Switched Many Jobs?

Gone are the days of people spending their entire professional lives at one organisation. In these days of constant change, professionals don't stick around for too long, jumping profiles and companies at regular intervals, constantly on the look out for a better offer or a more challenging environment.

However, from the company's point of view, the recruitment and training of employees costs a lot of money, thus making them cautious while hiring new candidates.
While looking for suitable candidates, companies refrain from hiring professionals who frequently switch of jobs understanding the constant job switches to mean:

Lack of commitment
Inability to stick to one role for long
Being unreliable
Being money-minded
Inability to get along with people
Lack of clarity in job profile

If the prospective employer suspects that any of these statements holds true for you, the chances of your CV getting shortlisted for an interview become bleak. Somehow, if you do manage to get an interview call but are not able to satisfy the interviewer's curiosity about your job switches your chances of getting through are again meager.
So, if you have switched many jobs recently, here are some tips on how to write your CV and handle the interview questions.

Writing the CV

Your CV is your ticket to the job race. It is the first thing about you that the prospective employer looks at. Its purpose is to fetch you an interview call.
The recruitment team gets hundreds of CVs in response to one job notification and spends a few seconds on each CV, while screening. If your CV can't impress the selectors in 30 seconds, its purpose is defeated.

Keeping this in mind, you have to draft your CV in such a way that the prospective employer first gets to see the most relevant and positive information about you. This can be done if you follow the following simple tips while writing your CV:

Focus on your skills

If you have switched jobs very fast (less than one year), keep the focus of your CV on the skills acquired rather than the jobs you have done. This can be done by listing your key skills on the front page immediately after your career summary.

Write about your achievements

Your achievements during your last jobs communicate that this is what you did for your last employers and this is what you can do if they hire you. So, write your achievements immediately after your skill set in your CV. Use some figures wherever possible. For eg, if you were responsible for recruitment in your last company, you can write: 'Recruited 35 employees over a period of six months to match the company's target of 80 per cent growth in terms of Human Resources.'

If you worked as the purchase manager in your last jobs, mention any formal recognition received from your former employers for your role.

Mention your qualifications

Your next weapons are your qualifications. So, if you have good professional/ educational qualifications, write about them after your skills.

Use words with greater impact.

Use words that show your control over things like acquired, approved, managed, analysed, resolved etc.

Last jobs on last page

It is human tendency to pay comparatively less attention to the information on the back pages. The same holds true for the information towards the right hand side of the page. So, write about the jobs you've held on the back page with commencing and leaving dates towards the right.
These tips should help you in drafting an impressive CV.

Acing the interview

Once you have got an interview call, your next target is to clear the interview. For this, you need to satisfy the interviewer's queries on your job-hopping. Here are some most frequently asked questions in this regard and their possible answers:

Why have you switched so many jobs?

This can be the most direct question on this subject. While answering this question you can say that: "I wanted to broaden my work experience and to achieve it I had to move out of the company". Continue with an example explaining your logic behind it and the success you achieved with it.

What will you do if you get another job offer with a higher salary?

The purpose of this question is to know if you have a tendency to switch jobs for a couple of thousand rupees. You can answer by saying that the money does attract everybody but you will try to analyse the growth prospects in both positions. If your present job can offer you the growth you seek, then you will stick to it.

What does growth mean to you?

This question can arise from the answer to your last question. You can answer by saying that growth according to you is broadening your experience and acquiring new skills.

Do you get bored of repetitive work?

The agenda of this question is to know if you can stick to a role for a significant period. To answer this question you cay say that, you understand that each job has an element of repetition but you enjoy doing your job and will give it your best.

From College To Corporate

Graduating from college is a significant rite of passage. For most graduates, it signifies an important transition into the real world of being totally independent and earning a livelihood full-time.
The thought of making it on your own can make you anxious and uncertain about the future. Or, it can make you positive and rosy about your expectations. The difference depends on how well you prepare for the mental and physical things every move requires, especially from college to the workplace.

Consider the following three key career skills that will be vital as you transition to the workplace:

Career skill # 1 -- Develop effective communication skills (interpersonal & written) What do you think researchers say is the most important ingredient for success and achievement in today's workplace? What's the foundation for supportive, cooperative work and personal relationships?
Interestingly, the answer to both of these questions is the same -- the ability to communicate skillfully and confidently with people. Therefore, excellent interpersonal communication skills are the most powerful career and personal skills you can possess.

This means, how you communicate with others and through others to get business results. As a young professional, you need to focus on both verbal as well as written communication skills (e-mail and regular correspondence).

Strive to build strong and better relationships with your work associates (this includes your manager, clients and customers, peers, co-workers and others). If you work on mastering Career Skill # 1, you're certain to be on your way to success.

