Research shows that there are ten basic strategies that people consider most effective in dealing with the obstacles or challenges that come their way.
Set Goals. Make them explicit, something that can be achieved in the near future, challenging and attainable.
Write the goals down.
Make each goal build on the past. You should be able to see a progression.
Offer yourself a small reward. Pat yourself on the back whenever you score yourself a victory on the way toward your goal.
Social support. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your goals.
Orchestrate the environment. Make sure you have all the required equipment and have arranged your schedule so you are able to perform the necessary tasks. This might also include observing others whose achievements inspire you.
Start with a non-competitive situation. Challenge yourself first. After you have met your personal goal, you can pit yourself against others, if you desire.
Monitor your progress. Periodically check to see if you are moving in the right direction, closer to your goal.
Adjust your approach. If, after monitoring your progress, you find that you have veered away from your goal, change your course. Numbers 8 and 9 may have to be repeated several times before you achieve your ultimate goal.
Make these steps a habit. Then each time you have a new goal, you will automatically be able to repeat these ten steps.
Job satisfaction held steady for workers in 2009, but pessimism and desperation plague many job seekers who remain grim about prospects for the job market in 2010, according to a new survey.
In an annual study of job satisfaction among U.S. workers, Yahoo! HotJobs found that 38.3% are "very satisfied" with their jobs and are not looking to change jobs, compared to 38.5% last year.
Most of the workers who said they were very unsatisfied and looking for new jobs were employees who had been hired within the last year. Those recent hires also reported applying for jobs below their qualifications (34%) or accepting a lower salary (30%).
"For employers, the news about unsatisfied recent hires is a warning sign," says Chris Merritt, general manager of Yahoo! HotJobs. "These are the people who could leave once the economy turns."
A Sluggish Recovery?
But nearly half of job seekers don't expect the economy to improve in 2010, according to the survey. When asked how long it would take to find a new job today, about 40% of respondents expected the process to take six months or longer.
"Improvements in the job market may not be that evident in the labor market statistics until 2011 or later," says John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. "However, job seekers should not assume that simply because unemployment figures continue to hover in the nine- to 10-percent range that no one is hiring."
In fact, nearly a third (32%) of managers and recruiters who took the Yahoo! HotJobs survey expected to increase hiring activity in 2010.
Staying Competitive Today
To maximize your chances of landing a job this year, Challenger and other experts recommend the following tips:
Network. Join professional groups, and stay in contact with former associates. Spread the word about your job hunt. Tell everyone in your network about your situation and the type of opportunity you're seeking.
Cast a wide net. Look beyond your usual industry; many of your skills may be transferrable. Use job-listing sites like Yahoo! HotJobs, but also examine industry-specific sites or company sites for your target employers, and don't forget alumni career resource sites, if possible.
Customize each resume. Tailor your resumes to the job description, which will also provide useful key words. Take your time with each resume, as it is the first impression you make on the hiring manager.
"Not tailoring a resume is a huge mistake, because employers want their particular needs and problems addressed," says Lauren Milligan of ResumeMayDay.com. "Tailoring a resume shows that you have researched the company, or at the very least, read their job posting. Not tailoring it is a huge hurdle to overcome because other candidates will have been insightful enough to do this and will gain a competitive edge over you."
Don't get overwhelmed. If unemployed, commit to action every day. Your job search should be like full-time job. Carve out a specific time every day to focus on doing it well. Set small goals for yourself and measure your progress.
Reach out to your support systems. A lengthy job search can take a toll on your self-esteem and increase a sense of pessimism. To combat this, make an effort to connect with the people you care about. Their support will help you maintain a positive attitude.
It's a lot easier to put on a happy face at the office when things are going well. But in lean times amid hiring freezes and an unpredictable future, it can be difficult to remain optimistic when you're on the job, especially when bad news about the economy is prevalent.
Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of "The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want," has pinpointed several strategies to help anyone become happy. She claims, "Everything I say is based on science. The strategies I've chosen are supported by studies that have tested them."
