?? 10 Tricky Job Interview Questions That Drive Job Seekers Crazy

?? 10 Tricky Job Interview Questions That Drive Job Seekers Crazy 652 How to understand the real question behind each interview question. Photo credit: Jared This is a guest post by Lynn Tulip. Job interviewers' bizarre, random, out of the box questions may not be politically correct but there’s always some panel member who wants to ask them and they sure need an answer. Being asked obscure questions along the lines of “You’re a carrot in a salad and a fork is coming towards you. You’re about to be eaten. What do you do?” can actually undermine you. I mean, would you scream? What image does that leave the interviewer with? So the recruiter/interviewer wants to get to know you better and attempts a gut-feel of how you will fit in culturally and whether you are a likable person.eval They think that by asking strange searching questions they will discover how you perform, behave and react in business situations. They are digging deep in the hope that they get a rational, honest and fresh response from you. However, your answers could be counterproductive.eval Did you practice answering job interview questions before your last interview? Yes No View Results Free bonus: The One Job Interview Resource You’ll Ever Need is a handy reference to help you prepare for any kind of job interview. Download it free now What do you say? Are you candid, open and frank? Do you inject humor and jokes into your answers? Don’t sabotage your job opportunity. Be prepared. Always keep in mind what the job interviewer is looking for. Yes, give personal instinctive answers â€" with the caveat that you understand some of the reasoning behind the question. Always keep in mind what the job interviewer is looking forClick To Tweet What does the interviewer want to hear? Below are some questions that might be fielded, that could bowl you over alongside some ideas about what the rationale is for asking them: 1. If you won $1M today what would you do with it? How altruistic are you? What are your values? Do you have a work ethic? 2. What am I doing wrong as an interviewer? Can you give constructive valuable feedback? Without criticizing say what you would you do differently? 3. Who is your role model? Why? Talk about their personal characteristics and relate them to your own. 4. How does your boss rate as a manager? Don’t diss your boss, or give a percentage rating. Rather, discuss qualities like making decisions, empowering the team, providing leadership and influencing others, etc. 5. Why did you choose to wear your outfit today? Again, this is looking at your values, confidence and respect, motivation. Talk about corporate image and projection. 6. How do you stack a dishwasher? How does anyone stack a dishwasher? Think about managing the task, structure and order. Perhaps don’t mention that your partner always does it. 7. Who in the public eye would you like to punch? Ok, so you say you are NOT going to punch anyone, but who and what rattles your cage? Think carefully about how to respond. Would it be a political advocate whose policies you disagree with? Or perhaps some punk who dresses and performs in an outrageous way? Either way, you need to show tolerance, understanding and that you value individuals. 8. If you did not have to work, what would you do? What’s your motivation? Would you sit around or travel, do volunteer work or care for others? 9. What would your last meal be? So now the question’s a bit personal â€" are you a gourmand or a gourmet? A health conscious or a fast-food addict? There’s no right or wrong answer, think about the culture of the organization you might be working with for synergy. 10. If you could be any car/animal, what would you be? (In the comments below, James thought this sounds like a call center interview question. I thought that was funny) “I’d be a red Ferrari as I’m fast, dynamic and can beat others.” Not necessarily the right answer unless you’ve applied for a quick fire competitive position. However, if you are a pussy cat and need to be lion, then you might need to reflect on their qualities to suit the role in question. Here's a live example: Read Carolyn Horlor‘s answer to What is the strangest question you have been asked in a job interview? on Quora Overall- Interviewers are looking for hints about your motivation, your skill at dealing with people and your ability to respond when challenged â€" and of course, how it relates to the job you are applying for. They want to know you will be happy in the role and that others will be content to work with you. READ NEXT: Job Interviews: How You Can Benefit By Asking Questions Free Bonus If you want a handy job interview resource that you can keep on your smartphone or print out for easy reference, I’ve got a special bonus for you. This free download contains: 165 positive personality adjectives to describe yourself 444 of the most popular job interviewer questions to prepare yourself with 175 questions that you can ask in job interviews to make a good impression and learn about your future employer Click the image below to get access to The One Job Interview Resource You’ll Ever Need: JobMob Insiders can get this free bonus and other exclusive content in the JobMob Insider Bonuses area. Join now, it's free! About the Author Lynn Tulip is a career management and HR professional running her own HR consultancy. She’s worked with numerous job search candidates and has presented job search topics at different conferences. Find her online or follow her @LynnTulip and @A4P_HR. This article was part of the Over $5000 in Prizes: The 5th Annual JobMob Guest Blogging Contest, which was made possible thanks in large part to our sponsors: Marcus Tandler’s JOBlog is Germany’s oldest blog about job search careers. Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg is an internationally acclaimed advisor to successful business owners, known for his small business ideas.

