The Top 5 Interview Questions to Practice

The Top 5 Interview Questions to Practice Not every job interview will be the same or follow a set format, although there are some frequent questions that pop up time and time again. Here are our top five most asked interview questions and some tips to help you answer them appropriately. 1) Why do you want this job? This question is bound to come up in your interview. A common misconception that most candidates have is to tell the interviewer why they have applied for the job such as: salary, location, training, benefits and personal development. Candidates should really utilise this question and see it as an opportunity not only to explain why they want the job but to clarify why they have the appropriate attributes and skills required to do the job. Four examples of ways to answer the question: What is it that you like about the company? (Culture, Beliefs, Values, Mission):  I think NRL is a great company; I admire how their values revolve around nurturing success and I was impressed to learn about the culture-fit policy they have in place when recruiting candidates. That’s the sort of recruitment company I’d like to be in, one that not only focuses on the client but also cares about the candidates they place. Describe the challenges of the role to emphasize that you’re aware of them:  I recognise that the recruitment industry has always suffered from high staff turnover and I know you’re looking for someone who wants to progress and develop their career long term within the company Tell them what makes you tick, highlights of your recent career and what challenges in particular you have enjoyed overcoming:  I am a people person and in my previous job working at a retail shop I really enjoyed talking to customers, helping them find things and offering advice when needed. Think about reasons why the company might not want to hire you and counter their arguments:  I know I haven’t had a career in recruitment before but I do have transferable skills from my experience of working in retail which I think would be beneficial for and applicable to this role. READ MORE: How to Answer ‘Why Do You Want This Job?’ in an Interview 2) Where do you see yourself in five/ten years? This question is often asked as a way to find out more about your career goals and ambitions. It is always important to remember that you are being interviewed for a specific role. The reason why interviewers care and want to know about your career goals is because they want to hire someone who is motivated, proactive and likely to stick around and work hard if hired. As such it is important that you highlight that you do have a solid career plan and know what you want to do. In your response you should think about making it clear that you understand what the position you’re applying for entails and outline how you’d define success as an employee. A few tips to bear in mind when answering this question: Be ambitious but remain realistic  It’s good to be ambitious when it comes to your career but be careful not to be too eager when talking about your career progression in an interview scenario. Responding to this question in a humorous manner by saying something like ‘in your chair’ may seem like a good tongue-in-cheek answer but to some interviewers this may come across as arrogant. Focus on your professional development  Unless the interviewer specifically asks you to comment on your personal ambitions don’t bring them up. Focus on your professional development and try to remain realistic in terms of how quickly you plan to progress through the ranks. After all, some interviewers could be intimidated by the fact that your career ambitions may negatively impact on their own. Be specific but flexible  Try to steer clear from making your answer sound too vague. The interviewer wants to know how you see their role fitting in with your overall career plan and your response should encompass how the position is important to you as part of your long-term strategy. Emphasise your value  Although this question may seem like it is probing your career goals and ambitions it is also a good opportunity to emphasise what you can bring to the role. Your potential employer will want to hear how you can make a marked difference to their company, help to secure and add to its reputation as a leader within its industry and contribute to the company’s overall growth and success. 3) What are your strengths? This question is often asked at interview to determine what assets you as the candidate have that will help you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. Even if the interviewer doesn’t directly ask you this question you must be able to answer it in order to be considered for the job. The key when answering questions about your strengths as an employee is to describe the skills and experience that you have gained using examples that directly correlate with the position you are interviewing for. Utilise the following points to help you prepare your answer: Know your strengths  Most jobseekers don’t know what their strengths are because they don’t take the time to properly evaluate them. Start by writing a list of your key strengths and then narrow the list down by focusing on those that you’re comfortable talking about. Think about what will set you apart from other candidates and be sure to prepare some examples that are relative to the position that will illustrate each of your strengths. Believe in yourself  In most cases candidates don’t feel comfortable talking about themselves