How Im saving 65% of my income without a 6-figure salary

How Im saving 65% of my income without a 6-figure salaryHow Im saving 65% of my income without a 6-figure salaryIm not going to lie to you here, this is basically a humble brag post. Hopefully educational and interesting as well, but lets call this what it is.My goal is not to come off smug, conceited, or that Im better than anyone. Im not. I make financial mistakes all the time still, even though Ive taught myself so much over the years.But my grandiose hope, is that you come away with what is possible, no matter your circumstances. Ive had some advantages that certainly contributed to this point of my financial life, but it welches also a lot of hard damn workFollow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraHowever, you can get out of any financial rut, it might be harder for you than it was for me, or it might be easier. The point is, you can accomplish some amazing results by putting in the effort.Now, lets get into the goods. Below Im sharing what it took to get to saving 65% of income, my next steps, and my ultimate savings goal for the near future.You may have read my story about my path to$100k saved and invested, which this post here is essentially a part of that series. There is probably a bit of overlap too, which was inevitable.No six-figure salaryThe reason I decided to include this in the title is because many of the articles about high saving rates, are people in a six-figure salary rage.There are articles of people that dont make that much too and there are also ones about people who make six-figures and barely save due tolifestyle creep. But the majority I binnensee in major publications have big salaries.And look, making more money and having a higher salary certainly can help you in big ways. More income, equals more potenzial to save. Generating more income helped me as well, which well get into below.But, I wanted to share my salary ranges for when I s tarted my first full-time career of college to present. (Not giving the exact amounts to keep some form of privacy. My salary could be on the low end, middle or higher end of unterstellung ranges during the timeframes).2010 2014 ($30,000 $36,000 Pre-tax)2014 2017 ($36,000 $46,000 Pre-tax)2017 Present ($46,000 $85,000 Pre-tax)It also wasnt until late Summer and Fall 2014 when I started to take my personal finances seriously and work on build a savings rate andgenerating more income.My salary from 2017 to present has certainly helped, especially since Ive established a financial discipline prior. It pushed me into the 60% range by improving my salary. But even before this salary increase, I got my savings rate up to the 40+% range.How Im saving 65% of my incomeAchieving a savings rate this high is not something that happens overnight and takes some work to achieve. It took me just about five years to get to this percentage, but the time to get here was well worth it when I see t he results.Below is how Ive gotten to 65% savings rate and hopefully these tips can help you increase your own. Again, there areno big secretsStart with the basics write it all downWrite every number down when it comes to your finances.Things like your weekly or bi-weekly paychecks, bills, and other expenses. I certainly had an idea of numbers in my mind, but going off the fly like that is not enough to give you the full picture.I wrote everything into a spreadsheet and added everything up. Now I visually could see where all my money is going, what is left, etc.This also helped me catch where I could start make changes or what I could do to get more money back in my pockets.Made expense cutbacks (to an extent)Seeing all the numbers, it made me realize where I was either overspending or wasting money on things that really wasnt important to my quality of life.One area I caught, was that I was clearly overspending on food and going out socializing. Nothing wrong with it, but it shoul d be in moderation.I also caught monthly memberships that I wasnt really utilizing much, so I canceled them.Small things like this wont make you rich, but these cutbacks will help you save more. I was happy to have $50-$100 back a month to save instead.Additionally, I made efforts to save on living expenses. Moving out of a one bedroom apartment, to a two bedroom with a friend to split costs for example.Pay off some piece of debtNo doubt, saving money is hard when you also have debt. I had student loan debt, a car loan, and a little bit on my credit card.It was a bit foolish for me to get a brand new car in 2011, when my salary was low, had no real savings, and was living on my own, but its what I did.However, the car loan had the highest interest and was over $320 a month. Getting that back to save each month would be a nice percentage increase and adds up quickly.I started putting a bit extra a month first to get this lower and then in early 2017 I paid off the remaining balance i n one shot. Took a hit in my savings at first, but quickly recovered with my savings rate and now the extra $300+ I get to keep.Ideally, you dont want to carry debt forever. Many people might have chosen to aggressively pay off their debt over saving, but I did both. Iwrote more about that here.Side hustlesI understand not everyone wants to do side hustles, but I found them to be incredible helpful in my financial journey in a few ways.First, making more money which could go towards either expenses or right to savings. And second, they helped boost my professional knowledge. I learned a lot about marketing and websites by starting blogs, consulting, and freelancing when I could.That in turn, was value I could add to my resume to get higher paying jobs and showcase my worth to companies. If you are looking for some side hustle ideas with serious income potential,check out this list.Increase career worthThere is no question that increasing my salary helped me boost my savings rate.How ever, making more money is not guarantee youll save well either. You have to have the financial foundation set, as to not fall into the traps of lifestyle creep.During my savings rate strategy, there was a point where I plateaued unless I was making more money.I hit around 40% savings rate, when there was no room left to save (unless magically my student loans went away). While cutting back expenses helped, there is only so much I could save on. But, with making money, there really is no limit.So besides side hustling, I worked to improve my career in marketing. In 2017, I took a remote position with a higher salary, which gave me an extra 25% boost in my savings rate.Keeping the consumer mentality in-checkOur society has a consumer mentality problem, we get obsessed with stuff. I still like the occasional nice thing and feel its important to treat yourself in someway. But, letting it get out of control hurts your savings rates and puts you in debt.I dont think there are any secrets to managing this other than practicingself-controland keeping your financial goals top of mind. It took a bit to break this habit, but once I did, I never looked backed.Two things that help here, are remove your credit cards from one-click payments on shopping websites and also wait 24-48 hours before making a purchase.By asking myself if its worth it and sleeping on it, 9/10 I realized I didnt need it.Create good financial habits that become the normOnce I got my consumer mentality in-check I continued with good financial habits. Meaning, earning more, spending less, paying myself first, some budgeting, etc.Your old financial habits that are hurting you are not easy to break. But as you start and keep your goals in mind, youll find good habits easier to do. It will get to the point where you dont even think about it anymore, you just naturally do it.I also quickly became addicted to the progress I was making with my savings rate. This made me want to keep going with what I was doi ng. At some point, this all became the norm and a daily part of my life.The path to 100% savings rateMy next goal is to get in the 70-75% range and then ultimately, be at 100% savings rate from my salary job.Because I love food and traveling, getting to my next level of 70-75% is quite challenging. But paying off my remaining student debt will free up more capital to save, increasing my job salary again, and making money off Invested Wallet will help get me there.Im not extremely frugal, probably never will be. Im sure if I got more into that, I could easily get the percentage higher. But the effect on quality of life isnt worth it to me.Yes, its okay to enjoy and spend money on yourself??But I have my daily money habits in check and I really shed the consumer mentality, which keeps saving money easier. I think 70% will be the max I can achieve at my current love of income.My goal in the next few yearsBuilding my side hustles and investments up to cover 100% of my monthly expenses, to then be able to save and invest 100% of my income.It wont be easy, but I have no doubt I can do it.This article originally appeared on Invested Wallet.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from jngste Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

5 Key Presentation Skills To Master

5 Key Presentation Skills To Master5 Key Presentation Skills To Master Ive spent the past five years working for Nielsen , the worlds largest marketing research firm that helps media and consumer products companies understand what people watch and buy. I am currently a manager in our consumer analytics group, specializing in survey and segmentation analysis for large brands and retailers. My teams projects uncover the who, what, wherbeie and why behind buying behavior, which enables clients to create products and advertisements that truly resonate with customers. A lot of data is involved in these studies, so Ive had to learn how to balance simplifying findings with providing enough supporting information to make recommendations clear and believable. It can be challenging to make all this information come together in presentation form. Here are five key techniques Ive learned along the way.Whats your starting point? Before you can advise about expanding a product lin e or increasing a products visibility, you need to know where things stand today. Begin with a Google search to learn the basics of a category. What brands do your client and competitors offer? Is your client a premium or value player in this space, or do they offer price points for all consumers? If this is a food-related category, is Organic a thing yet? Doing your research seems like common sense, but youd be surprised by how many people skip over this basic step - and then pay the price later on. Presenting to your fellow colleagues ? The same rules apply.The first question you have to ask yourself when putting together a presentation is What am I trying to achieve? When conducting studies, I have to sift through a lot of information. It can get overwhelming, so I make a point to focus on whats going to answer my clients distinct questions, and I save the rest for another day. Once you know the specific areas youre going to explore, identify which metrics are available to yo u and go from there. When we run our analyses, we look for information that tells a story that supports our clients goals. And, if we uncover any significant data that could contradict their goals, we make koranvers we share that information - and any potential solutions - with them as well.You can have the best data in the world - information no one else has - but if you dont know what to do with it, its worthless. So, after identifying key data points, I decide how Im going to share my information. Does it belong in a bar chart? A data table? Should I tell the story through imagery with captions? To avoid overwhelming anyone, I make sure to only show what is absolutely necessary and point to important findings. For example, if my research finds that price is the primary purchase driver for a product, I put this into context by showing how it ranks compared to other purchase drivers. But I make sure to highlight price in a different color, since thats the key point.I get a rush every time a client has an a-ha moment and exclaims, Wow, I didnt know that But even that marker of success doesnt mean my work is done. Its important to continue to read the room for hints on how youre doing. I primarily look at facial expressions and body language . If Im getting a lot of confused looks, or too many people seem distracted, something has clearly gone off track. If my audience appears lost, Ill try repeating a point in simpler terms, or Ill elaborate with more examples. Sometimes merely changing the inflection of my voice gets people to re-direct their gaze to me. If I spot someone squinting hard at the screen, it usually means he or she is trying to figure out a slide rather than listening to me explain it, so I ask if there are any questions. If I see a person with his or her arms folded, it tips me off that he or she doesnt quite believe what Im saying. I acknowledge that and reassert the proof.It may feel silly, but doing a test run in front of someone with i ndustry knowledge and someone without it will help you anticipate questions and force you to explain difficult concepts very simply. This is a great way to avoid being caught off guard. While you practice, look out for phrases like I think or I just wanted to that can make you sound less certain and diminish your authority. Use the rehearsal as an opportunity to memorize your slides. It makes you more likely to sound upbeat and engaging - two qualities you will want your audience to associate with you.Whether youre in a client-facing role or making a case for something within your organization internally, these recommendations are bound to help you become a more effective communicator.This article originally appeared on The Well , Jopwells digital magazine. The Well is the digital magazine of Jopwell, the career advancement platform for Black, Latino/Hispanic and Native American professionals and students. Subscribe to receive weekly stories and advice in your inbox.

