How to Answer 5 of the Trickiest Interview Questions

How to Answer 5 of the Trickiest Interview QuestionsHow to Answer 5 of the Trickiest Interview Questions5 Tricky Interview Questions and How to Handle ThemDont get tripped up by these tricky vorstellungsgesprch questions.Youve done your homework, youre looking sharp and youre brimming with confidence for your job bewerbungsgesprch. From the opening handshake, you feel like youre in control and this job is yours.That is, until the interviewer asks that one really awkward, tricky interview question. How do you answer it without making yourself look bad? Could you tank all of your hard work with just one bad answer?The answer is,sadly, yes. You can. There are a lot of difficult interview questions out there that interviewers like to ask to trip you up a little and see how you handle it. The question may actually seem harmless enough until you start to answer and realize that youre quickly headed down a bad path with your answer.You have to be ready for these questions so you can give an swers that present you in a positive light and allow you to sidestep those little traps. Here are five common - but tricky - interview questions and how to handle them.Tell me about yourself. How would you describe yourself?A chance to talk about yourself? Great Wait a second. This could be a trap. It is a trap. Keep these things in mind with this tricky interview questionThis isnt an invitation to brag about everything amazing youve ever done professionally or otherwise. Trying too hard to make yourself look good just comes across as arrogance, and nobody likes that.At this point, the interviewer doesnt care about your pets or your grandmothers cooking. Keep your answer geared towards your professional life in a realistic, but positive way.Avoid using too many job interview clichs like, Im a people person or Im a kollektiv player. Ugh. They get used so much that they really have no meaning anymore.To keep in mind when crafting your answer Keep the focus on the position and the comp any. What trends are they following and how would you help them do that? Do they put emphasis on the local culture or charitable events? Connect the things that you care about and do well with, with the important values of the company and the particular position you want. Its all about making the interviewer see you as a perfect fit for that job. They say, Tell me about yourself, but what they want to hear is What makes you great for this job?Whats your biggest weakness?Oh yeah. Its great when they ask you about your biggest strengths because thats a green light to go ahead and brag a little. Tell them why you would be a rockstar in their company. But, about halfway through your answer, you realize the next, leidoriously difficult interview question is coming and a little bead of sweat starts to form on your forehead. Answers to this question can make you look bad or downright ridiculous if youre not careful.Perhaps you know that you struggle with punctuality or you really dont like working on team projects. Believe it or not, this is not the time to bring things like this up (Hint Never bring them up. Work on getting better about those things). You dont want to highlight any flaws that could take you out of the running for the job.To keep in mind when crafting your answer The great answers to tough interview questions focus on things you want to do instead of things you do poorly. Are there certifications you would like to get or particular skills youd like to improve upon? You want to present yourself as fully qualified for this job, but think about those things that could take you to the next level and leverage them as your weaknesses while showing your desire to add them to your resume.Why do you want to leave your current job?If youre currently employed and yet youre interviewing for a new job, that means something has prompted you to make a move. Like many of these questions, what the interviewer is looking for is any type of red flag. Here are some answ ers you want to avoid and how the interviewer may interpret themI cant stand my boss. I wonder what your boss would say about you? There are 2 sides to every story. Dont bad mouth your old boss. Red flagIt doesnt pay enough. Ah, so youre only in it for the money. You arent really passionate about your work. Red flagIts a bad company. So you jump ship as soon as you disagree with how your company does something and then bad mouth them? Red flagThey made me do things that werent part of my job. Are you unwilling to help out and reach beyond your written job definition? Not a team player. Red flagThese are all valid reasons for moving on, but you dont really want to broadcast that. In short, you want to avoid any answer that sheds a negative light on your current job or anyone working there. Keep the focus on you and what you want for the future.To keep in mind when crafting your answer With these difficult interview questions, talk about what youve accomplished at your current job and how you feel ready to take the next step. Mention some tasks or attributes in the new position that would be excellent learning experiences for you. Its not about where youve been, its about where you want to go.Tell me how youve handled a difficult situation.Chances are that youve faced some awkward, difficult, and possibly even dangerous situations on the job. How you handle them says a lot about you as an employee, a person and possibly as a manager.The key to this tricky interview question is to make sure that you talk about a situation that wasnt your fault. If youre handling a difficult situation, but its obvious that you created your own troubles, it doesnt look good. The interviewer wants to see how you handle difficult situations, and if you are able to think outside the box and keep the companys big picture in mind.To keep in mind when crafting your answer Try to think of a time when outside forces like weather or clients created a stressful situation. Did you step in? We re you able to create a solution that could make everyone happy? This is your chance to show that you have problem-solving skills.Why would you like this job?There could be any number of reasons youd like the job that you are interviewing for at this moment. Perhaps its an upward career move. It may be a better commute. You are attracted to the salary, benefits or even the companys public image. Any of these are legitimate reasons for wanting to land a new job. However, by answering this question, you will be prioritizing some of these things. You want to avoid making it appear that youre just in it for the money or prestige and you certainly dont want to mention if you hate your current job. Put yourself on the other side of the desk. If you were interviewing a candidate, what would you want them to say?To keep in mind when crafting your answer Put the focus on the company. If youve done your research, you can talk about some great things that the company has done. Then, you can ta lk about the specific position and what excites you about it. Discuss what you bring to the table to help move the company forward. Really what theyre asking is why should we hire you? Give them good reasons.Tricky interview questions are a part of nearly every job interview. If you want to come off sounding intelligent and prepared, do a little research on common job interview questions and have some answers ready in your mind. If you do get a surprise question, just remember to keep the focus on the positive. If every answer you give helps to paint a picture of how you are the right fit for this job, the interviewer will see it too.Ace your next interview with confidence. Work with a TopInterview coach today.Related Articles

