Group interview tips dos and donts

Group interview tips dos and donts by Michael Cheary For many organisations looking to fill multiple vacancies, the most effective way to identify promising candidates and begin the screening process is in a group interview.Not only are they a good way to compare and contrast candidates, they also demonstrate how each individual works as part of a team, and how they perform under pressure.If youve never attended one before, trying to stand out from the crowd can be a daunting prospect. However, if you approach a group interview with the right attitude, it can be a great way of practically reinforcing the skills required within the job description.To help you make the right first impressions, heres our list of group interview: dos and dontsGroup interview dos:Arrive early When youre competing against a number of other candidates, its essential you make the most of every opportunity to stand out and not be remembered for the wrong reasons.Aside from being punctual and courteous, arriving ahead of schedule has a nother unique advantage in this situation. At a group interview, you can expect to be monitored from the moment you enter the building, so the earlier you arrive, the longer you have to impress. It also allows you to interact with other candidates in a less formal setting, showing off your social skills.However, always bear in mind that there is such a thing as arriving too early. Getting there before the security guard wont win you any bonus points.Remember the icebreaker Before any of the actual tasks begin, youll almost always be asked to provide some sort of introduction for yourself (or worse, some sort of introduction for someone else in the group). To avoid embarrassing situations, always prepare your answer beforehand. Your intro neednt be long, provided its pertinent and engaging.Remember: if you cant think of anything particularly exciting, embellishments are allowed. Although it may be true, um, Im not sure, Im not really that interesting isnt going to give you the start you need.Sit up straight Body language can make all the difference. Do it right, and youll appear attentive and alert, showing your interviewers that youre genuinely interested in what they have to say. Do it wrong, however, and youll only look listless and lethargic (not the qualities of choice for many employers).Theres nothing wrong with relaxing as the interview progresses and showing that youre comfortable. But you neednt let your attitude compromise your posture. So try and sit up straight wherever possible. Just remember to breathe occasionallyPrepare questions If youve prepared for your interview correctly, you should have carried out plenty of research about what the company does and their position within the market. Always use this to your advantage during the obligatory any other questions portion of the interview.However, if you genuinely cant think of anything to bring up for discussion, dont force it. Asking an irrelevant question just for the sake of asking one is more transparent than you may think.Heres our list of interview questions, just in case youre in need of inspiration.Include everyone/Be inclusive Although your leadership skills are being assessed, dont be tempted to go overboard. One of the most important facets of leadership is the ability to ensure everyones opinions are heard, not just voicing your own.If theres an introvert in the group, getting them involved in the task and encouraging them to participate will win you major points, both with your fellow candidates and with your interviewers.Other things to do: Praise others ideas, take notes, dress appropriately, smile.Group interview donts:Be fake It may be a clich, but sometimes the best advice is just to be yourself. Chances are your interviewers will be experienced in group situations, and therefore adept in detecting when someones overdoing it.Trying too hard to stand out is not going to make you many friends, especially amongst your assessors, so always try to be as g enuine as possible. See also: laughter. Unless youre going for a job as a pantomime villain, leave your over-exuberant chuckles and guffaws at the door.Talk over people This is one of the most common mistakes of the group interview try-hard. When the competitive nature of the interview kicks in, it can be tempting to increase the volume to get your point across. However, whatever role youre applying for, you should never underestimate the importance of teamwork.Remember: the wisest people dont always speak the loudest, but they always make their voices heard. So always try to think before you speakGet lost in the group Theres a fine balance between this point and the last. Its highly likely that, whether genuine or not, one or two people in the group will try and take control. If and when this happens, dont let yourself be intimidated or overwhelmed. Instead, use them to your advantage.If you dont agree with their points, feel free to be controversial and offer your own opinion, t hen open up the discussion to the group. A wise man once said: the tallest tree catches the most wind. Think about itBecome too informal As in any other interview situation, theres a certain etiquette for group interviews which should always be adhered to. Its fine to appear comfortable and relaxed in some instances. For example, taking your coat/scarf/hand-knitted woolly mittens off is perfectly acceptable (and indeed can be a particular bugbear for some recruiters if left on).Do not, however, use this as an excuse to leave your manners at the door.Number one: dont refer to your interviewers or co-interviewees as mate. Your interviewers are not your friends.Number two: never swear. Being controversial is ok, as long as you have a well-articulated, polite and appropriate argument. Being rude, vulgar or offensive, however, is definitely not.Number three: avoid discussing any excesses you might enjoy in your own time (obvious topics include gambling and drinking etc, but were sure yo u get the picture). Perhaps save that particular tale for another day/week/lifetime its unlikely to impressLose concentration Finally, its essential to maintain maximum concentration at all times. Take notes, keep eye contact at an acceptable (and socially acceptable) level, smile, nod, and generally try and look enthusiastic and engaged throughout.Avoid spending your time staring off into space, or worse, checking your phone during proceedings. The same also applies to doodling. If you cant listen to the introductory presentation without practicing your inner Picasso, you probably wont be invited back any time soon. Other things not to do: Make too much eye contact, insult the other interviewees, insult the interviewers, cry.Think theres any weve missed? Share your best group interview tips with us below, or tell us on twitter @reedcoukFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereB y clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Interview Techniques Telephone, video and group interviews

