What Successful People Do Within the First 10 Minutes of the Workday

What Successful People Do Within the First 10 Minutes of the WorkdayWhat Successful People Do Within the First 10 Minutes of the WorkdayHow you deal with the initial 10 minutes of the workday largely can determine how effective and productive you will be the remainder of the day.Below is a list of 10 things the most successful individuals do within the initial 10 minutes of the workday1. They ReflectAccomplishing your top goals will require you to reflect upon where you have been, where you are, as well as where you are going. Successful individuals build quiet time in and use solitude to do this first thing in the morning. Theyll ask themselves What did I achieve toward my goals thus far this week- or the past week? Whats the status of my present projects? What will I have to achieve today in light of this?2. They Make Themselves ComfortableSuccessful individuals take time at the start of the workday to be certain their chair is properly adjusted and the objects they access frequent ly- phone, keyboard, computer mouse- are all within comfortable reach. Make sure you have the right lighting. Your day is going to go well if you create an ergonomic environment that is functional.3. They Review Their To-Do Lists and Make Necessary AdjustmentsThis assists them in remembering the necessity of sticking with the plan and concentrating on the tasks that are truly important, not just urgent. Taking a mental note of the day also assists successful people in visualizing success, tremendously boosting confidence levels. Also, it can help you see where potential challenges might lie with how you have scheduled the day, in order for you to make the needed changes.4. They PrioritizeA positive result of some big-picture reflection includes the capability of better prioritizing your to-do tasks. Go above and beyond merely creating a list and challenge yourself to develop a realistic hierarchy for your tasks.5. They Take the Time to Greet the TeamThis is especially crucial if you re a leader. However, no matter what role you are in, it is critical. Checking in and visiting with your team and boss will assist you and other people in kickstarting their day. In order to advance your career, you cannot skimp on people skills. You may be the most technically savvy individual inside the room, yet your attitude might amplify or chip away at your technical skills value. Being friendly the first thing in your morning will make the work environment more pleasant for everybody- and that humanistic approach is going to be contagious.6. Theyll Take a Temperature Read of Co-workers and StaffA strong manager takes a minute in the morning to briefly talk to his or her staff to make sure they seem motivated and engaged. At one glance, these savvy experts often can get a cursory reading of the job satisfaction and energy level of their team. If things seem awry, theyre better dealt with later in the day.7. Theyll Organize Their Workspaceleid having the ability to locate thing s is a big office time waster. Therefore, while you might pride yourself on hopping into the fray without any down time, clutter is going to catch up to you. Facing a clean slate on your desktop is going to better clear your mind for that days projects.8. They Strategically Check Their EmailThe emphasis is on strategically, because email can quickly become a time-wasting distraction. Checking your email may become one of those activities that makes it feel like youre achieving things, but it creates the risk that you arent attending to priority items and are allowing other people to set your schedule.9. They Avoid and Anticipate DistractionsAll of us face some of the exact same distractions at the beginning of the day. Successful business people know how they can mitigate these distractions to maximize their initial minutes at their office. The distractions might involve unneeded meetings, low-priority calls, chatty co-workers, social media, incoming texts or emails, or other unimpo rtant alerts- all of which will challenge you to concentrate on your days strategy.10. They Take Time to Be GratefulOne excellent way that successful individuals begin their day includes identifying something they are grateful for, and it might be business-related or personal. It is motivational and will remind them to put small tasks in perspective.More From Inc.Why Being Positive Is the Best Tool in geschftliches miteinander23 Must-Read Twitter Feeds for 201525 Companies That Are Changing the WorldPhoto of woman opening shades courtesy of Shutterstock.

How to Get a Job as an Accountant

How to Get a Job as an AccountantHow to Get a Job as an AccountantIf youre thinking about becoming an accountant or pursuing a career in accounting, its important to make sure you have the right education, experience, and background skills before jumping into the field. Heres a look at some of the key requirements for accountants, including what to expect from an accounting job and how to land the position. Accountant Education and Licensing Most accountants complete at least a bachelors degree with a focus on accounting. Individuals who want to work for public accounting firms must pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Alfruchtwein all states require accountants to acquire at least 150 college credits in order to sit for the CPA exam. In addition to completing an undergraduate degree in accounting or a related discipline, most candidates take additional graduate work, often culminating in an MBA to complete the remaining credits. To find out the requirements relevant to your state, visit the American Institute of CPAs(to learn more about how to become a certified public accountant in your region. Accountant Skills Accountants work with numbers, so they need to have strong mathematical skills.Accountants should be diligent and detail-oriented, as the job requires combing through volumes of financial data to search for problems and irregularities. Because accounting is governed by various rules and regulations, accountants must be able to learn and apply complex principles that are likely to change over time. If you want to become an accountant, a strong thirst for knowledge will serve you well. Public accountants audit the finances of a vast array of businesses, governmental entities, and non-profit organizations.They must be able to quickly learn how these operations are conducted and gain familiarity with the specific regulations that apply in these sectors.Accountants spend considerable time working alone and must be comfortable in this mo de. They also must interact and communicate with staff at client organizations in order to secure the information necessary to conduct audits and understand business practices. If youre overly sensitive, an accounting career might not be for you, as accountants are sometimes treated coolly by staff members who fear that their mistakes may be uncovered by the accountants work. In addition, accountants need solid analytical and problem-solving skills in order to discern flawed financial processes and to recommend better practices.Accountants need a strong sense of ethics to structure appropriate controls and apply standards to their organizations. What Employers Look For When hiring candidates, employers will look for evidence of success in accounting coursework as well as overall academic achievement.The big four public accounting firms generally interview candidates with a 3.5 GPA or higher.However, they will consider many other factors including the overall rigor of the curric ulum, GPA in accounting coursework, and a pattern of improvement over time.Candidates who have excelled as campus leaders, athletes or worked many hours while in school may get selected with somewhat lower GPAs. How to Get a Job as an Accountant Campus Recruiting Programs. Accounting candidates are heavily recruited through campus interviewing programs.Campus interviews for graduating students take place early in the fall of their final year. Heres information on college recruiting programs. Intern to Hire. Students who have completed accounting internships in their junior or senior year will have a distinct edge in landing post-grad jobs. Campus recruiting for internship positions takes place in the winter and spring. If youre still in college and considering an accountant career, check with your career schreibstube during the spring of your sophomore year to discuss strategies for finding an accounting internship. Networking. Even though many accounting graduates will land job s through campus recruiting, networking is still an important strategy for landing jobs.Start your networking efforts during your sophomore year in college.Ask your career office for a list of accounting alumni who you could contact for information and advice. Conduct informational interviews with as many alumni as possible. If you hit it off well with an alum, ask if you might shadow them over a school break to solidify your connection.Reach out to faculty, family, friends, neighbors and former supervisors. Ask for referrals to accountants they know for informational consultations. These informational interviews can often lead to referrals for internships or jobs if you make a favorable impression. Get to Know Your Professors. Cultivate strong relationships with accounting faculty. Offer to help them with research projects or administrative tasks. Meet with them during office hours and ask for career advice.Offer to tutor beginning accounting students. Employers will often ask acco unting professors to recommend strong candidates. Search major job sites like Indeed.com and Simplyhired.com by common accounting job titles to generate a list of leads.Tap specialized finance and accounting specific job sites to access more listings. Interviewing for an Accounting Job Interviewers will often probe for your knowledge of accounting and may ask you some questions about accounting concepts or approaches.For example, they might ask What are some of the challenges in constructing a statement of cash flows? or Describe the accounting problem or project that tested your knowledge the most. Employers may also ask why you have chosen the field in to see if youre a good fit for the company.Make sure that you have spoken to many accounting professionals, asked them what they like about their work, and then matched those findings up with your own interests. You will often be asked what will make you a good accountant.Think of five to seven strengths that will qualify you to succeed in the field. Prepare anecdotes and examples of how you have applied those skills, whether it is in part-time jobs, internships, extra-curricular activities, or academic work. Your informational meetings with accounting professionals can also help you to prepare for this type of question.Ask them what it takes to excel in their job and look for the overlap with your strengths. Many accounting recruiters will ask behavioral questions to evaluate whether you possess the ideal characteristics to succeed in the field.They may ask you to describe situations where you met certain challenges or to give examples of how you have applied certain skills. Review each of your resume citations and think about the successes you generated in those situations. Be prepared to reference the strengths you used to achieve those positive results. Credibility is critical for accountants.Recruiters will be carefully evaluating you to make sure you have the right image to inspire confidence in thei r clients.Dress for success with a conservative interviewing outfit.Consult with your career office staff if you have any questions. After the Interview After the interview, take the time to follow up. Send an email thank you message that clearly states your strong interest in the job, how it is an excellent fit for you, and how thankful you were for the opportunity to meet.If you have multiple interviewers, try to think of something different to mention in your letter to each interviewer to show your attention to detail and interest in the job. Accounting Keywords for Resumes A - C Abandonment ValueAccelerated DepreciationAccelerating Month-End Closing ProcessAccrual Basis AccountingAdjusted Present ValueAdjustmentsAnalyzing Financial StatementsAutomating Journal Entry ValidationAutomating ReportsBudgetingCapital AcquisitionsCash Flow AnalysisCash Flow StatementCash ManagementClean AuditContract ManagementCost Basis AccountingCost AccountingCPA D - I Debt RefinancingDetail Orie ntedEliminating WasteEnsuring einhaltung with Regulatory StandardsEstablishing Risk Management PoliciesEvaluating/Upgrading Business Enterprise SystemsFinancial ModelingFinancial ProjectionsForecasting RevenuesGenerally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)General LedgerIdentifying Flaws in Financial StatementsImproving Collection of Accounts ReceivableIncome StatementInitial Public Offerings J - Q Management AccountingManaging Audit RelationshipsMergers and AcquisitionsNegotiating Vendor AgreementsNet Present ValueOptimizing Levels of InventoryOverseeing Investment PlanningPayrollPayroll ReportingPower User of ExcelPreciseProfit and LossQuickBooksQuick Ratio R - Z ReconciliationReducing Audit FindingsReducing ExpensesReducing Journal Entry TimeResponsive to Staff Needs for Financial InformationReturn on Assets (ROA)Return on Equity (ROE)Return on Investment (ROI)Sarbanes OxleySaving MoneyStatement of Changes in EquityStatement of Financia l PositionStraight-line DepreciationStreamlining the Accounting ProcessTakeoversTax FilingTax PlanningUnqualified OpinionUpgrading Financial ControlsYear-End Reporting?