and articulating what it is that their good at. Preparation is the key to overcoming this problem. Ask a trusted friend or colleague what they think your greatest strengths are as this will help you to build your confidence and will reassert where your strengths are. It can be hard to sell your skills in an interview especially if you’re introverted. Practice in advance by recording yourself and playing it back, standing in front of a mirror or talking in front of your family and friends. These tips will help you to get over any hesitations you may have and will make you feel more comfortable when it comes to talking about your skills and abilities. Be unique  One of the main points of a job interview from an employer’s point of view is to understand more about what you could do for their organisation and to determine why they should hire you instead of someone else. Most of the time jobseekers will choose to talk about strengths that don’t make them stand out, aren’t relative or important for the job at hand or they don’t back up their claims with specific examples. This will raise a red flag for the interviewer as although ‘the ability to show up on time’ may be seen as a strength almost anyone can say this because it should be a given. Not being able to back up your strengths with examples will also raise concern as if you can’t talk about how you’ve utilised your strengths in a working environment. It raises the question are your strengths accurate and are they appropriate? 4) What are your weaknesses? This question is one of the most aggravating interview questions you can get because you can guarantee that it will come up at interview and it goes without saying that candidates aren’t going to reveal their biggest flaws in the middle of a job interview! So why does it come up so often? Well interviewers like to ask the question because it can be tricky to respond to and candidate’s answers can often be very telling when they are put on the spot. Some mistakes that you should try and avoid are: Trying to make a positive sound like a negative  When do working too hard, caring too much about your work or being a perfectionist class as weaknesses? They don’t and if you try to turn a positive trait into a weakness the interviewer will see right through your tactics and are likely to follow the question by asking you to go into more detail about how the weakness has negatively affected you. The key is to be sincere, don’t select a weakness that sounds good. Instead choose a weakness that is minor and can be fixed through work and motivation i.e. speaking in front of large groups Avoiding the question by not providing an answer  Some jobseekers are completely thrown by this question and many cannot list a weakness when they are put on the spot. It is important to always bear in mind the requirements for the role and not to cite a weakness that will impede your ability to do the job. Never reveal a debilitating weakness  Another mistake is to be too forthright and confess to a weakness that would hinder your ability to perform in the role you’re applying for. Don’t let your honesty become your weakness! 5) What sort of salary are you looking for? This is a question that often throws people off-guard when it’s asked in an interview scenario because most people don’t feel comfortable talking about money. It’s often felt that if you state a figure that is too low you may miss out financially whereas if you disclose a figure that is too high you may miss out on the offer of a job. The good news is that you don’t actually have to state a specific figure if you don’t feel confident in doing so instead you can deflect the question onto the interviewer or provide a broad salary range. Four top tips to bear in mind when answering this question are: Do some research and be prepared  If you know that this question is likely to come up at interview make sure you are prepared by researching the average salary rates for the role and rehearsing your answer before the interview. Then if you feel comfortable doing so you can acknowledge your awareness of the industry standard to influence the salary brackets by putting forward an average range. Think about deflecting the question  Don’t feel pressured to give too much away. If a salary range wasn’t included in the job description you are entitled to ask the interviewer what salary range they are considering for the role. As well as telling the interviewer you are open to their thoughts on salary you may want to emphasise that you’re sure they will be consistent with the average market rate. Be comfortable in your answer  However you decide to respond to this question the key is to do so in a respectful, diplomatic and confident manner. Bear in mind that your biggest tool for negotiating your salary will be in your ability to show your potential employer that you’ve got the skills and abilities needed to do the job. Don’t be too specific or rigid  When you are being asked about your salary expectations the best way to respond is to be broad and to remain realistic with your expectations. Never describe your salary demands as what you actually need but rather as what the job is worth. Use your current salary as a guideline (including any bonuses, annual raises) and research the average market rates for the role. Author:  Jennifer Young works with www.assignmenthelpuk.com as an academic writer and a blogger. She loves writing on subjects related to psychology, management, and education. READ MORE:  How to Answer ‘Why Do You Want This Job?’ in an Interview