How to Start a Small Business in Virginia

How to abflug a Small Business in VirginiaHow to Start a Small Business in VirginiaYouve dreamed of it for years, and now youre ready to do it youre going to start your own business. But youll have to take care of a few things first. Youll probably want to register your business name, and in some cases and depending on your businesss legal business, this may be a requirement. Youll have to register with your state to pay taxes, and you may have to obtain licenses and permits. How to Start a Small Business in Virginia Heres a checklist to help you get started Virginia Business Licensing Information Contact the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation at 804-367-8500 about licensing requirements. Virginia doesnt have one blanket license that pertains to all businesses it depends on the service or product youre offering. Some examples of businesses that require licensing include barber shops, real estate agents, and engineers. Get aFederal Employer Identificat ion Number (EIN) This number will identify your business with the Internal Revenue Service. Youll need one to pay federal taxes, to open business bank accounts or to pay employees. You can usually skip this step, however, if youre a sole proprietor and dont have employees. In this case, you would conduct business under your own Social Security number. You can apply for an EIN online for free at the IRS website. Register Your Business Virginia offers aBusiness Registration Guidethat includes a great deal of helpful information from the State Corporation Commission for various business entities. fruchtwein businesses can take care of registration online as well. Start with an online search to make sure your business name isnt already taken, then the website will walk you through the additional stepsin most cases as long as your business structure isnt complicated. Virginia Business Taxes Almost all businessesmust file a Virginia corporate income tax return if theyre incorporated under Virginia law, have registered with the State Corporation Commission for the privilege of conducting business in Virginia, or receive income from Virginia sources. Federally tax-exempt nonprofit organizations only have to file corporate income tax returns if they earned unrelated business taxable income at the federal level. Virginia allows businesses to file returnsand pay withholding and abverkauf taxes online, as well as file and pay corporate extensions, send secure messages,paytax bills and register for nonprofit exemptions. If you select S corporation status for your federal tax return, you are also automatically considered an S corporation in Virginia. Virginias Small Business Administration Center TheVirginia District Officeof the Small Business Administration Center is located in the Federal Building at 400 North 8th Street, Suite 1150, Richmond, VA 23219-4829. You can phone 804-771-2400 with questions orfor further information. The fax number is 804-772-2764 or you can sen d an email to richmond.vasba.gov. This office covers all of Virginia except Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church. The SBA can give you contact information for these areas. TheVirginia Guide to Establishing a Businesscan also be helpful. It summarizes the major state and local tax, labor, occupational and environmental regulations that may affect various businesses in Virginia.

