Think You Need a New Job? You’re Probably Wrong
By Penelope Trunk | January 6, 2011
If landing a new job is on your resolution list, I’m encouraging you to scratch it off. Most people want to change jobs for the wrong reasons-namely, to solve non-work problems. Here’s why that’s faulty thinking:
When it comes to careers, there is not a right answer.
There is not one, certain kind of job that is right for you. There are lots of jobs that are a good fit for your personality, and it’s likely that you are doing one of those jobs already. The problem is that many people think they should be doing something else with their life - people often have an idea of who they should be that is different than who they are. And this is what makes people think they should change careers.
My favorite career guide is Do What Your Are, by Paul Tieger. Tieger is a psychologist who specializes in matching people’s personalities with jobs. He says you should spend the effort figuring out who you really are and what drives you so that you can land a job that let’s you use your strengths. This book taught me that every job is fulfilling to someone; it’s just a matter of proper matching. And what makes a job fulfilling is not about the company you’re at, or the perceived quality of your career path.
I bet you are thinking, “Well, some jobs are definitely bad: coal mining would be too much for me.” That might be true, but the same is true with being a lawyer: Both jobs totally suck. The reason is that you need only three things to make any job good:
* Control over your work environment
* Control over your workload
* Challenging goals you can meet
If you have these three things then your job will not prevent you from being happy. Coal mining does not give you control over your environment, so you constantly fear for your safety. Lawyering does not give you control over your workload, so you have to cater at your client’s whim if you want to keep your income stream.
So why do people continue to talk about the perfect job, the best job, the most successful, and on and on? I think it’s because it’s so hard to turn inward, and to admit our limitations. Isn’t it easier just to chase a new job?
So what will make you happier?
If you’re not married, refocus your search from jobs to a spouse. Sound crazy? It’s not. The biggest factor we can change to improve our lives is our relationships with other adults. I know this is not politically correct, but married people are happier, by a long shot, than unmarried people. Sure, this might be self-fulfilling: people who are happier find a mate; people who are more optimistic get married. But whatever the reason, your happiness will go up significantly if you get married.
If you are married, instead of dumping your job, dump your plans to have kids. I know, I know….but here’s the deal: Kids do not make parents happier. Really. There is research to show this. It’s not that they make you unhappy, but on balance, they take up all your time and energy and make marriage more difficult.
Changing a career is so time consuming and emotionally challenging. Maybe you’ll get a job, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll like the new career, maybe you won’t. What about taking all that energy you were going to expend on your work life, and teach yourself to meditate. The research behind meditation is so overwhelmingly positive that meditation is now mandatory for marines. So much of life is playing the odds: I say, gamble on meditation, not your job.
MY THOUGHTS
sometimes you come across an article that makes you completely speechless. i want to argue. but i have no one to argue with. so, consider me speechless at this time.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
First Impressions Matter
First Impressions Matter
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, LifeScript Personal Coach
Published June 08, 2009
They last less than a minute, but first impressions can impact jobs, relationships and even casual interactions. Are you making a good first impression? Read on to find out. Plus get 5 tips on making a good first impression…
What kind of first impression do you make on people you meet? Think about that for a moment. First impressions are truly important moments in the relationships we build.
A good first impression can open the door to closer and more meaningful contact. Conversely, a bad first impression can instantly shut you out of professional opportunities and personal relationships.
The fact is, these moments come quickly, pass in an instant and matter deeply. How important are first impressions? Here’s an example that just happened to me.
I was sitting in one of my favorite restaurants the other day, having dinner and chatting with the manager whom I’ve come to know. As we were talking, a young woman walked in and sat down.
The manager said to me, “Well, there’s my next job interview. You wouldn’t believe how many college grads are applying here lately.”
As the young lady walked in the door, the manager and I gave each other a look. The reason? She looked a bit disheveled and was dressed in a wrinkled T-shirt, very short shorts and flip flops. And she was there for a job interview!
Needless to say, she did not make a good first impression. I interpreted her dress, unkemptness and manner to mean she really didn’t care if she got this job or not.
Now, I could be totally wrong about her and maybe this job was very important to her. But based on my impression, she was very fortunate that it wasn’t me doing the interviewing. And knowing this manager as I do, I’m guessing that she didn’t get the job.
A Good Impression
On the other hand, a repair man came to my house recently to fix something. He was neatly groomed, dressed in a clean uniform, smiled and immediately greeted me when I opened the door. He even took his shoes off before entering my home. I will definitely call him again. Why? Good first impression!
It only takes a few seconds to make that first impression. In these initial few seconds, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your overall appearance, basic demeanor and sense of self.
I’m reminded of a clay handprint I made in school when I was very young, as I’m sure many of you also did. The teacher provided us with clay, which we then flattened and made an imprint of our hand in. The clay hardened and we were left with a permanent mold of our small hands.
My mother still has mine in a cabinet, and the impression of my hand remains exactly the same. Mental first impressions basically operate under the same principle.
The Science Behind First Impressions
It turns out that we’re hardwired to make first impressions. A study was recently conducted by researchers at New York University and Harvard University. According to a March 2009 report in the journal Nature Neuroscience, they found that certain brain regions are geared to pick up cues about other people on a first impression.
They further found that the reason people judge others so quickly is due to the “innate abilities of various brain regions.”
During a social encounter, our brains “encode” certain basic information, then sort the information based on its significance to us. The value of that information contributes to a total score of sorts – a first impression.
The study's lead author, Daniela Schiller, says that "even when we only briefly encounter others, brain regions that are important in forming evaluations are engaged, resulting in a quick first impression."
In short, first impressions are made without our conscious mind. We can tell ourselves not to judge, but our brains are making evaluations subconsciously – it’s a physiological reaction. This is another strong reason to be mindful of how you present yourself in important first-time introductions.
How to Make a Good First Impression
Whether it’s a social personal encounter or a professional business meeting, you should always approach significant encounters with a clear purpose. And certain rules do apply. Here are five basic suggestions that I believe are critical to making a good first impression.
* Be on time: The worst way to begin a new relationship and the best way to make a bad impression is to begin by saying, “I’m sorry I’m late!” When setting up a meeting or appointment, plan your schedule accordingly and allow plenty of time.
* Dress appropriately: Nothing is worse than showing up unkempt and dressed inappropriately, like the young woman in the restaurant for a job interview.
* Smile: Smiles can definitely be contagious. A warm, sincere and confident smile is a great way to make a good first impression.
Smiles can definitely be contagious. A warm, sincere and confident smile is a great way to make a good first impression.
* Show confidence: Your attitude says a lot about you, so stay positive if you’re nervous or even in the face of criticism. Don’t be cocky or arrogant, but stand tall, give a firm handshake, be friendly, maintain good body posture and make eye contact when you speak.
