Here's a killer interview question, literally. Some employers have asked: If you were to die tomorrow, what would your eulogy say about you? This question,although morbid in it's premise, allows the interviewer to get know your view of how you think the world perceives you. This question is sometimes used by employers to see how you react personally and emotionally. Answering with an emotional response could possibly label you as a weak person. Talking about your family or how great you are will make you come off as a self-centered person and nobody wants to work with an egotist. Giving a smart-alack answer such as “if I'm dead, how could I possibly know what my eulogy will say?” will not score you any points. There is a time and place for sarcasm; a job interview is not one of them. Also, don't question the relevancy of the question either. Telling the interviewer that the question does not relate to the job to which you are applying to will lead you nowhere. It doesn't matter if you are applying to the job of funeral director or accountant,employers only ask such odd questions to gauge how well you think on your feet and to learn a little more about you on a personal level. When faced with the task of writing a eulogy for a fallen friend or family member, the challenge can be daunting and emotionally upsetting. But remember, this interview question is purely hypothetical, so be wary of taking it too seriously. Perhaps giving a vague answer might seem the best way to go about it. For example: Death was afraid of him/her because he/she had the heart of a lion. Or It matters not how one dies, but how one lives. While these answers will demonstrate a superior intelligence and a well-spoken demeanor, it does not give the employer a clear understanding of what they really want to know: How do you think others perceive you? The best route: Give an honest, non-egotistical answer of how you think others view you. For example: “John” was a hard-working individual who demonstrated himself as a reliable person, friend, and son did not shy away from the prospect of breaking away from the pack and making his own way in life. Or Although her life was unfairly cut short, “Marissa” accomplished more than anyone thought possible given her past as a shy and timid child. She eventually blossomed into an outgoing young woman who embraced the prospect of new challenges and acquaintances wherever she went in the world. Your eulogy can become somewhat of a script- telling people who you were, what you did, and how well you were liked. A great eulogy can only be made by living the life you want remembered. Show a sense of humanity, but never too much- emotional weakness can sometimes be a red flag to interviewers. But at the same time, don't present a cynical or cold answer. It's okay to break down your walls a little bit. Just remember that the line between sob and stone-cold can be very thin in certain instances. Above all keep a clear head and calm demeanor; don't let yourself become the victim of a seemingly off-topic interview question. All questions have their purpose in a job interview, and your answers can either make or break the possibility of a job offer. For more information, view our website: www.mpc-nyc.com
So you meet the qualifications of the job- and then some. But so do a laundry list of candidates behind you AND in front of you!
You need to read between the lines and answer the question that employers really want to ask: WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR ME? And in order to figure out what the hiring team (that’s right, I said TEAM- usually a group of people makes the hiring decisions) really wants/needs, you have to do some homework. Go to the company website, look up the history of the company, google the CEOs, get information about new projects the company has taken on and decide how you, personally, can be an asset.
Then practice short 15 second statements about how your experience and education and background can add value to the firm or make the operations run more smoothly. This will make you stand out from the pack for all the right reasons and you will have answered the question that is on the mind of every hiring manager.
Networking is important to the job search as it is the best method of marketing yourself. Sure, your resume does a great job in drawing potential employers to your qualifications. But what makes you standout more than an incredible resume is if you to know someone in the organization that you are trying to enter. This gives you an advantage because it is more able of giving you more credibility if someone the employer already knows is capable of telling them about you.
Connect with as many people as you can. Think of it in terms of a creditability point system. The more people you know in a company, the more points you are capable of gaining because more people are able to recommend you abilities. You never know if someone you know has a very high standing in a company, who might be able to instantly get you a job.
Your Work As an Expression of You
People often come to me seeking career advice. I very often tell them that in order to be successful, you must care about the work you do, because that work is an expression of you. If you are not happy and not sincere, people will pick up on that and you will not be successful.
Forget what other people think of your choices and do what makes you happy. Being true to yourself in your work gives you freedom, power and creativity. At the end of the day, you are the one who has to put in the hours, so why not have a job that makes you happy?
Your career is yours alone, so create it and live it as a creative expression of who you are as a person, so have fun with it.
“NOT YOUR MOTHER’S RESUME!”
