Getting an interview is both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. The excitement is potentially landing a great new opportunity. The anxiousness comes from not knowing what to expect. We never know what we will be asked in an interview. However, with these three interview tips you will surely nail your next interview!

Always Be Succinct

I find that when you combine nerves and questions there is a tendency to ramble. We often feel that if a question is asked we need to speak for a certain amount of time. Rambling can cause you to say unnecessary information which in some instances can be perceived negatively. Whatever the question may be, be succinct. Be straight to the point and elaborate when asked too. The interviewer will probe you if they need too.

Keywords

Keywords are the best way to prepare yourself for an interview. There are so many potential questions that can be asked. With keywords, you are able to pull them out and elaborate as much as you need too. For example, if the interviewer asks “What are the top three skills you feel are important to do this role,” You can think about words like “excellent product knowledge” or “communication skills.” As soon as you think of the keyword than you can better explain it.

Answering Behavioral Questions

All interviews will include behavioral questions. These questions are based on your previous experiences and how you handled them. They often start off with “describe” or “tell me about a time”. Think about actual work situations ahead of time. Times where you worked in teams, or handled a difficult situation. Then make sure your answers are correctly formatted when answering. State the situation, your role, details on the situation, and what the result was. This way you are fully answering the question and can handle any possible probing questions.

Take some time to prepare yourself. Using these three tips will surely help you have a positive outcome for your next interview!

 

 

 

 

Being a new employee in an organization can be exciting as well as nerve-wracking. Every organization has their own culture and ways of operating. As a new employee, it can be difficult to assimilate right away. However, if you practice proper office etiquette you will surely adapt quickly. Office etiquette is about how any employee should conduct themselves within the office. Today’s segment we will talk about the Do’s and Don’ts of office etiquette…

Whether this is your first job or your next job always mind your manners. Working in an office comes with different people and different behaviors. As an individual you must always practice positive office etiquette. Let’s look at the do’s:

• Always be respectful and courteous to those around you. Say ‘Good morning’ when you get in, restock the paper in the copier if you see it’s run out, ask people how their day is going. Be a part of the team and try to be as considerate as possible.
• Always offer to help. If you have time to do so and you are able to help offer your assistance. If you want to eventually become an integral part of the team you should help your colleagues.
• Always do your work. It is okay to chat with your coworkers, during breaks or on lunch. But remember you are being paid to work. Make sure you come in with the attitude to accomplish a good amount of work in the day.

Here are the don’ts:

• Don’t participate in office gossip. As interesting as gossip can be, it has no place in the office. Talking about a team member or a manager in a negative or derogatory way is inappropriate. This type of behavior brings morale down and productivity.
• Try to always mind your gestures. Slouching, or yawning during a meeting can be seen as unprofessional and careless. Your colleagues and managers will not take too kindly to rude gestures.
• Don’t ever assume. When you are unsure of something, don’t assume the answer. Talk to your colleagues, your manager or even your customers. At the end, you want to yield a positive result. Assumptions put you at risk of looking unprofessional and can potentially have a negative impact on your work. 

Office etiquette seems like common sense. But when we start a new role we can forget the little things. Reflect on what kind of employee you want to be and act accordingly.

 

 

Welcome back! Last week we discussed 3 skills employers are looking for when hiring – communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Today we will continue to look at more transferable skills that can be used in a variety of jobs. Here are 3 more skills that employers want:

1.Initiative

Employers are looking for someone who goes above and beyond their job responsibilities by taking initiative. Employees with initiative are able to handle job duties without having to wait on instruction from others. They like to see individuals who can take it upon themselves to do something without being told. It is the ability to see what needs, or can be done in order to improve the workplace. Employers want to ensure the people they are hiring can be independent and have the willingness and drive to get things done without being told.

 2. Strong Work Ethic

Having a strong work ethic means that you have the determination and motivation to do the best job possible. Employers want someone who will take pride in their work, and put forth their best efforts at all times.   This could mean taking on additional challenges, or even working overtime to get the job done. Employers want dedicated, hard workers that truly demonstrate that they care about their job.

 3. Positive Attitude

Finally, one of the important skills employees look for when hiring is a positive attitude. Having a positive attitude at work will reflect on what you do and make you a more productive employee. Employers want someone who has a happy demeanor in the workplace, not someone who is pessimistic and has a negative outlook. This will only negatively affect the rest of the team. Employers want their staff to be happy, and having a positive attitude about your work and company is important.

These are just some of the skills that employers are looking for when hiring. Employers are eager to hire people with a strong work ethic, good communication and teamwork skills, and a positive attitude. Be sure to highlight the skills that you possess on your resume to demonstrate the value you bring as an employee.

