Interview Questions – What Might You Be Asked?

Interviews can be stressful and it may be that you flounder on one of the questions and don’t answer well.  Don’t let that unsettle you. Pass over it and move on to the next question. You can still win the job if you show that you are able to recover well and maintain your focus.

To list exactly the questions you might be asked would be impossible – there are literally hundreds of possibilities, however, some questions on the most likely list include:

> Tell me about yourself?

> What are your strengths?

> What is your most significant accomplishment?

> What things most motivate you?

> Are you happy with your career progress to date?

> What is the most difficult situation you have ever faced?

> What jobs have you enjoyed the most / the least and why?

> Why did you leave your last position?

> If money was no object, and you wanted to work, what would be your ideal position?

> How do you handle people you don’t get along with?

> What is your major weakness?

> How would this position fit your overall career plan?

> What three adjectives best describe you?

> What are your salary expectations? (Throw this one back into the employer’s court. This will be discussed further in an upcoming blog post.)

> What aspects of your career have prepared you for this particular job?

And so on and on…..

Some of these questions, such as what are your greatest weaknesses, can simply be included to help eliminate candidates. Put yourself in the position of the interviewer. Make a list of the skills, proficiencies and character traits that you think he or she will be looking for. How do you meet these criteria? Review how you can move the interviewer past any possible weaknesses to focus on your strengths?

Practice your interview ‘answers’. It might be best to time yourself, as answers should not take much more than a minute. Don’t talk yourself out of a job. Keep to the point and answer the question – no more!

There is a story that a HR manager asked an applicant: “Do you work better as an individual or as a part of a team.”

“I work well as an individual or as a team member,” the applicant replied.

“Pick one,” said the HR manager.

“As an individual,” replied the applicant.

The HR manager replied: “We work in teams here.”

Sometimes you just can’t win no matter how you prepare, but you can always do your best.

Here’s to writing powerful resumes – and comfortably negotiating interviews.

Beverley Neil

PS – if you would like to learn how to write interview winning resumes for yourself, or professionally for others, Click here to find out more. If you prefer to work with an award-winning resume writer to get fantastic results, please email me at beverley@d-scriptivewords.com  to start the confidence building process.

Formatting Tips to Help Your Resume Stand Out

Presenting your cover letter and résumé in a totally professional format is vital to making the best first impression possible. When compiling your résumé there are a number of formatting points to remember to help achieve that professional finish:

Choose widely used, professional fonts but vary to the profession or organisation.

• For the streamlined professional look you are safe with Book Antiqua in 10.5 pts and Georgia in 10 pts. Headings in slightly larger font size to balance.
• For more hands on blue-collar worker roles choose Arial 10.5 pts or Times New Roman in 11.5 pts, or for a different look in the right situation choose Courier New in 12 pts and set your character spacing to 80%. Headings should be in slightly larger font sizes to balance.
• Some government departments specify, and others prefer but don’t specify, Times New Roman 12. Headings in slightly larger font size to balance.
• Whatever your preference, you can’t go wrong with:

Arial 10-11
Times New Roman 11-11.5
Georgia 10-11
Book Antiqua 10.5-11
Century Schoolbook 10.5-11

 Avoid tabbing across, rather set the right hand margin using the icon on the upper left corner of your page.

When putting in a page border I have found printers vary too much to simply use the MS page border function. Instead create a box the size you wish to use, remove fill to enable you to size correctly, choose the line thickness and look you want (single or double thin are usually best) cut and paste into the header/footer Show/Hide document text setting. Be sure it is sent to background to enable you to type into the header and the footer. If necessary, press enter to increase the size of the footer and position the bottom line of the box just sufficiently inside the footer to enable page numbering or… to be inserted clearly. There should then be no troubles whichever printer the documents are sent to.

Colour can enhance or destroy a résumé. The main thing is to be discrete, never gaudy, even in a creative format. I have successfully combined maroon headers and lines with either black or dark grey text, dark teal headers and lines with black text and, believe it or not, olive green (though it is called dark yellow on the MS palette) headers and lines with black text and even with dark teal text for a fresh, energised finish. The most important thing is to keep it subtle and tasteful. And if you are not too comfortable with colours, or you are not sure of your reception at the employers end, stick with plain black.

If you would like to view some sample resumes and sample cover letters to get a stronger idea of how your finished documents could look, visit my web site on this link http://www.onlineresumewriterscourse.com/job-seekers.html and click on the sample resume and sample cover letter examples on the right hand side of the page.