Leadership Questions for Employers to Ask Applicants

Leadership Questions for Employers to Ask ApplicantsLeadership Questions for Employers to Ask ApplicantsIts very useful to have a set of job bewerberinterview questions about leadership that can help you determine if your candidate is a good leader. These important questions serve to identify leadership capabilities for any individual who will be hired into a leadership role in your organization. Additionally, the fruchtwein successful organizations foster leadership in all of their employees at every level of the organization. The following sample interview questions will also help you identify the leadership potential of your candidates for other company roles. Before the Interview Start out by understanding the qualities and characteristics that you seek in a leader. You may find some insight by first reading the ten characteristics of a successful leadership style. These will ensure that your questions are formulated to identify the right beliefs, traits, values, and experien ce. Questions to Determine If a Job Candidate Is a Good Leader The following sample job interview questions about leadership enable you to assess your candidates skills and experience. Feel free to use these job interview questions in your own candidate interviews or use them as the basis for creating your own questions. You decided to reorganize the department or work unit that you lead. Tell me how you proceeded with the reorganization? What steps did you follow especially with the employees who work in the department?Have you ever been a member of a successful team? If so, describe the role that you played on the team and in its success.Give me an example of a time when you played a leadership role in an event, an activity, a department or work unit, or a project. Describe how you led the efforts.Think about times when you have had to perform in a leadership role and tell me how people responded to your leadership efforts? Tell me about a time when you failed. How did it happ en? How did you handle it?If I were to ask your reporting staff or your peers to comment on your leadership style, your leadership strengths, and your leadership weaknesses, how would they respond? What would this discussion tell me about you as a leader?Would you rather that your employees respected you or feared you? Is there the opportunity in a leadership role to inspire both reactions from your employees?Tell me about a time when you created agreement and shared purpose from a situation in which all parties originally differed in opinion, approach, and objectives. As a leader within an organization, you must often build support for goals and projects from people who do not report to you and over whom you have no authority. Tell me about a situation in which you demonstrated that you can build the needed support.In organizations, the direction often comes down the chain of command and so the initiatives you must implement were not developed by you. In fact, you may or may not ha ve had input into their implementation. Tell me about a time when you implemented a required initiative with your staff. How did you go about the implementation? What are the three most important values you demonstrate as a leader? Tell me a story that demonstrates each of these leadership values in practice within your workplace.During your work experiences while attending college, tell me about a time when you demonstrated that you have leadership ability and skill. Leadership Job Interview Outcomes You are questioning to determine whether the candidate has leadership skills or potential. Seek to identify the leadership style of your candidate, from his or her perspective and from the perspective of his or her direct reporting staff and peers. Above all, however, make sure to know and avoid any Job Interview Questions That Are Illegal. The point is to determine whether the candidates style is congruent with the culture of your organization. It is helpful if you have already cr eated a leadership profile that identifies the skills and traits of successful leaders within your organization. Leadership style is best demonstrated in stories. Self-examination and commentary are ?self-serving, at best, in an interview setting. Ask your candidates for many specific stories and examples. Read on for More Job Interview Questions for Employers.

This is the secret to being interesting to other people at parties

This is the secret to being interesting to other people at partiesThis is the secret to being interesting to other people at partiesIf the thought of thinking up small talk at networking events and office holiday parties gives you stress, do not fear - theres a science-backed solution on how you can sound interesting to other people.It does not require you to remember talking points, trivia facts, or local weather patterns. It does require you to be fully present, to not just wait for your turn to talk, to genuinely listen to what is being said. For some people used to working off of scripts, this level of attention is much harder, but the rewards will be much greater. Thats because studies have found that being curious about other people is the key to being remembered as interesting in conversations.To be seen as the most interesting rolle in the room, it is more important to be interested in other people, rather than be inherently interesting yourself.The researchOne 2004 study fo und that strangers who acted curious in first-time conversations - people who asked follow-up questions, who asked intimate questions about a persons future and goals - were seenas more attractive and socially closer to the recipient than strangers who acted less curious.Beinginterestedis more important in cultivating a relationship and maintaining a relationship than being interesting thats what gets the dialogue going, one of the studys authors, Todd Kashdan of George Mason University, concluded. Its the secret juice of relationships.When people show genuine interest in our hobbies and goals, this also gives us the mglichkeit to speak about our favorite topic ourselves. Neuroscience research has found that when we talk about ourselves, we feel good because that topic activates the pleasure and reward areas in our brains. In other words, that person you met who chattered away about themselves may remember you fondly simply because you gave them the chance to talk your ear off.How to show interest in other peopleBeing interested in your conversation partner means letting go of your assumptions about who the other person is. It means going into a conversation with the belief that everyone is interesting, regardless of their social status, connections, or occupation.Being genuinely interested in someone means showing each person you run into at the feier the same level of politeness. As writer Paul Ford advised, politeness buys both parties time.People silently struggle from all kinds of terrible things, Ford writes. The good thing about politeness is that you can treat these people exactly the same. And then wait to see what happens. You dont have to have an opinion. You dont need to make a judgment.So next time youre at a party and the dreaded lull in the conversation occurs - speak up. Ask to hear more about that vacation, that pet, or that hobby, and then close your mouth, pay attention, and listen.

How to Describe Work Ethic on Consulting Jobs Resume Management Resources

How to Describe Work Ethic on Consulting Jobs Resume Management ResourcesHow to Describe Work Ethic on Consulting Jobs Resume Management ResourcesMotivated? Driven? Strategic? Responsible? Even if these adjectives describe you as a professional, you should avoid using them when describing your work ethic on your resume for consulting jobs.Heres why Theyre buzzwords. (For mora examples, see this list from LinkedIn).These are the exact same words that countless other consultants are sprinkling throughout their job applications - adjectives you can be assured hiring managers are tired of reading.And aside from being overused, buzzwords dont necessarily communicate your work ethic as effectively as you might think.Dan DeNisco, senior vice president for Robert Half Management Resources, says Some of the overused words that I prefer not to see on a consulting resume are creative, innovative, self-starter and good communicator. In particular, creative and innovative dont go over very well in financial reporting. I want to see specific, value-added statements that highlight ROIs of interest to prospective employers.Reach for action phrases - not just a thesaurusSo, how do you make your work ethic stand out on paper? By underscoring your deliverables. Use your resume to spell out some of the results youve achieved in previous consulting jobs.Here are some examples of how to replace a tired adjective with a more engaging action phrase that conveys the same work ethicResponsiblePerformed analysis of internal controls, systems and financial reporting and implemented new procedures that shortened the monthly closing cycle from six to three days.StrategicReduced general and administrative expenses by $300,000 by reviewing and renegotiating vendor agreements.EffectiveDeveloped and implemented new policies and process improvements for the manufacturing group in Q2, which allowed them to increase productivity by 11 percent in Q3 without raising associated costs.Organizational Orchestrated a multidepartment initiative in the investment division to investigate asset merge discrepancies. Identified several control inefficiencies and devised action plans with management, banks and security holders to correct.Now more than ever, companies value the flexibility and specialized expertise a consultant can bring to their more complex projects and initiatives. If your resume for consulting jobs highlights the measurable results of your skills, rather than listing a handful of overused adjectives, you will be much more likely to attract a prospective clients attention.This post was originally published in January 2014 and has been updated to reflect more current information. Tags

