How to answer the most common job interview question

How to answer the most common job interview question Question: How do I answer this interview question: Tell me about yourself? I struggle with that. Advice from Dana: I think you are in good company. Most people approach this in one of the following ways: Babble on and on, hoping to say one or two things that interest the interviewer(s). Do a résumé walk-through. This is incorrect because the interviewer didnt say, Walk me through your resume. Thats a different question. Stumble, hesitate and use too many filler words like umm, as if its the first time the question has ever been asked. Tell me about yourself is concurrently one of the most common interview prompts and one of the most poorly answered. This question, along with others such as, What are your strengths, what are your weaknesses, etc., should all be scripted well before the interview. I purposely wrote two chapters on interviews in my book, specifically on all of the things you can do long before an interview (and NOT the night before!). In the book I recommend writing out all of the most commonly asked questions and your short answers to them. How short is short? Apply the law of threes: Three bullet-point length phrases. Say three short sentences, and then stop talking. I repeat: three bullets, then shut up! So lets practice with, tell me about yourself. Heres a template for handling this one: First sentence: Your educational background Second sentence: Your work history Third sentence: Why you are making a career change and interviewing with them now. Lets put it into motion: I have a strong educational foundation with a bachelors of science in economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA from UCLA. My sales and marketing work experience spans multiple industries. I spent seven years with IBM, 10 years with McKesson, and the most recently five years with Verizon. I am interested in expanding my career into international marketing and I am very interested in the global marketing role we are discussing today. After you make your three fabulous statements, stop talking, smile, and let the interviewer ask the next question. Here are the two most common fears people have with this recommendation: Im afraid Ill sound scripted. First, you wont. Second, that problem beats the opposite, which is sounding like you dont know your own background. It doesnt feel like enough. Trust that the interviewer will ask you for more if they want more. Often, they are simply looking for your ability to distill a lot of information into a compact summary. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class right now and immediately access the most comprehensive job search system currently available!

The Sugar Doll Award!

The Sugar Doll Award! I have to admit I am so super behind in my Award posts. Back in December I got the Sweet Thing Award from Maggie, all the way back in November I got the Sugar Doll Award from Melissa! Since I got the Sugar Doll Award first, Im posting my response now. Its 2 months late, but hopefully it still counts! Here are 10 Things About Me that I havent yet shared (since this is similar to my Honest Scrap Award my Kreativ Blogger Award) : 1. The only time Ive never had bangs was when I grew them out in 8th grade. This was also the time when I got a perm. A perm + no bangs = no date to the 8th grade dance. And no, you will not see a picture of me from that time. Unless Im dead. Until then, heres a cute pic of me with bangs when I was super little. 2. That pic of super-little me totally has a story behind it. My Mom swears that, when I was that super-little, she would spent hours (plural) filling up that kiddie pool with warm water from the kitchen sink (instead of cold water from the hose), transported in buckets or bowls or somesuch silliness. When the pool was finally full, I would get in it be happy as a clamfor 5 minutes. Then I lost interest got out. Every time. Its amazing she still puts up with me. 3. I was super tall as a kid so tall, in fact, that I was the tallest in my school in 5th grade never got to play Annie because of it (at least thats what I tell myself). I was told growing up by my doctor that, if I kept growing the way I was, Id be somewhere around 58. In 10th grade, I stopped growing just short of 56. I still refer to my height as 55 a half. 4. As much as I want to be all artsy intellectual about it, I cant deny that my favorite movie is Say Anything. Doesnt every girl want a Lloyd Dobler to her Diane Court? Yup, I used a non-boombox pic. Its so not about the boombox. Image via Molly J. 5. (This is harder than it looks!) Ive picked at my nails/cuticles for as long as I can remember. Gross, right? Ive been more more self-conscious about it as Ive grown older, 2010 is so the year Im stopping. Even though it seemed impossible seriously, I had no idea how I was going to stop Ive managed to do a really awesome job of not picking since New Years. I cant say I havent done it at all, but Ive been so much better am really convinced that by this time next year, no gross picking. (Pats self on back). 6. I make really good coffee. For real. I dont know what it is, but I have the magic coffee touch. 7. Im the worst at remembering names. Ill see someone I went to school with for 12 years have no idea what their names are. Ill call my best friend from middle school say, I saw that guy today! With the brown hair! Whats his name? Im hopeless. 8. Dark chocolate. Every time. 9. The only celebrity Ive repeatedly been told that I look like   is Mayim Bialik from Blossom. Really, people? Really? Does this look like me? Does it? Wait dont answer that.   Image via nge press. 10. Luke I built a soundproof wall over the wall in our living room the week between Christmas and New Years. As a Jewish girl from Long Island, this is handiest/toughest workman-like thing Ive done. After about 24 hours total of hard physical labor (not all at once, thankfully), we have a like-new new wall no longer hear the neighbors pushing the buttons on their video game controller. At least I looked cute doing it! Work flats from Target. That was fun, but way harder than it looks! So glad I get to pick who goes next. According to the rules, I bestow this award on 10 other bloggers who then get to post the same 10 Things (not the same 10 things you know what I mean). Here they are!: Sara of Right Click Office Services Emily of Hello! Self Jen of Follow My Bliss Erin of Leo on the Loose Lindsay of Likely Design Andi of Hit Runners Cassandra of Cassandra Rae Tiffany of Crafty Fanny Carmen of Carmen Torbus Paige of Thats Life! Have fun, ladies!