This dream job will pay you to taste chocolate for a living

This dream job will pay you to taste chocolate for a livingThis dream job will pay you to taste chocolate for a livingIts happening. Its truly, finally happening.The search for thebest job ever can nowend because Ive just found it. There will never be another, better job. Start polishing your resum and prep your interview answers, because this is the right career move for just about anyone (unless you have allergies to gluten, dairy or nuts).Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreMondelez International, home to Oreo, Cadbury, Milka and many of your other favorite drug store candies, is hiring a part-time chocolate taster. And what will this job entail, you may ask? The answer All of your wildest dreams and more.According to the listing, these are the responsibilities for the roleBe able to taste chocolate products and give objective and honest feedbackWork within a team of panelists to share opinions and collaborate to reach an agreement on tasteUse a clearly defined vocabulary to describe products and aid in the discrimination between productsBe consistent in the results givenKnow the ethical and legal compliance responsibilities of the position raise questions and concerns when faced with an ethical or compliance issue apply integrity in all aspects of professional conductNow, I know what youre thinking - this sounds like an awesome opportunity, but what if youve never tasted chocolate professionally before? No problem, saysMondelez International.No experience is required as full training will be provided to develop your taste buds and the specific vocabulary required to communicate your opinions, according to the listing.What does this training entail? Who knows, but it sounds delicious.So then, if prior experience isnt a must, what qualifications do you need to make it as a part-time chocolate taster? Good question - the answer is basically a love of chocol ate, good communication skills and the ability to understand English. Heres what the listing saysA passion for confectionary and taste buds for detectionHonesty when it comes to giving opinionEager to try new inventive productsA communicative personality to build great relationships with your panelA firm grasp of the English LanguageIf you live for chocolate, this may sound like the opportunity of a lifetime. Just a few caveats The role is part-time, so youre only going to get paid for 7.5 or 8 hours a week. Also - and this may be the bigger obstacle - the listing says the positions based inWokingham, England. So if youre not ready for a move across the Atlantic, this may not be your big break into the chocolate business after all.But if it does sound like the ideal job - and you know it does - you might as well apply here. Fingers crossed you get the golden ticketYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in t he first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

How to be late for work without making your boss mad

How to be late for work without making your boss madHow to be late for work without making your boss madSaunter into a party an hour behind schedule and youre fashionably late. Do the same thing at work and you could be in trouble.

The Biggest Myth About Curriculum Vitae Writer Exposed

The Biggest Myth About Curriculum Vitae Writer Exposed The standard of your CV will definitely go a ways towards influencing your odds of landing your dream job. A profession-specific CV also provides the impression you know precisely what youre searching for in your professional work life, and career aspirations. The Start of Curriculum Vitae Writer You may want to use our readily made available digital studienplan vitae sample so that you wouldnt have a rough time trying to find the precise ones that are entirely different from a resume. The whole assortment of resume templates is composed of a selection of creative resume entwurfs. Also, have a look at different samples for each one to provide you some helpful examples you will need to follow. Enormous selection of design style will guarantee you will get a resume template that fits with your taste.If youre utilizing a CV to apply to get a job in another nation, its important to learn about the format common in that nation . You also receive a completely free job interview tracker for a bonus. Whichever format you select, it should make you become selected for the job youre applying for. The candidate as an example, based upon request at his job you need to consider when creating your. Curriculum Vitae Writer Options Your very first impression with an employer often comes out of a document whether it is a curriculum vitae or resume. Whichever one is suitable for you, dont focus it solely on what you would like from the job. You also ought to be careful to keep your CV professional concerning the title. In some nations, a CV is typically the very first item a prospective employer encounters concerning the job seeker and is typically utilised to screen applicants, often followed by means of an interview. Your cv ought to be clear concise complete and current with current employment and educational details. When searching for a job in a particular field, an overall CV simply wont do. Your IT Curr iculum Vitae (CV) is the very first point of interaction involving you, the work applicant and possible employers. Pick an Appropriate Curriculum Vitae Format Make sure you decide on a curriculum vitae format thats right for the position youre applying for. Formatting your CV is essential to make your document clear, professional and simple to read. Writing a CV thats satisfactory can end up being an intimidating undertaking. Imagine the attribute of writing youll receive from an inexpensive essay writing service. Yes, theres a person who can assist you with your essays expert essay writers at MyPerfectWords. You are able to also incorporate any study abroad experiences here if you havent already mentioned them. Suggest by appropriate hobbies and individual interests youll easily adapt to an overseas atmosphere. Steps to SuccessLook at an assortment of CVs in your field to construct your private awareness of how professionals communicate their value in the modern marketplace. Both curricula and curriculums are thought to be correct. It is not hard to update when you want to reveal new abilities and accomplishments. Now, see an outline of the perfect CV structure including all the sections explained. With a three-tone background based on the section, different regions of your CV stand out easily from one another. Also make sure you have organized all of the different sections properly. In addition, there are certain sections most men and women include in their CVs. You should also incorporate a reference list, either as an element of your CV, or on an individual page. Utilize your CV to keep tabs on your accomplishments and publications so that its always up-to-date. If it comes to CVs, some employers are extremely specific about what they would like you to include and the way the info ought to be laid out. To help you make a compelling CV, consider the subsequent background info and examples.