* Be courteous and polite: Use common courtesy, show appropriate respect, don’t dominate the conversation, listen with interest and turn off any electrical devices you have with you.
These are only a few general suggestions to making the most out of those first few seconds. An awful lot of personal connections and business relationships are made or lost in that important initial moment.
So here’s a small exercise: From 1 to 10 (1 being poor and 10 being great), how would you rate the first impression that you typically give? Do you leave people interested and wanting to know more about you? Or, to the best of your knowledge, do you typically leave them cold, disinterested or unimpressed?
If you didn’t score as high as you would have liked, make today the day you begin paying more attention to this important aspect of human interaction. Strive to become more mindful of these important moments of introduction and be aware of the first impression that you give.
I suggest that you take advantage of this empowering information and begin being more purposeful during initial introductions. As I mentioned earlier, they can play a big role in laying the foundation for your future business and personal relationships. And as the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Make it count!
Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com
MY THOUGHTS
scaleof 1 to 10? i don't know.i believe in first impressions but i also believe in chemistry. i've met people who smile, who's dressed appropriately, came on time, has the confidence and was courteous and polite but did not leave a dent. so,i guess the same goes the same for me. i'm sure i've left others cold just by being myself.
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, LifeScript Personal Coach
Published June 08, 2009
They last less than a minute, but first impressions can impact jobs, relationships and even casual interactions. Are you making a good first impression? Read on to find out. Plus get 5 tips on making a good first impression…
What kind of first impression do you make on people you meet? Think about that for a moment. First impressions are truly important moments in the relationships we build.
A good first impression can open the door to closer and more meaningful contact. Conversely, a bad first impression can instantly shut you out of professional opportunities and personal relationships.
The fact is, these moments come quickly, pass in an instant and matter deeply. How important are first impressions? Here’s an example that just happened to me.
I was sitting in one of my favorite restaurants the other day, having dinner and chatting with the manager whom I’ve come to know. As we were talking, a young woman walked in and sat down.
The manager said to me, “Well, there’s my next job interview. You wouldn’t believe how many college grads are applying here lately.”
As the young lady walked in the door, the manager and I gave each other a look. The reason? She looked a bit disheveled and was dressed in a wrinkled T-shirt, very short shorts and flip flops. And she was there for a job interview!
Needless to say, she did not make a good first impression. I interpreted her dress, unkemptness and manner to mean she really didn’t care if she got this job or not.
Now, I could be totally wrong about her and maybe this job was very important to her. But based on my impression, she was very fortunate that it wasn’t me doing the interviewing. And knowing this manager as I do, I’m guessing that she didn’t get the job.
A Good Impression
On the other hand, a repair man came to my house recently to fix something. He was neatly groomed, dressed in a clean uniform, smiled and immediately greeted me when I opened the door. He even took his shoes off before entering my home. I will definitely call him again. Why? Good first impression!
It only takes a few seconds to make that first impression. In these initial few seconds, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your overall appearance, basic demeanor and sense of self.
I’m reminded of a clay handprint I made in school when I was very young, as I’m sure many of you also did. The teacher provided us with clay, which we then flattened and made an imprint of our hand in. The clay hardened and we were left with a permanent mold of our small hands.
My mother still has mine in a cabinet, and the impression of my hand remains exactly the same. Mental first impressions basically operate under the same principle.
The Science Behind First Impressions
It turns out that we’re hardwired to make first impressions. A study was recently conducted by researchers at New York University and Harvard University. According to a March 2009 report in the journal Nature Neuroscience, they found that certain brain regions are geared to pick up cues about other people on a first impression.
They further found that the reason people judge others so quickly is due to the “innate abilities of various brain regions.”
During a social encounter, our brains “encode” certain basic information, then sort the information based on its significance to us. The value of that information contributes to a total score of sorts – a first impression.
The study's lead author, Daniela Schiller, says that "even when we only briefly encounter others, brain regions that are important in forming evaluations are engaged, resulting in a quick first impression."
In short, first impressions are made without our conscious mind. We can tell ourselves not to judge, but our brains are making evaluations subconsciously – it’s a physiological reaction. This is another strong reason to be mindful of how you present yourself in important first-time introductions.
How to Make a Good First Impression
Whether it’s a social personal encounter or a professional business meeting, you should always approach significant encounters with a clear purpose. And certain rules do apply. Here are five basic suggestions that I believe are critical to making a good first impression.
* Be on time: The worst way to begin a new relationship and the best way to make a bad impression is to begin by saying, “I’m sorry I’m late!” When setting up a meeting or appointment, plan your schedule accordingly and allow plenty of time.
* Dress appropriately: Nothing is worse than showing up unkempt and dressed inappropriately, like the young woman in the restaurant for a job interview.
* Smile: Smiles can definitely be contagious. A warm, sincere and confident smile is a great way to make a good first impression.
Smiles can definitely be contagious. A warm, sincere and confident smile is a great way to make a good first impression.
* Show confidence: Your attitude says a lot about you, so stay positive if you’re nervous or even in the face of criticism. Don’t be cocky or arrogant, but stand tall, give a firm handshake, be friendly, maintain good body posture and make eye contact when you speak.
* Be courteous and polite: Use common courtesy, show appropriate respect, don’t dominate the conversation, listen with interest and turn off any electrical devices you have with you.
These are only a few general suggestions to making the most out of those first few seconds. An awful lot of personal connections and business relationships are made or lost in that important initial moment.
So here’s a small exercise: From 1 to 10 (1 being poor and 10 being great), how would you rate the first impression that you typically give? Do you leave people interested and wanting to know more about you? Or, to the best of your knowledge, do you typically leave them cold, disinterested or unimpressed?
If you didn’t score as high as you would have liked, make today the day you begin paying more attention to this important aspect of human interaction. Strive to become more mindful of these important moments of introduction and be aware of the first impression that you give.
I suggest that you take advantage of this empowering information and begin being more purposeful during initial introductions. As I mentioned earlier, they can play a big role in laying the foundation for your future business and personal relationships. And as the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Make it count!
Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com
MY THOUGHTS
scaleof 1 to 10? i don't know.i believe in first impressions but i also believe in chemistry. i've met people who smile, who's dressed appropriately, came on time, has the confidence and was courteous and polite but did not leave a dent. so,i guess the same goes the same for me. i'm sure i've left others cold just by being myself.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Recession Survival Tips
Waiting for the Phone to Ring? Recession Survival Tips
By Steve Tobak | June 16, 2009
After a bit of a drought, I recently got a call from a former CEO who just landed at a new startup and needs my help. I don’t know how long it’ll last, but consulting in a downturn being what it is, it’s all good … until the next time the phone rings.