Move Your Career Ahead by Focusing on One Thing at a Time

Move Your Career Ahead by Focusing on One Thing at a Time Move Your Career Ahead by Focusing on One Thing at a Time What we have learned, both as career coaches, and in our professional lives, is that the key to making any change is to slow down and focus on just one thing at a time.It is the same when you want to move your career forward. There are techniques you can learn about discovering what you are good at, discovering the kind of work environment that would bring out your best, networking, interviewing, getting along with other people, and figuring out what your greatest contribution could be to your organization, etc. However, before you try to tackle all of these at once, our advice, based on our own personal experience and counseling thousands of people about their careers, is focus on just one thing at a time.No matter what you have decided is your number one career issue that you want to work on, here are a number of strategies.Ask a powerful question.Ask yourself one b urning question about your career. Use this question to drive the rest of your strategy. Is your question, Should I change careers?, Should I start my own business?, How do I learn bro politics?, Who would be an excellent mentor for me?, or the age old query, What do I want to do with my life?Get focused.Get as specific as you can and then write your burning question down. For instance dont simply ask what do I want to do with my life? Instead ask what do I want to accomplish by the time I am sixty years old? Or how can I improve my presentation skills? Put your question somewhere you will see it every day such as on your appointment book, your calendar, your computer, in your office, on your refrigerator, etc.Remove distractions.Do something that will reduce your stress. Career change is tough managing it requires that you remain focused. Consider taking up yoga, getting a massage or exercising. Replace worry, self-recrimination, avoidance, procrastination and denial with emotiona l and physical well-being.Eliminate nonessential busy work in all areas of your life that does not help you reach your goal by leaving it for later, grouping similar tasks together, hiring someone else to do it or giving it up altogether.Learn from others.Most burning questions have been asked by others before you. Find out how others have answered burning questions for themselves and study the lessons they learned to shorten your path. You can do this by reading about famous people, speaking to people where you work, or getting a mentor.Think creatively.Take a non-conventional approach to answering your burning question. We know one entrepreneur who took an acting class when developing her business mission statement because she wanted to learn how to listen to her inner truthful voice. We know customer service professionals who took up knitting because they found that quiet handwork helped them listen to their customers mora closely over the phone. What would help you answer your b urning question?Be ready.Once you have put your powerful question out into the world, and are focused on it, people and situations will present themselves to you. Take advantage of opportunities to learn more as they present themselves to you.Evaluate.Last, set a date to evaluate your progress. Keep doing what is working. Stop doing what is not working. Ask others for feedback on how you have done. And, then ask yourself if your question is still relevant or if you have another burning question.By slowing down, and focusing your energies on one specific goal, you will move your career forward, one step at a time.

4 ways to jazz up your out-of-office email reply

4 ways to jazz up your out-of-office email reply4 ways to jazz up your out-of-office email replyWhen youre on vacation or taking a rolleal day, the last thing you want to do is worry about responding to emails. To help relay that message, you probably schedule an automated out-of-office response. However, gone are the days of the boring old message telling your contacts that youre simply out of the office. Its time to get a little more creative so you can still leave a lasting impression even when youre away from your inbox. Here are four out-of-office email tips to consider the next time youre absent from your desk for an extended period of time.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more1. Have some fun with the subject line.Its so easy to write, Thanks for your email, or, Sorry I missed you in the subject line of your automated response. Instead, have some fun with it. If youre sitting on the beach somewhere, try a subject line like Soaking up the sun. If youre out for the Christmas holiday, consider using a line from a carol like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer We bet the person who emailed you will definitely open your automated response. The key is to get them to open it so that they can read what youve written (and figure out who to email instead, of course). Just skip the traditional subject lines of workplaces past and have some fun - after all, youareout of the office.2. Tell a little story.There are thousands of ways you could tell a story in your out-of-office email, so take some time to think about what works best for you. Maybe you want to paint a picture of the beautiful island youre on to evoke a little envy in the person emailing you. You could also consider a blunt approach where you tell the emailer exactly where you are and that youll probably answer emails since your phone is most likely in your hand even though youre on the beach (and youresuppo sedto be out of the office). There areso many fun ways to tell your contacts that youre out of the officeso, like with your subject line, get creative.3. Be specific.At the end of the day, your out-of-office email response is still meant to be effective. Give the reader as much or as little information as they may need to understand what is happening. Be sure to include the who, what, where, when and why, so that they know youre out of the office on vacation with your family because its summer and youll be back by next Friday. The five Ws will help ensure your automated response gets the job done.4. Give the emailer something to do.Besides directing your contacts to email Stacy while youre away, consider giving them something else to do. Maybe you direct them tosign up for your companys newslettersso they can stay up to date with whats happening while youre away. You could also give them a fun poll to take, such as selecting which Friends character is the best or whether Starbucks o r Dunkin has better coffee. Itll not only give the emailer something todo,but also give you something to look forward to when you return to work.This article originally appeared on Swirled.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people4 ways to jazz up your out-of-office email replyWhen youre on vacation or taking a personal day, the last thing you want to do is worry about responding to emails. To help relay that message, you probably schedule an automated out-of-office response. However, gone are the days of the boring old message telling your contacts that youre simply out of the office. Its time to get a little more creative so you can still leave a lasting impression even when youre a way from your inbox. Here are four out-of-office email tips to consider the next time youre absent from your desk for an extended period of time.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more1. Have some fun with the subject line.Its so easy to write, Thanks for your email, or, Sorry I missed you in the subject line of your automated response. Instead, have some fun with it. If youre sitting on the beach somewhere, try a subject line like Soaking up the sun. If youre out for the Christmas holiday, consider using a line from a carol like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer We bet the person who emailed you will definitely open your automated response. The key is to get them to open it so that they can read what youve written (and figure out who to email instead, of course). Just skip the traditional subject lines of workplaces past and have some fun - after all, youareout of the office.2. Tell a little story.There are thousands of ways you could tell a story in your out-of-office email, so take some time to think about what works best for you. Maybe you want to paint a picture of the beautiful island youre on to evoke a little envy in the person emailing you. You could also consider a blunt approach where you tell the emailer exactly where you are and that youll probably answer emails since your phone is most likely in your hand even though youre on the beach (and youresupposedto be out of the office). There areso many fun ways to tell your contacts that youre out of the officeso, like with your subject line, get creative.3. Be specific.At the end of the day, your out-of-office email response is still meant to be effective. Give the reader as much or as little information as they may need to understand what is happening. Be sure to include the who, what, where, when and why, so that they know youre out of the office on vacation with your family because its summer and youll be back by next Friday. The five Ws will help ensure your automated response gets the job done.4. Give the emailer something to do.Besides directing your contacts to email Stacy while youre away, consider giving them something else to do. Maybe you direct them tosign up for your companys newslettersso they can stay up to date with whats happening while youre away. You could also give them a fun poll to take, such as selecting which Friends character is the best or whether Starbucks or Dunkin has better coffee. Itll not only give the emailer something todo,but also give you something to look forward to when you return to work.This article originally appeared on Swirled.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Alcohol consumption has risen by a staggering amount in the last 30 years

Alcohol consumption has risen by a staggering amount in the last 30 yearsAlcohol consumption has risen by a staggering amount in the last 30 yearsA massive new study that appeared in The Lancet, discovered a considerable surge in individual alcohol consumption across the globe.Based on the rates analyzed in the studys test period, the researchers were able to estimate statistics going into 2030. Examining data sourced by The World Health Organizationand the Global Burden Of Disease Study, which themselves reviewed 189 countries, between the years, 1991 and 2017, researchers found that the total volume of alchohol consumed annually has risen by 70% from 20, 999 liters, which was average back in 1991, to 35, 676 which is the median reported in 2017.Jakob Manthey, the studys first author begs policymakers not to take these figures lightly, considering all of the serious health conditions that are associatedwith excess alcoholconsumption.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazine s on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreA shift in demographicfactorsBefore 1990, most alcohol was consumed in high-income countries, with the highest use levels recorded in Europe. However, this pattern has changed substantially, with large reductions across Eastern Europe and vast increases in several middle-income countries, such as China, India, and Vietnam, Manthey told Medical News Today.Manthey predicts, by 2030 Europe will no longer account for the majority of alcohol consumers. Currently, low-and middle-income regions are responsible for much of the surges. By 2030, 23% of the population is forecasted to engage in binge drinking once a month. Binge-drinking, for the purposes of the study, is defined as consumption that exceeds 60 grams of pure alcoholduring a single sitting.Perhaps the most worrying feature of the study, suggests that binge drinking is rising at a faster rate than the total volume of alcoholconsumed. Per capi ta, the amount of alcoholconsumption is expected to reach 7.6 liters, by the year 2030. Alcohol presents risk factors for so many defects and illnesses, saying nothing of its influenceon motor vehicle mortality rates, anddomestic violence instances. Over 10,800 people were killed in alcoholimpaired crashes in 2017.The American Psychological Association, reports that heavy use of alcohol is intimately linked to instances of violent and aggressive behavior.Manthey said, Alcohol use will remain one of the leading risk factors for the burden of disease for the foreseeable future, and its impact will probably increase, relative to other risk factors. Implementation of effective alcohol policies is warranted, especially in rapidly developing countries with growing rates of alcohol use.Policy makers have to put some kinds of measures in place to accommodate for the celerity at which these figures are rising. The study concludes, Based on these data, global goals for reducing the harmful us e of alcohol are unlikely to be achieved, and known effective and cost-effective policy measures should be implemented to reduce alcohol exposure.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