Embracing Limits Increases Productivity - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Embracing Limits Increases Productivity - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The above title may sound a bit contradictory. However, the recognition of what your maximum capacity is will prevent you from over-committing to unanticipated requests. Given the goals we have set for ourselves, along with  the must-do task list, the frequently arriving requests could well put one into overwhelm if not dealt with properly Your process for making choices, and how you handle either rejection or acceptance  of requests, is paramount for maintaining a favorable personal brand and business brand, too. 1. Prioritize As with everything else, prioritization of the must-dos comes first. If you forsake a must-do for a favor, or in the case of, a lets see what happens, you may possibly set your business back a step or two. As requests for promotion, collaboration, and doing favors, come into your in-box, decide which ones align with your vision and principles for conducting business. Next, decide which requests sound as if they may further enhance your business development and achievement of your vision. Consistency in all you do is essential for maintaining your brand identity. The more difficult requests come from friends. Do your best to honor those relationships but within a reasonable timeframe.  If you are in a time crunch with your own work, or extenuating circumstances exist, be honest and say so. Negotiate a target date satisfactory for all so that you both may continue to move forward on a friendly basis. Note: A win for all should always be of the highest priority. 2.  QA Sometimes requests are ambiguous.  You arent quite certain about all of the elements required or of the benefits all parties are slated to receive. Sometimes the benefits are just one-sided; be aware of these.  You need to do some digging before you provide an answer, or potentially, you might be sorry.  Question and Answer is the better strategy for this scenario. By being inquisitive, you generally avoid being less than diplomatic.  On the other hand, you are able to clarify the situation and get all of the details prior to making a definitive decision of no or yes.  While you might turn an individual down, as they see the professional manner in which you operate, the conversation, at the very least, will be concluded on a positive note. Later on, a new project may develop which they recognize as a better fit, and will contact you once again. 3.  Enjoyment Im a proponent of believing work CAN be fun.  Which of the requests will enhance your enjoyment in doing the work?  Understand, if you agree to undertake a project that proves to be a drag on your time and mental outlook, you will not put out your best.  This will be worse than declining the opportunity. The end goal should always be to deliver your best for friends, clients, management, and in customer service care. When you find the enjoyment in your work and strive to always deliver your best, these elements combined, serve to attract others and provide repeat business and testimonials the secret ingredient for the  Smooth Sale!

How to write about your life Five-day webinar with Penelope Trunk. Plus special guest-appearance by The Farmer.

