In the old days, volunteering was just for the mothers that were volunteering to the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and the PTA committees at their kid’s school. Today we have so many people volunteering to meet people for all sorts of reasons.

There are so many associations; Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Toastmasters, Church, and Job Networking Associations, there are plenty of legitimate resources for everyone.

There are 4 main groups which benefit from networking: Each helps you if you are looking for a full-time job.

1)      Association Interest

2)      The stay at home Mom’s and Dad’s who are raising children.

3)      The return to work force Group (people who aren’t working now but desiring to come back to work)

4)      Those currently working

Here are some benefits all these groups will realize from legitimate volunteering

·        Leadership role
·        Skills & Experience
·        Networking

When you volunteer, it looks very good on your resume for the above reasons. Volunteering gives you leadership skills, more knowledge in an area and trains you to network with others with similar interests and skills.

This knowledge and experience will raise your value to an employer while enhancing your abilities to take advantage of market awareness.

You have to learn how to translate these skills to the employer that is hiring. They need to understand how those skills are transferable and what that means to the company.

Some businesses do not take volunteering seriously nor do they equate it to experience in other jobs. That is why you need to do research so you can get the employer to understand why and how it really is comparable experience and ability.

Take that opportunity and volunteer today! Make a difference to both the community and to your life!

Growth Management Group/ 770-945-5445/ cindy@gmgweb.com

www.askbestinterviewquestions.com  ©

During the interview, the Interviewer will ask questions about your knowledge and your
experience and perhaps even some personal questions.

As candidates, we have to sell ourselves and be on our best behavior. We sell ourselves the best we can to get that job. The Interviewer has to like you to either hire you outright or to advance you to the next step in the interviewing process.

The question now is, “Why can’t I ask questions of the interviewer to see if I like the company?”  Have you thought of that? We are so desperate for a job that we forget that small factor. We say we will take any job that is out there. Why?  The question at the end of the day is “Do I like the job that is being offered to me?  Some people say, “It doesn’t matter to me. It’s a JOB!”

Take on a new attitude. It’s perfectly appropriate to try to determine if the company or this job fits your needs, to see if you like the employer and the company.  Here are some examples of questions you can ask.  

1. Where do you see me 3 years from now?
2. How long have you been with the company?
3. What direction do you see the company going in? (Is the company planning to expand within the next few years?)
4. What is a typical day for this position?

5.  What is the next step in the interviewing process?

Don’t bombard them with a lot of questions - just ask the ones that are most important to you.  And always try to relate your question with your experience so that they can see how you fit in.  For example: 

YOUR QUESTION: “Where do you see me in 3 years from now?”

INTERVIEWER’S REPLY: “As you gain more experience in this position, you will be able to take on more responsibility.”

YOUR RESPONSE: “That is terrific. I am looking for a stable company like yours, one which offers me a career, not just a job.  Your company sounds as though it will give me that opportunity.”

This elevates the interview from a question and answer session to a conversation, and you will be more likely to favorably impress them.

This is just one example of how asking questions in the proper way will enhance your chances of getting the job. 

YES YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS!

Good luck!

2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved. ©
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Why do you want to work here? The interviewer asks...

This question is asked because the interviewer needs to find out what information you know about the job and   company. You better know your facts before you answer this question.

Here is what you need to know:

About the Company
About the Job
Your Experience

The company:
Find out as much as you can about the company. Refer to their mission statement their stock history if they have one, trade publications, articles etc... Find out who the executives are and learn about their background. Learn what the company does, how they do it and for whom.

The job:
Know the job description inside out.. Find out as much as you can about it. Do research to find out the salary they are paying, who you will be working with and how the job relates to the overall company model. . See if you can even find out why the position is open.

Your Experience:
Now that you know what the company is looking for, you can pull from your background similarities that you have between your background and this job.  You can now use the company background information you have and the job description to explain why you want to work there.

Now, take 3 points from your background to explain yourself. For example: They are looking for a customer service rep. You are one at a company that is in the same business as theirs. That is two positives you have towards the job. Perhaps they want a leading sales rep and you are the top sales rep in your company where you service certain comparable companies. you can you name some of the companies they also market to, your value rises  Match up what you know about yourself to the job   using your experience and knowledge about what the new   company is searching for.

Example: The reason I want to work for your company is first of all, it is very stable and as my background reflects I am looking for a stable company. I have a strong sales experience selling widgets and I know your products inside and out. I know I can come in to your company selling these widgets from day one. Companies like...

Remember, know the company, know the job and match your experience and you will be sailing on your way when they asked, "Why do you want to work here."

 

Where do you want to be 5 years from now?