The New Angle On Curriculum Vitae Vs Resume Just Released

The New Angle On studienordnung Vitae Vs Resume Just Released The personality portion of CV writing is the toughest bit for me, personally, but alas, it has to be carried out. CV is more organized and systematic means of writing academic record including all the appropriate details. All things considered, your CV must produce the employer belive which you just deserve a shot. Whatever They Told You About Curriculum Vitae Vs Resume Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why A CV may also consist of professional references, in addition to coursework, fieldwork, hobbies and interests pertinent to your profession. There are likewise some formatting tips that you may want to stay in mind. Hints List only the skills you are able to perform with little if any supervision. So, needless to say, its pretty essential for yours to be completely and utterly amazing The four main kinds of CV or resume, mostly employed for job applicants in the current job market are as follows. Its possible to als o have any study abroad experiences here if you havent already mentioned them. If you are in doubt, its worth your time to get hold of the agency and ask which would be most suitable for the ort. When somebody is applying for work and a prospective employer asks for a resume or a CV, it is essential for the applicant to understand the method by which the term is used. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Curriculum Vitae Vs Resume When applying for certain positions in the usa, along with jobs internationally, you could be asked to submit a curriculum vitae in the place of a resume. There are lots of places to get templates for nursing CVs including our on-line service Our service features nursing CV writing and in addition to help with developing Curriculum Vitae for RNs all around the world. Functional CVs are also rather good if youre aiming to change career direction or you want to leave a present industry. A chronological CV is best if youve got consistent employment within the exact same industry, and your work experience displays advancement in your area. From your CV, the employer must believe youve got the disposition as well as the characteristics thatll cause you to be a valuable accession to the team. If youre asking for a fellowship, for instance, you wont will need to include things like the private information that could possibly be included in an international CV. A CV is a detailed expert document highlighting somebodys experience and accomplishments. Frequently, the application instructions for a specific position will state if its the CV or resume is requested. The Key to Successful Curriculum Vitae Vs Resume Be keen on the template which you will use so youre able to make sure that it can allow you to professionally present yourself the very best way possible. Utilizing VisualCVs CV editor it is simple to switch from 1 template to another, which means you can easily use the very best template for the job every single time you apply. The template will reveal to you just how to format your CV and provide you some concept of the different kinds of information you might include. The rest of the templates are readily available to Pro subscribers. Curriculum Vitae Vs Resume at a Glance Our different CV format examples will help you select the right CV format it is possible to utilize to make the ideal CV. When you know the format you have to use, you can concentrate on developing a dynamic resume or CV that can help you to land the job. CV format is the thing that determines whether recruiters actually read your entire CV or toss it in the bin after a fleeting glance. Hybrid format is appropriate for Freshers along with experienced. A functional CV is great at showing key abilities and specific functions. Hopefully, it is going to give you a notion of one possible fashion of un CV chronologique(a chronological CV) that you are able to present. Everybody has a different theory in regards to CV desig n. There are lots of books and websites that provide suggestions to help job applicants write resumes and CVs. A fantastic place to find CV examples is to visit your favourite universitys web page and locate the faculty page for your department. Simply speaking, you should have a photo if you intend to host your CV online, are working to construct your own personal brand and boost your on-line visibility, or in case youre in an industry that accepts photos. In many areas of the Earth, a CV photo isnt only recommended but required. Curriculum Vitae Vs Resume - the Conspiracy Our professional CV writers are extremely experienced and understand how to make you distinguish yourself from the crowd and make a favorable impression. Lets start with a fast overview of resumes, as they are more familiar to the majority of American writers than CVs. Writing one isnt as hard as you might think. The Curriculum Vitae structure is extremely systematic and is normally drawn in a particular order 5. Pick an Appropriate Curriculum Vitae Format Make sure you select a curriculum vitae format thats ideal for the position youre applying for.

Employee Appreciation During Thanksgiving Season

Employee Appreciation During Thanksgiving SeasonAlthough most are out of the office this Thanksgiving, the holiday season is upon us and the time for giving and appreciating should carry on far longer than just Thanksgiving day. As employers you know that your employees are what make your company and without them you would not have a company at all- just ideas and ambitions. Its your employees that carry out most of those ideas and goals you have for your company, so dont you think they deserve a little appreciation this Thanksgiving? Of course, employee appreciation should happen all the time in your office in order to retain top talent. However, this Thanksgiving employers can take that little extra effort to really make their employees feel appreciated and cared for.The best part about employee appreciation is that it doesnt always have to equal out to dollar signs. There are many ways employers can show their employees they care and appreciate them without spending a dime. There are also ways you can show employees you care with a little spending, so lets take a look at a couple of both.Thank You NotesHow difficult is it to send out a thank you letter or a thank you note? Not difficult at all Employers can show their employees that they are on their minds by drafting up a genuine thank you letter. In fact, it doesnt even have to be an actual card. Although sending out cards to each individual employee is the best way to grab their attention, its certainly not necessary. If its too late to do this now, send an email all of the employees will receive on Monday. Let them know how thankful you are for all of their hard work and that it is not going unnoticed. Tell them you hope they had a great Thanksgiving with their family or friends and that you are grateful to have them on your kollektiv. Its a small, simple gesture that can make anyones day. Plus, employees that feel they are appreciated are much more productive since they know their work means something.S aying HelloSometimes, it really is as simple as a genuine, Hello. Do you know everyone on your team or your department? Do you feel as though sometimes you are too busy to be bothered with saying hi or making small talk. Employees like to know who they are working for, and that the person they are working for knows them as well. If you are the type thats in and out of the office without a word, stop and take a minute to say hi and bye to your team. If this isnt your normal nature, chances are they will appreciate the fact that you took the time to notice them and greet them. It doesnt seem like much, but for some of your employees it could make a world of a difference.Honesty Be honest with your employees. It will show them that you truly care for their work and for them as well. Sometimes it can be easy to give employees diluted answers or answers that are far from the truth. Unfortunately for you though, the truth will come out at some point and you will have lost the respect and perhaps the drive of most of your employees. Show your team that you truly value them and be as honest as you can with them. This is one of the biggest ways you can show your employees you appreciate them- and actually care.PotluckIts Thanksgiving today, so the time to plan a potluck for the office might be gone, but you can always plan for next year. Planning company-wide events such as a Thanksgiving potluck shows your employees that you want them to come together and enjoy their time spent. Give them some time to relax and enjoy the holiday atmosphere- if only for a little bit. If you didnt plan one before the holiday, then ask a few if they would still be interested in doing one the week after. If not, save the planning for next yearGift CardsOne way you can spend some money on employee appreciation is through gesundheitsgefhrdender stoff cards. If your employees have been doing a stellar job, then show them how much you appreciate them and their work with all of the above strat egies. If you really want to bring it home, send out gift cards. Not one person would turn down a gift card, and by giving them a small gift you are telling them you notice their hard work. Its a small gesture that can go a long way for your employees.As stated earlier, employee appreciation is something that should go on all year round- not just during November Its simple and can keep your employee morale up, which is great for productivity. So show your employees how much you appreciate them this Thanksgiving and send out a little thank you.How does your company show how much they appreciate their employees? Let us know about it in the comments section belowIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by rustiqueart

Study finds Millennials are more stressed by smart phones than anything

Study finds Millennials are more stressed by smart phones than anythingStudy finds Millennials are more stressed by smart phones than anythingIt isnt easy being a Millennial. Or maybe it is, and theyre just under a lot of stress right now. According to a recent survey cited by StudyFinds, 58% of Millennials believe that life is more stressful right now than it ever has been.The survey of 2,000 Millennials welches commissioned by CBD oil company Endoca and carried out by OnePoll.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAbout half of the respondents said they didnt deal with stress very well. Much of the source of tension seemed to revolve around their smartphones, digital technology, and social media. The top source of stress was the nightmare of losing ones wallet and leistungspunkt cards. Still, 1 in 5 said theyd be even more upset if their smartphone screen broke.A damaged phone screen was revealed to be a huge trigger for Millennial stress 2 in 5 consider it more panic-inducing than seeing the check engine sign light up on their car.The second biggest source of stress was arguing with their partner. Even so, 1 in 5 thought an even worse experience would be posting to social media and getting zero likes. (Thats an easy thing to fix just delete the post)Smartphone traumas continued to outrank real-world problems in terms of stress and anxiety for Millennials. 1/3 thought that their smartphone dying was worse than discovering a fraudulent charge on their credit card.Not only that, but Millennials, perhaps used to their phones as an extension of themselves, began to feel stress when their phone battery reaches the remaining battery percentage of 23%.Gridlock and being stuck in traffic was the third biggest cause of Millennial stress. Yet a full 30% felt that slow Wifi was even more anxiety-producing.Its no wonder Millennials reported having trouble falling asleep t hree nights a week.The Top 10 stressors for MillennialsLosing your wallet or credit cardArguing with a partnerCommute or traffic delaysLosing your phoneGetting to work lateSlow WifiPhone battery dyingForgetting passwordsCredit card fraudForgetting phone chargerYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

5 career lessons we can all learn from Jeff Goldblum

5 career lessons we can all learn from Jeff Goldblum5 career lessons we can all learn from Jeff GoldblumHave you seen the latest Prada ads featuring Jeff Goldblum in over-the-top patterned shirts? The ad campaign is part of a partnership born of the actors fondness for the brand matched with his own irreverent personal take on fashion. Andrew Vottero, Goldblums stylist since 2014, said about the Goldblum/Prada collaboration in an interview with GQ, Theres a certain irreverence that Goldblum and Prada both have. He speaks the truth, though Goldblums penchant for short shorts is definitely a bit too irreverent for this fashion purist.From a purely success-based point of view, Goldblums career has been marked by star turns in both the Jurassic Park and Independence Day franchises. The 66-year-old renaissance man has also somehow segued from the quirky bit part in movies and TV - everything from The Fly, to Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (Look it up. Its totally worth it). He also made a treme ndous visual impact as Tricycle Man in Robert Altmans classic film Nashville. Goldblums role was almost-completely dialogue-free, but his character wove together the stories of many of the other characters in the film.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreTheres a lot to be learned from Jeff Goldblum, including ways to level up your own career.Elevation by associationThough Goldblum always looks amazing on the red carpet, Im bedrngnis sure that I ever quite thought him a style icon. The partnership with Prada offers Goldblums sartorial choices over the years a gold seal of approval from one of the most iconic brands in the fashion world. Im still not buying the idea of the teeny shorts though.Help others shineThe work world isnt always fun. Okay, most of the time work feels like, well, work. If you cant quite figure out the way to improve your own career, sometimes finding a way to h elp a colleague shine will bring your own career back to the forefront. And sometimes being known as the go-to person to help polish things at work will also make you the one indispensable to the rest of the team. Odd orange glasses and giant tricycle optional.Keep reinventing yourselfIt isnt just Madonna whos fond of new and improved versions of herself, Goldblum keeps updating his personal brand. Im a longtime admirer of Goldblums ability to reinvent himself for different roles a mathematician in Jurassic Park, a satellite technician in Independence Day, the Grandmaster in Thor Ragnarok while somehow still remaining the same person intelligent and wry, and effortlessly sexy in an offbeat way, offers national media relations consultant Anne Isenhower. She adds, He has interesting hobbies (like his jazzmusik ensemble) and doesnt pay too much attention to what other people might think of his decisions (witness those Prada short shorts).Dont wait for inspiration to strike create y our ownIt isnt always easy to appreciate your own accomplishments, but maybe its time to try. In his personal life, he always seems like hes happy and up for anything fun. Thats a great way to go through life, Isenhower adds, I read that when Jeff Goldblum was young, he wanted to be an actor, but said that he was too embarrassed about his ambitions. So, he used to write messages to himself on his glass shower wall and then wipe them off. I think thats a nice way to give yourself a daily affirmation that could become a reality.Keep moving forwardScrewed up at work? Of course, you did. We all do. In the GQ interview, Goldblums stylist said about him I feel like he has that spirit of constantly moving forward, and being excited and enthusiastic about the future. Sure, work and life can wear you down, but if you keep finding new challenges and things to get excited about, people notice. And they want to hire you or continue to work with you. Just dont wear short shorts to work- even if theyre made by Prada.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Work at Home Call Center Company Profiles

