 Any job interview is NOT a one-way street. In other words, it’s not just the hiring manager who should be asking questions.
You, as the job seeker and potential top candidate for the position, should also be asking questions. And not just basic, standard questions, either . . . but compelling, thought-provoking inquires that illustrate your interest and prove your seriousness. Below are 12 questions you should consider asking during your interview. Keep in mind that you don’t have to ask all of these questions. Select the ones that you believe are most relevant to you and the position for which you’re applying. #1--What does a typical day look like in this position? #2--What are the skills and experiences you’re looking for in an ideal candidate? #3--What do you like most about working here? #4--How long have you been with the company? #5--What’s your favorite part about working here? #6--How long does someone typically stay in this job? #7--How often is this job open? #8--What is the toughest time of (day, week, month, or year) for a person in this job? Why? #9--What is the key thing someone does to be successful in this job? #10--What are the most important skills of the person who does this job? #11--What is the biggest challenge someone in this job faces on a daily (or weekly or monthly) basis? #12--If anyone has failed at this job, why did they fail? Have you ever asked any of these questions during a face-to-face interview? If not, which questions did you ask? The questions you ask during an interview can have a profound effect on your candidacy. In fact, they can “make or break” it. Do NOT take this part of the interview lightly. Prepare to ask questions just as much as you prepare to answer them. It could mean the difference between not getting a call back . . . and not hearing anything at all. Last year, Time Staffing won ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and candidates. ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the United States and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service and quality based entirely upon ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Time Staffing received satisfaction scores of 9 out of 10 or 10 out of 10 from 75.4% of their placed talent, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 45%. Contact us today to find out more about the employment opportunities that are available in your chosen field! During your job interview, hiring managers will ask you a variety of questions in order to determine your accomplishments, personality, desires, and habits. While there are entire books devoted to listing hundreds of interview questions, below are a few that you should be prepared to answer:
There are also some very sophisticated behavioral interviewing techniques in use today. The idea is to examine your past behavior patterns in specific situations. Sometimes, it only takes one situation to establish the pattern. Sometimes, it takes several situations. The interviewer assumes that behavior repeats itself. An example of a behavioral interview question is, “Have you ever made a mistake at work?” The answer better be “Yes,” since anybody who tries to do anything makes mistakes. Next, the interviewer asks probing follow-up questions about the mistake. Their real agenda is to find out if the person being interviewed learns from mistakes. Another example is, “Tell me about a time you were frustrated,” with a follow-up question of “What happened?” This one usually goes through several instances to establish a pattern. The interviewer is looking for the following data:
If you’re asked, “Tell me about a time when . . .” or another philosophical, open-ended, or simulated situation question, take a moment or two to think about the question, then refocus your attention back to the interviewer before you speak. Answer the question as directly and concisely as possible. Do not try to give the finer details. If the interviewer wants elaboration, they will ask. By asking for further details, they’ll probably give clues as to the information being sought. Be prepared for the questions you’re likely to be asked during your interview, no matter the type, and you’ll be better able to answer them with confidence! Last year, Time Staffing won ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and candidates. ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the United States and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service and quality based entirely upon ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Time Staffing received satisfaction scores of 9 out of 10 or 10 out of 10 from 75.4% of their placed talent, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 45%. Contact us today to find out more about the employment opportunities that are available in your chosen field! Social media “stalking” has now become a commonplace practice for employers. Researching job candidates through social networks makes hiring decisions a little easier in the competitive job market.
People’s “ghosts from the past” can now be easily pulled up during a job interview or screening process. Social media mistakes can also be the reason why someone did not get an interview in the first place. However, you shouldn’t be quick to delete all of your social media presence just because of the nerve-racking job process. That’s because having such a presence has become commonplace, as well. NOT having one could cast you under suspicion. (“What are they hiding?”) So what’s the answer? Not deleting your social media accounts completely, but editing them or “cleaning them up.” There are simple things that can be done to prepare your profile(s) to be viewed by a potential employer. Below are five tips for avoiding social media profile mistakes: Tip #1—Use your real name. Your name is one of two components that a person sees upon opening your page (the other being your profile photo). While using a cute nickname or a name that has resulted from an inside joke might have cut it in high school, it simply will not do within the professional realm. Tip #2—Use an appropriate profile photo. It’s typically the first thing that catches a person’s eye, and it creates the first impression. Obviously, that wild party photo from last Friday night should not be someone’s first choice as a profile picture. While “selfies” have become the norm, using a duck-face “selfie” for your profile picture is simply a poor move. It’s easier to select a photo for Facebook, since it’s more of a social site compared to others, and employers seem to understand this. LinkedIn is another type of social media site, but slightly more unique, as it’s devoted to the art of networking. For LinkedIn, your profile photo should NOT be like Facebook or Instagram. A “selfie” simply does not look professional. One needs to invest in a decent headshot in order to receive the respect of potential employers. Tip #3—Do a “virtual cleanse” every few months. Find photographs or posts (which might not have been added by you, but by your friends) that involve drama or indicate immaturity. Delete them or make them only accessible to you, the owner of the account. However, if cleaning one’s accounts seems too overwhelming, consider making personal social media accounts private. Tip #4—Follow institutions and/or causes. According to Forbes, intellectual curiosity is one of the five traits important to most employers. Therefore, following such institutions and causes will help keep you well informed. Employers want employees who can adapt to change. Change is easier for people who are passionate about learning new information. Tip #5—Tailor your profile to employers’ needs. Look through the websites of companies for which you’d like to work. What is important to the companies? What are their core values? What kind of employees do they typically like to hire? Incorporate this information into your profile in a way that makes sense. You’ll be more confident during interviews, which will show in your performance. Living in the digital age has brought many conveniences for both job seekers and employers. Regardless, social media—when used properly—can bring great success to both parties. Last year, Time Staffing won ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and candidates. ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the United States and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service and quality based entirely upon ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Time Staffing received satisfaction scores of 9 out of 10 or 10 out of 10 from 75.4% of their placed talent, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 45%. Contact us today to find out more about the employment opportunities that are available in your chosen field! All manner of strategies and theories are bantered about regarding the best ways in which to hire top talent, as well as the best ways to manage that talent once it’s on your team. However, if you were to boil all of those strategies down, you’d discover that there are two elements at the core of each one. (If they’re successful strategies, that is. There are plenty that are not.)
