10 Tricky Interviewers to Watch Out For

10 Tricky Interviewers to Watch Out For No matter how much preparation you do for your job interview, theres no guarantee you wont get an absolute shock in the form of an interviewer with a totally uncomfortable style about them. Sound negative? No, its called being realistic. Ideally youll be greeted by someone whos relaxed, friendly, professional and approachable. Following their lead will be relatively straightforward and natural. Your nerves will be put at ease early on in the meeting, leaving room for you to ace your answers and prove yourself.  Unfortunately,  this perfect type of interviewer doesnt surface  every time. Instead,  you might find yourself confronted with a really difficult person. They might not be the hiring manager you expected to see, or your new potential boss, but for whatever reason, getting this unknown persons tick of approval has become  a pre-requisite for winning your dream role. Interviewer 1: Robotic Rhonda RR might as well be a brick wall with a brain. She asks questions in monotone and stares at you blankly while you reply, offering little conversation in return. She does not show any emotion and appears to be running through a list. Interviewer 2:  Timid Tim You can barely hear TT when he asks questions. He appears extremely nervous and struggles to maintain eye contact perhaps this is his first time interviewing someone? And you thought you were scared! Interviewer 3: Joker Josh JJ has a huge personality, and isnt afraid of trying out his latest comedy routines on you. He makes several inappropriate jokes and you dont know when hes being sarcastic and when hes having you on, waiting for a reaction. You cant help but feel like you arent being taken seriously the whole time. Interviewer 4:  Hyperactive Holly HH  is like a bull at a gate as soon as you walk in. Shes here, there and everywhere. Her questions are fired out of her mouth at a million miles an hour and she interrupts your questions with her own anecdotes. She nods along intensely as you talk and maintains eye contact the whole time. HH is full on! Interviewer 5: Pressurer Paul PP will stare you down and make you work hard. He will ask you difficult, trick questions that dont seem to have an obvious point, he will phrase questions in a negative way  and  make you feel like youre being investigated, rather than interviewed. Interviewer 6: Overly-friendly Fiona OFF really wants to be your best friend. They spend half of your interview time asking you irrelevant questions about your favourite breed of dog and have a oh my gosh, me too! response to everything you say. She doesnt seem too interested in your skills or expertise, but more what ice cream flavour you enjoy the most. Interviewer 7: Rushed Rob RR makes you feel like  he has a million other things he needs to be doing. He makes you feel like his time is unbelievably precious and youre kind of wasting it by being there. Hell shoot questions out quickly and nod along preemptively as you speak, in an effort to speed things up. Interviewer 8: Frowning Fanny FF seems really irritated. She seems offended by everything you say and wears a really sour look on her face the whole time. She makes you feel like youre really annoying her; draining her of all energy. Your attempts at a light-hearted joke to lighten the mood go ignored. Interviewer 9: Hurricane Henry HH is potentially the most unorganised person youve ver come across in your life. He has no idea what hes doing there, what youre doing there, what the role is and what he should be asking you. He has coffee stains on his shirt and his hair looks like a mad scientists. Hes clearly been asked to step in for someone off sick, and hed doing a bad job of hiding the fact he has no clue whats going on. Interviewer 10: Bored Bill BB makes you feel like hed rather be literally anywhere else in the world. He yawns when you speak and asks questions that come out as half-finished sentences that you have to guess the end of for him. How to deal Its important for candidates to be themselves in an interview and let their true personalities shine out, however it is also extremely important to be aware of social cues, as well as the pace and tone being used by the  interviewer, and adapt accordingly. Its exactly the same as if someone you recognise rushes past you in the street, clearly running late to something, and so waves a quick hello to you before continuing on, barely stopping to make eye contact. You would not then call out  that persons name, and have them stop and explain to you how theyve been, how their days going, where theyre off to and so forth its all about knowing when to take someone elses lead. They want to keep moving, so let them. If youre confronted with one of the above interviewers,  youre going to have to follow their lead. Always remember not to say what you think they want to hear, but stay true to yourself and answer honestly. Dont let their intensity or flippant demeanour rock you or stumble you. Dont take their attitude personally they dont even know you. Just focus on delivering the messages youve been preparing for and practicing.

