Acing the phone interview Preparing for HR phone interview questions

Acing the phone interview Preparing for HR phone interview questionsAcing the phone interview Preparing for HR phone interview questionsBefore you face the hiring manager, youll probably spend some time on the phone with the companys HR department. Heres what it takes to win them over.If your resume passes muster for a job to which youve applied, a phone screen will probably be your next stop. Human-resources and hiring managers just dont have time to grant every promising resume a face-to-face interview. Instead, top performers in a phone interview with HR will advance to in-person interviews with a hiring manager.In my many years as a recruiting manager, human-resources business partner and director of human resources for Fortune 100 companies, Ive conducted my ritterlich share of phone interviews and screens with candidates. I know what HR representatives are looking for and what it takes for a candidate to win them over. With these experiences in mind, the following recipe can he lp take qualified candidates from the phone to an in-person interview1. Save your applicationsMust be able to create advanced Excel spreadsheetsMust be able to analyze dataMust be able to create macros in Microsoft Office documentsWhen you pick up the phone and an HR representative asks to speak to you for five minutes, you dont want to be scrambling for a description of the job or trying to remember which ones youve applied to.Keep a copy of all the jobs that you have applied to in a separate folder in your e-mail In box. When the recruiter calls, be sure to get her name, company and the job she is referencing. You can cross-check this with the job description that you have in your Job Posting or Applied for Jobs folder in your In box. If you have applied for more than one job with a company you want to ask what job they are referencing so you can be prepared for the phone interview.Having the job description in front of you during the phone interview is critical. Typically, job de scriptions are written with the primary job responsibilities listed in descending order of importance. For instance, a simple job description may read like thisThe most important part of this job will be a candidates ability to create advanced Excel spreadsheets, followed by data analysis, then macro creation.Having the description handy will let you speak to each of those requirements in order of importance, even if the recruiter doesnt bring it up. If you absolutely cant find the original job description, ask the recruiter to send you a copy before your phone interview. Its best to ask rather than try to wing it and not get that in-person interview.2. S.T.A.R.sSituation Analyze the activity you faced, in this case determining why sales have steadily decreased by 5 percent from the previous fiscal year.Task Describe the tasks available to respond to the situation. In this case, identify why sales were decreasing and provide a solution.Action Describe the steps you took to resolve t he issue.Result What was the result of your action? What did you take away from the resolution? What if anything would you have done differently?Create an S.T.A.R. document. This is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Results, and it is the key to answering behavioral-based interview questions.The HR representative will probably ask questions about how you handled specific types of situations in previous jobs. After all, its a common HR tool to test your professional experience and gauge your aptitude.The HR representative is looking for you to respond to each in a clear and succinct manner. Here is an example of a behaviorally based questionTell me about a time when you most effectively used financial or quantitative data to identify and solve a critical problem.You want to answer the question in way that demonstrates your ability to handle the situation and I recommend you break it down into Situation, Task, Action and Result.SituationSales within my department had decreased 5 percent from the previous fiscal yearTaskTo find the catalyst and provide a solution to stop sales from continuing to decrease in my departmentActionSent out a survey to all customers to segeltuchschuh if customer satisfaction and the decrease in sales were linkedPut together a brainstorming task force of internal employees to provide additional insight into the customer experience and productsLooked at previous years products to see if the decrease in sales were due to a difference in the quality of our productsResultAfter a three-month study was able to find a direct link between customer satisfaction which had decreased by 15 percent from the previous year, and our decrease in sales. Customers were taking their business elsewhere due to the lack of tafelgeschirr. Explained to management that perhaps decreasing resources in our customer service department was premature. We should look at other parts of the organization to build efficiency and hire qualified customer service repre sentatives to assist our employees. This was done within two months, and six months later our sales increased by 3.5 percent over the previous fiscal year yielding a total 8.5 percent increase and totaling 500k in additional sales.Create at least two S.T.A.R. documents for each position on your resume. Then attempt to map each STAR to job responsibilities listed in the job description. You will thank me later when your answers come out polished and prepared as you clearly communicate your challenges, successes and results. Without it, youre bound to stall and appear as if you cant substantiate what is written in your resume.3. Print it outResumeBioCover letterS.T.A.R. documentKeep the following documents printed out and with you at all timesThis way you arent constantly looking for these documents. You never know when that interviewer might call, and you want to be prepared. You should also review these documents every day so that you are keenly familiar with each. Ive known executi ve candidates who were forced to admit they forget some of the content written in their own resumes or bios.