What Does Writing a Resume for College Graduates Mean?

What Does Writing a Resume for College Graduates Mean? Writing a Resume for College Graduates Ideas If you're fresh out of school and trying to compose your first resume, there are a couple of essential methods and tricks you will want to stay in mind. Each word on your resume can be a trigger for a question via an interviewer, and you'll often be requested to provide examples of the skills which you have referenced. If you need assistance writing your latest college graduate resume, put LiveCareer to do the job. Your resume should give them a very clear response to that question. Where to Find Writing a Resume for College Graduates Nearly all new graduates start complaining that their resumes fail to make the correct impression and cannot help them to have a work interview call. Be aware the skills you gained, and what exactly you contributed to every job. Wherever you choose to place your skills on your resume, be certain to tailor your list of skills to the specific job. A crystal clear statement about how you are going to utilize your strongest relevant abilities and professional experiences to satisfy the specific role you're applying for 3. New Questions About Writing a Resume for College Graduates Skills gained through volunteer work can enable a college grad land their very first job. Discover how to compose the ideal entry level college graduate resume to assist you succeed in the work marketplace. Read below for suggestions on how to compose a strong college resume. Fresh out of graduates are welcomed in the work market, but you've got to be sure you fit in perfectly for every job which you apply. Writing a Resume for College Graduates Secrets That No One Else Knows About Recent graduates may be experiencing the identical circumstance. Obviously, not every resume is organized in just the same style, which means you own a bit of freedom here. Managers are predicted to fix hundreds of little problems each and every day. Hiring managers realize that someone coming right out of school is probably going to have a whole whole lot of work experience, especially in the specialty. Lies You've Been Told About Writing a Resume for College Graduates Whichever version you decide on, our Resume Builder can help you make a polished document that grabs employer attention. Your resume format is critical. The format of your resume will heavily be based on the information that you must work with. Writing a winning college student career objective is a rather simple means to bolster your application for this internship or job you've got in sight. In case you have some work experience and an appropriate internship, you might not have to go into much detail about class projects. Landing an excellent internship for a college student is an excellent means to get ready for the challenges of life after the university. New Ideas Into Writing a Resume for College Graduates Never Before Revealed As stated above, employers gener ally don't devote plenty of time scrutinizing resumes, therefore it's far better continue to keep yours as succinct as possible. Unfortunately, you're not alone. Create a wish-list of businesses you're interested in After having decided what field you wish to work in, produce a list of organizations you want to work for. Let's walk through three distinct resumes for different kinds of post-college jobs.

Fusion Worldwide - Work It Daily

Fusion Worldwide - Work It Daily In the fast paced world of technology distribution, Fusion leads the way. From our Headquarters on Fan Pier in Boston to offices in Singapore, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong, Fusion’s global reach supports Fortune 1000 companies when others cannot. Aggressive, quick intelligent are a few of the words we hear when we ask our customers to tell us how we're doing. With strong relationships all over the globe, Fusion provides technology products to Fortune 1000 companies at a moment’s notice, while others can't. If you value the passion of the individual and the strength of the team, Fusion Worldwide could be the ideal place for you. If you are going to work, why not get paid well to leverage your strengths? We mean business. Join us. “It all starts with talent. When you have the right people on your team, you can achieve the great heights we aspire to.” - COO Paul Romano, Fusion Worldwide Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Top 15 upcoming jobs to look out for this fall