By Cindy Cannon-

A long time ago, an interviewer asked me that question. All I could think of was, “I hope I am alive and doing well. How do I know where I am going to be?”   But I realized I couldn’t give that answer.

“Where do you want to be in 5 years?” is a million dollar question. If you give the wrong answer, you will not get the job. So what is the right answer?

It is OK to turn the question right back at the interviewer.   “I hope to be with your company 5 years from now.  Where do YOU see me in 5 years?”  

Your answer should also include a good word about yourself, for example: “I hope to be with your company 5 years from now.  I am very flexible, and hope that you will give me increasing responsibilities. With my background, I know I can be an asset to your company. I am looking for a career, not a job, and I will do my best to contribute to the company’s goals.”

Did you notice I didn’t say I want to become a manager or a Vice President?  I didn’t say I want to be in another position. That would have blown the interview.  Perhaps the company doesn’t have that growth opportunity right now. If you say you want growth, they might say, “Oh, she won’t be happy because she wants growth and I can’t give that to her. What I can do is give her more responsibilities.” The interviewer might decide right there and then that you are out as far as getting a job with them. That is unfair, because you may have taken the position even if they didn’t have growth.

Remember to relate your skills to what the company is looking for. Always answer honestly and make sure your answers are very clear and concise.

Think before answering the question. Keep it positive. Relate your skill level with the level of skills that the company is looking for. The next time an interviewer asks you, “Where do you want to be in 5 years?” Hhold your head up high, smile and say, “I hope to be with your company.”

2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved. ©
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Ken was sitting in the interview when asked the question, “Tell me about yourself.” He said, “I have been married for 10 years, I have 2 dogs and a cat. I have been with my current company for 10 years and I have done a good job for them. I like working and my hobbies are....”

THAT IS THE WRONG THING TO SAY!

They are testing you in many ways when they asked that question. They want to know how you fit into their company and the particular job that you are applying for. They are in search of finding out if you are confident in yourself, can you do the job and how you fit into the company.

Be excited about the question when asked, “Tell me about yourself.” By preparing ahead of time you can ace that question easily.

It isn’t easy for some people to talk about themselves and that is ok. Use the opportunity to focus on skills instead of just you.

Tell a 60 second story about yourself. Include why you are successful at what you do by giving examples of when you were successful. Tell your experience in story form quickly. Keep it simple but give enough information about yourself. Don’t tell about your kids, grandparents, husband/wife etc… Keep it all business using keywords on what the actual job is.

Here is an example. “I have 15 years experience as an executive recruiter. I was the #2 person in the company for the decade and won all of their pacesetter trips that they had. I also am a 3 million dollar producer which I am very proud of. I am a great leader. As a matter of fact, I just finished a project that was very successful leading a team of 10.”

Tell a story, keep it short, use keywords and prepare for this question.  Specific examples, quantifiable results and comfort in delivering your story will enable you to separate yourself from the crowd and actually help you look forward to this question instead of nervously worrying about how to respond. 

2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved. ©
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Jane was asked, why did you leave your last job? Instead of saying “I was laid off with a group of people,” She said, I was let go and they won’t bring me back. Jane didn’t paint the “right” picture for the employer. She should have said, “I was laid off with 500+ employees. This gives me an opportunity to seek out a company like yours that is stable...


SOME OF THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE SAY THEY LEFT THEIR JOB 

• Company Closed
• Layoffs
• Boss and I Clashed 
• New Boss Came In and Brought Their Own Person
  
• Company Relocated 
• Better Opportunity
  
• Recruited Out Of Company With A Better Opportunity
  
• Change Of Career
  

Here are some examples of what you could use when you are asked this question. Always make sure you are telling the truth.

Company closed and company relocated – When a company closes or it has relocated it is perfectly accepted that you are no longer with them. What you should do is have on their letterhead a reference written  by your last boss.  I suggest having a second reference if at all possible also.

These are all legitimate reasons of why you are no longer with your job. You can say, “It is a perfect opportunity for me to have a new career although I loved the last job and I could see myself being there in a few years from now. Now, what I am looking for is a company like yours that has... (List things that you know they are looking for in the job, ie:) Now, what I am looking for is a company like yours that is a larger company where the position offers me several things I am looking for: like a strong team, a strong department. Somewhere where I can utilize my skills in sales...”

Layoff - is similar to a company being closed. You just say that I was part of a second layoff that the company had or I am part of a layoff that involves 500 people, etc. Then use the same verbiage above for this role.

Boss and I clashed – I have found that this is the most common reason someone has left. The simplest way to explain is that this isn’t the person that hired you and that your personalities are just different. You wanted to stay with the company but there were no other openings.