The secret to a successful life is apparently tied to your mouth

The secret to a successful life is apparently tied to your mouthThe secret to a successful life is apparently tied to your mouthIf you want to become successful, break out your dental floss. According to a new Porchsurvey of over 1,000 people, the fruchtwein successful people were disciplined about their dental care regimen, among other self-care habits.In the survey, respondents were asked to self-report their levels of success and fulfillment and discuss their regular habits.Cleanliness and healthy choices were what separated people who were winning at life and those who felt they were just doing okay.Successful people floss, exercise and take vitamins moreWe all want to know the habits of the most successful people so that we can copy their routine and make it our own. Turns out, taking care of your bodys needs can increase the likelihood that you will meet your success goals. In the survey, highly successful people made a point to floss and brush their teeth regularly.Successful people, in general, were more likely to pay particular attention to their physical health. They took vitamins, flossed, and exercised more than unsuccessful people.They kept their homes tidy and organized. They cleaned their car, made the bed, scrubbed their kitchen, and did their laundry more than unsuccessfulpeople.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.They also paid attention to their mental health and meditated, a habit proven to keep us afloat during work crises. Meditation was the habit around which successful and unsuccessful people differed most in several key life categories friendships, jobs, mental health, professional growth, and stress, the survey states.Interestingly, despite all the proven benefits of journaling, it did not correlate with success in the survey. The benefits of these self-care habits show us that if you want to achieve your career goals, it starts in t he body. Taking care of your home and your health can give you the best mindset to take care of business at work.

10 Tips for Workplace Party Etiquette

10 Tips for Workplace Party Etiquette10 Tips for Workplace Party EtiquetteAttending an office party or another work-related social event can be tricky. You want to have fun with your coworkers while never forgetting that its a workplace event. These tips will help you have a good time withoutchecking yourprofessional reputationat the door. 01Dont Drink Too MuchDavid Lees / The Image Bank / Getty ImagesIf yourinvitation includes a guest, choose wisely when deciding who to ask. Avoid bringing someone who might exhibit inappropriate behavior- even if he or she is your significant other. Your plus-ones bad behavior will reflect poorly on you. If you deem it necessary, remind your guest to follow the same rules to which you are expected to adhere.

Social Media Background Checks

Social Media Background ChecksSocial Media Background ChecksMany employers use search engines and social media to discover information about prospective and current employees. In some cases, that information, especially social media information from sites like Facebook and Twitter, has been used to not hire candidates for a job or to fire employees. However, there are potentially discrimination issues involved. Its also time-consuming for hiring managers to research employees themselves. Social Intelligence Corporation (SIC) addresses both issues by providing in-depth hintergrund checks for employers that include online research from social media and other internet sites and complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and anti-discrimination laws. The company has created a process for checking that makes its easy for employers to quickly and simply discover information about applicants and employees. Social Intelligence Corporation (SIC) Social Intelligence Corporation (SI C) provides an online service that employers can use to conduct background checks on the internet presence and history of job applicants or to monitor current employees online behavior. SIC provides both background checks for prospective employees and ongoing screening of current employees. Social Intelligence Corporation Background Checks and Screening In plus-rechnen to popular social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) screening, SIC searches the deep web - web pages incapable of being discovered by searching through a conventional search engine like Google or Bing. This includes some university, academic, government, and private databases unavailable to the general public. Information gathered from these sources isnt as readily available as information that shows up in standard searches. Information Shared With Employers What makes SIC different is that it doesnt provide all the information found to employers. The company is compliant with the Federal Credit R eporting Act and although SIC has access to this large amount of information, not all of it is shared with employers. Reports only provide information requested by the employers pre-defined criteria, so extra information that may illegally and negatively impact an employers perception of a potential or current employee never enters the hiring or monitoring process. Information that is not reported includes any protected class characteristics that federal anti-discrimination laws deem unusable in the hiring process (race, religion, natural origin, age, sex, familial status, sexual orientation, disability status, etc.) How the Service Works Social Intelligence Corporations automated collection technology allows SIC to provide reports within 24 to 48 hours while still having social media activity about every job applicant manually reviewed. When the information is reviewed, protected information is filtered out of the report. Reporting includes information on objectionable material , such as racist remarks or behavior, explicit photos and video, and illegal activity as defined by the employer. Employers are benefitted by being alerted if their potential or current employees violate the companys standards for online behavior without the risk of discrimination charges that comes with standard search engine screening. Job Seeker and Employee Advice Its important to notenzeichen that this service makes it even easier for employers to find out information that can be held against you when youre job searching or on the job. Its really important to be careful what you post on social media, blogs, and other internet sites. The chances of someone finding information that could be damaging to your career are high. Your best bet is to be careful about what you post and to presume that what you post is public, despite any privacy settings you may have.