Career Skill # 2 -- Administrative: Manage your job It's a fact of business life. Every day employees are judged by their ability to manage projects, priorities and deadlines. An organisation's success (and your own career success) depends, to a great degree, upon your skill in getting things done -- on time and with the desired result.

Find out as soon as possible what your company and manager expect from you. This will include using your people (interpersonal communication) and technical skills (the knowledge, skills and abilities that make you a sought-after professional).

Once you determine what's expected of you, decide how you will accomplish it. Design a professional development plan so that your action items lead to achieving your goals. Stay on top of even the most demanding schedule of competing priorities and multiple projects. To help with this, build a deadline ie a "safety net" to make sure no critical deadlines slip by.
Also, make sure that your deadlines are realistic. Finally, get a mentor who can help you design an effective career plan.

Career Skill # 3 -- Build and leverage your relationships The old adage "Who you know can be just as important as what you know" applies here. And, nowhere is this truer than in today's workplace where managers, colleagues and mentors (if you're lucky enough to attract one or two) often determine who gets noticed and promoted, who finds a new job, and who thrives in the new organisation.

Take charge of your career by becoming a partner with your manager. That means that you will be working to gain your manager's respect and trust in your competence. Enlist your manager's full support for your projects.

Be open to constructive criticism because it has a constructive impact. Your manager is the person with the power to open doors for you, help accelerate your learning and development and support you in achieving your goals. Strive for harmonious working relationships. Workplace conflict can have constructive or destructive consequences on an individual's performance, the team's performance, and the organisation as a whole.

This conflict is often the result of clashes in vision, priorities, values and personal loyalties. Anticipate and sidestep the pitfalls that could impede your progress. Once you are on solid ground with your team and manager, look around and see which bridges you need to build so that you are connected with the right people in the organisation (those who can make things happen for you).

Some of these relationships may last over the span of your career. Nurture them and value them for what you can get as well as give to them.

A final word

A smooth transition from college to the work world is possible if you have the proper mental attitude, make smart moves early in your career and establish ties to your community.
To put things in proper perspective, by all means recognise the seriousness of starting your first full-time job, but don't be mentally overburdened by trying to match the success of co-workers or other professional colleagues.

However, as long you stay at your first job, do your best and accomplish as much as you can. Bear in mind, though, that your career is more than a single job. During your career you will most likely work with many companies in various positions. Some will be more fulfilling and challenging than others.

The success you achieve will result from the discipline, dedication and determination that you develop as a young professional. These attributes will uniquely shape your character and promote your success throughout your lifetime. For now, study hard and work diligently but enjoy life to the fullest.

Do you want to improve your English speaking skills, but don't know how? Or want to join a call centre but have been rejected at the interview stage because of a 'mother tongue influence'? Well, you are not alone.

Improving English language; Increase your exposure to the English language. Make sure that on a daily basis you are reading newspapers, business magazines or books. Try to take at least an hour per day to read. Reading out loud is very helpful. Additionally, watch English TV shows and movies when you can.

This post is from www.rediff.com

HR Questions with Answers(III)

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

One reason interviewers ask this question is to see if you’re settling for this position, using it merely as a stopover until something better comes along. Or they could be trying to gauge your level of ambition.

If you’re too specific, i.e., naming the promotions you someday hope to win, you’ll sound presumptuous. If you’re too vague, you’ll seem rudderless.

Reassure your interviewer that you’re looking to make a long-term commitment…that this position entails exactly what you’re looking to do and what you do extremely well. As for your future, you believe that if you perform each job at hand with excellence, future opportunities will take care of themselves.

Example 1: I am definitely interested in making a long-term commitment to my next position. Judging by what you’ve told me about this position, it’s exactly what I’m looking for and what I am very well qualified to do. In terms of my future career path, I’m confident that if I do my work with excellence, opportunities will inevitable open up for me. It’s always been that way in my career, and I’m confident I’ll have similar opportunities here.

Example 2 : In the coming years I see my self as a very responsible team leader working on some very big web applications which will be used by millions of users like google.com

In 5 years I envision myself as a vital contributor to a strong company andmoving up within. I will do my best to shine as a star employee and givethe best I can. My goal is always to improve upon myself and go up as I reach for the stars.

In Five years I see myself Knowing everything there is to know about the job and company and I see myself contributing extensively for the growth of the company and myself too.


On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer.

When the interviewer asks this question, she will EXPECT you to be surprised and slightly flustered.

She is waiting FOR YOUR RESPONSE. Instead, if you are prepared you can SURPRISE her - and insread of sounding flustered simply, repeat the question back to her with a smile and add:

"How do I rate you as an interviewer?Well,....... this has been one of the toughest interviews I have ever been through.And......I hope I am successful so that I won't have to go through another one!!No, all the questions were different and very original - unlike, the usual monotonous questions you are always asked at interviews.This question is a good example of that.

