The Toughest Job Interview Questions – Question 12

“Are You Pregnant?”

Before you read on, remember that these questions are not provided for you to merely skim over. The planning and preparation of answers is essential to maximizing your interviewing prowess. The only way to succeed is to match your background to a positive, upbeat, convincing answer for each of these questions. Start with your resume, know every word on it. Another key part of your preparation is company research. You should know as much about the company as you possibly can before you arrive for the interview.

How old are you? Are you married? Are you divorced? Do you plan to have more children? There’s no doubt that these are illegal questions in the sense that companies can not base their selection on these factors, but don’t spend time thinking about what is legal and what’s not.

Even if a question is inappropriate, we suggest that you do not dodge it. Respond briefly; then execute a linkage maneuver, pivoting on your resume, to maintain your offensive position. You might say, following a ten-second response to a poor question: “And Mr. Johnson, what’s more important to us all is how my experience in a new territory, highlighted at the bottom of page one of my resume, gives me ideal experience to assume a key role in your expansion plans.”

A final point: Don’t assume that any question is illegal. In reality, there are few illegal questions. Federal laws, however, do make it illegal to discriminate against candidates by eliminating them from consideration because of certain characteristics or experiences. To avoid the appearance of discrimination, therefore, many companies avoid asking questions about age, race, or nationality and so on.

To prove discrimination in the hiring process is very difficult and is counterproductive to your campaign. If a company is backward or archaic in its hiring process, imagine what it would be like to work for the company! Rather than worrying about whether a question is appropriate or not, score points by responding in a positive and general way.

Question: Are you pregnant?

Answer: “No.” (If yes) “Yes, but I intend to return to work quickly. May I ask what you leave policy is?”

One of the things that will ensure your being a one percenter is being highly focused and prepared. If you want suggestions on where to start, contact us, we would be pleased to help.

To achieve a better job for better pay and have a better life, commit to excellence.

Charles

P.S. Don’t miss our next segment on Question 13, “Who will take care of your children while you work?”

P.P.S. Don’t miss our Radio Program – Better Job, Better Pay, Better Life!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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The Toughest Job Interview Questions – Question 11

“What are your strengths?”

Before you read on, remember that these questions are not provided for you to merely skim over. The planning and preparation of answers is essential to maximizing your interviewing prowess. The only way to succeed is to match your background to a positive, upbeat, convincing answer for each of these questions. Start with your resume, know every word on it. Another key part of your preparation is company research. You should know as much about the company as you possibly can before you arrive for the interview.

Your answer should address the specific agendas of the interviewer. Focus on:

A. Your personal, supervisory or managerial characteristics, as well as, your technical skills: “I am an excellent leader, decision maker, communicator, motivator. I work well with people. I’m a team player.”

B. Your willingness to work hard: “I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to meet the company’s goals. I value my home life, and I’m willing to blend the needs of my family with the needs of the company.”

C. Your desire to do what’s in the best interest of the company: “I’m willing to travel, to relocate, to do whatever enhances the company’s bottom line.”

Technical professionals often overlook these skill areas that often can distinguish them from others equally or potentially more qualified. These are skills in demand in virtually all companies and tend to be more difficult to apprise in the interview.

You should always have examples, typically from your resume, that demonstrate your strengths. One of the things that will ensure your being a one percenter is being highly focused and prepared. If you want suggestions on where to start, contact us, we would be pleased to help.

To achieve a better job for better pay and have a better life, commit to excellence.

Charles

P.S. Don’t miss our next segment on Question 12, “Are You Pregnant?”

P.P.S. Don’t miss our Radio Program – Better Job, Better Pay, Better Life!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Honor Our Veterans – Veteran’s Day 2012 – Join Us!

What Will You Do On Veteran’s Day?

Sunday November 11, 2012 is Veteran’s Day. There are many distractions on this day. What will you decide to focus on?

What is Veteran’s Day mean to you? It may be just a day to rest, a chance to have a day off. Perhaps it is a chance to shop till you drop taking advantage of sales. Maybe it is a time for friends and family. Perhaps you would be willing to look at it in a different way starting today and from now on.