How Zapata County Offers Good Resume Writing Services

How Zapata County Offers Good Resume Writing ServicesProfessional resume writing services Zapata County offer clients quality customer service and excellent preparation assistance to create the best resume possible. They also offer free samples of their various resume templates. One can browse through the entire collection of resume samples and choose the one that suits him best.A perfect resume is needed in all kinds of business sectors; this is where Zapata County excels as they have been servicing clients for many years now. They offer complete coaching, sample writing and assistance to clients, who want to craft a professional resume and impress their prospective employers. They understand that people are looking for both creative and effective ways to place their resumes and thus provide these services to all.Zapata County understands that in order to properly compose a professional resume, it needs to be as professional as possible. They provide resume tips and advice and let c lients learn how to properly layout their resumes and place them appropriately on the application forms.Most companies hire their services for one or more of the resume formats, and for several reasons. One reason is to prepare their own resume as a means of filling a certain vacancy. Another reason is to compete for the same position with other resume writing services in the same or similar type of industry. For the first reason, a person should be careful to ensure that the resume format used is the proper one and that the work performed can be listed under the specific field that needs to be filled.A second reason for hiring a professional resume writing service is to avoid the embarrassment that comes with creating your own resume format. For this reason, a resume template is always preferable as this saves time and helps to ensure that all qualifications can be listed under the specific job that the applicant is seeking. This helps in opening the door for more opportunities. Th e third reason for hiring Zapata County resume writing services is to be able to find the most appropriate job for the job seeker.Most of the Zapata County's clients do not have the experience required to write a good resume. However, this does not mean that a person should not try to write a good resume. A skilled professional will be able to write a compelling resume for any applicant; this can help in improving the chances of the job seeker.Using the resume writing services, an applicant will be able to write a great resume that will showcase his or her skills, previous work experience and the current employment position. This will allow an applicant to get the interview in front of the right persons. For this reason, resume writing services are considered to be an important factor in getting the first interview or the final interview of a person's career.Resume writing services are vital to a person's success in the workplace. If a person has a successful resume and is well prep ared, then it will enable him or her to land that first interview or a position in his or her desired position.

One Familys Recipe for Happiness

One Familys Recipe for Happiness 1 cup of patience 5 cups of optimism 3 cups of unconditional love Sprinkled with a passion for your career I spent the first two days of this week at the strangest funeral Ive ever been to.   Everyone was smiling, laughing, telling hilarious stories, eating great food, and embracing distant friends as if they were family.   Im not even going to call it a funeral because it wasnt.      It was a  huge celebration of an amazing mans life.   This  man is  my boyfriends grandfather.   He lived until 92. He  was married for 64 years to a woman he was madly in love with until the end.   He had 8 children, 34 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.   He was larger than life. He had a great (and sometimes crass) sense of humor and he LOVED his career in sales.   I mean it when I say that he  positively influenced  everyone who came into his life. I came back to work on Wednesday  after two full days of being with this huge and wonderful family.   I was more rejuvenated from these two days than I have ever been in my life.   I want to  continue the flow of positive energy  by sharing a few of the reminders I got from attending this celebration.   These are very basic concepts but in the thick of life, its good to be reminded of them. Life is a lot simpler than we make it. Unconditional love and a positive attitude are the foundation of a good life. I know for a fact that living your life with a career you love is the best way to live it.   It sets the back drop for the rest of your life and brings happiness to you each day.    I loved  hearing all the positive stories from people who had worked with  grandpops over the years, sharing his  zest for sales. If you love your career, it positively influences everything you do.   Hopefully youll also be good at it and  so you can amply  provide for your family. How else would this man be able to raise 8 kids and always have a smile on his face?! Family is a persons greatest asset.    Family provides endless returns of personal wealth.    It means  nothing if your family doesnt love you. Accepting and embracing  other people wholly without judgement is so much more fulfilling than not.   Care about the people you meet.   Get to know them. No hurdle is as big as you make it.   The two days I experienced cannot be duplicated in a blog post.   Youd have to be there to believe and feel the amount of positive energy in every room. It was electric.  Lets keep  it going. How  do you want to be remembered? How has the loss of an important person changed your life? Do you think career happiness leads to happiness in other areas of your life?  