Totally different!

And I understand why you asked it. You want to discover if I can think on my feet and whether I am capable of responding calmly and confidently to situations or questions that may be totally unexpected. I think I could quite easily handle such situations.

"Never be negative. The interviewer will only resent criticism coming from you. This is the time to show your positivism.However, don’t give a numerical rating. Simply praise whatever interview style he’s been using.If he’s been tough, say “You have been thorough and tough-minded, the very qualities needed to conduct a good interview.”

If he’s been methodical, say, “You have been very methodical and analytical, and I’m sure that approach results in excellent hires for your firm.”In other words, pay him a sincere compliment that he can believe because it’s anchored in the behavior you’ve just seen.


Do you have any questions for me?

You could ask the interviewer “What brought you to company X and what keeps you motivated to stay part of the team instead of working for one of your competitors?”This has always elicited positive responses from the interviewer about their history with the company (and people generally like to talk about themselves) and it is always perceived by the interviewer that I am loyal and looking for a long term relationship with my employer. The interviewer usually seems to open up to me more after this question. The key is sincerity in the question.

Here are few questions which could be asked during the HR Interview.

How often are performance reviews given?
Do you have plans for expansion?
What are your growth projections for next year?
Does your company encourage further education?What is the usual promotional time frame?
Does your company offer either single or dual career-track programs?
Do you fill positions from the outside or promote from within first?
What is the next course of action? When should I expect to hear from you or should I contact you?
How they differentiate themselves from other competitors.
How they acquire the right talent to get them to the next level.
What kind of responsiblities/challenges will i have if i am employed.

Beyond that, I think “What do you like about working at the company?” is a great one. If the interviewer has stuck you with a lot of negative-type questions, turn it back on him, “What would you change about the company if you could?”


The salary question# What kind of salary do you need ?

Most people will tell you that whoever answers this question first loses. But that's not necessarily true. When an interviewer asks your salary requirement, try first to gently deflect the question by inquiring about the salary for the position.If the interviewer presses you for a number, give a range. To decide on a range, think about the salary you want, your salary at your most recent position and the industry-standard salary for the job.

The best answer is:“I would expect to be paid competitively and commensurate with the level of skill, experience and responsibility that this particular job requires.

HR Questions and Answers(II)

What are your goals. What are your short term and long term goals?

To obtain a long-term position within a company that will allow me to utilize the skills I currently possess, as well as offer opportunities for further training and advancement. Ideally, I would like to work for a young company, such as this one, so I can get in on the ground floor and takeadvantage of all the opportunities a growing firm has to offer.

My short term goal is to get this job. As far as long term goals are concerned, I have few. The reason being is that I know I am capable of a lot of things and want to be available for everything I can. I have long range plans but don't necessarily believe that goals are something that one reaches for, attains and then one is finished. I prefer to plan ahead but remain open and flexible to what opportunities present themselves to me.

In five years, I feel I will have continued to learn, to grow into a position of more responsibility and will have made a significant contribution to the organization.

I have learned that long-term goals are best achieved when I break them into shorter goals. My short-term goal is to find a position that will put me in a forward-moving company with solid performance and future projections. As part of a team, I want to add value and continue to grow the company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. My plan is to move into a position of responsibility where I can lead a team.

Why did you choose to attend this college?

If you have not thought of the answer before the interview, you definitely will not come up with a valid one on the spot. So think about it in advance. "I originally decided to attend ______ because of its strong academic reputation and its close proximity to my home, which gave me the opportunity to work at my part-time job. During the years I have spent here, I have come to truly appreciate the depth and breadth of the curriculum. The professors are truly world class and challenge me to take my industry understanding to the next level. My education has given me an excellent foundation for becoming an immediate contributor in the _____ field."

How do you handle stress or pressure?

You could answer this question by saying that stress is an important issue to you. While high levels of stress can be negative, I use stress in a productive way that can allow me to work harder. It is important for me to make sure I have the correct balance of positive stress and negative stress. You could also answer this question by saying you perform better when you are under reasonable levels of stress.

Examples :
Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive.

I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn't become stressful. I actually work better under pressure and I've found that I enjoy working in a challenging environment. From a personal perspective, I manage stress by visiting the gym every evening. It's a great stress reducer.

Prioritizing my responsibilities so I have a clear idea of what needs to be done when, has helped me effectively manage pressure on the job. If the people I am managing are contributing to my stress level, I discuss options for better handling difficult situations with them.

It's a good idea to give examples of how you have handled stress to your interviewer.

What do you find motivates you the most?

