12 things you should never do at an interview

12 things you should never do at an interview by Amber Rolfe Nobody likes awkward moments, especially not in an interview… The problem is, when you worry so much about making sure every little thing goes right, it’s easy to forget about the things that could go wrong. So how can you ensure that you have an embarrassment free interview experience?Here are these 12 things all interviewees hope they don’t do on the big day, and how to avoid them:Be lateLet’s face it, turning up late to an interview is never an option. It only leaves you looking unprofessional and unorganised. And/or sweaty.Use your trusty GPS device to plan your route in advance, and always add an extra half an hour onto your expected journey time, just in case. After all, the GPS has an extensive history of failing us…Have your phone on loudYou know how embarrassing it in when your phone goes off in the cinema? Yeah, this is worse.For your own interview safety, always remember to turn everything off before you go in. At the very least, leave it o n silent. Especially if you have a questionable ringtone that could potentially cause offence or embarrassment â€" we’re looking at you, Vanilla Ice.Oh, and don’t attempt to check your messages or missed calls on-the-fly either. Recruiters are understanding, but they’re not idiots.Use excessive slangThe formality of your speech is partly dependent on the role you’re going for and the type of company they are. But as a general rule, we’d avoid using slang.Remember: although you should feel comfortable around your interviewers, they’re not your best friends just yet. Mate’s, bro’s and bae’s are never appropriate.Obvs.Be arrogant and over-confidentBeing confident in your abilities and expressing why you’re the right fit for a role is fine, but don’t overdo it. There’s a fine line between wanting the job and seeming entitled to it.It’s okay to talk about your previous achievements, and ask about potential promotions within the role, but it’s not okay to tell the interviewer that you want their job.Because nobody likes a show-off…Dress inappropriatelyInterview outfit etiquette isn’t exactly set in stone, but there is one simple rule to remember: it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.Try your outfit on beforehand, make sure everything fits, sort out any accessories. After all, the last thing you want to do is spend hours before an interview trying to find your other black sock or a pair of tights without a rip in them.Interview outfit tip: trackie bottoms are never acceptable.Moan about your current employerOK, so your favourite mug went missing and you’re heartbroken.We get it. But even if you’re 100% sure it was probably Tim from Accounts who took it, an interview probably isn’t a good time to start voicing all of the feels.Avoid the temptation to express how much you dislike your current boss, or complain about your colleagues, and be as positive as possible. Sound like a team player, not someone who holds a grudge.LieEveryone tells little white lies and over-exaggerates at interviews, right?This might be true, but it’s risky business, and it rarely works out for the best. You’ll only end up stumbling over yourself when asked to elaborate your story, and there’ll be tell-tale signs from your body language that could give it all away.So be honest about your genuine achievements and experience, and it will work in your favour. And if not? Get ready for the most awkward first day ever when you eventually get the job and you have to reveal that you can’t actually speak Portuguese.Slouch/yawn/fall asleepOr anything else that implies boredom. You won’t be taken seriously if you’re constantly yawning, sitting so low in your chair that you’re practically on the floor, or generally looking like you’d rather be in bed.Be aware of your body language and stay focussed throughout, listening politely to what the interviewer has to say and remaining positive and enthusiastic. Oh, and conscious. That too.Forget to listenIt’s important to wait your turn to speak, and not interrupt your interviewers mid-speech. It might seem like a good idea to express your enthusiasm by constantly chatting, but only do this when the ball’s in your court.Sit patiently and listen to what they have to say. The last thing you want is to go on to ask a question they’ve already answered, or have absolutely no understanding of the role because you were too busy daydreaming about what you’re going to have for dinner that evening.Focus on the moneyYou want the job because you need money, that’s a given. It’s a life need. But you should also want it for other reasons like, you know, you’d actually be good at and/or enjoy it. These are what will impress the interviewer and make them more likely to consider you.Personal financial issues aren’t an interview friendly topic either, so keep it professional, and only mention the M word if your prospective employer asks about salar y expectations â€" and then, be sensible with what you ask for.Apologise too muchDon’t apologise for a lack of experience or an inability to answer a question straight away, especially if you’re saying ‘sorry’ repeatedly. This will indicate a lack of confidence and suggest you’re unsure of your capabilities.There are some things, however, that do need an apology. N.B. accidently calling your interviewer Mum falls firmly within this category.Fail to make eye contactWide-eyed enthusiasm is fine. Wide-eyed staring, not so much.If you do manage to settle on a non-threatening amount of eye contact, embrace it. It can be a great way to show respect on both sides and lets the interviewer knows you’re listening to them, and are confident in what you have to say.The worst thing you can do at an interview?  OK, so out of all the classic interview nightmares, which are the ones that really worry jobseekers the most?We spoke to a group of university students to find out and see if recruiters actually agree Read more interview help tips  Still searching for your perfect position?  View all of our current vacancies nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features Job interview tips Preparing for an interview