To start seeing your morning cup of coffee as half full, Lyubomirsky recommends that workers:
1. Embrace Gratitude. "Focus on really appreciating what you have at work. Maybe it's a valued colleague or your boss. Or maybe it's merely the fact that you don't have to drive very far to get there," she says, adding, "You can also express gratitude directly to people in the workplace, which can really strengthen your connections with your coworkers."
2. Commit Random Acts of Kindness. Lyubomirsky recommends doing things to help your coworkers without being prompted. "Give a colleague a ride to the airport. Or offer up one of your own sick days to someone who doesn't have any left." She points out that the benefits of committing these acts are good for both parties. "It's a good thing to do -- and it also makes you happier in the process."
3. Be Optimistic. Instead of getting bogged down in the challenges of today, she urges, "Think about the future. Think about your goals. Imagine your dreams coming true." If you don't think about things in an optimistic way, you could fall prey to a self-fulfilling prophecy, in which you've set yourself up for failure.
4. Reach out to Others. Don't isolate yourself from your office mates. Instead, reach out and engage people. Lyubomirsky, who is a professor of psychology at University of California, Riverside, says, "Social support is very important. Being around other people boosts positive emotions. It's almost like a miracle!"
5. Refuse to Ruminate. When engaging with others around the workplace, focus on problem solving -- not stewing. Says the researcher and writer, "Rumination is just going over and over the same thing and dwelling on it. It doesn't go anywhere, and it just makes you feel worse. You think you're going to get insight, but you're really just going from A to B to A to B. Avoid going in a circle and try to problem-solve together to move forward.
There are also other practical and simple shortcuts to happiness, as discovered by a group of researchers in the U.K. and discussed in the BBC documentary "Making Slough Happy," which aired in 2005. They recommend any of these office-friendly tactics to help buoy your spirits:
* "Plant something and nurture it." There are plants that will thrive in even the lowest light, and caring for one can add a bright touch to a dreary workplace.
* "Give yourself a treat every day and take the time to really enjoy it." Whether it's a chocolate after lunch or a cup of your favorite tea, a rewarding ritual can help you feel positive.
* "Have a good laugh at least once a day." Find your funniest coworker -- or head over to Sling.com or YouTube.com -- for a chuckle on your lunch break.
* "Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger at least once each day." Perhaps it's during your commute or in the company cafeteria, but take time to spread some goodwill to someone you don't know.
Confidence, high self-esteem, and ambition are qualities that will help you in your career path.
Some qualities of a person cannot be learned, but rather are nurtured and grown. Ambition and confidence are two of these qualities. One of the main pillars of ambition is high self esteem. According to career publisher CareerJournal.com, self-acceptance and faith-in-oneself allows confidence and ambition to grow. Lacking this personal characteristic can put a serious damper on your career goals. Here is how to let your personality shine and make way for your professional life.
High self-esteem
Low self-esteem is one of the major stumbling blocks to achieving your goals. CareerJournal.com says no personal characteristic is more important to workplace success than self-esteem. Self-esteem is the foundation for all the other characteristics you want to build. Ways to increase your self-esteem include:
Stomp negative thoughts - Recognize when you are thinking negative and change attitude. Power of mind over body.
Deal with disappointment - Instead of crushing yourself over something that went afoul, focus on what you learned and how to do it better next time.
Goal Focused - A good example is overweight people trying to slim down. Instead of focusing on what is not being accomplished, think about your goal, in this case: what will life be like as a healthy person?
Be realistic about yourself. Don't set outlandish goals that are impossible. Shoot for the moon, but set a realistic path to get there so you will limit disappointment.
NEW YORK, NY -- Over the past 20 years the shape of the workforce has changed beyond recognition. It's obvious that technology is moving as fast as ever -- and the workplace must keep up. A recently produced list of future professions suggests that by 2030 workers might be training for careers as diverse as space pilots, tour guides and educational avatar moderators. Another recent survey suggests that, by 2017, there will also be an 883% rise in employment for other business services -- for instance accountancy, law, consultancy, advertising and public relations.
An example of a thriving, emergent sector is the digital economy, with many more people expected to work in areas such as IT and broadcasting in the coming years. For those already classed as digital workers, changing technology and expectations will mean an increased demand for people to work across a number of platforms.
