How to Answer 3 of The Most Common Tough Interview Questions

I can't wait for the day when hiring managers and recruiters realize that the format of today's job interview just isn't the best way to assess whether or not a person will be a good fit for a particular job. Instead of asking tough interview questions to trip people up, managers should be focusing on carefully assessing the skills and value the candidate can (or cannot) bring to the table. After all, anyone can learn how to answer tough interview questions, but few people can fake being able to actually perform a required job function. Until that day comes, however, we are forced to work with the tools we have at our disposal, which include the standard 30-60 minute Q&A session with questions aimed at predicting future behavior based on past situations - otherwise known as - the job interview.

You know how the process goes - first, it's the introductory small talk portion, when you and the interviewer talk about the weather and any other topics you share common ground on, then the interviewer transitions to the main event where she proceeds to throw dozens of questions at you that you've already carefully researched, memorized and practiced, and last but not least, you're given the opportunity to show your stuff, and you recite your well thought out and prepared questions that make you sound so smart and intelligent.

Then it's all over.

In that short period of time, your interviewer has made a series of assumptions and judgments about you based on how you've answered the questions she's thrown your way, your body language, tone of voice, fashion sense and everything in between.

Sounds accurate, right?

While there's no way to ever 100% fully prepare to answer every single question you could possibly be asked during an interview - I was once asked what is my super power - a good strategy that I coach my clients on is to prepare to answer the tough questions that typically get asked so you won't get blind sided during the actual interview.

Here are 3 questions that are commonly asked in an interview that tend to stump candidates if they aren't prepared, and how to answer them the right way so that you can be well on your way to leaving your bad job for a great new one.

So, can you tell me about yourself? This question is probably asked in 99.9% of all job interviews. And if it isn't asked directly, it's asked in some variation such as, what brings you here today or why are you interested in this role?

Believe me when I tell you that the person asking this question really doesn't care about hearing your entire life story, like where you grew up or what you did for fun back in College. The key to answering this question is to realize that they want to know - why are you here in this seat, in this office, in this building, at this company applying for this specific role? Your response should focus on how your professional (and personal, if applicable) life has motivated you to apply for this particular role and how you plan to add value.

Tell me about a time when....? This question annoys me for some reason. I have no logical reason as to why - it just does. Tell me about a time when you've had to deal with a difficult person or lead a project or had a professional failure? Although most people tend to freak out about this type of question the most, it's actually one of the most simple ones to answer because you can break it down into a repeatable formula each and every time, no matter what they are asking.

You need to breakdown the answer to this question into 3 parts - W.H.O. WHAT the problem was, HOW you went about resolving it and what the OUTCOME was. If you stick to this format every time, you will always answer in a way that is cohesive and clear to the interviewer.

Why are you looking to leave your current job? As a HR manager, I've interviewed my fair share of people and sometimes I am so shocked and amazed at the responses I receive from people with this one. Under no circumstances should you take this opportunity to bash your current employer. The first thing the hiring manager will think is that if you can talk this negatively about your current boss and/or company, what will you say about him if you start working there?

Instead, when answering this question you should focus on the development opportunities you are looking for in your career and how the role you're interviewing for will help you achieve that career growth.

The interview process is a necessary evil in the process of finding a new job and the better prepared you are before you sit down for it, the better your chances will be to find success in the process. You should never walk into an interview ready to just 'wing it'. Always take the time to thoroughly prepare and plan your strategy.

Click here to get my free Interview Success Blueprint that provides proven strategies to help you turn your next interview into an actual job offer!

-Dorianne

4 Reasons You're Still At Your Job (Even Though You Hate It)

Are you 1 of the millions of people who hate their job, but still find themselves unable to move on to better opportunities?

How many times have you told yourself you're finally ready to make a change in your career - whether it be apply for that department transfer that comes with a huge pay raise, sign up for those night classes that will teach you the skills you need for the industry you want to break into, or submit that application to a new company that has just posted your dream job?