That’s really the hard part for too many of us these days. Whether you’re looking for a job or in a struggling business that’s seen better days, sometimes it feels like you’re just waiting for the phone to ring. I know that’s not all you’re doing. You sell, market, network, have meetings, whatever. You stay busy. But you know what you’re waiting for, and as Tom Petty said, “The waiting is the hardest part,” although I’m not sure he was referring to business.
Look, I’ve been working for nearly 30 years. I’ve seen booms and busts, bubbles that burst, and recessions that seemed like they would never end. But they always do. Here are a few tips for surviving until then:
Just as every bear market has up days, even in a recession there are good days from time to time. Use them to sustain you, fill up your tanks, so to speak. I’m not just talking about your business or financial tanks; I’m talking about your emotional tanks - that well of inner strength that enables you to persevere through tough times. It’s not bottomless, you know.
Imagine your work-life as a marathon, not a sprint. With any luck, you’ll be around for a long time and the only thing I can guarantee is that you’ll have lots of ups and downs. Settle in for the long haul. Facing obstacles is part of work and business - if you don’t have them, you’re not working. Embrace challenge.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other every day. Call a former boss or associate, meet somebody for lunch, explore a job opportunity, think about a new idea and bounce it off someone you trust. Keep networking - not just social networking, but old school.
Pay attention to the little things: family, friends, pets, the garden, hobbies, whatever works. Take a day, from time to time, go to the park or somewhere to remind yourself there’s a beautiful world out there and you’re alive and in it. It’s called perspective and you need a dose of it every so often to stay positive.
Take care of yourself. Exercise, sleep, and eat right. Really. And try not to drink too much. I know it’s hard, but try.
These are my tips, but you probably have a few of your own to sustain you until the phone rings.
MY THOUGHTS
this is a surprising article. i thought it would be full of advice about finding work. it's more than that. it tells us how to wait. and to wait wisely. it tells us how not to stay in a rut. and rot ourselves away. it tells us that no matter how trying times can be, there's hope. for those who dare to hope. and dream. of better days.
By Steve Tobak | June 16, 2009
After a bit of a drought, I recently got a call from a former CEO who just landed at a new startup and needs my help. I don’t know how long it’ll last, but consulting in a downturn being what it is, it’s all good … until the next time the phone rings.
That’s really the hard part for too many of us these days. Whether you’re looking for a job or in a struggling business that’s seen better days, sometimes it feels like you’re just waiting for the phone to ring. I know that’s not all you’re doing. You sell, market, network, have meetings, whatever. You stay busy. But you know what you’re waiting for, and as Tom Petty said, “The waiting is the hardest part,” although I’m not sure he was referring to business.
Look, I’ve been working for nearly 30 years. I’ve seen booms and busts, bubbles that burst, and recessions that seemed like they would never end. But they always do. Here are a few tips for surviving until then:
Just as every bear market has up days, even in a recession there are good days from time to time. Use them to sustain you, fill up your tanks, so to speak. I’m not just talking about your business or financial tanks; I’m talking about your emotional tanks - that well of inner strength that enables you to persevere through tough times. It’s not bottomless, you know.
Imagine your work-life as a marathon, not a sprint. With any luck, you’ll be around for a long time and the only thing I can guarantee is that you’ll have lots of ups and downs. Settle in for the long haul. Facing obstacles is part of work and business - if you don’t have them, you’re not working. Embrace challenge.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other every day. Call a former boss or associate, meet somebody for lunch, explore a job opportunity, think about a new idea and bounce it off someone you trust. Keep networking - not just social networking, but old school.
Pay attention to the little things: family, friends, pets, the garden, hobbies, whatever works. Take a day, from time to time, go to the park or somewhere to remind yourself there’s a beautiful world out there and you’re alive and in it. It’s called perspective and you need a dose of it every so often to stay positive.
Take care of yourself. Exercise, sleep, and eat right. Really. And try not to drink too much. I know it’s hard, but try.
These are my tips, but you probably have a few of your own to sustain you until the phone rings.
MY THOUGHTS
this is a surprising article. i thought it would be full of advice about finding work. it's more than that. it tells us how to wait. and to wait wisely. it tells us how not to stay in a rut. and rot ourselves away. it tells us that no matter how trying times can be, there's hope. for those who dare to hope. and dream. of better days.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Preparing for a Possible Layoff
Preparing for a Possible Layoff
By Suze Orman
O, The Oprah Magazine | March 17, 2009
As I write this, the official unemployment rate is above 7 percent, and I expect it to keep climbing in 2009. If that gives you a shiver of job insecurity, good! Never has "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst" been sounder advice for your financial security. Keeping your job is probably a function of many factors beyond your control; how well you manage if you are laid off depends on how well you have planned for one of life's most unsettling what-ifs.
Bolster your savings fund. Make it a priority to have at least eight months of living costs set aside in a federally insured bank or credit union account. Never invest emergency savings in the stock market. And don't rely on a HELOC. When you go to tap the credit line, the bank may say no.
Get rid of debt now. If you still have income coming in, or a severance payout, and you have an eight-month emergency fund, make it a priority to pay off credit card debt ASAP. If you have an outstanding 401(k) loan, pay it off now. If you are under 55 years old and get laid off, the loan usually must be repaid within a month or two, or you will be stuck paying income tax on the loan amount as well as a 10 percent penalty.
Cut back your spending now. Don't wait until you are laid off to save. Repeat after me: Needs, yes. Wants, no. Got it? Use the money to get out of credit card debt and boost your savings.
Maximize unemployment benefits. If you received a good severance package, don't use it as an excuse to take a long vacation. Give yourself a week or two to decompress and then get serious about job hunting. You want to find a job before your severance runs out, and that could take months. Also, make sure you apply for unemployment benefits; you can find out how to file in your state at CareerOneStop.org . And take advantage of online filing if it's available in your state. Given the rising jobless ranks, the offices and telephone lines for unemployment offices are jammed.
Suze Orman's most recent book is her 2009 Action Plan: Keeping Your Money Safe & Sound (Spiegel & Grau).
MY THOUGHTS
i think our country got so used to the unemployment we don't feel it that much. but it pays to take heed of the tips in this article. in today's uncertainties and unpredictabilities, one never knows.
By Suze Orman
O, The Oprah Magazine | March 17, 2009
As I write this, the official unemployment rate is above 7 percent, and I expect it to keep climbing in 2009. If that gives you a shiver of job insecurity, good! Never has "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst" been sounder advice for your financial security. Keeping your job is probably a function of many factors beyond your control; how well you manage if you are laid off depends on how well you have planned for one of life's most unsettling what-ifs.