We're entering a new age of sustainability, meaning we will need to change our entire system of production and consumption, get more efficient with our use of resources and recognize that new sectors are going to emerge as a result. Finally, as the population ages, the number of people employed as care workers will increase. In turn, there will be a rise in informal care, with more employees caring for children or elderly relatives themselves, meaning employers offering flexible working will have the edge over competitors.
HOUSTON, TX - -- If you feel you are in a rut, consider upgrading your job skills and increase your marketability. Take a course for a potential new career. There's still time to look, apply and register for a course. Why take a course now?
Upgrading your skills, or taking a course now, keeps your mind sharp whether you are currently employed or still looking for that dream job. It also shows your current or potential employer that you're willing to invest in yourself and your career. If you are currently working, often your place of employment will reimburse you for courses taken that will help you in your work. If that's not an option, consider applying for a grant or scholarship to help finance your education.
Bottom Line: Take advantage of the summer excitement with a fresh start. Consider taking a summer course to upgrade your skills or a course just because you always wanted to know how to develop film. Be it for work or for personal interest, you will come out ahead with new knowledge and a new feeling of accomplishment.
LOWELL, MA -- Social networking is all the rage, but can LinkedIn really help you get hired? Yes - with an emphasis on the word "help." LinkedIn is a great social media networking tool that if utilized effectively, it will assist you in your job search. LinkedIn is widely used by internal staffing departments in most high tech companies and in many Fortune 1000 companies.
You may hear more about Twitter or Facebook, but if you seek a promotion or a new job, LinkedIn is a much more useful network to use. Why? Two important reasons. First, there are more than 70 million users on LinkedIn. It's has become more social, easier to use, and a recruiting resource that many headhunters and employers are using. Second, 63% of all jobs are found through networking, according to the Department of Labor. Expanding your network of contacts is essential. And LinkedIn is an ideal tool for job hunters to add to their job search arsenals.
But just going online and signing up for LinkedIn won't do it. Utilizing this resource takes a little time, effort and some savvy direction. The benefits of networking are well-documented. Someone may tell you about a job opening or new company that may need your skills. Another connection may send your resume on through internal channels to reach the decision maker. Expanding your digital rolodex is essential for career success in today's job market.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA -- There's nothing easy about job searching. What's frustrating for many job seekers is a disappointing response rate. However, it's important to note that a job search is a numbers game. For example: If you get your resume in front of 1000 employers, you should get 10-50 quality responses leading up to 5 interviews. If you don't pay attention to 'how' you are sending your resumes, your actions might only serve to put your resume in a pile with hundreds of others.
Consider a more focused approach to your job search. A search that increases the number and quality of responses by using a targeted list of industries and decision makers who are looking for people with your skills. This new type of search also employs an affordable delivery system that ensures your resume will be seen by the right person.
We recommend using a service called JobsByFax. This service is simple to use and an affordable way to ensure a more focused and satisfying job search. You'll have instant access to information on thousands of companies and their decision makers. JobsByFax combines quality and quantity by faxing your resume to potential hiring managers. In fact, it's been statistically proven that sending 1000 resumes using JobsByFax can yield from 10 to 50 quality responses. Take control of your job search by going to JobsByFax.
What's in a name? Petikan kalimat legendaris yang mempertanyakan arti penting sebuah nama ini mungkin saja menurut Anda sudah tidak relevan dengan perkembangan jaman. Sebab saat ini, nama bukan sekedar penunjuk identitas diri semata, melainkan bisa menjadi aset bernilai tinggi, yang jika dimanfaatkan sebaik-baiknya dapat mendatangkan keuntungan bagi pemiliknya.
Dengan personal branding, seorang individu membangun citra (image) dan identitas diri tertentu untuk mempengaruhi orang lain agar memiliki persepsi dan emosi yang positif terhadap karakter, kepribadian, kemampuan, kompetensi dan nilai yang ditampilkan. Jika brand image ini telah melekat kuat, dengan sendirinya sebuah nama akan menjadi simbol dan terkenal sehingga menjadi referensi utama manakala hal-hal yang berkaitan dengannya disebutkan.
