We all go into interviews expecting to be asked a handful of questions we hear every time, but do you know what your interviewer is really asking you? Today, we are going to give you an inside look at some of the most common interview questions you will face while job searching, what the questions mean from a recruiter’s standpoint, and how to best respond to make sure your answer gets to the root of the question.

“Tell me a little bit about yourself”

Translation: “Tell me why you’re right for this position.”   When interviewers ask this question, they are prompting you to provide reasons or examples as to why you would be a good fit for the job. It may sound surprising but many people respond to this by launching into their life story, listing their favorite movie, what hobbies they participate in, how they spend their free-time, and pretty soon it starts to sound like they’re reading off their online dating profile. This information has no real relevance to your recruiter. Instead, this is where you really want to stress your skills, qualifications, and experiences that make you a good choice for the position.

“What do you know about our company?”

Translation: “Would you be a good spokesperson for our company?”   By walking into an interview with a good idea of the company’s mission statement, operations, and their history you are communicating to your recruiter that you are interested and knowledgeable about their business. Employers are looking for candidates who will exemplify the values of their company as a whole, as well as be able to be an ambassador in interactions with consumers or other businesses. This is value that interviewers notice right away and that is often high on their list of important criteria when selecting a new hire.

“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Translation: “Do you care about your work?”   Employers are looking for someone who is passionate about their work and who will provide longevity to their company. They want to know you have ambition and the intent to grow and develop in your new role, and not just stay in the same position for a few months before finding work somewhere else. Talk to your interviewer about your aspirations and goals to grow in your career and how this position will help you on your path to reach those goals. Candidates that can effectively communicate how they plan to grow within a company are usually those favored for the position in question.

“Tell me about your experience at _____  job”

Translation: “Tell me about how you interact with coworkers.”   The way you speak about companies and people you’ve worked with in the past is something recruiters take note of. You want to highlight positive experiences, but its important to also make your interviewer aware of any issues you’ve had in the past. Say you didn’t agree with a certain management style, or disagreed with coworkers on how tasks should be completed and ended up leaving the position; you still want to discuss these difficult topics with your recruiter but you want to make sure you do it in the right way. Be sure to check our “Ask the Recruiter” post concerning discussing resignations during an interview:

Ask The Recruiter: How to Discuss Resignations in Your Interview

“Do you have any questions for me?”

Translation: WERE YOU LISTENING?! You should never respond to this question with “No”. Never. In the context of the interview, having zero questions by the end communicates a lack of real interest and gives your interviewer the impression that you weren’t listening too closely. Always walk into your interview with a few questions in mind, and be prepared to adapt in case your questions are answered by the recruiter. This requires thinking on your feet and coming up with questions during your interview.

-Tyler Geeve, Marketing and Recruiting Assistant

We all want to be at our best when we’re working, but sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation to really deliver. Never fear, because these motivational TED talks will be sure to inspire you to give it your all when you head into work. Across these five talks, you’ll learn a little about the psychology of why we do what we do, how our happiness effects our productivity, when people are at their happiest, and what motivates people to work. Sit down, kick back, and get ready to be inspired!

 

We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.

 

You’re doing everything right at work, taking all the right advice, but you’re just not moving up. Why? Susan Colantuono shares a simple, surprising piece of advice you might not have heard before quite so plainly. This talk, while aimed at an audience of women, has universal takeaways — for men and women, new grads and midcareer workers.

 

https://youtu.be/Cpc-t-Uwv1I

Tony Robbins discusses the “invisible forces” that make us do what we do — and high-fives Al Gore in the front row.

 

When are humans most happy? To gather data on this question, Matt Killingsworth built an app, Track Your Happiness, that let people report their feelings in real time. Among the surprising results: We’re often happiest when we’re lost in the moment. And the flip side: The more our mind wanders, the less happy we can be.

 

What motivates us to work? Contrary to conventional wisdom, it isn’t just money. But it’s not exactly joy either. It seems that most of us thrive by making constant progress and feeling a sense of purpose. Behavioral economist Dan Ariely presents two eye-opening experiments that reveal our unexpected and nuanced attitudes toward meaning in our work.

You’re Daydreaming About Getting Away

Do you find that you spend more time “away” from your desk than you do actually working? While its perfectly normal to daydream about a vacation from time to time, it can be a sign of a problem if you start picturing your coworkers in grass skirts and you have the sound of steel drums stuck in your head.

