmothers cooking. Keep your answer geared towards your professional life in a realistic, but positive way.Avoid using too many job interview clichs like, Im a people person or Im a team player. Ugh. They get used so much that they really have no meaning anymore.To keep in mind when crafting your answer Keep the focus on the position and the company. What trend s are they following and how would you help them do that? Do they put emphasis on the local culture or charitable events? Connect the things that you care about and do well with, with the important values of the company and the particular position you want. Its all about making the interviewer see you as a perfect fit for that job. They say, Tell me about yourself, but what they want to hear is What makes you great for this job?Whats your biggest weakness?Oh yeah. Its great when they ask you about your biggest strengths because thats a green light to go ahead and brag a little. Tell them why you would be a rockstar in their company. But, about halfway through your answer, you realize the next, notoriously difficult interview question is coming and a little bead of sweat starts to form on your forehead. Answers to this question can make you look bad or downright ridiculous if youre not careful.Perhaps you know that you struggle with punctuality or you really dont like working on team projects. Believe it or not, this is not the time to bring things like this up (Hint Never bring them up. Work on getting better about those things). You dont want to highlight any flaws that could take you out of the running for the job.To keep in mind when crafting your answer The great answers to tough interview questions focus on things you want to do instead of things you do poorly. Are there certifications you would like to get or particular skills youd like to improve upon? You want to present yourself as fully qualified for this job, but think about those things that could take you to the next level and leverage them as your weaknesses while showing your desire to add them to your resume.Why do you want to leave your current job?If youre currently employed and yet youre interviewing for a new job, that means something has prompted you to make a move. Like many of these questions, what the interviewer is looking for is any schrift of red flag. Here are some answers you want to avoid and how the interviewer may interpret themI cant stand my boss. I wonder what your boss would say about you? There are 2 sides to every story. Dont bad mouth your old boss. Red flagIt doesnt pay enough. Ah, so youre only in it for the money. You arent really passionate about your work. Red flagIts a bad company. So you jump ship as soon as you disagree with how your company does something and then bad mouth them? Red flagThey made me do things that werent part of my job. Are you unwilling to help out and reach beyond your written job definition? Not a team player. Red flagThese are all valid reasons for moving on, but you dont really want to broadcast that. In short, you want to avoid any answer that sheds a negative light on your current job or anyone working there. Keep the focus on you and what you want for the future.To keep in mind when crafting your answer With these difficult interview questions, talk about what youve accomplished at your current job and how you feel ready to take the next step. Mention some tasks or attributes in the new position that would be excellent learning experiences for you. Its not about where youve been, its about where you want to go.Tell me how youve handled a difficult situation.Chances are that youve faced some awkward, difficult, and possibly even dangerous situations on the job. How you handle them says a lot about you as an employee, a person and possibly as a manager.The key to this tricky interview question is to make sure that you talk about a situation that wasnt your fault. If youre handling a difficult situation, but its obvious that you created your own troubles, it doesnt look good. The interviewer wants to see how you handle difficult situations, and if you are able to think outside the box and keep the companys big picture in mind.To keep in mind when crafting your answer Try to think of a time when outside forces like weather or clients created a stressful situation. Did you step in? Were you able t o create a solution that could make everyone happy? This is your chance to show that you have problem-solving skills.Why would you like this job?There could be any number of reasons youd like the job that you are interviewing for at this moment. Perhaps its an upward career move. It may be a better commute. You are attracted to the salary, benefits or even the companys public image. Any of these are legitimate reasons for wanting to land a new job. However, by answering this question, you will be prioritizing some of these things. You want to avoid making it appear that youre just in it for the money or prestige and you certainly dont want to mention if you hate your current job. Put