Interview Questions: Where does this job fit with your career goals?

Remember, organizations do not exist to provide you with a job or anything else. They exist to make money or provide a service; employees are a necessary expense. This doesn’t mean they are completely uninterested in you as a person and their willingness to accommodate your personal goals will grow as you prove your worth. During the interview their primary goal is to hire someone who can do the job and will get along well with their supervisor and co-workers. At this point, they are not interested in your plans to continue your education, stay home with your kids, start a business or anything else that does not relate to how you will contribute to the success and growth of the organization.

An interview should always be a conversation in which you are both trying to determine if you can form a positive relationship. It is important to remember that relationships are built over time, just as you wouldn’t reveal all on a first date you do not need to tell everything during an interview. So, your answer to this question may vary based on economic times and your personal circumstances.

If your primary goal is to find a position that fits your life, and circumstances allow, you may be more open in sharing your career goals. “I have been accepted to graduate school next year and I am looking for temporary position.” This is fine if you are willing to accept that you might not get a job.

For those that finding a job, any job, is their primary goal; it would be better to leave your options open. “As a recent college graduate, my main goal is to start my professional career and continue to develop my skills so I can contribute and grow with the organization. I was drawn to this organization because of your reputation for community involvement so I am anxious to be part of a team that shares my values for giving back.”

For most recent graduates, this is a time of change and your goals both personal and professional will likely change as you settle in to this next phase of life as a young professional.

Etiquette Tip of the Week: The Star of the Party

If you want to be the most popular person at any party or event, be the person who introduces people to each other.

First introduce yourself. The person who introduces himself or herself is more memorable than the one who hangs back and waits to be introduced. Ask the person you have just met questions about himself or herself — gather information to find common ground for introductions. Is there a person standing alone? Invite that person into your conversation. Introduce that person to the first person. Look for common ground to initiate conversation. (“Aliah was just telling me she has taken up snowboarding? Have you ever tried that?”…”Do you watch 24? Michael was just telling me how he had a small part and his character was blown up this week.”)

Find another person. Keep going. Smile while you are talking to show enthusiasm and draw more people to you.

Courtesy of “The Culture and Manners Institute” www.cultureandmanners.com

Interview Questions: Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?

We aren’t talking knock-down, drag-out fight here. Everyone has differences of opinions at one time or another. It’s a matter of the degree of difference.

Use the STAR technique again. A quick refresher; S – describe the situation, T – outline your task, A – discuss the action you took, R – provide the results achieved. Using as neutral terms as possible describe the process and a skills you utilized to reach an agreement to move forward on the project.

“One of my classroom projects was to work with an assigned team to design and install a 60 station computer network for a private school in the area. We had differing opinions regarding hardware choices. As a team, we interviewed the staff and outlined their current minimum requirements and projected needs. Budget was their primary concern. We were able to utilize this information to guide us in making quality, cost-effective solutions and resolve any remaining differences.”

Etiquette Tip of the Week: Waiting Room Shocker

There is one story that, when I tell it in a university setting, I can see the whites around the eyes of the students.

A woman approached me after a talk in Oklahoma and said, “I am the receptionist in my office. The hiring manager has asked me to keep an eye on the job candidates in the waiting room and report back to him which ones are talking on their cell phones, checking messages or texting. Those are the candidates we do not hire.

Avoid using your cell phone or text messaging while sitting in the waiting room before an interview or even a sales call (which is in itself, an interview). Take out a notebook and study your notes (for surely you have done your research on this company — their leadership, mission statement, sales figures, etc.) Go over the answers to tricky questions in your head. Leave the impression that you are focused on the business at hand and not distracted by other things in your life (especially your Solitaire ap).

Courtesy of “The Culture and Manners Institute” www.cultureandmanners.com

Interview Questions: What do you think it takes for an employee to make progress within an organization?

In other words, why do you think someone should get a promotion, raise or other recognition? In some organizations and types of positions, seniority trumps all and you just have to keep your head down and put in your time. This is not the case for most professional level positions.

Each organization is different however most value continuous learning. Generally, this includes staying up-to-date on changes and trends that affect your industry. This might be done through reading articles, attending conferences, or completing coursework. A successful employee will also know how to apply this knowledge to their organization and their position to achieve greater success.

There are other qualities that successful leaders demonstrate. Through your knowledge and research of this organization, what qualities do you possess that they value?

“In order to make progress, I believe an employee should demonstrate a commitment to maintaining their knowledge and skills as well as the ability to contribute to team success. This might mean being in a leadership role at times and a supporting role at others.”

Etiquette Tip of the Week: Proper Cutting Position

There is a right way and a wrong way to cut items on your plate. Holding knife or fork in your fist and pinning items with your fork straight up, also known as pirate style (Arrrrrghhh!), is just not right.

The proper way is to take the fork in your left hand and knife in your right hand. Put your index finger on the back of the fork at the base (where the handle ends the fork begins) and the base of the knife (where the handle ends and the knife begins). Pin items to be cut with your fork tines down, applying pressure with your index finger.

Keep your wrists low and elbows in. (You too, lefties!) Cut with the knife on the other side of the fork (the fork should be between you and the knife as you are cutting). If something is tender enough to sever with your fork, like an omelette or piece of fish, you need not use a knife.

Courtesy of “The Culture and Manners Institute” www.cultureandmanners.com

Interview Questions: What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

Does this sound familiar “You couldn’t pay me enough to…” or “Would you rather…”? Yes, pay and benefits are important however there are many other aspects of a position that are just as or perhaps more important. Some times you don’t know what is most important to you until you have worked in a job that doesn’t meet your needs. Some of these might include; being appreciated for your work, positive work environment, making a positive impact in the community, and so forth. Think about the environment that brings out your best work, what does that look like?

Etiquette Tip of the Week: After the Beep

Ever get one of those voice mail messages where you couldn’t quite make out what the caller was saying?  The person could have been mumbling or talking like their house was on fire.  Perhaps the person was calling in from out where the elephants go to die and cell service was a little spotty.

When leaving a voice mail message, speak clearly with a smile in your voice.  State your name, company and phone number at the beginning of the message and repeat your name and phone number at the end of the message.  Say the phone number slowly each time, as if you are standing in front of the person who is writing it down.  That way, the person listening to the voice mail message does not have to keep replaying the message to take down your information.  Or if the number was hard to understand at the beginning of the message, the repeat number will confirm it.

Courtesy of “The Culture and Manners Institute” www.cultureandmanners.com

Etiquette Tip of the Week: Business Card Protocol

A business card is a representation of the person, so show it respect. Do not write on a business card in front of the person who just handed it to you. When you accept a business card, look at it for a moment.  If you like the card, compliment the person on the business card.  Present your business card with your name facing the person.  Do not cover the business name with your finger or thumb. 

When working with people from other cultures, learn their business card protocol.  In China, present and receive business cards with two hands. Spend at least a minute or two looking at the card, as a sign of respect.  In areas of the Middle East and Africa, present and receive business cards with the right hand only.

Courtesy of “The Culture and Manners Institute” www.cultureandmanners.com

Interview Questions: Conflict

“Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or an instructor? How did you resolve it?”

The correct answer is not that you get along with everybody. Most of us have disagreements or differing opinions at some point. Use the STAR technique. Desribe a situation in which you had a conflict, outline the action you took and the results you achieve. Remember that high on the list of desirable qualities in an employee is “team player”. They aren’t looking for people who win every argument or give in all the time but employees who can rationally outline their position and come to agreement.