Personal branding juga diperlukan dalam kepemimpinan, terutama untuk menciptakan efek penokohan atau figure pada diri seorang leader. Prosesnya diawali dengan mengenali siapa diri Anda yang sebenarnya dan bagaimana Anda ingin dikenal. Selanjutnya adalah membangun reputasi dengan mengoptimalkan kekuatan dan keunikan diri yang dimiliki lalu mempromosikannya kepada publik.
Kesuksesan mengelola brand bukan ditentukan oleh seberapa familiar masyarakat terhadap nama Anda, sebab itu baru tahap membangun awareness saja. Personal branding Anda dianggap berhasil manakala Anda berhasil tampil lebih menonjol atau stand out diantara pemimpin lain sehingga publik pun menjatuhkan pilihannya hanya kepada Anda.
Sama halnya dengan produk yang memiliki nilai unik dan dipasarkan dengan strategi yang jitu, Anda juga membutuhkan dua hal penting tersebut dalam membangun personal branding. Masih ada beberapa hal lainnya yang harus diperhatikan untuk menciptakan brand diri yang sukses, seperti cara yang disebutkan di bawah ini:
Kenali kelebihan dan kekuatan diri. Tanyakan pada diri sendiri, "What am I good at?" Cari tahu minat, bakat, keahlian, kemampuan, dan keunggulan Anda yang dapat ditonjolkan. Jika Anda bingung atau tidak yakin, coba ingat-ingat kembali penghargaan apa yang pernah Anda dapatkan atau apreasiasi seperti apa yang pernah diberikan oleh orang lain pada Anda. Personal branding Anda haruslah mencerminkan kekuatan dan kepribadian Anda yang sesungguhnya.
Be unique and different. Secara alamiah, keunikan selalu dapat menarik perhatian. Manfaatkan keunikan yang Anda miliki sebagai ciri khas Anda yang tidak dimiliki orang lain. Kekhasan Anda dapat berupa cara berbusana, cara berbicara, gaya menulis, gaya memimpin, kepribadian, kebiasaan tertentu, dan sebagainya yang sebaiknya dipatenkan menjadi trademark Anda.
Bangun persepsi positif. Dengan modal kemampuan dan keunikan Anda, mulailah bangun persepsi positif tentang diri Anda di mata publik. Selalu ada harapan yang terbentuk di benak publik manakala muncul seorang calon pemimpin, dan tugas Anda adalah memenuhi harapan itu. Tanamkan pada publik bahwa Anda memiliki solusi, memberikan nilai tambah, bermanfaat bagi mereka. Rebutlah kepercayaan publik agar senantiasa tercipta emosi positif tentang diri Anda.
Promosikan diri Anda. Tulis artikel, membuat buku, nge-blog, menjadi pembicara, ikut organisasi profesi, menjalin networking secara online maupun offline. Lakukan berbagai cara agar sosok Anda lebih exist dan dikenal luas. Buat diri Anda populer karena kualitas.
Manfaatkan popularitas untuk kebaikan. Tujuannya, mendapatkan simpati dari publik. Personal branding Anda sebaiknya di-share untuk membantu orang lain. Semakin sering Anda melakukannya, brand Anda akan semakin kuat.
Bersabarlah. Yang ingin Anda capai adalah personal branding yang long-lasting, bukan popularitas instan. Diperlukan kerja keras untuk membangun image sejak dari nol bahkan akan lebih sulit lagi untuk mempertahankannya. Jika Anda telah memiliki brand image yang cukup kuat namun tidak tergerak untuk meningkatkan kualitas diri, bersiaplah karena lambat laun kebintangan Anda akan meredup.
Jadi diri Anda sendiri. Akan sangat melelahkan menjadi seseorang yang bukan diri Anda. Demi popularitas, Anda rela berpura-pura menjadi orang lain dan melakukan sesuatu yang tidak Anda sukai dan kuasai. Personal branding adalah tentang bagaimana menjadi diri Anda sendiri. So, show them the truth within yourself!