Language of Appreciation Words of Affirmation

Language of Appreciation Words of Affirmation “Thanks â€" you did a great job today.”   It’s the simplest form of appreciation and in most cases it’s enough to warm a worker’s heart.   Words of affirmation are one of the “languages of appreciation” that managers and team members use almost every day. But are they using it well? Gary Chapman and Paul White are the authors of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace.   Their book discusses why appreciation is one of the most important elements of employee motivation and satisfaction.   That sounds elementary, and perhaps it is.   Everyone, after all, wants workers to feel appreciated. The art is in figuring out how to make an individual feel it; the same kind of appreciation can have very different effects on different people. Over the next few posts, we’ll discuss the five “languages” of appreciation that Chapman and White examine.   They’re based on the Five Love Languages that Dr. Chapman developed as a marriage counseling tool.   The five languages are:  Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.   In the workplace, Dr. Chapman and Mr. White take these concepts and apply them to office relationships. Words of affirmation are usually expressed as praise for accomplishment.   It sounds so simple, but there are many ways to get praise right â€" and to mess it up.   One way to botch praise is to make it too public.   Even though everyone likes to feel appreciated, not everyone wants praise to be public.   If you have a team member who’s an introvert, for example, public praise might be excruciating instead of motivating.   There are differences across cultures as well â€" some Asian cultures value teamwork over individual accomplishment, making it less likely they’ll enjoy being singled out for their performance.   If you have someone who doesn’t seem to thrive with public praise, take the time to write her a note.   If it’s handwritten, your praise will have twice the impact. If you want to be effective with words of affirmation, be specific.   Just saying “Great job!” every time someone performs well will lose its effect over time.   Picking out a specific part of someone’s performance makes praise meaningful.   Show that you were paying attention to what matters: “I know that those figures were challenging and complex.   You did a great job of making them understandable.” “I really appreciate the extra effort you’ve been making to coach the new employee; her accuracy has improved dramatically with your help.” Some team members want to be praised for performance, but some thrive on being praised for other factors.   Chapman and White suggest that affirmation for character can also be a powerful motivator.   Praising people for their self-discipline, loyalty, patience, compassion or other character trait puts the emphasis on who they are instead what they have done for you â€"or the company   lately.   And in the end, the authors posit, character is what drives an organization.   When you praise character, you reinforce company and personal values; you show the employee what matters when things may not be clear or when there’s no policy to cover a dilemma or tough decision. You can also praise personality, which helps reinforce behaviors that make your office a great place to work.   Some team members feel that their attitude should matter as much as their performance.   You can motivate them when you take note of how they act in addition to what they know. “Your upbeat attitude makes everyone look forward to Mondays more.”  â€œYour calm attitude when things go wrong helps your staff focus on fixing problems instead of panicking.   That saves us a lot of time and grief.” If you’re not really good with words of praise and affirmation, there’s good news for you: practice makes perfect.    Get out there and say something nice to someone.