Bolster your savings fund. Make it a priority to have at least eight months of living costs set aside in a federally insured bank or credit union account. Never invest emergency savings in the stock market. And don't rely on a HELOC. When you go to tap the credit line, the bank may say no.
Get rid of debt now. If you still have income coming in, or a severance payout, and you have an eight-month emergency fund, make it a priority to pay off credit card debt ASAP. If you have an outstanding 401(k) loan, pay it off now. If you are under 55 years old and get laid off, the loan usually must be repaid within a month or two, or you will be stuck paying income tax on the loan amount as well as a 10 percent penalty.
Cut back your spending now. Don't wait until you are laid off to save. Repeat after me: Needs, yes. Wants, no. Got it? Use the money to get out of credit card debt and boost your savings.
Maximize unemployment benefits. If you received a good severance package, don't use it as an excuse to take a long vacation. Give yourself a week or two to decompress and then get serious about job hunting. You want to find a job before your severance runs out, and that could take months. Also, make sure you apply for unemployment benefits; you can find out how to file in your state at CareerOneStop.org . And take advantage of online filing if it's available in your state. Given the rising jobless ranks, the offices and telephone lines for unemployment offices are jammed.
Suze Orman's most recent book is her 2009 Action Plan: Keeping Your Money Safe & Sound (Spiegel & Grau).
MY THOUGHTS
i think our country got so used to the unemployment we don't feel it that much. but it pays to take heed of the tips in this article. in today's uncertainties and unpredictabilities, one never knows.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Is There Hope for a Job-Hopper?
Is There Hope for a Job-Hopper?
By Suzanne Lucas | November 12, 2010
Dear Evil HR Lady,
I am 48 years old with an MBA in business management from a non-traditional university. In my younger years, I would skip around from job to job as boredom would quickly overtake the excitement of a new career path. Today, I find myself unemployed after being part of a department-wide downsizing a year and a half ago.
For the past year and a half, I have been self-employed and have worked to build name recognition, but now I want to go back to being an employee. My broad and diverse background is a gentle way to express the many things I’ve done in life. I have been that front desk person, the admin person, the HR recruiter, the holistic wellness expert, the emergency room clerk, the DJ, the newspaper reporter, the entrepreneur, the tradeshow consultant, the non-profit employee, the sales rep, the disaster response worker, the staffing specialist … I even spent some time attempting to build the next QVC (obviously, that was a dismal failure!).
I have been released from, or asked to leave, five different positions. Why? Because each time I was told that since I could do the job of the CEO, the HR Director, the Business Manager, and/or the Regional Manager … there simply “wasn’t room for the two of us”. From my perspective, all I did with each position was the job I was hired to do (I hope this statement doesn’t make me a jerk).
Today I am gun-shy, so to speak. Have you come across others with this same dilemma? It is my experience that companies want their prospective employees to be an expert at one thing only; they do not want a “jack of all trades” such as I on their payroll. Am I a hopeless case, or is there light at the end of the tunnel?
There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. The problem is that it is sometimes a train.
As you’ve surmised, your “broad” background looks an awful lot like job-hopping to those of us who figured out what we wanted to be when we were 7 and stuck with it for the rest of our lives. (Okay, when I was 7 I wanted to be a nurse, but then I found out that you had to deal with bodily fluids, and well, ick.) It’s true that people are far more likely to move from company to company and from career to career now than they were years ago, but it’s also true that we like to hire people who know what they are doing in the particular job we are hiring for.
I’m going to give you what I hope is a bit of insight into your firings. I have no doubt that you’re a fabulous worker and that you’re bright and that you have great ideas. But, I also have no doubt that you overstep boundaries.
Being told, “There isn’t room for the two of us” isn’t a compliment on your abilities, but a “nice” way of saying, “you are doing things way outside your job description, making decisions you shouldn’t be making, and attempting to manage people and processes that you should not be managing. Meanwhile, you’re neglecting the tasks you should be managing.” They don’t need two people in the lead job because what they do need is one person doing the job you were hired to do.
Of course, as you know, getting the job in the first place is going to be hard. Here are some tips:
You cannot go into the job search with the idea that you are a hopeless case. That will show through in the interview.
You’ve obviously got some talent interviewing or you wouldn’t have been able to make so many career moves. Use that to your advantage.
Your best bet is to network with your former coworkers. They know your skills and may be able to spot positions you’d be good at.
When you find out about a job through networking, try to speak to the hiring manager before presenting your resume. Convince him that you’re the right person before he sees your job-hopping past.
Pick out what you want to do, and rewrite your resume to reflect the skills you have that apply to the new job. For instance, if you decide you want to go back to being a tradeshow consultant, you’ll need to demonstrate your organizational skills. So, under the “disaster response worker” portion of your resume, don’t write “responded to disasters” (duh!) write about how you organized the other workers, managed the relief supplies, or whatever it is that you did.
Don’t spread a wide net in your job search, hoping for anything. Job searches almost always go better when they are targeted.
Be prepared to answer why you want to be an employee. Really prepared, because you’ll be grilled on it.
You also should do some introspection and decide if you really want to be an employee again. I suppose you aren’t doing fabulously well at your current venture or you wouldn’t be looking for a job, but perhaps you should try a different line of business. If you have issues with overstepping your manager’s boundaries, it might be best for you to be the boss. (But of course, you’ll have to learn how to delegate and trust that the work will get done once you have people working for you.)
And keep in mind, even if that light is coming from a train, just move to the side a little bit, and hop on it as it passes.
MY THOUGHTS
what else can i say. sometimes you get to a point where the only door that opens is the oddor opened through a friend. what does it matter? you need that open door. get your foot in and show your new employer that your friend is not lying when he said you're the best. you owe that much to your friend. and to yourself. then stop hopping.
By Suzanne Lucas | November 12, 2010
Dear Evil HR Lady,
I am 48 years old with an MBA in business management from a non-traditional university. In my younger years, I would skip around from job to job as boredom would quickly overtake the excitement of a new career path. Today, I find myself unemployed after being part of a department-wide downsizing a year and a half ago.
For the past year and a half, I have been self-employed and have worked to build name recognition, but now I want to go back to being an employee. My broad and diverse background is a gentle way to express the many things I’ve done in life. I have been that front desk person, the admin person, the HR recruiter, the holistic wellness expert, the emergency room clerk, the DJ, the newspaper reporter, the entrepreneur, the tradeshow consultant, the non-profit employee, the sales rep, the disaster response worker, the staffing specialist … I even spent some time attempting to build the next QVC (obviously, that was a dismal failure!).