Twentysomething Best Buy gets it. Stop watching the clock.

Twentysomething Best Buy gets it. Stop watching the clock. By Ryan Healy College taught me the true meaning of independence. I attended classes when I chose, I studied at my convenience, I partied at my leisure and I relaxed when I needed to relax. You would assume that since I am now an adult, I would at least have this same sense of independence in the corporate world. But working in this antiquated count-the-hours corporate structure, I am controlled and monitored more than I was by my parents in high school. Im going to leave at 3:00 pm today, my wife is out of town and I need to pick my kid up at school or he will miss baseball practice. This is just one example of the countless excuses to leave early that I have heard from my superiors. Why do my managers and superiors feel a need to explain their need to leave early to me? I dont care! Leave early if you have to. You have a life! I have a life! Work is just a part of life! I dont need to know if your kid is sick or if you have a doctors appointment. We are all grown-ups hereI trust you. I cant blame my coworkers for this. I find myself coming up with ridiculous reasons for leaving a little early as well. We work in a corporate culture that believes more time equals more productivity and the people who work the most hours are the ones going the extra mile. Best Buy has instituted a program called Results Oriented Work Environment (ROWE), to combat this antiquated, assembly-line way of thinking. Workers come in when they want, they leave when they want and they dont make excuses. Major deliverables are known in advance and management trusts its employees to get the job done. This may be an elaborate PR stunt, but if Best Buy actually practices what they preach; they are embracing the blended life. I am absolutely convinced that this is the future of work. How refreshing would it be to have no idea how many hours you worked because there is no distinction between work hours and life hours? Its a new way of thinking, and like my buddy Ryan Paugh said, change is a dirty word, but its necessary and its logical. My peers entering the workforce are not preprogrammed to make a giant distinction between work time and other time. Now is the opportunity to make this very simple change in thinking. Its a win-win situation. Half of the American population will no longer hate their jobs, which will inevitably lead to increased production for the corporations. The only sector that could possibly lose out is pharmaceutical, when clinical depression reaches an all-time low. And thats just fine by me. Im amazed that a program such as this can be considered revolutionary. To me, it just makes sense. Apparently some older workers equate not having strict business hours with working around the clock. This is completely understandable. If you have been controlled by the clock and overly concerned with hours for years, then it may be hard to differentiate productivity from hours worked. When I have had enough and am struggling to concentrate on my work, it seems pretty obvious to me that I need to shut it down and do other things. The work can be finished later. Of course, it will not be easy to implement this new way of working for every type of job. Hourly workers actually need to record their time, doctors need to be around in case of an emergency, stock brokers must be available when the market is open and Im sure there are other examples where this would not work too easily. However, a Results Oriented Work Environment for the average corporate Joe would be a beautiful thing. Best Buy (or at least their PR department) is redefining the meaning of work-life balance. Simply put, they have created a blended life culture. The wheels have been set in motion; its only a matter of time before everyone hops on board. Ryan Healys blog is Employee Evolution.