A Review of What Is Objective on a Resume

A Review of What Is Objective on a Resume The Foolproof What Is Objective on a Resume Strategy If youve got the sole objective in a sea of resumes, it simply might provide help. The primary purpose of a resume would therefore be to select the candidate to the interview stage, in the entire procedure for employment. As stated previously have to pick skills that have some relevance to the job which youre applying for. A crystal clear statement about how youll utilize your strongest relevant abilities and professional experiences to satisfy the specific role youre applying for 3. What Is Objective on a Resume for Dummies Make certain its tailored to not merely the position, but the geschftlicher umgang also. einstellungsgesprch questions are normally created to deduce how advised youre regarding the company enterprise and position available. Including a career objective statement will help to reflect the position youre applying for, the form of company you want, the experience and qualification youve got and the value it is possible to offer to the company at a glance. To begin with, consider the work description to see whether it indicates the kind of skills the provider is seeking. You have to get over how youd be of advantage to the employer. Just telling the employer you could utilize your skills wont do. Just provide a high effect overview of what exactly you may supply the employer. In the event that you were with your prior employer for a decade, it demonstrates that youre a loyal and trustworthy individual, and which you really wished to be there. Indicate your desired positions When you produce your resume, its essential that you indicate your preferred position open in the business you are applying. After writing your own personal info, you must include in the qualifications section of your resume if youre a degree holder and if you could experience employed as a abverkauf associate particularly on the tasks which are assigned to you. If you prefer to learn more on the best way to compose an objective statement for a resume, visit our site for more info on all facets of career resources. You can request the assistance of a friend or relative. The Pain of What Is Objective on a Resume Analyzing Your Resume Now that you comprehend the significance of objective, you will need to be sure that your resume includes only objective statements. Perhaps the most important part of your page is the resume objective. If youre not able to extend a benefit statement, attempt to demonstrate your professional overview to spell out your abilities and accomplishments. You ought to have five objective statements. Many manufacturing businesses produce assortments of articles and products for the customer-oriented industry. Being a real HR professional in the modern business environment is not simple. Remember you wish to sell yourself, your experience and any contribution you need to offer the business. Browsing for the bes t job must entail your courageous mindset, and on occasion a sufficient budget to comply with many requirements you have to forward to the human resources department of the business and the overall expenses of the entire application procedure. Do not compose any unclear details here as it can earn a lousy impression. Adding your opinion to your resume will cause you to look less credible and dependable in the view of your employer. While a resume is normally a formal document, cover letters provide you an opportunity to reveal your personality. Then apply your letter to show that youre the reply to their problems. Routinely, the toughest part of requesting a career is creating an occupation interview. As soon as its essential for your resume to incorporate a very clear career goal, you dont need to convey it through an Objective section. How you opt to construct your resume, in regard to style, is your choice. A great start is to utilize your action word once only, the sam e as any component of your resume. The Most Popular What Is Objective on a Resume Writing a winning college student career objective is a rather simple method to bolster your application for this internship or job youve got in sight. Just after your personal details, you will need to put in a little statement telling about your career objectives, why you would like to do the specific job etc.. You might challenging to understand where to begin to discover the job thats best suited for you. You found a fantastic job on Monsterfantastic. Possessing a very clear career objective reference in the resume will greatly enhance the end result of receiving an interview. It refers to something being unbiased. In the end, theres the matter of focus. It is possible to refer resume objective samples on the net and can write the objective that could make an impression at a glance. Or, in the event the form of position which youre applying for values education include this section sh ould appear close to the peak of your resume. Be natural in giving information Although giving false information is a huge mistake it doesnt follow you will divulge all of your weakness. A fundamental element of every work application is education. It is astonishing how many terrific managers out there may run a profitable restaurant operation inside and out, but they havent any idea what things to write when it is time to shop for their next prospect. The target of resume objective is to raise the possibility of getting positive response from the possible employer. The resume objective will probably be the very first thing the employer will see. A good resume objective is something that is very strong and strong. A Secret Weapon for What Is Objective on a Resume Resume objectives can be somewhat controversial. Resume objectives are from time to time taken lightly, but theyre an extremely important part of a resume. You career objective should be quite simple and clear to read.

Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

Empowering Female Entrepreneurs At S&P auf der ganzen welt, they believe empowering women entrepreneurs makes economies thrive. On April 28th, Brooklyn Cupcake filled an order of over 3,200 cupcakes to celebrate S&P Globals 1 year re-branding anniversary. At S&P Global, they tackle the challenges women face in launching and developing their businessesfrom gender bias to systemic lack of access to capitalwith the same skills and insights that make them effective in delivering essential intelligence to their clients. They promote the flow of resources and capital to enterprises owned and managed by women in three ways- Leveraging their own unique business capabilitiesdata, technology, and insights.- Supporting partners that provide the women-owned small business sector with financial tools that meet the distinct needs of women.- Sharing their collective knowledge and experience with women entrepreneurs through employee-led mentorships.Want to join the team advocating for female entrepr eneurs? Click here to follow S&P Global and be the first to receive job updates, event invitations, and more Aki Merced