I have been released from, or asked to leave, five different positions. Why? Because each time I was told that since I could do the job of the CEO, the HR Director, the Business Manager, and/or the Regional Manager … there simply “wasn’t room for the two of us”. From my perspective, all I did with each position was the job I was hired to do (I hope this statement doesn’t make me a jerk).
Today I am gun-shy, so to speak. Have you come across others with this same dilemma? It is my experience that companies want their prospective employees to be an expert at one thing only; they do not want a “jack of all trades” such as I on their payroll. Am I a hopeless case, or is there light at the end of the tunnel?
There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. The problem is that it is sometimes a train.
As you’ve surmised, your “broad” background looks an awful lot like job-hopping to those of us who figured out what we wanted to be when we were 7 and stuck with it for the rest of our lives. (Okay, when I was 7 I wanted to be a nurse, but then I found out that you had to deal with bodily fluids, and well, ick.) It’s true that people are far more likely to move from company to company and from career to career now than they were years ago, but it’s also true that we like to hire people who know what they are doing in the particular job we are hiring for.
I’m going to give you what I hope is a bit of insight into your firings. I have no doubt that you’re a fabulous worker and that you’re bright and that you have great ideas. But, I also have no doubt that you overstep boundaries.
Being told, “There isn’t room for the two of us” isn’t a compliment on your abilities, but a “nice” way of saying, “you are doing things way outside your job description, making decisions you shouldn’t be making, and attempting to manage people and processes that you should not be managing. Meanwhile, you’re neglecting the tasks you should be managing.” They don’t need two people in the lead job because what they do need is one person doing the job you were hired to do.
Of course, as you know, getting the job in the first place is going to be hard. Here are some tips:
You cannot go into the job search with the idea that you are a hopeless case. That will show through in the interview.
You’ve obviously got some talent interviewing or you wouldn’t have been able to make so many career moves. Use that to your advantage.
Your best bet is to network with your former coworkers. They know your skills and may be able to spot positions you’d be good at.
When you find out about a job through networking, try to speak to the hiring manager before presenting your resume. Convince him that you’re the right person before he sees your job-hopping past.
Pick out what you want to do, and rewrite your resume to reflect the skills you have that apply to the new job. For instance, if you decide you want to go back to being a tradeshow consultant, you’ll need to demonstrate your organizational skills. So, under the “disaster response worker” portion of your resume, don’t write “responded to disasters” (duh!) write about how you organized the other workers, managed the relief supplies, or whatever it is that you did.
Don’t spread a wide net in your job search, hoping for anything. Job searches almost always go better when they are targeted.
Be prepared to answer why you want to be an employee. Really prepared, because you’ll be grilled on it.
You also should do some introspection and decide if you really want to be an employee again. I suppose you aren’t doing fabulously well at your current venture or you wouldn’t be looking for a job, but perhaps you should try a different line of business. If you have issues with overstepping your manager’s boundaries, it might be best for you to be the boss. (But of course, you’ll have to learn how to delegate and trust that the work will get done once you have people working for you.)
And keep in mind, even if that light is coming from a train, just move to the side a little bit, and hop on it as it passes.
MY THOUGHTS
what else can i say. sometimes you get to a point where the only door that opens is the oddor opened through a friend. what does it matter? you need that open door. get your foot in and show your new employer that your friend is not lying when he said you're the best. you owe that much to your friend. and to yourself. then stop hopping.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
10 High-Paying Careers with No Future
Disappearing Jobs: 10 High-Paying Careers with No Future
by Louise Tutelian | Nov 19, 2010
It may come as no surprise that the job of newspaper reporter is going the way of the buggy whip maker — but the forces of modernity have placed some unexpected occupations on the endangered species list as well. Using statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011, we identified 10 of the most surprising job categories whose numbers are projected to shrink in the coming years, plus a few that will grow so slowly that you might as well be sending your resume to Irish banks.
Judge
Politicians can argue whether the best quality for a judge is empathy or an ability to call balls and strikes, but here’s a different perspective: What you really need is patience. By 2018, the BLS predicts that there will be 700 fewer jobs for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates, than there were in 2008, thanks mainly to budget cuts. And since the average tenure for a judge is 14 years, turnover is glacial. “Years ago, some left to become general counsel in the private sector, where they could triple their salary, but since the economic downturn, they’re staying longer on the bench,” says Tamara Dillon, who researches the occupation for the BLS.
Fashion Designer
Call it Project Turnaway. By 2018, only 200 more designers will find work in a field that employed 22,700 people as of 2008. That’s about 2 percent of the number who applied to become Project Runway contestants in 2009, estimates Carol-Hannah Whitfield, who was a finalist on the show that year. “The world doesn’t need another designer,” Whitfield says.
Insurance Underwriter
Blame it on the software. New programs allow underwriters to take on three times as much work as in the past, collapsing the need for more hires. As a result, the BLS projects that the number of people employed in the field will decline by 4 percent, or 4,300 jobs, by 2018. “[The underwriter] just punches in data, and it spits out, say, whether a potential homebuyer is approved or not,” says Henry Kasper, supervisory economist at the BLS. Growth in the insurance industry isn’t exactly exploding either, further undermining the career outlook for underwriters.
Travel Agent
Call it the Attack of the Roaming Gnome: Online sites such as Travelocity, Priceline.com, Expedia, and Orbitz have decimated the ranks of travel agents as consumers increasingly book their own trips. The BLS expects 1,200 fewer travel agents to be employed in 2018 than in 2008. And the number of traditional travel agencies has been sliced in half — from a peak of 44,000 in 1997 to about 20,000 today, according to Douglas Quinby of PhoCusWright, a travel industry research company based in Sherman, Connecticut.
Newspaper Reporter
Read it and weep: According to the BLS, a whopping 4,400 jobs will disappear by 2018 (out of 69,400 total in 2008). That’s more than three times the number of newsroom employees at The New York Times. The bad news for print can be summed up in one word: Internet. “Some of the print people are finding jobs online,” says Lauren Csorny, an economist at the BLS. “But there aren’t enough to make up for the losses.” No wonder that newspaper reporters ranked No. 184 out of 200 jobs, one slot above stevedore, in CareerCast.com’s annual JobsRated survey.
Broadcast Announcer
The play-by-play for this occupation isn’t pretty. Consolidation has eliminated many jobs already, and technology is hijacking off-air tasks, such as editing, once performed by announcers (and future announcers paying their dues). Add the increased use of syndication and the growth of satellite radio and the picture is even bleaker. By 2018, broadcasting is expected to lose 2,400 radio and TV announcer jobs.