 Here’s to writing powerful resumes.

Beverley Neil

PS – if you would like to learn how to write interview winning resumes for yourself or professionally for others, Click here to find out more. If you prefer to work with an award-winning resume writer to get fantastic results,  please email me at beverley@d-scriptivewords.com to start the confidence building process.

Professional Resume Writer Accreditation

Ok, time for a little blatant self-promotion . As readers may know, I have earned my international Certified Expert Resume Writer accreditation. Once earned I don’t get to ‘keep it’ but rather must resit the exam every two years. I confess, even with all my experience it still makes me very nervous being assessed by a committee of my peers – all outstanding writers.

Well, I am relieved to say I have passed again, but must share some of the feedback:

You have successfully renewed your CERW! Your work was commended by the committee members as having innovative design and powerful content. Very impressive work indeed.

If you’re looking for a professional resume writer, or are interested in a professional resume writer’s course (this is where the blatant self promotion comes in), this could be the very reassurance you’re after – or pop across to my web site at www.onlineresumewriterscourse.com 

Here’s to writing powerful resumes.

Beverley Neil

Truly Beautiful Resumes

Have a look at these beautiful resume formats.

If you are going after a graphic design position or similar here is some great inspiration – however – definitely send a standard resume as well to enable the recruiter to scan your application quickly and establish if they want you in the running.

For all other roles and industries definitely stick with the more traditional resume. You can’t afford a recruiter to bin your resume because they don’t have the time or interest to decipher your creativity.

In the meantime, enjoy…

http://blogof.francescomugnai.com/2008/09/the-20-most-creative-resumes-ive-seen-in-a-long-time-pure-inspiration/

Here’s to writing powerful resumes

Beverley Neil

Are Your Correct Spelling Skills Blocking Your Job Search?

If you’re searching for jobs on Seek, CareerOne or another job board site, you could consider searching for your job title under both the correct and the incorrect spelling.

Apparently there are currently 359 jobs on Seek where ‘Manager’ is spelt ‘Manger’.

This advertisement – link below – really shows how you need to be on the ball tracking down your ideal role…

http://www.recruitmentdirectory.com.au/Blog/proof-read-your-job-ads-a134.html

Would you have ever thought to enter a search for ‘Contract Adminstrator’?

Here’s to writing powerful (correctly spelt) resumes.

Beverley Neil

Road Test My New DIY Resume Writing Course for Job Seekers – for Free

THANK YOU EVERYONE – THIS OFFER IS NOW CLOSED.

That’s right – along with my resume writer’s course for those who want to learn professional resume writing, I have now put together a resume writing course for job seekers.

This DIY resume writing course – which I will be selling online for a value-packed price of AU$47.00 - is the perfect option to create your own highly effective, strategically focused résumé and targeted cover letters and will also give you the knowledge to write résumés and letters for your family and friends.

This course includes all the Professional Résumé Writer’s Course material edited back to provide just the essential information relevant to your needs PLUS sample resumes and cover letters to draw inspiration from PLUS the interview strategies e-book.

You will receive:

** Fact-finding questionnaire – that will draw out all the essential information necessary to compile your documents

** Guidance on the most effective style of resume, how to draw out and highlight critical skills and achievements, how to identify and place vital key words and phrases, how to write targeted cover letters that capture attention

** Résumé and cover letter samples – with complete permission to ‘borrow’ any of the formatting and gain inspiration from any of the wording – warning: never copy wording outright though – use only for inspiration

** Post-interview letter template – add the last few details to cement your place in the recruiter’s memory

** Interview Strategies e-book

You will also gain the vital understanding of what powerful, professional resumes should look like if you decide you want to work with a professional writer at some time in the future – knowledge that’s as good as money in the bank.

I am only offering this course FREE TO THE FIRST 25 JOB SEEKERS who contact me and simply ask for the material. There is no obligation attached – but I would love to receive your feedback on any aspects of the course that you found helpful or where you felt you could have received more guidance.

Simply email me at beverley@d-scriptivewords.com with Blog Offer for Free Resume Course in the subject line and I will send you the documents by return email. This could be your golden opportunity to learn a skill you can use again and again in life.

If you’d like to find out more about the course, visit my web site at www.onlineresumewriterscourse.com

Here’s to writing powerful resumes.