Jika dulu untuk mencari kerja harus memiliki cover letter dan CV yang memuaskan, kualifikasi yang sesuai, dan akses besar ke informasi lowongan kerja, maka saat ini ada tambahan satu hal yang juga harus diperhatikan, yaitu konten social media yang pernah dipublish untuk publik.
Mengapa hal ini menjadi satu penting yang harus diperhatikan? Sebuah penelitian yang dilakukan oleh CareerBuilder.com menunjukkan bahwa semakin banyak perusahaan merambah ke social media untuk melakukan background check terhadap calon karyawan mereka. Sebesar 45% dari perusahaan 'melongok' social media sebagai salah satu cara bahan pertimbangan atau screening terhadap calon karyawan. Sebuah peningkatan sebesar 100% setelah setahun sebelumnya hanya 22% dari perusahaan yang melakukan hal ini.
Bagaimana di Indonesia
Mungkin hal yang sama tidak terjadi di Indonesia. Rasanya belum terlalu banyak human resource department perusahaan yang berniat melakukan background check hingga ke social media. Kebanyakan masih melakukannya dengan bantuan referensi yang disertakan dalam surat lamaran. Akan tetapi mengingat besarnya pengguna situs jejaring pertemanan di Indonesia seperti Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube, tinggal menunggu waktu hingga HRD mulai searching nama calon karyawannya di Facebook untuk menilai atau mengetahui lebih jauh tentang calon tersebut.
Penelitian tersebut juga menyebutkan bahwa sayangnya, para pencari kerja justru sering kali mengabaikan konten social media mereka, dengan pertimbangan bahwa tidak akan memberikan pengaruh bagi penilaian sebagai seorang karyawan. Well, they are proven wrong.
Pandangan Perusahaan
Beberapa alasan yang membuat manajemen enggan mempekerjakan calon karyawan karena konten social media mereka antara lain :
1. Kandidat memposting konten tentang kebiasaan minum atau menggunakan obat-obatan.
2. Kandidat menjelek-jeleknya perusahaan tempat ia bekerja dulu.
3. Kandidat membuat komentar yang berbau SARA atau diskriminatif
4. Kandidat berbohong tentang kualifikasinya.
5. Kandidat memposting informasi dari perusahaan tempat ia pernah bekerja.
So, what should you do?
Lalu bagaimana dengan Anda yang sedang dalam proses mencari kerja? Apakah Anda harus ‘puasa’ update status dan memajang foto-foto di akun Facebook? Atau berhenti Twitting sementara sampai ada kepastian? Tentunya tidak sejauh itu. ‘Toh bersosialisasi di dunia maya adalah hak Anda. Rasanya Anda pasti setuju kalau sebenarnya selama kompetensi dan kinerja Anda memuaskan, pertimbangan berdasarkan kegiatan personal Anda tidak bisa dijadikan alasan untuk batal mempekerjakan Anda. Anda hanya perlu memperhatikan beberapa hal untuk menampilkan reputasi dunia maya yang positif, diantaranya:
1. Perhatikan album foto online Anda di Facebook, atau tempat lainnya. Hapus foto yang bisa merusak reputasi Anda.
2. Jangan memamerkan hal-hal negatif ke dunia luar. Fokuskan kepada hal positif, baik yang berhubungan dengan dunia professional maupun personal.
3. Cobalah untuk membuat grup khusus untuk profesi Anda atau bergabunglah dengan professional group yang ada di FB atau media lainnya. Ini salah satu cara menjalin hubungan dengan para pemimpin, rekruter atau sesama profesi.
4. Selektif menerima teman. Hanya karena orang meng-add Anda sebagai friend bukan berarti Anda harus selalu menerimanya. Anda tidak akan pernah tahu siapa dibalik nama di FB atau Twitter.
5. Jika Anda masih bekerja atau terikat dengan perusahaan tertentu, jangan membeberkan pencarian kerja Anda di dunia maya. Bukan tidak mungkin manajemen tempat Anda bekerja sekarang mengetahui hal tersebut dan menilai rendah loyalitas Anda.