12 lessons you learn or regret forever

12 lessons you learn or regret forever12 lessons you learn or regret foreverSticking your neck out and taking dienstgrad of your career is no trivial matter. Whether thats switching careers, going back to school, or walking away from a j-o-b to departure your own business, it takes a lot of guts.But guts will only get you so far. Once you build up the nerve and make the leap, youre no mora than 5% of the way there. You still have to succeed in your new endeavor, and trying to succeed is when your worst fears (the ones that made you hesitate in the first distribution policy) will come true.Im going to assume youre like me and dont have a brilliant mentor, a rich uncle, or some other person who is going to show you the ropes and explain each step you need to take to take dienstgrad of your career.You see, its been almost 20 years since I last had a boss. I went from working in a surf shop to striking out on my own, eventually startingTalentSmart(with a partner) before Id finished grad school.When I set out on my own, I had all the gumption and appetite for risk that I needed to take charge of my career. At the time I thought that welches all I needed to succeed.It wasnt. I also needed guidance. Without it, I learned some difficult (and often painful) lessons along the way.Id like to share some of my biggest lessons learned with you so that they can help you as you take charge of your career (in whatever gestalt that takes). As I look back on these lessons, I realize that theyre really great reminders for us all.1. Confidence must come firstSuccessful people often exude confidence - its obvious that they believe in themselves and what theyre doing. It isnt their success that makes them confident, however. The confidence was there first.Think about itDoubt breeds doubt.Why would anyone believe in you, your ideas, or your abilities if you didnt believe in them yourself?It takes confidence to reach for new challenges.People who are fearful or insecure tend to stay w ithin their comfort zones. But comfort zones rarely expand on their own. Thats why people who lack confidence get stuck in dead-end jobs and let valuable opportunities pass them by.Unconfident people often feel at the mercy of external circumstances.Successful people arent deterred by obstacles, which is how they rise up in the first place.Confidence is a crucial building block in a successful career, and embracing it fully will take you places you never thought possible. No one is stopping you from what you want to accomplish but yourself. Its time to remove any barriers created by self-doubt.2. Youre living the life that youve createdYou are not a victim of circumstance. No one can force you to make decisions and take actions that run contrary to your values and aspirations. The circumstances youre living in today are your own - you created them.Likewise, your future is entirely up to you. If youre feeling stuck, its probably because youre afraid to take the risks necessary to ac hieve your goals and live your dreams.When its time to take action, remember that its always better to be at the bottom of the ladder you want to climb than at the top of one you dont.3. Being busy does not equal being productiveLook at everyone around you. They all seem so busy - running from meeting to meeting and firing off emails. Yet how many of them are really producing, really succeeding at a high level?Success doesnt come from movement and activity. It comes from focus - from ensuring that your time is used efficiently and productively. You get the saatkorn number of hours in the day as everyone else. Use yours wisely. After all, youre the product of your output, not your effort. Make certain your efforts are dedicated to tasks that get results.4. Youre only as good as those you associate withYou should strive to surround yourself with people who inspire you, people who make you want to be better. And you probably do. But what about the people who drag you down? Why do you allow them to be a part of your life?Anyone who makes you feel worthless, anxious, or uninspired is wasting your time and, quite possibly, making you more like them. Life is too short to associate with people like this. Cut them loose.5. Squash your negative self-talkWhen youre taking charge of your career, you wont always have a cheerleader in your corner. This magnifies the effects of self-doubt. The more you ruminate on negative thoughts, the more power you give them. Most of our negative thoughts are just that - thoughts, not facts.When you find yourself believing the negative and pessimistic things your inner voice says, its time to stop and write them down. Literally stop what youre doing and write down what youre thinking.Once youve taken a moment to slow down the negative momentum of your thoughts, you will be more rational and clear-headed in evaluating their veracity.6. Avoid asking What if?What if? statements throw fuel on the fire of stress and worry, which are detrime ntal to reaching your goals. Things can go in a million different directions, and the more time you spend worrying about the possibilities, the less time youll spend taking action and staying productive. Asking what if? will only take you to a place you dont want - or need - to go. Of course, scenario planning is a necessary and effective planning technique. The key distinction here is to recognize the difference between worry and strategic thinking about your future.7. Schedule exercise and sleepI cant say enough about the importance of quality sleep. When you sleep your brain removes toxic proteins from its neurons that are by-products of neural activity when youre awake. Unfortunately, your brain can remove them adequately only while youre asleep.So when you dont get enough sleep, the toxic proteins remain in your brain cells, wreaking havoc by impairing your ability to think - something no amount of caffeine can fix.Your self-control, attention, and memory are all reduced whe n you dont get enough - or the right kind - of sleep. Sleep deprivation raises stress hormone levels on its own, even without a stressor present, which are a major productivity killer.Ambition often makes you feel as if you must sacrifice sleep to stay productive, but sleep deprivation diminishes your productivity so much throughout the day that youre better off sleeping.A study conducted at the Eastern Ontario Research Institute found that people who exercised twice a week for 10 weeks felt more competent socially, academically, and athletically. They also rated their body image and self-esteem higher.Best of all, rather than the physical changes in their bodies being responsible for the uptick in confidence, it was the immediate, endorphin-fueled positivity from exercise that made all the difference. Schedule your exercise to make certain it happens, or the days will just slip away.8. Seek out small victoriesSmall victories can seem unimportant when youre really after something big, but small victories build new mnnliches sexualhormon receptors in the areas of the brain responsible for reward and motivation.This increase in androgen receptors increases the influence of testosterone, which further increases your confidence and your eagerness to tackle future challenges. When you have a series of small victories, the boost in your confidence can last for months.9. Dont say yes unless you really want toResearch conducted at the University of California in Berkeley shows that the more difficulty that you have saying no, the more likely you are to experience stress, burnout, and even depression, all of which make it difficult to take charge of your career.Saying no is indeed a major challenge for many people. No is a powerful word that you should not be afraid to wield.When its time to say no, avoid phrases like I dont think I can or Im not certain. Saying no to a new commitment honors your existing commitments and gives you the opportunity to successfully fulf ill them.10. Dont seek perfectionDont set perfection as your target. It doesnt exist. Human beings, by our very nature, are fallible.When perfection is your goal, youre always left with a nagging sense of failure that makes you want to give up or reduce your effort. You end up spending your time lamenting what you failed to accomplish and what you should have done differently instead of moving forward excited about what youve achieved and what you will accomplish in the future.11. Focus on solutionsWhere you focus your attention determines your emotional state. When you fixate on the problems that youre facing, you create and prolong negative emotions which hinder your ability to reach your goals.When you focus on the actions youll take to better yourself and your circumstances, you create a sense of personal efficacy that produces positive emotions and improves performance.12. Forgive yourselfWhen you slip up, it is critical that you forgive yourself and move on. Dont ignore how th e mistake makes you feel just dont wallow in it. Instead, shift your attention to what youre going to do to improve yourself in the future.Failure can erode your self-confidence and make it hard to believe youll achieve a better outcome in the future. Most of the time, failure results from taking risks and trying to achieve something that isnt easy.Success lies in your ability to rise in the face of failure, and you cant do this when youre living in the past. Anything worth achieving is going to require you to take some risks, and you cant allow failure to stop you from believing in your ability to succeed.When you live in the past, that is exactly what happens, and your past becomes your present, preventing you from moving forward.Bringing it all togetherI hope these lessons are as useful to you as they have been to me over the years. As I write them, Im reminded of their power and my desire to use them every day.Travis Bradberry is the coauthor of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and th e cofounder of TalentSmart.This article originally appeared onLinkedIn.12 lessons you learn or regret foreverSticking your neck out and taking charge of your career is no trivial matter. Whether thats switching careers, going back to school, or walking away from a j-o-b to start your own business, it takes a lot of guts.But guts will only get you so far. Once you build up the nerve and make the leap, youre no more than 5% of the way there. You still have to succeed in your new endeavor, and trying to succeed is when your worst fears (the ones that made you hesitate in the first place) will come true.Im going to assume youre like me and dont have a brilliant mentor, a rich uncle, or some other person who is going to show you the ropes and explain each step you need to take to take charge of your career.You see, its been almost 20 years since I last had a boss. I went from working in a surf shop to striking out on my own, eventually startingTalentSmart(with a partner) before Id finish ed grad school.When I set out on my own, I had all the gumption and appetite for risk that I needed to take charge of my career. At the time I thought that was all I needed to succeed.It wasnt. I also needed guidance. Without it, I learned some difficult (and often painful) lessons along the way.Id like to share some of my biggest lessons learned with you so that they can help you as you take charge of your career (in whatever form that takes). As I look back on these lessons, I realize that theyre really great reminders for us all.1. Confidence must come firstSuccessful people often exude confidence - its obvious that they believe in themselves and what theyre doing. It isnt their success that makes them confident, however. The confidence was there first.Think about itDoubt breeds doubt.Why would anyone believe in you, your ideas, or your abilities if you didnt believe in them yourself?It takes confidence to reach for new challenges.People who are fearful or insecure tend to stay within their comfort zones. But comfort zones rarely expand on their own. Thats why people who lack confidence get stuck in dead-end jobs and let valuable opportunities pass them by.Unconfident people often feel at the mercy of external circumstances.Successful people arent deterred by obstacles, which is how they rise up in the first place.Confidence is a crucial building block in a successful career, and embracing it fully will take you places you never thought possible. No one is stopping you from what you want to accomplish but yourself. Its time to remove any barriers created by self-doubt.2. Youre living the life that youve createdYou are not a victim of circumstance. No one can force you to make decisions and take actions that run contrary to your values and aspirations. The circumstances youre living in today are your own - you created them.Likewise, your future is entirely up to you. If youre feeling stuck, its probably because youre afraid to take the risks necessary to a chieve your goals and live your dreams.When its time to take action, remember that its always better to be at the bottom of the ladder you want to climb than at the top of one you dont.3. Being busy does not equal being productiveLook at everyone around you. They all seem so busy - running from meeting to meeting and firing off emails. Yet how many of them are really producing, really succeeding at a high level?Success doesnt come from movement and activity. It comes from focus - from ensuring that your time is used efficiently and productively. You get the same number of hours in the day as everyone else. Use yours wisely. After all, youre the product of your output, not your effort. Make certain your efforts are dedicated to tasks that get results.4. Youre only as good as those you associate withYou should strive to surround yourself with people who inspire you, people who make you want to be better. And you probably do. But what about the people who drag you down? Why do you al low them to be a part of your life?Anyone who makes you feel worthless, anxious, or uninspired is wasting your time and, quite possibly, making you more like them. Life is too short to associate with people like this. Cut them loose.5. Squash your negative self-talkWhen youre taking charge of your career, you wont always have a cheerleader in your corner. This magnifies the effects of self-doubt. The more you ruminate on negative thoughts, the more power you give them. Most of our negative thoughts are just that - thoughts, not facts.When you find yourself believing the negative and pessimistic things your inner voice says, its time to stop and write them down. Literally stop what youre doing and write down what youre thinking.Once youve taken a moment to slow down the negative momentum of your thoughts, you will be more rational and clear-headed in evaluating their veracity.6. Avoid asking What if?What if? statements throw fuel on the fire of stress and worry, which are detrimenta l to reaching your goals. Things can go in a million different directions, and the more time you spend worrying about the possibilities, the less time youll spend taking action and staying productive. Asking what if? will only take you to a place you dont want - or need - to go. Of course, scenario planning is a necessary and effective planning technique. The key distinction here is to recognize the difference between worry and strategic thinking about your future.7. Schedule exercise and sleepI cant say enough about the importance of quality sleep. When you sleep your brain removes toxic proteins from its neurons that are by-products of neural activity when youre awake. Unfortunately, your brain can remove them adequately only while youre asleep.So when you dont get enough sleep, the toxic proteins remain in your brain cells, wreaking havoc by impairing your ability to think - something no amount of caffeine can fix.Your self-control, attention, and memory are all reduced when y ou dont get enough - or the right kind - of sleep. Sleep deprivation raises stress hormone levels on its own, even without a stressor present, which are a major productivity killer.Ambition often makes you feel as if you must sacrifice sleep to stay productive, but sleep deprivation diminishes your productivity so much throughout the day that youre better off sleeping.A study conducted at the Eastern Ontario Research Institute found that people who exercised twice a week for 10 weeks felt more competent socially, academically, and athletically. They also rated their body image and self-esteem higher.Best of all, rather than the physical changes in their bodies being responsible for the uptick in confidence, it was the immediate, endorphin-fueled positivity from exercise that made all the difference. Schedule your exercise to make certain it happens, or the days will just slip away.8. Seek out small victoriesSmall victories can seem unimportant when youre really after something big , but small victories build new androgen receptors in the areas of the brain responsible for reward and motivation.This increase in androgen receptors increases the influence of testosterone, which further increases your confidence and your eagerness to tackle future challenges. When you have a series of small victories, the boost in your confidence can last for months.9. Dont say yes unless you really want toResearch conducted at the University of California in Berkeley shows that the more difficulty that you have saying no, the more likely you are to experience stress, burnout, and even depression, all of which make it difficult to take charge of your career.Saying no is indeed a major challenge for many people. No is a powerful word that you should not be afraid to wield.When its time to say no, avoid phrases like I dont think I can or Im not certain. Saying no to a new commitment honors your existing commitments and gives you the opportunity to successfully fulfill them.10. Dont seek perfectionDont set perfection as your target. It doesnt exist. Human beings, by our very nature, are fallible.When perfection is your goal, youre always left with a nagging sense of failure that makes you want to give up or reduce your effort. You end up spending your time lamenting what you failed to accomplish and what you should have done differently instead of moving forward excited about what youve achieved and what you will accomplish in the future.11. Focus on solutionsWhere you focus your attention determines your emotional state. When you fixate on the problems that youre facing, you create and prolong negative emotions which hinder your ability to reach your goals.When you focus on the actions youll take to better yourself and your circumstances, you create a sense of personal efficacy that produces positive emotions and improves performance.12. Forgive yourselfWhen you slip up, it is critical that you forgive yourself and move on. Dont ignore how the mistake makes y ou feel just dont wallow in it. Instead, shift your attention to what youre going to do to improve yourself in the future.Failure can erode your self-confidence and make it hard to believe youll achieve a better outcome in the future. Most of the time, failure results from taking risks and trying to achieve something that isnt easy.Success lies in your ability to rise in the face of failure, and you cant do this when youre living in the past. Anything worth achieving is going to require you to take some risks, and you cant allow failure to stop you from believing in your ability to succeed.When you live in the past, that is exactly what happens, and your past becomes your present, preventing you from moving forward.Bringing it all togetherI hope these lessons are as useful to you as they have been to me over the years. As I write them, Im reminded of their power and my desire to use them every day.Travis Bradberry is the coauthor of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and the cofounder of Ta lentSmart.This article originally appeared onLinkedIn.

