The Only 5 Interview Questions You Need to Prepare for

The Only 5 Interview Questions You Need to Prepare for There is an awful lot of chitchat, jibber jabber and small talk going on in interviews. When you take a closer look at the exchanges, you can see that there are only a few questions the interviewer is really bothered about. The rest are simply there to create rapport and filling the gaps. The reason you will always struggle to prepare answers to every single question you are asked in an interview is that the interviewer themselves didn’t prepare them. They dont really care too much about all the answers you give either. What we do know is that an interviewer has one major objective to fulfill and that is to get the answers to the five basic questions. Based on the answers, he or she will then compare the answers to that of any other interviewer’s and they will then rule you in or out. Here is the list: 1) What brings you to this interview? This is where the interviewer wants to see how well you have researched this position, how committed you really are to the company and why you are looking for a new job in the first place. Make sure you read up on the job and can say exactly how it fits to your skills. Do your homework on the company so that you can explain why you are on their interview couch and not the competitor’s. Finally, you will inevitably have to explain what brought you to a job interview, prepare to outline your reason for changing jobs. 2) What value will you add to our company? The interviewer is hoping you might be the solution to their problems, so let’s tune in to WIIFM and crank up the volume. List your main skills and how these will be directly applicable if you get the job. Back your claims up with achievements from your previous jobs, preferably quantified ($x increase in sales, 30% savings on paper clips). Forget what you want to get out of the job you are interviewing for, this is all about what they will get from you. 3) Can you work well with the team? Here’s your chance to elaborate on how well you get on with people from all walks of life. Tell them how you have a strong opinion of your own, but always make compromises and move forward for the best interest of the team and the company. Throw in some examples where you went the extra mile for your team and indicate how you will do the same for the team you would join. RELATED:  How to Build a Strong  Team  Spirit 4) What is special about you? Let’s face it; every candidate that comes through the employer’s door will be praising themselves in their interview. This means that not only do you have to brag about yourself, but in order to be credible you will have to give specific examples from when you have achieved greatness in the past. Tell them about when you solved that huge issue for your company’s biggest client and saved the Christmas party for everyone. Whatever nice and tangible achievement makes you special, memorize it and get ready to deliver it when prompted. 5) What’s your salary and when can you start? If you get this question, you are probably doing well. These two points are classic buying signals. They indicate that the interviewer is actually calculating how much money they can make from you and when to begin doing so. The answer you want to give has to be low enough to make you competitive and high enough to avoid looking desperate. A good trick is to be sketchy and give them a salary range and say that you can’t really give a definite answer until you can compare the benefits to what you have already. Indicate that you will be flexible and that there will be a way to work out both the financials and start date, should you get to that stage. Finally, what is your experience of these five questions vs. small talk in interviews? Related: 9 Killer Questions Candidates Ought to Ask the Interviewer. Image: Shutterstock