This is a question that does not require an answer that is right or wrong. The employer is trying to see how you are motivated. It is also a method they will use to determine if you are compatible for the job. It doesn't make much sense to put you in a position where you will not be motivated by the work you do. The best way to answer this question is to be honest.

Let the interviewer know what motivates you the most. Don't tell them what they want to hear because you are trying to get the job. While this may help you in the short term, it can hurt you in the long run.

Do you prefer to work alone, or do you work better in groups?

This is a question that you will want to answer carefully. If the position you are applying for requires you to work alone, it doesn't make much sense to answer it by saying you enjoy working in groups. If the position requires you to work in groups, telling the interviewer you like working alone can keep you from being hired. However, the answer you give should be an honest one.

Give us an example of a challenging situation you've overcome.

This is a request that will require you to know a lot about yourself. If you've prepared for the interview beforehand, you should be able to answer this question without any problems. You should reflect on your past work experience. You must quickly be able to think about any challenges you've overcome.

It doesn't have to be something that is related to employment. If you were in the military, you could describe a challenge you overcame. If you are a college graduate, you can give an example of an academic challenge you successfully overcame.

What do you find interesting about this job?

The answer that you give better be more than just the salary. You should be able to give detailed reasons for why you are interested in being hired for a certain position. Answering this question correctly may require you to do your research on the company. This is something that must be done before the interview starts.

In what ways can you contribute to our company?

You will want to answer this question by selling yourself. Explain how your skills, personality, and experience can allow you to contribute to the company. This is a question that you may want to prepare for in advance. You will want to answer it with a powerful statement. You don't want to be uneasy of hesitant. If the employer suspects this, you may lose your chance to be employed with the company.

HR Questions With Answers

Most Popular HR Interview Questions With Answers

While it is impossible to know exactly what you will be asked during a job interview, there are a number of generic questions that most companies will ask you.

Tell Me About Yourself
It's one of the most frequently asked questions in an interview. Your response to this request will set the tone for the rest of the interview.Prepare a script that includes the information you want to convey. Begin by talking about past experiences and proven success:

I have been in the customer service industry for the past five years. My most recent experience has been handling incoming calls in the high tech industry. One reason I particularly enjoy this business, and the challenges that go along with it, is the opportunity to connect with people. In my last job, I formed some significant customer relationships resulting in a 30 percent increase in sales in a matter of months.

Next, mention your strengths and abilities:

My real strength is my attention to detail. I pride myself on my reputation for following through and meeting deadlines. When I commit to doing something, I make sure it gets done, and on time.

Conclude with a statement about your current situation:

What I am looking for now is a company that values customer relations, where I can join a strong team and have a positive impact on customer retention and sales.

Practice with your script until you feel confident about what you want to emphasize in your statement. Your script should help you stay on track, but you shouldn't memorize it -- you don't want to sound stiff and rehearsed. It should sound natural and conversational.

I have been in Customer Service/Retail for the past five years. During these years I have realized that everyone in the company must be sales-focused. I’ve been trained to, providing outstanding support to the sales team and to our customers. Without sales, the rest of use would not have a job. I look forward1 month ago. I look forward to helping you drive sales in any way possible." I maintain a high level of professionalism; I’ve acquired the ability to multitask
duties with a great level of volume and accuracy.

What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
The fastest way to make a good interview go bad is to avoid questions posed by the hiring manager. The one question candidates love to avoid is, “What is your greatest weakness?” Most candidates are quick to respond with superficial answers such as “I’m a workaholic” or “I’m a perfectionist.” Not only are those responses boring, but they are also predictable answers interviewers are used to hearing. So much so that an interviewer’s comeback line often is, “That doesn’t sound like a weakness. Now why don’t you tell me about a real weakness?” Ouch. What an uncomfortable position to be in.

You should select a weakness that you are actively working to overcome.
Example : I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However i'm now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner, then show them your planner and what you are doing and how you are using it. Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.
The principle is : Don’t mention a weakness without knowing the solution. Everyone has weaknesses. To recognise this and have a solution is what makes the difference. Most people are lazy and not willing to go the extra mile to find an answer. Excuses don’t get the job done.
Technical Person: “I am a technical person and I realise that my people skills may not be as strong as other people. In order to overcome this I have been reading people skills books because I know I need to improve.”. You better be telling the truth though.

This will also be considered a good reply; “I’m sure I have short commings, but no one has ever enlightened me to them nor have they ever interfered with my productivity or work.”

Answers excerpted from various sources for greatest weakness :

I get bored easily - and expand on it by saying I like to keep learning. If you’re working in IT, its a good weakness to have. Employers usually want people who keep learning. So always think if it in those terms as well.

My inability to show my true potential in job interview like this one.

