Great Questions to Ask in an Interview

From: U.S. News & World Report

Here’s the scenario: You’re interviewing for your dream job. The interviewer likes you, and you’re shining like the star you are. Then they ask, ‘Do you have any questions?’ You say no. Stop right there! Even if you’ve done your homework, and know all the answers to all your questions, you’ve got to ask something. It makes you look like you’re interested in the position. So what should you ask? Here are some great end-of-interview questions:

Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position? If your interviewer seems nervous about what you might ask, questions about something specific are a good way to get the ball rolling. Plus, you want to know what your day-to-day work life will be like.

Could you talk about the history of this position? What you’re trying to find out is how long the position has existed, how many people have held it, and what happened to the last person who held the job. If they’ve been through six people in a year, that’s a red flag that there’s something wrong.

Another great job interview question to ask: ‘In what area could your team use some improvement?’ That gives you the chance to talk more about how your skills could help with that improvement.

Also ask: What are the prospects for advancement? This question makes you sound ambitious, and makes you look like a person who looks at the big picture.

Try asking, ‘Who are the most successful people in this company and why?’ That way, you’ll find out about the company’s values and culture, and how the powers-that-be measure success.

The final job interview question to ask, ‘Do you have any reservations about me or my ability to perform this job?’ It’s a gutsy move, but consider it. Not only does it earn you points for courage, you’ll be able to squash any negative impression they may have.

Four Things You Should Leave Off Your Resume

If you’re looking for a new job, let this sink in before you send out another resume: Less is more. According CareerBuilder.com’s Rachel Zupek, employers don’t have the time or the patience to sift through information on your resume that has nothing to do with the job. So, here are four things to leave off your resume, and why:
Your picture. Unless a job posting specifically asks for your picture - and very few will - don’t include it. Not only are your looks irrelevant to your potential as an employee, but you’re putting employers in a bad spot. If they have your picture and choose not to hire you, it’s possible that you could come back with a discrimination lawsuit. So in most cases, they’ll throw your resume away without looking at it, to avoid the issue altogether.
Next:Leave off your interests and hobbies.Telling employers that you love to skydive when you’re applying for a restaurant job is pointless. Unless your hobbies have something specific to do with the job you’re applying for, Zupek says wait until the interview to mention them, when you’re asked what you like to do outside of work.
Also: Ditch the “objective”: Employers are trying to determine whether you’re a good fit for their company, so everything on your resume should point to your experience - not what you “want” from them. Having an objective statement that says “My goal is to gain experience in such-and-such.” is all about you, not what you can do for them.
One last thing to leave off your resume: References! Many job seekers include references on their resume, or a line that says, “References available upon request.” However, this tactic isn’t as effective as it used to be. Jack Harsh is a professor at the University of Richmond School of Business. He says that when he receives a resume with references attached, he doesn’t give them much weight, because they’re not usually specific to the position he wants to fill. So, unless your references are impressive and accomplished people within the field you’re applying for, wait to mention them until you’re asked.

Don't Ask These Questions During an Interview

Let’s talk about landing your next job. Everyone knows that you’re supposed to do more than answer questions at an interview. You’re supposed to ask them. That shows you’ve done your homework. Is there anything you shouldn’t ask? According to career expert Liz Ryan, the answer is definitely “Yes.” Here’s her list of what’s off-limits:

• “Are you going to do a background check?” Lots of people ask this because they’re worried about a past credit mistake - but it makes you sound like your picture is on the “FBI most wanted” list. If you’re right for the job and there’s something troubling on your record, most employers will give you a chance to explain it during the follow-up interview.
• Don’t ask: “When will I be eligible for a raise?” That’s the same as saying, “I think you’re lowballing me and I’ll be out of here the first chance I get.”
• The 3rd question that can cost you a job? “How soon can I transfer to another position?” If you feel you’re overqualified, don’t be afraid to tell the interviewer the areas in which you excel. That gives them a chance to highlight another job opening that might exist. Try something like, “This job sounds interesting, but I’m a very good supervisor, too. I supervised 15 people at my last job. Could you tell me how to gain that responsibility in this company?”
• Never ask a prospective employer, “Do you allow smoke breaks?” The last thing you want to tell a potential boss is, “I’m such a nicotine junkie that smoking is a priority for me and something I’ll bring up in an interview.” Lots of companies don’t permit smoking anywhere on the premises and in many states, your cigarette habit is a perfectly legitimate reason not to hire you.

Make Yourself Valuable in Your Workplace

From Bottom Line Personal:

Things are tough these days – every day in the newspaper you read about more downsizing, stores and entire businesses closing, and employee layoffs. To AVOID getting laid-off, you have to do a lot more than just fulfill your basic duties. So, here’s how to make yourself especially valuable to your company:

• Show a willingness to learn. Employees who show that they’re excited to learn new things tend to be valued beyond the contributions they’re already making. Dr. Peter Uher is a workplace consultant who specializes in leadership development. He says these employees are labeled “high potential” and often wind up on the promotion fast-track. Employers see their ability to absorb new skills as a sign that their job performance will continue to improve. So, volunteer for projects outside your department, or take a night class to learn a new skill.
  
  
• Job security tip #2: Speak up without hogging the spotlight. If you keep your head down and quietly do your job while your coworkers toot their own horns, you’re going to get overlooked. Overlooked employees wind up undervalued. So, inform your boss when you accomplish one of your goals, or when you reach a milestone in a long-term project. Also, speak up in meetings with concrete, new ideas – or solutions to potential problems. Simply agreeing with what others say isn’t enough. The trick is to speak up and get noticed without coming off as overbearing. So ask a trusted colleague to cut you off if you start talking too much.
  