Work at Home Call Center Company Profiles Work at Home Call Center Company Profiles For a more detailed look at companies hiring virtual call center agents, browse these home call center company profiles. If you are interested in working as a call center agent, be sure to spend additional time researching technical requirements of the job, average salary, and types of call centers. Accolade Support Center This business process outsourcing company hires technical support and customer service agents from the United States as independent contractors for full- and part-time work-at-home call center positions. The jobs pay on a per-minute compensation structure (with an hourly base) that tops out at $10 per hour.   Alpine Access/Sykes This Denver outsourcing company uses only home call center agents in most U.S. states and Canada. It hires its call center agents as employees and offers benefits like a health care plan. Apple At-Home Advisors While most of Apples work at home jobs are for college students, it does hire non-students into some home call center jobs. Amazon This well-known Seattle e-commerce company has a relatively small work-at-home customer service operation. It hires agents as employees, not contractors and offer benefits and also hires temporary seasonal jobs for Christmastime. Amazon only hires WAH jobs in certain states. American Airlines This  airline hires reservation sales agents who work from home but out of particular locations, which include Dallas, TX, Cary, NC, and Miami, FL. AmericanExpress The travel division of American Express has a large telecommute workforce and actively hires telecommuters in the U.S., U.K, Canada, and Australia for travel counselor and other call center jobs.   ARO Contact Center ARO uses  an at-home workforce based inside the United States as it offers business process outsourcing (BPO) for companies in industries such as insurance, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and energy. Aspire Lifestyles This company began by offering virtual, personal concierge services to the high-value customers of its first client, a financial services firm. Over the years it has expanded its client base to include companies that are need call center services, morphing into a BPO, and so it now hires both home-based call center agents and virtual assistants Asurion This company provides extended service contracts and product protection programs. Its work-at-home call center agents troubleshoot and provide customer service. Carenet This medical call center company hires registered nurses in certain states to work from home. Pay is $25/hr. CenturyLink This provider of broadband, entertainment and voice services offers WAH jobs in call center positions working in both sales and customer service in some U.S. states. Cloud 10 This Denver company hires what it terms at home professionals or AHP to provide customer service, finance, sales, and technical expertise for clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. Convergys Most of the Cincinnati-based companys call center jobs are on-site, but it still has a large WAH workforce in the United States. Its WAH call center (tech support, sales, and customer service) and bilingual call center jobs include benefits such as paid time off, medical plans, and life insurance. Enterprise This car rental company offers remote call center positions for reservation agents. Compensation is approximately $12.50/hour. Fonmed Fonemed hires registered nurses (RN license in the state of residence required) from the U.S. and Canada to give health advice to callers. Nurses are compensated on a per call basis with a minimum per hour paid when the volume is low. GE Retail Finance In this division of global conglomerate GE, WAH call center agents in long-term but part-time employment positions are the main points of contact for consumer applicants in the companys healthcare and retail financing programs. HiltonHome This hotel chain employs work-at-home reservation and customer service agents out of its Dallas and Tampa offices. HSN The Home Shopping Network (HSN) pioneered shopping from home so its no surprise it offers work at home employment. It offers  WAH jobs in specific locations. Agents take inbound calls and answer questions, upsell merchandise, and complete sales transactions. Live Ops This outsourcing company uses only U.S.-based WAH call center agents. Its more than 20,000 virtual call center agents are all independent contractors. Sitel The homeshoring work-at-home call center division hires U.S. residents as employees who take inbound customer service calls for its clients. Agents may provide service in billing, account inquiries, product orders or inquiries, installation scheduling or technical troubleshooting. All positions involve some sales. TeleTechHome This Colorado-based global business process outsourcing (BPO) has a work-at-home division that hires call center agents in the U.S. and U.K to services its clients. U-Haul This moving rental company hires part-time work-at-home agents to provide customer service, make reservations, and give roadside assistance in the U.S. and Canada. Ver-a-Fast This company hires part-time, home-based independent contractors to perform verification services for its newspaper clients. West at Home The virtual call center division of this Omaha, NE, outsourcing firm hires its agents as employees, not independent contractors, though they are paid on a per-call basis. They receive inbound calls and perform services like sales, customer service, billing, surveys, account management, and technical support. Working Solutions This Texas-based company hires independent contractors as virtual call center agents and for data entry work.