I know that’s a common interview question but I admit I really don’t know how to answer it. I do my best at work, but like everyone else, I make mistakes. I learn from my mistakes and move on. [Be ready for the next question which may be to give an example of a mistake from which you learned something]

Well, I can look a bit serious at times, but it’s only because I tend to get very involved in my work.” But the curve ball is this: “I don’t think I have any weaknesses that would affect my ability to perform well in this job!”

Always pause and say ‘this question always throws me because, while i know i am not perfect and realise that from time to time there may be areas that i need to work on or improve I cannot think of anything that i would consider a weakness’

Why do you want this job?

I want to be part of a nationwide company that is a well respected and a quality security provider as an alternative to the larger security firms. In recent years this company has grown from 300 to over 1000 employees in fifteen states. I definitely would like to be apart of something like that.

When I read the mission statement on your Web site about giving back to the community, I felt really inspired. I was also impressed with the facts about your growth in the past three years with three new locations, and a 40 percent sales increase. That's really something to be proud of. I think it would be rewarding to be a part of a company that is such a leader in their industry and in the community.

Are u a team player ?
Almost everyone says yes to this question but its not just a yes/no question, you need to provide behavioural examples to back up your answer. A sample answer, yes am very much a team player infact I have had many oppurtunities im my wok school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example on a recent project ....

Emphasize team work behavioural examples and focus on your openness to diversity backgrounds.Talk about the strength that the team is above the individual and note that this question may be similar to questions around how you handle conflict within a team so be preapared.

Why should we hire you?
This is one of the most difficult questions in the interview process. However, it is a good question, especially if you are competing for a position against people who are equally qualified. To answer this question, describe how your skills can be valuable to the company. Not only will you want to direct the towards your accomplishments, but you will also want to demonstrate your personality and desire. Explain that you are impressed with the history of the company, and you want to play a role in the success of the organization. The easy answer is that you are the best person for that job and dont be afraid to say so but then back it up with whats specifically diffrentiates you.

Example: When I read your ad, I couldn't have imagined a better match for my skills and experience than this job. Now that I have spoken with you, and learned more about your needs, I'm even more certain that I'm the right candidate. I know that I can hit the ground running and exceed your expectations because of my experience with...Long-term, I can see myself taking some additional training over the next few years, and applying for a more senior position here once I have the right combination of experience and education.

Example: You should hire me because I am the best person for this job, I realise that there are likely other candidates who also have the ability to do this job but i bring in addtional quality that makes me the best person for the job, my passion for excellence. I am passionly commited to produce truly world class results. Let me give u some examples.

Example: I can be an asset to your organization because ...., I'm a team player and work well with others, site an example when u worked within a team. I am capable of getting the job done, and willing to go the extra mile. I also have the desire to further develop myself as an employee to enable me to do the best job. Let me give u some examples...

I believe I am qualified because I’m no stranger to hard work, I’m punctual and always go above and beyond to get the job done, and I work well with others or alone and am very helpful. I also have experience working in a Call Center and have also done Telemarketing before.

Inside the Mind of an Interviewer

Before you jump into the interview, it is crucial that we first take a step backward and try to see the interview purely from the interviewer's point of view.
What is he looking for? What does he want? What qualities, skills and experience is he looking for? If you can discover what he really wants - and match those requirements one-by-one you'll be amazed at how smooth and successful the interview can be.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Ability

Lets not kid ourselves. You can know all the tricks of the trade, be an expert in every aspect of interview psychology and even have the prettiest, hand-printed CVs - it really won't make the slightest difference unless you have the actual skills and ability to do the job advertised.

This is any interviewer's first objective: to ascertain if you have the ability to successfully carry out the functions you will be given if you get the job.

But during the interview it is not only essential that you inform the interviewer of your qualifications to do the job but that you can prove it to him there and then.

It is one thing being able to actually do the job - but quite another thing being able to convince the interviewer of this reality in a positive and enthusiastic manner during the brief span of an interview.

In fact this ability is the key difference that separates the winners from the losers.

Let's take an example.

James is going for an interview for the position of computer programmer. The company, in question is looking for a hardworking computer programmer who will help them develop a new software program.
The interviewer asks James, "Can you do the job?"
James smiles: "Yes I can.. It should be good, very interesting... looking forward to it.."

Now notice the difference when Joe is asked the same question. He knows he must not only tell his interviewer that he can do the job but prove it in such a way that the interviewer will not believe him but be excited by his potential. But how?

The secret is, in fact very simple: for every skill you list always recall an incident in which you successfully used that skill. The secret is: for every skill you list always recall an incident in which you successfully used that skill.
Before we get back to our computer programmer let me give you this example:

Mary desperately wanted the job of manager at her local florist shop. During the interview the owner said she was looking for someone who was hardworking and very ambitious to look after and build up the business.

