Are You The Right Fit For This Company?

Are You the Right Fit for this Company?


OK. You’ve landed the on-site job interview and have worked hard to get this far. You’ve researched the company—on paper, a “dream comes true.” You’ve role played potential interview questions with your significant other. Your best business suit is cleaned and pressed. You’ve got all your ducks in a row. But, have you taken the time to consider if YOU will be happy working at this company?

During the interview process the primary focus is on selling yourself and making the best impression. Have the hiring managers done the same in selling the company to you? It’s a two way street. One big shortcoming within the corporate community is that companies often get cavalier in their attitudes and forget they need to sell you on the opportunity they are offering. You need to evaluate IF YOU will be happy in this work environment. Some things to consider during your visit:

Were you given an interview schedule?
Were your travel arrangements skillfully made and seamless? (Weather delays don’t count.)
How were you treated? Were you warmly welcomed or did you feel like the interviewers were doing you a favor? Were you treated with respect?
Were your interviewers prepared and on time?
What phrases or “buzz words” did the interviewers use frequently? Companies often have themes or unspoken tone to the questions asked.
Were your questions respectfully answered, or were the responses vague or evasive?

Without delving into proprietary information, ask questions about company culture. Here are some to consider:

How does the company, or team you’d be a part of, handle different opinions or conflict?
How does the company recognize individual or group accomplishments?
Does the company have a formal ethics code?
Can you describe the management style of the company?
Does the company offer reimbursement for continuing education and what type of career development can an employee expect?
Who are the most successful employees at this company? Can you describe their qualities?

Facebook Is For Employers, Too

Responsible employers will check your references from past jobs. We all know that. However, some job seekers still don’t clean up their MySpace or Facebook page. We often still think of these pages as personal information for ourselves and our friends. While friends want to see the pictures from the last crazy party, all employers will see is another irresponsible kid they wouldn’t consider hiring. Some job seekers might not even get an interview for this reason, and they don’t learn to clean up their page for the next opportunity. So how do you make your page employer friendly?

Consider how your grandmother would react if she saw your webpage. If there’s anything on there that could potentially shock her, then that’s a red flag for employers. If you don’t want to delete some questionable material, then familiarize yourself with the privacy settings. Also, be prepared for the interviewer to ask about your social networking profile. Answer honestly, because there’s a good chance they’ve already checked your page. Take all the proper precautions, and you won’t be the qualified candidate that got rejected by last night’s pictures.

More "Best" questions and your responses

I ask people how their significant other would describe them. It makes people think because they try to answer with a "business" response and it sounds funny when you hear some of the responses. It leads to a deeper understanding of how people handle surprises. I use Neal's crash and burn question also.—John

Interesting. A couple of comments. I think I have heard, or read about most of these questions (except how does one know anything). As I encounter new questions, I add them to a list, that is organized with similar types of questions. So, when I go for an interview, I make sure I can answer the questions for each category. I also use some of the questions when I interview to hire. Second, some of these questions are designed to test your BS factor. If you don't know the answer, say so, don't try to BS your way through it.Finally, "how do we know anything" is a question of epistemology that philosophers have wrestled with for a long time. DeCartes famously asked the question, "how do we know that we are not sleeping right now?" There is great disagreement among these experts, so how the heck should I know. However, I am confident that at this moment, I am not dreaming. I don't know how, but I am confident. So there.—Steven :-)

Let's spool things up and make Jan earn her money.* When was the last time you put your foot in your mouth?(during an interiew lunch while discussing my wonderful family and referring to my daughter as the "Queen B*tch". Yeah, that stopped traffic. It just came out that way.)*

What games do you have to play to get on the right side of people who matter in your company? (Are you referring to the "suck-up" game??)*

You probably have worked with one or two incompetent or obnoxious people. How do they manage to keep their jobs? (The answer to this one is a bit trickier but sucking up does count as an answer AND it really helps if they have pictures of senior management in compromising positions with animals - or a secretary. I'm convinced that the latter is the actual reason because there are yahoos at my last company who should have been gone a LONG time ago - instead they RIF'ed the productive ones.)*

What proverb captures the essence or your career so far? (When all else fails blame a suck up.)

*If you worked in a big glass fishbowl, what might you do differently? (I'd put up curtains)*How many unproductive phone conversations do you have in the course of an average workweek? (All of then except when I'm speaking to my wife)--Glenn

What's the BEST question you've ever been asked during a job interview?

You said:

How and when would you acknowledge your biggest ever career mistake to a superior?--Michael

"How do you like to be managed?" Has that one recently. Excellent question. Really turned into a thought provoking question and opened up wider discovery questions on both sides.—Joel

The BEST question I ever was asked was,"You're overqualified for this position, but would you be interested in this other unadvertised position?"No, seriously, at my last interview I was asked,"You have problem-solving listed as one of your strengths. Can you give me an example of a time you used your problem-solving skills?"I kind of bungled my answer (at least I didn't splurt out the story of the time one of my technicians accidentally ignited a beaker of alcohol, and "after carefully considering all my options I chose to extinguish the flames...") but I thought it was a good question that could really allow you to get a feel for the candidate.—W.

The question about the ideal supervisor above is great - wish I had been asked that as I probably wouldn't have been hired for a previous job that was not a good fit for me. Another question that I have asked is "If your previous supervisor was here now, what would they say are your greatest strengths?"—Susan

Why is a manhole cover round?--BrianAfter giving very obvious reasons - Easier for a human to fit through it, Impossible for the cover to fall through the hole – they were looking for “I have no idea let me check on that and get back to you”—Brian.

I had a fellow once say to me, “Well it appears you’ve never achieved greatness, or have you?”
--John

Those are all great questions. One that I think is intriguing and also helpful from an interviewer standpoint, is to ask them to describe their ideal supervisor. This I think helps you to determine if you can provide to the employee the type of leadership/guidance they are looking for.--Krissy

I was asked what was the last book I read. Luckily I read it while flying out to the interview, so it was fresh in my mind. And it wasn't some business leadership book. That was fun.--Michael

When can you start?—Larry

What does their company do that attracted me to submit a resume for the position? This question can be taken so many different ways that it will give you insight on so many levels...—Wayne

"If I were to walk into an auditorium sized room with oh...lets say, 75-100 (candidates title or functional responsibility), professionals. Without physical attributes (don't care what you look like), how would I be able to survey the room and immediately pick you out from the crowd." We ask it during the course of our qualification process and typically it yields the "Wow, great question" response from the candidate.—Anthony

I wouldn't necessarily classify these two questions I was once asked as "great" - they were more odd than great. And they certainly set the tone for a tough interview with a quirky and somewhat brilliant person. (Disclaimer: I didn't get the job - I lost out to someone with industry experience. I had been looking to get onto Wall St as an analyst, from my only work experience at the time, as an accountant.) The first thing I was asked, as soon as the interview began, was to divide 6 by 7 in my head, carry the answer to four decimals and verbalize the answer as soon as I got it. He then followed up by asking me, "How does one know anything". As I noted, I didn't get the job, but it was an interesting interview experience. Oh, and for the record, I got the first question right, and the second question….well, it's really too subjective to be right or wrong, but he seemed to like my (improvised and admittedly mostly just a guess at a) response.—Michael