Common Job Interview Questions Answers

Common Job Interview Questions Answers Common Job Interview Questions Answers Here are 35 common interview questions and answers. ButBrick wall.That interview stands between you and your dream job.Take heart.Each of the job interview questions below has a right and wrong answer.Give the right one and get hired.Fail, and its back to job search sites and waking up at 3am.This guide will show you:The 35 most common interview questions.Right and wrong answers to help you ace the interview.Lists of top behavioral interview questions, phone interview questions, questions to ask in an interview, and more.How to answer job interview questions so theyll call back.Maybe your interview answers are fine, but your foundation has cracks.Great answers to interview questions start with a great resume.Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample resume made with our builderSee more templates and cr eate your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowHeres the ultimate list of mock interview questions and sample answers.. Enjoy!Top 30+ Most Common Job Interview Questions and Best AnswersTell me about yourselfWhy are you applying for this position?Why do you want to work here?What motivates you?Why are you a good fit for this position?Why are you the best person for this job?What are your weaknesses?What interests you about this position?Tell me about how you dealt with a tough challengeWhat are your strengths?Why should we hire you?Describe what you do in your current positionTell me about a time you went above and beyond for workWhy did you leave your last job?Where do you see yourself in 5 years?What is your management style?Tell me about a time you reached a goal at workWhat are your salary requirements?What are you passionate about?How di d you hear about this job?How do you deal with pressure?What are you most proud of?What do you know about our company?Whats your dream job?Why is there a gap in your resume?Why are you changing careers?Are you open to relocating?Tell me about a mistake you madeWalk us through your resumeDo you have any questions for me?Common Phone Interview QuestionsSTAR Method for Acing Behavioral Interview QuestionsIllegal Interview Questions Employers Cannot AskBonus:What Makes You Unique?Bonus: What Are Your Hobbies?Bonus: What Is Your Management Style?Bonus: What Are Your Career Goals?Bonus: Introduction 101: How to Introduce YourselfBonus:Sell Me This PenBonus:15 Best Informational Interview Questions to AskBonus:20 Situational Interview Questions and AnswersBonus:25 Teacher Interview Questions and Best AnswersBonus:25 Nursing Interview Questions and Best AnswersHow to Answer Common Interview QuestionsLets be blunt.Its hard to answer job interview questions.Youre under mountains of pressure a nd you dont know the right answers.Well, now you do.See the best answers to 35 common interview questions below.Theyve all got one thing in common.They make it clear youre inevitable for the job.How?They start with a skill or quality the interviewer wants.They tell how you used it.They show how it helped your company.Heres a typical interview question example:Q: Tell me about yourself.Background: A software engineering job wants machine learning and big data skills.rightA: You want someone who can use machine learning to process big data. At NinesCube we had data files of over a million customer transactions a day. I wrote five machine learning algorithms to handle them. From the insights gained, we improved our customer experience and increased repeat business 20%.wrongIve been a software engineer for seven years, working for several high-end companies. Im skilled in Python, PHP, Java, and JavaScript. Ive won multiple coding challenges and my managers always say Im a hard worker.Wo w.Which of those tell me about yourself sample answers would you rather give?Pro Tip: You cant give great answers to interview questions unless you know the job requirements. So read the job description. Butresearch the company before the interview process starts.Not sure how to learn about the company to give great interview answers? Do some interviewing of your own. See our guide: 15 Best Informational Interview Questions to Ask ( Why They Matter)1Tell me about yourselfAbout me questions are the most common interview questions on Earth.They mean, Why are you perfect for the job? Is it in line with your career goals?See these tell me about yourself sample answers. They fit a job that wants efficiency and collaboration.rightI worked at a small shop for two years doing 50 projects a year, meeting 100% of my deadlines. Then I worked for a bigger firm with clients like Disney and Netflixwith 99% client satisfaction. I collaborated with the team to win an A Design Award. Im excited to s tep into a role like this thats designed around that kind of efficiency and collaboration.wrongI was born in Central Maine and spent summers swimming on a lake. After college, I worked bartending jobs. I knew I had graphic design talent, so I tried it. Ive worked for seven years now at two different firms. Ive gotten really good.Which of those marketing interview questions answers will get the job?Tell me about yourself tops the list of behavioral interview questions. Use specific achievements and dont ramble.Read our complete guide to tell me about yourself answers.2Why are you applying for this position?What prompted you to apply for this job? means, Why are you so perfect for it?Its one of the easiest job interview questions to answer if you research the company.rightYoure looking for someone experienced in pairs programming and Scrum. Ive been part of two programming pairs in six years. In the first we raised code efficiency 45%. In the second we helped the team win a BOSSIE Awa rd. In that job I was on a Scrum team that delivered 15 projects 20% under budget.wrongIve been applying to just about every job I see on LinkedIn. This looked like a good fit, depending on the salary.The first of those programming interview questions answers nails it.The next of our common interview questions asks, why do you want to work for this company?Read our complete guide to the why are you applying for this position interview question.3Why do you want to work here?Why do I want to work here? means: Why will you be our best employee yet?Check out these answers:rightThis is a high-end office with a great team. Your employees voted you the best place to work in New Hampshire. I know youre looking for an administrative assistant good at resolving customer complaints. At CRM Mineral, I did that 43% faster than the previous assistant by triaging complaints and quickly escalating larger issues.wrongI need work and Ive applied to 200 jobs in the past month. Im ready to work hard an d Im a skilled admin assistant.The second of those administrative assistant interview questions is from the gut. The hiring manager will hate it.The first is how to answer why this company.Read our complete guide to the why do you want to work hereinterview question.4What motivates you?This is another of those tricky behavioral interview questions.It means, Will this job motivate you to be a great employee? Do the career paths here excite you?Look at these answers:rightIm motivated by a student-guided learning environment with great co-workers like you have here. I loved that at my last school. It drove me to double my professional development hours. I learned a lot about test-taking strategies, and my kids raised their averages by 20% in six months.wrongIm motivated by helping young minds grow. I think its so important for our future to have engaged, happy kids. Thats why I got into teaching in the first place.That wrong example sounds nice, right?It shows passion, but it doesnt sh ow how passion translates to achievement. Read our guide to the what motivates you interview question.5Why are you a good fit for this position?Why would you be a good fit for this position means: What have you done that proves youll do a good job?Reply like this:rightIm a good fit because you need an efficient nurse who is professional under pressure. At Harrison Memorial, we had a full ward and fast-paced schedule. The charge nurse commended me five times for efficiency and teamwork.wrongIm a great nurse and Id work very hard to do the best job possible here. Ive always fit in very well with nursing teams Ive worked with.Why doesnt that wrong example work? It says you fit, but it doesnt offer proof.Read our guide to the why are you a good fit for this positioninterview question here.Want more nurse interview questions and answers? Theres a guide for that too: 25 Nursing Interview Questions and Best Answers6Why are you the best person for this job?What makes you a good candidate fo r this post isnt on the list of behavioral interview questions.ButAnswer it like a behavioral question, with a problem, solution, and how it helped.See this Why are you the best candidate for this position sample answer:rightYou need a business analyst who knows how to redesign customer communication protocols and fulfillment processes. I did that at Huffman Barco when outdated systems pushed our costs up. I was able to save the company $2 million a year.wrongIm a top-notch business analyst, highly skilled in future state assessment, business process re-engineering, and gap analysis. Ive been on the job for nine years. At Huffman Barco, I was responsible for all business analysis functions.That second example looks fine. But it doesnt show how you helped.Read our guide to the why are you the best person for this jobinterview question here.Heres the toughest of all common interview questions:7What are your weaknesses?How can you say what youre not good at and still get the job? You d ont need a list of weaknesses to say in an interview.To nail typical interview questions like this, show how youre working with your greatest weakness.Theres a massive difference in these what are your weaknesses answers:rightI havent traditionally been great at leadership. At Sintertron, the DevOps manager wanted to put me in charge of two programming pairs, and it was terrifying. I enrolled in three Dale Carnegie classes and learned a lot. It was a challenge, but I ended up enjoying it. My teams outperformed the company speed average by 5%.wrongIm not very good at teamwork. Every time my last boss put me with someone else to work with, we never got along. I work better by myself.The first of those DevOps interview questions answers tells a great story. Its got a problem and a solution that helped the company.Read our guide to the what are your weaknessesinterview question.8What interests you about this position?How to answer why are you interested in this position:Learn the jobs k ey skills.Show how youve used them.Say how that helped.rightThe job offer jumped out at me. You need someone who knows about app prioritization and network monitoring. At AccuRight Solutions, I used those tools to boost network performance 38%.wrongIt looks like a good opening at a good company. The pay is right, and its local to me and I need a job. Im really interested in working here.Look at the first of those IT interview questions answers. Its got exactly what the interviewer wants.See our guide to the what interests you about this positioninterview question.Heres another of the most common behavioral interview questions. Watch how we link it to the job:9Tell me about how you dealt with a tough challengeThis is one of the top interview questions for a reasonIt shows how you deal with adversity.rightWe had a big last-minute order come in from a valued customer. I called a meeting and laid out the problem. We found a way to get it done with zero overtime. We made an extra $1.1 mi llion in revenue that month.wrongA crucial machine broke down right in the middle of a big run. I called in maintenance and they fixed the issue.That first example shows you had a major positive effect. The second only shows you know how to use a phone.When it comes to common interview questions and answers, always add a benefit.Read our guide to the tell me about a time you faced a tough challengeinterview question here.10What are your strengths?One of these what are your strengths examples answers soars. The other flops.Both are for a job that needs a Python programmer good at collaborationrightIm a strong Python programmer and I excel at collaboration. In my last job I worked closely with a team of five software engineers that turned out 10 Python projects in two years, end-to-end. We raised customer retention by 20%.wrongIm an excellent Java programmer and Ive got great communication skills. In my last job I worked with six software engineers. Our team created 11 software soluti ons in Java in two years. We boosted customer retention by 22%.Those job interview questions answers are almost identical. The first wins because the greatest strengths fit the job skills.See our guide to the what are your strengthsinterview question.11Why should we hire you?Typical interview questions are easy for the interviewerhard for the applicant.This one makes you prove yourself.rightYou need an accountant who can support general accounting functions in the monthly close process for a high-volume firm. I did that at Amex for five years. I spotted a hidden issue that saved $3 million. I also redesigned our cloud computing policies and saved $300,000 a year in labor hours spent on security.wrongIm an experienced accountant skilled in financial statements, asset management, and account analysis. I worked for five years at American Express as an accountant. During that time I worked on cross-functional teams and improved our account analysis policies. I think Id be a great fit.Th at first example shows how you helped the company, with details. The second is generic. It tells your function, but were you good or bad at it?This is one of the best interview questions. Only applicants who get it answer well.Pro Tip: Youll need lots of job-fitting accomplishments for a great interview. Somake a list. Before you go, rehearse your answers to these basic interview questions.Read our guide to the why should we hire you interview question.12Describe what you do in your current positionHere are two Scrum Master interview questions and answers examples.The job wants automation, Kanban, and velocity.rightIm a Scrum Master in a team of nine SaaS employees. In my daily work, I shield the team and improve process efficiency. When I first took the job the team wasnt hitting deadlines. I implemented an automation drive and Kanban system that raised velocity 23%.wrongIm a Scrum Master. I focus on forecasting, removing impediments, and daily standup facilitation. I initiated our new idea collection system. I also used unit testing and pair programming to raise quality measures by 20%.Why does the first of those common interview questions answers work? It proves a skill set central to the job.13Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for workBehavioral interview questions like this hunt for a diamond in the rough.These answers are for a job that needs business storytelling skills:rightWe needed star power for a big marketing campaign. We got a minor star involved but we couldnt afford the one we really wanted. I got her on the phone and used business storytelling skills to get her engaged at half her normal rate. The campaigns ROI exceeded targets by 39%.wrongWe had a big email campaign going on and our agency was behind. I worked overtime for two weeks and got everything done, but it was hard.That first example answer shows exactly how you helped. In the second you made an effort, but did it help in some way?See our guide to the tell me about a time you went above and beyond for workinterview question.14Why did you leave your last job?Orwhy are you leaving your current job?Standard interview questions like this are booby-trapped.Dont answer negatively. Thats a red flag. Use it as a chance to show a skill they want.rightMy last job as an account manager was great. I got to do a side project in process improvement that saved $20,000 a month. Now that Im trained as a Six Sigma Black Belt, Im ready to make that the center of my career.wrongIt just wasnt a good fit. Management made some poor decisions that made it hard to get any traction. Plus Im always looking for the next new thing.Read our guide to the why did you leave your last job interview question here.15Where do you see yourself in 5 years?This job interview question means: Will you ditch us next year?The interviewer wants to hear, No way! If you hire me, Ill work hard for you for life.rightId like to be a key player in a cutting edge agency like this. At Flexor I prototy ped 30 product features a year. One of my sites received the 2017 Webby. Thats great, but theres so much more I can do. A job like this would challenge me to be my best.wrongId like to be making six figures and have a wife and a couple kids. I want to live somewhere like Tibet and maybe write a novel. Plus Id like to be working 20 hours a week and take two months off a year.Ouch! That second of those common interview questions answers is a flight risk.The first says, This is the perfect work environment for me.Read our guide to the where do you see yourself in 5 yearsinterview question here.16What is your management style?The management style interview question means, Would you be a good manager?For non-management jobs, it means, Could we promote you later?rightI support the team, and let them do their jobs. They put me in charge of five analysts once at Marper Hills. I laid out our goals and got us access to a data analyst for a month. We found 35 low-margin projects and saved $2.9 million for the company.wrongIve never really had a managerial job before, but I guess Id want to be sort of hands off. I think you should hire smart people and then let them do good work, not tell them what to do.That first answer gives details. The second is a guess about what might happen.See our guide to the whats your management styleinterview question.Heres another of those tough behavioral interview questions:17Tell me about a time you reached a goal at workBehavioral or situational interview questions are a great way to prove yourself.Talk about a problem, a solution, and how you helped.rightMy boss wanted me to triple our video sales. I coached our videographers to focus on making customers look beautiful in every shot. In one season sales quadrupled. We were able to hire additional staff for the next season.wrongManagement wanted to double sales. I put together a new plan based on solid research. We hit the target.The second of those typical interview questions answers is generic. To sell yourself, you need details.Read our guide to the tell me about a time you reached a goal at workinterview question.18What are your salary requirements?This top interview question means: Are you good AND can we afford you?Answer too low and you look cheap. Too high and you could scare them off.Sobe expensive, but with wiggle room. Youll look like a deal.For this interview questions example, the average salary is $26,000.rightId like to make $30,000, but thats negotiable. I talked with three of your current CNAs and they love working here. Thats worth a lot.wrongAnything is fine. I need the money.Not sure about their price range? Check Glassdoor for a ballpark figure.The next of our common interview questions seems personal. Its not.See our guide to the what are you salary requirementsinterview question.19What are you passionate about?Interview questions like this sound like an invitation to ramble. Butstay focused on accomplishments.This answer is for a customer ser vice job that needs product knowledge skills.rightI love putting customers together with products that enrich their lives. At Chiller Outfitters we were tasked with maintaining thorough product knowledge. I got 98% positive customer satisfaction scores for that. As a result, my sales figures were 10% higher than the store average.wrongIm very passionate about animal rights. Im on the board for our local animal shelter and I go to meetings once a month. I walk dogs there every week because it makes them more adoptable.The first of those interview questions answers bolts you to the job. The second is really nice, but it wont get you hired.Read our guide to the what are you passionate about interview question here.20How did you hear about this job?You can answer typical interview questions like this with, I saw it on LinkedIn.Thats fine, but why not use it to sell?rightI saw it on LinkedIn. It was the perfect match because you need a UX designer skilled in gathering project requirement s and working with Adobe Suite. In my last job, I designed 90% of our customer jobs with Adobe. I gathered all the project requirements myself and managed to keep customer satisfaction scores at 98%.wrongLorem ipsum dolor sit ametNext on the list of common interview questions, prove they cant hire anyone but you.21How do you deal with pressure?Interviewers need to know you wont fold when the going gets tough. Thats why they ask typical interview questions like this.rightI meditate a half hour a day and go to the gym. It helps all the time. Once at Pizza Palace we were short-staffed. The cut-and-cash guy was behind and started complaining. I stayed calm and took a break to help. He came over later and thanked me. The next time we got slammed, he stayed calm too.wrongI go to the gym and meditate. It helps me stay calm in stressful situations.That second answer doesnt show how your strategy has helped.To answer behavioral interview questions like this next one, think hard before the in terview.22What are you most proud of?Job interview questions like this mean: Convince us you can do the job.These answers are for a job that needs time-saving and communication skills.rightWhen I was an executive assistant at Kallas, our top execs were spending too much time on customer misunderstandings. I created a call system that eliminated 95% of those and saved 10 executive hours a week.wrongIm very good at collaboration. I worked with my team at Kallas to redo our scheduling system. We saved $20,000 in travel costs.That second answer shows you helped the company. Butit doesnt show the time-saving and communication skills the employer needs.The next of our basic interview questions checks if youre paying attention.23What do you know about our company?Learn about the job before you apply. Typical interview questions like this will catch you if you dont.rightI know you make the finest golf products in the world. I also know youre looking to raise your market share, which is why Im so excited about this job. At Phair Sports, I grew business 60% in two years and consistently exceeded sales goals.wrongYou make golf balls, clubs, and hats, and sell them to major retailers like Walmart. I really like your products and in fact I use them exclusively when I play myself. I know youve got two plantsone here in Massachusetts and the other on the West Coast.That second example isnt bad. But the first one lets you crow about a job-matching accomplishment.Some common interview questions need prep work. Heres one:24Whats your dream job?Job interview questions about pie in the sky arent just for fun. The interviewers want to know if youll stick around.rightA job like this where I can do end-to-end project management for multiple projects in a Lean business environment. At Raytheon we had to cut costs drastically or lose $70 million in contracts. I managed our Lean training project that improved quality by 30% while cutting costs 45%. We kept the contracts and the client ordered $50 million in new work. Id love to have that kind of impact full time.wrongId like a job with flexible hours, great pay, lots of vacation time, and a nice fat 401k.Some common interview questions get at choices youve made. Heres one:25Why is there a gap in your resume?For typical interview questions like this, show how your resume gap creates value.rightMy mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers. I took time off to help my father care for her. I learned a lot about stress management during that time. I also took continuing ed classes to keep my license up to date.wrongMy mom was sick and I stopped work to help take care of her.Want more help for resume gap interview questions? See our guide: How to Explain Gaps in Employment26Why are you changing careers?Career-changers need good explanations. Valid reasons are:More learningMore job satisfactionRelocationMore responsibilityLess responsibilityrightIve always been interested in tech. I loved my job as an office manager, but my f avorite part was the system administrator duties. Saving the company $20,000 a year by automating our system monitoring and relocating our hardware was a real high point for me. I want to make that more central to my job.wrongIm really tired of being an office manager. Ive got solid tech skills and I want to use them. I think Id really do well as a system administrator.27Are you open to relocating?Some common interview questions look for yes or no answers. Theyre actually a new opportunity to sell:rightFor this job, yes. Im excited about it because it uses the multidisciplinary design process. At Doane Daviau, I used that to develop two multi-million dollar projects with 15% less rework than my colleagues. I would definitely relocate to do that full time.wrongFor the right position, yes.Why does that first answer win? It shares a job-fitting achievement.Heres another of those tricky behavioral interview questions:28Tell me about a mistake you madeThis is similar to What are your we aknesses. You need to be very careful to show a benefit and not just a loss.rightI plugged in our rechargeable pallet jack to the wrong outlet and fried a $3,500 battery. I showed the manager the outlets look identical. We put a fixture on the outlet and plug so nobody can make that mistake again.wrongI plugged in a rechargeable pallet jack the wrong way and destroyed a $3,500 battery. I was pretty mortified, but my boss told me it couldve happened to anyone.The next of our typical interview questions takes a longer answer.29Walk us through your resumeThe interviewer wants to know if you understand the job. Dont explain your entire career path.This answer is for a nursing job that needs critical care experience and patient education skills.rightWell, at Northwest Medical Center, I worked in the ICU for three years. I received five commendations for efficiency from the charge nurse. Before that I was at Cornerstone Hospital for two years, where I helped raise HCAHPS scores 20%. Most of that was thanks to diligent patient education.xswrongIts got my summary at the top, which starts by saying Im a Registered Nurse obviously. Then it talks about my last three jobs. In the most recent, I worked at Cornerstone Hospital, where I was responsible for handling all ward nurse duties and responsibilities...Heres one of the hardest common interview questions. It can trip you up if youre not ready:30Do you have any questions for me?The interviewer can learn a lot from what you ask.Ask questions that show your interest and understanding.Top 5 questions to ask in an interview:Whats the next step?How long does your hiring process take?What would you expect me to accomplish in my first six months?What would my day-to-day routine be?Whats the key to succeeding at this role?Pro Tip: Did you just blow it? Didnt give answers to common interview questions like this? Learn from it. Research the company before your next job interview.Need more questions to ask the interviewer? See our guide: 65+ Best Questions to Ask an Interviewer Land Top JobsCommon Phone Interview QuestionsTypical phone interview questions are the same as the common interview questions above.The difference?You dont have to memorize answers to telephone interview questions. You can read themas long as you dont sound like youre reading.Want some examples? See our guide: 20 Common Phone Interview Questions and AnswersSTAR Method for Acing Behavioral Interview QuestionsThe STAR method of answering interview questions has four steps:Situation. Start with a situation you faced.Task. Tell about a task you had to perform.Action. Say the action you took.Result. Explain how it helped your organization.It works because it proves key skills in a convincing way.The STAR method works best for situational interview questions. For instance, Tell me about yourself.For a full list of STAR interview questions and answers, see our guides: STAR Method for Acing Behavioral Interview Questions and 20 Situational I nterview Questions and AnswersIllegal Interview Questions Employers Cannot AskSome of the most common interview questions are illegal.Which interview questions are off limits?Generally, the interviewer cant ask about:AgeReligionBirthplaceRaceDisabilityMarital statusPregnancyGenderMost of the time interview questions about those things are illegal. To see when theyre not, check our guide:Illegal Interview Questions Employers Cannot AskKey TakeawaySummary: How to answer common interview questions:Research the company and the job offer. Know the skills they want.Show how you used those skills in past jobs.Say how your actions helped the company.Have questions to ask the interviewer that prove your interest in the job.