A different kind of hay fever

A different kind of hay fever A different kind of hay feverPosted September 11, 2013, by Julia Watters With spring upon us, plenty of people are rediscovering their green thumbs. But as you tend to the small veggie patch in the back corner of your garden, consider those who look after a much bigger veggie patch like 4600 hectares of it Agriculture is a broad industry that encompasses more than most people realise. From food to fibres and fuels to raw materials, its an industry that literally keeps us going. Its also subject to the cruel vagaries that Mother Nature conjures up, although fields such as agronomy help to minimise risk and maximise harvest. I spoke to Rohan Brill, a Research and Development Agronomist for the NSW Department of Primary Industries in Wagga Wagga, about why he chose a career in agriculture. Did you always want a career in agriculture and why? I always enjoyed the science side of farming but I struggled with much of the mundane jobs involved with farming suc h as shearing, going up and back on a tractor, etc. But once I got involved in agriculture after leaving school I enjoyed the challenge of it, that success is really up to you and not anyone else. The mundane jobs I now view as an essential part of the job and they also give me time to think. Why did you choose agronomy specifically? Agronomy is a good blend of science and practicality and it allows me to work in a field Im interested in, especially since I still have the goal of expanding the family farm, and Im always keen to learn. Im lucky that while I work full-time in agronomy I still have the family farm, which keeps me in touch with the risk management decisions that farmers need to make and enables me to evaluate the usefulness of my work. How did your university experience shape your career aspirations? The main thing I learnt was how to find things out. I learnt the value of evidence in driving decision-making and now use that in my job. There are so many fads and gimmick s in agriculture, its hard to decipher what is actually good for productivity as opposed to what is a sales pitch or a trend. This ability to filter and apply information and learn from experience really sorts people out. What do you find the most rewarding part of your job? I like conducting research and development that leads to grower adoption and an improved practice in the farming community. For example, in my