Have you done anything in the past 3-6 months towards actually accomplishing any of it?

Believe me, I'm not asking to make you feel bad about yourself or to place judgment, I just think it's important to admit that 99% of the time, what we say is different from what we actually do.

And nowhere is this fact more apparent than when it comes to making a career transition.

Here are 4 reasons you're still at your unfulfilling and uninspiring job - even though it's months (or years) past its expiration date. 

1. You're Afraid of Change

One of the main reasons you can't move past the thinking stage into action is because you're afraid of the uncertainty that comes with change. The fact is this: Even though you may despise you're job, you've gotten so used to your horrible boss or boring daily tasks, that the thought of doing something different brings about anxiety.

For many people, it's often easier to stay in a bad situation where you know what to expect, than to risk branching out into the unknown. Until you're ready to take on some level of  risk, you won't ever be truly motivated to take the necessary steps you need to improve your career.

2. Your RESUME Is Outdated

I think you'll agree that your resumé is the most important marketing document when it comes to your job search. This realization - especially if your resume hasn't been updated for some time - can be the cause of a lot of anxiety and stress.

While it's true the process of customizing your resume for each of the jobs you're applying for can be time consuming (and sometimes overwhelming), you shouldn't let this stop you from taking the steps necessary to get make a career move. Instead, acknowledge and embrace the fact that it's nearly impossible to go through a successful job search without an intentional and tailored resume and then begin the process of updating it.

3. You Need To Learn New Skills

If you've been in your current job for a long time or are looking to break into an entirely new industry altogether, you may feel discouraged as you think of all the new skills, concepts and technology you'll have to learn about. The key is to plan strategically. Taking the time to create a detailed plan that includes what you need to learn and by when can help decrease some of the anxiety you feel.

Ask yourself: What are the skills I need for a new career opportunity? How much time will it take? How much is it going to cost? Once you're clear on these things, you can put together a deliberate and strategic plan of how to get it done.

4. You Really Like Your Coworkers

If you're lucky enough to work with people you actually enjoy spending time with each day, it can be scary to think about risking such a great dynamic and willingly go into a situation where you aren't sure what to expect. 

What's important to keep in mind is that more important than liking the people you work with, is actually liking the work, so you owe it to yourself to seek out opportunities where you can thrive.

The longer you stay in a bad work environment, the more difficult it becomes to break free. It's up to you to become the CEO of your own career and take the steps necessary to finally love what you do.

Want to transform your career in just 5 days? Sign up to receive the Career Makeover Toolkit, today! Do the future you a favor and put in the work today of finding a job that excites and energizes you. 

10 Tips to Create a LinkedIn Profile That Gets You Job Offers

This past weekend I had the opportunity to conduct several coaching sessions on how to successfully use LinkedIn during the job search process. It was very eye-opening for me to see how so many of the hacks I've learned about LinkedIn over the years that seemed like no-brainers, weren't actually as obvious as I thought they were.

After my coaching sessions, I thought it'd be a great idea for me to compile my top ten strategies for using LinkedIn and share them with you.

These strategies are what have allowed countless recruiters to reach out to me practically begging me to check out their available positions and how I've gotten multiple job offers in 2016 alone.

A lot of people think of LinkedIn as "just another social media site - but for work." This couldn't be further from the truth.

LinkedIn is an amazing way for you to network and bring your professional experience to life for recruiters and hiring managers and to add more depth to who you are - way better than any resume can.

Mastering LinkedIn can transform your job search from a long, drawn out process with no leads to a fun and exciting process with your phone ringing off the hook with recruiters trying to get in contact with you.

Here are my top ten strategies to use LinkedIn for your job search.

1. Take a profile pic that's professional and personable

It should go without saying that you shouldn't have a picture with you laid out on the beach with a drink in your hand, but you also don't have to take a profile picture that's boring and stuffy either. The best profile pictures show you as a personable and warm person who is also capable of being taken seriously.

