Well, this is a surprise but I already have a job interview coming up. Any tips or pointers would be great cause for some reason no matter how many times I've done this (at this point its a double digits) I usually get a no, silent treatment (never responding even after a thank you call or email), etc. Don't know why since I try to do it by the book from online, practice from friends and classmates, heck even rehearsed the damn thing.

I don't want to overwhelm you but ... here is a compilation of nearly 200 (!) questions hiring managers commonly ask job candidates. Take a look through them so that you can prepare -- and practice! https://www.thehrspecialist.com/15139/library-of-skill-based-interview-questions +

My career has always been in the corporate world, medical industry. I’ve recently been laid off due to my company selling. I always get flustered when asked about my weaknesses on a job interview. Any suggestions on what to say would be much appreciated.

I’m always asked at the end of an interview if I have any questions for them. I usually just ask about benefits (eg. insurance) but are there other things I should be asking?

Some great advice on being and doing your best:. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201206/10-ways-ace-job-interview

It doesn't matter how extensive your experience and skills are, a new job hunt is always stressful. And in every time you compete for a competitive position, the margins of error are tiny; and you feel you must ace every interview.

It's easy to make mistakes when you have all of that pressure bearing down on you. Some are forgiving but others aren't such as answering I don't know to a question in an interview.

There are things and behaviors that will kill your momentum on your job hunt completely dead.

Neglecting Your Cover Letter Or Worse, Your Resume More companies rely on computer software to screen candidates. So if you're hunting for a job, you've completed your fair share of online applications. These applications often ask to upload your resume/cover letter. You should always consider it mandatory to submit a cover letter as well.

Getting too Creative Unless you're a graphic designer, there is no reason to get creative with your resume or show up for a job interview in a costume. When in doubt, try color within the lines when it comes to the application process. Once you're in front of the interviewer, you can describe your creative approaches to successful projects. Not before.

Getting too Pushy Ok, so you sent in a job application for a job you really really want. And you haven't heard back yet. After waiting a few weeks, you shoot the recruiter an email who didn't respond back. What do you do?

Whatever you choose to do in the face of silence, there's one thing you shouldn't engage in. Obsessively phoning or emailing about the gig. Blowing up a Hiring Manager/Recruiter's inbox or voicemail is a sure fire way that you'll end up blackballed by that company for good. Regardless of how good of a candidate you are.

Lying about your Skills I've interviewed people who embellished their skills and experience. I usually catch it on quickly and when I did - it definitely backfired on them. For example - A woman I interviewed for a GM position - she talked the talk - knew what she was talking about, so I was impressed. After her 90 days probationary period. I let her go. She didn't know how to do a damn thing. So don't lie. You will get caught!

Not doing your Prep Make sure your social media is scrubbed of anything that makes you look bad. Have you scanned your resume/cover letter for grammatical and spelling errors?

Do not just jump into a job search without being prepared. Make sure your references are aware that you are job hunting. Otherwise, you could very well be spinning your wheels, looking for a job for a long time.

You've done it! You've scored that all-important interview! Your suit is pressed, your shoes are shined. But are you fully prepared? Ready to handle the "big" questions that are sure to come up? The article has some great insights and confidence-building ideas: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/tough-interview-question-answers-2061233

Stand Out To Your Prospective Employer

Your job search have been focused, targeting on specific employers you would like to work for, or even a position with that "dream" company.

You have an idea who you would like to get a job with, but you are aware that you may not be the only job candidate out there with the same aspirations and they are all competing for the same few positions your target companies may be offering at this time.

You need to make sure that you separate yourself from the rest of the applicants. You must go the extra mile to capture your target employers attention.

This article will provide you surefire tips for capturing the attention of your prospective employers. They may require that you do more in your job search, but by going the extra mile, you will increase your chances of getting noticed. You will get your foot in the door so you can wow the employer with your skill set, technique and talents.

Do Your Homework

This is a very important step that will put you ahead of the other applicants. Prospective employers notice when you show you have done the due diligence of researching who they are, what products or services they offer, what their corporate culture is like, etc. Yes, you can get a great deal of this information from their job posting, but by going to their website, you can get the full picture; the company’s mission, vision, history, leadership and more. By Googling the company, you can find out about recent company news and go to the interview aware of what the company is currently doing (e.g., any acquisitions, executive team changes, or new products or initiatives being introduced).