11 Ways to Turn Your Passion into a Successful Career CareerMetis.com

11 Ways to Turn Your Passion into a Successful Career All of you must be familiar with Rachel Green, a character played by Jennifer Aniston in the famous sitcom Friends. If you have followed her journey, you are also aware that she went from being a spoilt brat to becoming a waitress at the coffee shop. Ultimately, she pursued her passion for fashion by working for Bloomingdale’s and Ralph Lauren.The point of rehashing this story was to emphasize the importance of pursuing your passion and making a career out of it.evalAccording to a study, 85% of people worldwidehate their current jobs. So, don’t be too astonished if you feel trapped sitting in front of that computer all day. There’s hope for you yet! Keep reading to know.We can all agree that one of the most frustrating things you are likely to experience in your adult life is to see yourself in a job that you’re not passionate about. Being uninspired by what you do is not only unproductive but also unnecessary.But who says you can’t find joy in what you do? You can turn you r hobbies into a full-fledged career option.Given below is the checklist of things to ponder over when you want to pursue your passion as a career.1) Think about the activities that excite youConsider this, what would you do if you didn’t have that less-than-satisfying job to take care of? Think about the activities that awaken your zeal and passion, and doesn’t make you feel stuck.Maybe you like photography. Maybe you like writing. Maybe you like cooking or feel passionate about social causes. Any activity that you’re passionate about can be transformed into a full-time career.Now, it may take a considerable time before you finally decide on what you want to pursue. You need to be prepared to follow your gut.2)Don’t charge money just as yetevalThe Joker might have advised, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” But to do that, you have to hone your skills before you hope to have a steady income by pursuing your passion.Carrying out the side project witho ut worrying about turning your passion into a proper career right away will help you sharpen your skills and boost your confidence.Remember to take baby steps. For instance, if you’re considering a career in academic writing, you need to have a clear idea of how the assignment help services function. You can offer your services to people in your network for free.Working for free will also let you decide if you actually enjoy the work enough to consider it as a career option. Chances are, if you won’t do the work for free, you won’t do it for money either.3) Mix your passion with other skills you haveevalMaybe you’re thinking about a career in graphic design because you love playing around with visuals. Is there any specific skill that could amplify the scope for success?Maybe you also have great photography skills. You can use that skill to capture and create stunning visuals and promote it on social media to garner the attention of the audience.Every successful individual h as a success mantra that they swear by. So, you should figure out your secret recipe of success that’s made up of all the different skills and experiences that’s unique to you. This is what will help you stand out in your career and add to your credibility.4)Develop and maintain solid connectionsConsider how you can reach out to the people who are in need of the services you’re willing to offer. Are you familiar with someone that could connect you with your target clients? There are myriad ways to expand your network and attract the attention of like-minded people.For instance, if you feel passionate about blogging, then use social media. Make sure to tell your friends and followers to share your write-ups. That’s how you can build your audience effectively.Once your audience is familiar with your work and derives value from it, you can focus on creating your portfolio to show off your work.5)Determine what works and what doesn’tWhile pursuing your passion, you are likely to go through a period of adjustment, just like any other regular job. Now, this is the point where you have to identify what works and what doesn’t.Maybe you’ve discovered that the blog that you’ve been maintaining as a supplement for your photography business isn’t gaining traction, but your Instagram account is generating more engagement. This is probably an indication that you need to revamp your strategy.Always ensure that you note down any developments that may happen as you gain experience and keep practicing. Learn from both the hits and misses.6)Gain insights into the demand for your skills and competencies in your chosen industryevalAfter you’ve identified your passion, you need to have knowledge about the level of demand for your skills. Taking a plunge into a career that has a low demand can be risky. Same with the one that has a large number of competitors.However, the number of competitors shouldn’t deter you from pursuing your passion.If you are confident about your skills, you can establish your career despite the competition.So, you need to assess the demand. Check whether there are a considerable number of people who are keen to pursue that niche you have chosen. This isvital, specifically if you want your career to flourish in the long run.7)Pay attention to what you like and don’t like about your nicheMaybe you thought you could dabble into wedding photography. But the schedule could be too erratic for you, and you may feel it’s too tedious.evalAnyone who has pursued their passion as a career would vouch for the fact that it’s hard to gain the momentum to make the change initially. However, making the right efforts always pay off.You can’t stay stuck in a rut simply because you’ll have the least resistance. It’s always wise to keep exploring and reinventing as you move ahead in your career. This is particularly important if you’re really committed to doing the thing that makes you happy.8)Be open to suggestions and learn from the mistakesIt’s natural to make mistakes while in the early stages of your career. What’s essential in this case is to keep an open mind and learn from the mistakes you make. That way, you’ll have the scope to flourish in the path you’ve chosen as your career. You need to have commitment and determination to pursue the passion even after committing mistakes. The outcomes may vary depending on the situation and different factors could assume a role in the failure or success of your venture.Should the risks of failing prevent you from trying to earn a living out of your passion? Definitely not. If you find yourself doubting your decision, you must constantly remind yourself that the worst thing is staying within a job that you’re not satisfied with.9) Start smallOnce you have set out on the right track, you can charge money for the services you provide. When you reach out to the clients, and you’ll be able to show the work that you did for free at the start of your career as a sample or a portfolio.For a service-based job, always ensure you get recommendations to help you ease into the paid arena.A client who’s receiving some form of return for the work you’ve done will be happy to pay. If that’s not the case, find someone who will.10) Follow an influential figure in your chosen nicheFollow the seasoned professionals and reputed figures in your industry. These are the people you should be looking up to who are successfully doing the work that you want to venture into.While you should focus on a unique approach, learning from those who tasted success before you doesn’t mean your work can’t be authentic. You can take a cue from their strategy, but do it your own way.11) Consider the related careers as well (at least initially)We are not asking you to compromise with your passion. But having alternatives when you’re starting out is a wise thing to do. Also, let’s rehash what we stated earlier.Turning your passion into a career requires sacrifices, at least in the beginning. As they say, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. You should be eager to accept something that’s in one way or another, associated with your passion and would gradually help you to get there.Let’s say, you want to do something for your community. You can try a volunteering position in an NGO. Likewise, if you want to be a stand-up comic, consider building your reputation by participating in events.Bottom line:While pursuing your passion as a full-time career may sound cool, the journey might not be easy. You have to be ready for a fair amount of struggle, and you also need to work on enhancing your skills. Aside from the zeal and passion for your work, you would also need to stay confident and continue doing what you do best. In the end, it’ll all be well worth it.