  
• One last way to make sure you never get fired: Stay one step ahead of the company. Is your employer about to launch a new product line? As soon as you hear rumors about a major project or corporate decision – position yourself to be an asset in that area. If your company is opening an office in China, start learning the language. Research a new product by reading up on similar products. You’ll always be valued if you’re already where your company is headed.

Manage Your Workspace

Want to know the difference between a promotion at work, and another year stuck in the same ol’ rat race? It could be your desk! After all, your desk is the first thing the boss sees when he hovers over your shoulder. Like it or not, it’s what co-workers judge you by – as they walk past you on their way to lunch, or to head home. So, here’s how to manage your workspace, and express yourself in a way that helps you get ahead.

From career expert, Jordan Devine:

• Desk decoration #1: Family photos. Pictures are by far the most common desktop display. Experts say the right photo can boost your career almost as much as a great resume would! The key is to never show more than two snapshots at once – since too many personal photos sends the message that you’d rather be at home than at work! Otherwise, a tasteful photo of you with your spouse lets people know that you’re capable of managing complex relationships – which is good for business. A photo of your kids reminds people that your have responsibilities outside of work. Why’s that important? Because bosses know that workers with families to support are the least likely to jump ship.
  
  
• Desk decoration #2: Reading materials. Some jobs – like our researchers here – require a desk to be covered with books and magazines! The experts think that’s smart. They say it’s wise to invest at least $5 per month subscribing to a newspaper or magazine – especially one that relates to your industry. Because it gives the impression that you keep up with current events and business trends.
  
  
• A 3rd common desk decor is: Sports paraphernalia. The experts say there’s a relatively simple rule for sports fans to follow at work: It’s good to support the hometown team, and it’s bad to support anyone else! The point being that people who cheer together are more likely to foster friendly working relationships.
  
  
• Here’s one last decoration tip for your desk: At the end of the day, keep it neat! Yes, a working desk can – and will – get cluttered! Studies show that getting rid of clutter is a great way to reduce stress and if the first thing you see at work each morning is a nice, clean desk, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed.

Interview Mistakes You Definitely Want to Avoid

Have you got a job interview coming up? That’s awesome, but don’t blow it! According to CareerBuilder.com, a surprising number of job seekers make big blunders during the interview. Like what? The top five most common mistakes are: Dressing inappropriately, badmouthing a former boss, acting uninterested, being arrogant, and giving incomplete answers to questions. It doesn’t stop there. Here are a few real-life interview mistakes that are truly mind-boggling:

• One applicant in the survey answered their cell phone and asked the interviewer to leave her own office because it was a "private" conversation!
• Another real-life job candidate said she couldn’t provide a writing sample, because she had worked for the CIA and everything was "classified."
• Then there’s the applicant who said he was fired for beating up his last boss.
• The job candidate who smelled his armpits on the way to the interview room.
• One last real-life interview mistake: During a phone interview with a hiring manager, the job candidate flushed the toilet!

You may not make those mistakes, but here are five tips to guarantee your interview is error-free:

• Research the company's history, goals and current activities. That’ll prove you’re prepared for the interview and that you want to work there.
  
  
• Don't pretend you know everything. If the interviewer asks about an unfamiliar topic, admit you don't know, and explain how you’d find the answer. You’ll make a better impression by problem-solving than by saying things that aren’t true.
  
  
• It’s all about the job. So, don’t offer irrelevant personal details that might be controversial, like political and religious beliefs, or stories about your divorce.
  
  
• Practice your answers to common interview questions, like: "What's your biggest weakness?" and "Why did you leave your last job?" Open-ended questions are harder to answer than you think, so rehearse your responses ahead of time.
  
  
• Put on a happy face. An interview is not the time to air your grievances about your last boss. Bottom line: How you refer to your previous employer gives the hiring manager an idea of how you'll speak about them once you've moved on.

Do You Hate Going To Work?

from U.S. News and World Report:

Welcome to a very big club! A recent survey found that half of all adults aren’t happy with their jobs. That’s a 79 percent increase over the past 20 years. Know this: Switching jobs doesn’t always make people happier. So, before you quit, consider these practical solutions to a few common problems.

• Problem #1: You’re overwhelmed. Maybe the work’s too hard – or there’s just too much of it. The fix: Ask for help. It may sound obvious, but many workers just don’t do it. Believe me, your boss wants to help you do a good job! Another fix: Talk to a co-worker about trading a few of your duties. That way, you both might end up with projects better suited to your abilities.
• Another workplace problem: You’re not up to the job. Not all jobs are made for all people. You may not have the skills, background, or drive required to thrive in your job. A possible fix: Join an online professional group where people help each other solve problems. Or talk to your boss about taking a class to update your skills.
• Problem #3: You have a nightmare boss. It takes humility to work with a hothead. So, instead of confronting them, ask what you could do better. If nothing else, you’ll earn their respect by asking for feedback. If all else fails and you decide you have to quit your job, try these tips:
  • Network for a new job BEFORE you leave. It can take several months to line up a new gig, so don’t jump ship too soon. On the flip side, don’t shirk your responsibilities at your current job. That’s unfair to your co-workers, and could make it harder to get good references.
  • Negotiate a layoff. You might be able to get a severance package, or an extension of your health insurance.
  • Don’t burn any bridges.Don’t bash your boss or your company to co-workers. Stay positive in your resignation letter and exit interview. Try saying, “I learned a lot here and I’m looking forward to facing new challenges elsewhere.” Bottom line: You never know when you’ll need to a good reference.