You Make Frequent Slip-Ups

One of the early signs that you’re over-working yourself is that you keep having little slip-ups. Maybe you are forgetting details and information that you normally wouldn’t, or if you’re like me you start mispronouncing words like CRAZY. Little mistakes happen to all of us, but if you notice that you continue to forget small details, or if easy sentences start becoming master-level tongue twisters, then it’s time to start taking action before things get worse and these little slip-ups start affecting your work.

You Feel Tired, Even After Time Off

If you spend a beautiful, sunny weekend sleeping in bed, you need to seriously re-evaluate your priorities, and chances are you’re fast approaching a breakdown. Stress from over-working can cause fatigue that doesn’t go away, even with sleep. In fact, sleeping too much to try to combat fatigue can actually leave you feeling even more tired. If your work day is spent trying to keep your eyes open at your desk, its time to make some changes.

You Feel Sick All The Time

Stress can manifest itself in many ways, but one of the most common ways it rears its ugly head is by making us feel sick. Headaches, upset stomach, nausea… chances are, if it can be treated with Tylenol and Pepto-Bismol, it can be a symptom of being over worked and stressed out.

Your Sarcasm Is Through The Roof

Sarcasm is rarely appreciated in the workplace, let alone anywhere else. When we’re feeling stressed and over stimulated with too much work, we often feel agitated and are more likely to lash out as a coping mechanism. This rarely means someone starts throwing punches in the office, but they will usually be more sarcastic or verbally aggressive. If you find yourself being a little too snarky, or saying things like “oh gooood for you” when your coworker is describing their vacation, you’re probably overworked.

You’re Doubting Your Abilities

Second guessing yourself and doubting you’ve done a good job can be normal part of every job, but if you begin EVERY day worrying about if you’re capable of doing your daily tasks, its time to consider taking some time to decompress. Doubt is a healthy part of the creative process and can help ensure you check your projects for accuracy, but too much can stress you more than necessary and hurt your performance.

How to Start Feeling Better

1. Splurge on yourself! Book a spa day or a night out with friends, anything that will help you de-stress and get your mind of work.
2. Slim down your to-do list.
3. Express any concerns you have with your boss.
4. Restructure your work goals.
5. Stop daydreaming about a vacation and actually take one! ( I HIGHLY recommend Alaska during the summer months)

 

–Tyler Geeve, Staff Source Marketing Assistant

Take Note Of Your Accomplishments

One of the best ways to leave work happy is to look back on the days accomplishments. It always feels good to know you’ve done a good job, and reviewing everything you got done can help you feel like you really owned the day! Make a list of things to do on any given work day, and set a goal to complete a certain number of them by the end of your shift. This helps make working a bit more fun and also keeps you aware of our daily tasks.

Organize Your Work-space

No one likes a cluttered work-space. It makes it easy to misplace things, results in lower productivity, and can leave you feeling pretty claustrophobic; all of which can cause undue stress at work. If your desk or work area is starting to look like a hoarder’s living room, it might be time to make some changes. Work on moving everything into distinct groups and utilize different tools, such as filing cabinets or drawers, to help you organize. Everything should have a specific place so that when you need it, you won’t have to dig through piles of things that you don’t. By consolidating your work-space you’ll boost productivity and eliminate a major source of stress all at the same time.

Have Something To Look Forward To

Everyone gets a little overwhelmed or stressed by the end of their work day. One way to help lift that stress is to have something to look forward to once you leave the office. Maybe you’re going out with friends, or perhaps you have a date. Even if you’re just going home to catch up on your favorite TV show, knowing you’ll be enjoying yourself after work can help motivate you and make the time go a bit faster. Try scheduling little events or get-togethers with friends every so often after work. Just make sure you don’t stay out TOO late. Then you’ll be exhausted the next morning and it will only add to the stress we’re trying to eliminate.

Unplug

When it comes time to leave at the end of the day, leave work at work. Don’t bring anything home with you unless you absolutely have to. Many people who work in office environments report feeling stressed in their jobs because of how often they do work outside of the office. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to get as much work done as possible, it’s also important to remember that you need to find time to relax too. Always make time to unplug from work and have some time to yourself. You’ll find that you feel much better and less overwhelmed when you’re back at work.

Prepare For Tomorrow

This tip combines all of the previous ones. If you really want to end your day in a way that will make tomorrow even better, try using the last 10-15 minutes of your shift preparing for the next day. Set aside anything you know you will be working on first thing the next day, organize your desk, create a list of the tasks you want to complete, and make sure everything you needed to get done today got done. This gives you time to look back on your day and take note of your accomplishments, while also giving you an opportunity to plan for tomorrow so you won’t feel pressured to bring work home with you.