Top 15 upcoming jobs to look out for this problemThe summer is almost over, and its time to start thinking about packing away the swimsuit and pulling the geschftliches miteinander-wear back out of the closet. If you dont already have a job lined up for this coming fallor are thinking that it might be time for a career changeyou dont have to worry that notlagehings out there. Quite a few industries are thriving, and looking to hire this fall. Here are 15 of them. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. HealthcarePeople are always going to get sick or injuredthats just a fact of life. The upside of this unfortunate reality is that the healthcare industry will always need people to help treat the constant inflow of patients. Registered nurses are currently needed more than any other healthcare professionals, but there are also plenty of openings for licensed vocational and practical nurses, as well as physical therapists. For those who have nur sing degrees, the job market is pretty rich at the moment.2. SalesYou dont need a degree to go into sales, just a strong drive to serve customers and the ability to make whatever youre selling desirable. If you have a knack for convincing consumers that they simply cannot live without Apples latest iPhone, youre in luck, because telecommunication sales is particularly hot right now. The best positions offer both an hourly wage and commissions.3. ManagementSalespeople and other business associates need some guidance to do their jobs. Thats where management comes in. Of course, management is not only needed in the retail sector. Medical managers, health services managers, and marketing managers are also very much in demand at the moment.4. Office and administrative support workIts a good time to be in administration. New positions for schreibstube and administrative support workers are opening at a break-neck pace, especially in big cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. C ustomer service representatives, executive secretaries, office-worker supervisors, and executive administrative assistants are in high demand to keep business rolling smoothly. Monster.com recently added more than 388,000 listings for admin professionals, so its a great time to be one.5. AccountingAccounting may not be the most exciting profession in the world, but these cagy number crunchers are needed in a number of industries this fall. One reason for the high number of accounting positions is the abundance of new companies that started up in the wake of the economic collapse a decade ago. Those relatively new companies are still on the lookout for help in their accounting departments, and brand new companies are kicking into gear all the time, which means that accounting jobs should be abundant for some time.6. Personal financial servicesAlthough were a decade removed from the financial collapse, the economy is still working its way onto its feet and people are still very much i n need of advice regarding the most sensible way to handle their money in the current climate. Financial planners help people at all economic levels to manage their money. They help the rich stay rich and the less fortunate to keep their heads above water, and they are very necessary these days.7. ConsultingThe rise in new businesses has also increased the demand for consultants. Theyre the people who offer sage advice for running businesses as efficiently as possible. They offer suggestions on making the most of personnel, managing clients effectively, and other key moves.8. Call centersAnother industry on the rise is the call center business. More and more, customer service is being handled over the phone. Call center workers both help customers with problems and handle sales. Initially, this kind of work tended to get outsourced, but public outcry has resulted in call centers opening up in the United States. Those with traditional sales and customer service experience may decide to put their skills to use at one of these new domestic call centers. The jobs are definitely out there.9. TransportationThe popularity of online sales is one reason that call center work is thriving these days. The online retail industry has also created a high demand for the delivery people who transport the products purchased through Amazon, Fresh Direct, and other online companies. That means truckers and other drivers should have a fairly easy time getting work these days. Those who are interested in transporting people instead of goods may find work for companies such as Lyft and Uber.10. Computer supportThe twenty-first centurys decisive move to an online environment means that all manner of computer-related industries continue to enjoy boon times. Like call center work, computer support work used to be outsourced to high degree, but this is also changing. IT is coming home again.11. SoftwareOur reliance on the Internet also means that the demand for new software developments is constant without any sign of decline in the near future. With new computing systems, devices, apps, and gadgets popping up on a seemingly daily basis, those who can develop new software for such technologies are vital.12. Food preparation and serviceWhile industries such as transportation, accounting, and personal financial services are on the rise because of specific contemporary factors, the strength of the food industry is pretty constant. However, certain areas of the industry are certainly in a growth phase this fall, such as supervisors and servers. The fast food industry may be less mighty than it once was, but food preparers and servers are still very much needed at McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and Wendys. Cooks are needed too.13. Repair and maintenanceHeres another old-fashioned industry that also continues to deliver the jobs. Those who are great with their hands and have a knack for installing appliances and performing automotive maintenance or general repairs will find a very welcoming job market. Supervisors for mechanics, installers, and repair people are also necessary in todays market.14. EngineeringOne of the greatest crises facing the United States at the moment is its crumbling infrastructure. Roads, bridges, dams, and airports are in dire condition, creating safety hazards that could turn tragic without serious work. Civil engineers are responsible for redesigning our infrastructure, and the demand for them is definitely on the rise. However, engineers do not just rebuild the physical structures on which we drive. Biomedical engineers work on our bodies, and the rising healthcare industry has opened a great need for them as well.15. ConstructionEngineers are not alone in reviving our infrastructure. Once they have redesigned our roads and buildings, construction workers are then needed to do the physical labor. The schlag in real estate that has seen new apartment buildings and condominiums spring up all over our nations cities has made wa y for a lot of construction opportunities too. Supervisors and workers who extract old materials before new construction can begin are also benefitting from the construction boom that is making this fall a hot time for the job market.

