Job Interview Advice You May Not Have Heard Before

Job Interview Advice You May Not Have Heard BeforeJob Interview Advice You May Not Have Heard BeforeWhen it comes to acing a job vorstellungsgesprch and job interview advice, you may be convinced that you already know everything you need to know.But, just because youre familiar with the nuts and bolts doesnt mean theres zero room left for improvement in your interview skills. There are some different tips and tactics that are lesser-known- yet just as beneficial.Like what, exactly?Here are five pieces of job interview advice you should know, but might notlage have heard before1. Research your interviewer.You know that you need to research the company ahead of your interview. But, beyond familiarizing yourself with its mission, values, culture, and recent happenings, its also wise to look into the people youll actually be interviewing with.Chances are, you have their positions or names (or both)- meaning youre equipped with what you need to do some digging on LinkedIn and other social media sites.Why is this important? Getting to know the interviewers a little better will not only make you more comfortable, but it will also make it easier for you to strike up small talk about anything you have in common- whether its a shared alma mater or the fact that you both own rescue dogs.2. Assemble a survival kit.Oftentimes job interviews can feel like one of those dreaded what can go wrong, will go wrong scenarios. However, not many people talk about how you can deal when you spill coffee down your shirt or theres only metered parking available and you dont have any change.This is why its a good idea to assemble a survival kit ahead of your interview- so that you can be prepared for any curve balls that come your way.Exactly what you want to include can vary based on your unique circumstances (such as whether its a remote or in-person interview, for example), but Michelle Goodman suggests some of the following in her article for ABC NewsBottled water and a snack (theres nothing worse than having your stomach growl loudly right before you head into your interview)Breath mints, deodorant, a stain stick, a spare shirt, and any other grooming items you think you might needPen and notepad to take notesExtra business cards and copies of important documents- including your resume, reference list, and any presentations you need to giveHave those things at the ready, and you can rest easy with the knowledge that youre prepared for anything3. Start strong.Theres a lot of emphasis placed on how you conclude your interview. And, thats for good reason- you want to end on a high note and leave a lasting, good impression. But, few people talk about how you begin an interview. As it turns out, that might matter more.Some statistics state that bosses know within 90 seconds of an interview if theyll hire someone. On the slightly less extreme side, a majority of hiring managers state that they make a decision about a candidate within 5 to 15 minutes of the interview beginning.So, while you might have a little more time than a minute and a half to be impressive, its still important that you maximize that early portion of your interview.Start with an engaging story or make sure that you play up your fruchtwein relevant skills and qualifications early on. When it comes to interviewing, you dont want to bury the lead.4. Remember your body language.Its easy to focus solely on the words you use to answer interview questions, but its important that you remember that your nonverbal cues often say more than your words.Of course, you dont want to be chewing your nails or fidgeting in your seat. However, theres another nonverbal cue that people tend to lose sight of (pun intended) when theyre nervous eye contact.Maintaining eye contact will help you connect to that employer, while also portraying your confidence. No, you dont need to lock eyes and engage in a staring contest. But, make sure that youre making adequate eye contact during your interview- and not looking down or shifting your glance all around the room.5. Prepare questions (and not just answers).Youve rehearsed your very best answers to common interview questions, yet in the process, you neglected to prepare for the last question that interviewers use Do you have any questions for me?In order to appear engaged in the hiring process, you want to have some well-informed and thoughtful questions to ask your interviewer. Unfortunately, those are tough to think of on the spot.So, make sure that you dont just show up to the interview armed and ready with answers- have some questions in your back pocket too.Think you know everything you need to know to ace an interview? Think again. While you might have the basics already covered, make sure you also implement these five lesser-known tips to increase your chances of landing the job.Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