yourself on the other side of the desk. If you were interviewing a candidate, what would you want them to say?To keep in mind when crafting your answer Put the focus on the company. If youve done your research, you can talk about some great things that the company has done. Then, you can talk about the specific position and what excites you about it. Discuss what you bring to the table to help move the company forward. Really what theyre asking is why should we hire you? Give them good reasons.Tricky interview questions are a part of nearly every job interview. If you want to come off sounding intelligent and prepared, do a little research on common job interview questions and have some answers ready in your mind. If you do get a surprise question, just remember to keep the focus on the positive. If every answer you give helps to paint a picture of how you are the right fit for this job, the interviewer will see it too.Ace your next interview with confidence. Work with a TopInterview coach today.Related Articles

Why collaboration is the right thing to do

Why collaboration is the right thing to doWhy collaboration is the right thing to doHumans are a very tribal species. We are quick to divide into us and them.?- ?OliverCurryMorality is social glue?- ?it can bring us together or get usdeckenfriesWe usually talk in terms of whats right and whats wrong when we think about seelenlageische verfassungity. Being a good person is the right thing to do.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreSo, why aregood peopledivided by seelenlage choices?The question of whether morality is universal or relative is as old as humanity. Take religion or politics, for example?- ?they are supposed to make us better persons, yet they tear us apart. Our moral choices augment ur differences instead of highlighting our commonalities.But, what if we stop asking whos right and whos wrong? And focus on what we want to accomplish instead. Morality can become the secret ingredient for successful cooperation.Is Morality Innate or Acquired?For centuries in the West, the idea of morality was associated with being religious.Morality and atheism were perceived as contradictory. Being a good person meant intentionally following Gods voice. Since atheists didnt listen to Gods commands, they were deemed as immoral. But today, it iswidely understood that an atheist can be morally good too. So, what changed?Our world today is hyper-deontological?- ?we are encouraged to form moral judgments according to rules, which say what is right and what is wrong.Most of our moral views are influenced by Immanuel Kant. Even if we never read his work, his belief that people should followuniversal moral lawsthat can be derived from reason has become pervasive. He thought that the rightness or wrongness of actions does bedrngnis depend on their consequences but on whether they fulfill our duty.As Kant wrote,The only thing that is unconditionally good is a good will.In his a rticle,Morality is a Muscle, Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry describes the three major schools of thought regarding morality.Deontologistsform moral judgments according to rules?- ?an action is wrong if it breaks some universal law?- ?like stealing or murdering. Consequentialists,on the other hand, focus on the outcome?- ?the consequences of our actions matter more than our intention.The third school is Virtue Ethics?- ?morality is based on a simple and intuitive concept. Gobry refers to it as amuscle that you must work outto become a better person. Improving our morality is a lifetime quest. The notion of virtue is more practical and dynamic?- ?we are not either moral or not we become.You are not kinder, more empathetic, or wiser?- ?you must exercise those virtues to become morally fit.Aristotle associatedthe rightness of an act with its beauty. A virtuous act isthe right thing to do?- ?it harmonizes with the concrete elements of a situation. Virtue drives fulfillment.The Greek philosopher s uggestedwe actbeautifully, not just do the right thing.The Muscle that Brings UsTogetherSo, is morality shaped by the rules of society? Or is it a muscle that we can train?To solve this longtime mystery, Oliver Scott Curry, a senior researcher at Oxford, decided to find out for himself. The anthropologist went to analyze the ethnographic records of 60 societies across the Globe.His journey didnt just answer the dilemma?- ?it also uncovered a surprising fact about morality.Curry foundseven forms of cooperative behaviorthat are always considered morally good wherever they arise, in all culturesCaring for your familyHelping your groupReciprocating favorsBeing braveDeferring to superiorsDividing disputed resourcesRespecting prior possessionCurry discovered that morality is a collection of biological and culturalsolutions to the problems of cooperation.Histheoryof morality and cooperation uses evolutionary game theory to identify biological and cultural solutions torecurrent problems of collaboration in everyday social life. Curry believes that rules regarding cooperative behavior form the basis ofallhuman morality.Morality is the secret ingredient for collaboration.In his book,The Righteous Mind,social psychologist Jonathan Haidt also explains how morality, is an evolutionary adaptation?