What You Can Do Now To Ace a Job Interview – Val DiFebo

Nov 212016
 

The Fortune 500 Insiders network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in business contribute answers to timely questions about careers and leadership. Today’s answer to the question to: “What’s the most important question to ask job candidates in an interview and why?” is written by Val DiFebo, CEO of Deutsch New York.

what-you-can-doThere is no one question a candidate can answer that will seal the deal and show me how they will approach a job. It’s how they answer a series of questions; how they tell the story of their own career experience and the questions they ask in return that show me what someone will bring to the table.

One way I like to start off with is to ask candidates: “Tell me your story.” I don’t like to read their resume and just infer a story – I want to hear someone lay out and share their own narrative with me: what they love; how they’ve tackled challenges with an out-of-the-box approach; what’s led them to sit at my desk and ask for this job. I’m hoping to uncover their sense of curiosity, their passion – two non-negotiable qualities at a company like ours.

By the time someone has reached my office, their skill set is not the question. They have already established themselves as a candidate with the talent and experience necessary to do the job – I’m not looking to see if they can handle a role; I’m looking to see how they will handle it: do they approach every challenge with the same linear thinking, using mainstream methods time after time? Or are they rolling with the punches, letting outside influences pique their curiosity and drive them to unearth fresh solutions to every hurdle they face?

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Keys to Career Success for Millennials, From Successful Millennials – Leah Arnold-Smeets

Nov 142016
 

keys-to-career-successMillennials are the largest living generation in the U.S., and they just so happen to dominate the workforce, too. While it’s a definitely a good thing that so many millennials are hungry for career success, it also means that it’s that much harder for them to get ahead of the pack in their careers. If you’re one of these 20- or 30-something professionals looking for some tips on getting ahead, here are a few to get you started.

Be a Winner at Working Hard

According to fellow millennial Nicole Smartt, who is the co-owner and vice president of Star Staffing and author of From Receptionist to Boss: Real-life Advice for Getting Ahead at Work, “One of the biggest things younger workers can do to get ahead is be an exemplary leader, take on extra tasks and ask what more [they] can do.” More specifically, Smartt recommends that millennials be winners at working hard and constantly “learn, grow, and improve.”

Although I don’t necessarily agree with Smartt when she tells millennials to “never clock out,” she does win me over with her advice that career success is all about who you know.

“Become an owner of your career through connections,” she says. “Find the right people/mentors who match your goals, attitude and energy level.”

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  •  November 14, 2016
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Better Listening Skills Could Mean More Promotions — Here’s How – Lisa Quast

Nov 072016
 

better-listeningI recently had the opportunity to compare the difference in listening skills between my 7-year-old niece and a grown adult (my sister). My niece won.

My niece told me exactly what I had said in a previous conversation, while my sister could barely remember the topic we discussed. That’s when my niece reminded us of a very important lesson.

With a very serious look on her face she informed us: “My teacher told us that listening is the most important skill we need to succeed in life. She also said it’s a way to show respect to the person talking.”

Then she put her hands on her hips and looked at my sister. “How come you weren’t paying attention to what Auntie Lisa was saying, Mommy?”

As I stood there doubled over laughing while my sister rolled her eyes at me, it made me think about how often adults fail to listen to others – at home and especially at work.

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  •  November 7, 2016
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Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: Why You Need Both to Succeed – Ransom Patterson

Oct 312016
 

Imagine two people are interviewing for a job. On paper, both candidates are very qualified. They both have degrees from prestigious schools, high GPAs, and a few years of relevant work experience.

Going into the interview, both are well-prepared. They’ve practiced all the common interview questions, dressed for success, and are ready to throw down.

After speaking to both of them, however, the interviewer’s decision isn’t even a hard one. One candidate clearly outshone the other – hiring them was a no-brainer. How can this be?

Simple. One candidate used the interview to demonstrate their soft skills. The other had never even heard that term.

Many students think that getting a job is all about qualifications and technical skills. Those don’t hurt (indeed, they’re essential), but things like how well you work in a team, how well you communicate, and how well you understand other people’s emotions are just as important.

The things I just listed are all soft skills. They’re harder to quantify than hard skills like programming, writing, or accounting, and they’re also more difficult to learn formally.

If you’ve ever taken a business class or read a business publication, you’ve probably heard these two terms thrown around. Understanding and cultivating both are essential to succeeding not just in school and work, but in life.

Today’s post will clear up the ambiguity surrounding hard and soft skills. We’ll cover what they are, which ones employers value (hint: it depends on the job), and how you can cultivate both of them (especially soft skills).

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5 Alleged Positive Qualities That Are Actually Working Against You (Sorry!) – Kat Boogaard

Oct 242016
 

5-alleged-positiveWhat’s that old saying? Everything in moderation?

Yes, I know, typically people share that adage when talking about a healthy diet. You can have a donut once in a while—just not every morning (unless you’re totally OK with your waistband getting tighter with each passing day).