What would your last boss list as your top weakness?—Andrew

Do you have the ability to learn new things? AND, what was the last thing you taught yourself to be able to do/perform?—Jeff

OK Jan, let's see if we can rattle the tree for you with "best questions": *What color is your brain? *If you got on an elevator where everyone was facing backwards, what would you do? *Why is a tennis ball covered in fuzz? *If you could be any animal, what would it be? and my BEST and FAVORITE, ta-da is: Everyone comes to work with a backpack on, what's in yours?—Glenn

On two different sales interviews (before I was in a management role)1) Do you have fire in your belly?2) Who is neater, you or your husband?One of the best questions I have been asked (more than once) is "What is the last book you read"...I do ask this question and get some interesting answers, oftenlearn alot more about the person.—Bev

Give me an example of a time you made what you thought was a very good decision but before implementing it your supervisor disagreed with your plan. How did you handle that and what was the outcome?"—Ed

Everyone knows not to say anything negative about their previous employer/management. However, I have often been asked what I liked 'least' about my previous position. It's a tough question because if you say there's nothing you didn't like, you're immediately a liar. Everyone dislikes 'something' about their current job.—Sandra

I once was interviewing for a lead position with no managerial/supervisory responsibilities and the interviewer asks "how would you handle an employee who is not completing their assigned tasks because they have cancer?" --Dawn

When the interviewer asked me how I would handle an employee with cancer, I was shocked! I stated that I would offer any support they needed and offer them the flexibility they need to get their treatments. I would lighten their work load, if necessary and ask other team members to pick up the extra slack. Mostly I would be patient and understanding and try to eliminate any unnecessary work stress, because they have more critical issues to focus on. After my answer, he simply stated, that if an employee cannot do the assigned tasks within the specific time period, they need to be reprimanded, and eventually let go. He stated it is not fair for the company to suffer because of someone's failing health. Good luck to anyone dealing with cancer. Hopefully you do work for this guy :-)—Dawn

Wow, that cancer question is somewhat offensive .. I am a young cancer survivor for 1 year now and if I had been asked that question, I'm not sure I would have kept my cool. I wonder if that interviewer has any idea what its like to have a life threatening illness, and still have to work to make sure you keep benefits .. what it is like to come to work with painted on eyebrows and a wig. Yeah, of course I didn't perform to maximum capacity. I was fighting cancer! The best thing a manager can do with a cancer employee is to be upfront with them and work with them to determine how much they can handle and to have the employee give proper notice when workload is getting too much so tasks can be shifted. I definitely did more "busy work" type tasks during treatment and less high profile tasks. My employer was great in treating me as if I was not sick and letting me decide when things got too much to deal with (like during chemo). Personally, I think the interviewer should make the question more general and ask what you would do if an employee was not performing due to any mental or physical illness. Why specifically cancer employees? Are we so different? There is actually a group dedicated to employees and employers who are dealing with cancer. http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcancerandcareers%2Eorg%2F&urlhash=BbVD&_t=tracking_disc It answers the exact question this interviewer asked.—Nancy

I was once asked, "If you and a turtle were alone together in the desert with no water, what would you do??" –Gary

Believe it or not, I told the interviewer (who was a VP) that I may attempt to get moisture from the turtle's skin to help me survive in the desert!!

"If we were looking at your gravestone and your friends and colleagues had an input into the engraving, what would it say?" This was from Lara at ABC Company. It took me completely by surprise and forced me to think on my feet. I got the job. I won't tell you the reply!—Larry

Best question I ever asked an interviewer - "if you were me, what would you ask about this job?"--Steven

Are you indispensable?

The economy takes no prisoners these days. Companies fall to the recession left and right, and those that survive must let loose extra employees weighing them down. How can you set yourself apart from the crowd when you’re not even sure the boss knows your name? Go above and beyond the basics of your job description, and you will create your own reputation that highlights your indispensable talents.
At a sales position, you might notice that clients wish your company had overnight shipping. Let the boss know, and you’ll set yourself apart for retention and even future promotion. If the boss starts to see you as an idea person, confirm his belief by offering more possible solutions.
Also, don’t be afraid to embrace other positive labels: the good listener, the funny guy, the crisis fixer. Reinforce whichever label fits you and you’ll be tougher for management to let go than the face with no personality.
You can highlight any one of these labels online as well. Contribute to discussions on your company’s website, or even start your own site discussing the company’s products. Either way, push those fresh ideas in your trademark style. Now that the boss knows your name, you’ll be around longer than the next guy.

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"What is your greatest weakness?"

One of the most dreaded job interivew questions. Here's what you said:

Your biggest weakness is when you are not aware of your shortcomings or negative points.--Pankaj

I eat too much....Seriously, that’s the answer I have used in a number of interviews (112kg) its quite obvious that I do!—Paul

The expectation that the people surrounding me will have the same drive and desire for the company to achieve excellence.—Robert

I had answered this on one interview and was subsequently hired. I answered that sometimes I loose focus and get too carried away with the problem. And I appended that in such situations, I usually get out of the office, take a stroll in fresh air and address the problem again with a fresh perspective. I think no one is perfect and everyone has some weakness. To admit your weakness also shows one's honest evaluation as well--Bhawar

You answer that question with 100% HONESTY then close that answer by explaining ways you will better your weakness.—John

I was thrown a curve ball in my last interview. The question was phrased, "What would your mother say is your biggest weakness?" This twist to your question tries to force the person answering the question to take a different perspective and "hopefully" reveal more about their personality. By and large I have not been impressed by hiring managers who have hiring authority. Once you are past the basic requirements of the job, it becomes more a question on how well you would "fit" into the organization's culture. People tend to hire others that they feel can do the job and will "get along" with others in the group or team.--Rod

My weakness? I can resist anything but temptation! Seriously, I have gotten that question on interviews recently. As a sales professional, I have answered in the past that I am stubborn. When it comes to taking no for an answer during a sales call..--Randall

what I usually say-- and it's the truth-- that I'm not good at keeping expense reports. That in the past if I had been reimbursed for all the mileage I'd put in on a job, I could have bought a new car. But then I add that I've come up with a system to deal with this weakness, and that's carrying a clipboard in my car with a form I made, and writing down ALL my mileage and expenses every day,whether they are business related or not, and I put a check in the correct box-- business-related or personal. I still don't like doing this, but it does keep me on track.
--Carol

Two strategies for dealing with this: first, mention something that is both a strength and a weakness, like always wanting more info, and explain how you prevent the disadvantage of never finishing the assignment or reaching a conclusion. Second, describe a weakness you had earlier in your career, and give a short description of how you overcame that weakness.--Mary

I used to always say "thinking that I don't have any" and leave it at that. I never got once asked to elaborate on this answer I don't know why. Still it worked each time I was going for a job which wasn't that often. Good thought provoking question!!! --Ian