How to Bridge Skills Gaps in Your Team

How to Bridge Skills Gaps in Your Team In today’s fast-paced world, employees and companies face an increasing skill gap set that threatens the sustainability of businesses everywhere. Determining whether  this is the result of an unfair expectation or inadequate training is only the first step. It is the responsibility of  every professional to actively bridge the disconnect in skills for a smarter, united team. There are a number of opportunities that can elevate the ability of your workers, and in turn the cohesion of your team. It is within their power as much as yours to make this change. A combined approach of workshops, open communication, further study and support is the key driver that will see employees cross the bridge, over to where the grass is greener! Find the  source The difference between acknowledging and understanding a situation is significant. Discovering exactly where a problem lies requires empathy, a thorough knowledge of the business and genuine regard for your co-workers. If a person isn’t able to complete a task within the allocated team, always ask yourself, why? Is it their workload? Was the constraint unreasonable? The undeniable truth is that it is likely a combination of factors. Review  your  team You know what the problem is, but how do you allot responsibility? Reviewing the dynamic of your team constantly is a great way to assess individual strengths, weaknesses and improvements. While annual and quarterly reviews are insightful, a commitment to realising the changes in your team as they happen will help to prevent mistakes and encourage fast growth. Sometimes, we as professionals can tend to be critical of others before ourselves in reality, every employee should own their own development. Involve everyone Letting people know how they’re tracking will also tell them if they’re behind, even when they don’t realise it. Open communication is an absolute pillar of success. Remember, first and foremost you’re a team! Informing someone of where they need to improve should always be constructive and with the intention of moving the person forward. While this doesn’t mean shouting their flaws to the rooftops, it’s a good idea to sit down with your team and generate a positive discussion. Understanding your co-workers capacity and primary focus are good ways to ensure no one is put upon any more than anyone else. You’re only as strong as your weakest player, so working together to build new skills and generate new ideas is something everyone should be invested in! Stay knowledgeable Great employees make great companies! Keeping that in mind, it’s a good idea for all project managers to stay involved and lead by example. Collaboration requires you to trust and invest in your team, bouncing ideas and sharing concepts to keep everyone across the board up to date with industry practice. Considering introducing weekly workshops for your co-workers so they can build on their current skills, access the latest updates and reap the rewards of real professional development. Keep employees updated New technology and practice are fast-paced, with trends emerging and disappearing every day. A large amount of the theory taught in university becomes outdated once you actually enter the industry, and learning on the go is the best solution to this. While workshops are an excellent starting point, all professionals should be encouraged to explore their knowledge through further study. The secret to being an outstanding professional is to be a lifelong learner, with access to new ideas and ways of learning, while you work. Returning to the classroom is a great experience for established professionals, who can now enjoy the benefits of in-demand, digital and accessible content exactly the way the modern world likes it. Offer Support incentives Upskilling can be stressful and demanding even for the best of us, but the end result is invaluable. Being able to absorb and apply new information, and take control of your own professional development is a short-term challenge, for a long-term win. Crucial to this process is that a support system is in place, particularly around the project leader who is looked to as a mentor.   In addition to great support and advice, an incentive is the best way to motivate and inspire employees to aim higher. The prospect of genuine growth and reward can do wonders as much as an open acknowledgement of appreciation. Letting your co-workers know that you’ve recognised their efforts will encourage others to do the same. Ultimately, when it comes to fixing skill discrepancies in any working team, it’s perhaps most important that these gaps are viewed as an opportunity for leaps and bounds, rather than an obstacle. About the author:  Helen Sabell works for collegeforadultlearning.edu.au.  She is passionate about lifelong learning. She has designed, developed and authored many workplace leadership and training programs, both in Australia and overseas. Image: Shutterstock