Veteran’s Day is a time that we stop and honor those who have served and are serving our country. Primarily those who have worn our military uniforms, yet also those who have served in different ways also risking their lives. You can recognize those who are in uniform defending our freedoms with out much difficulty. You may never even be aware or consider those who break codes, gather intelligence and serve in covert ways that retain the danger if not the recognition.

Too often for too many people Veteran’s Day is a sale, a party, a rest and not a time to reflect. Men and women of all ages will take time this day and remember. They will perhaps gather in large cities and small towns and hear speeches, pledge an allegiance that they still maintain passionately after so many years and they will probably shed some tears. Tears as they salute our flag. Tears as they see others in uniform. Tears as they consider what they have given for their country and others have taken from our country.

Please honor our freedom, stand for our freedom and if called on fight for our freedom. Vote for our freedom while you have that freedom. Please take a moment to forward this blog to your social network and encourage others to honor our veterans and those who serve each day and please do not forget to encourage their families.

Please remember whatever else you do this holiday, this weekend, from now on to make time to remember, honor and celebrate those who have given all for our nation, our flag and our freedom.

May God give us grace and bless America,

Charles

P.S. Don’t miss our Radio Program – Better Job, Better Pay, Better Life!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Toughest Job Interview Questions – Question 10

“What books have you read recently?”

Before you read on, remember that these questions are not provided for you to merely skim over. The planning and preparation of answers is essential to maximizing your interviewing prowess. The only way to succeed is to match your background to a positive, upbeat, convincing answer for each of these questions. Start with your resume, know every word on it. Another key part of your preparation is company research. You should know as much about the company as you possibly can before you arrive for the interview.

Always keep your responses business-oriented by naming business books that are current and popular. Be sure that you’ve read the books you name in case the interviewer has also read them and asks more specific follow-up questions about them!

You are a person of integrity. You do expect to be believed. So come into the interview prepared to answer wisely, with clarity and preparation. Don’t just anticipate how you should answer this question. Life this answer – remember that leaders are readers.

A person who feeds their mind with sound teaching and exposes their minds to right associations will never be famished for ideas. One of the things that will ensure your being a one percenter is being a reader of great authors. If you want suggestions on where to start, contact us, we would be pleased to help.

To achieve a better job for better pay and have a better life, commit to excellence.

Charles

P.S. Don’t miss our next segment on Question 11, “What are your strengths?”

P.P.S. Don’t miss our Radio Program – Better Job, Better Pay, Better Life!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Toughest Job Interview Questions – Question 9

“What did you think of your boss?”

Before you read on, remember that these questions are not provided for you to merely skim over. The planning and preparation of answers is essential to maximizing your interviewing prowess. The only way to succeed is to match your background to a positive, upbeat, convincing answer for each of these questions. Start with your resume, know every word on it. Another key part of your preparation is company research. You should know as much about the company as you possibly can before you arrive for the interview.

“He was an excellent manager. I learned a lot from him, and we had an ideal working relationship. In fact, one of my letters of reference is from him and I’d be glad to share it with you if you’d like.” (If you have been reading the book or listening to our broadcast you should recognize linkage – and there it is again.)

If you had a great working relationship with your previous employer this may have seemed an easy one. However, let us say for the moment that was not the case. Let us imagine, and for some this wont be hard, that your prior relationship was more like a demilitarized zone than a relationship. How do you answer this way?

First, we mend the bridge. We discuss the importance of this in our teaching and you need to recognize how vital this is. To begin with you need to have closure and be able to move forward – that is emotionally healthy. Next recognize that most employers are human and in this area can be reasoned with.

This element requires moving past feelings, injured pride and on to the courage to recognize the power and value in repairing the past in order to move forward. We are not suggesting that this person will be your new best friend. However, we are suggesting that a professional relationship is possible where they will be civil and communicate that you were a responsible, positive performer in your prior position.