The time of day has a significant effect on your productivity

The time of day has a significant effect on your productivityThe time of day has a significant effect on your productivityMore hours does not guarantee peak performance.All times of day are not created equal, says Daniel Pink, author ofWhen The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing.Our performance varies considerably over the course of the day, and what task to do at a certain time really depends on the nature of the task. If we look at the evidence, we can be doing the right work, at the right time, hesaidin an interview.You can pack more into each day if you did everything at the optimal time.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreEveryone aims to do better at work every day but peak performance is a question of time. For personal efficiency, the question iswhen.The philanthropisch body operates in cycles, and they can be influenced by daylight, darkness, food, noise, and silence.Your brain, body and hormone respond to stimuli and the body clock differently.A growing body ofresearch on ultradian rhythmssuggests that our day is driven by cycles that affect how alert and productive we are.The results of this research clearly show that the human body goes through cycles of between 90 and 120 minutes.Through each of these cycles we are taken from an unproductive trough to a productive peak, and then back again.This pattern was first noticed by sleep researcher Nathaniel Kleitman, which caused a mountain of research to be conducted in this area.Another studypublished in Thinking Reasoningfound out that we tend to think more creativity when were tired.A study by Mareike Wieth and Rose Zacks suggested that innovation and creativity are often the greatest in moments of fatigue, based on our circadian rhythms.Fatigue and tiredness have been shown to free up thinking along non-linear paths, leading us to find new solutions to existing problems. So your bodys internal bod y clock is the best clue to how productive you can be.Peak periods of physical and mental energy differ from person to person.Everyone has different energy levels based on external and internal factors. The knowledge of your peak times can help you plan your day better.Brian Tracy calls this yourprime time. Your internal prime time is the time of day, according to your body clock, when you are the fruchtwein alert and productive.The single most important productivity advice you need to follow is this Match your highest priority work to your most productive hours.The peak time for everythingOur body clock is a small group of cells made up of unique body clock genes.unterstellung cells turn on and off and tell other parts of the body what time it is and what to do.Paying attention to the body clock, and its effects on energy and alertness can help pinpoint the different times of day when most of us perform our best at specific tasks.At the beginning of the cycle, we experience heighte ned energy and focus, and at the end, we may feel scatterbrained and fatigued.For many people working in the AM feels effortless, but PMs are always a struggle.If you take note of how your body reacts to work at any time of day, you will be able to figure out when you should focus on getting stuff done, when to brainstorm, and most importantly when you should avoid meetings.When the bodys master clock can synchronize functioning of all its metabolic, cardiovascular and behavioural rhythms in response to light and other natural stimuli, it gives us an edge in daily life, says Steve Kay, a professor of molecular and computational biology at the University of Southern California.But, what is the best day for you (or your team) to be productive?Peak productivity, it seems, happens at the same time during your workday, no matter where you are in the world.A two-year globalstudyconducted by project management software company Redbooth found that productivity among office workers worldwide is at its highest point at 11 a.m., and plummets completely after 4 p.m.John Trougakos, an associate professor of organizational behavior at the University of Toronto in Canada, says about 75% of people tend to be the most mentally alert between 9 a.m and 11 a.m.And a survey that looked into the habits of 2,000 UK workers seems to agree with Trougakos research, showing Tuesday morning as the most productive time for Brits.The findings are consistent with the considerable research on the ebbs and flows of mental acuity, says Don Drummond, economist and adjunct professor at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario.Perhaps its no surprise that we get the least amount of work done on a Friday, with Redbooths survey showing a 20% drop in productivity across the globe.Sleepiness also tends to peak around 2 p.m., making that a good time for a nap, says Martin Moore-Ede, chairman and chief executive of Circadian, a Stoneham, Mass., training and consulting firm.To get a little more precise an d make aya youre really matching your best work to your peak times, try experimenting.Tackle complex projects early in the day, make time for brainstorming, meetings and collaboration in the afternoon.Most people are more easily distracted from noon to 4 p.m., according to recent research led by Robert Matchock, an associate professor of psychology at Pennsylvania State University.But guess, what surprisingly, fatigue boost creative powers.Problems that require open-ended thinking are often best tackled in the evening when you are tired, according to a study in the journal Thinking Reasoning.People who work with instead of against their ultradian rhythm perform better. Its critical that you acknowledge your bodys natural rhythms and align your periods of work and relaxation with them to work in a sustainable productive way.It requires a lot of research on yourself and a big time commitment up front, but the personal productivity insights youll get out of it can pay off in the long- run.This simple method can help you organize your days around your energy, not your time.The experiment for better cycleinsights1.Pick a day and abflug tracking how you spend it.2.Eliminate any factors that could mess with your energy?- ?changes in caffeine intake is a big one, staying up late is another.3.Start recording what youre accomplishing once an hour. Rate your energy level, motivation, focus on the process of work, every day.4.Chris Bailey,author of The Productivity Project Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy, took a year off to experiment with productivity.He suggests recording scores for focus, energy, and motivation for three weeks, at the same time each day, to find your sweet spot. The longer you track your productivity, the more reliable your insights will be.You will see trends even after one week of tracking, but the more data you gather, the more reliable your trends will be.5.Take a few minutes each day to reflect on your previous day/ week. Do you notice any patterns? When are you most focused? When do you notice a surge or dip in energy?What times do you reach for coffee in the day? These patterns can reveal when youre at your best and when you should take a break to refresh.6.Write down how you spend your minutes and keep notes on how you felt. Be honest. Sometimes you can identify that you feel on a roll, which is a good sign that youre figuring out something about your productivity.7.The exact details that you record may vary, but to get the most accurate results youll need to be as consistent as possible.Patterns will show themselves if you start tracking it. Time and activity tracking software like Rescue Time and Toggl can be a big help here.8.Youre bound to discover some very interesting things about what drives your productivity. If you can diligently track all three weeks, can you do more at the right time.9.Try a combination of things during this process, including waking up an hour earlier, meditating , exercise, and taking longer breaks to find out if they affect your peak times. Do more of what works. The variables you choose to alter are countless. Have fun with it10.Once you figure out your most productive time of day, rearrange your tasks and put your important, high-concentration tasks in periods where youre highly productive and place less important, low-concentration tasks in periods where youre not very productive.I did this experiment for three months and discovered my energy and capacity for intense deep work diminish after 12 pm.This has changed how I work and write.Closing thoughtsA better understanding of the bodys hidden pattern can allow you to do the right work at the right time.Paying attention to your body clock, and its effects on energy and alertness can help pinpoint the different times of day when you can do your best work.Your internal clocks deserve more respect.Seize the day and do your best work every day.This article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from kleine Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Interview Questions About Full-Time vs. Part-Time Hours

Interview Questions About Full-Time vs. Part-Time Hours Interview Questions About Full-Time vs. Part-Time Hours If you interview for a  temporary  or  part-time job, the interviewer might ask if you’d ever considered a permanent or full-time position. He or she might ask because a full-time position is opening up soon or to see how interested you really are in working for the company. Here’s how to answer interview questions about working a full-time job versus a part-time job. Whether you would want a full-time job or not, you should at least say you would consider it, unless you are absolutely sure you never would. You should also speak positively about the job you are applying for, and the company. What to Say When You're Asked About a Full-Time Job Would you prefer full-time employment to  part-time  if a job were available? can be a tricky  interview question. On the one hand, if you are hoping that the job will turn into a full-time position, you want your prospective employer to consider you first should the opportunity arise.On the other hand, you dont want to raise the doubt that should a full-time position present itself, you would walk out of your  part-time  commitment. Be cautious when you respond and keep your answer general, so youre not committing to one type of employment or the other. If you know you don’t want a full-time job, explain why you prefer a  part-time  or temporary job. Keep your answer brief. Focus on what you like about the job you’re applying for and unless you know you would never want a permanent job, explain that you might be interested in a permanent job in the future. You never know when your opinion might change, so you should always keep that door open. If you know you’d like a full-time job, express your interest enthusiastically. Briefly explain why you’re qualified for a full-time position. Sample Answers About Full-Time vs Part-Time Employment The following answers would work well â€" be sure to tailor them to your particular situation: “Right now, my education/family/children prevent me from considering full-time employment, but I wouldnt rule it out at some point in the future.”“What’s important to me is that I enjoy the work and the people Im working with. I have many interests, and having a part-time job allows me the time to pursue them.”  â€œI’m interested in this position at your company because (give the aspects of the job that interest you most). Im available to work part-time but Im interested in exploring opportunities at your company.” In addition, you can discuss your flexibility for hours, days of the week, and shifts you are available. This will show the interviewer how you could be a good fit for their needs. Sample Answers for When You Prefer to Work Full-Time and the Job is Part-Time Employers may post jobs as part-time or temporary, so they can assess whether new employees would make a good full-time employee. If you know anyone at the company, do a little research with current employees to see whether this is the tactic used by the company. If you can find out this key bit of information, you will be able to craft your answer better. Take a look at these possible answers: “I’m available for part-time work now and I am interested in working for your company. In the coming months, I will be available to work more hours.” (You can give a reason if you have one, such as family schedule, education schedule, etc.)  â€œI would love the opportunity to become a full-time employee. I am very excited at the prospect of this part-time job, but I would gladly accept a full-time position if it were ever available. I believe my organizational and time management skills would make me a very strong full-time employee.” “I’ve wanted to work for your company for years because of your consistent success in the industry. I would definitely like to become a permanent employee for such a terrific organization. I’m a quick learner with a passion for the work you do.” If you discover that the company rarely promotes part-time staff to full-time, you should focus on why you are interested in working for the company in the offered position. You dont want to raise a red flag that you are looking to move on to a full-time position elsewhere. How to Respond If You Only Can Work Part-Time Hours Do as much research as possible before the interview as to the hours, shifts, and days of the week that the job requires. See if you’re a good match considering your availability based on child care, education schedule, commuting logistics, etc. You can use this as the basis for your answer: “Im interested in working in the position for your company because (give reasons) and I am available (give the hours/days/shifts).”“I enjoy the flexibility of part-time work and am excited for the chance to give my undivided attention to your company three days a week. If my schedule changes in the future and allows me the time to do my best work for you full time, I would love the opportunity for a permanent job.”“At this time, temp work is best for my family and I. I think I will fit in very well with your company culture, and for now, I think I can do that best in a temp position.” Stay Positive No matter what your answer is, be sure to stay positive about the job for which you’re applying. Express your enthusiasm for the company and the job when asked why you want to work there. Be sure to focus on how you can benefit the company rather than how the job or company will benefit you.