The workplace favors athletes, so do your best to be one

The workplace favors athletes, so do your best to be one Heres some career advice. Stop obsessing about how smart you are. Instead, get some exercise and youll perform better at work athletes do better in the workplace than non-athletes. Even off the field. This advice is true in a wide range of scenarios across age groups, job descriptions, and types of exercise. Athletes make more money because their self-confidence and competitive nature makes them choose jobs that pay more money, says James Shulman, author of The Game of Life: College Sport and Educational Values. This happens from every group of athletes from the liberal arts colleges to big-time sports. It is not affected or skewed by a few people winning million-dollar NFL contracts or anything like that. Another reason athletes make more money is that they fit in better in todays workplace, which values emotional intelligence over academic intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the soft skills that enable smooth running interpersonal relationships at work such as the ability to read peoples nonverbal cues and the ability to manage oneself within a team. These skills are not taught in a classroom; however, someone with athletic experience is likely to have picked them up. Sports teach workplace values like teamwork, shared commitment, decision-making under pressure, and leadership, says Jennifer Crispen , a professor at Sweet Briar College who teaches a course in the history of culture of womens sport. Also, playing sports helps people succeed because it teaches skills such as, time management, mental toughness, and focus, says David Czesniuk, manager at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society. This is especially true for women. Crispen told me, Eighty-one percent of women executives played organized team sports growing up. These women attribute their success, in a part, to the fact that they learned the values that playing these sports teaches. Mariah Titlow, a biologist, has been involved in sports all her life. Sports have given me better focus and discipline, she says. Ive done gymnastics, swimming, dance, field hockey, track. Sports increased my confidence, made me a happier person, and taught me how to get through something tough. Elite colleges are aware of this connection, which explains why it is easier to get into the Ivy League if you are an athlete. And employers know that athletes have an advantage in the workplace, so hiring managers like to see candidates with athletic experience. For athletes, this is great news. Non-athletes should stop complaining about the unfair advantage, and instead, take steps to confer some of the advantages of being an athlete on themselves. Here are some ideas for getting started: If youre in school, join a team and approach it with dedication, because thats an integral part of your education. Your body and your brain are connected, says Titlow, so the benefits of sports spill over into other parts of life. The career benefits of being an athlete are not necessarily related to talent, they have to do with focus and commitment. So get some. If you are out of school, there are still opportunities to join teams that cater to adult beginners. But if you cant image doing that, at least go to the gym. Its no coincidence two thirds of female business executives and 75 percent of all chief executives, exercise regularly, Crispen said. While you do not gain team-oriented benefits from individual exercise, you do cultivate business essentials such as self-discipline, goal setting, and self-confidence. In fact exercise in the morning notably improves your workplace performance that very day, according to research from Leeds Metropolitan University. Still feeling like a couch potato? That couch time is costing you money: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found that good-looking people make 14 percent more than ugly people. Part of this discrepancy is because, `The perfect leader is someone who is able to control other peoples perceptions of him. Everyone has a secret a weakness or a raw nerve they dont want to be touched. For a person who is overweight, the secret is out. says executive recruiter Mark Jaffe. Before you hem and haw about beauty being in the eye of the beholder, just go to the gym. You know good-looking when you see it, and you know ugly when you see it, and a body thats been exposed to regular exercise at the gym is probably not ugly. You might not get that whole 14 percent of extra pay, but your career is going to benefit one way or another if you exercise regularly.

A Great Way to Get Your Dream Job

A Great Way to Get Your Dream JobWhen you have to hire a resume writing service Kent WA, you should know that it can be a very easy task. This is because most of the people that deal with writing resumes are aware of the various intricacies of this type of work. This makes it quite easy for you to find the best job to suit your needs.When you take the help of resume writing services in Kent WA, the amount of information that they provide to you will vary. However, most of them provide the necessary information that is required for writing a good resume. The amount of work that these people can do for you will depend on how much time and effort they put into assisting you in this field.The fact is that most resume writing services are able to provide you with several different options that will benefit you when it comes to choosing the type of resume that you want to have created. In most cases, you will be given a questionnaire that will be used to make sure that you are able to choo se the one that is best suited for your requirements. Most of the time, you will also be provided with instructions regarding the format of the resume.Most of the resume writing services in Kent WA will not charge you for the information that they provide to you. This means that you will be able to use the information for any other reason that you want. Even though they offer free service, it does not mean that they can give you any information that you would not be able to get from the resources provided by your local library.One thing that you should remember is that there are many people who are under the impression that writing resumes is easy but it is actually quite difficult for the general public. Most of the time, you will come across individuals who are so used to having this particular job that they do not know what it takes to write a good one. They would rather sit back and watch than actually apply themselves in order to improve their resume writing skills.Resume writi ng services in Kent WA have the knowledge and the tools that are required to make your resume a quality document. It would be best for you to know that you can get all the benefits that you need without spending too much time in learning how to do this. This means that you will be able to avoid wasting time, money and effort on something that you are not going to benefit from.Resume writing services in Kent WA will be able to provide you with what you need without any problem. This means that you will be able to save time that would otherwise be wasted on applying for jobs that you do not really want to apply for. You will also be able to avoid wasting time on getting things ready to submit it to an employer.Resume writing services in Kent WA are available everywhere. You just need to look for a company that has this type of service so that you can get all the benefits that are available for a low cost.