Getting to Know Generation Y Employees

Getting to Know richtungeration Y EmployeesGetting to Know richtungeration Y EmployeesThe Generation Ycadre of young adults now joining the workforce is often painted as over-parented, pampered, and coddled. Granted, some members of the Gen Y workforce have a difficult time adjusting to employment, but others bring skills that should be emulated. Not all Gen Y employees are the same, and it is a mistake to paint them all with the same brush. The Downside ofthe Gen Y Employee They perceive themselves as the smartest and the best.Even though they achieved a GPA of 3.0 in their less than rigorous degree programs, Mom and Dad lauded them as super smart and forgave the academic grade.Gen Y workers think they are good at everything and everything should come easily. This belief created children who werent prepared for a rigorous college program. Many students arrived unprepared with the appropriate background for degree programs that employers need.This created a plethora of young adul ts now graduating with urban planning, gender and ethnic studies, humanities, arts and sciences, and psychology degrees. Meanwhile, theres a dearth of students with computer science, science, healthcare, and math skills. They feel entitled to a lot of money, quick promotions, and only positive reinforcement. How many applications from graduating, potential workers have you seen who actually had real jobs? While many have jobs or internships listed on their resumes, think about what happened during all those semesters when nothing was going on. How many potential internships were not pursued? However much voluntary campus and civic work could have been undertaken but wasnt? If questioned, many will say that college is their last real mglichkeit to have fun before becoming an adult and being weighed down with responsibilities. On the other hand, the college years should be a year-round, year after year, learning opportunity- and one in which students try different things in order to d iscover their passion. This generation was tethered to their parents by cell phones, text messages, and constant oversight.Gen Y is not the first generation of children who were not set free by their parents in the morning and told to come home when the streetlights came on. And while we live in a more dangerous world than one or two generations ago, being untethered is a chance to learn responsibility.This creates a scenario in which managers are expected to give daily feedback and praise within a workplace structure. The Upside of the Gen Y Employee Gen Y is very tech-savvy. BecauseGen Y grew up with technology, they can perform their jobs better. Armed with smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets, this generation is plugged in 24/7 and can work from anywhere. They like to communicate through email, text messaging, and whatever new social media platform (i.e., Twitter, Instagram) friends and colleagues are using.They are family-oriented.The fast-track lifestyle has lost much of its appeal for this Gen Y. The members of this generation are willing to trade high pay for fewer billable hours,flexible schedules,and a better work/life balance. They still get the job done, theyre just more satisfied overall because their life is not ruled by work They are achievement-oriented.Nurtured and pampered by parents who didnt want to make the mistakes of the previous generation, Gen Ys are confident and have high expectations of their employers. They arent afraid to question authority and want meaningful work.Gen Y is all about the team. While growing up, most Gen Y boys and girls participated in team sports, and were active participants in various group activities, whether it was soccer or ballet. Because of this, they are comfortable with- and value- teamwork and seek the input and affirmation of others. They are the true no-person-left-behind generation, always showing loyal and committed. They truly want to be included and involved at work. The Gen Y worker likes to job-hop.A potential downside of the Gen Y worker is that it is not uncommon for them to stay with a firm for only two or three years before moving on to a position they think is better. But, dont discount this as a negative. These young employees bring with them a variety of experiences from multiple jobs and companies. They have been exposed to different cultures and tend to get along with people from all backgrounds.

What to Do When Youre Just Not That Into an Idea Anymore

What to Do When Youre Just Not That Into an Idea AnymoreWhat to Do When Youre Just Not That Into an Idea AnymoreWhether its a geschftsleben idea, PR initiative, or social media campaign, getting an awesome idea fully fleshed out and organized into an executable plan is always tedious, no matter how much you love it.But what happens when, after all those hours logged, Word drafts saved, and hair pulled out, you dont actually love the idea anymore? In our execution-obsessed culture, it can be really hard to pump the brakes- especially if money has been spent, executives have been briefed, and time is ticking. But paying attention to that creeping feeling may be your smartest business decision yet. Why? Because if something feels wrong about it, it probably is. The good news? That feeling doesnt necessarily mean you need to trash the whole idea. If youre feeling a little wobbly about a plan in action, here are four ways to get to the root of whats gone wrong- and how to get back on trac k. 1. Dig Out the NuggetForget the millions of Word docs youve created- when you first thought of the idea, what excited you about it most? What were you hoping to accomplish? How would your company have benefitted? Sometimes, we get so obsessed with the brainstorming and planning phase that we lose the essence of why we thought it was such an awesome idea to begin with.Once youre clear on the why- and, just as importantly, on what you want to end result to be- go back to your plans. What can you salvage? What needs to go? Be ruthless.2. Bring in External CounselTheres something really amazing that happens when people come together to execute on an idea. In the beginning at least. And then? It can be mayhem. When you work really closely with the saatkorn people on an idea you all really care about, you tend to adopt a group narrative about the project- its a phenomenon called groupthink. You tell and re-tell one another the same stories about why youre doing things the way youre doi ng them, why doing it differently wouldnt work, and why its the most awesome project ever (even when it doesnt feel that way).If any of this sounds familiar, its time to bring in someone who can offer an honest, external perspective. Just be sure you all agree on that person, so that everyone in the group will value- and listen to- his or her opinion.3. Go Do Something ElseSeriously. Go to the movies. Plan a weekend trip. Binge watch the new season of Orange is the New Black.I dont know about you, but when I feel like something isnt quite right, my first reaction is to want to solve the problem. Which means overthinking. In this case, resist that urge, and do the opposite. Run away from the idea for a few days, then come back to it with fresh eyes. Does it still feel wrong? If so, can you more clearly identify where that feeling is coming from?4. Dont Be Afraid to Scrap ItWorst case scenario, you may need to trash the whole thing. I know, it makes you nauseous just thinking about it . But maybe it also makes you a little relieved- because now, you dont have to work so hard on something you dont really care about or believe in anymore. Which leaves room for you to start working on that other idea that started bubbling up a few weeks ago.Remember Throwing in the towel doesnt mean defeat. It means youre creating space for something better.Telling your psyche that you dont feel a certain way isnt actually going to make you feel any differently. So, the next time that something-isnt-quite-right feeling bubbles up, dont get mad or feel guilty. Instead, try to figure out what its trying to tell you. If you listen, whatever it is youre trying to create will only be better for it.Photo of light bulbs courtesy of Shutterstock.