In today’s tough job market, resumes are getting more scrutiny than ever. You don’t want to go out in there with a document that stands out for all the wrong reasons. If you handing out resumes with any of the following information, it could be a sure sign that your resume needs an update.
FAX NUMBER: All resumes should have an email address as part of the contact information! Almost all jobs today involve having and checking emails, so employers will assume if you don’t list one, you probably don’t have much computer savvy. If you don’t have a personal email address, register for one. They are free and it lets the employer know that you are familiar with current technology.
OBJECTIVE: An objective can be extremely limiting in its scope and pigeon hole you into one position. Employers today are looking for resumes that contain a strong profile statement, as opposed to an objective. This allows you to speak about your accomplishments and elaborate a bit on the resume about what you bring to the table.
TYPEWRITER FONT: All resumes should be printed on a computer. Any typewritten documents are a sure sign that the job applicant is not up to date with the technology needed. Take a computer class at a local library or community center or ask a friend or relative to teach you.
OUTDATED SOFTWARE: If your resume lists a software that offices rarely use anymore, such as WordPerfect, which was all the rage 20 years ago, then you are asking to be passed over for a position. Most companies have long since replaced that with Microsoft Word. If you are not familiar with the most up to date office technology, it would be worthwhile to gain some proficiency.
It is extremely important to make sure that your resume portrays you as someone who is familiar with the latest office technology and most current applications. This will allow you to put your best foot forward and land that job.
What’s a Big Fish Supposed to Do?
Many seasoned job seekers in this economy are desperate for work. They were previously earning big bucks and going without an income is not an option. Although they are willing to do what it takes to get their proverbial foot back in the door, employers are sometimes reluctant to hire someone who may leave for more money when the economy improves. The big question from these “big fish” is how to avoid being passed over and lumped into the “overqualified” pile. My advice:
Only go back 10 years on your resume.
Positions that you held more than 10 years ago are not necessarily relevant and may cause employers to believe that you are too experienced for a job. Also, this allows for a shorter, more readable resume.
Broaden the scope of your search.
Explore possibilities in alternate fields and widen your search into new fields where you can use your transferable skills. Research new job options via the internet and through your networking abilities.
Don’t get hung up on titles.
Many seasoned employees have become accustomed to holding certain titles. Remember that it is more important to be gainfully employed, than to adhere to certain titles. Sometimes by taking a small step back in terms of title, one can move forward more rapidly.
Don’t agonize over gaps in employment.
It used to be that a gap in employment was looked upon in a very critical manner; however, in this economy it is very common for people to have been unemployed for awhile. Employers now understand how hard it is to find work. The most important thing is that you are able to get good references from past Managers.
Straight Up Career Tips:
People always ask me for my best career advice. I tell them strategy
and planning play a huge part in your success in the work place.
Organize yourself by utilizing the following tips and you will be on
your way to the top!
Tip- “Create a Career Plan.”
Sit down and envision where you see your career taking you and then put
it down on paper. This is a very important step because it enables you
to evaluate your goals at a later date. Carefully detail the field you
wish to work in and the title you want to hold, with as much
information as possible.
“If you can dream- you can become it.”
Tip- “Research your Career Path.”
Explore the steps you need to take to be successful at your career. Do
you need to go to school and get a certain degree? Would an internship
be beneficial? Is there a certain geographic area that is more
beneficial for your success? For example, as an actor, you are more
likely to get work in Los Angeles, CA than in Seattle, WA. Find this
information online, through books at the library or just by asking
people you know.
“Do your homework!”
Tip- “Get in touch with others who have been successful in your chosen career path”
Ask your friends, family and teachers if they know anyone who can give
you some sound advice on how they achieved their goals in your chosen
profession. Then reach out to those individuals and ask them their
opinions on the best path to success in that particular career.
“Follow the leaders.”
Tip- “Be Patient”
Finding your career path can take some time. Things don’t always
happen in our time frame. The best thing we can do is be patient and
keep trying to succeed. Understanding that sometimes we need to take a
small step backwards to take two giant leaps forward is key.
“Good things come to those who wait.”
Tip- “Have a positive outlook.”