Resume Writing Workshop in Ogden Utah

Resume Writing Workshop in Ogden UtahIf you are considering an employment program for that is offered at a Utah University, you might want to consider attending a resume writing workshop in Ogden UT. These workshops are offered by students who have attended the program as a way to get the most out of their experience and to gain some valuable skills to improve their chances of getting hired. You will also be able to network with other professionals in the field while in a class environment.There are a variety of reasons why you might choose to attend a resume writing workshop in Ogden UT. Perhaps you are looking for something new and you are looking for someone to help you learn the job and career basics of a new field. Maybe you are just feeling adventurous and want to try something new. Either way, you will be learning a lot about applying for jobs and putting together a killer resume for the job you want.Maybe you are not sure where to go to find a local employment opportunities i n Utah. It is likely that if you are trying to search through online resumes and job postings, you are only seeing a few options. However, when you attend a resume writing workshop in Ogden UT, you will be able to network with other people in the program.By networking with others, you will be gaining a deeper understanding of job and career strategies and goals as well as personal growth. The more people you can meet and the more meaningful relationships you have, the more successful you will be. When you are networking, you will have a better chance of landing a job and building up your portfolio of past work experience.Your resume is your first impression of you to employers. A good one will catch the eye of your potential employer and leave a lasting impression of you that is going to help you land that dream job. When you attend a resume writing workshop in Ogden UT, you will be learning tips on how to write a great resume for the job you want.At this resume writing workshop, yo u will be introduced to various different templates for resumes that other students have created. These templates will help you to see examples of different types of resumes you might find when looking through online job postings. You will also learn the proper language to use when creating a resume for each position you are applying for.You will also be given the opportunity to test out the different samples that are available for your resume. After which, you will be given the chance to compare the different samples and take them to a local employment agency to discuss your options. If you take your time and carefully review all of the different templates, you will soon be able to come up with a great resume for that perfect job you have been searching for.In the end, you want to focus on what is most important and do it the right way. If you make the decision to enroll in a resume writing workshop in Ogden UT, you will be investing in yourself and learning how to improve yourself as a person. Don't let this opportunity pass you by!

The Best and Worst Parts of Working from Home [Guest Post] - Career Pivot

The Best and Worst Parts of Working from Home [Guest Post] - Career Pivot Working from Home When you’re stuck in the throes of commuting and cubicle life, working from home can seem like the light at the end of the tunnel. And for the most part, it is. But there are aspects of telecommuting that can be taxing, particularly if you’ve never done it before. Here are just some of the best and worst parts of working from homeâ€"and how to handle them. The benefits of working from home: Your schedule is your own. Doctor’s appointments. Your child’s writing celebration. Gym time. There are so many demands on your day that it’s hard to fit them all in, especially when you work in an office. Having a flexible schedule means you can adjust your schedule to meet the challenges of your dayâ€"and still get all of your work done. It might mean starting your work day earlier or finishing up later, but having complete control over your schedule is truly the ultimate in work-life balance. No interruptions. When you worked in an office, you had a steady stream of chatty colleagues stopping by your ‘cube to talk…and talk…and talk. Phones were ringing and machines were beeping. Sitting in your home office, though, you can savor the silenceâ€"and zero interruptions. Being able to work in a more focused manner without incessant interruptions is definitely a bonus of working remotely. Increased productivity. Studies have shown time and time again that remote workers are far more productive than their in-office peers. Why? Without having a lengthy commute, a micromanaging boss breathing down your neck, and typical office interruptions, telecommuters can experience greater productivity without anything to interrupt their workflow. The downside of working from home: It can be lonely. When you first started to work from home, you couldn’t believe how absolutely quiet it was. You could hear the slight hum of your computer being on. In fact, you could hear yourself think! At first, that was a huge benefit. But after awhile, working from home can get a bit lonely, even for those former office workers who were once desperate to ditch their office mates. One way to combat this is to stay in touch socially with your virtual colleagues, either by instant message, email, phone, or even sites like Yammer or Sococo, which can give you the virtual feeling of working together as a team. Another option is to take your office on the road with you, working at a local Starbucks, the park, or even a co-working space where you’ll be around people but still be able to get your work done, too. You have to be very disciplined. Sure, you have a project due by the end of the day…but there’s a Walking Dead marathon on that you want to watch. While there are a lot of distractions when you work in an office, there might be even more when you work from home (your comfy bed, anyone?). So it’s important to treat working from home as if you were working in an actual office. Set up your home office away from other distractions, such as the TV or the kitchen. Even though you have flexibility as to when and how you work, you still need to take your remote job seriously and treat it as such. You must be able to problem-solve. You can’t connect to your company’s video conference. Your landline connection is spotty. A myriad of tech issues can happen when you’re a telecommuter. Whereas you could always reach out to the IT department when your computer glitched on you, now that you’re working from home, you are the IT department. Being a telecommuter means that you’ll need to be able to problem-solve fastâ€"and also on your own. But fixing issues isn’t always just of the tech kind; you might get what reads like a testy email from a coworker. Or you might get a confusing IM from your boss. Instead of letting issues slide (and then having to deal with the emotional aftermath later), it’s up to you to exhibit your superior communication skills to handle anything that comes your way. That way, you can clear the air and continue working peacefully (and productively) from home. Just like anything else, working from home has its pluses and minuses. But if you go into it knowing what to expectâ€"and knowing some traits about yourself, tooâ€"you’ll be able to thrive as a remote worker and find the Holy Grail that is the work-life balance. Listen to the most recent episode This post was written by Jennifer Parris, career writer at FlexJobs, the award-winning site for telecommuting and flexible job listings. FlexJobs lists thousands of pre-screened, legitimate, and professional-level work-from-home jobs and other types of flexibility like part-time positions, freelancing, and flexible schedules. Jennifer provides career and job search advice through the FlexJobs Blog and social media. Learn more at www.FlexJobs.com. Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