- ?along with religion?- ?that binds groups together and helps them create communities. He claims that thepurpose of moralityis to suppress or regulate self-interest and make cooperative societies possible.So, why are good people divided by politics and religion? Haidt maintains that it is not because some people are bad and others good, but because our minds were designed forgroupish righteousness?- ?moral judgments arise not from reason but gut feelings.Morality is supposed to bring us together, butmoral superioritytears us apart, asI wrote here.Currys findings?- ?no surprise?- ?generated division among experts. Some believe that we are still far from consensus on a definition of morality. Others, like Yales Paul Bloom, question that the study doesnt provide specific claims about whats innate, whats learned, and what emerges from personal choice.These seven universal rules may not be the perfect list. But, at least, it provides a positive approach to foster collaboration, not division.How to Improve CooperationPeople get stuck not because they lack desire but initiative?- ?no one wants to take the first step.Organizations want to become more innovative but struggle to reconcile old and new elements. Politics in Trumps America isdiving families. Companies promote diversity, but then peopleare afraid to speak up?- ?teams fail to integrate opposing opinions.Thats the paradox we are living in. Theres a huge conversation about how we can improve ourselves and our society, but then we fail to put our values or beliefs aside.As this Harvard Review articlepoints out, in driving collaborative initiatives, leaders tend to focus on logistics and outcomes. But forget t o consider how the different groups experience the request. People feel threatened by the push to share resources or open up withothers (even if they belong to the same company).Cooperation requires finding the commonalities, not using our moral choices to view others as foes. If we widely agree with the seven forms of cooperative behavior, shouldnt we collaborate more?Here are some thoughts I try to apply myself. I also use them when coaching teams to increase collaboration.Focus on your muscles, not on someone elses.Comparisonis deceiving?- ?its easier to spot other peoples flaws than ours. Avoid the temptation to judge other people by what they do (or not).Moral superioritycreates division, not collaboration.Our moral muscles require daily training.We are not good or bad?- ?we are always becoming better. Use the list as a guide. I dont approach the seven forms of cooperative as rules but as a common-sense daily reminder.Am I a good person? What am I missing? What can I improve?Pe ople are not perfect be kind.Currys seven behaviors is not a checklist. Dont use it to scrutinize if others comply with all. That people fail at one or two things, doesnt make them immorally inferior. Also, the Introspection Illusionclouds our judgment?- ?we evaluate others by their behaviors?- ?what we can observe?- ?but assess ourselves by our values or beliefs.As the saying goes, everyone else is fighting a hard battle.Find common ground.Dont wait for others to take the initiative. If your family or team members are divided by moral choices, take the first step. Find common ground to drive cooperation forward. Focus on a shared purpose?- ?drive the team to what everyone is trying to achieve. Do you want the economy to grow? Do you want to launch a better product? Are you trying to develop a more positive culture?When we focus on a shared ambition, our differences become assets to help everyone get there.Be a source of inspiration. Your behavior can inspire others to become more v irtuous. Someone has to be the first to be kind, patient, generous, and brave. Dont underestimate your power to influence others for good.Be a skeptical optimist.Be hopeful and work hard?- ?your contribution makes the world a better place. I used to be more cynical and ironic until I realized how distracting that could be. Its tempting to focus on whats broken rather than on trying to find the solution?- ?the drive for collaboration.Optimism is focusing on whats possible pessimism is focusing on whats not working?- ?they both have bright and dark sides, asI wrote here.My recipe is to be optimistic with a dash of skepticism. I want to be hopeful and positive, without overestimating my abilities or idealizing people. Thats why I always believe that cooperation is the right thing to do.Gustavo Razzettiis a change instigator who helpspurpose-driven organizationscreate positive change. He advises, writes, and speaks on team development and cultural transformation. Follow Gustavo onLinked In,Twitter, orMedium.This article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people