Plant Manager
Automation and offshoring will decimate the ranks of production managers by 2018. According to the BLS, employment will drop by 11,900 jobs from a 2008 total of 156,100. With faster machines and better productivity, one plant can do the work of two, squeezing managers out. Increased imports of manufactured goods will do additional damage. With 50 percent of the textile industry moving off-shore, for example, half the plant managers in that sector are at risk of losing their jobs. The outlook is equally bleak for managers in the computer, electronics, and auto parts industries.
Chemist
Nearly half of all chemists are employed in manufacturing firms — plastics, pesticides, and paint, to name a few. And that’s a bummer for them, because manufacturing companies are continuing to outsource their R&D and testing to small, specialized firms, cutting job opportunities for in-house chemists. The profession lost 42,000 jobs from 2008 to 2009, according to Chemical and Engineering News, and the BLS projects only a 2 percent rise in the total number of chemists employed by 2018.
Economist
The Federal government is the largest employer of economists in the country. More than half — 53 percent — of all economists in the U.S. work for declining government sectors, so Uncle Sam’s not hiring a lot of economists just now. “Econ” is a hot college major, but most of those newly-minted grads won’t find work as traditional economists. Instead, they’ll end up in niche sectors in business, finance, insurance, and education. Those set on working as conventional economists better have a Plan B, or a Plan Ph.D, because they’ll need one. The economists at BLS do tell us that by 2018, an additional 900 economists will be employed — so the outlook is not as dismal for dismal scientists as it is for, say, travel agents. But if current trends continue, the future isn’t promising. “You look at the last 10 to15 years and it has been flat,” says Henry Kasper of the BLS. “There’s little reason to think it’s going to get better.”
CEO
OK, it’s not a profession, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you aspire to the corner office: Mergers and streamlining will make the climb to the top harder than K2, as companies combine and jobs are eliminated. The BLS projects that there will be 5,500 fewer CEOs by 2018. To boost your odds, consider Rosetta Stone; CEO candidates should be fluent in at least two languages, says Patricia Tate of the BLS. So if you speak Spanish, Arabic, or Chinese, félicitations.
MY THOUGHTS
i have to agree with this article. mainly because the world is changing so fast and everyone's expected to jump on the 'change wagon' or get ditched forever. this year, i had to take approximately 50 local flights. only 2 of these flights were booked thru an agent. and only because i was too busy to do it myself on the net. i agree that the plant manager and the ceo jobs will be less and less. personally i prefer to work only with 2 super excellent staff than with 4 people who have made mediocrity their way of life. technology will get better and better. when i was a kid, i spent time talking to our neighbor who gets paid to do our laundry. now, i talk to our washing machine. i wouldn't be surprised if my former classmate who does my nails will find herself jobless years from now. becuase all i need to do is put my nails on a machine then dip them on a can of nail polish and voila - instant manicure and pedicure.
by Louise Tutelian | Nov 19, 2010
It may come as no surprise that the job of newspaper reporter is going the way of the buggy whip maker — but the forces of modernity have placed some unexpected occupations on the endangered species list as well. Using statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011, we identified 10 of the most surprising job categories whose numbers are projected to shrink in the coming years, plus a few that will grow so slowly that you might as well be sending your resume to Irish banks.
Judge
Politicians can argue whether the best quality for a judge is empathy or an ability to call balls and strikes, but here’s a different perspective: What you really need is patience. By 2018, the BLS predicts that there will be 700 fewer jobs for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates, than there were in 2008, thanks mainly to budget cuts. And since the average tenure for a judge is 14 years, turnover is glacial. “Years ago, some left to become general counsel in the private sector, where they could triple their salary, but since the economic downturn, they’re staying longer on the bench,” says Tamara Dillon, who researches the occupation for the BLS.
Fashion Designer
Call it Project Turnaway. By 2018, only 200 more designers will find work in a field that employed 22,700 people as of 2008. That’s about 2 percent of the number who applied to become Project Runway contestants in 2009, estimates Carol-Hannah Whitfield, who was a finalist on the show that year. “The world doesn’t need another designer,” Whitfield says.
Insurance Underwriter
Blame it on the software. New programs allow underwriters to take on three times as much work as in the past, collapsing the need for more hires. As a result, the BLS projects that the number of people employed in the field will decline by 4 percent, or 4,300 jobs, by 2018. “[The underwriter] just punches in data, and it spits out, say, whether a potential homebuyer is approved or not,” says Henry Kasper, supervisory economist at the BLS. Growth in the insurance industry isn’t exactly exploding either, further undermining the career outlook for underwriters.
Travel Agent
Call it the Attack of the Roaming Gnome: Online sites such as Travelocity, Priceline.com, Expedia, and Orbitz have decimated the ranks of travel agents as consumers increasingly book their own trips. The BLS expects 1,200 fewer travel agents to be employed in 2018 than in 2008. And the number of traditional travel agencies has been sliced in half — from a peak of 44,000 in 1997 to about 20,000 today, according to Douglas Quinby of PhoCusWright, a travel industry research company based in Sherman, Connecticut.
Newspaper Reporter
Read it and weep: According to the BLS, a whopping 4,400 jobs will disappear by 2018 (out of 69,400 total in 2008). That’s more than three times the number of newsroom employees at The New York Times. The bad news for print can be summed up in one word: Internet. “Some of the print people are finding jobs online,” says Lauren Csorny, an economist at the BLS. “But there aren’t enough to make up for the losses.” No wonder that newspaper reporters ranked No. 184 out of 200 jobs, one slot above stevedore, in CareerCast.com’s annual JobsRated survey.
Broadcast Announcer
The play-by-play for this occupation isn’t pretty. Consolidation has eliminated many jobs already, and technology is hijacking off-air tasks, such as editing, once performed by announcers (and future announcers paying their dues). Add the increased use of syndication and the growth of satellite radio and the picture is even bleaker. By 2018, broadcasting is expected to lose 2,400 radio and TV announcer jobs.
Plant Manager
Automation and offshoring will decimate the ranks of production managers by 2018. According to the BLS, employment will drop by 11,900 jobs from a 2008 total of 156,100. With faster machines and better productivity, one plant can do the work of two, squeezing managers out. Increased imports of manufactured goods will do additional damage. With 50 percent of the textile industry moving off-shore, for example, half the plant managers in that sector are at risk of losing their jobs. The outlook is equally bleak for managers in the computer, electronics, and auto parts industries.
Chemist
Nearly half of all chemists are employed in manufacturing firms — plastics, pesticides, and paint, to name a few. And that’s a bummer for them, because manufacturing companies are continuing to outsource their R&D and testing to small, specialized firms, cutting job opportunities for in-house chemists. The profession lost 42,000 jobs from 2008 to 2009, according to Chemical and Engineering News, and the BLS projects only a 2 percent rise in the total number of chemists employed by 2018.