The job market is the best it's been in 20 years. The Commerce Department estimates that U.S. businesses will need to hire one million new computer scientists, engineers, systems analysts and computer programmers by 2005. Yet graduates with degrees in computer science are being produced at a fraction of the rate needed. The Information Technology Association of America reports 190,000 current job openings for web experts and other information-technology specialists, and similar shortages are cropping up in other industries as well.
These market conditions provide a great opportunity to negotiate an excellent compensation package, but only if you understand how.
There are 11 basic commandments to help you negotiate the best possible deal when changing jobs, whether internally or with a new company. They are:
Be prepared. The more information you have about your market value and the prospective employer, the greater your likelihood of success. This is the first commandment because it's the most important. There's a wealth of information available on the Internet, at the public library and through professional associations and networking groups. Time spent learning how to negotiate and preparing for negotiations may be the best investment you'll ever make.
Recognize that employment negotiations are different. When the negotiations are over, you'll have to work with the person with whom you're negotiating. Moreover, your future success may depend on that person. So, while you want to negotiate the best possible deal, you need to do so in a way that doesn't damage your image. At the same time, the employer's primary concern isn't negotiating the least expensive compensation package it can get away with. Rather, their focus will be on getting you to accept the job.
Understand your needs and those of the employer. To be successful in this type of negotiation, you need to examine your priorities. What do you really want? Are you comfortable with a low salary and a large equity stake? Are you able to handle dramatic swings in income from year to year? Understanding your needs will also help you determine the type of company you want to work for. For example, a family-owned company may be able to offer a competitive salary and a large bonus based on results, but may not be willing to offer significant equity to a non-family member. A start-up company, on the other hand, may not be able to offer market salary, but will typically offer stock options. By recognizing what an employer can and can't do, you'll be able to determine what issues you should press.
Understand the dynamics of the particular negotiations. Sometimes you'll have skills that are in great demand. And sometimes, you may be one of several qualified candidates the company would be happy to hire. Sizing up the situation and understanding the relative position of each party will help you determine when to press your advantage and when to back off.
Never lie, but use the truth to your advantage. It's not only wrong to lie, but in employment negotiations, it's ineffective. If you lie during negotiations, sooner or later you're likely to be caught. Once you are, even if you don't lose the offer, you'll be at a tremendous disadvantage, and your credibility will always be suspect. On the other hand, total candor won't be rewarded. You're under no obligation to blurt out everything you know. You can determine what you want to say and how you want to say it, and try to put everything in its most positive light. One key element of your preparation should be to recognize areas of concern so you can rehearse how to handle them when they inevitably come up.
Understand the role fairness plays in the process. The guiding principle for most employers when negotiating is fairness. Within the constraints of their budget and organizational structure, employers usually will agree to anything that's fair and reasonable to hire someone they want. Appeals to fairness are your most powerful weapon. Thus, you should be able to justify every request you make in terms of fairness. For example, if other computer programmers in similar companies are being given sign-on bonuses, you should expect to be treated no differently. Your prospective employer will want you to accept its offer and feel that you've been treated fairly. Understanding the importance of fairness as a negotiating principle can make the difference between success and failure.
Use uncertainty to your advantage. The more information you convey to a potential employer about your bottom line, the more likely it will limit what you get. Before making an offer, a company typically tries to determine what it will take for you to accept the position. With that information, the prospective employer will be able to determine the minimum package it needs to offer. While they may not offer you as little as they can get away with, if you've divulged too much information, they likely won't offer you as much as they might have otherwise. By not disclosing exactly what your current compensation is or exactly what it would take to get you to leave your job, you'll force a potential employer to make its best offer.
Be creative. Consider the value of the total package. Look for different ways to achieve your objectives. Be willing to make tradeoffs to increase the total value of the deal. If you're creative, you can package what you want in ways that will be acceptable to the company. You'll also be able to find creative "trades" that allow you to withdraw requests that might be problematic to the company in return for improvements in areas where the company has more flexibility. That way, you can maximize the value of the package you negotiate.