What to Do if Your Co-workers Promoted Over You -The Muse

What to Do if Your Co-workers Promoted Over You -The Muse What to Do if Your Co-workers Promoted Over You Dear HR Professional, I've been at my company for over two years, and while things are good for the most part, there’s one issue bothering me. One of my colleagues (different boss, but same team) just got promoted and he hasn't even been here a year! I believe I work just as hard as him, yet my boss hasn't even mentioned next steps for me. It doesn't seem like we're being judged by the same standards and I hate to sound whiny, but it just feels unfair. What should I do? Signed, Feeling Slighted Dear Feeling Slighted, It’s such a disheartening feeling to know that you were passed over for a promotion, especially when it feels like there’s unfair treatment. The good news: This is an opportunity to have an honest career growth discussion with your manager- one in which you can clarify how your performance will be measured and then set goals for the future. Here’s a simple script you can use to start that conversation: “Hi [Manager Name], I would love to work together to set some goals for how I can grow and progress in my career. I would really like to [goal] and I’d like your thoughts on what I’ll need to get there. Can we set some time to discuss in our next meeting?” Before you meet though, make sure you reflect on where you are right now and where you want to go. It’s important to think about only you and your performance. This is your career growth conversation, not your co-worker’s. As hard as it is, you’ll have to remove him from the conversation entirely. To reflect on your performance, ask yourself the following: What contributions have you made? What are your major accomplishments? What areas do you need to improve in? Have you grown in those areas? And to think about the future, ask yourself the following: What does your ideal role look like? What are your greatest strengths? What have you enjoyed working on the most? What would you give up, if you could? From there, you can work backwards and see if there are any skills or experiences you would need first in order to get to where you want to be. In discussing with your manager, he or she should be able to articulate any gaps in performance and areas where you’d need to grow. I recommend setting goals with your manager that you can track over time (and then actually tracking them together). Everyone progresses differently and there are multiple factors taken into account when making promotion decisions- not just length of time at a company. So while it seems unfair, there may be clear rationale as to why your co-worker was promoted. Try to avoid assumptions and comparisons with others and instead focus on creating your own plan with your boss. And if after those frank conversations, you still feel there’s unfair treatment, you can always reach out to your internal HR department to share your concerns or think about if this company is the right place to grow your career. This article is part of our Ask an Expert series- a column dedicated to helping you tackle your biggest career concerns. Our experts are excited to answer all of your burning questions, and you can submit one by emailing us at editor(at)themuse(dot)com and using Ask an Honest HR Professional in the subject line. Your letter may be published in an article on The Muse. All letters to Ask an Expert become the property of Daily Muse, Inc and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.

Four Marketing Tactics for Facebook

Four Marketing Tactics for Facebook Four Marketing Tactics for Facebook Four Marketing Tactics for Facebook Bennington, Contributing Writer The beauty of developing a social media marketingstrategy is that any size company, including your small business, can jump in and apply marketing tactics that build your audience, and communicate with them directly. Since the small business social mediaplaying field has been leveled, you no longer need the resources of a large company to reach your customers via your small business marketing although you do need a bit of savvy know-how to do it well. Facebook for Business Facebook for business in particular has made going direct-to-the-consumer very easy; its no wonder millions of businesses have flocked to the site looking to grow sales and influence. If youre wondering how you can stand out in such a crowded field, here are four tips on what to do and not do as you develop your own winning Facebook marketing tactics for this year and beyond. Marketing Tactic #1: Build a Community First. If you really want to see your fan numbers jump, build your page around a core idea that people can rally behind not just your business. Traditional selling is dead, says Melinda Emerson,author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. You have to add value to the conversation, not just push your product. Rather than pump out non-stop promotional material about your clothing store, for example, focus on marketing tactics that allow you to spend more time facilitating a discussion on trends, styles, and other information that would be of interest to your audience. The more you can become a go-to source for the latest consumer trends, the higher your fan numbers will go. The most egregious misstep people make in my opinion is to go for the sale before the relationship, says Emerson. The whole notion of using Facebook to say, buy my stuff, buy my stuff, and, oh by the way, buy my stuff is to misuse the site. Emerson recalls a shoe company whose marketing tactics were designed to get noticed over providing value recently. This company just started posting pictures of shoes they thought Id like right on my page, she says. Now thats a good way to get unfollowed. Marketing Tactic #2: Think Twice Before Doing a Profile-to-Page Migration. In Facebook-speak, people have profiles and companies have pages, but if youre like many small business owners, its probably a very blurry line. While Facebook does give you an option to merge the two, Cindy Morrison, online strategist and founder of the social media consulting firm SOCIALVENTION, recommends against it. A lot of business owners have built up a following on their personal profile, but are now struggling to get friends to like their fan page, says Morrison. Even so, she thinks its much better to start from zero than to convert your existing profile into fan page. Youll not only lose all of your information and pictures, but all the rights that only profiles have. If youre using Facebook to keep up with friends and family and promote your business, the profile-to-page migration isnt for you. Marketing Tactic #3: Have a Marketing Strategy. In other words, dont just post randomly as the mood strikes know what youre aiming for on Facebook. Set success metrics (e.g., how many times a day do you plan to post, what topics will you cover, what discounts will you run and when, etc.) Also, pay attention to the Insights link on the left side of your page and deep-dive into your fan demographics. If youve got a product aimed at men, for example, and your fans are 86% female and 14% male, something isnt working. Likewise, if youve got 1,000 fans, but only 15 are talking about you (Facebooks way of tracking the number of people engaging with your page), you know the content isnt resonating enough. Both Emerson and Morrison agree that the Insights tab is like having a built-in Facebook marketing director, but you have to know what youre aiming for to know if youre succeeding. Marketing Tactic #4: Learn (and Revise) as You Go. When Wendy Krepak founded Card Cubby, a line of stylish card and coupon organizers, she initially focused her marketing strategy on selling to retailers. It didnt take long, however, to realize her strategy was costly and full of roadblocks. Retailers are slower to take on products now and its expensive to attend the shows to sign them up. Recognizing that Facebook could help her reach customers directly, Krepak started a Facebook page and got serious about targeting her audience. The new approach has not only resulted in an online sales boost, but Krepak notes that some customers have even taken the product into stores on their own to ask retailers to carry it. The consumer has become my best sales rep! she says. Krepak was smart to shift gears when her original plan didnt work. So if youre getting the sense that your Facebook marketing strategy needs a face lift, dont be afraid to occasionally go straight to your fans and ask what THEY want. Is it discounts? Networking? Advice? People want to do business with people they know, like and trust, says Morrison, and building that kind of loyal fan base takes constant engagement. Author Bio: Emily Bennington is co-author of the very first business book every new grad should own, Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of career success and the founder of Professional Studio 365, which provides organizational savvy training to new grads and their employers. Emily has been featured on Fox Business, CNN, and ABC and is a featured writer for The Huffington Post, Forbes Woman, and US News and World Report. She can be reached online at Emily Bennington, on Facebookor on Twitter @EmilyBennington.

