24 Things You Should Never Say During a Job Interview
Mar 9th
Photo by: Avantard
Job interviews are stressful situations. Even the most capable candidates sometimes say things they regret. To help you avoid doing that, here’s a list of things you should never say during a job interview:
1. “I’ve never heard such a stupid question.”
2. “I have a problem with authority.”
3. “Can we wrap this up? I have another interview in 20 minutes.”
4. “What is your company’s policy on frequent absences?”
5. “Can my mom come in and talk to you about the job?”
6. “If I get an offer, will I have to take a drug test?”
7. “How much money do you make?”
8. “My parents told me I need to get a job, so that is why I’m here.”
9. “I’m really not interested in learning new things.”
10. “I hate questions like that.”
11. “Can you speak more softly? I’ve got a killer hangover.”
12. “Are you busy later? I know a great little Italian place.”
13. “What does your company do?”
14. “My last boss wanted me to work my ass off.”
15. “How long before I can take a vacation?”
16. “Mind if I take this call?”
17. “If you don’t hire me I’ll sue you for discrimination.”
18. “Mind if I smoke?”
19. “I don’t have any weaknesses.”
20. “I don’t really want this job. I just need proof that I’m applying for work so I can collect unemployment.”
21. “Can I video this interview and post it on YouTube?”
22. “Wow. Your LinkedIn photo must’ve been taken a long time ago, huh?”
23. “I’m a lone-wolf type and would rather not have to work with other people.”
24. “You should hire me because I really, really want this job.”
20 Things I Wish I Never Had to Do
Mar 4th
It’s recently been pointed out to me that I haven’t shown much of my personality in this (relatively new) blog. That’s dumb. Of me. Because I know personality is important for bloggers who want to make their readers happy, and their blogs successful. When I think of my favorite blogs, I realize they’re my favorites because the people writing them are brave enough to let the world see their true selves.
There is a risk associated with letting your true self (your personality) show: some people won’t like you. That’s why many bloggers prefer to be “bland” — it doesn’t offend anyone.
It doesn’t excite anyone, either.
Besides, if you aren’t offending anyone, you probably aren’t making a difference in people’s lives, right?
So anyway, that’s a ridiculously long and dull way to explain why I’m writing this off-topic post about things I wish I never had to do. (And here I am trying to be more interesting. Dammit.)
Some bloggers writing about things they hate or things they love. But I thought the following list would be more fun, more interesting, and more original. So, without further ado…
THINGS I WISH I NEVER HAD TO DO
(in no particular order)
How to Respond to Inappropriate Job Interview Questions
Mar 3rd
Photo by: Andres Thor
I received the following email from a reader: “How should I respond to inappropriate questions such as: ‘Do you have a stable home life?’ and ‘Tell me about your family situation.’ Are these inappropriate questions? It has been so long since I interviewed for a job, your suggestions about the most helpful responses would be appreciated!”
Those are, indeed, inappropriate questions that should not be asked at an interview.
Various federal, state, and local laws regulate the questions a prospective employer can ask you. An employer’s questions — on the job application, in the interview, or during the testing process — must be related to the job for which you are applying.
That does not mean, however, that you will never be asked inappropriate questions.
Some companies have poor HR support, some interviewers are untrained and unaware of inappropriate questions, and some even ask them knowing they should not.
You won’t have much chance of getting the job if you respond to such questions by saying, “Hey, that’s an inappropriate question. You can’t ask me that!”
So you have a few options.
More >
17 Ways to Annoy Potential Employers
Mar 1st
Photo by: tourist_on_earth
The job market is tough enough; do NOT make things harder on yourself by doing any of the things on this list!
1. Apply for jobs you are not qualified for.
2. Send a generic cover letter that doesn’t identify the position you’re interested in, or match your qualifications to the job.
3. Put a useless, seen-it-a-million-times “Objective” on your resume that says you want a “challenging opportunity with a forward-looking company where I can utilize my knowledge, experience and skills to our mutual advantage.”
4. Make your resume a list of past duties instead of accomplishments.
5. Lie, brag or exaggerate about ANYTHING.
6. Keep making repetitive “notice-me” calls to ask if your resume was received.
The Secret to Selling Yourself During a Job Interview
Feb 26th
Photo by: Zoomar
A very effective tactic when selling something is to promote its benefits as well as its features. Very simply, features are what something has; benefits are what those features do for you.