I don't want people to tell me their weaknesses. I hire people to do a job and I expect them in an interview to explain to me what strengths: skills, behaviours, experience, track record they will implement to do that job. To get the best out of someone, I expect him/her to be willing to provide the best and anyone who starts explaining weaknesses (which are always relative, fluctuate and merely the result of subjective perceptions) is not focusing on what the job requires. I've rarely heard a professional football player or basketball player go into a key match admitting his/her weaknesses. However, I've often heard them explain how they play to their strengths. So from a HR point of view and even if I know that many of my colleagues in HR may not agree with me, I expect candidates to convince me of their strengths and I don't expect them to plunge on their sword by revealing their imperfections.—Joseph

Joseph, I can't even imagine someone in an interview launching into an unprompted discussion on their weaknesses. If they did, I'm sure it would be a very short interview. As an interviewer, I always ask this question, with no care for knowing what the weakness is but to get a better understanding of the person. As you mentioned, I would hire them based on their skills and strengths but you can't hire based just on that. You need to know the person will fit the culture of the organization. I don't interview people that don't have the skills I need, they get weeded out early. I will ask 2 - 3 questions in an interview to get confirmation of their skills to make sure the resume is truthful, but the remaining questions are all about getting to know the person, how they think, how they behave under pressue (which this question illicts). Many hires go badly because companies don't consider organizational fit in the hiring process.—Gregg

Jan, this is a question which is asked often of a sales candidate. Thus, all individuals entering an interview should be prepared in advance to answer it. One answer which is particularly good for a sales candidate, it to state that your biggest weakness is "impatience". Then elaborate on that statement by saying that you strive to be the #1 rep in your region, and that your impatience in becoming #1 causes you to make that "extra sales call" each day, or lie awake at night thinking about how to "close that tough customer". Thus, you are turning a "weakness", impatience, into a quality which is a benefit to a sales representative.—Ian

I have difficulty when people are not as enthusiastic about the job as I am. - Completing my paperwork in an enthusiastic way. However I make sure I am prompt with it's delivery.—Adam

Wow, what a broad spectrum of answers. From my perspective the truth is the only way to go. We all have weaknesses so to play the turnaround game of saying "my weakness is my strength in ...." would immediately raise a red flag for me as an interviewer. Basically tells me this guy'gal thinks they're perfect or has something to hide. I know my weaknesses and have enough self esteem to admit them. As a business leader I also know to hire people around me that complement my weaknesses. As an example I am truly a believer in people. One of my weaknesses is sometimes allowing people too much rope before making the decision to remove them. I go for remedial training, performance improvement plans, etc because my belief system tells me people want to do a good job. Based on this I know I need a strong HR person around me to tell, not suggest, that I have been more than fair and have to act. It is a weakness and I know it but I also recognize it and know how to address it. When I am being interviewed and have answered this question with the above weakness, I have yet to receive anything but positive responses. I believe that is the case NOT because of the specific weakness, but because I was honest. For all you leaders out there, remember one of the basic facts is that "management" is liars. The more ammunition we provide to prove to support that stereotype will make developing trust just that more difficult.—Gregg

A willingness to speak to anyone at anytime which costs exactly that .....time!—Allan

Hi, Jan--this is a question a lot of employers are asking today. I think many candidates tend to answer the question with something that may be perceived as a positive, such as "I work too hard." Employers are wary of these type of answers as it may appear the candidate is "hiding something."My advice is to be truthful. Focus on recent feedback you've been given by a boss, coworker, etc. AND the specific actions you took to address the weakness.For example: "In my last job, my manager told me that he was surprised at the invoices that came across his desk in terms of high expenses he did not anticipate. So, I set up a system to submit purchase orders to him, first. He would sign off on the purchase order and, when the invoice arrived, I would attach the PO to the invoice for his review. In my last performance review, he noted this process was keeping him much more informed.So, be honest about the weakness (if they hire you, they're gonna find out anyway!) and focus on what you're doing to improve.—Steve B.

I think this question is a very interesting one to answer. I agree, it can sometimes be good to answer it with a strength. However, it is also important to follow the flow of the interview. They ask you skills questions, they ask you leadership questions, and they will ask you "are you the right fit" questions. If it is during the skills questioning time, you want to focus on the job description and how you can use it to benefit them. If it is during the leadership questioning time, you want to show your weakness as something you acknowledge and are working to improve. As a leader, personal weaknesses are OK as long as you are aware of them and can manage them. If it is in the "are you the right fit" time, you want to determine if it will impact the chemistry of the office. They are probably looking to you to help improve the cohesiveness as well as meet operational goals. Any weakness should be minor and not impactful to the team. Hope you find this helpful.—Alex

I used to always say “thinking that I don’t have any” and leave it at that. I never got once asked to elaborate on this answer and I don’t know why. Still it worked each time I was going for a job which wasn’t that often. Good thought provoking question!--Ian

Where is the weakness? As far as I am concerned what you have said is a strength - not a weakness, or maybe that's the point?—Andrea

The best response I ever received was, "I would probably say that my weaknesses are also many of my strengths." (sound confusing?) The candidate went on to say, "While I'm very proficient in my understanding of this industry (telecom), it's so perpetual that there's always more to learn and ways to further develop my skills."—Susan

Jan, I haven't interviewed in awhile, but I did get that question several years ago. I said that I tend to be too competitive and work too hard to reach my goals or finish projects, (which is true by the way.) I also had a challenge dealing with incompetence and people who only give mediocre effort to their job. I don't know if that resonated but I did get the job I was interviewing for.—Neil

I wouldn't tell someone that I had no weaknesses, that could easily come across as being arrogant which is a terrible weakness in itself. Whenever I'm asked that question, I always answer that I am at heart a perfectionist (which is 100% true.) If they don't see being a perfectionist as a weakness (which sometimes happens, particularly if they are perfectionists themselves) I explain to them that the problem with perfectionists is that they would willingly spend additional time and money trying to get something that would be quite acceptable to be 'just right,' or to improve on something that currently works just fine as it. I then reassure them that because I know I am a perfectionist, I am constantly on my guard to make sure that when I am working on something that I understand what is 'good enough' is and don't needlessly waste additional time trying to make a 'good' job a little bit better. Most business people I deal with appreciate this approach, particularly because I usually charge them by the hour. It might not be an answer that works for everyone or in every situation.—David

All interview questions are asked in the context of "you" in relation to the organisation that is interviewing you. The answer should be dynamic as opposed to static. The answer should point to some aspect of the organisation that is unknown to you at this point, primarily because it can only be known by an "insider" and at this stage in the process. you are an "outsider" wanting to become an "insider".—Sam

Hi, I would turn whatever weakness I had in the past into a positive by both demonstrating that I recognised it and what I had done about it. Thus 'your biggest weakness' becomes a strength. Just my response - anyone else?—Adrian

I would say honestly as well. It will take away the need to hide or disguise your weakness.--Dennis