 

Heads up, we’re gonna be talking about the things that really get us going after an interview. These ten phrases are some the most annoying, disappointing, and off-putting sentences to hear when conducting an interview. You might be thinking that you know just what to say in an interview, but our guess is that you are going to be surprised to see some of the phrases on this list. We’re going to cover everything from apologies you should never have to make, saying you’re open to whatever position is available, and being too eager on your interview follow-ups. Strap in, because this blog might just turn your world upside down.

“Sorry I’m so late”

You should never, ever, ever, have to apologize for being late because you should never, ever, ever be late to an interview if you can help it. Luckily, this one has an easy fix: Don’t be late. Check traffic reports, set alarms, leave early; do whatever you need to do to make it on time. And if you are going to be late, then call your interviewer to let them know and be prepared to reschedule if need be. It’s as simple as that.

“Sorry I’m so early”

We’ve addressed this a couple of times in past blogs, but arriving too early is almost as bad as arriving late. Don’t ever put yourself in a position where you will need to say “Sorry I’m so early”. Luckily this one is easy to avoid as well. In fact, if you have arrived early then you’re already half-way there. The next step is simple: Don’t go into the office until only about 5-7 minutes before your interview. If you arrive too early, then wait it out in your car. Listen to music, read a book, count the clouds, do SOMETHING to occupy your time and keep you from walking into the office 20 minutes early.

“It’s on my resume”

We know its on your resume, but if a recruiter is asking you about a particular job or experience, they are looking for you to provide information beyond what is on your resume. They want to make sure you have good communication and social skills. This helps your recruiter identify the types of positions you would be the best fit for: ones that require face-to-face or distanced/digital interactions. Be sure to be articulate and specific when answering questions about your previous experience and don’t just run through your resume word for word.

“Perfectionism is my greatest weakness”

No, its not. Even if it is, no recruiter is going to take it seriously because this is one of the most cliche, overused answers you can give in an interview when asked “What are your weaknesses”. Not only does it make you sound a little arrogant (it comes across as “my only problem is how perfect I am”), but it makes you seem like you didn’t really bother thinking about the question. When asked about your weaknesses, you need to be honest so that you are placed in a position that plays to your strengths while also challenging you to grow. If you say “My perfectionism is my biggest issue” than many recruiters would consider you for heavily detail oriented positions, but uh-oh: being detail oriented is not one of your strengths. This is just one example of how this answer can work against you. Always be specific and honest when asked about your weaknesses.

“I’ll do whatever”

I know you might think that saying you’ll do whatever work is available makes you a more attractive candidate, but in reality many recruiters often see this answer as a downside. It shows a lack of passion for your work, and that you see your job as just that: only a job. Compare that to someone who comes into an interview saying they are looking for a certain position based on their specific experience and interest in the field, a position they hope to turn into a career, and it’s easy for a recruiter to make a decision on who is getting sent out to work. When you go in for an interview, have a specific job in mind and express why you are interested in the job itself and why you’d be excited to be working for this new company.

“So, tell me what you guys do around here”

Oh boy. You never want to walk into an interview without having a good idea of what the company you’re applying at does. This is hands-down the fastest way to turn your interviewer off. By asking this question, you’re showing them that you had no real interest in their company until you actually had to walk inside. Make sure you do your homework on the company and walk in for your interview with a good deal of knowledge about their history, the product/service they provide, as well as their values and mission statement.

“Like, uhm… Like”

“So I’m, like, super excited to be here and uhm… it’s really nice that you could, like, meet with me today and I really hope this uh.. goes well”. Annoying to read right? It’s even more off putting to hear. Do your absolute best to not overuse “like” or “uhm” during your interview. While not bad to use once or twice, after several sentences like the one above your interviewer will be ready to put their head through a wall. Speak clearly and with intent. By overusing these words, you create a very disorganized and uncertain tone. If you need to take a second to collect your thoughts, do so. Just maybe not in the middle of a sentence.

“I don’t have any questions”

This is never good to say. Always, always, ALWAYS have questions for your interviewer! Even if they answer all of your questions regarding the position, ask questions about the company itself. Inquire about the history and story of the company. It makes you come across as a truly interested candidate who is invested in this interview and becoming a part of this organization. When you say “I don’t have any questions” it either makes it sound like you want to leave as soon as you can, or that you weren’t listening too closely to the recruiter during your interview.