How to return to work after caring for a sick relative

How to return to work after caring for a sick relativeHow to return to work after caring for a sick relativeTackling a job search always feels overwhelming - especially when you have a large gap on your resume after becoming the full-time caretaker for a loved one who fell ill.Considering that 61% of caregivers have experienced some sort of change in their employment - be it decreasing their hours, receiving a performance warning, or even giving up working entirely - due to caring for a loved one, its understandable that youre afraid the career detour couldhinder your job hunt.Beyond that, youre left with a lot of lingering questions. Should you openly address why you were out of the workforce for that time? Or, is it better to wait to see if youre asked? Will employers think less of you because of that time off?Heres what you need to know about getting back in the game after taking that time off.1. Be honestIf theres one thing thats bound to poke holes in your confidence during y our job search, its that gap in your employment.Before you rush your resume out the door, consider whether you have something to help fill in that blank space on your resume, even if its notlage conventional paid work.This may be volunteer work that you did, as long as your volunteer work is related to the type of work that you want to do, explains Victoria A. LoCascio, President of Ace Your Interview. Or, perhaps you did some consulting work on the side while providing for your sick relative or friend.Still, many people who were consumed with caregiving and are now looking to rejoin the workforce may not have had any free time for side jobs.In those instances, its best to be up front and honest about why you stepped away from bro life - rather than waiting for an employer to ask you about it (or worse, make assumptions). Most people can relate and sympathize with needing to sacrifice personal goals in order to prioritize the needs of family (whether its a new child or an aging pare nt).When and where you choose to explain your employment gap is up to you. Some people choose to include it directly in their cover letter - for fear that they may not get an in-person chance to explain that gap - while others wait to see if they land an interview to divulge that information. Theres not one right way to go about it. Ultimately, its up to what makes you most comfortable.2. Extract value from your experienceYour time away from work was anything but a vacation - more often than not, it was stressful and incredibly trying. But, it was probably enlightening as well.When you go through a challenging experience, youre bound to learn a few valuable lessons. Highlighting those can make for an incredibly powerful career story and piece of your overall personal brand.Perhaps you were taught the importance of patience, dedication, and priorities (or all of the above). Or, maybe that experience revealed an entirely new career path you want to explore.Those are critical things that you may or may not have realized had you not taken that time off. So, dont forget to look at your employment gap with a more positive spin and pull out some of the valuable things you learned.You only need to share as much detail as you feel comfortable with. But, emphasizing those lessons is an effective way to show prospective employers that your time off was more than just a break from work - it was an important chapter in your entire story.3. Do your researchResearch is the foundation of any successful job search. And, this is especially true when youve been far removed from the working world for a longer amount of time.Before pulling together your resume, its time to brush up on whats been going on in your profession. Have there been any major industry shifts or updates? Is there something new required of people in your field - meaning you need to expand your skill set? Has the technology you used to use as part of the job changed?The world moves at a rapid pace. So, wh ether you were caring for your loved one for a couple of months or a couple of years, its worth taking the time to figure out exactly what you need to do to remain competitive in your chosen field.With that knowledge in your back pocket, you can knock the cobwebs off your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile and give them a much-needed refresh. Remember, including information thats seriously outdated or no longer relevant to your desired position is a surefire way to find your application in the hiring managers wastebasket.4. Put yourself back out thereOnce youre feeling a little more confident about what sort of value you bring to the table, its time to take a deep breath and start putting yourself out there once again.First, sign up for daily alerts on LinkedIn and Indeed for job titles in which you may be interested in applying, shares LoCascio, Apply to as many positions as you can during a two-week to three-week period when you start your job search.LoCascio explains that this sort of strategy will hopefully keep things moving at the same pace and thus supply you with more options- meaning you wont feel like you need to accept the very first job thats offered to you.Your network can be another powerful asset to you as you hit the ground running in your job search as well. Reach out to industry peers, past colleagues, friends, and really anybody else that you think might be able to help you in order to let them know that youre restarting your career.Considering that one study claims that 85% of all open jobs are filled via networking, it cant hurt to reach out to your web of contacts and enlist their help in your search for a new position.5. Dont apologizeThe fact that youre a little rusty in your profession is enough to inspire sweaty palms and some feelings of guilt or embarrassment, but cut yourself some slack.While offering some explanation for that gap in your employment is understandable (and oftentimes even encouraged), resist the urge to pro fusely apologize for it - its nothing to feel shameful about. Quite the contrary, in fact.Taking time off to care for a relative is okay for your career, and its admirable, concludes LoCascio, Show companies that you are ready to re-enter the workforce and give 110% to your job, and you will be able to land a new role.