Interesting feedback. Personally I think this is one of the most arrogant questions asked during interviews because the interviewer never returns some constructive feedback to the answer you give. They never ever say: ok, well we can handle that or that's no problem we have solutions for that. They just leave you with the feedback you have given. Lately I stopped answering to these kind of questions ( like the your 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses). I return the question to the interviewer that if she/he provides me the same answers on his personality and/or the company they work for then I will respond. Amazing the reactions I get.—Jarek

Evrybody has weaknesses. Positioning a strength as your weakness will be recognized as BS and negatively impact your credibility. I believe the key is:1) You are sufficiently self-aware that you know your weakness,2) You have developed interpersonal and management styles to overcome it.--Brant

As somebody else said - truthfully. This means knowing yourself, and if THAT means having to do some serious introspection as part of your job search, so be it. Most employers accept that people have weaknesses. Professing yourself to NOT having a weakness is, in itself, a weakness. It smacks of conceit and arrogance. A well considered expose of a genuine weakness and, more importantly, what you have done/are doing/would do about counteracting it is an excellent interview stratagem. Such a response shows that you are objective, honest and the right balance of confident/aware. If all else fails, do what I do and ask your significant other to tell you what your biggest weakness is. My wife is forever telling me what mine is!!! :-):-)—Steve

Obviously you just can't say you don't have any. You can mention one or two (favoring towards the 'minor' weaknesses) but followed with how you've eliminated or strengthened the weakness, e.g., "On job xxxx I found I wasn't as organized as I needed to be. I've now created folders for all my accounts and do not let documents accumulate more than two days."—Steve

think the best way is answer this question is to state a weakness that is irrelevant to your job requirement. It also depends on how you "phrase" your answer. Another way to get by is to add a little humor to your answer. It always help. :-)—Alvin

My biggest weakness is that I'm too effective....and therefore the rest of the business has to catch up to me... which usually ends up distorting the optimum corporate "Effectiveness/Lag Time" ratio....—Scott

Heres a better one: What do your parents think of you?—Paul

Truthfully!—Bob

Good answers !! As we're all prepared to talk about strengths, this question is often uncomfortable more if you are not prepared and it takes seconds to start answering. I prefer as Paul to talk about weakness that in reality can be transformed in strengths like :a) Hard to tolerate a job not well doneb) Too much detail at workc) Too loyal at the risk of my own job.d) Process focused.It's a mandatory question after the strengths question that interviewers have to ask even as they know that your answer is not always the truth. Always be prepared to support with examples and references to allow the interviewer to see the big picture.—Samuel

The area I am working on most to improve is ...........—Mike

A counselor gave me the best: "I don't do well when I am given a task with a set of boundaries and then micro-managed. I am a leader - give me the task and the time table, then judge me after it is finished." –-Sam

You have to realize why they are asking the question, and give them an answer that is appropriate. They what to know how you grow and correct negative points in your make-up. I typically say that I have little patience with people that use statistics and data incorrectly. Especially in a meeting where people look to me to ensure nobody is 'gaming' the crowd. I used to call them on it right there on the spot, and came off as 'arrogant'. Now I see it as an opportunity to educate the person on how they went wrong, and allow them to come back to the room and say "after further digging, I have to correct something I said before". They save face, the problem is corrected, and people view me as a coach instead of the data police.—Michael

How about "I'm not able to work 24 hours a day" or, better yet, respond with "Why are you asking that question--we both know that's not likely to develop a trust-based dialog?" You may really want to consider if you want a job working for someone who plays the "gotcha" game...—Michael

Dear Jan--
I answer this by saying my strengths are my weakness ... eg. I am very organised and work in a structured / process oriented environment... if the client place is not all that organised then, will be willing to change their place for the good failing which I will ship out....—Anand

When a candidate I'm interviewing gives some bogus weakness (a strength disguised as a weakness) I become suspicious that either they're hiding something significant or they simply aren't self-aware enough to know their own shortcomings. If they do that, I typically use a few follow up questions/statements to get them to shoot straight. In my view, the world is different than it was when all the interview coaches first starting teaching people how to hide weaknesses. We're now in a world moving rapidly toward openness and transparency. Companies and individuals afraid to face the brutal realities are getting crushed. The best thing a candidate can do when asked that question is to answer truthfully and engage in an honest dialogue around how that weakness can be managed around or fixed in order to achieve stellar performance.--Travis

Consider the role you are interviewing for ! More than likely a Continuous Improvement role. What do we do ! We look for laws, fault, and weakness then develop solutions! Same applied for our own self evaluation ! if you can't apply this to yourself how can you apply to a new business?As some have mentioned ! be overt, but offer up solutions of how you do or intend to manage this, there are mant texts out there especially Carl Jung who can offer up solutions to manage ones own weaknesses, as we are really talking about traits or preferences in how we deal with problems.—Gary

I tend to get disgusted on a project where there is little engagement on the part of the stakeholders who hired me to get this project up and running. So that the negativity doesn't reflect in working with team members I use a high feedback, highly participatory process in the requirements gathering and make involvement very visible.—Jeffrey

Turns your weaknesses into positives, ie "I'm a workaholic," "I always look at details", "I review things carefully before I submit/propose ideas." Let the weaknesses become positives. Don't reveal weaknesses that you would not want to hear.—Mark

Complementing Marks's answer, Analyze the environment, the company, the position & responsibilities and you have your answer. Any weakness can (and should be) transformed into a positive one and that's something Mark is transmitting. You'll never hire a person who has weakness that deteriorate the labor climate or can't stand to the level of requirements for such position.—Samuel

Procrastination. But now I am using a prioritized Things To Do reminders that keeps me from procrastinating. I am surely getting better.—Parth

I say Chocolate!! I think the question is asked to know what you are going to overcome your
weakness.—Shawn

I have none. Steel will and power :-) Answering this one is a lose-lose situation. This type of questions should not be allowed. On my weaknesses I take the fifth :-)—Jean Pierre

I spend too much time surfing the web at work.—Cindy

"I have a hard time putting up with mediocrity and stupidity"—Dave W.

Just answer the question, everybody has a weakness and knowing what it is demonstrates honesty. Being big enough to admit a weakness has got to be a strength.—Christopher

My greatest weakness is related to one of my greatest strengths. Sometimes I have to ask for a little additional time to complete a project so that nothing I turn in is less than what my customer or management team expects of me.--Tom

Jan--One of the tougher interview questions and a risky one to answer here in a semi-public forum, but here goes! Obviously the old saw was to say "My friends tell me I work too hard." That answer has become cliché, it would seem. Newer advice says to cop to something, but how does one ever know if that one little shred of info will be used to eliminate you as a candidate? I think it's important to look objectively at your skills, pick an area of potential growth (c'mon, we ALL have them!), and develop a response that has a positive theme to it. Sometimes, I have said in response to that question: "I don't enjoy the feeling of knowing a team mate or direct report is failing. When dealing with a performance issue, I usually err on the side of extra coaching and performance improvement versus giving up on them. That said, all the coaching in the world won't help if someone is no longer a good fit for their position. I always know when it's time to move a non-performer off the bus, and I count on my leadership team for their support." Now that I stuck my neck out, I accept all criticism and feedback!—Ed

Following the normal 2-step interview pattern of Problem then Solution, I usually say this. Keep in mind I am from the Project Management world. Often I get too wrapped up in the details of the project, often striving for perfection (do it yourself syndrome) and at times, end up taking on too much work. The remedy and workable solution I have experienced is to weave personal tasks and checkpoints into my project plan and resource control documents to ensure I only give myself the allotted time to complete my tasks. I publish this set of documents to peer PM's, team members and stakeholder to ensure visibility is given, as well as to ensure someone else is in review, aka another form of risk management (cya). This will usually lead to inquiries on examples of the tasks in the project plan and resource mgmt sheets allowing me to showcase my work at the same time. Up to now, I have not had any show stopper interview issues using this comment and often ask the same question back to the interviewer and the company I am applying to.—Greg D.

