“So tell me a little bit about yourself.” This statement is one of the most challenging questions asked in an interview. This is a critical question that a savvy interviewer could potentially ask you, and you better have an answer. This question, presented as a statement can be the difference between you getting the job and someone else getting the job.
Don’t blow this question off, prepare for it and have an answer. Your answer should be at least 1-2 minutes, even better 2-3 minutes. It should be a brief overview of “who you are and what you bring to …read more

Tough Questions? Great Answers! – Developing Your Job Search Strategy is a workshop for those of you who find yourself in the midst of a job search. I will be facilitating this workshop for 50 people in the Baltimore, Washington, D.C. area on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Registration begins at 6:00 PM. If you are in the area and you would like to attend, reserve your seat today.
When you leave this workshop, you will have the tools you need to develop a job search strategy. You will know how to evaluate your skills and …read more

So, You’ve Been Fired is by far the most popular post I have written here at Interview Chatter over the last two years. I still respond to comments weekly. Which is why I am reposting it today. I want to hear from you. If you have recently been fired from your job and you don’t know what to do. I invite you to take a look at this post, read through the comments. You are in good company. If you have questions, again, scroll down and leave your question. I am looking for some stories. I would like to hear …read more

A person who thinks critically can ask appropriate questions, gather relevant information, efficiently and creatively sort through this information, reason logically from this information, and come to reliable and trustworthy conclusions. Critical thinkers gather information from all senses, verbal, written expression, reflection, observation, experience and reasoning
Here are some characteristics of a strong critical thinker, according to Raymond Nickerson, an authority on critical thinking:

Uses evidence skillfully and impartially
Organizes thoughts and articulates them concisely and coherently
Distinguishes between logically valid and invalid inferences
Understands the differences between reasoning and rationalizing
Applies problem solving techniques in domains other than those in which learned

For Managers: If critical …read more

Given my post a few days ago, I thought I would share some questions that are actually inappropriate for a hiring manager to ask.
Take a look:
1. How old are you?
2. When were you born?
3. Aren’t you a little young or old to be considering this position?
4. Are you married? Single? Divorced? Separated?
5. Why have you never been married?
6. What kind of work does you spouse do?
7. Do you intend to have children?
8. Tell me about your children.
9. What’s your nationality?
10. Were you born in this country?
11. What’s your sexual orientation?
12. Are you a member of any religious groups?
13. Do you …read more

As a contributor to Secrets of the Job Hunt, I get to meet people from all over the world and respond to questions by job seekers. One of the readers at Secrets of the Job Hunt recently was asked:

1. Who do you believe will win the Presidential election?
2. What year did you graduate from college?

The reader wanted to know whether these questions were inappropriate. What do you think?
Here are my thoughts:
First, some interviewers may ask these questions with no hidden agenda or motive. They may just be trying to make small talk. However a savvy interviewer could be asking these …read more

One of the most popular posts here at Interview Chatter is called So, You’ve Been Fired. Many people have found this post and the comments helpful. I probably get 2-3 comments per week from someone out there who needs assistance with an interview because they have agreed to leave, mutually with their employer or they have been fired. They struggle with what they should say about the previous job situation and what led to the termination or their departure.
There is one Very Important Question you should ask the HR person on your way out the door – “What will you …read more

So, you didn’t get the job and you are wondering why.  Why not just ask the hiring manager?  But, before you do it’s important to think about your strategy.  You don’t want to put him/her on the spot by asking awkwardly phrased questions but most hiring managers would be happy to give you feedback if you ask the right way.
What you shouldn’t ask:
“I wondered if you could tell me why I was not selected for the job?”  This is really difficult question for the interviewer to answer without the risk of insulting the candidate and rather than insult the candidate, they’ll …read more

If you work in a large organization that posts jobs internally for employees, you may not be aware that many employers (including mine) automatically send a notification to your manager every time you apply for an internal position.
Being transparent about your job search is almost always best. If at all possible, try to sit down with your manager and explain to him/her that you’ll be exploring other options and wanted to let him/her know so that they don’t hear about it from somebody else, first. Managers know that their employees need to act in their own best …read more

There are many people today who lose their jobs for one reason or another. Some lose their jobs by no fault of their own, and others actually assist the organization in their termination by misbehaving, doing something unethical, like stealing, lying, questionable decisions that impact customers, suppliers and the list goes on.
It so important to evaluate yourself, give yourself feedback. You know yourself better than the closest person to you. You live with your thoughts and motives that determine your behavior. So take a moment and be real, honest with yourself.

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Have you …read more