Lazy and Sloppy Do Not Make a Good Job Search

Lazy and Sloppy Do Not Make a Good Job Search For the last six weeks Ive used a walker to get around.  Its much more of a pain than normal walking, but I like the walker a lot better than crutches. Six weeks is a long time to have a walker. I have at least one more week of no weight bearing, which might mean Ill be done with this walker for in a week or two.  That will be an amazing day. Thursday night, last week, I goofed up. I was tired, and tired of the walker, and got a bit lazy.  Sloppy. The front of my walker bumped into four things, and the back of my walker snagged the bathroom mat and folded it up. Each of these could have resulted in me getting off-balance and falling. That is not a fun prospect. I want to be done with this slow-down period of my life, not hurt myself more. Why did this happen Thursday night?  Because I was sloppy.  I went through the motions, but was lazy enough to make mistakes mistakes that could have had dire consequences. Not as dire as breaking your wrist, or snapping the screws that a surgeon put in your ankle, I see consequences that are dire for job seekers. Why? Because sometimes, in your job search, you just go through the motions.  You dont have your heart in it, and you make mistakes that seem to be no big deal. Mistakes in your communication, as you talk about your previous boss (the jerk!).  Or how you dont brand yourself the way you should, or how you spend too much time doing things you know you shouldnt (like applying to jobs on job boards its like the guilty pleasure for job seekers). Im not talking about doing everything wrong, Im talking about not concentrating enough and making small mistakes. Above, I wrote mistakes that could have dire consequences. The size of your mistake isnt always equal to the size of the consequence. I know the job search is hard.  Monotonous (like using a walker).  Tedious. Boring.  Not what you excel at. But I want you to think about the time you devote to your job search activities: dont be lazy during that time!  If its only for the next 30 minutes, be at the top of your game for that 30 minutes! When I get on stage to speak, my self talk includes leave it all on the field!  For a one hour presentation, I might have a full day of travel, then driving to the venue, then a full day of travel to get home (many times, after 11pm).  Its a LOT of time put into the one hour. But if Im not on my game when Im on the stage, its all for naught. No amount of planning for the trip, hotel, plane, car rental, food, etc. is worth it if I get lazy and sloppy on stage.  Its all about that one hour. Thats the way it should be for you. Whether its that critical 2 line email that takes you a half hour to get just right, or the phone call that turns out to be 40 seconds long, make sure you are on your game, and leave it all on the field.  Now is not the time to be sloppy. Lazy and Sloppy Do Not Make a Good Job Search For the last six weeks Ive used a walker to get around.  Its much more of a pain than normal walking, but I like the walker a lot better than crutches. Six weeks is a long time to have a walker. I have at least one more week of no weight bearing, which might mean Ill be done with this walker for in a week or two.  That will be an amazing day. Thursday night, last week, I goofed up. I was tired, and tired of the walker, and got a bit lazy.  Sloppy. The front of my walker bumped into four things, and the back of my walker snagged the bathroom mat and folded it up. Each of these could have resulted in me getting off-balance and falling. That is not a fun prospect. I want to be done with this slow-down period of my life, not hurt myself more. Why did this happen Thursday night?  Because I was sloppy.  I went through the motions, but was lazy enough to make mistakes mistakes that could have had dire consequences. Not as dire as breaking your wrist, or snapping the screws that a surgeon put in your ankle, I see consequences that are dire for job seekers. Why? Because sometimes, in your job search, you just go through the motions.  You dont have your heart in it, and you make mistakes that seem to be no big deal. Mistakes in your communication, as you talk about your previous boss (the jerk!).  Or how you dont brand yourself the way you should, or how you spend too much time doing things you know you shouldnt (like applying to jobs on job boards its like the guilty pleasure for job seekers). Im not talking about doing everything wrong, Im talking about not concentrating enough and making small mistakes. Above, I wrote mistakes that could have dire consequences. The size of your mistake isnt always equal to the size of the consequence. I know the job search is hard.  Monotonous (like using a walker).  Tedious. Boring.  Not what you excel at. But I want you to think about the time you devote to your job search activities: dont be lazy during that time!  If its only for the next 30 minutes, be at the top of your game for that 30 minutes! When I get on stage to speak, my self talk includes leave it all on the field!  For a one hour presentation, I might have a full day of travel, then driving to the venue, then a full day of travel to get home (many times, after 11pm).  Its a LOT of time put into the one hour. But if Im not on my game when Im on the stage, its all for naught. No amount of planning for the trip, hotel, plane, car rental, food, etc. is worth it if I get lazy and sloppy on stage.  Its all about that one hour. Thats the way it should be for you. Whether its that critical 2 line email that takes you a half hour to get just right, or the phone call that turns out to be 40 seconds long, make sure you are on your game, and leave it all on the field.  Now is not the time to be sloppy.