How to Choose the Best Demo Songs

How to Choose the Best Demo Songs How to Choose the Best Demo Songs Good music is the crucial ingredient in a good music demo, naturally. But theres more to putting a demo together than just loading it up with your favorite songs. Youve got a very limited amount of time to make an impact with your demo, so picking the right songs  for your demo is key. Follow these steps to choose the demo tracks that will make your listener want to hear more. Make a Demo Song List (and Check It Twice) You (and your bandmates if you have them), probably have some ideas about which songs have demo potential and which songs you dont want to lead with. Make a list of the songs youd like to consider for your demo. This list may be pretty short if you dont have many songs in your catalog yet, but remember your demo is only going to contain a few songs. Narrowing your catalog down to a list of maybe tracks will keep you focused and help stop you from going in circles and second guessing the decision. While its unlikely that youll reach a  unanimous consensus, your goal should be to make everyone as happy as possible before finalizing that list. Commit to the songs for the demo and dont look back. Be Critical Your demo needs to be short, so youre going to have to make some cuts. Try to think like a listener, and keep in mind that the person listening to your demo has listened to many demos and is very busy. You probably only have 20 seconds with each song before they move on to the next track (or the next demo). The Best Demo Tracks When choosing the best songs to include in your demo, here are few characteristics to consider: Strong beginnings. Does the music not really kick in until 1:20? Skip it.Catchy beat/refrain/etc.  You may not be as in love with your catchier, lighter fare as you are with your deeper, more complex work, but the song that your listener wont be able to get out of their head will work best for you here.Signature songs.  No, dont write a theme song. But if you have a song that is a bit different that everyone associates with your band, go for it. The Song That Shouldnt Make the Cut Some songs are best left off the demos, hard as that might be to admit. Heres what to save for the full-length album: The growers: Sure, song X might be everyones favorite of yours, but if it took everyone 128 listens before they fell in love with it, it doesnt belong on your demo.Your attempt at (insert genre here).  Showing a breadth of musical ability and innovation is a good thing, but your one-off, half-hearted, comedy fueled attempt at rap/metal/country/dancehall/etc isnt demo material. Yes, even if all your friends all assure you its hilarious. If you dont plan to go there again, dont go there on your demo. The epics. Is there a 15-minute song in your repertoire? Dont even bother. Definitely save it for the album. Solicit Opinions Get a few trusted friends who are willing to offer you constructive criticism and let them listen to your demo. Get their honest feedback and make changes as needed. This works best if you can rustle up a few friends who havent heard all the songs. This will allow you to to get an idea of how first time listeners at labels may respond. Even if your friends all know all of your songs, its still important to run the whole thing by some fresh ears. Leave It Alone Once youve chosen the tracks and taken the feedback into account, draw a line under your finished demo. You can second guess yourself and then triple and quadruple guess when it comes to making a demo, but in reality, its kind of like a test. Your first guess (or try) is usually the right one.

Navy Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI)

Navy Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI) Navy Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI) Cryptologic Technicians Interpretive are the Navys linguists. CTIs attend language training at the Defense Language Institute (DLI), in Monterey, California. They specialize in the analysis of foreign language materials and the preparation of statistical studies and technical reports. Language training is open to men and women in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian-Farsi, Russian, and Spanish. Additional languages are available to CTIs that qualify for an additional language. New recruits cannot get a guaranteed language in their enlistment contract. Language assignment is determined at DLI based on aptitude, school quotas, and Navy requirements. The Duties Performed by CTIs Include operating sophisticated state-of-the-art electronic radio receivers, magnetic recording devices, computer terminals and associated peripherals in the communications signals environment;operating sophisticated, computer-assisted information systems;working with classified material;translating, interpreting and transcribing foreign language communications data;analyzing and reporting highly technical information of strategic and tactical importance to fleet commanders and national intelligence agencies; performing temporary duty aboard a variety of naval surface and subsurface vessels and aircraft. Working Environment CTIs normally work in clean, comfortable office-type or small technical laboratory-type environments while on shore duty. Sea duty is performed on a variety of air, surface and subsurface platforms. At times they are closely supervised but often work independently or in small, coordinated teams. Their work is of high interest to command and decision-making levels. It is mostly mental, involving foreign language materials. CTIs may be assigned to temporary duty aboard Navy aircraft. Additionally, male CTI members may be assigned to duties aboard a Navy submarine. A-School (Job School) Information Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA 173 to 439 calendar days, depending on languageGoodfellow AFB, TX 92 to 173 calendar days, depending on languageASVAB Score Requirement: VE MK GS 165 Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret (Single Scope Background Investigation Required) Other Requirements Must score 100 or more on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)Must be world-wide assignableMust have normal hearingMust be a U.S. CitizenImmediate family members must be U.S. CitizensMoral turpitude offense(s) are generally disqualifyingPersonal security screening interview requiredFormer members of the Peace Corps are not eligibleCandidates must be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED, CPT, home study or other equivalency). If not a diploma graduate, the applicant must provide a high school transcript verifying successful completion of the 10th grade. Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for CTI  Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing Note: Advancement (promotion) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a ratings manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings). Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating First Sea Tour: N/A monthsFirst Shore Tour: N/A monthsSecond Sea Tour: N/A monthsSecond Shore Tour: N/A monthsThird Sea Tour: N/A monthsThird Shore Tour: N/A monthsFourth Sea Tour: N/A monthsForth Shore Tour: N/A months Due to the unique nature and specific skill sets required by sailors in the various CT communities, career paths are defined by INCONUS (inside the U.S.) and OUTCONUS (outside the U.S.) tours, instead of sea/shore rotations. Sailors can expect to serve on various tours outside the continental United States and/or overseas tours which count as sea duty, during their career. CTIs can expect a rotation of one INCONUS tour, followed by one OUTCONUS tour, ect., during their careers. Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command

How to answer why should we hire you (according to experts)