How to write about your life Five-day webinar with Penelope Trunk. Plus special guest-appearance by The Farmer. This webinar will teach you how to write about your life.  It includes four days of of video sessions and email-based course materials.  You can purchase this workshop  for anytime, on-demand access. The cost is $195. Get access now. Ive been writing about myself for as long as I can remember. Ive lectured on writing at places like Boston University, Brown University, and the University of Paris. My first book was a memoir that Publishers Weekly said was quick, punchy prose that keeps the reader riveted. (A really big rule about selling something is that you dont offer something cheaper first, but whatever. Here I go.) That first book, the memoir, is a little like Fifty Shades of Grey but with more vomit and more beach volleyball. The print version of my book is $500 on Amazon, but you can buy the electronic version here. And, if youre wondering why the author on the book is not Penelope Trunk, heres the post about my many names. But back to the webinar.   For $195 you get access to all the videos and course materials.  Its significantly more expensive than the ebook, but really, which will be more fulfilling to you, reading about my life or writing about yours? If you cant be there for the live version, you can download the video to watch whenever you want. Sign up now. The secret sauce to all good blog posts is writing about yourself. Successful blogs infuse the personality of blogger into whatever the blog topic is. And successful professional sites do this as well. In fact, as early as 2008, the Harvard Business Review was warning executives that social media wont work for them if they dont do it themselves with no ghost writersbecause they need to use their personality. The trick is to know how to reveal your personality and tell stories about yourself in a way that helps you reach your goals. Im going to teach you how to make your writing so interesting that people cant stop reading. And once you have that, you have so many choices about what you do with your writinga blog, a book, a business. Good writing can launch all of these. I knowIve done it myself. So heres what you will learn: Day one:  How to choose what part of your life to write about.   Ill give you the list of rules I use to make sure Im personal but not boring. People think the biggest problem about writing about your own life is what to reveal. But actually, the more difficult problem is how to not be boring. In general people want to read about someone elses life if it relates back to their own in some illuminating way. Ill also teach you how to give up control of the story to get a better story. Its the writing equivalent of this photo, actually; I told my son to just give me the camera, and look, it ended up being an interesting picture of me and The Farmer more interesting than if I tried to control everything in the photo. Day two: How to structure stories. We all have a million bazillion stories to tell. This session will show you how to take a moment that you really want to tell people about and turn that moment into a story that will resonate with readers. The process here is self-editing and thinking about a story arc even though life does not unfold in neat plot lines. (Bonus! If you learn to do this well, youll be able to write your resume better and youll do better in job interviews. Finally, social justice: the writers do well in the workplace.) Day three:  How to create a system for writing. Most people do not write about themselves for a living. Most people have a day job, and they write in addition to that job. A system helps you become more efficient so you can write regularly. Ill tell you tricks I use to force myself to write when I dont want to. Ill also show you three different types of posts, and how to write them, how to organize your links, how to create a writing schedule, how to organize the posts you save for later. Day four: How to turn your writing into a paycheck. Good writers can make money writing. But its not so straightforward. Ill share with you the wide range of ways I get paid to write about myself. Also, Ill show you how  I got a blog-to-book deal with a six-figure advance. Some of you dont want to do a blog, you just want to write a book, and Ill show you shortcuts to getting a book deal so you can live off the advance while you write the book. And, if any of you end up being ready for an agent, Ill put you in touch with my agent, who has agreed to look at any proposals I send her way from this class. Day five: QA with me and the Farmer. One of the most common road blocks people feel to writing about themselves is what the people close to them will say. The Farmer has put up with me writing about him since the day I met him. So I thought hed do a good job answering your questions about what its like to have someone writing about you all the time. You can ask him anything else, too. I told him he should be prepared for a wide range of questions. I want to tell you that hes nervous. But hes not. Hell just answer whatever comes his way. So I think its safe to say that Im the nervous one. But heres something else about writing about yourself: Itll make you nervous and thats why its fun. The only stuff thats worth doing is hard and scary. So that nervous feeling means Im growing. And really, this webinar will teach you just that: how to engage in personal growth and intellectual growth through writing. Because thats really what the best writers do. Get access now.

Exploding Job Offer Can Blow Up in Your Face! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