3 Perfect Meals to Make This Summer

3 Perfect Meals to Make This Summer Summer may be the best time to have fun in the sun, but your kitchen is the place to be during this season. The summertime offers a bountiful harvest of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and with the right recipe in mind, you can cook up a flavorful storm for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Of course, one important factor you must consider when cooking is eating things that can keep your body cool. After all, this is the season when the climate is at its hottest. And although these guilt-free meals are not your typical frozen treats, their ingredients and flavors will freshen up your taste buds and keep you nourished. Flank Steak and Watermelon Salad Eating a little bit of red meat does not hurt, especially when it’s grilled. With the addition of the watermelon salad, there is an added crunchy texture to the meal. Besides watermelon, the other summer ingredient in this recipe is arugula. When combined, the watermelon and arugula make a superb salad filled with vitamin C, B6, and potassium. Ingredients: 1 tbsp. brown sugar 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. chili powder 1 ½-2lbs. flank steak 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar Extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 cups of arugula greens ¼ cups of chopped red onion 1 cup croutons 2 cups of watermelon (sliced into chunks) ½ cup feta cheese (optional) Sea salt Directions: Make the dry rub by mixing the brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder in a small bowl. Once that is done, massage the rub all over the steak. Preheat the grill or cast iron grill pan on high heat before placing the steak. Let the steak cook for 5 minutes on each side, and let it rest for 3 to 4 minutes. While waiting for the meat to rest, mix together vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. After that, add the arugula, onions, croutons, and watermelon, and start tossing the salad. When serving the steak on a plate, slice the meat against the grain. Add the salad on top or the side and sprinkle feta cheese and sea salt. Corn and Tomato Pasta Pasta dishes are great alternatives for high-carb meals. Not only are they healthier, but they are easier to prepare. In this recipe, the summer ingredients you’ll be using are corn and tomato. This fruit and vegetable combo is filled with all sorts of vitamins and nutrients, which include niacin, manganese, and vitamin B6. Ingredients: Salt 1 lbs. bow-tie pasta 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves (smashed) 1-pint cherry tomatoes 3 ears of fresh corn (kernels cut off) 2 tbsp. unsalted butter ¼ c. fresh basil leaves (torn into pieces) Directions: Heat a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta until al dente (or according to packaging). Once that is done, drain the liquid and set the cooked pasta aside. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Then, add the garlic and tomatoes and cook. Remember to stir the skillet occasionally, until the tomatoes are softened. After 5 minutes, add the corn, raise the heat slightly, and cook until the corn is heated through and golden. Season to taste with salt. Finally, add the cooked vegetables, butter, and basil into the pasta, and toss before serving. Turkey Sandwich With a Twist If you are constantly on the go during summer, then packing a sandwich is a great way to eat a perfect meal without any fuss. Now, do not mistake this turkey sandwich recipe with the others, because the filling for this meal has peaches and arugula. The fruit and vegetable mix gives the sandwich a nice tangy, sweet, and crisp sensation. Plus, this recipe is packed with good vitamins, which include vitamin E, K, and thiamin. Ingredients: 1 ciabatta roll 3-4 turkey slices 2 whole peach slices (must be round) 4 slices of Brie cheese ¾ c. arugula ¼ c. mayo 1 tbsp. sriracha sauce ¼ tsp. chili powder Directions: Slice the ciabatta roll and top it with the turkey slices, peach slices, and Brie cheese. Bake the sandwich in an open face position in a 375-degree oven for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. While that’s baking, mix the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, and chili powder in a bowl to make the chili mayo. When the sandwich is ready, spread the mayo on the ciabatta roll and close the sandwich. A Couple of Things to Remember When Planning a Summer Diet Menu If you decide to add these recipes to your personal summer menu, you must remember a few things. First, do not go overboard with your meals. Always eat enough food to give your body the proper energy and nutrition it needs. Second, if you want your diet to generate better results, pair it up with exercise. Exercising is the best way to burn your calories, and it keeps your body active during summer. Lastly, if you are having trouble with your weight and it seems like it has little to do with the food you eat, it is best that you visit a health professional. There are a lot of clinics in the areas of Michigan and Arizona that can rule out any physical conditions that may affect your weight, such as endocrine and hormone imbalance disorders. These clinics can also offer you a more personalized nutritional and weight loss/gain plan that will suit your lifestyle and summer plans. Image Source, Image Source; Image Source; Image Source