Most applicants would have said, "Yes, I'm determined and will definitely strive to increase your turnover and profits. Yes I can do it...definitely"
Mary, however not only made a similar statement but she backed it up with a real-life practical example. She brought her statement to life.
She recalled her part-time summer job in a florist shop when she was a student. She noticed when she started the job that the shop looked 'run-down - that it lacked 'sparkle' and a sense of 'freshness'
So she told the interviewer how she went to the shop's owner and how she managed to get her to agree that when she worked in the shop over the weekend she would get an extra commission for all the extra customers she could attract to the shop.

So the following weekend Mary used her own money and managed to persuade her family and friends to help her re-paint and re-fashion the shop and deliver a single fresh free flower to every house in the surrounding area. And the shop's sales blossomed.

Can you now see the difference between just saying to an interviewer " I can do the job" to actually bringing such a statement to life.

And that's how Joe answers his questions. When he is asked can he do the job -he not only confirms his ability but he backs it up with personal examples of how, for example he programmed similar software for other High-Tec companies. In fact for every skill he lists he backs it up with personal examples.

Yes, this seem simple. Yet in the thousands and thousands of interviews I have sat through the vast majority of people will simply answer such questions with a bland .."Yes, I'm confident I can do the job� and leave it at that hoping the interviewer will be happy with that. He may be happy but will he be impressed? After the interview will you stand out from the other candidates?

Remember: every time you detail a specific skill that you can contribute to the business don't just make a bland statement, "I can do this and I can do that" - always back it up with personal real-life examples.
And, of course, always bring with you any documentation (neatly assembled in a smart folder) that will add weight and substance to your claims. Extra references, awards or prizes, for example you may have won or articles and reports that you may have written that stand out.

Suitability: The interview proceeds. The tone has changed. It has become more open, more relaxed. The original awkwardness you felt is beginning to dissipate. The interviewer is now happy that you at least have the necessary ability to carry out the basic requirements of the job. Now he'll want to know more about you. After all, he and his fellow colleagues may be spending a lot of their lives working with you.

So he will now try to find out if you are personally suitable for the job. He'll start to focus on trying to ascertain what type of person you are. To do this, most interviewers will try to see how you measure up under the following headings.

Desire / energy: Do you seem energetic? A person who gets up and does things with enthusiasm. Do you seem the type of person who wants to get ahead -who'll make a real difference?

Confidence / determination: Do you seem a relaxed, friendly yet confident person? Someone who'll be able to get on with others? Also someone who'll stick to a task until it is done.

Independent: What the interviewer is looking for here is someone who can be a team player and follow the directions of his supervisor but yet still have the maturity to be able to work unsupervised and direct and motivate herself. The employer is looking to see if you have this balance.

Motivation: Are you the type of person who wants to do well. To get ahead. To impress with your professionalism. To innovate. To build.

Power of communication: Have you the ability to mix and get on with people by communicating clearly and effectively. Will you be able to take extra responsibility in the future and be able to lead and motivate people through effective communication skills?

Likeability: Do you seem a friendly, OK person. This does not mean that you have to be perfect or the most popular person around. They just want to know if you are a friendly and easy person to get along with. Someone who will add to their existing team and not disrupt it.

HOW PROFESSIONAL ARE YOU?

A new stage now starts to emerge. The interviewer has now got to know you even more now. There is a definite softening in the atmosphere. An embryonic personal relationship seems to be developing between you and your fellow interviewers and you notice most of your pre-interview tension seems to have gone. You begin to allow yourself to relax a bit more.
The interviewer, too seems 'more human'. At this stage he is convinced you have the skills to do the job, he likes you - he feels you are personally suitable and he finds it easy to communicate with you.

In his own mind he is now beginning to see you not as an interviewee but as a potential employee. For the interviewer this is an important turning point. And he'll now want to take an even closer look at you from a professional business point of view.
He'll want to make sure that you'll be an asset to the firm, that you'll act in a professional manner and be loyal, reliable and trustworthy and be committed to the company.
The interviewer will want to make sure that you'll be loyal, reliable and trustworthy and be committed to the company.

As you speak and answer his questions he'll be trying to evaluate you under the following main headings.

Reliability: Do you seem honest, reliable. Someone who will do an honest day's work? Someone who is straightforward and has enough respect and pride in themselves to always want to do a
good job.

Honesty: Do you seem an honest, trustworthy person? Someone whom they can have full confidence in? Someone they could leave the keys to lock up at the end of the day?

Dedication: Do you seem hardworking and dedicated? Someone who starts a project and finishes it? A starter and a finisher? Someone who does not look for excuses to cover up failings and
moans about everything?