5 Tips To Nail A Job Interview In IT

5 Tips To Nail A Job Interview In IT 10 Flares 10 Flares #141510264 / gettyimages.com Working  in technology can be an enticing prospect â€" as an industry which is ever-changing, it will always keep you on your toes and you’re sure to learn something new every day. If you’re a gadget geek, it could be ideal for you. Add to that the fact that the industry is booming at the moment and the current average UK salary stands at around £40,000, it certainly can make for a lucrative career move. But whether you’re new to the industry or you’re a seasoned expert, all IT professionals, regardless of experience, will at some point have to attend an interview or two. And, when you do, you want to be as prepared as possible. So, let the team from ITSM Jobs reveal to you exactly what it is that employers are look for in these five top tips. Nobody Likes A Know-It-All You may love talking tech, but try to reign it in a little for your initial interview. Try your best to explain any past projects, tools or programs you have come across in terms which are as simple and clear as possible. This shows that you can talk about technical issues and processes in a way which is understandable to all, which may help in the role itself if you are working closely with people who are less technical than yourself. Bear in mind that your interviewer may not be as technical-minded as you, as often you will initially be interview by a member of the company’s Human Resource’s departments. Practice Your People Skills IT workers are often seen as very introverted, obsessive individuals. You know this isn’t true, and your potential employers want to see you debunk this myth! As technology becomes more widely used it is slowly becoming a more fashionable industry â€" jobs in areas such as web design or digital marketing are openly sought after by many. Nowadays, working in IT does not only require you to be good with computers, but good with people too. In your new role you may have to deal with clients or colleagues who need help with their systems, so make sure that you sell yourself as a confident communicator as well as a computer whiz. Do Your Homework This may sound obvious, but make sure that you have read up on any industry developments or news, as well as news and projects within the company. The landscape of IT is ever-changing; you may have previously been working in a very specific area, so take a look at the bigger picture. Make sure you have original, insightful opinions on the industry and you are able to confidently answer industry-related questions such as: “How do you see this industry developing over the next five years?” and “Which is your favorite technology company and why?”. Actions Speak Louder Than Words It’s all very well being able to talk the talk, but can you put your words into action? IT interviews often involve a test, as it is a relatively simple way to assess your technical skills, so be prepared. Take a look at the job description beforehand and ensure that you are familiar with any tools or programmes that it may require you to use. There are a number of free tools available online which allow you to practice and test your skills in coding and other areas of IT, so take advantage of these if you can in order to hone your skills. Always Expect The Unexpected Large tech companies are some of the most likely to throw you the odd curveball, in the form of unusual and unpredictable interview questions. We mean the types that you’re never going to have prepared an answer for â€" those which require you to think on your feet to come up with something witty, insightful or innovative. For example, over at Dell an interviewee was asked “Are you more or a hunter or a gatherer?”, and Xerox threw a genuine curve-ball in the form of “Why is a tennis ball fuzzy?”, but technology giant Apple has perhaps topped them all with the seemingly bizarre question: “If you were a pizza delivery man, how would you benefit from scissors?”. Whatever you do before your interview make sure that you are well prepared and that you know your own strengths and skills. No one knows what you are capable of better than you â€" make sure that you can confidently communicate this, so that your potential employers can see it too!