3 Successful Strategies To Cut Your Gender Pay Gap

3 Successful Strategies To Cut Your Gender Pay Gap The gender pay gap is real -- and its significantly worse for women of color. Yet politicians are still arguing that equal pay is bad for society and will create problematic competition for mens jobs. So, what can you do to close the gender wage gap for yourself and otherbei women? Here are three successful strategies Stop the Salary History Reveal. Prospective employers like to ask, What is your current salary? This gives them an advantage in negotiating a job candidates salary. It allows employers to offer less to women as a result of well-documented gender wage gaps.This results in a cycle of pay discrimination. The cumulative impact can follow a woman from her first job through an entire career.Women in Massachusetts, Philadelphia and New York City won big in 2016 with equal pay laws. Each of these places now prohibits employers from either requiring or asking about salary history.How big will the effects of these changes be? Its difficult to know for sure, but how would a 30% salary increase as a new female employee work for you? That was the outcome, on average, for over 8,000 women hired by Google in 2015, compared with men.Googles former SVP for People Operations, Laszlo Bock, believes employers can eliminate the gender wage gap in a decade. How? By correcting for womens wages with every hire and promotion. And by targeting pay for what a job is worth, rather than basing it on a candidates previous pay.What can you do to stop the salary history reveal? When a prospective employer asks for your salary history, decline to share. Develop your negotiation skills. Self-advocate for the salary range that you deserve.In large companies, ask Employee Resource Groups to lobby HR to stop requiring job candidates to share their salary history.Ask for Transparency. Californias new fair wage law puts the burden on employers to disprove pay discrepancies based on gender, race or ethnicity. It also gives employees the right to share pay information and prohibits employer retaliation.Wage transparency helps employees fight gender and race wage gaps. Wage transparency benefits employers too. Employees who believe they are fairly compensated are more engaged and productive.Transparency across an organization requires buy-in from the top. Intels leadership supported a gender wage pay audit in 2016 and is now auditing its racial pay. Startup Buffer goes further, making its employees salaries and pay formula public.What can you do to fight for wage transparency? Many women, especially millennials, are sharing salaries with coworkers. Long considered taboo, its good for closing wage gaps. Contribute your salary and bonus information to the Fairygodboss database. Crowdsourced information for private sector compensation promotes transparency and fairness. It also helps women make informed work choices. Design a Path to Action. Want a secret handbook for advancing equity and inclusion goals in the workpl ace? Its Adam Grants Originals How Non-Conformists Move the World. Chapter three - which highlights perils and tactics for speaking while female and the double jeopardy of double minorities- is even free to download.How can you use Originals to close your own wage gap and that of others? Grants insights help you maximize your kompetenzprofil to successfully champion change.Two great strategies from the bookBe careful how you communicate your goals. Extreme messaging can alienate allies. Ideas that challenge the status quo may get more traction if masked, like a Trojan Horse, to appeal to mainstream audiences.Salesforce, for example, gained leverage for a fair pay audit on behalf of women by framing the audit as a tool to promote fair wages for everyone. Whether this Trojan Horse approach was intentional, it worked.Find your people. Imagining that you are the only one who objects to the status quo can be paralyzing. All you need is a single ally to significantly increase your resolve to act.So dont go it alone. Youre more likely to succeed by collaborating with another dissenter.By some estimates, the weltweit gender pay gap will take 170 years to close. Yet industry leaders illustrate that wage equality is possible in our lifetimes. Lets close the wage gap, now.--Kara Sammet, PhD, is a strategy, communications and program design consultant for companies and foundations that want to improve the inclusion, retention and leadership of women of all colors in tech. She previously worked with Google on projects to diversify computer science for women and underrepresented minorities. Reach her at KaraGenderLensConsulting.com and karasammet.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer

5 Great Startup Events for Rookies and Gurus Alike

5 Great Startup Events for Rookies and Gurus Alike Taking the leap from a more structured environment to the freedom and responsibility of entrepreneurship isnt easy. When I think back to the day I made the decision to quit my job and start a business, I see that one of the things I most desperately wanted was a way to test the waters. If youre in the same state of mind, dont worry. Today, there is a bevy of startup intensives that can give you the chance to try out the startup grind for a day, a weekend, or a week at a time. behauptung events, held frequently throughout the year, can help you decide if starting up is right for you.1. If Youre Just Getting Started, TryStartup WeekendIf you simply want to dip your entrepreneurial toe in the water, consider attending a Startup Weekend event. These events, held every week in cities around the world, are easy to find and gain access to. Be prepared to pitch an idea for a company and work on someone elses idea, in case yours isnt selected by the group voting process as a top team.Over the weekend, youll work with a group of strangers to create a new company and plan for its growth. By the time Sunday night pitches roll around, youll have a good understanding of some of the traits it takes to be a successful entrepreneur e.g., the ability to work under pressure, lead a team, and wear many hats.2. If You Have a Business but Youre Struggling to Gain Customers, TryLean Startup MachineIf youve tried a few Startup Weekends and are looking to further build your entrepreneurial skills, or if youre running a startup company that is in its early stages, try attending a Lean Startup Machine event near you. This weekend is geared specifically toward those who are trying to identify and build customer-driven products and organizations. Lean Startup Machine events operate in the framework established by Eric Riess The Lean Startupand the work of Steve Blank.You may not like hearing customer feedback especially if those customers dont value yourproduct or tafelgeschirr but by finding out what customers thinknow rather than later, you can begin to understand theproblems your customers do have and avoid wasting your time and money building things that no one wants to buy. While this event is also relatively easy to access, a thick skin and a willingness to talk to strangers are necessary to get the full benefit.3. If You Have Technical Skills, Try a HackathonWhether youre a student or a professional developer, hackathons can provide you the time, support, and freedom to build what youve always wanted to build. While hackathons vary in length, intensity, and focus, you can find a good collection of student-targeted events atMajor League Hacking. If youre in my neck of the woods (the Midwest),Hack Midwestis the banner event of the year. There are even distributed hackathons, open to anyone in the country, like theATT NYU C onnect Ability Challenge. Its also worth mentioning that these events often have pretty attractive cash prizes (and bragging rights) at stake.4. If Youre a Maker, Inventor, or Hardware Hacker, TryMake48If using Arduinos to create your own home security system isnt cutting it for you anymore, you might want to try a weekend-long event like Make48. While this particular competition is based here in Kansas City, there are similar robotics builds, invention challenges, and other makeathons around the country. If you get more pleasure out of creating physical solutions to problems than coding software, maker events like this offer a hands-on equivalent to a hackathon.5. If Youre Just a Little Unbalanced, TryStartupBusAre you a regular ultra-marathoner? Does a Tough Mudder sound like fun to you? You just might want to try your hand at being a buspreneur. StartupBus is a four-to-five day startup intensive created by a team of entrepreneurs who had attended Startup Weekends and asked themse lves, Could we do that on a moving bus?If youre invited to become a buspreneur (yes, the program is invite-only and requires that you be connected enough to find former buspreneurs and secure an invitation from them), you will find yourself facing all the challenges one might imagine the act of trying to build a company ona moving vehicle would entail e.g., spotty and/or insufficient Internet access, limited resources, motion sickness, ice storm, etc.But successful buspreneurs find a way to thrive in this environment, securing paying customers, raising seed money, and garnering national media coverage for a barely-hatched idea. Its a crucible, but if startup life doesnt seem daunting enough for you on its own, you may want to consider trying a trip on the StartupBus.Regardless of how you learn about the startup lifestyle, getting a chance to try it out before jumping in with both feet can be helpful in many ways. You can make friends and begin to build a network of support to lean on when times get tough. You can start to understand the structure and process of testing and iterating quickly. Even if you should decide that startup life isnt the right fit for you, your time spent dabbling in the startup world wont be wasted. You can apply you new understanding of how to make big things happen with few resources to any aspect of your career.Versions of this article originally appeared Startup Grind and BusinessCollective.Melissa Roberts is the president ofFree State Strategy Group, an integral public affairs firm the helps clients develop and execute grassroots advocacy strategies to build engaged and receptive communities both online and offline. Melissa is a proud Kansas City startup community feeder, serving on the Board of the Kansas City Startup Foundation/Kansas City Startup Village, working with theEnterprise Center in Johnson Countyand the Mid-America Angels investment network, and advising a handful of local startups in strategic communications and digi tal marketing efforts.