Guest Interview Marnie Niver and her Videography - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Guest Interview Marnie Niver and her Videography - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I recently interviewed Marnie Niver, who is a freelance videographer, specializing in shooting concerts, corporate videos, commercials and television shows. As custom with all my interviews, I investigated her Personal Brand by a series of questions. If your interested in more information or would like Marnie to film your next big event, you can find her Personal Brand at www.tvcamgrl.com. ______________________ Me: How do you express yourself through your videography? Marnie: I express myself through videography by being creative. Anyone can look through a camera and hit the record button but for me, its all about framing, composition, lighting and mood. I like my shots to look like art. Me: Who is the most interesting individual you have met through your career? What positive or negative impact did they have on you? Marnie: I cant point my finger on one particular person, its more like interesting people Ive met through my career. I learn a lot through other TV shooters. When I watch TV, I cant watch it like most people, Im constantly looking at the framing, lighting and editing. Im always trying learn new things. Me: Out of all the events that you film, do you prefer sporting events, corporate events, concerts or television? Why? Marnie: Out of all the events that I shoot, aside from live TV, my favorite is concerts. Concerts are the best way for me to showcase my creativity. They are also a lot of fun and I get to see a free concert! Me: How did you get into the business and what major milestones have you hit? Marnie: I started out in College. I went to Kent State University. I studied radio and television. My last year of college, I did an internship at a PBS station in NY and fell in love with TV. I worked at several major television stations until I went out on my own in 1997. The major milestone that I hit was reaching 20 years in the business. Me: What elements of your job are exciting? What are some that are not so pleasing? Marnie: Im so lucky. I love my work. I get to travel, meet new people and interact with celebrities. I also get to make my own hours and set my own pay rate. Some of the negative side is that my income is not stable. I constantly have to search for work and theres a lot of competition. Me: If you were to describe your Personal Brand using 3 adjectives, what would they be? Marnie: Excited, Driven and Empathetic

Answering What Are Your Career Goals (Interview Question) - Algrim.co

Answering What Are Your Career Goals (Interview Question) - Algrim.co Sometimes in interviews a hiring manager will ask you, “What are your career goals?” They ask you this question because they want to get a sense of how they can offer you upward mobility within the business. Upward mobility is the opportunity to advance yourself in meaningful ways. Companies recognize that they must be able to give employees opportunities to grow or else they might leave the company and go elsewhere. It’s important to HR departments that they are thinking about upward mobility and advancing employees at a pace they are comfortable with and in a setting, they are comfortable with. When they ask you this question, it’s important that you have a clear answer and path that you can describe to them. A 5-Year Plan Having a 5-year plan is something that’s becoming more challenging in the workforce. That’s because there is more changing of jobs than ever before. If an employer asks you for a 5-year plan, it’s important that you tell something that’s not too specific, because it might not be true in a few weeks. Keep it direct and something simple. An example answer would be, “I’d like to stay within the same job function I’m in but hopefully by that time I’m a director or vice president. I think that’s realistic.” A 12-Month Plan Your 12-month career goal is going to be more realistic to share. It should contain very specific goals that you plan on actually achieving. It is more realistic to set your standards on a 12-month timeframe than on a 5-year timeframe. When you’re thinking a 12-month career goal, think of something that is going to be measurable as well. That means a benchmark of some kind. It doesn’t have to be explicitly related to the company. Let's say you are an engineer, your benchmark might be something like, “having published 2-3 open source projects on GitHub.” I wouldn’t set your measurable plans too high. Something like writing a book. That would be too high. Something small like reducing the time you watch TV or reducing the time on your phone during the weekends is also an okay goal to put in there. But make sure it’s something that’s going to have an impact on your employer. Either by showing some of your personality or showing some of your commitment to the job function. It is okay to say that you’d like to be at a certain level of employment as well. “My goal is to be a manager within the next 24 months, ideally in the next 12 months I’m groomed for that opportunity.” Your Short Term Goals When the employer asks this question they might also say, “How do you see yourself getting there?” it is important that you have an answer to this. Let’s say that your goal is to be a manager. What you should say is that you have a long list of books that you’d like to read which you feel will help you. Books like High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove. Or The Five Functions Of A Team by Patrick Lencioni. These are books which are great for managers. Express that these books are on your reading list and by being able to complete them, it is part of your grooming for your 12-month and 24-month career objectives. Plans Change, It’s OK For You To As Well HR managers know that plans change. When you are asked this question, they are going to recognize that you might change your mind. Don’t feel like you need to have some type of strict plan which you must uphold. It’s okay to evolve. This question is more so designed to know whether or not the environment is going to be able to feed your career objectives. So be sure that you don’t answer with something that’s unrealistic. For example, a bad answer would be, “I expect to be CEO within the next 12-months.” Clearly, that’s a bad answer. That opportunity won’t be available to you. If you were to answer as such, the interviewer might think to themselves, that’s unrealistic and we can’t provide him/her that. Answer with honesty and relevance to the company you are speaking with. If they are over 100 employees, most likely they will have management opportunities open up within the next 12 months. Which makes your management career path a good one. Consider the variables like company size, industry growth, job functions that exist and recent job openings. Use that to your disposal when answering the question.