Those two elements are engaging in effective communication and the setting of clear expectations. Actually, when you think about it, these elements are integral to success in just about any and every endeavor that includes human interaction . . . from the workplace to marriage. The fact that they cross such situational barriers is an indication of the importance that must be placed upon them when hiring and managing the best employees available. Hiring candidates Let’s address the hiring process first, since it’s first in terms of chronological order. We’ll examine both elements as they pertain to the process. #1—Effective communication At the heart of effective communication is the ability to convey exact meaning to the other person. Most miscommunications that occur are the result of not enough information as opposed to the wrong information. That’s why you should attempt to “over communicate.” That usually ensures that you’re communicating just enough. That being said, the candidate should be aware of all aspects related to their participation in the interview process. #2—Clear expectations This refers to what the candidate would be expected to accomplish in the position you’re seeking to fill; in other words, their job description. Explicitly state what will be expected from the individual, on all levels, and make sure that there is no confusion regarding any details. Managing employees Once the candidate becomes an employee, it doesn’t stop there. Failure to continually address both of these key elements can have disastrous consequences. On the flip side of the equation, proper attention to them can help to increase retention rates. #1—Effective communication As you might expect, these elements become even more important once the person is an employee and not just a candidate, because now their performance affects the company’s bottom line. In this case, effective communication is consistent communication. Each employee must be touched on a consistent basis for the purpose of exchanging vital information. This could take the form of a regular meeting schedule, or it might not. #2—Clear expectations Employees who are unsure of what they should be doing, or more importantly, what exactly is expected of them, are the productivity equivalent of a ticking time bomb. Not only should they know beyond a shadow of a doubt what they are expected to do, they should also know why it’s important. This helps to further engage the employee in their job, once again increasing retention. Last year, Time Staffing won ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and candidates. ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the United States and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service and quality based entirely upon ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Time Staffing received satisfaction scores of 9 out of 10 or 10 out of 10 from 75.4% of their placed talent, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 45%. Contact Time Staffing today to find out more about our placement services for employers! Job searching can be exhausting, frustrating, and tiresome. And even after you land an interview, the hard work doesn’t stop there.
That’s because you need to ace the interview! Below are 10 tips for showing the interviewer that you’re confident and that you’re the right person for the job: #1—Do your homework. Research the company and its industry. The more knowledgeable you are about the company, the more prepared and confident you’ll seem. The interviewer will be impressed, and you’ll show that you are truly interested in the position and the business. #2—Dress to impress. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Assume that “business professional” is the standard, and always err on the side of being conservative. Ladies, don’t wear too much makeup or jewelry. The natural look is best because you don’t want to distract the interviewer from the strengths you bring to the job. #3—Make a good first impression. Shake the interviewer’s hand firmly, smile, and introduce yourself. A bad first impression is difficult to overcome, so start with a good first impression instead. It’s important to be friendly and conversational from the beginning. #4—Show, don’t tell. Stand out from the crowd by using stories to illustrate your previous successes. Emphasize your strengths. It’s important to tie previous work experience to the position for which you’re interviewing. You’ve gained certain skills that translate, so make sure that you articulate them well. #5—Be honest. Don’t try to “fudge” your way through anything. They’ll find out that you aren’t being honest sooner or later. It’s better for both parties if you’re upfront about your career goals, your qualifications, and what you’re looking for. #6—Know your answers to tough questions. “What’s your weakness?” “Tell me a little about yourself.” “Why should we hire you?” These common interview questions can be difficult to answer, so be prepared. Take your weakness and show them how you’ve been working to improve yourself. #7—Avoid bad body language. Fidgeting, playing with your hair, tapping your foot, etc. can all be very distracting. If you tend have a nervous habit, work on staying relaxed and calm. Pull your hair back, fold your hands in your lap, and hope that you aren’t in a swivel chair. #8—Ask questions. What do you want to know about the position and the company? Interviews aren’t just for seeing if you’re a good fit for the job. They’re also an opportune time to figure out if this job is what you want. Have some questions prepared, and pay attention and formulate additional questions during the interview. This will also show that you’re interested in the company and are proactive. #9—Put a smile on. This is an easy one! The interviewer will be more inclined to like you, and you’ll seem more enthusiastic. Being personable is an asset for any job. The interviewer is more likely to hire someone who is happy and easygoing. #10—Follow up. Send a thank-you email or card. It will help the interviewer to remember who you are, and they’ll appreciate your initiative. The more you prepare, the more relaxed and confident you will be . . . and the greater the chances that you’ll ace the interview! Last year, Time Staffing won ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and candidates. ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the United States and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service and quality based entirely upon ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Time Staffing received satisfaction scores of 9 out of 10 or 10 out of 10 from 75.4% of their placed talent, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 45%. Contact us today to find out more about the employment opportunities that are available in your chosen field! |