New boss came in and brought their own person – This happens all of the time. You can say how disappointed you are and again you can use the same verbiage as you did for company being closed. “It is a perfect opportunity for me to have a new career although I loved the last job and I could see myself being there a few years from now. Now, what I am looking for is a company like yours that has... (List things that you know they are looking for in the job, ie:) Now, what I am looking for is a company like yours that is a larger company where the position offers several things I am looking for: like a strong team, a strong department. Somewhere where I can utilize my skills in sales...”

For better opportunity – There are several ways of answering this question. One way would be, “after 10 years of working with this company I had an opportunity that was providing me more of a challenge than the last job. There wasn’t really anywhere for me to go.  You can use this same answer for Recruited out with better opportunity.

These are just a few of the answers to the question, “Why did you leave your last job?” There are multiple answers that can be given to each one. From a previous blog, “What 5 questions does every company ask?, you want to be able to offer a short story explaining your answer that will paint a picture for the employer to see.

Practice your answers ahead of time and always tell the truth. Be prepared for your interview and you will be ahead of the game.

Any questions: To write comments please go to the contact us tab. We would like to hear from you!

Cindy Cannon, principal of Growth Management Group, provides career assessment and advancement advice and assistance derived from 25 years of recruitment experience in over 2,000 hires. She may be reached at cindy@gmgweb.com or (770) 945-5445 EXT 300 Do not miss the January 15th class on interviewing.

2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved. ©
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We want to run as fast as we can when asked that question. Why is that?

We do not like to confront our fears. No one wants to be critiqued especially when we critique ourselves.

Face it, if you are interviewing, you are going to be asked this question. Are you prepared? What are you going to say?  

You want to take a negative situation/task and turn it into a positive one. IE: impatient/patient, late/early etc.    

Think of things that you don’t like to do and turn it into a positive or think of what you think you can improve on and say what the opposite of that is.

For example: I am impatient

If I am applying for a sales job, I can say I am impatient. My answer would be, “I want the sale to happen sooner than it is ready to happen. I do everything I can to close the sale and while I am waiting, I start another sale to keep the process going.”

 If I were interviewing for an Administrative Assistant job, that would not be the right thing to say. You could say “I can be impatient when I am waiting for certain items that I need from my boss. I can’t go any further in my project until I get the necessary information so what can I do to help her get it? What I’ve done is be proactive with my boss to see if I can get the information sooner.” See how that is turned from a negative situation into a positive one?

Things to remember when talking about your weaknesses.

Talk about an area that once was a weakness that now you have improved. Make sure it isn’t anything that has to do with your current job unless it is for sure a plus and will be a benefit to you. 

 1) Always turn your weakness into a positive

2) Never ever say anything that has to do with what your new job entails you doing in the future

3) Do not say I can’t think of anything

If you’re prepared you won’t feel like running when asked the question, “What are your weaknesses?”

This article only has a few examples of what will work with the question, "What are your weaknesses." There are many other ways to answer it as well. Keep a watch for more information to come in the book, "Insider Secrets To Interviewing."

Any questions: To write comments please go to the contact us tab. We would like to hear from you!

Cindy Cannon, principal of Growth Management Group, provides career assessment and advancement advice and assistance derived from 25 years of recruitment experience in over 2,000 hires. She may be reached at cindy@gmgweb.com or (770) 945-5445 EXT 300

2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved. ©
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What 5 questions does every company ask?

What are your strengths?
What are your weakness?
Why are you leaving your last position?
Tell me about yourself?
Why do you want to work here?

I am going to share with you insight on all of these questions but not all in one blog. This blog is one out of a series of 5.

The famous question: “What are your Strengths?” Do you know that in my 25 years of recruiting I have never heard anyone say I can‘t think of any. Everyone rambles off 3 to 6 words and then shuts up. For example: What are your strengths? “I am outgoing, energetic and enthusiastic.” What does that mean.... so you’re outgoing, what good is that to me and why is that important to the job that you are interviewing for?

Tell a short story so they can see a picture in their head of what you are saying to them. For example; what are my strengths...One of my strengths is I am a good team player. To give you an example, last week I worked on a project with my co-workers. We were behind and I was finished my part so I asked my team members how I could help. We did what was necessary and made the deadline.

1.     Make the answer less than 30 seconds if you can.

2.     Repeat back the question to show you were listening.

3.     When answering, paint a picture so the person can feel connected to you.

4.     Try and use examples that bring in points about the actual job that is open. For example… On the actual job that I was applying for, they wanted a team player that can work well with others. In my answer, I painted that picture for them.