Economist
The Federal government is the largest employer of economists in the country. More than half — 53 percent — of all economists in the U.S. work for declining government sectors, so Uncle Sam’s not hiring a lot of economists just now. “Econ” is a hot college major, but most of those newly-minted grads won’t find work as traditional economists. Instead, they’ll end up in niche sectors in business, finance, insurance, and education. Those set on working as conventional economists better have a Plan B, or a Plan Ph.D, because they’ll need one. The economists at BLS do tell us that by 2018, an additional 900 economists will be employed — so the outlook is not as dismal for dismal scientists as it is for, say, travel agents. But if current trends continue, the future isn’t promising. “You look at the last 10 to15 years and it has been flat,” says Henry Kasper of the BLS. “There’s little reason to think it’s going to get better.”
CEO
OK, it’s not a profession, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you aspire to the corner office: Mergers and streamlining will make the climb to the top harder than K2, as companies combine and jobs are eliminated. The BLS projects that there will be 5,500 fewer CEOs by 2018. To boost your odds, consider Rosetta Stone; CEO candidates should be fluent in at least two languages, says Patricia Tate of the BLS. So if you speak Spanish, Arabic, or Chinese, félicitations.
MY THOUGHTS
i have to agree with this article. mainly because the world is changing so fast and everyone's expected to jump on the 'change wagon' or get ditched forever. this year, i had to take approximately 50 local flights. only 2 of these flights were booked thru an agent. and only because i was too busy to do it myself on the net. i agree that the plant manager and the ceo jobs will be less and less. personally i prefer to work only with 2 super excellent staff than with 4 people who have made mediocrity their way of life. technology will get better and better. when i was a kid, i spent time talking to our neighbor who gets paid to do our laundry. now, i talk to our washing machine. i wouldn't be surprised if my former classmate who does my nails will find herself jobless years from now. becuase all i need to do is put my nails on a machine then dip them on a can of nail polish and voila - instant manicure and pedicure.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Finding a Job: Know the Interview Questions
The 7 Interview Questions You Must Ask
By Brian Libby | February 27, 2007
There are no magic bullets when it comes to job interview questions, but the way you structure your queries is important: It's the interviewer's job to create a framework for the discussion and prevent it from running off the rails. Every company's needs are different, but a good basic strategy is to ground the interview in questions about past job performance. Then throw in some situational questions to evaluate practical decision making, and learn a little bit about how the job fits in with a candidate's biography.
Question #1: "How about those Yankees?"
Purpose: Develop the rapport needed to get the interview off the ground.
Every interview should begin with an icebreaker. It helps nervous applicants calm down and builds a sense of trust. If you have a 45-minute interview, you should spend at least the first five minutes trying to connect on a neutral topic. Make the person feel at ease and you'll solicit better information—and much more honest responses.
Alternate Version 1: "Did you go to the industry conference last week?"
Alternate Version 2: "Were you affected by the heat wave/cold snap?"
Alternate Version 3: "Did you have a good holiday?"
Question #2: "Talk about a time when you had to overcome major obstacles."
Purpose: Get a clear picture of the candidate's past performance.
Variations on this question should actually comprise your next several questions. Don't hesitate to guide the candidate through the variety of tasks (both tangible and theoretical) necessary to perform the job, and listen carefully to how he or she has handled such challenges. Pay attention to intangibles: some people are better at performing in interviews than on the job. If your candidate continually plays the role of hero or victim, that's a red flag that you're probably not getting the whole story.
Alternate Version 1: "Tell me about a time when you wrote a report that was well received. Why do you think it was successful?"
Alternate Version 2: "Describe a time when you hired (or fired) the wrong person."
Alternate Version 3: "If you had to do that activity again, how would you do it differently?"
See Also: How to Conduct a Job Interview
Question #3: "What interests you about this position?"
Purpose: Find out how the candidate feels about the job and the company.
People apply for jobs for plenty reasons besides the obvious ones. Asking a candidate why he or she wants the position gives insight into their motivation. The answer may be personal (such as a narrative about what spurred them to seek a new job), or it may connect the candidate to the company: her experience with the brand, the mission statement, or the organization's role in the community. Any of these answers (or some combination) are acceptable—a personal answer can communicate trust, and a connection to the business indicates loyalty and a sense of ownership.
Alternate Version 1: "Where does this job fit into your career path?"
Alternate Version 2: "If you had to convince a friend or colleague to apply for this job, what might you tell them?"
Alternate Version 3: "What motivated you to apply for this job?"
Question #4: "Is there intelligent life in outer space?"
Purpose: Find out what kind of thinker the candidate is and how he deals with surprises.
This is your curveball, designed to make the candidate ad-lib instead of just reciting well-rehearsed answers. How much will he or she play along? As long as it's not too short or too long, virtually any response is a good one. But pay attention to attitude, the way the candidate approaches the problem, and the ease or difficulty they have in coming up with a response.
Alternate Version 1: "How many phone books are there in New York City?"
Alternate Version 2: "How do they get the cream filling inside a Twinkie?"
Alternate Version 3: "Why do people climb mountains?"
Question #5: "Imagine we've just hired you. What's the most important thing on your to-do list on the first day of work?"
Purpose: Learn about the candidate's judgment and decision-making skills.
This is an example of a situational question, which is like a behavioral question in that it's designed to assess judgment, but it's also like a curveball question because it illuminates the candidate's thought process. You want to see whether he demonstrates the competencies and priorities that are important to the job.
Alternate Version 1: "Say a coworker tells you that he submitted phony expense account receipts. Do you tell your boss?"
Alternate Version 2: "How would you handle an employee whose performance is fine but who you know has the potential to do better?"
Alternate Version 3: "What would you do if you got behind schedule with your part of a project?"
See Also: 10 Mistakes You’re Probably Making in Job Interviews
Question #6: "Why did you get into this line of work?"
Purpose: Measure the fit between the candidate's values and the culture of your company.
It risks a long, drawn-out answer, but this type of question will help you select candidates that fit your company's culture. It's not about finding people like you, or people with similar backgrounds that led them to your company, but about getting a sense of their values and motivations. Concepts like values and culture can be subjective and difficult to define, but you should be looking for someone whose work ethic, motivations, and methods match the company's. This isn't a quantitative measurement so much as a qualitative one. Coke and Pepsi may seem the same to people outside the soft-drink industry, but each houses people with different approaches to making cola and running a business.
Alternate Version 1: "What do you like best about your current job?"
Alternate Version 2: "When did you realize this would be your career?"
Alternate Version 3: "What keeps you coming to work besides the paycheck?"
Question #7: "But enough about you. What about us?"
Purpose: Find out if the candidate has done his or her homework.