Being enthusiastic is essential in any task in life- most especially in
finding your career path! When things are not going our way, we need to
look at it as an opportunity to evaluate our goals. Sometimes we need
to go that extra mile to be upbeat, but the rewards are far greater.
“Put on a happy face.”
So last week I did a resume for someone who commented that she didnt want to play up the fact that she had an MBA because: Having an MBA is not as important as it was before the financial crisis.
When i probed more deeply I realized that many job seekers at her level have been coming up against the “Overqualifed” argument in their job hunts. Employers discount certain candidates citing the fact that they “may leave the job if they get a better offer”. And to that I say: DUH! No kidding.
However, as an employer, if I can get someone who can bring more expertise to the job then I would normally be able to afford, due to the economy, I am thrilled. And to those who say the employee may leave when the economy gets better, I say: not necessarilly. On that note- if the economy gets better, I may be able to reward the employee financially. Also, if an employee is HAPPY at their job, and they feel rewarded in other ways then they may Not want to leave.
So you feel you deserve a raise and realize how hard you’ve been
working, but how do you do you go about addressing this with your boss?
Well, first you need to ask yourself do I deserve a raise? How has my
work been progressing here? Have I been accomplishing goals? Am I
underpaid in my industry? These are the questions you should
prepare yourself. Make a list the things you’re done. You should be
prepared to explain to your boss the answers to these questions.
Be confident- the worst thing your boss can say is no. Some employees
just accept the minimum 2 percent raise because they are afraid to ask
for more. If you know you deserve a raise, and can back it up with
accurate information, go for it!
Knowing where you stand in the industry is important in determining
your raise. Do your research using the bureau of labor statistics. It
has the most recent salary updates. Also know the company’s raise
policy. Is there a percentage range based on performance? Is it a fixed
cost-living raise that everyone gets?
Having the correct data is only half the battle. No one says it is
going to be easy, but you should show that you contributed in a way that
was beyond your call of duty. Remember bosses like to see results. Be
specific and detailed in your explanations so your boss can’t argue
your achievements. If you are a sales representative list figures that
you generated this year above last years. Write the accomplishments
down think about what you did to make that positive change.
If you can’t think of anything you probably shouldn’t ask for a raise.
But if you do have some major wins you should focus on qualifying them
as if you were writing a resume.
The next step should be is to go over it with someone in the same field
but not your co-worker. Going over salaries with your co-workers is a
no-no! The point is to bounce your achievements off someone else that
knows you well and is experienced.
Getting a negative response from your boss might also be a wake-up call
that there is no room for growth at the company and that its time to
move on. Make a plan to take the last stand option: Ask for feedback on
what you need to do to get the raise you want. And schedule goals in
writing so you both can remember what you agreed on.
Then reach for the stars!
In today’s economy, it is no longer enough to have just a Bachelors or Master’s degree in order to obtain a lucrative #job. Compared to 20 years ago, almost everyone has a degree of some sort. Because today’s job market is so over saturated with so many college graduates,# employers are now less willing to train someone to do their jobs. This means having #work experience is vital in making someone a more attractive applicant.
One way to gain experience is by seeking #internships. Though most internships available are unpaid, the experience and education that you receive for your work is priceless. Internships help in making someone a more attractive applicant because you are allowed to smooth out all your rough patches so that you are less likely to make mistakes later on.
Not every internship is the right for everyone! Make sure that the internship that you are applying for relates to the industry that you are interested in entering. After all, your would be able to learn more useful things interning in a field that you will be working in later on in your life.
Volunteer work is also a great way to gain experience. In most cases, #volunteer work allows people to improve upon such #skills as communications, organization, leadership, and etc. Though you might believe that you possess all these skills and would love to list them on your resume, employers will not take you seriously if you are not able to show that you have actually put these skills to use.
Many available jobs today require that their employees have extra skills, especially specific computer skills. To keep up with the wants and needs of the employers and to keep up with your competitions, take some classes that would sharpen your skills.
Because our competition in finding that dream job is so much more advanced in this tough #economy, we must do everything possible to give ourselves an edge. Gaining more experience by finding internships, volunteering, or taking classes is a great way to build ones credibility as a potential employee.
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