‘Exploding’ Job Offer Can Blow Up in Your Face! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Editor’s Note: This blog is a modified excerpt from professional “headhunter” and bestselling job-hunting book author Skip Freeman’s next book in the “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets series of job-hunting books, CAREER STALLED? How to Get Your Career Back in High Gear and Land the Job You Deserve-Your Dream Job. Publication is scheduled for early 2013. ________________________________________________________ If you happen to be fortunate enough to be in one of the professions that are perennially in very high demand (and growing), e.g., certain healthcare specialties, some key engineering fields, accounting, et al., you may encounter what’s referred to as an “exploding” job offer during your job search. This type of job offer typically has a relatively short acceptance deadline and usually includes elements that are either non-negotiable or largely non-negotiable, e.g., salary range, position grade and/or title, etc. The idea, of course, is for hiring companies to reduce both recruiting costs and the time it takes to bring high-demand candidates onboard to fill key critical positions within the organization. As you might suspect, that can mean both good things and bad things for candidates receiving these “exploding” job offers. The wise job-seeker should approach such offers with pleasure and pride, of course, but also with healthy doses of skepticism and careful consideration. Historically, “exploding” job offers have largely been used to recruit recent (or soon-to-be) graduates with degrees in high-demand specialties from top colleges and universities, but with literally millions of high-demand, critical positions going unfilled month after month in today’s job market, we are now seeing a broader application of the approach. While there is no “one size fits all” type of “exploding” job offer, here is how the offer usually works for qualified candidates who have branded themselves (and who are perceived by the hiring companies) as being among the TOP candidates for open positions in high-demand, critical specialties: The hiring company stipulates a largely non-negotiable, though usually competitive, starting salary or salary range. The benefits, e.g., number of annual vacation days, performance review periods, etc., are pretty much “set in stone” and generally applicable to all high-demand candidates targeted by the hiring company. The candidate is usually given a very short “deadline” to either accept or reject the offer, essentially, “as is.” This deadline can be as short as just a few days or perhaps as long as a couple of weeks, but usually never longer than that. Assuming that each of these (and other equally important) elements is essentially in sync with current job market parameters and conditions, i.e., the salary and benefits are indeed competitive, etc., then this type of offer can significantly benefit the qualified candidate. That is, it can substantially reduce the time needed to be spent on the typical job search, and it can eliminate quite a bit of the negotiation “hassle” that’s normally involved in the more typical job search. In order for you, the candidate, to accurately make such an assessment, though, i.e., is the offer indeed a truly competitive one, you must do your homework. Merely assuming that the offer is a good (and genuine) one, or worse yet, guessing that it is, could end up costing you dearly and land you in a new job that is anything but a “good fit” for your skills, experience, talents and personality. When it comes to your career, your future, taking a “shoot from the hip” approach to a new job offer because you may feel that the offer is simply too good to pass upâ€"it may or it may not be!â€"or that it might be the only really “good” job offer to come your way in the foreseeable future, is NOT advised! Let me elaborate briefly here. If you are in fact in a high-demand profession, and you have in fact branded yourself as being among the crème de la crème in your profession, chances are you will end up getting more than just one job offer when you actively seek out new career opportunities, or if and when you are actively sought out by “headhunters,” hiring manager and in-house corporate recruiters. Obviously, then, if you were to jump on the first offer to come your wayâ€"without carefully and completely evaluating that offerâ€"you easily could end up making a very costly career mistake! At an absolute minimum, you should include the following considerations when evaluating an “exploding” job offer: The average salaries (or salary ranges) currently being paid in  your particular area of expertise and in the geographic locale you are  considering. (Don’t guess! Go to www.salary.com,  www.simplyhired,  www.glassdoor.com,  et al., and get the facts before  even contemplating accepting any  offer.) Does the salary offered match (or nearly match) what your research  reveals about similar positions in similar geographic locales? Check with professional peers  who have the same skills, education and experience as you and who are  currently employed in the type of position you’re evaluating. How does the  offer you’re considering stack up with what these peers tell you? Make sure you have a current and realistic understanding of the standards in your specialty and  industry regarding what parts of a job offer may be negotiable, e.g.,  salary, number of vacation days, etc., and what may not be negotiable, e.g., relocation costs, health and life  insurance costs, company retirement benefits, etc. Without question, if you are one of the extremely fortunate job candidates who are in a field or industry where, currently, at least, the number of available jobs far exceeds the number of available (and qualified) men and women to fill them, then count your blessings! For now, you, unlike the overwhelming majority of other job seekers in the current market, just happen to be in a seller’s market! Enjoy it while you can! Just two more professional admonitions, though, before I end this blog: Remember, if something (in this case, a job offer) sounds simply too good to be true, it usually is; AND, If you don’t “look before you leap,” you may not  like the landing that awaits you! Have a happyâ€"and prosperous and safe!â€"2013! Author: Skip Freeman  is the author of “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed . . . Forever!  and is the President and Chief Executive Officer of  The HTW Group (Hire to Win), an Atlanta, GA, Metropolitan Area Executive Search Firm. Specializing in the placement of sales, engineering, manufacturing and RD professionals, he has developed powerful techniques that help companies hire the best and help the best get hired.

What to Include on a Synonym Resume

What to Include on a Synonym ResumeWhen you are looking for a job and want to become more familiar with the process of filling out a Synonym resume, you should be aware that you can find a great deal of helpful information online. You will want to become more familiar with the entire process of how to properly fill out a Synonym resume. This is especially true for people who are new to the process of working online or those who have been doing it for a while but are starting to make a little money by filling out these resumes on a part-time basis. Here are some of the main things you need to know about filling out a Synonym resume:Before you even begin, it is important to know the common name that is going to be used for the individual's name on the resume. This is known as a first name. The synonym of the person's first name will also be used in place of their first name. The synonym is simply an alternate name that someone would choose for the person in the resume.While there is no need to type in the social security number for the applicant, it does help. It will allow the job applicant to see what they look like when listed with their social security number. However, if the person is working, the social security number should be typed in. This allows the job seeker to see what it looks like when listed with their social security number.Next, some of the common hobbies that are listed with the job seeker should be typed in for the applicant. These hobbies can include any type of interest that is listed on the applicant's profile. These hobbies will usually include sports, playing games, listening to music, or reading books.The most common title used for the applicant is their name. Other titles that are usually included in the Synonym resume include the following: Employee 1, Executive Assistant, and Secretary. If the applicant has chosen any titles for themselves, they should be included on the resume as well.The opening paragraph is one of the most importa nt parts of a Synonym resume. This is the first paragraph that is made available to potential employers when they are sending out resumes online. The opening paragraph includes the basics about the applicant such as their job title and employer. This is important because there is no sense in listing their current employer in the resume.There are some common words that should be included in the opening paragraph. These words should include the name of the job applicant, the title they are applying for, and the job that they are applying for. They should also list any skills that are being used by the applicant. This can include writing, sewing, photography, cooking, and cleaning.After these few words are written, the job seeker should write a paragraph describing their education and skills they possess. Any talents that the applicant has should be described in this paragraph. Any accomplishments that are listed with the applicant should also be listed in this paragraph. The paragraph that follows should be very brief and very detailed about the applicant.