Unspoken Career Rules and How to Navigate Them Properly

Unspoken Career Rules and How to Navigate Them Properly Starting a new job is daunting enough at the best of times. When you’ve managed to land a job in your dream industry, it can be downright nerve wracking. There are all kinds of unspoken rules in workplace. What if you get something wrong by accident?Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comThis list will help you recognise the rules in your workplace, and how to act on them. You won’t have to worry about putting a foot wrong again.1. Get to know your co-workersevalIt’s vital that you get to know the people you’re working with. You’re now part of their team, so they need to know who you are and what you’re like as a person. If you don’t get to know them, it can feel as though you’re an outsider who can’t be trusted.evalYou don’t need to throw a ‘getting to know you’ party right away. Instead, take a little time on your first day to introduce yourself to your new workmates. Just let them know who you are and where you’ll be.Once you’ve done that, you can work on getting t o know them. It never hurts to join after work drinks or meals, and you should take the time to talk to others during breaks and lunch hours.2. Understand the company cultureEvery company works differently, so you need to be aware of what is expected of you. This encompasses a whole range of ideas, from when it’s acceptable to go home at night, to how much you’re expected to donate towards birthday presents.The trick here is to observe and follow what more experienced team mates are doing.How do they approach certain tasks? If you’re unsure, ask. Your colleagues will be much happier to make things clear for you, than for you to accidentally make a mistake.3. Set up your workstationOn your first day, you’ll be shown your workstation and expected to get started. A good employer will have already set up certain things, such as email addresses and log in details. It’s your responsibility to get everything set up as soon as possible so you can get to work.Log in to everything a s soon as you can, to get them set up and ready for communications. Look at your physical needs at your workstation to. If you need paper, pens or other devices, ask where you can find them so you can stock up.4. Have your paperwork readyevalIt’s vital that you have the right paperwork to hand when you’re starting at a new job. It’s needed to set you up on payroll and other vital systems. HR Manager Blake Baudinet from Best Australian Writers says, ‘If you don’t have everything with you, it can cause friction and make the employers’ job harder. It’s much better to have everything ready at the start.’Before your first day, check what you’ll need from your workplace. Gather together the right paperwork, and bring it with you on your first day.5. Be independentAs a new hire, of course you’re going to need to ask questions. However, no one wants to hold your hand. You need to get up and running as soon as you can.When you’re bring trained, pay attention and make su re you can do what is being asked of you. Ask for help if needed, but be ready to make your own decisions if and when it’s needed.evalThese rules are usually there in every workplace. If you can follow them, you’ll fit right in and start contributing right away. You’ll always fit in with any job you take with them.