2. Use a headline that has the appropriate keywords for your desired field

97% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find qualified candidates for the roles they are trying to fill. Having a headline that says: Advertising Executive | Direct Response | Sales Team Member will get you much more attention than just writing: Ad Executive. You want to make sure your profile is searchable by recruiters. Take a look at the headlines of some of the influencers in your field and tailor one for yourself.

3. Create a summary that helps people understand and 'get' you

Unlike a resume, your LinkedIn profile summary can be a little more personal. It should be in first person and feel conversational. This is your opportunity to give a little bit of insight into who you are - not just what you do. The best summaries leave the reader with a sense of 'why' you're in the field you're in and 'why' you're interested in certain opportunities.

4. Be sure you are active on your profile

LinkedIn is not a platform for you to just 'set it and forget it'. It's important that you are actively sharing information, connecting with others and updating your profile as necessary.  Think of your profile as a constantly evolving space - especially if you are in the middle of an active job search.

5. Make sure you're visible to recruiters

Besides having a profile that is searchable, you also want to beef up your connections list with recruiters. They are always open to connecting with new people, so you'll hardly be turned down when asking to connect with them. Read through their profiles, take a look at jobs they are recruiting for and challenge yourself to invite a few of them for a quick chat to discuss your profile as it relates to open jobs they are working on filling.

6. Ask for compelling recommendations

When it comes to recommendations on LinkedIn, quality is definitely better than quantity.  Two or three strategically worded recommendations from the right people in your network can go a long way in positioning you as a viable candidate in the eyes of a recruiter or hiring manager.

7. Show relevant work experience

An important point I want to get across is that LinkedIn is NOT a resume. You shouldn't be copying and pasting from one to the other. Instead, use LinkedIn to summarize the parts of your experience that will be important for a recruiter to know as it relates to jobs you're interested in applying for. This is a fun opportunity to get creative with your explanations of your past jobs.

8. Participate in related groups

The group feature in LinkedIn is a great way to not only make new connections, but to also keep up to date with what's going on in your industry and keep track of what the recruiters and managers at companies you want to work for are talking about.

9. Take advantage of your network (but not in a creepy way)

Do you know someone who knows a recruiter or manager at your dream company? Well, go on and get yourself introduced. It's much easier to get in front of someone who you have a common connection with. Don't be afraid to use this to your advantage.

10. Position yourself as an influencer in your field

You know who gets job offers? People who know their stuff. One of the easiest (and quickest) ways to position yourself as an expert in your field is to write. LinkedIn has an amazing long post feature where you can publish blog posts directly from your profile. This is a great way to show recruiters that you are an influencer and strategic thinker.

The job search process doesn't have to be stressful and miserable. Once you master these techniques, it will only be a matter of time before you are well on your way to choosing between which jobs you want to interview for.

If you'd like to learn the step-by-step process to apply each of these strategies, grab the Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn today! This is the only guide you'll ever need to turn your LinkedIn profile to a job lead magnet.

And if you're on LinkedIn, I'd love to connect with you there.

3 Pieces of Career Advice I Wish I'd Had in My 20s

I'd like to think that when people look at me, they see a woman who’s got her stuff together – someone who is sure of herself and her career.  I am a career coach and HR professional and have the opportunity to do something for work that I love and am good at. 

I’ve hit the career lottery, but I can assure you, this hasn’t always been the case.

Throughout my time in college, I just knew I was going to become a therapist. I declared the right major, got the right grades and was accepted into an Ivy League clinical psychology program when I graduated.

Everything in my life seemed to be falling into place, which is why I stunned everyone around me (including myself) by writing a letter to the admissions office, asking to defer my acceptance into the grad program for one year.