Beverley Neil

How Important Is a Follow-Up Thank You Letter?

Have you ever considered sending a thank you letter after an interview? You can guarantee that around 85% of the other candidates haven’t thought of it either. So can you think of a better way of ensuring you receive prominence in the interviewer’s mind than by sending off a note of thanks for their time – and by way of an after thought happening to mention – very briefly – why you would be perfect for the job?

According to a CareerBuilder.com survey of more than 650 employers: “Writing a thank-you letter after an interview doesn’t just showcase a candidate’s manners – it can also make or break their chances of landing a job. Nearly 15% of hiring managers say they would not hire someone who failed to send a thank-you letter after the interview, 32%say they would still consider the candidate, but would think less of him or her.”

“One-in-four hiring managers prefer to receive a thank-you note in e-mail form only, 19% want the e-mail followed up with a hard copy, 21% want a typed hard copy only and 23% prefer just a handwritten note.”

“26% of hiring managers expect to have the letter in-hand two days after the interview and 36% expect to have it within three to five days.”

When you consider that statistics show that less than 15% of candidates even bother to send thank-you letters, and of those little more than 1% actually create a personal letter verses a generic note of thanks, a post-interview thank you letter has got to be regarded as one of your strongest ‘personal’ marketing tools.

When writing your thank you letter, remember first and foremost that is what it is – a thank you letter – an acknowledgement of the time taken and interest displayed by the interviewer/s.

 Be brief and to the point

 Be personal, stating the name/s of the person/s present – ensuring that the spelling is correct

 Briefly – very briefly – mention any point you would like to reiterate that positions you as an ideal candidate

 Close on a bright and positive note stating you are looking forward to the next step in the interview process.

It’s just so simple and so effective.

Here’s to writing powerful resumes – and post-interview thank you letters that get you noticed

Beverley Neil

Should You Include Personal Interests In Your Resume?

An article with IXL provides feedback from some of Australia’s top career professionals, and demonstrates that, as with many areas of compiling a résumé, the final result can still be influenced by personal preference.

Quote from executive search firm, Russell Reynolds:

“Be careful of what is put there as it is just as easy to give the wrong impression as to have something that stands out from the crowd. Including a single-figure golf handicap on a CV could show you’re too focused on yourself, whereas participation in endurance sports sends a message about the commitment an individual is capable of.”

Quote from specialist recruitment firm, Ambition:

“Letting recruiters know about general interests is important for finding the right cultural match. CFOs are usually trying to sell themselves just on their track records. I’d also like to know about extra interest because this builds a picture and shows they’re aiming for a work-life balance. Yet I see a ‘major interest’ in only about one out of 10 résumés at the top level.”

Recruitment consultancy, Carmichael Fisher:

“Including hobbies or interests is a conversation-opener for a job interview at any level of seniority. There are no hard and fast rules on what should be included, or what it might imply about a job candidate.”

The representative from Carmichael Fisher points out that examples such as “playing for the Wallabies” suggests a leader with drive but nevertheless a team person, “a golf handicap of two, or a black belt in karate, suggests more of an individual-type person”, “theatre, opera and reading as interests implies a more analytical and contemplative type of person”.

When compiling a résumé, and even in the cover letter, I look carefully at the individual and the industry / role they are targeting. While the representative from Russell Reynolds views reference to golf handicaps as a possible sign of introspection, it can be a key point in compiling a sales résumé where subjects such as golf are frequent ice breakers, and golfing events are used as sales and marketing tools.

Certainly interests such as marathon running show endurance, commitment, motivation and forward planning and are an asset in any position. If you are targeting a steady, at home position, a passion for overseas travel – whether you indulge or not – could be seen as lacking focus and stability, whereas if you are targeting a position with a global organisation where you need to be comfortable relating to many different individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, international traveller would be seen as a boon.

Here’s to writing powerful resumes

Beverley Neil

Side-Effects of Unemployment Uncertainty

As uncertainty over unemployment rises it is natural that some people will start to experience increased anxiety and levels of stress. With stress can come shorter fuses and the risk of arguments.

Mark Branbenburg, personal coach committed to helping fathers succeed (though we mums – in fact anyone – can benefit from this kind of support too) offers this great advice on avoiding arguments and keeping your home your haven:

 How to Avoid Arguments

1. Be concerned with being kind more than being right.
If you’re kind to your spouse and treat them well, you’ll experience fewer arguments.