Communication: As discussed earlier under personal suitability are you the type of person who can get on with and communicate with all levels of the company from the tea lady to the M.D.?

Commitment: The interviewer is trying to judge if you got the job would you commit yourself fully to it? For example, what would you say if you were going for the job as a middle-
manager and the interviewer asked you: "As an employee would you clean the floors?" What the interviewer really wants to find out here is how committed you would be to the team - how
willing you would be to roll up your sleeves and do whatever is necessary to help your team get the job done.Don't only answer yes, but make sure you also give a personal example of a similar situation where you helped out to back up your answer.

CLOSING STATEMENTS

"Jim, just before we wrap up here, I want to ask you to put your faith in me and give me the job. I will reward you by doing my absolute best to do quality work and make our department shine."

"Paul, I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me about the position of "X" here at Company "Y". What you had to say about project "Z" makes it sound even more exciting! I am extremely interested in the position and I feel that my background in "A" and my three years experience in "B" really makes me a strong candidate. I would like to follow up with you next week to see where you are in the hiring process. Can I give you a ring? If you need anything from me in the mean time -- like work samples, references, etc. -- then by all means give me a call or shoot me an email. Lastly, I would like to say that I really want the job, and I hope you will offer it to me. Thank you for your time today! I look forward to hearing from you by Wednesday of next week."

"... It's not your will to win, but your will to PREPARE to win that makes the difference. ..."

"Now, to be sure we are both clear on my qualifications, what you get with me is (detailed list of skills, Behavioral Competencies, and benefits of working with you) ... Are these kind of qualifications you are looking for? Great! I really do want the job, and I would like to hear from you by next Wednesday because your decision will have an impact on decisions I have to make concerning other opportunities I am currently pursuing. Can I give you a call early next week to see where you are with the hiring process? What are the next steps we should take?"

"Jim, we seem to be in agreement that I have the qualifications, skills, and experience it will take to succeed here? Great! If you make the decision to hire me, would it be reasonable to expect a formal offer letter by Thursday of next week? I want to ask you to put your faith in me and give me the job."

Here Are Some Questions for YOU to use On The Interviewer

What are the day-to-day expectations and responsibilities of the person hired into this position? What would make that person a superstar?
What does your boss expect of you and your team in terms of performance? How could I help you meet those goals?
What's the one thing I could do on the job that would benefit you and the company the most?
Have I addressed that 100% to your satisfaction?
Does that answers your question about "X"?
Does that make sense? You follow me? Is that a good example?
You do think that my experience with that type of situation would be relevant to my work here, don't you?
I think that's the kind of experience you are looking to bring to your team, isn't it?
You would agree that this type of experience will help me here, wouldn't you?

Some more HR Questions with Answers

Give me an example of a problem you faced on the job, and tell me how you solved it.

This is a problem solving question that tests your critical thinking skills. This is a great question for showing that you are a creative and capable problem solver. The problem you select to use as an example should be as similar as possible to a problem that you are likely to face at the job you are interviewing for.

"I try to take a systematic approach to problem solving. I take the time to gather the relevant information and clearly define the problem or goal. I think it is important to get the information and clarify the problem first before you start coming up with possible solutions, or wasting other people's time.

FOR INSTANCE, when I was at Job "X" ... What kinds of challenges are YOU currently facing in your department? How tough a position does that put you in? What could the ideal candidate do to help solve this problem in their first couple months on the job?"


What did you like best and least about your previous job?

This question reveals a lot about you. You want to indicate that what you liked best about your last job are things that will appeal to the Hiring Manager. Show that your last job allowed you to demonstrate many of the desirable Behavioral Competencies that are discussed at the beginning of this Guide. Give specific examples of how your last job allowed you to flex your skills and show your maturity.

Never make statements like "I like that my last company gave me a lot of vacation days," or something similar. When answering about what you liked least, keep it short, do not be negative, and relate your answer to how your last job limited you in your ability to exhibit positive Behavioral Competencies.

"What I liked about my last job was the fact that there was good on the job training. I was able to really develop my "X" skills, which I know will help me succeed here if I am fortunate enough to be able to join your team. What are the qualities and skills of the people who have been most successful at this company?"

"One thing I liked about my last job was that it allowed me to develop my leadership skills. FOR EXAMPLE, I was put in charge of a project where I had to earn the "buy-in" of people from multiple different departments -- including Marketing, IT, Product Development, and even HR.

I held all the responsibility for getting this project completed on time, even though I had no real authority over my teammates since they did not report to me. I was able to create a project vision that the team agreed on, and then day-to-day I made sure that each team member completed their work on time. I did this in most cases by appealing to my teammates' own self-interests.