Goal Setting How to Catapult Your Career Forward - Pathfinder Careers

Goal Setting How to Catapult Your Career Forward - Pathfinder Careers Goal Setting: How to Catapult Your Career Forward Goal setting can get left by the wayside. The culprit? The daily grind of work can mean that your career comes to a screeching halt. It’s all too easy to get caught up in routines. And then one day, you wake up and you think, “What the heck am I doing here?!” Don’t feel bad. This happens to all of us at some point. But when you start to have this kind of revelation, that means it’s time to start reassessing and under go some serious goal setting. When things start to feel stale or if you are chafing for something new, it’s time for change. And the only way that change truly comes about is when you start creating a plan then acting on it. Are you stuck in a rut? Try these goal setting tips to catapult your career forward: 1) Learn something new. Sign up for a class that will help you add a new skill set to your career repertoire. 2) Try something new. Ask for stretch assignments that push your envelope â€" putting yourself in unfamiliar situations that test you are great ways to start moving your career forward. 3) Think about what you really want. Are you feeling fulfilled in your current work? Or are you completely bored? Not everyone wants to move up, but at some point, most people want to move on. Where are you in your bigger scheme of career planning? Its time to do some focused goal setting. 4) Get involved. If your job simply doesn’t flex enough for you to get some additional opportunities to grow, then perhaps you can find the stimuli you seek outside of the organization. Getting involved with industry groups through volunteering or serving on committees and boards are often great places to start. 5) Rotate jobs (if possible). More and more companies are embracing cross-functional training and encourage skill development / building which leads to higher employee job satisfaction and deepens the talent pool. Ask if this is a possibility where you work. 6) Talk to your boss about advancement or growth opportunities. If you don’t tell them, they simply don’t know. Too many times, people assume that the boss knows exactly what you want. Guess what? They have other people on the team to worry about, so you aren’t first of mind. So this is where stepping up and letting them know that you are open to growth or advancement is important â€" at least you have your hat in the ring now! 7) Re-engineer your job. Sometimes, simply evaluating how you do your work can lead to process improvements, a re-invigoration to your work, and inspires you to be more productivity. 8) Look for new opportunities. When the answer to your goal setting isn’t in the room, and you are truly stalled out, it’s time to look for new opportunities outside of the organization. And part of the goal setting activity to achieve this is all about being clear on what you want to do, then setting a plan forward that has clearly outlined steps on how you can get there. Building a plan or a road map to where you want to go is critical for you achieving your dreams. It’s sometimes fun to be flexible and open to possibility, but don’t get so relaxed that you lose sight of what it is that you really want!

How To Write A Resume - What Do You Put In The Objective Space?

How To Write A Resume - What Do You Put In The Objective Space?Writing a resume is not like writing a book. Many people make the mistake of doing so and end up with a job application that they have no interest in. One thing you should not do, is put the objective on your resume that you know in your heart is a lie. Now, if this is done then you are taking a chance and you need to take it off.The reason I am telling you this is because when you find a job that you love the very first question you should ask yourself is if this job is going to be the one that allows you to live with your family or your dream job is not. If you have answered this then you need to move on to the next step. The reason is that you want the employer to see that you are not afraid to go for the job they are giving you. By doing this you are going to show them you have potential and a real desire to find a great job.Now if you have answered yes to the first question than you need to get into some planning so that you know what type of job you want. By doing this you will understand why some of the resume writer might ask you to put some explanation about yourself in the objective. To do this you need to do a little research and read on. What do you see?People with a lot of experience such as doctors or lawyers for example can put more information in the objective space, because they have a higher chance of finding a job. If you do this and say that you would like to work with children, then you are going to really have to go in depth about the type of work that you do. This means you have to put more detail.The thing is if you maybe crazy to do this then you can just keep it to just stating that you would like to work with children. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying to not write a resume but be smart. By writing about what you have done and think about it you are going to get better results. For example, if you have done a lot of research and found out that working with children is re ally a big deal to you then you can include this in your resume.You may think that your resume is too long for this. However, if you do this your chances of getting the job are going to increase significantly. If you do this and the employer finds it hard to put together a response then you are asking to get an interview.When writing a resume, there is a good thing to say in the objective and a bad thing to say in the objective. The good thing is to just go in depth and focus on the things that you want to do in life. Do not get into details that you know are not going to help you get the job. This will make the employer uncomfortable and that is not what you want.