Science Happiness at work is good for employees AND the bottom line - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Science Happiness at work is good for employees AND the bottom line - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog There has never been a stronger focus on happiness at work in organizations all over the world than there is right now. And this is no wonder: Happy workplaces are more profitable and innovative, attract the best employees and have lower absenteeism and employee turnover rates. Simply put, happy companies make more money. Also, happiness at work is great for employees making them more successful, healthier and happier in private life as well. But why exactly is that and what trends are driving so many workplaces to take happiness seriously? At our 2018 Happiness at Work Conference I gave talk on that question and you can watch the whole thing here and get all the ammunition you need to make the case for happiness in your workplace. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Spark A Change of Plans (and a Chat) - When I Grow Up

Spark A Change of Plans (and a Chat) - When I Grow Up I dont have the bestest of news, but I do have a way to deliver it in the most honest of ways. Because of low sign-ups, the co-founders of Spark (which I was going to speak at) decided to cancel the April retreat. They posted this to break the news, and Im just so proud of them (and to be associated with them) that I had to repost it here (with their permission, of course). Want more honesty, more vulnerability, and more integrity on the Internet? Here you are. It is with agonizing reluctance that we are announcing that we are cancelling Spark 2013. We can’t call it anything other than disappointing, and we three met this weekend to talk everything through. We had feedback: Spark, this year, was too expensive, too long, and focused in too many directions. We crunched and re-crunched numbers, imagining different scenarios where we might be able to lower the registration fees. We stepped through what we might have done differentlyâ€"and could shiftâ€"on a grand, image-of-the-event kind of scale. We strategized on how, then, to reach people who might have been thinking about Spark, but were on the fence, and to others who might not have heard of us already. But when it comes right down to it, we have less than two weeks before needing to get our final numbers and full payment to the retreat venue. And that doesn’t feel like the kind of time it takes to re-price, re-jig, re-communicate, and find another dozen (or more) of our right people. We tried. When we chose this year’s theme (or it chose us), we thought, “YEAH. Spark and Step Up.” And we did. However, where we think we missed the mark is in (what came to be) our blurry definition of “Step up.” We thought it might mean to “go big.” And we did. We chose the best leaders we could find, matching them up talent-for-talent, knowing that they were each number one, kick-ass, world-changers. We also made the retreat longer than it was last year, and while this made the retreat ‘bigger’, it did not necessarily reflect your desires and needs. To them, and to you, we apologize for not quite hitting the mark. As we dig deeper and step up into our roles as creators of this unique event, we see that what we created wasn’t exactly what we wanted. Somehow, we lost sight of you, the women who we most want to serve. It started to not feel right: we want Spark to be an authentic reflection of who we are and what we want to give others, and this piece, while originating in heart-centered goodness, became askew as we walked further down the Spark path. Because of this, we think that there was a disconnect between us, our people, and the retreat itself. We are calling off Spark in 2013. But not forever. After our discussions this weekend, our thoughts are more focused. We three are planning to meet in person this spring to really get down to the heart of Spark, including what we did last year that made it work, and what we did this year that didn’t. We need to focus, and solidify who we are and what we are all about. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite have things right on our end this year, and it is our promise to turn that around. We are sincerely grateful for all of the time, effort, and love that our leaders have put into trying to make this work. We adore each of our fans and supporters, and are ready to hear your kind feedback on where we went astray. Know that our hearts are raw and that this decision came with great reluctance. However, it feels better to be honest all around with where we are, and we know the work that we have in front of us to make Spark fly in the future. We hope that you’ll be with us along the way. With great love, gratitude, a little bit of sadness, and trust that this is the right thing to do, Tania, Deanna, and Lori. Before the announcement, I got interviewed by Deanna, and I just hafta share it here. Its too good not to!