Being a perfectionist ...—Nishant

All of the responses have been good. I'll them to my repertoire. The one I haved used sucessfully is: "I believe I should always be improving upon myself, good or bad. I learn from my mistakes and weaknesses and take the corrective action to fix the situation."—John W.

This is a tricky question because many individuals do not know what their weaknesses are. Those who do fear that by telling an interviewer their weakness they will disqualify themselves from the position. My recommendation would be to choose a weakness that you have taken an active role to overcome. An example of this would be public speaking (most people fear this more then death). If you explain that in order to improve your public speaking you have taken several speech classes this will make you attractive in the eyes of your interviewer because they see that: a) you know and are conferrable with your weakness b) you are taking part in improving your skills. Hope this info helps!—Doron

I ask all candidates a variation of this question during my screens and then coach them on this question before their interview with a client. The best candidates can articulate their weakness and then follow-up with what they are doing to improve upon it. I will typically ask that question during the screen as well. I will also work down a list of attributes for the position and ask which ones they fell strongest in and where they would like to improve. Occasionally I will get the "I'm not sure what I need improvement on" or "I'm not weak in any of those". I then try to bite my tongue and not say something about forgetting to add "humility" to the list.—Mark

Jan--I believe this question is quite hackneyed and can be treated with a little contempt, by using it as a platform to lead the interview. So, reply with an answer that extols a virtue rather than a weakness. An example might be; A. Feedback from my team has shown that I set a very high standard, one which they can sometimes feel daunted by. As a leader I have to be sensitive not to let this demotivate them. (a nod in the direction of potential weakness) I have been careful to use the high standard setting as a good opportunity for me to teach my team to stretch themselves and not be afraid of failure. The bonding achieved by collective responsibility has encouraged my team to try things they previously didn't think they were capable of. Overall I hope that I have used my weakness for setting demanding standards to the teams advantage. (This last line is quite punchy and should be used advisedly.)—Johnny

OMG the "greatest weakness" question will never go away will it? So much as been written on how to answer this one question and we keep trying to come up with something more creative than before. After countless interviews and countless times hearing this question I'm done with turning this question inside out. Nope, time for some serious answers to this question boys and girls and not necessarily in this order: a) I don't have weaknesses. I have developmental OPPORTUNITIES. b) Carbohydrates c) Kryptonite d) Cupcakes e) The color pink (it's a LONG story) f) Animals in distress And YES, I have successfully used a,b, c, d&f during interviews and gotten jobs with those answers. It's an absolute hoot to take the interviewer off base. Usually they repeat the question thinking that you didn't hear them correctly as they are looking for one of those pre-programmed answers. Just keep repeating the same answer until they understand that you are serious. I got hit with this question during a lunch on a recent interview. It was a long morning, I was hungry, I dove first for the croutons on my salad and then WHAM, the what's your greatest question arrived. Well "carbohydrates" was my response and with that the question was repeated. My answer is carbohydrates because as you noticed I went straight for the croutons....—Glenn

I usually try to be thoughtful, mindful and positive about this question, depending on the position. I believe one of my weaknesses is difficulty letting go. Taking ownership of any duty, task, responsibility and/or project is very important to me and when it is time to begin delegating or letting go, it is very much like a parent cutting the apron strings. I have learned through watching how my initiatives have taken hold and evolved over time that there is creativity in others for the process, and keeping that in mind gives me courage to willingly "cut the strings" with less regret and move forward.—Diane

Tell you what folks. No names no pack drill, but a few of you have revealed some weaknesses to me with your answers! Hey! Vive la difference!—Steve

Steve--So what I like my grub! LOL I am not sure how many that have answered have had to do a series of interviews but be sure of this, if it was me that was interviewing I would be so bored useless of the "smoke up my ass" replies. Very few of them are inspiring or different or will mark you out frorm the crowd. A weakness is something you know about yourself that you know you need to fix. It is not and never has been a strength. A weakness could be that you you have a drug problem. Someone want to explain the strengh in that?? Going to AD/AA/Rehab doesnt count. When you fix it (ie its in your past) its no longer a weakness!--Paul

This is what I call a Dilbert question & I have never been able to take it seriously. If asked, I hoot with laughter and ask "Weaknesses? What weaknesses?? Well, I haven't been published in the Harvard Business Review or featured in Time magazine (yet), so I suppose that is a weakness. Jeez, I hope your next question isn't going to be: where do you see yourself in 3 years time?" This response usually causes the interviewer to squirm uncomfortably and it is terrific fun for the interviewee...go on, lighten up and give it a go... never fails.--Dee

How to you answer this interview question?

What is your biggest weakness?

Show Your Value AND Your Accomplishments

When companies fight through difficult economies, they are more concerned with productivity—and getting as much out of existing employees as they can. They’ll eliminate underperformers, and retain those who are high achievers. Job seekers need to show that they can be more than another drain on a company’s budget. Recruiters will take notice when a resume does more than just restate the typical responsibilities of the job title. They like to see a resume that gives specific figures indicating the bottom line of an employee’s work.
If you improved efficiency on the production of an existing product, give a specific dollar amount in savings on the old product versus the new product. As a manager, state a definite percentage increase in production as a result of a program you implemented. Total work hours saved at any position can also encourage a recruiter to take a closer look at your resume. While recruiters do need a thumbnail of your past job duties, don’t just paste in your company’s boiler plate job description. Everyone who is in a hiring position is more interested in what you can do for them, rather than what you were required to do in the past. Show your accomplishments!

Be Nice to Recruiters

Although Recruiters may not get the ultimate say on whether or not you get hired, they have a great deal of influence with the hiring managers. They are the gatekeepers and will be the decision makers on whether or not you move on in the hiring process. You better figure out how to impress your recruiter first—he or she has a reputation to maintain with their client companies. Why would they send you on if you’re not the best they have to offer? How do you take advantage of this elusive key that can open doors to your next job?

First—don’t treat the recruiter like a hired hand. A recruiter represents your first hurdle in the recruiting process. Impress them! Give it all you’ve got! Be personable. If that recruiter doesn’t have a job that’s a good fit for you, but thinks you are worth the effort, he or she will market you to other clients and recruiters they network with. That means more exposure for you. If you treat a recruiter poorly or as someone working for YOU, there’s no surer way to bring a halt to the process.