Relationships can be mended and it has a significant impact on your future. Work on this area it will be worth it. If you have questions about this study chapter four of Job Search: The Total System. If you still have questions, please feel free to email us at “Question 9 Help” and we will try to help clarify this.

To achieve a better job for better pay and have a better life, commit to excellence.

Charles

P.S. Don’t miss our next segment on Question 10, “What books have you read recently?”

P.P.S. Don’t miss our Radio Program – Better Job, Better Pay, Better Life!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Toughest Job Interview Questions – Question 8

“What does cooperation mean?”

Before you read on, remember that these questions are not provided for you to merely skim over. The planning and preparation of answers is essential to maximizing your interviewing prowess. The only way to succeed is to match your background to a positive, upbeat, convincing answer for each of these questions. Start with your resume, know every word on it. Another key part of your preparation is company research. You should know as much about the company as you possibly can before you arrive for the interview.

Cooperation means working with subordinates, superiors and peers to establish an environment of excellence as a member of the team in order to meet organizational goals.

That was the answer and here is the thought process to help you understand the why behind the answer. When you listen to our “best answer” you may be tempted to say that sounds like a company policy statement. In some ways you would be close to right. However here is the key, the question was intended to find out from you do you focus on yourself or the company?

Realize that the interviewer is acting on behalf of the company. A leader in the company needs to be concerned about their staff, their customers and the company. For the company to succeed and be there for the employees and customers there needs to be a focus that communicates commitment.

If your response to “cooperation” meant that others didn’t give you a hard time and that you had the freedom to get done what you had come to do, it was all about you. If your response to “cooperation” meant how can we, the whole staff at all levels work together to achieve harmony of purpose, positive momentum and energy for success of the organizational goals you are no longer thinking of self but of the team’s success.

If that was your focus those you are interviewing with are now salivating wondering how quickly they can get you signed up for the team. People can be taught skills but a commitment to mission takes internal focus. It has to be a part of you and employers know this. Antoine de Saint-Exupery, in his writing, Flight to Arras, said, “The important thing is to strive towards a goal which is not immediately visible. That goal is not the concern of the mind, but of the spirit.”

To achieve a better job for better pay and have a better life, commit to excellence.

-Charles

P.S. Don’t miss our next segment on Question 9, “What did you think of your boss?”

P.P.S. Don’t miss our Radio Program – Better Job, Better Pay, Better Life!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Toughest Job Interview Questions – Question 7

“Why are you leaving your current job?”

Before you read on, remember that these questions are not provided for you to merely skim over. The planning and preparation of answers is essential to maximizing your interviewing prowess. The only way to succeed is to match your background to a positive, upbeat, convincing answer for each of these questions. Start with your resume, know every word on it. Another key part of your preparation is company research. You should know as much about the company as you possibly can before you arrive for the interview.

Remember, no negatives. Everything about your past job and your past boss are all positive. Was there a reorganization, acquisition or merger that caused you to leave your job? Did you quit – was it your choice to leave your job, and if so, how do you positively explain that? Was you job eliminated? Was there a new innovative technique that came in and caused you job to be absolete? Was it a personal choice because the company no longer offered growth and challenge? Did the company reorganize, right size or go through a merger that has changed your future opportunities in the company?

The best four-part answer is:

1. A reorganization in the company affected my position.
2. This reorganization had nothing to do with my performance.
3. I have references that support my excellent track record.
4. My extensive research on your company suggests that you can benefit from my experience.

If you are currently employed but seeking advancement, you may simply state, “I have gained a lot in my current role, but am ready for the next step in my career. Your organization and this opportunity seem to offer an excellent match with my capabilities.

The answer can also be combined with “tell me about yourself” creating psychological leverage as you anticipate this inevitable question at the very start of an interview.

To achieve a better job for better pay and have a better life, commit to excellence.

-Ken

P.S. Don’t miss our next segment on Question 8, “What does cooperation mean?”

P.P.S. Don’t miss our Radio Program – Better Job, Better Pay, Better Life!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”