To be successful in any role, aside from education and experience, you need to demonstrate skills that can be used in a variety of jobs, known as ‘soft skills.’ These are skills and attitudes that can help you to work well with others and make a positive contribution to the organization you work for. Here is a list of the top 6 skills employers want when hiring:

1.Communication

Everything you do in the workplace results from communication. Therefore, the ability to effectively communicate is one of the top mentioned and most frequently asked for skills by employers. They are looking for someone who has strong listening, verbal, and written skills. You need to be able to express your ideas clearly and confidently with colleagues and clients in the workplace. In today’s world, that also means communicating effectively through various mediums such as email and over the phone.

2. Teamwork

Being able to work with others in a team and achieve a common goal is a crucial skill. Many jobs today require you to work in small groups to complete tasks. Therefore, being able to get along with colleagues to complete projects is one of the main skills employers are looking for. The employer wants to know how you have worked as a team player in the past to demonstrate your ability to work with others effectively.

3. Problem-Solving

Employers want people who are motivated to take on challenges with minimal direction. The ability to find solutions to problems using your own analytical thinking and resources is a skill employers want. Employers want someone who can use problem-solving skills to complete tasks and come up with solutions.

Next week we will take a closer look at three more skills that employers want when they are hiring. In the meantime, be sure to update your resume to highlight the ‘soft skills’ you possess to make yourself more marketable to employers.

Welcome Back! In today’s segment of Job Offer Etiquette we will be discussing Job Offer Negotiation. Receiving a job offer is the moment all candidates wait for. Similar to playing chess, candidates will have to be meticulous and smart about the moves they make. Whether you are accepting, rejecting or looking to negotiate you must thoroughly think it through.

Negotiating Salary

You’ve received the job offer. You’ve reviewed it and the offer does not meet your expectations. Firstly, your expectations should have been clear to begin with. If you were up front and honest about what you were looking for from the start, then it is okay to negotiate. The offer may come in at a lower salary than your minimum. In this situation it is acceptable to proceed with negotiation.  Speak with the hiring manager.  Always express your interest in working with the organization but reiterate what your salary expectation is. This way you open up a dialogue with the hiring manager. You may get what you want in the end. They may offer you an extra week of vacation in lieu of salary. They may talk about bonuses, profit sharing or other incentives that will make up for the salary. Whatever the case may be, there is never any harm in discussing it.

Negotiating Benefits

Benefits are another area where candidates may look to negotiate. Candidates that are currently working may want to receive benefits right away versus after the probationary period. This is another appropriate scenario of when it is okay to negotiate. Again, take it up with the hiring manager. Typically, candidates who are currently working are more sought after and can use that as a reason to ask for benefits right away.

Negotiation Strategy

The job offer negotiation is a very sensitive subject. You want to handle yourself in a way that does not negatively impact you. One of the worst things a candidate can do is try to strong-arm the employer. If the offer was what you expected there is no reason for you to proceed with negotiating. Employers do not take kindly to this and just as quickly as they sent the job offer they can take it away. You will not only lose the opportunity but this will reflect poorly on you. Good luck in your job offer negotiation. 

Take a look at the situation and see if it is appropriate to negotiate. If what you are asking for is not outlandish and absurd then it is okay to move forward with negotiation. Job offer etiquette is very important. At one point or another in your career you will have a job offer to consider. You will either accept, reject, or want to negotiate. How you handle yourself will reflect directly upon you.

Haven’t read the whole series? Click here to read Part One on Accepting an Offer or Part Two on Rejecting an Offer.

 

 

Welcome back to Job Offer Etiquette! During this week’s discussion we will be talking about different ways to graciously reject a job offer. Now as we mentioned in Part One, getting a job offer is very exciting. But after looking through the offer and considering your future you may feel it’s best to reject the offer. Delivering bad news is always difficult, but it’s how we handle ourselves that can leave you with a positive outcome.

Firstly, there are many different reasons as to why a candidate would reject a job offer. The terms and conditions are not satisfactory, the employer may have offered below your salary expectations, or the benefits are subpar. The job description has described responsibilities that you are unwilling to accept. You received an offer from another organization and felt it was better to accept that one. Whatever the reason may be, you must notify the person who presented you the offer.

There are three main aspects to rejecting a job offer. First, you should always show your appreciation. In your email or call, thank them for the offer and their time. Second, get right into the reason why you are not accepting the offer. Always be political, for whatever reason you are rejecting the offer you must display how the opportunity was not right for you at this time. Lastly, always leave on a positive note. Thank them once again and suggest staying in touch. Sometimes because of the industry you’re in there are chances of running into each other in the future. It’s best to leave on that positive note and keep things friendly.

When rejecting a job offer you need to make sure it’s done promptly. There is nothing worse than sitting on the decision and making the employer wait. It reflects really poorly on you. Additionally, there is also nothing worse than not responding at all. Giving an employer no notice of your rejection can be detrimental to your career. As mentioned you may run into these people in the future. Imagine the awkward run in after not letting them know you rejected their offer. In Job Offer Etiquette Part One we talked about how exciting it is to get a job offer. But if you are rejecting the offer be meticulous in how you handle yourself. Every action you make is a direct reflection on yourself. Next week we will be discussing different scenarios where it is appropriate to counter the offer.