Treat recruiters as partners in the hiring process. In a job market as competitive as today’s you need all the help you can get!

For more tips on job hunting go to: www.appleassocglobal.com

Social Media: An Asset to Your Job Search

Social Media is on the rise today. The growth of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have all contributed to an alternative way to conduct a job search. If you have accounts on these sites, more often than not you have a vast database for career resources at your fingertips. The key to taking advantage of your online network is be stay active and in touch with your connections. It's important to participate in groups discussions and post any concerns or questions that you have about your industry. With the advent of the Internet age, it is more important now than ever to establish a strong "online presence". Taking the time to work on your online presence can prove to be extremely valuable in the future.

Instead of Looking for Positions, Look for People
In many ways this search method is more effective and useful than responding to postings online. Personally contacting people about open positions is guaranteed to be more successful than responding to a listing because of the human contact and relationship building that is made in the process. If you are looking for a job in the Medical Device Industry, connect with Medical Device groups on LinkedIn and Facebook. In these groups you can actively post your qualifications for a job as well as view other listings for potential openings. At the same time, viewing the profiles of people who work in the company that you want to apply to also gives you a sense of what the company's work culture is like. Reading other people's profiles also gives you a sense of whether or not you can fit into the company's corporate environment - which is an essential factor when HR managers make hiring decisions.
Another method of utilizing these sites is to take advantage of the ability to message people that work in your target companies. Before doing so, make sure to do your research on the company - don't just simply message the individual asking for a job offer, but build rapport with them. You may not get a job offer but in the end expanding your network will only work to expand your career.

Tweet it on Twitter
Establishing a strong prescence on Twitter is not only essential to expanding your online network - but it is also a good way to publicize your name and experience in your field. Completing a full profile with a background on Twitter is essential to participating in "tweeting". Connecting with recruiters and companies on Twitter shows them that you are extremely interested and proactive in wanting to join their workforce. Furthermore, you can follow job leads on Twitter once you subscribe to recuriter Twitter accounts. Working with Twitter is not only fun, but also a good way to contact as many people as you can without meeting them face to face.

Find a community on Facebook
Facebook can also be an important asset. Joining groups in your area of expertise as well as adding yourself to alumni and professional networks can give you a heads up on tips to improve your image at work as well as the latest industry trends and news. Facebook may not seem as professional as LinkedIn, but it's personal connections through Facebook that can give you a whole new perspective on those in your field. Plus, getting to know your peers personally through Facebook only makes it much more easier to network with them and ask them for possible job opportunities and tips.

LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are all relatively new tools that can baffle a lot of people. It's relatively easy to create a profile and stay in touch with people - so why not do it and promote yourself professionally at the same time? Just a few minutes checking these sites everyday can really expand your networking potential - get yourself out there on the web!

It's hard to find a job when your credit is bad....

Check out the L.A. Times..”Trapped: It’s hard to find a job when your credit is bad..”



http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cover-badcredit7-2009jun07,0,2666439.story

How To: Resume Muti-tasking

"Applying for a job is a full-time job within itself" could not be more true. A tough economy calls for more effort and most importantly more time put into applying for jobs. When dilligently checking daily job listings, most of us can spot 3-5 jobs that we are qualified for and interested in. But do you really have the time to sit down and tailor 3-5 resumes daily? Even when unemployed most of us do not. So how can you effectively manage your resumes to make the most of the time you have to apply for jobs?

First Step: Keep a general resume handy on your desktop.

Keeping a general resume is like keeping a job diary. Update your resume while you are currently working and also after you leave a job. This way you are better able to quantify your accomplishments as well as getting some great feedback from your co-workers and boss. Try to do this frequently so you are prepared when applying for a new job.

Second Step: Find the jobs you want to apply for and read their descriptions carefully.

We cannot emphasize this enough. Cut and paste the job description, put it onto Word, then print it out. Have this document at your side when editing your general resume and keep using keywords found in the description in your resume. Recruiters and companies want to find a perfect fit for the job - if you already do not have all the qualifications needed, its best to tailor your resume as much as possible.


Third Step: So now you are finished tailoring your resume. Time to submit?
NOT YET! Most people think that after tailoring their general resume they are ready to submit. Applicants like these mostly use a general cover letter that is not tailored to the company they are applying for. This is a HUGE mistake. Cover letters give the HR coordinator a first impression of the employee. You do not want your first impression to look like you mass-emailed companies your resume. So that some time out to re-write the cover letter as well.

Cater your cover letter to the industry you are applying for - that means changing the skills you list for every job. Also, do not forget to address the recipient in your cover letter. If the job description lists a name for reference, then address your cover letter to "Ms. Hudson or Mr. Lee". Do not simply put "To Whom It May Concern". At the top of the letter, list the person you are writing to, along with the address of the company. A cover letter should be written in the style of a formal letter.

Last Step: Naming your documents

It may seem minimal - but naming your attachments is also an important part of making a first impression. Do not put the company name into the resume. This sends off a message that you are apply for hundreds of other companies and that the only way you can organize your millions of resume files is to name them by the company you are applying to. Instead, name your file "Jane Doe resume" and "Jane Doe cover letter". You may also want to add in the date as well. Recruiters and Human Resource coordinators save dozens of resumes onto their computers everyday. Providing them with this information will help them remember your name and also the date when you applied. This translates to them getting back to you faster as well.


Lastly, there is one final step : FOLLOW UP! Refresh the memory of your recruiter or HR coordinator. We see hundreds of resumes everyday - giving us a call about your job application not only helps us but gives you a higher chance of scoring the job.

Getting a Job When No One is Hiring

Hidden Job Market: Myth?

Is it true that there is a "hidden" job market out there?

In a tough economy, being aggressive about getting a job is not enough - we believe it takes some extra effort to take your search "underground" to the hidden job market.

The hidden job market refers to jobs that are not publicized or posted on a company's website. At every company there is an estimated 20-25% turn over due to relocation, retirement, or career changes. So in a bad economy there is still a chance of being hired. The only difference is that the chances of being hired a much lower since the amount of positions available are vacancies and not new positions.

Finding a job in this kind of market calls for creative techniques. Researching on your company and keeping up to date on relevant news can keep you informed on the industry. If the position you want reports to the Vice President in your company, log into LinkedIn and read their profile to get a better idea of your employer. Send them an email as well to show them that you are highly interested in the job. In this economy, being shy will not help you get a job!

Tapping into the hidden job market requires a lot of research, diligence, and an outgoing personality. The main key is to use all of these qualities in a tactful manner. Constantly spamming a future employer is not as wise as sending them a well-written follow-up letter. Use your judgement carefully when communicating with a potential employer. And above all: get yourself out there!

