Tag Archives: jobbing

Two-Cent Tuesday

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Education comes in all arrays of quality. We all know that education is vital in today’s job market and education is important for many different reasons. The fact is you don’t have to have a degree to be considered educated, but you do have to have proof that you completed the educational program that which you are claiming you acquired the knowledge from.

During interviews selecting officials will want to know: What courses you liked most while attending school? and What courses did you least like? This question is steered toward the selecting official finding out more about you and what types of interests you have. This could be a mode of examining your personality traits or it could mean more. It all depends on what type of job you are interviewing for.

The next question of: Why did you choose your course of study? This question is pretty self explanatory, in the fact that the selecting official wants to know why you choose the course of study that you did. This question is asked with the intentions of understanding the applicant’s passion. Be honest and be short. Don’t give a long answer, the selecting official doesn’t want to know your whole life story. Keep it short and sweet unless they ask additional questions, if more questions are asked in this regard – make is short and sweet.

The selecting official wants to know if you prepared for the interview and what you did to prepare. So they will ask you to discuss your background in terms of how it has prepared you for the job you are applying. This is a question of character and needs to be explained in general detail. For example, if you were applying for a information technician position you would discuss your certifications and repeat your answer of your educational background this would be of great help. Talk about what you desired to be as a young adult and elaborate job history details – even if you have already discussed your job history – repeat yourself. Selecting officials love it when you repeat facts, because it reassures them you are telling the truth.

REMEMBER: BE HONEST. You will be selected over another candidate who wasn’t as truthful. The truth will allow you to shine and become employed faster than not being honest at all.

Explaining Work Experience

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Your work experience will be the first items up for “conversation” after the small talk with a selecting official. They will want to know: Why are you interested in the job? This isn’t a trick question, it’s a question the selecting official really wants to know. Are you looking for a career change? Are you looking for a new position because you were laid off? The key to answering this question is to be honest, don’t give your whole life story – but be honest.

Many government agencies like to know that the applicants have done some research on the organization. So, the next question will likely be: Why are you interested in working for this organization? This is an open ended question that can be short and sweet. You should make some kind of reference to the research you have done on the organization. For example, if you are interviewing for a Fire Fighter position – you could answer with something to the reference of “I am interested in working for this organization because I agree with the mission statement of saving lives and preserving the wild life.” Yes, it is cheesy, but if it’s true you should say it. Again, you need to be as professionally honest as possible. This will also come into handy with the next question: What do you know about the company? You will be able to elaborate on the previous answer you gave about the previous question.

The next question is vitally important: What do you feel you can contribute to this organization? This is a question that you MUST answer with YOU in mind for what YOU can contribute to the company. For many selecting officials this question is a “make or break” factor. If a applicant starts with what they feel they need from a company instead of what they CAN and WILL contribute to a company, the interview will be cut short. The key is to stay focused on what YOU can BRING to the COMPANY, not what you want from the company.

They are a series of questions that are often asked in conjunction with each other: Why did you leave you last job? What would your last employer say about you? Would your last employer re-hire you? And Give me an example of a situation where you had to make a decision? What was the situation? What was the decision? And what was the result. Now, these questions are called “character questions. These are designed to “weed out” the real applicants from those whom have not been so honest during the interview. The best advice I can give is to be honest, have professional examples in mind before the interview and take your time answering the questions. You can ask the selecting official to re-state the questions, you can write the questions down and you have all the time in the world. REMEMBER: YOU are there because they saw something in your resume, phone interview or overall application that they liked.

Happy Job Hunting,

Jenice

Interview Questions that Count

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Your work experience will be the first items up for “conversation” after the small talk with a selecting official.  They will want to know:  Why are you interested in the job?  This isn’t a trick question, it’s a question the selecting official really wants to know.  Are you looking for a career change?  Are you looking for a new position because you were laid off?  The key to answering this question is to be honest, don’t give your whole life story – but be honest.

Many government agencies like to know that the applicants have done some research on the organization.  So, the next question will likely be:  Why are you interested in working for this organization?  This is an open ended question that can be short and sweet.  You should make some kind of reference to the research you have done on the organization.  For example, if you are interviewing for a Fire Fighter position – you could answer with something to the reference of “I am interested in working for this organization because I agree with the mission statement of saving lives and preserving the wild life.”  Yes, it is cheesy, but if it’s true you should say it.  Again, you need to be as professionally honest as possible.  This will also come into handy with the next question:  What do you know about the company?  You will be able to elaborate on the previous answer you gave about the previous question.

The next question is vitally important:  What do you feel you can contribute to this organization?  This is a question that you MUST answer with YOU in mind for what YOU can contribute to the company.  For many selecting officials this question is a “make or break” factor.  If an applicant starts with what they feel they need from a company instead of what they CAN and WILL contribute to a company, the interview will be cut short.  The key is to stay focused on what YOU can BRING to the COMPANY, not what you want from the company.

There are a series of questions that are often asked in conjunction with each other:  Why did you leave you last job? What would your last employer say about you?  Would your last employer re-hire you?  And Give me an example of a situation where you had to make a decision?  What was the situation?  What was the decision?  And what was the result.  Now, these questions are called “character questions.”  These are designed to “weed out” the real applicants from those whom have not been so honest during the interview.  The best advice I can give is to be honest, have professional examples in mind before the interview and take your time answering the questions.  You can ask the selecting official to re-state the questions, you can write the questions down and you have all the time in the world.  REMEMBER:  YOU are there because they saw something in your resume, phone interview or overall application that they liked.

If you have questions or comments, feel free to email me

Happy Job Hunting,

Jenice

Two-Cent Tuesday

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Interview Like a Pro

Are you looking for more interview guidance that will actually work and get you that job? There are a few key items that must be taken into careful thought. It is important to realize that in today’s job market you must have some type of people skills. You must know how to have a conversation with just about anyone at just about any time. The truth of the matter is that today’s job market is full of unconventional opportunities. You must be ready for any type of interview, at all times. You have to be personable, approachable and presentable at all times.

When I say all times, I mean at ALL times. For example, while shopping for groceries in a super market you could be approached by a random person that strikes up small talk with you, and before you know it you find yourself in a “mini interview” situation. You could even have a small conversation with someone at a gas station. Gas station!? You ask? I say with great affirmation, YES! You could have a “mini interview” even at a gas station. Managers and recruiters are everywhere.

It is a good practice to keep business cards and resumes with you at all times. I have business cards for just about everything, including when I meet a new friend and want to exchange information with them. I have a business card for my academics, photography business and for my personal websites. You must always be ready for the unexpected interview or networking opportunity anywhere, with anyone and in any situation at all times. This is one of the reasons why I have created these easy to use and follow booklets.

With the Pep Talks Book Series, you can be ready at all times. With helpful inside, interview tips and advice, examples and interactive questions to help with the interview process toward getting the position that you have been dreaming of. You have just opened “unseen” doors for yourself, and your interviewing skill sets will improve with using the Pep Talks Book Series.

Book Excerpt: Pep Talks Business Series 

Pep Talks: Answering the Hard Questions

Pep Talks: Business Series