FOR EXAMPLE

"What I liked least about my last job was that the management style was pretty hands off, and this was fine for me because I am self-motivated and work hard to achieve. But the lack of structure sometimes allowed some of my teammates to slack off from time to time -- and I often ended up having to pick up the extra work. I would not mind that SOMETIMES, but it got old after a while.

I had to constructively approach my manager and let her know what was going on WITHOUT creating any friction between me and the slacker teammates, who I actually liked as people. In the end, it worked out well, because I was pro-active. Have you ever run into that type of situation as a manager?"

What have you learned from your mistakes?

Show that you are able to learn from your mistakes, but don't offer up any negative examples concerning your past performance. Show that you have been successful, but that you have the maturity it takes to examine your own behavior so that you can learn and grow and be a better employee. Be brief.

"Good question. Well, I have been successful at every job I have had, but I have had the normal ups and downs. I'd say that I do actively try to monitor my work habits and the quality of my work so that I can constantly be improving myself.

FOR EXAMPLE

I have had one or two hiccups with customers where their satisfaction was not where I thought it was. I learned that I have to really monitor certain difficult customers closely and "take their temperature" so I can keep their satisfaction level as high as possible. Have you had any customers like that here?"


Describe a situation when working with a team produced more successful results than if you had completed the project on your own.

This is a "behavioral interviewing" style of question. The Hiring Manager wants to learn more about your thought process, and how well you can form examples to answer this teamwork related question. You will want to show your ability to solicit ideas from others, listen carefully, and persuade people to your point of view.

"Well, I have worked both independently and as a member of team, throughout my career. I enjoy both, and I can do both equally well. I will have to say, though, that working with others has often yielded great results for projects I have worked on -- specifically when it comes to brainstorming. I try to get everyone involved in coming up with new solutions by making time for sessions where "there are no wrong ideas or answers." The creativity of a group of people is always going to be greater than that of one person, and thus the results will be more successful. I did that a lot a Job "Y".

FOR EXAMPLE

"Working with others allows you data-mine other people's skills and experiences, get perspectives and ideas that you would not have on your own, and check the quality of your own work before it goes out the door. FOR EXAMPLE, at Job "X" I worked with many great people. I was able to "pick their brains" -- so to speak -- about the effectiveness of various techniques, estimates on how long it would take to get various things done, etc. I would not have been able to do my job as effectively without them. Will there be the opportunity to work in team situations at this job?"

Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses at work that tested your coping skills. What did you do?

Workplace stress is an issue for everyone. Don't pretend that you never get stressed out. You want to show that you can deal with stress and cope with difficult situations. Show that you are calm under pressure, and know how to avoid stress in the first place through planning and time management.

"Well I think it is important to remember that stress effects everyone, and it is inevitable that sometimes people are going to have bad days. That is why I try to give people the benefit of the doubt when they seem to have a short fuse. What I do personally is try to control my response to a situation. You can't necessarily control what happens to you, but you CAN control your own response. What I try to do is lengthen the time between the stressful situation and my response -- so that I can identify the cause of the stress and decide what I can do about it."

FOR EXAMPLE

On several occasions I have had to deal with very irate customers who actually yelled at me. What I did was stay calm and not let them get under my skin. I really tried to listen and decide exactly what it was that was at the root of their problem. Then I provided solutions that could be completed within a specific time-frame.

I always find that it is best to face those types of situations head-on and be objective about them. I do my best to be professional and not get my emotions involved. Also, I try to avoid stress in the first place by tackling difficult tasks or conversations sooner rather than later. Does that make sense?"

What was your role in your department's most recent success?

You'll want to be very specific here, and frame your answer in terms of how you saved time and money. The Hiring Manager is looking for a pattern of success, and you need to describe recent successes in detail. Use the S.T.A.R. Statement formula for your examples. Be prepared with at least three examples concerning your recent successes, and make sure at least one of them relates to teamwork and something you accomplished as part of a group.

Make sure you address how your work made other people FEEL, as well as the time you saved and the revenue or cost-savings you generated.

"I guess that would be a recent project for client "X." I handled all of the communication with the client for our last project. It was a three month long project where my team had to build a custom package based on the needs of client. I was instrumental in translating the client's business needs into detailed product features. I had to make sure that my team understood what the client wanted, and then check the quality to make sure that we were delivering a quality product with the features that the client was expecting.

"Well, it was an ongoing process that required a lot of communication and teamwork with my team as well as the client. I think my role really was to clarify the scope of the project, and then "manage the client's expectations.

"We were able to deliver on time, and the client was thrilled! I was able to make sure no time was wasted on adding unnecessary features, and since we were working on a fixed bid price, we saved my company time and money. My manager and everybody on my team felt great because the project went so smoothly. Is that the kind of experience that would help me be successful here?"

"... don't let another day go by before you take action ..."