2. Develop the fine art of keeping your mouth closed.
There will be many occasions when you’ll want to respond to a comment your spouse has made, and an argument is waiting to happen. Take a hard swallow, and notice that no argument occurs.

3. Talk with your spouse about making the effort to avoid arguments.
Have a specific plan in place you both agree on when things gets tense. If you know you’re both committed to improving, it’s easier to stay committed.

4. Raise your own standards.
What kind of person do you really want to be? In view of how useless arguing is, wouldn’t you rather hold yourself to a high standard, and spend time doing something else?

5. Just walk away from the argument.
Walking away allows you some time to gather your thoughts and to cool down. When your perspective is better, you can continue the discussion from a more objective place.

6. Date your spouse regularly.
A lot of arguments result from things that haven’t been fully explored. It’s crucial to have a way to stay up to date, and create rituals that have the two of you talking. Make the time sacred.

7. Bend the truth now and again.
If it’s between being honest and being kind with your spouse, be kind every time! You can tell her the dinner is awful when she asks, but you increase the chances of conflict. Smile, and tell her it’s delicious.

8. Compliment your spouse twice a day.
One of the major reasons for arguments between couples is that people don’t feel acknowledged. Acknowledge your spouse regularly, and they’ll feel appreciated. Appreciated people are less likely to argue.

9. Know Your Triggers Around Arguing.
Familiarize yourself with what comments and situations trigger your anger and argumentative behavior. What are these about? When do they occur? Learn how you can avoid getting trapped in the future.

10. Make yourself accountable for your arguments.
Have other family members hold you accountable for your behavior. Tell them your working on improving, and would they please remind you if you’re starting to argue again. This puts some teeth behind your commitment.

Warmly,
Mark Brandenburg

Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC
mark@eqnow.org
http://www.markbrandenburg.com
http://www.eqnow.org
Phone (+1) 651-766-9976
“Helping Men Succeed”

 Here’s to writing powerful resumes – and living empowered lives

Beverley Neil

When It Comes to Resumes – Some Things Never Change

In August 2007 I wrote a blog piece about how job seekers were letting themselves down in what was then a low-unemployment market. They had become casual because the jobs were there seemingly for the asking.

What many didn’t realise was that recruiters were still judging them on the standard and relevance of their resume and cover letter, and many were being dismissed on that basis.

How the figures have turned, and are turning still with the unemployment figures steadily rising. Now, more than ever, it is time to pay close attention to the points I outlined in that blog post over a year ago.

I’ve included here below those comments – direct from recruiters – that I posted back then:

<begin quote>

“Lately I have been finding more and more that I am receiving consistently poor resumes, which I generally put down to:

• Laziness of applicants
• Not knowing any better or
• A perceived lack of importance seen by candidates at this stage of the recruitment process.

It may simply be a Generation Y thing where candidates feel the jobs will or should come to them with little or no effort made on their behalf? Some of the most common issues I find with resumes are:

• They don’t sell the person well (e.g. are just a description of employment history, etc)
• They are far too wordy: generally I feel they should be shorter, sharper, punchier and attract interest (sell someone) more quickly
• They are not specific in content towards the role or industry people are applying for (are obviously generic resumes being sent for any job)”

This recruiter’s complaint was that he simply could not see any value in these applicants. He finds himself constantly having to tell candidates they are less likely to be selected for an interview, or will be totally rejected by either himself or the client, by presenting with documents full of mistakes, irrelevant, too wordy and with unattractive formatting.

Interested, I went on to contact other consultants and here is the feedback I received:

“People flick off CVs here there and everywhere without much thought. Often we don’t even get a cover letter, the formatting is poor, spelling mistakes, too much jargon and buzz words which don’t have much depth.”

And from another source:

“Whilst the media continues to ramp up the candidate short market there is the perception from candidates to up-sell themselves and have above-market expectations of their worth (both financially and technically). There is the misconception that there are fewer applicants for the jobs. When it comes to the top jobs there is no change, there was and will continue to be strong competition amongst candidates.”

If you think it is easy for an applicant to walk into an interview today without taking too much trouble, then think again. Unless you present yourself in the best possible light, you still may not capture that interview.

Strong communications and excellent presentation will never be redundant.

<end quote>

This is sound advice when you’re preparing your resume. Some things really never do change.

Here’s to writing powerful resumes

Beverley Neil