“What if I have no idea how to respond to an interview question?”

 

This is one of the most common fears among job-seekers. The good news is, there are several steps you can take to ensure you’ll be prepared for whatever unexpected question an interviewer might throw at you.

 

Your first strategy should be being aware of the most commonly-asked interview questions.

 

And the most common question you’ll encounter is a variation of “Tell me about yourself.”

 

So what should you say? Continue reading “INTERVIEWS: Common Interview Questions” →

After a few weeks of searching, many job-seekers begin to get frustrated in their job search. They feel like they’re putting in tons of time applying to jobs and meeting recruiters, and still failing to see results.

 

So that’s when the question arises: How long should it take to find an American job?

And the answer is, it depends — on several factors:

Continue reading “How Long Does It Take to Find a Job in the U.S.?” →

Many people don’t realize that when they submit their resumes or job applications online, it is very unlikely that someone will ever read it. That’s because applications for most publicly posted job ads go through what’s called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). ATS is a special software that scans your resume or application for keywords and information to determine whether you are a good fit for the job.

 

Here’s the problem: Continue reading “The automated software that decides whether the employer will read your resume… or whether it goes in the garbage.” →

So here you are, applying to jobs you find online and not hearing back — and then you hear about a friend who got a job, with seemingly little effort. She got an introduction, or had a coffee date, or did who knows what, and suddenly, she’s on her way to her first day at a slick office in New York. And you’re wondering, how did she do that?

 

Well, if you think she got in through some secret or hidden opportunities you don’t know about, chances are, you’re right. While you’ve been applying to jobs on websites like Indeed.com, your friend waltzed right past hundreds of job applicants and found a position through what some people call the Hidden Job Market.

Continue reading “The Hidden Job Market: The Employer’s Perspective” →

If you’re actively looking for a new job, chances are, you’re already on LinkedIn, updating your profile and looking for work opportunities.

 

But are you using LinkedIn as a powerful networking tool, that can allow you insider access to your dream companies and jobs that are never publicly posted?

 

What follows is a step-by-step guide on how to use LinkedIn’s Advanced Search to identify connections at your target companies that you didn’t even know you had.

Continue reading “Using LinkedIn Advanced Search to Find Insider Connections and Hidden Jobs” →

Here is an article that follows one hiring manager’s journey of putting together a qualified team for a new plant he is opening.

 

It shows some detrimental practices on both sides: the fact that the hiring manager immediately disqualifies some potentially qualified candidates because they had been out of work for a long time, as well as how some job applicants disqualify themselves simply by showing up late and not respecting his time.

 

For you as a job-seeker, this latter point is critical: regardless of whether you apply for a job with hundreds of applicants or only a few, if you make it to the interview phase, tiny details can make an enormous difference in the impression you make – and your ultimate chance of getting hired.

 

So what can you do to improve your chances of getting the job?

Continue reading “The details matter: show up on time” →

Looking for work is always a difficult process. But will your outlook affect the results?

 

Most people know that belief in yourself – confidence – can make a big difference in our success, because of how we act and how others perceive us. But how does it affect your job search?

Continue reading “Do you have the right attitude?” →

You walk into an interview, ready to impress the person in front of you… and suddenly, you realize that instead of one person, you are actually looking at a conference table with anywhere from three to a dozen faces. Panic sets in. Welcome to your panel interview.

 

While a panel interview might seem terrifying, keep in mind that its purpose is not to intimidate you; more likely, it is done to save the company time and see how you interact in a group setting. Here are a few tips to help you survive:

Continue reading “Panel Interviews” →

Some companies, including Google and most management consulting firms, are known for asking case interview questions — tricky questions to see how you would think through a business scenario or unusual calculation. (A famous example is: “How many ping-pong balls would fit into a 747 airliner?”)

 

Here are a few resources that give examples of case interview questions, as well as strategies for solving them:

Continue reading “Case Interview Questions” →

When it comes to interviews, there are some common interview questions that you should be prepared for. However, more and more interviewers are now asking candidates behavioral questions — in other words, questions about how you handled past situations at or dealt with challenges.

 

These might include questions such as:

Continue reading “Behavioral Interview Questions” →