Recruiters: Friends in a Tough Economy

Be Nice to Recruiters


Although recruiters may not get the ultimate say on whether or not you get hired, they have a great deal of influence with the hiring managers. They are the gatekeepers and will be the decision makers on whether or not you move on in the hiring process. You better figure out how to impress your recruiter first—he or she has a reputation to maintain with their client companies. Why would they send you on if you’re not the best they have to offer? How do you take advantage of this elusive key that can open doors to your next job?


First—don’t treat the recruiter like a hired hand. A recruiter represents your first hurdle in the recruiting process. Impress them! Give it all you’ve got! Be personable. If that recruiter doesn’t have a job that’s a good fit for you, but thinks you are worth the effort, he or she will market you to other clients and recruiters they network with. That means more exposure for you. If you treat a recruiter poorly or as someone working for YOU, there’s no surer way to bring a halt to the process.



Treat recruiters as partners in the hiring process. In a job market as competitive as today’s you need all the help you can get!



For more tips on job hunting go to: www.appleassocglobal.com

Debunking Job Search Myths

When looking for a job we generally hear the same tips from everyone: "Keep your resume to one page" or "Don't apply if the opening isn't relevant to your experience". In the end though, many of these tiny tidbits of advice can boil down to missing great hiring opportunities.

So what works? Here are a few of the many rumors you have heard about job searching - and reasons why they CAN work in your favor.

1. Applying to companies that aren't hiring is a waste of time

NOT true! It's estimated that people who contacted companies in search of job opportunities had a 30% increase in the likelihood of finding a job when compared to candidates who posted their resume on the Internet and waited for companies to approach them. This success rate can be attributed to the fact one set of candidates was more active in searching than the other. Taking the time to approach a company you ideally want to work for not only shows initiative, but also passion for your field of work. If you are also looking to make a career change, this may be the best move for you.

2. Keep your resume to one page

If your experience exceeds more than one page, it's in your best interest to keep your resume over one page. After editing and simplifying your resume down to its bare essentials, having your resume exceed one page is great asset. It shold satfisfy you to know that your career experience now exceeds one page of descriptions. However, remember to leave out non-essential information at the same time - the last thing you want to do is have a three-page resume with one page of information clutter.

3. Don't send a resume with non-traditional formatting

Human Resources sees a lot of resumes with similar formatting. In some industries where certification and technical skills are important (like the biotechnology industry) resume formatting is not as important as it is in some fields like marketing. There are tasteful ways of formatting your resume to stand out from the others. Methods such as using boxing or layouts that appeal to the hiring director's eye can help you differentiate yourself. When using this tactic, keep in mind that although resume formatting is important, resume content is paramount. So spend a few extra hours on your resume to make sure it is perfected.

4. Never say anything negative about a previous job

The most important thing to remember when going into an interview is to be honest. Interviewers are people too and can tell when you are blatantly trying mask your feelings about a topic or situation. If your reasons for leaving a previous job are perfectly valid you can phrase your reasons for leaving in a balanced way.

For example, you could say: "I got along well with my boss, but there were some personal issues that he took to work everyday, making it difficult for our team and myself to work with him. That's why I want to work with a boss that is professional and trustworthy."

This way you are honestly (and tactfully) stating your experience at your past job. Being honest will allow you to stand out from other individuals.

5. Informational Interviews are a waste of time.

Depending on your experience and the position you are aiming for, informational interviews can help you network and eventually find your ideal job. Those who are looking for entry-level positions should be more inclined to find informational interviews with companies they aim to work for. Especially in a economy with fewer job openings, going into an interview even if it is just informational is better than not doing anything at all. If you don't get a callback from your ideal company, keeping in touch with them for feedback can possibly help guide you towards an opportunity at an affliate or within the same company.


In all, it's not necessarily best to follow popular advice - think carefully about how you'd like to find your job and what it takes to get there. In many cases, the way to success is the road less travelled - think outside the box!

Investing in Your Career

Whether you are looking for a job or want to gain an advantage in your field, building up your skills set as a employee will only work to your benefit. Half of the ways to build up skill sets are through edducation while the other half are through networking. In all,its really up to you to identify what you need to improve your skills in the industry you work in. For those in the pharmaceutical and medical device fields a Balck Belt in Six Sigma may be fitting for your industry. If your biotech company conducts business in China, it may be useful to take a few Chinese classes. In total, it's about the needs of your industry and what you feel will benefit your future career. Here are six options you should consider:

1. Get a certification: In fields such as Human Resources, project management, and the technical field, certifications make all the difference.

2. Go back to school and get an additional degree: If you are unemplored and have put off getting that MBA, master's degree or even PH.D - now is the time is go back to school and get it. Your earning power can significantly increase by 10% or more depending on what type of degree you get.

3. Learn a language: Learning a language will help increase your communication skills as well as make you more versatile and valuable to your employer. In border cities such as San Diego, Spanish is often key to getting a job in many businesses. A new trend in biotech companies has been outsourcing laboratory work to China. Knowing languages can only work to your benefit - and there are ways to even get certified in a language to show your employer that you posess the skill set.

University extension courses are a great source for language courses for people in the San Diego area. Referencing UCSD's extension course website may give you a headstart:
http://extension.ucsd.edu/programs/index.cfm?vAction=certDetail&vCertificateID=78&vStudyAreaID=11

One of the best ways to prove you are certified in Chinese is taking the official Chinese certification test, which is officialized by the Chinese government:
http://www.hsk.org.cn/english/Default.aspx

4. Branding yourself online: Own your own domain and name - create a webpage to showcase your work. Update your profiles on facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites. Its more common these days to have an "online presence". It's even a must for more current, younger companies.

5. Ask someone to be your coach or mentor: Whether or not it's a friend in your industry or a paid career coach, it's important that you have people around to help you make critical career decisions. Having someone else around to help asess your career goals will not only give you some perspective, but also when hitting a rough patch in your career your mentor can help you get back on your feet.

6. Join a professional association in your field: This is a good way to meet more people in your field outside of your company. Networking with people in the same field outside of your company may come in handy in case you are laid off. Not only that, but many of these organizations can help you with professional development. Especially in the biotech, pharm, and medical device in industry, keeping up to date is important to your career.

Professional Societies for the Biotech Industry (listed by state): http://www.netsci.org/Resources/Web/society_biotech.html

Global Listing of Medical Device Associations: http://www.emergogroup.com/links/medical-device-associations


Global Listing of Pharm Associations: http://www.pharmcast.com/WebLinks/Association_WL091799.htm#usa

In all, these six tips are only the first step to building up your skills set for a better career. The best way to differentiate yourself from your co-workers is to be creative and stand out from the crowd.

Working With Executive Recruiters, 5 Reasons it’s a Smart Move

Staffing companies are available for almost any type of position and in any location; they are constantly bringing the right person to the right kind of company. Whether you want a part-time, permanent, or contract position, here are five great reasons why you should use a staffing company:

1. Many companies never advertise their open positions, recruiters have the inside scoop on these jobs.

2. Recruiters have experience in specific job markets and are able to narrow the focus of your search for you, saving you time and effort.