5.     Have strong eye contact and smile.

6.     Use your body when you answer. Sit forward, talk with urgency, use gestures while speaking.

This is only one of many ways to answer the question, “what are your strengths.” It is a start.

 
Any questions: To write comments, go to the top of this blog and click on the “comments” tab.

Cindy Cannon, principal of Growth Management Group, provides career assessment and advancement advice and assistance derived from 25 years of recruitment experience in over 2,000 hires. She may be reached at cindy@gmgweb.com or (770) 945-5445 EXT 300

2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved. ©
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You get a call at 9 AM. It’s from a potential employer. You are asked if you can come at 2 PM that day to be interviewed by 4 people at the same time. Of course you say yes!

Then you hang up and think, Yikes! What do I do at a PANEL interview?

OK, what exactly IS a panel, or group interview?  It is where a group of (usually) managers interviews the candidate. This normally takes place only after the candidate has had a first or even a second interview. Often, the panel interview is where the actual hiring decision is made.

Most of the time, the person who sets up the interview will tell you who is on the panel, by name and title. If they do not tell you who is on the panel it is OK to ask for the name and title of those who will be participating

Chances are the people on the panel will be from different areas of the company, such as the CEO, the Executive VP of Marketing, the Human Resources Director and the Sales Manager.  

Frequently, the manager who initially interviewed you will be present also.  Do not assume that you don’t need to impress that person all over again.  Let’s say you are interviewing for the position of Director of Marketing. You know the culture of the company and you know the type of person the manager is, because he has already interviewed you.  Use that to your advantage. Always reference your original interview to show that you were listening and picked up on what the manager wants in the person they hire.

                                 12 Steps to a Successful Panel Interview

1.         Know your Goals, and be prepared to articulate them: Where do you see   yourself in five years from now? What do you want to be when you “grow up”?

2.  Attire:  Make sure you are dressed for success. (See my blog, “You Are What You Wear!)

3.   Resumes/References:  Bring resumes and references for everyone.  As          soon as you sit down, hand out your resume with your references to each manager.

4.  Research the company and the managers who will participate in the        interview: Before the first interview, you should have researched the   company and found out everything you could about them. In the original   interview, the manager should have explained the job description. In this interview, use all this information to your advantage.

5.    Introducing yourself the right way is critical: Give a firm handshake to each person you meet, and look each person in the eye while saying hello, using that manager’s name. 

6.  Be prepared for all types of questions: During this interview, you will be   asked questions about what you know and what your experience has been in     your specialized area. The HR director may ask you about the technical    aspects of the company and ask behavioral interview questions: “Tell us  about yourself” or “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Each manager will be looking at your background in a different way. For example: The marketing manager wants to know what strategies you have used or what you designed for the department. The CEO might ask, “Why should I hire you?” The Sales Manager may ask you to explain how you increased the  sales at your previous company to describe a marketing project that you developed.

  Be prepared to answer these questions using the STAR approach: Recall a Situation or Task, describe the Action and Results. Tell a quick story backing up whatever you say.  Start by looking at the person who asked the question, then look at each manager in turn, ending by looking at the original   questioner. Keep it short and sweet, no more than 90 seconds.

7. Your eye contact is very important: While you are answering each  question, take turns looking at everyone, not favoring one person over another. Start and end by looking at the one who asked the question.

Jeff was asked to give a presentation at his panel interview.  The group  consisted of 5 new managers, plus his potential boss with whom he had previously interviewed. The set up of the room was awkward. The manager  was sitting off to the side of the room. She said, “I am not going to hire Jeff. He  didn’t look at me once during the presentation.” She had planned to give him   an offer when the presentation was over, but she felt that, since he   disrespected her during the panel interview, he would not respect her as a boss.

8.   Body language is critical:  Stand and sit up straight. Keep a smile on your face as much as you can. Are your fingers tapping the desk? Are your arms   crossed? Keep your arms down on your lap.  Sometimes we unconsciously mirror what the other person is doing, so be careful not to do that. Show   enthusiasm and keep your energy high throughout the interview. See my  Blog,”2 Steps Forward, 1 Step back at www.askbestinterviewquestions.com.    

9. Don’t dominate the conversation. Allow the managers to control the interview.

10.    Asking them questions:  Some questions for you to ask are: Looking directly at the Sales Manager: “What were the sales last year?” Looking  directly at the HR Director and your prospective boss: “What do you expect   of me in the first 90 days?” Or you could say, “I was going to ask you what   you expected in the first 90 days, but So and So already answered that. If you don’t have any questions, you can say, “At this time I do  not have any questions because you have answered them all.