“So, yeah…”

This one isn’t so much annoying as it is disappointing. We have seen countless candidates come in for their interview dressed to impress, they are articulate, and they are doing an amazing job of recounting a previous work experience with great details, and then they end with “So, yeah…”. It just ends. No conclusion, no wrap up; they just stop talking. It’s like reading a great book and then finding out the last chapter has been ripped out. Always make sure that every story or experience you reference in your interview is a complete one, and that means including a conclusion.

“I just wanted to follow up… again”

We know you’re anxious and on the edge of your seat waiting for an update on whether or not you got the job, but trust us when we say that nothing gets on a recruiter’s nerves faster than a candidate who won’t stop following up. It makes you look very impatient. We get it, you want to know if you got the job ASAP, but when a recruiter says that they will reach out with an update when they have one, they mean it. If they have not gotten in contact with you, it’s most likely because they are still reviewing applicants and deciding if you are right for the job, or the client themselves is still making a decision. Stay patient and trust that the interviewer didn’t forget about you, because they didn’t.

–Tyler Geeve, Staff Source Marketing/Recruiter Assistant

Many people look for any tips or tricks they can use to have the best chances of landing the job they are interviewing for. One of the best resources that job seekers overlook are TED Talks. These insightful and engaging videos often feature experienced or expert level speakers who present the newest cutting edge information, while also offering inspiring advice on what to do moving forward. One things for sure, once you finish watching these 5 TED Talks, you’ll be ready to wow your recruiter and rock your interview!

 

Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can boost feelings of confidence, and might have an impact on our chances for success.

 

You’re not at your best when you’re stressed. In fact, your brain has evolved over millennia to release cortisol in stressful situations, inhibiting rational, logical thinking but potentially helping you survive, say, being attacked by a lion. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin thinks there’s a way to avoid making critical mistakes in stressful situations, when your thinking becomes clouded — the pre-mortem. “We all are going to fail now and then,” he says. “The idea is to think ahead to what those failures might be.”

 

In our louder and louder world, says sound expert Julian Treasure, “We are losing our listening.” In this short, fascinating talk, Treasure shares five ways to re-tune your ears for conscious listening — to other people and the world around you.

 

Are we born to be optimistic, rather than realistic? Tali Sharot shares new research that suggests our brains are wired to look on the bright side — and how that can be both dangerous and beneficial.

 

Very few of us hold jobs that line up directly with our past experiences or what we studied in college. Take TED Resident Jason Shen; he studied biology but later became a product manager at a tech company. In this quick, insightful talk about human potential, Shen shares some new thinking on how job seekers can make themselves more attractive — and why employers should look for ability over credentials.

A first impression is a lasting impression so you want to make sure its a good one, and having good body language is a sure-fire way to ensure that you start off on the right foot. It exudes confidence, creates a strong presence, and tells the recruiter that you mean business in your interview with them. You want to leave your interview with the recruiter saying to themselves “We have to hire them!”, and one way to help you get to that point is to make sure you are looking your best when you walk through the door. Today we have a few tips for making sure you exhibit good body language to maximize your first impression, not only in interviews, but in any situation you may face.

Eye Contact

Studies have shown that around 67% of people fail to make eye contact during their interviews; which means only one in three people are making appropriate eye contact. You want to make sure you are one of those three. Steady, natural eye contact not only shows your interviewer that you are actively listening, but it also communicates confidence. Be careful not to blankly stare unblinkingly at your interviewer either though (it creeps us out!). You want to take small breaks from eye contact, perhaps by glancing down at your resume, to keep your confident eye contact from becoming a Michael Myers-esque stare. Its a balancing act, but with enough practice, its a skill that will already put you ahead of most other interviewees.

Confident Body Posture

Your interview body language is all about communicating confidence, even when you might be feeling nervous. Beyond eye contact, the most effective way to exude confidence is to maintain good body posture. How you hold yourself is one of the first things an interviewer is going to notice about you from the moment you walk into the room. You will want to avoid using defensive posture such as crossing your arms and hunching your shoulders. Be sure to sit up straight, hold your head up, and relax your arms and shoulders into a natural position. There are even studies that show that good posture not only makes you appear more confident, but actually makes you FEEL more confident as well. You can find out even more in the video below, courtesy of TED Global and Amy Cuddy:

Handshake

The art of the handshake (and it is an art) is one that any professional should put time into mastering. A good, firm handshake starts your interview on a high note as it communicates strength and confidence. Developing the perfect handshake can be tricky. You don’t want to have a limp “dead fish” handshake, but you also don’t want the person shaking your hand to feel like they’ll need to get an X-ray afterwards either. Find a comfortable middle ground that lasts only two to three pumps and is coordinated with a verbal greeting or introduction.