Questions To Extract Candidate Skills And Capabilities

Questions To Extract Candidate Skills And Capabilities Questions To Extract Candidate Skills And Capabilities Questions To Extract Candidate Skills And Capabilities Falcone The success of your small business recruiting strategy depends on many factors, but one is key: your ability to accurately assess the candidate’s awareness of their accomplishments and achievements during the interview process. Given the volume of applicants chasing the few job openings that exist out there as the economy strives to find its new footing, it’s critical that small business owners learn to differentiate between those who clearly stand out among their peers versus those who just get by or otherwise “struggle to the minimums.” Power interviewing thus takes on a new meaning for those business owners with little time to prepare and conduct an interview  and few resources such as formal testing, background checks and drug screens to aid their hiring decision. Interview Questions that Focus on Achievement We all know that the right hire can drive excitement and productivity among team members, just as easily as a hiring mistake can quickly undo much of the employee productivity  that you’ve developed over the years, so the stakes in this game are high. Focusing on achievements and accomplishments comes in a number of forms, but particular interview questions get to the bottom line more efficiently than others. Terry Comp, principal of LTC Performance Strategies, a boutique performance consulting firm in Valencia, California, recommends doing away with the traditional “Tell me about yourself” interview question and asking instead, “Walk me through your career progression, leading me up to what you do now in your current role at XYZ Company.” The logic? Focus on progression through the ranks and the assumption of greater responsibilities. “People who promote and build their careers think beyond their basic job duties and fit the generalist role that every small company needs. They also often have a greater ‘achievement awareness’ that translates into higher productivity, creativity, and employee engagement,” according to Comp. An introductory interview question to ask such as, “What makes you stand out among your peers?” is an excellent litmus test in probing for an individual’s level of self-esteem and awareness of accomplishments. If the job candidate stumbles in coming up with an answer, you could gently lead them to a similar interview question, “Why would your former bosses say you’re special?   What do you think they would remember most about you?”  Anyone could answer the question, but not everyone could answer it in a sincere and open way. Be sure and watch interview body language  and eye contact while a candidate responds. And don’t forget the traditional queries, “Tell me about your greatest strength and greatest weakness: Approach this as objectively as you can in terms of what your most respected critic might say about you.” Yes, this combo might seem a bit worn because it’s been used for so long but, according to Comp, “I’m still surprised at the answers I get to these very simple questions in terms of shedding light on the individual’s personality, work ethic and common sense, especially among earlier career candidates.” Quantifying Candidate Skills Depending on the type of hire you’re making, you could easily step up this strength/weakness question by asking, “What have you done at your present/last company to increase revenues, reduce costs, or save time?” This query will give you insights into how well candidates can quantify their achievements.  And don’t forget that junior staffers should still be able to answer that question in terms of saving time. Sonny Falcone, founding partner of Falcone’s Cookie Land bakery in Brooklyn, New York, feels that when it comes to hiring bakers and truck drivers, qualifications are what count most. In an industry known for high employee turnover  (bakers tend to move around often), “it’s best to turn lemons into lemonade by capitalizing on new hires’ experiences at other bakeries.” Falcone learns tricks and shortcuts from new hires that show him how to do things better and work more effectively. “We’re all for it,” he says. So how does a baker actually interview a job candidate? Via live action! Falcone likes to invite finalist candidates to work on his team for one or two days to get a feel for their style, work ethic and baking capabilities before making a job offer.  What our people will find out in that time is ‘What do you know about us and why would you want to work here?’” According to Falcone, “There’s not necessarily a right or wrong answer. But we want to get a feel for candidates’ commitment levels and about how serious they take their work.” The Results-Driven Candidate If there’s one quality that many small business owners wish they could find, it’s employee motivation. After all, smarts, prior experience and credentials don’t mean all that much unless new hires are willing to apply themselves to the new job. An excellent interview question to learn more about a candidate’s initiative is, “What’s the one achievement that you’re proudest of in your career and that helped you garner the most kudos and recognition at work?” People who focus on achievements and accomplishments tend to cut through the clutter and get to the bottom line faster. It’s just how they think, and as a small business owner, you could capitalize on their results orientation. No, these aren’t necessarily easy interview questions and they may take some self-critical insight and soul searching on the candidate’s part. But your company is certainly worth it. This investment of time also benefits the candidate who may be thinking, Wow - these people take this all pretty seriously. It sounds like they know what they want and have high expectations. And that’s the type of company culture  that you’ll want to create and sustain for all your employees. There’s no better time to cement that expectation than during the initial candidate interview.

Funding Support

Funding Support Funding Support Funding Support If you haven't looked into it before, you may be surprised at the number of government agencies that make grants to entrepreneurs, or otherwise collaborate with businesses, in projects judged to be in the public interest. Funds are available at both the federal and state levels; as you'll see below, the emphasis is on innovation and technology. Federal Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E). ARPA-E's mission is to improve energy efficiency across all sectors of the U.S. economy, and to ensure the U.S. maintains leadership in advanced energy technologies. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA's mission is to maintain the U.S. military's technological superiority through research by businesses (large and small), universities, nonprofits, government laboratories and other research organizations. Department of Energy (DOE) Technology Commercialization Portal. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has more than 200 marketing summaries on its Technology Commercialization Portal to help investors, entrepreneurs and companies that seek cutting-edge energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies available for licensing. The Technology Commercialization Portal is an online tool that identifies opportunities to invest in the work of DOE laboratories and participating research institutions. The tool also helps speed moving laboratory discoveries into the private sector. Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Locator. For industry and other technology seekers, the FLC Locator Network is a point of entry to federal laboratory expertise and technology. Through its network of representatives, the FLC matches potential partners with federal laboratories working in specific areas of interest. Once the FLC identifies contacts, arrangements for technical exchanges are between users and the labs. GRANTS.GOV Portal. Grants.gov is a central U.S. government information storehouse that currently holds more than 1,000 grant programs and provides access to about $500 billion in annual awards. National Institute of Standards and Technology - Technology Innovation Program (TIP). TIP supports and accelerates innovation in the U.S. through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need. National Innovation Marketplace (NIM). NIM is a service of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a national network with hundreds of specialists who understand the needs of small and medium-size manufacturers. The partnership has worked with thousands of manufacturers. They helped save $1.44 billion in annual costs and create $10.5 billion in increased or retained sales in their first year of operation. National Science Foundation (NSF). Created by Congress in 1950, the NSF is the only federal agency whose mission includes supporting fundamental science and engineering. The agency also supports high-risk, high-payoff ideas, novel collaborations and numerous like projects. Educators, researchers, and small businesses may find funding here. Small Business Innovation Research Program. This program provides essential seed funding for technology-based small businesses to complete vital but costly product development. Phase I of the program establishes a project's technical merit and potential for commercialization. Phase II awards larger grants for continued product development, contingent on achievements in Phase I. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA's mission is to fund, counsel and protect the interests of small businesses. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA's rural development initiative primarily supports loans for improving economies and quality of life in rural America. Funding opportunities exist for rural individuals and small businesses. Typically, rural is defined as an area other than city or town with a population of 50,000 plus and not located directly adjacent to a city or town of this size. State State governments often step up to help sustain the state's business environment. Over the last decade, state economic development strategies have shifted from focusing solely on attracting new businesses into the state to fostering home-grown businesses through innovation and entrepreneurship. A state government will frequently look to collaborate with the state's most competitive and innovative assets: universities, private and federal research and development laboratories and concentrations of specialized workers. Seed capital funding. Seed capital often resembles early venture capital. The state takes equity or debt positions in high-tech companies to help grow and retain them in the state. Two examples: Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund (OSCF), a $7.025 million venture capital fund, provides seed and startup equity financing to small, technology-based Oklahoma companies. OSCF operates like a conventional venture fund, boosting state economic activity by bridging the early-stage funding gap between personal and traditional sources of venture capital. Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET) makes convertible debt investments in early-stage companies and equity investments in later-stage companies. Any Vermont-based startup, emerging growth firm, or team seeking to relocate or expand into Vermont is eligible for consideration. The company must be a high-tech, high- growth concept with up to $3 million in revenue. Proof-of-concept funding. Proof-of-concept funding helps establish the feasibility of new commercial technologies. In general, selected technologies are refined at local institutions with an eye toward an ultimate transfer to business settings. The Edison Innovation R&D Fund New Jersey (EIRDFNJ) is one example. In partnership with a New Jersey research university, company or institution, Edison provides funding to in-state technology companies for proof-of-concept R&D needed to commercialize technologies. Awards range from $100,000 to $500,000. Edison Innovation R&D funding promotes collaboration between universities and the private sector, increases the amount and value of intellectual property, provides early-stage financing and commercialization support and helps grow technology businesses in New Jersey. Accelerator funding. The accelerator concept creates supportive environments for young companies. Best results are often achieved with mission-oriented support around similar emerging technologies or market applications. For example, the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Business and Technology Accelerator Program (BTAP) is a university-based economic development enterprise that focuses EKU's energy, skills and intellectual capital on enterprise creation and expansion. Specializing in small business services, entrepreneurship, technology and high-tech ventures, BTAP offers programs and resources to enhance the regional economy through new business formation. Funds of funds. Funds of funds use state funding to invest with private investment firms that in turn provide leveraged capital for private investment in selected areas. A case in point is the Utah Fund of Funds (UFF), a $300 million economic development program that gives Utah entrepreneurs access to alternative or nontraditional capital. The UFF invests in venture capital and private equity funds that commit to investing in qualifying companies and to working with the UFF and the state's startup and business communities. Economic gardening funding. Economic gardening grows existing second-stage businesses. It's an innovative, entrepreneur-centered strategy that helps balance the traditional practice of business recruitment â€" often referred to as economic hunting. GrowFL, for example, provides high-end, high-speed technical business tools to companies that have grown beyond startup. Typically, these companies need information and decision-making resources: database research, search engine optimization, geographic information systems, network mapping, social media, strategic analysis, management-team assessment, capital or labor referrals. University seed funding. Some universities advance technologies and spinoff companies through early-stage seed funding. At Indiana University, the Innovate Indiana Fund (IIF) invests in technologies developed at IU and helps bring them to market. The IIF will help translate technologies into innovative commercial products, services and treatments, and set up new technology-based companies to further develop them. Venture associations. Local venture and business associations can bring together the financial players needed to grow new businesses. One such association is the Connecticut Venture Group (CVG), which encourages investment in high-growth companies through technology-focused seminars and expositions, updates on financing and market trends and an annual Venture Show. Other state-based resources include: AMT: State by State Resource Guide for Government Funding, a state-by-state guide to a variety of business assistance programs Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy & Efficiency, a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI), a national nonprofit organization that leads and strengthens efforts to improve state and regional economies through science, technology and innovation SSTI's State Venture Capital Dashboard, which presents historical data on venture capital investments by state National Association of Seed and Venture Funds (NASVF), an international organization of innovation-capital lenders â€" private, public and non-profit organizations committed to building their local economies by investing in local entrepreneurs. NASVF has more than 650 members and 150 member organizations.

