What to bring to an interview?
A good friend of mine is having her 2nd interview on Friday. She was so excited and checked in with us about what she should prepare. I found this list if you’re preparing for an interview as well.
What is your fool proof trick to prepare for an interview? With so many virtual interviews nowadays, I found this biggest must have is a steady internet and quiet room. Wishing everyone good luck to nail a successful interview!
What to ask for during a job offer?
Are you getting job offers and wonder how to negotiate? Here's a great resource to help you prepare for things you should ask for during a job offer.
I found this tip particularly helpful to check what other benefits are available
Unlike health insurance, which largely can't be negotiated, there are several other benefits that some companies may be willing to offer.
- Work-from-home gear If your job requires using a computer or phone while working remote, ask if they can either loan you equipment, help pay for that technology, or reimburse you for things like your cellphone or internet plan.
- Child care costs Child care is expensive and can be a significant barrier to employment for many. See if the company can subsidize any child care services required for you to work.
- Commuter reimbursements Whether you have a long drive or need public transportation to get to work, it's completely appropriate to ask for reimbursement for some of those costs.
- Wellness programs Wellness programs and reimbursements have become an increasingly popular benefit offered by companies. Benefits you can negotiate vary from smoking cessation programs to gym reimbursements to free flu shots.
Transfer your skills to a new job
You may wonder how can you get a job in a new industry if you don’t have all the skills required. The truth is, you probably already have many of the skills needed for the job, you just need to think and talk about them in a new way.
Looking for work in a new field? Here's how to position your current skills to get a new job.
Transferable skills, are the talents and abilities that ‘travel’ with you to any other position. The first step in translating your past experience into a new role is to pinpoint what your transferable skills are.
Basic skills, are essential in any work context. Basic skills include listening, speaking, and the ability to carry out instructions. You may be a really good listener, or have a knack for being able to follow complicated processes. Take note of those skills.
People skills, include a wide range of abilities that help you interact with others in an effective and pleasant way. It’s important to have the skills necessary to communicate and work with others.
Management skills, patience, time management, the ability to work under pressure, good judgment, and having an open mind are also desired management abilities.
Clerical skills, is knowing how to effectively use administrative systems and functions, such as phones and email, Microsoft Office products, and internal systems.
Research and planning skills, include the ability to organize, solve problems, set goals, prioritize tasks, develop and implement policies and procedures, and locate and reach out to suppliers or subcontractors.
Be prepared to match your skills to the qualifications of the job during the interview. Reflect on your work experience and be ready with examples of how you developed and used those skills. It doesn't hurt to show your enthusiasm and readiness for learning new skills, too!
What are your thoughts on transferable skills? Share with us in the comments below.
Here's the secret to tackling this tough interview question 🤫
If you've ever been asked the question, “tell me about yourself” in a job interview, you know it can sometimes trip you up!
Even though it sounds like it should be the easiest question they ask, knowing how to respond the most effective and appropriate way can be nerve wracking.
In this article, we talk about how to answer the "tell me about yourself" interview question and even provide examples!
Have YOU ever been asked this before? How did you respond? Share in the comments below!
Feeling stuck with my job search. What did I do wrong?
It’s almost the end of the year and you are feeling the pressure of starting a new job in 2022. After submitting endless applications you have not heard from anyone. You started wondering if there’s anything wrong. We have a quick checklist of the potential job search mistakes for you to correct or avoid.
The most common issue that I’m seeing is that people tend to rely on one job search tool or channel. My advice is to diversify your job search sources as much as possible. I used to have 5 job search boards (make sure to include our job search) that I regularly visited. And I’ll also look up at least 3 new companies each week to see if there were potential openings. In addition, I would also try to reach out to at least 1 new contact a week. It might seem daunting at first but you can get into a routine and make your job search a lot more efficient. It also takes your mind away from any pending applications or interview status.
Here are other tips that you can learn about expanding your search:
- 🤝Network with your friends, family, and previous employers
- 🗞Check your local news and media sites for community job boards
- 💒Many religious groups have job resources available to people who are looking for work
- 💼Enlist the help of your state’s Department of Labor office, where staff are trained to assist job seekers in finding employment. (They will also have knowledge of additional resources available for people who have been out of work.)
What are your job search methods? How do you keep them organized and productive?
How to find any hiring manager's email address to thank them for the opportunity....
While less than 20% of applicants write a thank you email, 9 out of 10 interviewers say doing this can increase the chance of getting hired.
So how do you find the hiring manager's email if it's not in the job posting? You need to become an internet sleuth!
One of the first places you can look is on the hiring manager's social media channels.
How else can you find the email to continue the conversation after the #interview? #jobsearch #followUP
Tough interview questions
How old are you? Do you plan to have children? What’s your greatest weakness?
Tricky interview questions like these can make you you sweat, make your mind go blank, and send butterflies in your stomach.
Plus you never know what the interviewer might ask. Here are some examples and the best ways to tackle answering them!
How old are you? - Stick to something like "That is a great question, but I prefer to keep that to myself."
Do you have any children? Do you plan on having them? - Turn that question around! Say, "That's an interesting question, but maybe you can help me understand why it might be important.
When was a time you overcame a mistake at work? - Give them a brief summary of the situation you faced, your role in the problem, the action you took and how it was ultimately resolved.
What’s the toughest interview question you’ve ever been asked? Share your answer in the comment below
Discover more interview questions employers use to trip you up at Tough interview questions? Here's how to respond