No Fidgeting 

If there is one thing that points to you being nervous in an interview, its too much fidgeting. You might as well be sitting under a flashing neon sign that says “I’m Scared”. There’s nothing wrong with changing your sitting position but playing with your hair, bouncing with your leg, tapping your pen, or squirming too much not only tells the recruiter you’re nervous, but can also send the message that you’re impatient, not interested in the position, or just want the interview to end. Try to minimize any nervous ticks you might be susceptible to. Keep your hands in your lap and apply a little pressure to your legs by pressing your feet into the ground to stop them from bouncing.

Be Well-Groomed

Looking good is one of the quickest ways to start feeling good, and this translates to interviews as well. It gives us a boost of confidence, which is just what we need before an interview. Before you go in for your meeting with a recruiter, be sure to be well-groomed. DO NOT just roll out of bed, look in the mirror and think “yeah, this outfit works” and show up in your pajamas. (THIS HAS SERIOUSLY HAPPENED!) Get a haircut if needed, make sure your nails are clean and trimmed, brush your teeth, and make sure you’re freshly shaven or that your facial hair is clean and neat. Being clean-cut is a great way to make a good first impression. Combine this with good posture, a firm handshake, and steady eye contact and you’ll be sure to WOW your interviewer.

 

–Tyler Geeve, Staff Source Marketing/Recruiter Assistant

Everyone wants to do their best at work, but sometimes it can get a little overwhelming. You might start to feel yourself getting into a slump, being less creative, and losing focus at work. It can be difficult to turn this trend around, especially when you’re busy trying to get work done. What some people don’t realize is that there are many things you can do outside of work to help boost your efficiency. The activities we have listed have not only been shown to have positive effects in the workplace, but require little change to your normal day-to-day activities.

Develop a Consistent Sleep Routine

One of the biggest complaints you’ll hear from your coworkers is how tired they are feeling in the morning, especially on Monday. Its not surprising that getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to feeling energized, but its not just the quality and quantity of sleep that matters, but WHEN you sleep also plays a part. Developing a consistent sleep schedule has been shown to not only improve your energy levels, but also improve your mood and memory, increase your concentration, and can even help increase your life span. By sticking to a specific sleep schedule you’ll ensure you’re focused and ready to go, even on those dreaded Mondays.

Get Moving

It should come as no surprise, but exercising is SUPER good for you. It not only improves your physical health, but it has also been shown to help with your mental/emotional health as well. Regular exercise is known to reduce stress levels and anxiety while also boosting self-confidence as well. It also helps with developing cognitive function, which is science talk for helping you focus more on tasks. All of these will benefit anyone who works in a fast paced, high stress environment. If you’re looking for a great way to help yourself physically and mentally, exercise is the best option.

Pick up a Hobby

Another great way to help work out some stress outside of the office is to pick up a hobby. Anything from reading, hiking, casual gaming, or playing an instrument can have amazing effects on lowering your stress levels. In fact, people with hobbies are less likely to be over-stressed or experience anxiety and depression. Music is especially effective as it serves as an outlet for any emotions you may be holding on to after a hard shift at work. So long as you enjoy what you’re doing, any hobby will be certain to improve your mood and your efficiency in all of your daily tasks.

Get Outside

Spending time outdoors has also been found to have a multitude of benefits for us! Looking for a natural energy boost? Studies have shown that spending about 20 minutes outdoors gives the human body the same jolt of energy as a cup of coffee. Been lacking in creativity lately? It has been seen in studies that people who spend more time outdoors are 50% more creative than those who don’t. Walking in nature for short periods has even been shown to increase our focus and decrease stress and the symptoms of anxiety. Long story short, if you start to feel like you’re getting into a slump at work, GET OUTSIDE! It might just be the difference maker that turns your slow week into a productive one.

Have a Work Space and a Play Space

A big part of maintaining productivity is ensuring you create a work-space that limits distractions and keeps you focused on the work at hand. Experts agree that whether you’re at work or at home, if you’re trying to complete a task you need to ensure that you are in an environment that’s conducive to productivity. That means when you’re working, you need to be in a work environment. If you are working from home, don’t do it laying in bed. If you’re on the job and working through lunch, don’t do it in the break-room. These are spaces that your brain associates with relaxation and non-working activities. Try to have a dedicated space where you can get your work done without any distractions.