Writing a Cover Letter to Control Your Message

Writing a Cover Letter to Control Your Message Writing a Cover Letter to Control Your Message Stop calling it a cover letter. You’re missing the point. You’re not covering; you’re opening.It’s an introduction letter, a quick summation of what you bring to the table, and an invitation to read more details of your senior-level background and experience. And just like your resume, it needs to be focused on accomplishments and results.Tell them what you are going to tell them“Your core message needs to be in your introduction letter,” said professional resume writer Andrew Pearl, who works with Ladders. “Like a good opening of a speech, you tell your audience what you are going to tell them…. You boil down what a reader will see in the resume in a quick, organized way.”The whole point is to get the reader’s attention by touching on key results that you’ll expand on in your resume.“Both the intro letter and the resume need to be emphasizing what you can do for an employer,” Pearl said. “And the best way to accomplish this is by reinforcing the main acco mplishments as bullets in your intro letter, using an economy of language and respecting your reader.”Pearl uses four to six bullets in the intro letter with only a few paragraphs surrounding them; this formatting makes it easy for a reader to scan the page for key terms and language.“Bullets are hooks,” Pearl said. “Use them to sustain a reader, but balance them with easy-to-follow, short paragraphs.”Pearl recently rewrote the resume and cover letter of sales vice president Patricia K., who agreed the finished version caught her eye.“I was really impressed with the intro letter Andrew wrote for me,” said Patricia, who chose not to use her full name for this article. “It blew me away how strong this letter was as a way of leading in to my resume…. The words he chose to use and the items he chose to use from my resume really stood out to me.”Patricia has risen through the ranks quickly for a senior-level salesperson. She had risen to the VP level in the past three years, and had been with the same financial company for the past eight years. Her new resume, while impressive for its accomplishments, is a one-page document.But it grabs the reader and doesn’t skirt around the issue of age.Show some respect“Experience is progressive,” Pearl said. “It makes age secondary. If you focus on the tangible results and you are succinct about it, then you are showing the hiring manager or human-resources person who reads hundreds of resumes in a few days some respect.”“I had been with the same company for the last eight years,” said Patricia, who splits living in both Birmingham, Ala., and New Orleans. “So I hadn’t needed a new resume. But my old one had a format that was essentially copied from a book I found when I had finished college.”That format was the old objective-and-statement-of-qualifications format, which includes a whole lot of bullet points.“Her old resume was littered with bullets that were not really focused on accomp lishments,” Pearl said. “They weren’t explaining the outcome of the results, and there were too many of them. The eye couldn’t breathe.”Pearl said he encourages his resume clients to control the experience of reading your resume.“There is so much that is out of your control in a job search,” Pearl said. “But you can control that intro letter and resume by being smart and focused on the decision makers reading your resume. Every bullet point matters, so use them wisely. Not all things are equal. Some people place in their resume that they have competency in Microsoft Word right after a bullet on some major accomplishment. On some level, it can be read that these bullets right next to each other are of equal value.”The new resume for Patricia is already paying dividends.She has gotten word of two openings via friends and former co-workers to whom she gave her new resume.The results? “I was told my resume was at the top of the list which makes me feel very confident ,” Patricia said. “My friend said his boss was really impressed.”With that knowledge, Patricia expects to have the interviews begin soon.

11 Things to Never Say During Your Performance Review

11 Things to Never Say During Your Performance Review 11 Things to Never Say During Your Performance Review Between the feeling of being thrust into the spotlight, the one-on-one setting with your manager and the gravity of what’s at stake, performance reviews can feel pretty uncomfortable. And when you’re made to feel uncomfortable, sometimes you aren’t always the most conscious of (or careful with) your words. But if there’s one time that you want to communicate effectively , it’s then. After all, your performance review is often the one chance you get to push for a raise, secure a promotion or even save your job. To make sure that you don’t unintentionally sabotage yourself, we’ve put together a list of things that you’ll want to avoid saying. Steer clear of these words, and you’ll be that much closer to passing your performance review with flying colors. It’s human nature to defend yourself. But when it comes to your performance review, check your ego at the door. “Now is not the time to go into a long explanation about why a mistake wasn’t your fault… Even if it’s the truth, it makes you look unprofessional, vindictive and lacking self-awareness,” says career coach Jena Viviano . “Instead of saying it wasn’t your fault say, ‘I appreciate the feedback and that is definitely something I’m working on for the future… Now probably isn’t the time, but perhaps we can schedule another time to discuss.’ This gives you the opportunity to collect your thoughts, come to the table calmly and pragmatically explain the incident.” While you don’t want to dismiss your manager’s feedback , being too quick to say yes isn’t the right move either. “‘Yessing’ your manager to death might seem like a good way to appear agreeable, but nothing could be further from the truth. True leaders are not yes people nor do they like to surround themselves with yes people,” says Scott Stenzler, founding partner of recruiting firm Atlas Search . “Research shows that yes people tend not to think independently, can be intellectually dishonest, lack sincerity and often add little to no value to the organization.” Instead of simply “yessing,” show your manager that you understand and acknowledge their feedback . “Let your manager finish their thought. Don’t eagerly chime in before they finish speaking - instead, pause momentarily to make sure they’re done, which has the double benefit of indicating that you’re carefully considering their point, and only then let them know you agree,” Stenzler recommends. “But most importantly, be sure to follow it up with all the reasons why you agree.” It’s communication 101 - when discussing a sensitive topic, never lead with “you” statements. In a performance review, this might include statements like “you said I was going to get a raise ,” “you didn’t clearly outline expectations,” etc. “’You’ statements can come across as accusatory and blame ridden,” says Jen Brown, Founder + Director, The Engaging Educator . “Instead of ‘you,’ focus on ‘I’ - I understood, I’m confused, I’d like to discuss.” Going one step further, adding a “but” can be even more antagonizing. “When you couple a ‘you’ statement with the word ‘but,’ you’ve created an argument,” Brown says. “For example, if you said… ‘You said [x], but I think [y],’ you’ve elevated your own opinion above the other, leading to a confrontational situation” - the last thing you want during a performance review. To get your point across in a non-confrontational manner, you only need to make a small tweak. “Instead of ‘but,’ the word ‘and’ works just as well,” Brown says. “Taking the above example again, the conversation could sound like: ‘I heard you say [x] and I’ve been thinking [y], can we discuss this further?’ [This] will open conversation instead of elevating one opinion above another.” Lots of people have trouble taking a compliment . But if there’s one time you don’t want that to happen, it’s during your performance review - your number one moment to prove the value that you bring to your company. “Although it’s important to give credit where credit is due, it’s equally important not to deflect your personal accomplishments to other people,” says April Klimkiewicz, career coach and owner of bliss evolution . “If your supervisor is congratulating you on a job well done, say ‘Thank you! With the help of the team, I was able to accomplish the goals we set forth. I’m very proud of this accomplishment.'” This phrase is better suited for the elementary school playground than the office. “Aside from sounding like a child, the idea of something being ‘fair’ in the workplace is pretty subjective and emotional ,” Brown says. “Think about why you feel it isn’t fair. Use specific language to define what isn’t fair - and if you keep getting back to ‘It isn’t fair,’ maybe you have hurt feelings.” “These are valid - just be sure to temper the emotional response with facts, especially in a review,” Brown continues. Let me be clear - your performance review is absolutely a great time to make your case for a raise , but asking for it point-blank like this is probably not going to convince anyone. “Now is not the time to say you need a raise. Now is the time to prove and show you deserve a raise. There is a big difference,” Viviano says. “Come to your performance review with a clear understanding of your accomplishments and how they’ve provided results for the company. Then when it comes for you to speak during your review, talk about the things you’ve accomplished that you’d like to highlight.” Once you’ve proven your value, you can talk about why you deserve a raise. It might not be written in your job description , but if you want to be seen as a top performer, going above and beyond to help from time to time never hurt. “Almost every job description ends with, ‘and other duties as assigned.’ Stating that some function is not part of your job description can make it look like you’re trying to shirk work,” Klimkiewicz says. “Instead, be a team player and let your supervisor know you were not clear that particular duty was expected of you, but now that you know, you’ll be taking it on.” There’s a time and a place to bring up concerns about a colleague to your manager, but your performance review isn’t it. “When you talk about people who aren’t there, you’re avoiding the relationship in front of you. It’s really easy to talk about another person when they aren’t there,” Brown says. “Instead of deflecting, think about why you are bringing someone else up. Are you apprehensive? Are you trying to avoid the real meat of the situation? Reflect on the why  and address the real issue.” Again, recognizing the feedback that your manager gives you is crucial, but a statement like “I know” can come off the wrong way. “This can sound defensive to your supervisor when they are trying to give you constructive feedback,” Klimkiewicz says. “Keep in mind that ‘I know’ can be heard as ‘so what.’ And if you say ‘I know’ enough, then you run the risk of sounding like a know-it-all, which is not a good look,” Stenzler adds. In addition, “if you recognize there’s an area where you can improve, but acknowledge it by only saying ‘I know,’ then all you have accomplished is making it clear that you see there’s a problem but don’t care enough to find a solution,” he says. Instead, Stenzler suggests “[coming] to your performance review prepared with a clear set of actions which you have implemented, or plan to implement to remediate that weakness. Be prepared to explain why some things worked and why others didn’t. Your manager took the time to prepare for the review, you should, too.” Performance reviews are all about growth, and phrases like this show an unwillingness to change and develop. “In Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking book Mindset , she teaches that the most successful executives are the ones who are able to move slightly outside of their comfort zone… Our clients, the companies we place people with, always report a higher rate of success hiring professionals who employ a growth mindset,” Stenzler shares. “Let your manager know that you are willing to take on new responsibilities and are prepared to put in the hard work to grow into increasingly challenging roles within your organization.”