How to answer 'why should we hire you' (according to experts) How to answer 'why should we hire you' (according to experts) If you’ve followed along with our past blog posts, you’ll notice that we’ve posted a bunch of useful roundups of interview questions that are incredibly helpful for anyone who’s in the middle of their job search â€" from  40 example interview questions  most hiring managers want  you  to ask  them, additional interview  questions that you definitely should be asking when you’re being interviewed  (but most people aren’t!),  questions to ask about company culture,  questions to ask your future boss, and even really  weird and unusual interview questions that companies have actually asked  (part 1  and  part 2).This time we wanted to directly tackle  one of, by far, the most popular interview questions that commonly pops up and provide a guide on how you should be answering it. That question is:“Why should we hire you?”To be fair, this question isn’t ALWAYS asked.Every company has it’s own unique interview process that may or may not include multiple interviewers, v ery general or very specific interview questions, expected or unexpected questions, a lot of time out of your day or very little.But rest assured that even if a company doesn’t end up literally asking “why should we hire you”,  they are still expecting you to resolve that question for them in their minds by the end of the interview.To help you know what to say / what to do when you get hit with the “why should we hire you” question, here are 18 company representatives who have a LOT of knowledge about interviewing (from the company perspective) sharing their thoughts on how you should be responding â€" based on what they or their companies actually want to hear:How to answer “why should we hire you?” according to the interviewers who are asking it:“As a recruiter, I spend a significant part of my day chatting with  prospective employees, and I receive a wide array of colorful, unique, and  interesting answers. The question, Why should I hire you, is a loaded  one, an d with it, you’ll get a loaded answer. Most of the answers that  follow sound something like, I’m a hardworking person who enjoys a  challenging and rewarding work environment where I can develop my strengths  and weaknesses. I truly believe I can be an asset to your team. However,  it’s important to make sure that this answer doesn’t sound rehearsed; try  to bring something different and more personal to the table here.As a recruiter, it’s refreshing to hear something like, I’m very  interested in expanding my knowledge and being part of an awesome team.  Helping companies develop and moving things in the right direction has  always been a passion of mine. I bring a smile, motivation, and positive  energy everywhere I go, and the workplace is no exception. You’ll find me  ready to get my hands dirty and happy to start something new and exciting.  Nailed it.Questions that provide the interviewee a break from the standards about  professional and academic experience wil l give you insight into why you  should or shouldn’t hire them before you even ask. What are you passionate  about and What is it that motivates you in your personal life are great  ways to break the ice and learn something unique about the person on the  other end of the interview. If you ask the right questions during the  interview, you don’t need to ask the heavy, Why should I hire you?, and  you’ll already know whether or not they’ll be a great fit.”- Dave Lopes, Director of Recruiting at  Badger Maps  â€œAs a hiring manager, my intention is to get to know if the candidate is a great fit to the job or not. By this, I’d like to know his previous achievements in the domain and check whether he has the right skills required to perform the job excellently. From his answers, we’ll also get to know if he has got the right aptitude attitude to work with the team or not, if he’s open to criticism learning or not which would help us assess the candidate’s capability for the job. What I or any other hiring manager wouldn’t want to know is the entire history personal information of the candidate that which wouldn’t make any sense to the job he’s applied for.”- Ujwal Surampalli, Chief â€" Talent Acquisition of  Interview Buddyâ„¢  â€œI want to hear why your skill set, personality and the special magic you bring will make such a material difference for my company. Demonstrate that you understand the problem this position solves and why you are such a good fit. What isn’t helpful and is a pretty big turn-off to me is when candidates say “my experience.” That is a pretty vague answer and does not reflect the depth of what you bring to the table. You need to be able to vocalize what your past taught you and how you are going to apply that to this job you are applying to.”- Cory Bowline, Director of Marketing at  Red Canary  â€œAs a hiring manager I’ve used the question ‘Why should I hire you?’ as a way to see whether the cand idate gets uncomfortable bragging about themselves while attempting to make it seem like they are not bragging. Some candidates squirm throughout the response, and others are overly confident. It seems most responses result in a list of top attributes the candidate thinks are appropriate for the role linked with personal experience to back up the listed attributes. The response aims to give the impression that I have done this before, have been successful at it, and therefore I will be successful at your company too. This type of answer is expected by the interviewer and can be very strong if articulated succinctly.A stronger response goes beyond this by getting the interviewer thinking â€" The candidate’s response was relevant but really funny or This candidate really connects with the company’s philosophical approach or This response has opened my imagination on what is possible with this candidate in the future. How do you get the interviewer thinking these things? That part is up to you. But if you succeed, you’ll certainly stand out.”- Brandon Woolf, People Operations for  MX  â€œMy hands down favorite answer is “This is my dream job.” We’re looking for job candidates who have a passion for the work we do. They aren’t just looking for a job, they’re looking to take further steps in the career of their dreams.”- Danica Kombol, CEO of  Everywhere Agency  â€œIf anyone was to ask what are the top three more challenging questions to answer during an interview, “why should I hire you?” will be on that short list, along with what do you consider your strengths? And what do you consider your weaknesses? Not because it’s a question interviewees don’t expect to be asked, but because they are often not confident or clear about who they are and what they bring to the table that would be of value to the company. With that in mind no two individuals will have the exact same approach to answering that question; however, there are three sugg estions offered below on an approach to take when you are in the hot seat:1. Reiterate the specific skills and knowledge you have that directly correlates with the responsibility of the position2. Offer a scenario of how if those skills can be applied and how they directly offer solution to a problem or challenge shared during the interview discussion3. Communicate an innovative approach to creating a greater efficiency that can save the company time and moneyIncorporating those three components, positions the candidate for greater success in making a lasting impression upon the interviewer to take notice and consider filling the position with you.”-  Delmar Johnson, HR Consultant  â€œ ‘Why should I hire you?’ may  never be directly asked [in our company’s interviews], but it’s always implied. You are telling us why we  should hire you as soon as you walk into our office. I want to see  engagement in your demeanor, I want you to ask questions about our company  and our wo rk, demonstrate that curiosity and uniqueness that was the reason  behind calling you in for an interview in the first place.If I ask a candidate why I should hire them directly â€" they should tell me  they are willing to put in the work, are excited about our business model,  and want to continue to grow in their role.You might look awesome on paper, but if you can’t express those qualities  in-person, with your attitude and your actions, it’s not going to work out.”- Tiffany Ewigleben, Director of Content Strategy Growth at  Beckett Industries  â€œAs a CTO in the near past and an advisor on recruitment of IT personnel at present, when recruiting I want to know that the candidate is truly into what the company does, is capable of getting the work done, and can work well with the rest of the team.I believe that, as a candidate, your chances are much higher if you did your research on the company and the position, and can explain how your previous experience or personal skil ls can benefit the company.I don’t like asking candidates Why Should I Hire You?, but if I did, an answer that would get my attention could be: Although I have no experience in development and I only just finished a development course, I am keen to learn and dedicate my time and effort to become a great developer in the shortest time possible. I am hard working, fast learning and super motivated, and from volunteering as a firefighter I know that I can work under pressure in very complex situations. Of course that to be a firefighter you also have to be a team player and know how accept authority. I read about your company and I think your idea of creating apps for zoo animals is great â€" I too always thought the animals there looked bored. So, going back to your question, you should hire me because I don’t see this as a job, but as an opportunity to change the lives of millions of zoo animals worldwide, and I will do anything I can do to make this project a success.”- Olive r Kraus,  Owner and Technology Consultant at  Rocket Surgeon  â€œI look for an answer that appears to be genuine. Not a canned response. If  I suspect the response is canned I keep asking why else, Until I get a  genuine response.The most genuine response I ever got was because if you don’t hire me I  will be evicted because I am so far behind on my rent.However, what I do also expect is for the candidate to toot their own horn.  This is a time for them to tell me how great they are without bragging.”- Jeff Riyasat, President of  I.T. Revive  â€œPrior to becoming a management professor, for more than a decade I  was an operations manager who interviewed, hired and trained several  hundred employees. Employers are generally looking for the best fit that they can find after  considering the characteristics of the candidate, the job, the work team,  and the organization’s overall mission, philosophy, culture - and the  customers it seeks to serve. In essence, they are trying to complete an  organizational jigsaw puzzle, and there’s a missing piece that must be  found. However, only certain pieces will fit properly.So when asked, Why should we hire *you?*, potential employers want to  know what *YOU* can deliver (in terms of education, experience, skills,  abilities, talents, interests, attitudes, or aspirations) that might  uniquely match their specific requirements for the position under  consideration. Since this question is often posed toward the end of a face-to-face interview, throughout the hiring process, learn as much as  possible about the company (and its culture), its industry, its customers,  your potential colleagues, and the specific requirements of the job. (A  company’s website is often a good starting point, and a significant amount  of background reading and research should be done to prepare yourself for  the actual interview process.) With that knowledge, you can convince an  employer that you can truly fulfill its needs. Remember: the employer is  trying to solve a problem; so you need to be perceived as the *solution*!”-  Timothy G. Wiedman, D.B.A., Former Associate Prof. of Management Human Resources of Doane University“When a recruiter asks this question, it’s really the break it or make it  moment. A good answer will likely secure your place among the most likely  candidates; a weak answer will earn you a polite automated message.What makes a response a good, strong one?â€" Confidence without boasting†" Show of how the candidate will be an *asset* to the firmâ€" Including a brief personal example of successâ€" Tailoring the answer in such a way as to show intimate knowledge of  the brand. For instance, my PR firm’s slogan is Championing the Underdogs  since 2006. So some mention of experience working with smaller clients and  startups, or what they can do to turn small fries into big kahunas is  always a plus.”- Alexis Chateau, Founder and Managing Partner at  Alexis Chateau PR  â€œWhen asking this question, the perfect candidate would give me a response that really shows how they are going to match the position and meet the requirements. They would have done their research prior to our meeting to really show they are knowledgeable about what we do. However, given that they have done their research, it is important that the perfect candidate does not come across as too cocky. It’s okay for the candidate to ask me for clarification on certain points so they are better able to answer the question (just as long as they are not reliant on me giving clarification).”- Eric Bowen, Digital Marketing Coordinator at  BroadbandSearch“I want to hear a brief summary of themselves and their experiences,  highlight their abilities that are related to the job. I also want to see if  they did their homework, researched my company, being well prepared. Keeping  the answers concise, matching their qualifications to the job listing, with  a blend of uniqueness.”- Vu Tong,  Project Manager at  Cocoweb  â€œWhen an employer asks this question, they want to be ‘sold’. Every candidate  should have an answer to the question before the interview, but should also  be quick enough to revise the answer, based on information you were given  during the interview.Everyone has something that makes them unique and sets them apart from  others. It’s a candidates job to know what this unique trait is, and be able  to sell it during an interview. For example, a recent clien t was preparing  with me before an interview with a large, international investment firm. He  was having trouble coming up with an answer to this particular question.  After talking with him and asking a lot of questions, I learned that he  spoke seven languages and has traveled to 22 countries. Being multi-lingual  and deeply familiar with other customs and cultures not only was very unique  from every other candidate, but it was very attractive to a company who  deals with the global economy. That was his hook. The company loved it and  after two more interviews, he was offered the job.Sure, not everyone has something as big as seven languages under their belt,  but you still have something. Maybe it’s an unusual job in your career  history that exposed you to a different clientele or required unusual  skills. Capitalize on that! Even if your answer is a little odd, it’s better  than no answer.”- Lauren Milligan, Career Advancement Coach, CEO Founder of  ResuMAYDAY“In re sponse to ‘Why Should I Hire You?’, there are no magic words that I or  the interviewers I coach expect, but instead we are always pleased when the  candidate’s reply expresses that…*That they have researched and love the history and the culture of the  company they are applying to.*Lots of people don’t go past the company name and position. That’s really  disheartening for a recruiter. When employees say that they would be a  good fit, that’s just talk. When they explain WHY they would be a good fit,  revealing knowledge of the company, that’s a winner.”- Luis Magalhes, Remote Executive Coach at  Distant Job    â€œYou should try and project yourself as a good match for your job  profile and the company. You need to articulate the value that you will  bring to the job and to your team/company. For example, if you’re  interviewing for a Financial Analyst role, talk about your expertise and  knowledge of tools/databases that would make you a better-skilled candida te  and you would be able to hit the road with minimum training. Also, talk  about the additional skills that you can bring to the table. For example,  if you are good with soft skills and communication, you can talk about how  you can also train other people in the team.”- Sumit Bansal, Founder of  Productivity Spot  â€œWhen I ask a job candidate ‘Why Should I Hire You?’, I want to hear them  express how they would be an asset to the company by referring to past,  tangible experiences and accomplishments, rather than only using  the standard, overused interview words (as I like to call them) to  describe themselves such as hard-working, self-motivated,  and team-player, etc. These attributes are important and should be  pointed out; however, employers hear this from almost every candidate, and  it’s frankly one’s own, biased opinion of oneself. It’s important for the  candidate to follow this up with real examples. This is a key opportunity  for the candidate to separa te him or herself from other candidates and  stand out.Also, when answering this question, I like to hear the candidate  incorporate their potential role with the company into their answer. This  shows me A) they’ve done their homework on the company, B) they  were genuinely paying attention during the interview, and/or C) they’re  aware of the importance of how they specifically can benefit the company,  and not just how the company can benefit them.”- Cory Collins, President/CEO of  Ample Opportunity, Inc“I just interviewed several good candidates ended up with two people to choose from. I could have gone either way on them so I asked the last one why I should chose them. I told her this is her opportunity to tell me why choosing her over someone else is the best decision and made it clear that I had two equally qualified candidates.I was hoping to see a little fire in her belly, a little fight for the position and instead she gave an underwhelming answer lacking any pass ion. If she would have raised her voice the slightest bit and spoken in a confident tone when she explained why I should hire her, I would have hired her on the spot. I find that people obsess more about what they say than how they say it. How candidates speak sways me far more than what they are saying. When they speak with confidence at just the right volume and show passion when appropriate, I begin to believe in them regardless of the words they use.”- Emily LaRusch, CEO Founder of  Back Office Betties  Linda Le Phan is the Senior Content Marketing Manager at  kununu US, a place where job seekers can get an authentic view of life at a company and where employers have a trusted platform to better engage talent. When she’s not creating content about the modern workplace, company culture, and life work hacks, she is probably going out to get an iced coffee (even in Boston winter), raiding the snack drawer, or jamming to kununu’s Spotify playlist.This article first appeared on Kununu.