Millennial Business Cards What It Takes to Have One of the Coolest Business Cards in 2019 - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Millennial Business Cards What It Takes to Have One of the Coolest Business Cards in 2019 Most marketers think of social media pages to connect with potential customers. Theyre so quick to think of the digital that they forget about the analog. We mean the humble business card. Its a physical slice of your businesss marketing. The tangible nature of the card makes your business feel real. But a shocking 88 percent of business cards get thrown away. Within a week. Get your designs into the 12 percent of cards that people keep. Lets check out the trends for the coolest business cards. Go Minimal How much information does a business card actually need? You need your email, phone, and website. Maybe a social media link.  But add anything else and it starts to get cluttered. Minimalism lets you have a cool, sleek design. And the empty space gives potential clients somewhere to write a few notes about you. Miniature Portfolio Why waste the empty space on the reverse of the card? Use it as a miniature portfolio! Headshot photographers might include an example of their work. Or artists might carry a series of cards, each featuring a different piece. Having a range of designs or photos on your cards gives you options. You can hand  over the  image that best suits the potential client. Different Materials You dont have to stick to simple cardboard. Designers can choose from a wider array of materials for their cards. Thicker card stock  gives your business an air of sophistication. It also lets you choose a textured finish that people love to touch. Or go for letterpress and have an embossed feel. This pairs really well with bold typography. Thin acrylic looks modern and innovative.  Go really inventive. Use UV ink so it glows under sunlight.   Interactive Business Cards These cards are great because they double up as another item. A potential client is less likely to throw away a card they can use. Are you an engineer? Add measurements to a plastic business card to turn it into a ruler! A bike repair shop might have metal cards that double as toolkits. Design sliding parts that move in or out of the card. Or create a foldable card that turns into something else. Coloured Edges and Die Cut Business cards dont even have to be plain rectangles now. Why not use die cutting to change its shape? Rounded corners are good because it stops the corners getting dog-eared in a wallet. Or get the card die-cut in the shape of your logo. Its an easy way to make your business card stand out. Coloured edges achieve the same effect. That way, people can spot your card even in a stack of other cards. The Coolest Business Cards Stand Out You dont want to have an edgy or wacky design just to stand out. The coolest business cards also support the brand vision or strategy of the business. Theyre memorable and create the  right  impression. Build good associations with clients through cards theyll admire or use again. Are you using business cards to get hired? Explore our blog for tips and tricks to get you through the interview.

Why Are So Many People Still Out of Work

Why Are So Many People Still Out of Work My hypothesis as to why so many people are still out of work is that they do not know how to talk about their talents in a way that the future employer understands.   It is as if the job seeker is speaking a different language and the employer doesnt understand. The reason this is happening?   The majority of job seekers dont take the time to customize their written tools (cover letters, resumes, marketing plans, bios, profiles). Is it ignorance or laziness? In either case, it is fixable with the right perspective and research! As I was thinking about writing this post I thought I would share how to customize a resume based on the requirements of a job posting.   Lo and behold, Louise Fletcher at Blue Sky Resume, has done exactly this!   Thanks Louise.   You did it better than I could have ever done.   Please, visit her blog now and read this posting if you have any doubts on how to customize your resume for a job posting! I have vented too on the frustration in receiving documents claiming to be resumes for specific job postings. Is Your Resume Meeting the Needs of the Employer. If you think you are customizing your resume, think again.   Ask someone from a different industry to read it and see what they think.   I have seen job seekers use company jargon and terminology that frequently doesnt match with the job they are applying for.   They think theyve changed enough to make it a match. Remember, the job posting is the RFP (request for proposal).   Your resume is your proposal.   It need not include every thing you CAN do.   It needs to focus on what the posting is asking for.   If you dont know the needs of the employer or their industry, you will have to do some research.   This is another reason why you need to get out and network.   I wrote a post about getting your head out of the sand to help understand what networking really is.   Rita Carey so nicely stated the other night that networking is about research not job search! The other really important thing to remember is that job search is more than applying for on-line jobs.   That is not a strategy, it is an tactic and one that doesnt net a high return on your investment.   Certainly do it, but, everything in moderation.