Tackling Period Stigma in the Workplace

Tackling Period Stigma in the Workplace The workplace is a huge part of most people’s lives and it’s important that they feel comfortable in it, for their own well-being. All employers should strive to make their organizations a safe and welcoming environment for each and every member of staff. Recent research has revealed that many people still feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in their workplace due to the stigma around periods. A survey of 2,000 menstruating women and trans men by HR and CIPD training provider DPG shows that almost half (47%) acknowledge they face period stigma at work. The Problem Period stigma is the result of belief, whether conscious or unconscious, that menstruation is somehow dirty or shameful. The effect it has on women can be oppressive and impact on women’s health. Although only half of the women acknowledge outright that they face stigma on this topic, further research indicates that the problem may be more far-reaching. 60% of menstruators say that they feel they could not talk about periods at work at all. This jumps up to three-quarters (75%) in workplaces with more men than women. This discomfort towards a discussion on the topic leads to a reluctance on the part of menstruators to share related health issues. 57% of menstruating women and trans men say they’ve had to lie about reasons they needed a sick day to cover up period pain. The impact of this stigma is not just a reluctance to talk about periods, but also a lack of awareness of the facilities people need. This is reflected by shortfalls in the workplace. One-quarter of survey respondents said that their workplace did not have sanitary bins in its restrooms. Lacking this facility creates awkward and potentially dangerous situations for staff. Furthermore, almost one-third of respondents also said they do not have constant access to a toilet at work. This scenario can be difficult for workers if they have to alert colleagues and managers each time they need to use the bathroom. DPG’s survey revealed that this stigma can also manifest itself as offensive and sometimes derogatory comments. Respondents to their survey recounted examples of hostilities they had faced, including statements such as: “It’s just an excuse to be a bitch” “You’re just lazy” “It’s because she’s on the rag” Seeking Solutions To prevent stigma building in the workplace, there’s plenty that employers and managers can be doing. A major part of this is ensuring all facilities that can aid menstruators are available to them. On a base level, this means putting sanitary bins in all restrooms and ensuring all staff has free access to a toilet whenever they need it as a bare minimum. Beyond this, there are a number of other facilities employers can provide that can let workers know that yours is a period positive workplace. Items such as heating pads can help ease cramping and the provision of free sanitary products in bathrooms offer easy solutions to anyone caught without. Talk About It Providing these facilities feeds into one of the other significant things employers can do to address period stigma â€" start conversations. Talking about something is one of the most effective ways of normalizing it. The conversation does not have to be direct, it can be introduced generally or as part of wider discussions around wellness. Gradually bringing the topic into the workplace will help position your organization as a period positive place, meaning your employees feel more able to address the issue. The end result of addressing period stigma in your workplace should be creating a pleasant place for your staff to be. This should mean they are happier, more content, and in turn more productive. Thus, addressing period stigma benefits not only your staff but your business too About the author: Hannah Rogers, is an HR Content Specialist. Hannah is an experienced writer who enjoys writing about HR and prompting conversations that can bring improvements in the workplace.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese What the Titanic Can Teach You About Management

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese What the Titanic Can Teach You About Management 101 years ago today, theTitanicfailed to reach its final destination. There are many lessons this disaster can teach us about project management, from understanding how hull speed may be better than full steam ahead to complete a project without incident. Theres also the lesson project managers have learned that the issues tocompleting a successful projectdont always lie above the surface, but like an iceberg, may loom much larger than what you can see on the horizon. Just 29 days after the sinking of theTitanic,survivor Dorothy Gibson starred and co-wrote in a film about the disaster that claimed more than 1,500 lives. Although no copies of the film exist today, more than 20 other movies have been made about theTitanic,and more than a dozen television movies or episodes are devoted to the subject. Its clear that the fascination with the Titanic has remained strong in the last century, so it may be worth considering what simple, yet often overlooked, lessons this famous disaster can still offer, especially in terms of project management 101. Learn to make adjustments.Titanicscaptain, Edward Smith, often receives the lions share of blame for the disaster, and hisobstinate beliefthat the ship could not sink helped lead to it being at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. When the ships crew was warned about icebergs, did it move to Plan B? Nope, it plowed ahead. When project managers spot trouble ahead, theyve got to be flexible and get team members to chart a new course. They cant be so fixated on sticking to a timetable or a process that there are serious repercussions such as failing to meet the goal or doing so with great losses. Dont fail to plan ahead.TheTitanicwas considered a luxury ship, outfitted with a gym, swimming pool, swanky cabins and top-notch service and food. What it didnt have was enough lifeboats. When working on a project, too many times the goals arent clearly (read the rest here)