How to highlight your industry skills in an interview - CareerEnlightenment.com

How to highlight your industry skills in an interview You have just completed your studies and thus feel ready to dive into the competitive job market. Searching for your next job can be a tricky process. In such a fast-paced environment, with thousands of graduates each year, the whole process can feel like a marathon. Even if you are fortunate enough to be called for an interview, you still are anxious as to whether you will impress the prospective employer. As much as people dread interviews, they provide excellent opportunities to showcase your skills and expertise. You get the chance to prove what makes you different from the other candidates. So, how can you seize the moment?Make sure the interviewer is aware of your capabilities by mentioning your skills as long as they are relevant to the position you are applying for. However, there is a difference between just listing your skills and showing what you are really capable of. For instance, you might mention the number of years you have spent in your industry, your specific role and summarize your successful projects. Such evidence reassures the interviewer of your competency for the specific position you are applying for.Tips To Help You Sell Yourself During An InterviewExplain how your skills will benefit the company: The interviewer is not only interested in your expertise but also how you will be of benefit to their company. This means that you researched beforehand about the company. You will thus be in a better position to know how to incorporate your skills and expertise into the industry’s core values.Mention your soft skills: a potential employer is already bombarded with commonly used expressions such as great team player, excellent communication skills, etc as they go through applications. Therefore, in order to add that extra appeal, use less commonly used words to show your soft skills. Emotional intelligence and openness to feedback are some great examples.Ask questions: asking questions that are relevant to the industry is a sign that you a re really interested in the company you want to work for. You may inquire how they handle challenges, and other important questions pertaining to the industry. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Importance of Networking During a Job Search Networking  is not always about collecting numerous business cards as possible. It’s about adding value to the relationship you already have. Instead of looking for contacts only when you are looking for a job, make it a habit to always connect with past colleagues and managers. Avail yourself at various events each year for important introductions.On the same breath, the importance of your social media online presence cannot be overemphasized. Social media has changed the way employers view you. If you completely don’t have any online presence, then your creditworthiness is doubted. You can use your social media accounts to initiate conversations that test-drive your skills to a professional audience. If your contact has extensive experience in the industry, you can kindly ask for their input on steps to succeed in the industry.  Stress to Impress In order to increase your chances of getting hired, you need to stress your strengths. Read the job description before going to the interview and tailor your work experience to the job description. Thus, you can show how your previous skills are transferable to the current position you are applying for.Conclusion A job interview can be an anxious experience but with careful preparation and the right attitude you can impress the employer and lock yourself a prestigious position in a company. Your skills and other strengths can be powerful tools in marketing yourself.

3 questions to ask yourself for more happiness at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

3 questions to ask yourself for more happiness at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog We gain much of our happiness?at work (and in life) by appreciating the?good things we have and do. Sure, you should also make sure to improve your circumstances and address any problems but it is just as important to be?able to appreciate the things that work. This is hard. Negativity bias is one of the most well-established psychological phenomena and it means quite simply that our minds devote?more mental?focus and cognition to the bad than the good. Simply put,?our thoughts automatically go to problems, annoyances, threats and fears but?remembering and appreciating?the good in our lives takes effort and focus. With that in mind, here are 3 questions you can ask yourself to help focus on the positive in your work life. 1: What have you done recently that youre proud of? This can be deadlines met and goals achieved or maybe?a time where you helped a coworker or customer. Research shows that one of the main drivers of happiness at work is measurable, meaningful progress. 2: What have you learned recently? How have you grown?professionally or personally? What new knowledge have you gathered? What can you do better or faster today?compared to previously? 3: Who has helped you? Who has been there for you??How have your coworkers or your boss helped you out and been there for you? I suggest making?it a ritual to?answer these questions at the end of every month. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related