For example, if you’re selling your dog, one of the features you might mention is its small size.
If you focus only on the feature, you’ll say, “This dog weighs 8 pounds and is quite small.” (Yawn)
But if you promote that feature with its benefit, you could say, “This dog is small. At only 8 pounds, he’s perfectly sized for curling up on your lap, riding around in your backpack, or wearing the sweaters your baby has outgrown. He won’t knock you down or drag you along when you go for a walk. Best of all, he doesn’t eat — or poop — large amounts!”
See how that makes a more powerful impression? The potential buyer can visualize how this small dog may fit perfectly into her lifestyle. Use the same tactic for each feature of the dog, and (Ka-ching!) you have a much quicker sale.
When you’re preparing your resume or answering questions during a job interview, you’re selling yourself, so use that same tactic: sell your benefits along with your features!
Here’s how:
More >
Job Interviews at Lunch: Are You at Risk?
Feb 22nd
Photo by: Basheem
Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the hiring manager. Despite anything said to the contrary (like “It’ll just be an informal lunch so we can get to know each other”), this is a formal part of your interview!
This can be a very tricky situation.
Impressions made in a restaurant are just as important as those in an office or meeting room.
If you don’t want an “eating malfunction” to ruin your chances at a new job (or a promotion if you’re dining with the boss), follow these four tips:
More >
Stop Spending So Much Time “On the Job”
Feb 19th
Photo by: Lara604
Do you spend too much time “on the job”?
I don’t mean physically at your place of employment. I mean bringing it home with you.
Do you vent your frustrations by telling your family about what a lousy day you had, or how much of a jerk your boss or co-worker is?
Even if they listen politely, do you think they really want to hear that every night?
It’s OK to express your frustrations at home once in a while, and it can be good to get what’s bothering you off your chest. If you can’t complain at work, it’s better to complain at home than to keep it bottled up inside until you explode and get yourself fired.
But don’t make it a daily habit.
If you constantly force your family to listen to your grumblings, it means two things:
(1) You hate your job and should look for another one;
(2) You selfishly put yourself and your pain ahead of your family and the pain they go through every night having to listen to you!
So deal with it in another way, and stop spending so much time “on the job”! (Your family will thank you.)
5 Steps for Requesting a Raise
Feb 17th
Photo by: Steve Wampler
Do you think you deserve a raise? Of course you do! But what does your boss think?
Here’s how to go about convincing your boss that you’re worth more than you’re currently being paid.
1. First, you must realize that doing a great job is NOT a good enough reason to justify a raise. Your boss EXPECTS you to do a great job. So your performance must be “over and above” what other employees in similar positions are doing.
And you can’t rely on your boss to recognize your true worth without help from you. If you don’t ask for one, you may never get a raise.
2. Make a list of your specific accomplishments that EXCEED the job you were hired to do. Make your list as specific as possible. Provide a detailed record of how you’ve beaten goals, taken on additional responsibilities, and contributed to the organization’s success in ways that were significant.
Want to Get Ahead? Do Something Unexpected!
Feb 16th
Photo by: khinetheinsoe
One of the best things you can do to increase your career advancement opportunities where you work is to do something unexpected.
Many workers who are lazy or unmotivated do the minimum amount of work to not get fired.
To shine in comparison, do MORE than expected.
It’s often not enough to do “a fine job” and expect promotions based on longevity. So find opportunities to show you can handle more responsibility or different duties than those in your job description.
Here’s one example from my own personal experience. Years ago, I had a good job as the executive assistant to the general manager. But I often didn’t have enough to do to keep me busy. I hate being bored, and I enjoy writing. So I volunteered to write articles for the employee newsletter during my slow times.
The editor liked what I wrote, and every article I submitted was published. Readers even began looking forward to my articles.
One day the editor left for a position with another company. Because she was familiar with my writing ability, the hiring manager suggested that I apply for the job. I had to go through the standard hiring process and compete with several other applicants, but because the hiring manager had first-hand knowledge of my writing style and capabilities, I had an edge over the competition. I got the job.
Not only was this a promotion, it was a move into a position that I found much more challenging and rewarding.
So look around and take advantage of opportunities to do more than expected. You’ll enjoy more job satisfaction, help others, and — just maybe — get rewarded for your efforts!