How to Talk About Blog Article Writing on Resume

How to Talk About Blog Article Writing on ResumeIf you're looking for how to talk about blog article writing on resume, the first thing that should go through your mind is that your resume is a very important document. You wouldn't wish to waste a lot of time and money promoting something if it has not proven it's worth yet.Resume is the first thing that you should focus on when you're going to write a portfolio for yourself. Resume is your body of work. If you spend some time researching, you will be able to make sure that your resume is up to the mark.Before talking about blog article writing on resume, I would like to tell you about how to promote yourself. Nowadays, there are a lot of people who are getting jobs online and here, you have to do some good marketing to get noticed.Well, the first thing that you need to do when you want to talk about blog article writing on resume is to research about the company. Researching about the company is the most important aspect because thi s is the only way that you can find out about the company's reputation.It is also very important that you find out about the type of people that are working there. This will be one of the first things that you have to think about when you think about how to talk about blog article writing on resume.Another thing that you need to think about before you speak about blog article writing on resume is that how do you contact them. This is very important because if you send an email or a personal visit, you can easily notice that they don't care about your resume.If you want to talk about blog article writing onresume, the first thing that you should think about is that you are not a native English speaker. Because of this, your resume will have to be translated into English and that is the only way you will know if you are getting an interview.

Break Out of Your Career Rut

Break Out of Your Career Rut Sometimes, feeling not-so-great about work is a sign that it’s time to move on to something else, whether that be a different job with a new company, or an entirely new career altogether. Other times though, it’s just a sign that you’re stuck in a bit of a rut and need to find some renewed inspiration. So, if you enjoy the work you do, but feel stuck, bored, or just generally uninspired, here are some tips that could help you turn things around. 1. Get some rest. One common cause of feeling a little less than inspired is plain old-fashioned exhaustion. So, if you think you might just be feeling some of the warning signs of burnout, try taking some time to take care of yourself, and see if that doesn’t change your outlook. Take a day or two off, or even plan a vacation, if you can. At least make sure to get lots of rest, eat well, and exercise. Basically, take some time for you. By eliminating the burnout variable, you’ll be better able to understand how you’re truly feeling about your work, and then you can start making moves to do something about what’s really troubling you. No matter how deep the source of your fatigue runs, a little time away from work will help you feel refreshed and ready to move forward. Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time  0:00/Duration  0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type  LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time  -0:00  SharePlayback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedAudio TrackFullscreenThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal Dia logEnd of dialog window.PlayMuteCurrent Time  0:00/Duration  0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type  LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time  -0:00  Playback Rate1xFullscreenClose Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Read More: 5 Growing Jobs That Wouldn’t Exist Without Tim Berners-Lee 2. Change things up. After years and years of doing the same thing (or even just after a series of months, for some) it’s understandable that your work can start to feel a little stale and boring. It might be time for a change. Maybe you’d like to travel more, or less, or to different places. Perhaps you think it would be an exciting challenge to work with clients more directly. The first step is to do some soul searching. Ask yourself what exactly you’d like to change about your job â€" what would you like to do less, and what would you like to do more. The next step is advocating for yourself with your boss. Have a sincere, and level-headed conversation with someone you trust, a person who is also in a position to help you make some changes, and see if