11.    Ask for the job! Most people are afraid to ask for the job at the end of the          interview. Doing so lets them know that you are interested. Ask it at the end  of the interview by saying something like, “I enjoyed meeting with each of    you. I am interested in pursuing this further and look forward to hearing from you. What is the next step?”  Start this conversation with the person who originally interviewed you, look at everyone else while asking the question and finish by looking at the original person again.

12.    Thank you notes: You should send one to each manager, very briefly    recapping some piece of conversation that you had with him or her individually. Reiterate that you are interested in the job.

Don’t let the panel interview scare you. Remember, stay calm, think before answering any question, and use direct eye contact.  Most importantly, have fun!


Any questions:To write comments please go to the contact us tab. We would like to hear from you!

Cindy Cannon, principal of Growth Management Group, provides career assessment and advancement advice and assistance derived from 25 years of recruitment experience in over 2,000 hires. She may be reached at cindy@gmgweb.com or (770) 945-5445 EXT 300 

2010- Cindy Cannon –   Reprint Permission Granted* - See details below


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Master the Phone Interview



You’ve got your boom-box cranked up while you’re trying to do a little house cleaning, and your kids are screaming in the background because they can’t go swimming. The phone rings, and you answer it with a voice that makes it clear that the caller is interrupting your very busy day. The person on the other end of the phone says, “Is this Jane?”

What do you do when you have a day like this and the caller is a potential employer?  You tell them to hold for a moment while you toss the boom-box into the pool and lock your children in the closet.  I’m only kidding! 

Since you are out in the market looking for a job, assume that all your calls are from a potential employer. Answer the phone in a professional way: “Hello, this is Jane.”  It is perfectly acceptable to ask the person to “please hold” while you turn off the music, redirect your children, and stop any other distractions.  When you resume the call, apologize for keeping him or her on hold.

Sometimes, though, you know that you will not be able to devote full attention to this important call.  In that case, tell the employer that you were just walking out the door, that you are available after (state a time), and ask when would it be convenient for you to return the call.  The employer understands that it was risky to make an unannounced call, and will appreciate it that you want to schedule it for a time that will be convenient for both of you.

During a phone interview, there should be absolutely no background noise, not even a low-volume radio or TV. Any background noise distracts the caller from what you are saying.


Make an Employment Folder to keep by the phone at all times, along with paper and at least two pens that write. The folder should contain your resume and, if you responded to any printed employment ads, include a copy of each ad.  (It’s good to keep them in alphabetical order for quick access.)  When you can quickly refer to this necessary information, you will appear organized and efficient.  Of course this is if you are home when you get the call. What if the call comes on your cell phone?

Try not to take phone interviews on your cell phone, for 2 reasons:  Because there is a good chance the call will drop and because you will probably be away from home, without your Employment Folder and unable to quickly get paper and pen, plus the background noise will be distracting.  If this does happen, it is OK to immediately say, ““I am sorry you caught me in the store (or driving, or whatever).  May I call you back in --- minutes?” Be sure to ask (and write down) the call-back number.  Do whatever you have to do to have a quiet conversation.  If the call was unscheduled, they understand that you haven’t been sitting by the phone waiting for them to call.

When you are in the job market, do not return a call to an unrecognized number. Sometimes we miss a call and the caller did not leave a message. Some people look at the caller ID, return the call to an unrecognized number, and open the conversation with, “Who are you?”  This looks bad and is rude, so don’t do it. If it was an employer, he will try again. 

What if another call comes in while I’m on a phone interview?  LET IT GO TO VOICEMAIL!

How do I handle myself on a telephone interview?  We tend to get nervous just like in a live interview.  Just relax and be yourself.  Have your resume in front of you (remember that folder?)  and let the employer lead the call.

When a question is asked of you, pause, repeat the question aloud, then answer. Finish by repeating a version of the question.  For example, if an employer asks what my strengths are, I would answer like this: “What are my strengths?” Pause.... “My strengths are blah-blah-blah” and give an example.   Finish your answer by saying, “So I consider blah-blah-blah to be one of my strengths.”

At the end of the interview, when you are asked if you have any questions, say, ”No, not at this time. Based on what you said (name 3 points), I am very interested in this position.  I have the experience to do what the job requires.  What is the next step?” 

Keep the end of the interview short and sweet. After you ask what the next step is, listen to the answer.  Let the employer lead the conversation.    Keep a pencil in your mouth to remind you not to talk until you have to.  The first one who speaks loses.

That, my friends, is how you do a telephone interview.
Any questions: To write a comment go to top of  this blog and click on where it says comments.


© 2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved.
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