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