you can’t work on implementing some shifts. If you’ve been at the job for a while, and if you’re great at what you do, there is likely someone out there who is going to be willing help you make the needed changes happen. Read More: Be Really Glad You Didn’t Make These 9 Work Mistakes 3. Get moving, preferably outside. If you’re having trouble finding creative inspiration, or if you’re stuck on a problem and just can’t seem to come up with that much-needed fresh approach, try getting some exercise. Among other more obvious beneficial effects to your health and well-being, exercise helps boost your energy levels, and could help reduce your fear, stress, and anxiety. With all of that junk pushed aside, your creativity and your problem-solving abilities will have a much better chance of blazing a path to your conscious brain. When you feel good, you think better. Additionally, research has shown that exercising outdoors could do even more to heighten your creativity. So, take that into account when deciding whether to head to the gym or a local nature trail for your daily workout. Read More: Being a Good Storyteller Could Boost Your Career 4. Know that it starts with you. It’s important to keep in mind that, for the most part, we are in control of our own fate. If you want to feel better, chances are that change is going to start with you. The world often reflects back what we project onto it. That’s actually pretty logical when you really think about it. Imagine that a friend comes to you, head hung low, with a sad expression, and starts talking about everything that’s going wrong in their life right now. You aren’t going to come back to that person with a cheerful report about where you stand. Instead, you’re going to reflect that energy and that tone back to your friend. When we’re low, the world is low. When we’re having fun and feeling creative, the world reacts and responds with more of the same. So, if you want to feel more inspired, try pretending that you already are, just for a little while, and see if that doesn’t draw more of what you desire toward you. You are more powerful than you think you are.

Office Fashion Is It Time To Update Your Look - Work It Daily

Office Fashion Is It Time To Update Your Look - Work It Daily SharpHeels Style Guideline If you’re still dressing like you did in the 80’s, it’s time to retire that hair, makeup, or outfit… and instead embrace some new style inspiration. Fashion Challenge: Older professionals who don’t realize when it’s definitely time to update their look and have a major style makeover. Example: someone who is clinging to a hairstyle or fashion trend that was fashionable fifteen years ago, thinking it still looks good. SharpHeels Style Guideline Don't make an office fashion flub - know when it's time to update your look. Anything older than 10 years, unless it’s a gorgeous, classic Chanel suit, is outdated -- and it’s absolutely time to refresh your look. Good example: The classic comedy Nine to Five, released in 1980, starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, and tells the tale of three working women, with diverse skills and personalities, who rally together to change a dysfunctional business. While the hilarious subject matter will never get old, and this is an entertaining film that should be watched over and over again, the styles these actresses wore in this 1980’s classic are definitely outmoded, and should not be replicated today. Instead, gain inspiration from how these big stars are dressing now: Jane Fonda (age 76) â€" an amazingly beautiful woman, she always looks chic and sophisticated. We’ll share some coat and jacket dresses that cinched at the waste for a flattering silhouette. Lily Tomlin (age 74) â€" an Emmy- and Tony-winner, as well as being an Oscar-nominated actress, she always looks both professional and absolutely appropriate for the event she’s attending â€" while doing it with a casual ease. We’ll also look at some of our favorite television characters for added style inspiration: TV Inspiration: Coastal Chic - Andie McDowell (age 54) plays Olivia Lockhart, a municipal court judge in Cedar Cove (Hallmark Channel). Executive Leadership - Julia Louis-Dreyus (age 48) as Vice President Selina Meyer in HBO’s Veep. Courtroom Power - Julianna Margulies (age 46) as Alicia Florrick in CBS’s The Good Wife. Bold Sophistication - Dana Delany (56) stars as Megan Hunt in ABC’s Body of Proof Click here to view all of the style guides in this office fashion series.   Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today! Office Fashion Is It Time To Update Your Look - Work It Daily