7 Ways Working Moms Are Actually More Productive

7 Ways Working Moms Are Actually More Productive Say what you will, but working moms have an advantage over their coworkers â€" they are trained to multitask and be more productive. Being a mom means you’re busy. From getting your kids ready for the day and preparing their meals to cleaning their clothes and ensuring they become contributing members of society, the days of mothers are full. And that doesn’t even include taking care of yourself and the house. You are even busier if you are a working mom. Then, you have responsibilities inside and outside the home. Most days, it probably feels like you’re barely getting by and struggling to stay awake. You may feel stretched thin and unable to focus. Perhaps you even envy your coworkers who don’t have kids and their ability to go home and put their feet up immediately after work â€" or head to the bar for a well-deserved drink. While having limited responsibilities outside work may seem like heaven, as a working mom, you have some advantages over your childless coworkers, and on the top of that list is that you are more productive than they are, and there are studies to prove it. So, what makes you a more productive worker as a parent? Being a mom in the working world means you know how to: 1. Prioritize Relationships When you work for most companies, you don’t work in a bubble. You interact with coworkers, colleagues and clients. You have conversations and work in teams to get jobs accomplished. Not every interaction is going to go smoothly. As a parent, you know what it takes to keep everyone communicating and working together. If you can talk your toddler down from a complete meltdown in the middle of Target, you can keep your team together and working productively during a project. You also tend to have more empathy, know how to listen better and understand when to compromise and when to stand your ground. You may not always get along with your coworkers and clients, but you know how to approach situations to keep them calm and focused so you can get the job done. 2. Focus at Work As a working mother, you have tons of responsibilities â€" and not just at the office. You’ve got to take care of the kids, so staying late after work isn’t always an option. You have to make the most of your time while in the office, so you structure your day to get things done. Productivity isn’t an option â€" it’s a survival technique. 3. Multitask Not only are you focused at work, but you can do several things at one time. Your children have taught you how to plan your day while changing a diaper or getting your child dressed, at the same time as making doctor’s appointments or planning that evening’s meal. When you get to the office, it’s easy for you to bring those skills into a new setting and automate some workflows to save time. 4. Problem Solve Moms know how upset kids can get when something goes missing â€" especially their favorite toy. While it would be easy to panic or sit down and cry next to them, you stay calm and find a way to solve the problem, whether it’s figuring out where their favorite stuffie is or finding a temporary replacement. You bring your problem-solving skill into the office and use it to ensure your job gets done. 5. Ask for Help If being a mom has taught you anything, it’s that there are lots of things to do, and you’re only one person, which means you sometimes you have to ask for help. Same for in the office. If a project is too much work and you can’t handle it by yourself, you aren’t afraid to ask someone to help you get it done. It won’t be the first time you’ve needed a second hand with a difficult situation. 6. Create Boundaries Time is precious to you, and you want to ensure you have enough of it to accomplish everything you need to at work and with your family â€" and that means you know how to set boundaries and say no. Because of all your responsibilities, you don’t have the ability to work late or take on extra tasks. You do those things that help you fulfill your work goals and your family goals, but if a task doesn’t contribute to your goals, you don’t volunteer to take it on. 7. Be a Role Model for Your Kids There are probably days when you feel guilty for working outside the home, when you want to stay with your kids and savor every moment of their growing years. You watch them cry when you drop them off at daycare and must refrain from doing the same. This feeling is totally normal. Take comfort in knowing your kids benefit from having a working mom. Studies have shown that children with working moms will more than likely grow up to have jobs of their own, earn higher wages and hold supervisory positions at their jobs. Being a working mom can be an incredibly exhausting position. Not only do you have long hours at the office, but you also have long hours at home. There can be days that you want to give up, but, remember, you hold an advantage at the office, and you’re making a difference. Keep up the good work! What other skills do you bring to the office that your childless coworkers don’t? Share them at the end, and subscribe to the newsletter for more news, advice and tips to be happier in your job. Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.