You can convey your knowledge of the company, and that you’ve done your research in your cover letter and when you have an interview by stating something such as “I look forward to helping promote your new line of environmental friendly products,” or “I welcome the opportunity to support your new green initiative.” By showing you have ample knowledge of the company, the hiring manager will believe that you are serious and are genuinely interested in joining the company.

You can also use that company knowledge you’ve uncovered to create a resume specifically focused on that employer.

Cater Yourself Specifically For Each Target Company

Many job seekers create or update their resume for a new job search without thinking about tailoring their resume (plus the cover letter they send with it) for each employer (and position) they are targeting. Focus on emphasizing the experience and capabilities the company is looking for (according to its job listing), using the same key words. Also, call out those skills you bring to the table that are highly relevant to the position you seek.

When preparing for a job interview with a target employer, you want to again think about positioning yourself for that particular company and the job offered. When practicing your responses to potential interview questions, focus on highlighting the qualifications that are most relevant to them and the responsibilities the job entails.

Think Of Ways To Sell Yourself Creatively

If you have the time and resources, you may want to also think about out-of-the-box ways to capture your target employers’ attention. For example, if you're a new college graduate, you can build a personal website containing a portfolio of your work in relevant school projects and internships, along with a video presentation of your unique skills and talents. This can also be your way of expressing your “personal brand.”

Job hunting can be time-consuming, as you typically need to send and follow-up on multiple resumes to get results. However, be assured that by taking these steps and going the extra mile to get the attention of your target employers, hiring managers will recognize the effort and value your interest, potentially rewarding you with an interview or job offer. You could ultimately shorten the job search period, and be working in your dream job.

Follow Me For Weekly Informative Articles Patrick Coppedge

If you have a few hours to spare, try searching the internet for “robots and employment.” You’ll be inundated by a plethora of articles and conflicting opinions on whether robotic automation spells certain doom or a great opportunity for American workers. Taking Chicken Little’s view that “the sky is falling,” here’s an article posted back in 2017 CNN headline: “Millions of workers around the world are at risk of losing their jobs to robots — but Americans should be particularly worried.” Not to be outdone, Read more...

As we all know, job interviews are intensely stressful occasions. If you REALLY want the job, the stakes are also incredibly high and you might feel a slight mistake could cost you the chance at landing the job. Given the pressure, some people are tempted to fudge their accomplishments and background a bit. They figure if adding a few years of experience that they'll triumph over other candidates, and what the interviewer doesn't know won't hurt them, right? WRONG

Lying is a risky strategy with huge repercussions. As more social networks surface more and more information and recruiting tools that dig into candidates' work history become more sophisticated. It becomes easier to bring lies to light.

There are better ways to put your best capabilities and experience on display. If you fib on the following in an interview, it will come back to haunt you.

1. Education You went to college but did not finish, yet you may be tempted to say you finished a degree. The company you interview for will verify your degree with college transcripts and calling the alumni board.

So when in doubt - be honest about your education.

2. Your Accomplishments During the interview, you will be asked about your skill set and accomplishments with the previous/current company. Again, it's tempting to inflate your accomplishments, however, hiring managers will check out your claims in detail.

In another scenario - if you're hired on strength of false accomplishments, you may be expected to exhibit similar performance. You'll only be setting yourself up for failure.

3. What you're being Paid This is one of the trickiest parts of an interview. Some interviewers will ask you flat out - what are you making now? It's best to offer a range or tell them that your salary is competitive with the industry. Inflating a number is a BAD idea.

What you love to do It's important to break down your passion and goals, however telling an interviewer that you love something that you don't really like, can result in disaster. Let's say you tell an interviewer that you love finding and destroying all kinds of software vulnerabilities - then once you're hired, they put you on a heavy-bug hunting detail. And now you're stuck doing something you hate.

Whether you were Fired Sometimes a hiring manager will ask you flat out if you were fired from your last job. Don't lie. Previous employers will often tell a recruiter or hiring manager only dates of your employment and not the reason you left. However, a prospective employer can still find out reasons for your termination from any number of sources.

So if you are asked this question - don't panic. It's important to keep control and don't come off as defensive. Say that you weren't a good fit for your last organization and that you learned some good lessons - provide examples and that you're ready to move on. :)

No badly how much you want the job, inflating your talents, skillset, accomplishments, will only reflect badly on you. So be honest and true to yourself. After all, you are selling yourself, so why not be authentic? And once you are hired, you can learn new skill and will be able to add new accomplishements to your resume.