It's a cliché to end an interview with the standard, 'So, any questions?' But the fact remains that you really do want to let the candidate ask a few things of you. Reversing roles communicates that the company seeks an open a dialogue, and it helps you ascertain just how curious and knowledgeable a candidate is about your company. If he doesn't ask any questions about the job or the business, it's a safe bet his heart isn't in it. Listen for insightful questions that demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the circumstances of the job, the company, the competitive landscape, or the industry.
Alternate Version 1: "Where do you think the company should be in ten years?"
Alternate Version 2: "What's your opinion of our new product?"
Alternate Version 3: "Have you seen the company's new ad campaign?"
MY THOUGHTS
people looking for jobs should read this article. it tells them what a good company is looking for and how a really good interviewer would throw the questions to make a most objective assessment.i read somewhere that most decisions are made during the first few minutes of the interview.i've learned as much from experience. of the hundreds of people i've interviewed my decision not to hire came after 1 or 2 questions. so,if you're not going to make it, you probably won't makeit past question #2.
By Brian Libby | February 27, 2007
There are no magic bullets when it comes to job interview questions, but the way you structure your queries is important: It's the interviewer's job to create a framework for the discussion and prevent it from running off the rails. Every company's needs are different, but a good basic strategy is to ground the interview in questions about past job performance. Then throw in some situational questions to evaluate practical decision making, and learn a little bit about how the job fits in with a candidate's biography.
Question #1: "How about those Yankees?"
Purpose: Develop the rapport needed to get the interview off the ground.
Every interview should begin with an icebreaker. It helps nervous applicants calm down and builds a sense of trust. If you have a 45-minute interview, you should spend at least the first five minutes trying to connect on a neutral topic. Make the person feel at ease and you'll solicit better information—and much more honest responses.
Alternate Version 1: "Did you go to the industry conference last week?"
Alternate Version 2: "Were you affected by the heat wave/cold snap?"
Alternate Version 3: "Did you have a good holiday?"
Question #2: "Talk about a time when you had to overcome major obstacles."
Purpose: Get a clear picture of the candidate's past performance.
Variations on this question should actually comprise your next several questions. Don't hesitate to guide the candidate through the variety of tasks (both tangible and theoretical) necessary to perform the job, and listen carefully to how he or she has handled such challenges. Pay attention to intangibles: some people are better at performing in interviews than on the job. If your candidate continually plays the role of hero or victim, that's a red flag that you're probably not getting the whole story.
Alternate Version 1: "Tell me about a time when you wrote a report that was well received. Why do you think it was successful?"
Alternate Version 2: "Describe a time when you hired (or fired) the wrong person."
Alternate Version 3: "If you had to do that activity again, how would you do it differently?"
See Also: How to Conduct a Job Interview
Question #3: "What interests you about this position?"
Purpose: Find out how the candidate feels about the job and the company.
People apply for jobs for plenty reasons besides the obvious ones. Asking a candidate why he or she wants the position gives insight into their motivation. The answer may be personal (such as a narrative about what spurred them to seek a new job), or it may connect the candidate to the company: her experience with the brand, the mission statement, or the organization's role in the community. Any of these answers (or some combination) are acceptable—a personal answer can communicate trust, and a connection to the business indicates loyalty and a sense of ownership.
Alternate Version 1: "Where does this job fit into your career path?"
Alternate Version 2: "If you had to convince a friend or colleague to apply for this job, what might you tell them?"
Alternate Version 3: "What motivated you to apply for this job?"
Question #4: "Is there intelligent life in outer space?"
Purpose: Find out what kind of thinker the candidate is and how he deals with surprises.
This is your curveball, designed to make the candidate ad-lib instead of just reciting well-rehearsed answers. How much will he or she play along? As long as it's not too short or too long, virtually any response is a good one. But pay attention to attitude, the way the candidate approaches the problem, and the ease or difficulty they have in coming up with a response.
Alternate Version 1: "How many phone books are there in New York City?"
Alternate Version 2: "How do they get the cream filling inside a Twinkie?"
Alternate Version 3: "Why do people climb mountains?"
Question #5: "Imagine we've just hired you. What's the most important thing on your to-do list on the first day of work?"
Purpose: Learn about the candidate's judgment and decision-making skills.
This is an example of a situational question, which is like a behavioral question in that it's designed to assess judgment, but it's also like a curveball question because it illuminates the candidate's thought process. You want to see whether he demonstrates the competencies and priorities that are important to the job.
Alternate Version 1: "Say a coworker tells you that he submitted phony expense account receipts. Do you tell your boss?"
Alternate Version 2: "How would you handle an employee whose performance is fine but who you know has the potential to do better?"
Alternate Version 3: "What would you do if you got behind schedule with your part of a project?"
See Also: 10 Mistakes You’re Probably Making in Job Interviews
Question #6: "Why did you get into this line of work?"
Purpose: Measure the fit between the candidate's values and the culture of your company.
It risks a long, drawn-out answer, but this type of question will help you select candidates that fit your company's culture. It's not about finding people like you, or people with similar backgrounds that led them to your company, but about getting a sense of their values and motivations. Concepts like values and culture can be subjective and difficult to define, but you should be looking for someone whose work ethic, motivations, and methods match the company's. This isn't a quantitative measurement so much as a qualitative one. Coke and Pepsi may seem the same to people outside the soft-drink industry, but each houses people with different approaches to making cola and running a business.
Alternate Version 1: "What do you like best about your current job?"
Alternate Version 2: "When did you realize this would be your career?"
Alternate Version 3: "What keeps you coming to work besides the paycheck?"
Question #7: "But enough about you. What about us?"
Purpose: Find out if the candidate has done his or her homework.
It's a cliché to end an interview with the standard, 'So, any questions?' But the fact remains that you really do want to let the candidate ask a few things of you. Reversing roles communicates that the company seeks an open a dialogue, and it helps you ascertain just how curious and knowledgeable a candidate is about your company. If he doesn't ask any questions about the job or the business, it's a safe bet his heart isn't in it. Listen for insightful questions that demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the circumstances of the job, the company, the competitive landscape, or the industry.
Alternate Version 1: "Where do you think the company should be in ten years?"
Alternate Version 2: "What's your opinion of our new product?"
Alternate Version 3: "Have you seen the company's new ad campaign?"
MY THOUGHTS
people looking for jobs should read this article. it tells them what a good company is looking for and how a really good interviewer would throw the questions to make a most objective assessment.i read somewhere that most decisions are made during the first few minutes of the interview.i've learned as much from experience. of the hundreds of people i've interviewed my decision not to hire came after 1 or 2 questions. so,if you're not going to make it, you probably won't makeit past question #2.
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