Whats the Most Important Job Search Skill for College Grads Networking

Whats the Most Important Job Search Skill for College Grads NetworkingWhats the Most Important Job Search Skill for College Grads Networking2unprepared to enter the job market.With 60% of these graduates having no job lined up and 30% believing no jobs even exist for them, college grads need to maximize their potential as top candidates by embracing the art of networking.To help conquer the anxiety surrounding your job search, here are some networking basics that every new job seeker should masterExplore all avenues.When youre just starting out in your career, its understandable that you wont necessarily have a vast or deep network established yet. Thats why its smart to widen your perception of what counts as a network. While you may not directly know people who work in your targeted industry, you might be acquainted with someone who does. Start with your most immediate connections- family members and personal friends. Ask them for leads to contacts they may know in your professiona l areas of interest who could create inroads for you.Then widen the exploration to your next ring of contacts- this might include former teachers, coaches, or even local vendors who youve gotten to know personally while in school. Each person you ask is potentially connected to a sizable network that may have been years in the making- and many will be willing to share these resources to help you reach your early career goals.Join an established network in your industry.Once youve exhausted your current personal network, consider becoming a member of a business networking group thats specifically focused on your industry (or industries) of interest. By attending that groups events, youll be opening yourself up to potentially hundreds or mora people who share your professional interests and goals. There may very well be people in this crowd who are looking for the skills you have to offer. By introducing yourself to others at an industry networking function, you could start a friendsh ip that will facilitate your career for years to come.Start using your social networks differently.Many pending job seekers are well aware of the importance and power of social media when it comes to professional networking. The GoDaddy study referenced above discovered that half of college seniors went so far as to prep for their first job search by changing the privacy settings on their social media profile. Close to half (42%) deleted old photos from their social accounts, presumably to avoid risking the chance that these images would cause prospective employers to get a bad impression of them.Whats notable in these actions is that young job seekers are taking charge of their social profiles and using them differently than they did as students. While you may have initially seen social as a tool for connecting with your friends and sharing personal pictures and comments, starting a job search requires adapting your usage of these platforms. Social media sites- from LinkedIn and Fa cebook to Twitter and Instagram- can serve as excellent networking extensions. The key is to remember that your audience extends to prospective employers and other professional contacts now, so tailor your content accordingly.Dont overlook informal networking.Not all of the schmoozing you do must be approached as networking per se. When youre out and about doing everyday things, youll naturally meet new people along the way. As you get to know others- whether at a party, group dinner, or chatting in line buying groceries- remember that you never know where an opportunity might arise to help someone else with their professional goals, or to ask for a favor with yours. Stay in touch with people you meet and build your network organically- over time, these informal efforts will begin to add up to a web of connections that you can both call on and mutually assist.Networking may feel intimidating at first. But even if its not your favorite activity or you dont take to it naturally, devel oping your comfort level and skills in this area can pay off in your job search and help guide your career for years to come.Browse Open Flexible Jobs