But, while this age-old sentiment undoubtedly applies to the food pyramid, I think it rings true somewhere else as well: With your behaviors.

Think about it: There are tons of different traits and qualities that are—for the most part—extremely positive. But, take them a little too far? Well, suddenly you’ve crossed over into completely obnoxious (or perhaps even counterproductive) territory. Apparently there really is such thing as too much of a good thing.

“Wait, what sorts of characteristics are you talking about?” you’re likely thinking to yourself now. I’ve got you covered! Here are five different qualities that are great to have—as long as you don’t subscribe to the “donut per day” philosophy. Remember, moderation is key.

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  •  October 24, 2016
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  •   Career Success, Social Skills

Why Every New College Student Should Find a Mentor – Jonathan Gibralter

Oct 172016
 

mentorEach year as thousands of new college students head to campus, everyone — myself included — is eager to share tips and insider knowledge with the latest cohort. And while the advice to get involved and make good choices is, in fact, excellent advice, all of these well-intentioned tips probably get a bit repetitive.

And yet, here I am, about to offer another tip to all of you new students: Find a mentor.

In some ways, finding a mentor reminds me of the Pokémon Go craze happening right now. Possible mentors are everywhere, but it’s up to you to seek them out. Practically anywhere on campus you can find a resource who aligns well with your goals and interests and whom you can call upon for advice and problem solving help. You just have to be willing to take a risk, open up and catch one.

Related: From professor to lifelong mentor: How to establish the connection

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  •  October 17, 2016
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How to Know If You Talk Too Much – Mark Goulston

Oct 102016
 

It’s advice you’ve likely heard on numerous occasions: you need to be able to network, make connections, and build relationships in order to land a job offer. But how does one make a good impression? How can we all navigate small talk and other networking conversations successfully?

There are lots of things that you can do – and a few things that you should definitely avoid. You’ve heard that communication skills are crucial to finding a job and being successful in the workplace. There is a lot of advice out there on how to be an effective. And a large part of communicating well is knowing when to talk and when to listen.

One of the biggest mistakes a person can make in an interview or networking setting is to talk too much. If the first impression you make seems to indicate that you’re the sort of person who talks incessantly, no one is going to like the idea of sitting in meetings with you on a regular basis making them far less likely to hire you.

Your ability to talk enough, but not too much, in these initial conversations (including interviews) can make or break your chances of establishing a positive connection.

The following article discusses the importance of communicating well and how to know when you’re starting to become a little too chatty:

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6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Internship – John Coleman

Sep 192016
 

6-waysAround 75% of college students, at some point, work in an internship. These experiences can be tremendously valuable, providing young workers the opportunity to build skills for their resumes and meet people who are working in their preferred industry. Increasingly, they are the likeliest route to full-time employment and are even offered year-round rather than only during summer months. But they can also be difficult adjustments for young people who have little to no experience in professional offices. It can be hard for someone to stand out and make the right impression during a three-month stint spent adapting to such a new environment.

How can interns learn what they need to know, impress those they work for, and secure a job recommendation or full-time offer in such a brief period of time? I consulted 20 professionals who have worked with or supervised interns in higher education, business, law, and nonprofits, and compiled the most valuable advice for interns from their stories, my own observations, and management literature. This advice won’t cover everything, but it does offer a starting point for interns.

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Ten Books That Can Help Your Career – Diane Stafford

Sep 122016
 
ten-booksOld standards and newer books provide timeless career advice.

Summertime “best book” lists usually focus on easy, beachy reads — thrillers and bodice rippers that temporarily engage you but are easily forgotten. Here’s a list of career-minded books that should stay with you.

First a caveat: No book offers a sure menu for success. What you take away from reading is only as good as what you practice once you get out of the deck chair.

That said, here’s a totally arguable selection of career advice books that might be of use. First on the list, two old but gold standard recommendations:

“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie: This is all about being nice to people, but not so nice that you’re a doormat. It prescribes a non-Machiavellian — or at least subtle — way to get along and yet get results you want without making people hate you.

“Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey: Business students the world over can recite the habits. If you don’t know “sharpen the saw,” it might be time to open the Covey toolbox.

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Tech Pros Share Advice For New Computer Science Graduates – Ann Bednarz

Sep 062016
 

Tech Pros ShareComputer science graduates are in demand. Last year, 76% of computer science graduates were working full time within six months of finishing school — the highest full-time employment rate among new college graduates and well above the 58% average across all majors, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). But as veterans in the tech world know, earning a degree is just the beginning of a new professional’s education. To help this year’s newcomers navigate the transition from academic life to the professional world, we asked tech pros to share their best advice for computer science graduates entering the workforce. Here’s what they had to say.

Have fun and ask questions

“Find a career you enjoy. There is nothing better than getting up each morning looking forward to your day at work. Once you’re on the job, never be afraid to ask questions. Too many times I see people just starting out who are afraid to admit they don’t know something. I’ve been in technology for 18 years and I’m still learning and asking questions.” – Jacob Ackerman, CTO of SkyLink Data Centers

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