The future of work is medically enhanced elite super-workers

The future of work is medically enhanced elite super-workersThe future of work is medically enhanced elite super-workersIn the future, we will be competing against medically-enhanced workers who can work longer and harder than us. Artificial intelligence will make it easier to monitor our every move in the office. This may sound like science fiction, but its a likely reality, according to a new report by professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.The report, which drew upon a team of science researchers and a survey of more than 10,000 workers based in China, Germany, India, the U.K., and the U.S., predicts that rapid advances in technology, resource scarcity, and population demographics are among the key forces that would radically shape the future of work by 2030.According to PwC, ansicht forces will result in four potential futures one where humans come first, one where innovation rules, one where companies care, and one where corporate is king.Report new breed of elite sup er-workers will emerge in 2030In the future world where corporations reign, PwC states thathuman effort is maximised through sophisticated use of physical and medical enhancement techniques and equipment, and workers performance and wellbeing are measured, monitored and analysed at every step. A new breed of elite super-workers emerges.This is a world where performance is everything, and workers will need to create every advantage to stay ahead. This may sound like a stressful objective, but the majority of people surveyed welcomed the challenge.Seventy percent of the workers surveyed said that they would undergo treatments to improve their body and mind if it would improve their chances of employment. This could be because we believe its up to us to improve our careers - even if that means pill-popping performance-enhancing drugs. Of those surveyed, 74% said it was their individual responsibility to update their skills rather than relying on any employer.To visualize this cognitiv e-enhanced future, PwC created a mock news article reporting from 2030 that detailed the first large-scale use of brain-enhancing drugs in the workplace.But you dont need a fake news report to binnensee this future real news reports about augmented bodies in the office have existed for some time. Companies in the U.S. and Europe are already offering microchip implants to workers, so they can enter company buildings and get their chips from the vending machine with the wave of a hand.PwC predicts that the idea of a cyborg workforce will go from science fiction novelty to mainstream in the next few decades.So implants at work are already possible and happening and people will use it socially to pay for things and to get on to buses and public transport. Why would they not 10 years later go, sure, put one in my brain to make me think harder or for longer?Jon Williams, PwCs people and organizations division leader told The Australian about its survey. Its just natural progression.

Crush Fear in the New Year - Be Your Own Boss

Crush Fear in the New Year - Be Yur Own BossCrush Fear in the New Year - Be Your Own BossIts time again to ring in a new year by celebrating with family and family, reflecting on the prior year.Our career is often a critical focus area deserving of our attention.Maybe this is the year to ask yourself some thought-provoking questionsIs my job invigorating or is it sapping my energy?Do I create my own schedule and have the flexibility to attend important events with my kids and spouse? Or does someone control my destiny?If I stay where I am today, will I be able to build enough wealth to retire comfortably and be financially secure through retirement?If youre unable to answer yes to the above questions, it may be time to consider becoming your own boss.However, sometimes when we think of change, the word fear gets in the way of achieving our life goals.Could fear be standing in your way?According to dictionary.com, fear is defined as a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger,ev il, pain, etc. whether the threat is real or imagined.When considering business ownership, its common to feel fearFear of failureFear of successFear of changeFear of the unknownAnd the list goes onFear has often been referred to as theacronymF.E.A.R., which stands for ...False Evidence Appearing RealSo, if we are not in impending physical danger or pain, then we are creating an illusion of fear in our heads, preventing us from pursuing our dreams.(Read theBest Tips For A Mid-Career Change.)How do we manage fear?Its important to let go of our past failures, so they dont define our future.In fact, many people believe that a part needs to fail several times before experiencing success.We can take a lesson from Michael Jordan, one of the greatest NBA basketball players of all times who saidIve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.? Michael JordanWe as humans can control our thoughts.How?By becoming more aware of how we process our experiences.Its a me thod that will require awareness, positive self-talk, razor-sharp focus, and consistent practice.Be aware that one failure doesnt automatically mean another failure will follow on its heels.Practice positive self-talk that builds confidence in your abilities to improve upon every experience.Stay focused on your goals regardless of disappointments or setbacks.If you succumb to discouragement or negativity, just try again to maintain a more positive mindset next time.By concentrating on these new behaviors, we can overcome our fears, step out of our comfort zone, and live our best life