The Dos and Donts of Having Notes at a Job Interview

The Do's and Don'ts of Having Notes at a Job Interview The Do's and Don'ts of Having Notes at a Job Interview Ask Amanda: Is It Alright to Bring Notes to a Job Interview? Each week, TopResume's career advice expert, Amanda Augustine, answers user questions like the one below from Quora and the Ask Amanda form. A certified professional career coach (CPCC) and resume writer (CPRW), Amanda has been helping professionals improve their careers for over 10 years. Have a question for Amanda?Submit it here. Q: Is it alright to bring notes with me to a job interview? Is it acceptable to bring notes into an interview? Mike S. Yes and no. It is 100 percent acceptable to bring notes to a job interview if those notes contain a list of questions you've prepared in advance to ask your interviewers. In fact, bringing this type of information to an interview demonstrates to the recruiter your genuine interest in the job opportunity. Also, if you've done some research on the organization, I don't think it's wrong to have that information on hand, in case you'd like to reference it during your discussion. However, it is not a good idea to bring notes on how you plan to respond to certain interview questions. For instance, if you've prepared short stories using the STAR method in anticipation of a behavioral-based interview, you can't bring your talking points with you. The same goes for any bullets you may have brainstormed to answer the interview questions that make nervous, such as Tell me about yourself or Why were you fired from your last job? while it's perfectly acceptable to write out talking points when you're practicing for an interview, it is not appropriate to bring those notes to the actual interview. If you'd like to take notes during the interview, ask your interviewer if he or she minds before you break out the notebook or iPad. Again, jotting down a few notes during the interview will not only help you decide if the job opportunity is right for you, but it will also show the hiring manager that you care about the position and are taking the interview process seriously. Whatever you do, make sure you write down each interviewer's name and email address so you can send a proper thank-you note afterward. Want to feel more confident during your next interview? Let TopInterview help. Recommended Reading: 13 of the Smartest Questions to Ask the Interviewer The Importance of Saying Thank You After an Interview How to Prepare for the 3 Most Common Interview Questions Related Articles:

6 Job Interview Stories From Hell

6 Job Interview Stories From Hell 6 Job Interview Stories From Hell With job interviews being so stressful, today we take a lighthearted look at the job interviews where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Both hiring managers and employees alike share stories of their job interviews from hell. Learn why you are not the only job candidate who had dealt with a crazy job interview or two. Negative Storiesfrom Hiring Managers 1. Bringing your mom to an interview An HR manager for a market research firm had an awkward interview worthy of a television sitcom. A 19-year old seeking a position in customer service brought his mother to the interview. When the HR manager questioned why he brought mom along, the mother spoke up and offered this logic: “I am just making sure this is the right company for my son and that you are asking fair questions.” The HR manager decided to play along. It was the most interesting thing that happened for a while. The HR manager asked the son another interview question. Once again, the mom answered for him. When the HR manager politely asked the mom to leave she responded, “I am not going anywhere.” As expected, this ended the interview. After all, the job required critical thinking and problem-solving skills, none of which the son had shown. When the mom and son are told the interview was over, the mother told the HR manager to “f*** off” and expressed a lawsuit was coming. 2. Giving way too much information During an interview with an employer, a job candidate is asked the interview question, “Why did you leave your last job?” The question sounds simple enough. Then, the job candidate replies, “I shot my last boss.” The job candidate was on parole and told by his parole officer it is important to be honest.Honesty is a great policy, but so is discretion. 3. Nudity during a job interview As many jobs require when someone is looking to relocate for a job, a boss is interviewing a job candidate via Skype. All seems normal, at first. The job candidate is well-dressed and polite. He is answering questions and doing very well. Suddenly, a woman in her bathrobe appears in the background completely unaware that this boss can see her. She had just woken up, looked disheveled, and was drinking a cup of coffee while sitting on the sofa. The boss made light of this and asked the job candidate, “Is that your wife in the background?” The woman hears the question and becomes incredibly upset and embarrassed. Not knowing it is a job interview, she proceeds to yell at her husband occasionally slapping him on the head. As the boss asked, “Is this a good time?”the wife begins to yell at the boss, “Keep your mouth shut! I’ll deal with you later!” The job candidate ended the Skype call, and neither the boss nor the company ever heard from him again. Negative Stories from Employees 4. Insulting your colleague during an interview While interviewing to work for a company that created an app to help people balance their budget, an employee is asked to figure out a not-so-simple math problem involving return on investment (ROI). Unbeknownst to the job candidate, the founders of the company were a married couple and one of them (the husband) was not very good with numbers. The job candidate solved the math problem given to him. After giving his answer, the wife says, “Finally. No one has answered this correctly all week and...”. The husband quickly jumps in and disagrees, “No. He got the answer wrong. The answer is $4500.” The wife fires back, “You must be stupid. How did you ever arrive at that number!?” The husband gets even louder, “YOU must be stupid! Don’t you know the formula for figuring out ROI or should I explain it again?” This comment set the wife off. A rather loud argument ensued between the husband and wife for the next five minutes while the job candidate sat there wishing he was on another planet. This argument abruptly led to the wife walking out of the interview and the husband following after her. Eventually, the job candidate became nervous, got up and left, letting the receptionist know that he had to leave. Later that day, the wife called the job candidate and apologized for putting the job candidate in that situation. The wife offered another chance to interview. The job candidate politely declined. 5. Too much heat to handle A job candidate goes to an interview and all seemed as if this would be a great place to work. The people were nice, the commute was reasonable, and the salary was fair. This job candidate is answering questions like a pro! Suddenly, the fire alarm goes off. The receptionist pops her head in the room and says, “It’s a fire drill. We have to leave.” The interview continues as they leave the building and the job candidate thinks she is earning points for dealing with adversity as cool as a cucumber. Then, as everyone stands outside waiting to go back in, they find out the building is really on fire. The job candidate agrees to come back later in the week. Unfortunately, the next day she gets a call from the employer that the building had burned down and the office was being relocated to another state. Everyone who could not relocate lost their jobs and were given severance packages. The job was scrapped. 6. Do you really want to work here? A job candidate sat down to interview, and the employer asked the common interview question, “So, tell me...why do you want to work here?” The job candidate began to give his best-rehearsed answer when suddenly the interviewer stops him. The interviewer asks, “No. Really. Why in the world would you want to work here? What possessed you to apply for this position?” Before the job candidate has a chance to speak, he receives a lecture from a supervisor explaining how he feels about the company. And it is not good. The last thing the job candidate remembers hearing is, “You seem like a good person. After hearing what I told you I ask again why you want to work here.” The job candidate thanked the interviewer for the information and said, “That’s ok. I don’t want to anymore.” At the end of the day Regardless of all the job interview advice out there, both job candidates and employers are imperfect human beings. There is no reason a person should walk into an interview without confidence. Everyone at some point deals with something crazy in an interview. Treat every interview as if it were two professionals talking business; a friendly conversation you have nothing to be worried about.