The idea was to accept a full time job, where I'd be supporting a trading desk at an investment bank in NYC. I had it all planned - I would only stay there for one year while I saved some money to provide a cushion for when I went to grad school for my Masters and then Ph.D. Never mind that I had no interest or experience with anything related to Wall Street – that was irrelevant.   Fast forward 10+ years later, and I never made it back to get those degrees.

Although my career path has been unexpected to say the least, I've learned a lot about the world of work, human beings in general, and myself over the past decade in Corporate America.

I’m sure I could go on for hours with encouraging words of wisdom and advice (like how many hours of sleep I actually need and how I do my best work a few hours before a deadline), but the biggest career lessons I’ve learned can be boiled down to 3 main points.

1. IF YOU DON'T MAKE YOUR OWN CAREER CHOICES, SOMEONE ELSE WILL MAKE THEM FOR YOU

This is a concept that I really wish I'd grasped earlier on in my career. I spent the better part of 5 years going through the motions every day and letting my career be dictated to me by my company, my boss and my family. If I'm being honest, the decision to abandon...I mean defer grad school and enter corporate America was solely to please other people. I never felt anyone truly believed in my dream to become a therapist, and even those that did, were still convinced it would never make me any real money.

Sure, I was paid well on Wall Street, but my hours, wardrobe, interests, and social life were controlled by my job. What good is making a lot of money if you’re working 12-hour days and weekends, never given the chance to enjoy it?

2. TAKE RISKS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER

The beginning of my career – before the husband, the kid and the mortgage – would've been the perfect time to explore some of my riskier dreams and passions. I've always wanted to work and live abroad, become a teacher, work for a non-profit and join the Peace Corps.

While I know I can still accomplish at least one of these things and there's no expiration date on going after a dream, I have to admit that it's a lot more challenging to do so with a 2 year old in tow, no matter how adorable she may be.

3. KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO WALK AWAY

I knew on my second day at that investment bank that it wasn't the right fit for me. Yet, even with that knowledge, it took five years before I did anything about it.  That's five years of not working in my purpose, five years of mindless, soul crushing work and five years of unnecessary stress that led to weight gain, health issues and sad times.  Looking back, I can tell you that I was paralyzed by fear – of failure, change, and the unknown.

Would my career journey have been easier if I knew then what I know now? Sure. Would I have ended up in a drastically different place than I am today?  Maybe not.  Eleven years after college graduation, I can tell you with 100% certainty that I have zero interest in being anyone’s therapist.  I also believe that I would've come to this same conclusion even if I went off to the Ivy League instead of Wall Street.

We spend most of our waking hours at work, and while it would be amazing if every person were given a step-by-step, specific blueprint of how to navigate the 40-50 years they spend at work, this just doesn't happen. The best we can all do is to learn from our mistakes and have the courage to change direction when the current path isn't working.  This is my goal every single day and I hope it's yours as well.

If you're currently on a career path and you think it's time for a bit of course correction of your own, check out the Career Makeover toolkit. My free 5 day guide to transforming your career into the one you've always wanted.

4 Realistic Ways to Steer Clear of Office Drama (Without Being a Goody Two-Shoes)

 

Working with people you like and enjoy speaking with—especially about non-work related topics—makes the eight hours most of us spend at our jobs every day more enjoyable. There are so many aspects of work that can be a little bit (or very) irritating. Things like having a long commute, working irregular hours, or dealing with a difficult boss only scratch the surface of the many reasons people hate Mondays.

This is why it’s like a breath of fresh air when you wind up in a situation where your colleagues are easy-going, normal human beings—people you can not only collaborate with on a work project, but also debate your thoughts on Sunday night TV. People to grab a happy hour drink with or vent to about the latest annoying thing your boss said at Friday’s team meeting.

But, how do you know when you’ve crossed the almost microscopic line of sharing personal frustration and observations about work to the dark side of gossiping?

Read the rest of my article over at The Daily Muse!

Let me know what you think!

-Dorianne