Grab Your Spot in My 90-Day Love Your Career Formula Program! - Classy Career Girl

Grab Your Spot in My 90-Day Love Your Career Formula Program! Did you know that there are over 92 million Americans that are not working right now. Thats a lot of competition. Do you know why your dream company would want to hire you instead of someone else? Recruiters know when someone is just applying to get any job to tie them over until they find a job that they are truly passionate about. Your dream company wants to hire you for one thing and one thing only, passion.  If you dont have passion, you wont get hired. Its that simple. So how do you find out what career you are passionate about? I am super excited to help a group of ambitious and motivated women figure out their passion and turn it into a career they love in the next 90 days.  I am overwhelmed by the response because SO MANY of you have already  signed up for my  90-Day Love Your Career Formula!  We have received such a great response so far and have only a few more spots available. The  early bird special  (the $100 discount!)  ends tomorrow night (8/23/14) at midnight PST  so if you havent jumped onboard yet, today is the day! So how am I going to help this group of ambitious professional women find their passions and their dreams jobs? First, you ask yourself some tough questions that you have probably never asked yourself before. Why should you? They werent asked of you before you picked your major or before you got your first job out of college.  When you picked your major, did anyone say, Wait, but are you passionate about that? Nope, I didnt think so. Thats where I come along and ask you, Are you passionate about your current job? Do you know what career you would be passionate about instead? That question will help you determine why a company wants to hire you.  If you dont know this and want some help, its time to figure it out. Heres what my previous  90-Day Love Your Career Formula  clients have to say about how the program helped them find a career they loved. The activities in your course played a major role in making a sound career choice. I was able to rank the attributes that were the most important to me logically and follow my heart. I wanted to thank you for that!”   Vivian Ly Anna helped me immensely. She gave me focused advice that helped me to clarify and engage with my vision.   Adrienne Johnson “This course really helps you to clarify your goals and gives you a plan to move forward to meet them.   Mary Ellen Roth The women who have already joined the program are already getting clarity and confidence by completing the DISC personality assessment. I am already getting such great feedback and these ladies have only been in the group for 1 day!!  I love it! So can you tell what my passion is yet? My passion is helping women like you find careers they love.  When you find a career you love, you will be more successful at it.  And that is how we as women will get ahead.  The more women in careers they love, the better we all are in the professional world and the greater things that we all can achieve. So if you are ready to have the successful career you love, join us now. Click here to join my 90-Day Love Your Career Formula program now. P.S. Remember, the early bird discount ends Saturday, August 23rd at midnight PST.  Join us now here  to get $100 off before its too late.