Focus on your goals, not on winning. Too often in negotiations, the act of winning becomes more important than achieving your goals. And it's also important not to make your future boss feel as if he's lost in the negotiations. You'll have gained little by negotiating a good deal if you alienate your future boss in the process.
Know when to quit bargaining. The one sure way to lose everything you've obtained is to be greedy. There comes a point in every negotiation when you've achieved everything you could have reasonably expected to gain. While most companies will want to treat you fairly and make you happy, few companies want a to hire a prima donna. Being perceived as greedy or unreasonable may cause the deal to fall apart. Even if it doesn't, you'll have done immeasurable harm to your career. This brings us to the 11th and most important commandment:
Never forget that employment is an ongoing relationship. Job negotiations are the starting point for your career with a company. Get too little and you're disadvantaged throughout your career there; push too hard and you can sour the relationship before it begins.
Understanding these principles will allow you to effectively negotiate the terms of your new job. Then do your job well and continually seek out new challenges. As you take on added responsibilities and learn new skills, there will be opportunities to negotiate further improvements.
You finally got the interview. Now you need to prepare. You need to be ready to answer the tough questions – the questions that you know will come, but you are not sure what they are! How are you to prepare for something when you don’t know what it is? Interview questions are a tricky thing. You would think that the person sitting across from you wants to find out the level of your qualifications to fill a position. WRONG. This is only part of what they want to know. They also want to know if you would be a good fit for the organization – if perhaps they had to sit on a plane with you for 9+ hours, that they wouldn’t want to sit close, very close to the exit row and pull the handle at a strategic moment. Here are my top five picks for the most difficult interview questions – Microsoft notwithstanding:
1. Tell me about yourself.
This is an interesting question. It is very open ended and will allow you to present something about your background; it doesn’t necessarily have to be a regurgitation of your early career history. You can use this as an opportunity to engage with the interviewer on a more personal level. Perhaps you recently built a house for Habitat for Humanity or spent some time abroad – you can discuss those things to answer this question. Be careful that you don’t talk too long. Keep your answer short – but it might represent an opportunity for you to help the reader understand a dimension of your personality that might not otherwise be uncovered during the interview.
2. What do you know about the company?
Before entering any interview you should always do research on the company. It is so easy to get information either online or at the local library. Take the time to conduct some research about the company, including its history, recent press, business ventures (where applicable), corporate philosophy, and leadership. You should be able to articulate something interesting you learned about them. Again, don’t talk too long. You don’t want to come off as a know it all. You should express interest in learning more about the company’s focus and the position (of course).
3. From what you have learned about the company and position, why do you want to work for us?
This is an opportunity for you to present your qualifications and things you have done previously that would be applicable to their business. Make sure you stress how you would contribute to the company’s needs. Express why you find the position interesting, making sure to make connections between the role you are pursuing and the work you have done previously. For example, if you are applying for a position that has a strong financial component, your answer should include relevant analysis and findings. It is important that you tie your experiences to the value you bring to a new role.
4. If hired, what is one of the first things you would do to make an impact?
If you have done your homework on the company and position, you will have an idea of some of the things they are looking to accomplish. Come prepared to reference specific things you have done in the past and the timeframes it took you to complete them. Part of the interview process involves marketing yourself. Don’t be afraid to talk about your achievements and indicate how you would quickly meet a need for the new company. Reference your problem solving, motivation, and ability to work well as part of a group to achieve a common goal. No matter what, everything you discuss should be in a positive manner.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
I loathe this question! As ridiculous as I think the question is – people ask it ALL THE TIME during the interview process; so, I felt an obligation to include it here and give you an appropriate answer. You want to demonstrate commitment; and that is an important component to answering this question effectively. Consider mentioning that you enjoy challenging situations and work well in an environment that is participatory. You are committed and focused on those situations that will continue to allow you to grow while making a meaningful contribution.
Well, there you have it! My top five tough questions. Preparation is key. No matter what position you are interviewing for knowing your own background, competencies, strengths and areas for improvement, complemented by knowledge of the company will help ensure you shine when confronted with the tough questions.