3. Recruiters can find you part-time or contract work if that is what you need.

4. Many staffing companies offer free training, especially for those temporary employees who want a permanent job.

5. Opportunities are endless; you can work in different industries with different types of people and can select the assignments that you want to take.

The Resume: Blunders and Winning Tips

When it comes to writing your resume, what works and what doesn't work? It's hard to get an idea of what the ideal "winning resume" is out there - after all, what works for one person does not necessarily work for everyone. There is not an easy way of mass-mailing your resume out to every company you'd like to work for either - it definately takes more than one afternoon to really score a winning resume. So what consitutes a "winner" and a "loser" in the resume world?

"The Resume Loser"

1. Not Proofread

Amazingly enough, many people do not proofread their resume before sending it out. After constantly updating and sending out the same document, most people feel that their resume must be pretty flawless. Minor mistakes such as the usage of commas or periods may seem minimal to the sender, but to HR readers, these mistakes are pretty noticiable. So before you send that resume out, take another look. Here are some common grammatical errors to look for:

Periods = either use periods at the end of every sentence/description or don't use them. An idea of this should be to keep everything consistent in the resume.

Overdoing the bolding, italics, and underlining = Many people are at fault for this. Since you are writing so much, how are you going to make keywords and actions stand out? That's how many people make the error of bolding or underlining every other word. The truth is, it's good to sometimes bold or underline thing you want to highlight, but it makes reading the resume very confusing for Human Resources.

Spelling = Spellcheck or have someone proofread for you. If English is not your first language, it's very important that you have someone proofread your resume.

2. Using an objective rather than a career summary
A summary is different than a objective because it highlights your skills and past roles. In this tough job market, a career summary makes it easier for Human Resources to asses your qualifications and whether or not to continue reading your resume. This part of your resume is probably the hardest to write - it has to summarize your strengths and experience in just a few sentences. Remember to make it short yet impressionable.

3. Lying
As states, don't lie. Don't be stupid. You may think you are fooling people but when your resume is being read by Human Resources personnel that have seen thousands of reumes, lying on your resume is very very apparent. Resume details are routinely checked during the final interview process. It all comes out in the end.

4. Mass-mailing your resume to everyone
It's hard to apply for jobs when you are either currently still working, or unemployed and busy with the family at home. However, its important to customize your resume to every employer. If you want to stand out among the masses, then put in the time to show the company that you are a right fit for their work enviornment.

"The Resume Winner"

1. Remember the "Three-C's" : Clean, Coordinated, Clear-Cut
By keeping it clean, we mean avoiding scattered, hard-to read writing on your resume. Also, it's best to create a layout that is easy on the eye. Being coordinated, we mean being consistent with grammar, layout, and themes of the resume. If you are just arbitarily typing descriptions into your resume, it's not only displeasing to the eye but also makes the reader want to give up on reading the resume. Being clear-cut about your experience is very important to the reader. The Human Resources reader wants to quantify and assess the skills that you have. So use numbers! If you have certifications, use certifications and acronyms (remember to list the full description with the acronyms). In our industries, we see phrases such as "Six Sigma Certified" or "Injection molding" and value those skills. If you want a reference for what skills the company wants, look at the job description.

2. Action Words
Using actions verbs will help your resume stand out. Don't be passive - action verbs such as "managed" help your image as a leader and contributer to a team stand out much more than passive words like "did". Keep your verbs simple as well, using complex words will only work to confuse and puzzle the reader instead of demonstrating your superb vocabulary skills.

3.How you will contribute to the company
After all, thats what the resume is about. What are you going to do for the company you are applying to? Putting your ability to contribute into the cover letter as well as the skills and descriptions you have in your resume only makes your resume more of a "winner".

4. BE PROACTIVE. Follow up.
If you want the job, show the company extactly how much you want it but following up with them. Try to get in contact directly with the manager of the department you are applying for. Sending in the resume accounts for only 25% of the effort needed to secure your future job. Talking to people in the department not only gives you a better idea of how much you want to work with the company, but also a feel of how you would fit into the company's work culture.


Keep in mind these factors when writing a resume. The most important thing of all is to not only get your resume perfected and sent out to the companies you want to work for, but to also follow up on your resume and network to make sure that the your interest is known.

Let us know how you are doing on your job search! If you have any industry comments or questions, feel free to post on our commments section of this blog.

Fired? Our Guide to getting back on your feet!

It's no new news that the state of our economy is at its lowest. Layoffs are at an all-time high those of us with job security are now at risk of unemployment. When finding yourself suddenly without a job, we believe the only way to go is up. Here are some tips to start being proactive as well as making the best of all the aid you can get.

#1 Take a break.
It's OK to take a vacation. In fact, taking a break will ensure that you have the time to self-reflect on your career. Getting yourself out of that work atmosphere can alleviate the stress and panic that comes with getting layed-off. You don't have to break your wallet to take a vacation, many travel packages are now discounted a record-low prices due to the economy. Furthermore, when returning home, you'll be invigorated and 100% ready to find a new job. In the end, the payoffs are well worth it.

#2 Your New Job: Looking for a job!
We know that sleeping in is tempting when you don't have that 9-5 schedule everyday. You CAN sleep in, but remember: Looking for a job should be treated as a full-time job. So maybe sleep in for an extra hour or two, but keep the same schedule everyday. Waking up at the same time and getting dressed even if you are going to stay in the house and be on Careerbuilder all day keeps you in a professional mindset. And with a professional mindset, the faster you will find a job.

#3 File for Unemployment.
It's easy. You are already on your computer so open that extra webpage and file for unemployment. Payments are porportional to how much you made at your old job up to the state limit. You can expect to recieve $293 per week up to 46 weeks, and in some states with high employment rates, up to 59 weeks. Even if you have recieved severance, you can still be eligible. So get on the web and apply!

#4 Fill in that extra time!
Look for freelance or consulting work. The whole idea here is to not let yourself get into a rut. Keep yourself busy with activities that will work to improve your resume. Plus you may also be able to find opportunities through the extra freelance or consulting work that you do. Take classes at your local university extension to build up marketable skills. Adult schools and extension classes are great ways to learn skills that you never got around to picking up while employed.

#5 It's the little things that make a difference
Little things like carrying copies of your resume whever you go or making your own personal business cards to hand out when networking, can really make a difference when looking for your job. These details amount to one thing: Be prepared at anytime to network and find a job. Whether its handing your resume to an old friend at the gym, or running into a someone in your industry at the grocery store, its all about reaching out to people in your target industry. Remember, you miss 100%of the chances you do not take, so don't hesitate to be prepared!

In all, unemployment shouldn't get you down. Take this time as an opportunity to advertise your strengths and improve on your weaknesses. Have you always wanted to learn Java, but didn't have the time to learn? Now is the time to do it! Think of it as also having time to catch up with old co-workers and friends. Not only are you getting back in touch with people, but it will help you network as well. Taking that vacation or roadtrip you have always wanted will also give you time to reflect on you career and life. What better time is there to pause and re-evaluate everything?

Tell us how you are doing with your job search! We are here to help and answer any questions. Be proactive!