What Everyone Is Saying About Strong Resume Examples Is Wrong and Why

What Everyone Is Saying About Strong Resume Examples Is Wrong and Why The Start of Strong Resume Examples Another important point to consider is to relate the way your previous experiences would benefit the target company. The exact first method to demonstrate that youre serious concerning the form of work youre involved in is to have an expert tone. So what the majority of people do is to send their application to each job they see. Also, find out why they are not hired for available jobs. A list of action words in 2017 can help you to attain your target. After you have identified the words you should use within your resume make certain that you actually utilize them. Clinical is among the best words you are able to utilize. More precise words may also add a little formality to your actions, she states. Our experts have produced an extensive list of all of the best resume adjectives, and a guide on the way to use them effectively. Resume Genius has compiled the largest lis t of action verbs on the net. Make certain youre highlighting the most relevant and topical experience essential for the position. When you want to discover work, you must make certain you have the ideal expertise for those positions in which youre interested. If youre a superior communicator, friendly and polite it is going to be the very best fit for you. While searching for a job emphasize all your very best qualities and concentrate on your strengths, transferable abilities and urge to learn rather that on your deficiency of experience. Make aya to prove that youre qualified, capable, and serious, and that you need to be part of their team. With the right preparation, you are going to be prepared to confront the neighborhood job market head on. Instead, utilize many different terms that most describe your accomplishments to show employers the range of your achievements. Facts, Fiction and Strong Resume Examples Also, its not possible to describe how much effort it require s to do an appropriate research and decide on the most relevant sources. For applicants who have any degree of experience whatsoever, really specific detail is required here. Whats more, it provides you opportunities to acquire more info. There are a lot of examples of resumes, but you must continue being sure to create your resume and cover letter with all your own personal contact. A great sample medical resume objective will state what you would like to achieve to your medical resume. Its very vital to provide detailed and clear requirements in order to prevent any confusion from the very start. Strong words can be related to result-oriented applicants, which is among the qualities that companies are interested in finding. For non-profits, its also an extraordinary opportunity to pull in the investors and make a trustworthy brand, which will make both similar businesses and general public take them seriously. The End of Strong Resume Examples You dont have to have an exten sive experience, though youre going to be supposed to attend a bartending school. Education Your education matters, especially if youre just beginning, so include your school info and degrees youve received, along with details about your particular training. Therefore, if you think that your skills in completing papers arent good enough to think of a fantastic paper or admission essay which will help you get into college, take advantage of Pro-Papers. Even if your job doesnt have anything to do with writing, you will nonetheless be involved in writing academic or other kinds of papers, since it is obligatory to prepare monthly and yearly reports, project plans and presentations in the majority of the positions, and youll rarely have sufficient time to make the excellent work. While searching for a new career think about the position of health assistant. A good posting for a nursing position will include things like experiences unique to the profession. When you prefer to land th at preferred job then youll need to get a stellar return to. The huge benefit is that you are going to have a fantastic flexible schedule.

Spark Hire and AkkenCloud Webinar for Staffing Pros - Spark Hire

Spark Hire and AkkenCloud Webinar for Staffing Pros - Spark HireSpark Hire has teamed up with integration partner AkkenCloud to bring staffing companies a comprehensive webinar on video interviewing and how to best implement this powerful technology to experience great benefits.All of us at Spark Hire are thrilled to be working with AkkenCloud on bringing this valuable information about video interviewing to staffing and recruiting professionals, says Josh Tolan, CEO of Spark Hire. Video interviewing usage by staffing companies has increased steadily in the past few years, but we wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to further educate professionals in the industry on top strategies and best practices.The free webinar, How to Use Video Interviewing To Grow Your Staffing Business, will be on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 100 PM. Attendees will learn the followingHow staffing and recruiting companies similar to theirs are utilizing Spark Hires video interviewing solutions to bea t their competitors to great talentTips on how to streamline the recruiting process will be discussedVideo interviewing basics, therefore, even those unfamiliar with the technology can join as wellWebinar attendees will also be the first to learn about the AkkenCloud and Spark Hire integration for the ultimate video interviewing workflow.Be sure to grab your spot for next weeks How to Use Video Interviewing To Grow Your Staffing Business webinar with AkkenCloud