12 Things You Should Never Ever Tell Your Boss - CareerMetis.com

12 Things You Should Never Ever Tell Your Boss Strict, demanding, ruthless â€" these are the stereotypical images that flash in everyone’s mind when they think of the word, “boss.”But in today’s setting, especially in workplaces that adapt the “work-play” culture, some bosses choose to cut his/her subordinates some slack and be a little casual.evalHowever, that’s not a valid excuse for crossing the line.A boss, no matter how kind, friendly, and outgoing, is always a boss. At the end of the day, this person decides about giving your raises, promotions, and bonuses.That said, you should always maintain a level of professionalism when it comes to speaking with him/her.Any careless, wrong statement, like saying one of the following things, could really put your career and reputation at risk.1. “I don’t have the time”Rule number one: “No” is never an option. When you’re asked to do something and you’re already occupied with a lot of other projects, ask your boss which tasks to prioritize instead of refusing immediately.Always having that “can do” attitude can go a long way.2. “I don’t know how to do that”Again, don’t take no for an answer. If you’re not exactly sure how to do it, ask. Seek help. Learn how to get started. Is there a colleague who can give you instructions?evalIs there an online resource you can access? Leave the impression that even if you’ve got little to zero knowledge about the task, you’re more than willing to do everything to learn.3. “Yes, boss”Okay, we already know it’s a no-no to say no, but it’s worse to make promises you can’t keep especially if you personally think it’s impossible.If he/she asks you to work overtime every single time, come in for work during the weekends, finish your tasks while you’re on a vacation break, and other unreasonable things, you may tell your boss off.Don’t hesitate to set expectations.4. “I’m seeking job opportunities somewhere else”evalEmployers are aware that an employee could be rethink ing his/her place in the company and is seeking new opportunities somewhere else. But telling this information directly can be a slap in the face.Try to give them two weeks prior notice when you find a new job.5.“The former boss didn’t do it this way”Do you want to be compared to an ex-worker in your position? Of course not. Chances are that your new boss doesn’t want to feel that way too.Yes, you may offer your suggestions but never imply that you are comparing your new boss’ ways with your old one. Your current boss may think that you are someone who is not flexible and competent enough to adapt to change.You may end up being cut out of new assignments or projects, which is not good for your career.6. “Got nothing to do, can I leave now?”Just because your work is done and you’ve got nothing to do doesn’t mean you may ask to leave. Try to be as productive as possible. See if there are new projects on the horizon. Organize your desk.Bosses are enthralled to see dil igent and initiative employees who can maximize their working hours.7. “I’m bored”The feeling of dissatisfaction is inevitable. It comes to almost every employee at some point and you just have to deal with it and find ways to bring back your enthusiasm and productivity.It’s not your boss’ responsibility to make your job more fun since you are being paid to do it.8. “I need a raise so badly”evalIt’s okay to discreetly ask for a raise. However, your boss doesn’t need to know all the details of your financial strain.Never go into salary negotiations, talking about needing more money rather than presenting a concrete evidence of your accomplishments in the workplace.9. “Sorry, I’m hungover”If you’re in a laidback office setting, chances are that you have developed a friendly relationship with your boss. He/she may engage in small talks about your relationship status and other entertaining personal matters to break the ice.However, it’s unprofessional to talk about the fun you had last night partying. Your boss doesn’t need to know how much you drank so you can justify why the quality of your work looks like crap.If it’s becoming habitual and it affects your performance, your boss may assume you’re not taking your job seriously.eval10. “I have a crush on you”You want to establish a good relationship with your boss â€" a good professional relationship, not an uncomfortable, romantic one. Don’t put yourself in such an uncomfortable position. There’s a difference between complimenting his suit and complimenting his nice body.Even if you find him/her physically attractive, there are certain compliments that are better kept to yourself. Keep things professional.11. “Let me tell you about the details of my sick day”Getting sick is inevitable and you’re legally entitled to a number of sick days. That said, it’s unnecessary to state detailed information about your sick day.You don’t have to enumerate the things that came out of your body to make your story sound more believable.12. “I’ve got some personal issues, including…”Just broke up with your partner? Death in the family? Any disturbing personal issues you’ve been wanting to talk about? These are just some of the painful topics to open up with a friend, a family member, and a therapist â€" not with a boss.You try not to think about your workload when you’re relaxing at home, right? In the same way, you should also try to set your personal strains aside when you’re at work.Take away all your distractions and try to remain as professional as possible. If the problem is way overpowering to the point it’s affecting your productivity, you may speak with your boss and ask to take a quick break.Your boss will surely appreciate the gesture of taking the time to rest and get yourself together so you can fully recover and deliver effectively.

Career Success Starts with Goals (Tune in Wed 4pm EST)

Career Success Starts with Goals (Tune in Wed 4pm EST) It takes energy and focus to achieve your goals especially in an economic downturn.Tune in to my radio show, Making a Living with Maggie, this Wednesday at 4pm EST/1pm PST on SIRIUS 112/XM 157 for uplifting career advice. Ill be joined by Feng Shui expert Julie Anna Alvarez who will help us create vision boards. Youll learn how to set goals for your career so that doors open more easily for you.For a free trial of SIRIUS, click here.Youll also learn what a day in the life is like for Amy Abrams, co-founder of In Good Company Workplaces (IGC). IGCs creative approach to office space is not only innovative but is enabling other entrepreneurs to reach their goals as well. I should know, Im a member!Perhaps you have a career goal youd like to achieve. Share it here and tune in. Maybe youre not feeling like your goal is possible. Tune in and find out how to generate positive energy around your idea. Ill will help you create a new vision for your career. Above all, rememberIt is never too l ate to be who you might have been. ~George Eliot