Great Occupations

This week I spoke to a gentleman on the west coast who told me that at the age of 51 and having struggling with health issues for the last year, he’s ready to just get a job – forget what he’s passionate about. Mmmm…. Well, if you’re familiar with my take on things, you know I didn’t let that pass. I told him about a... Read the rest of this entry »

In part one of Tough Interview Questions – Dealing with the Dark Side, we looked at the most challenging interview question that can trip up even the most seasoned professional: “What is your greatest weakness?” Today, I want to discuss how to answer this question, look at possible other dark-side questions you might get during the interview process and how to prepare yourself to give authentic answers that impress the prospective employer. First, let’s take on how to answer the weakness question... Read the rest of this entry »

Today, I want to address a particular question that seems to trip up even the most confident interviewee: “What is your greatest weakness?” Early in my career, back when I was a recruiter, I used to ask these questions separately: What is your greatest strength?; What is your greatest weakness?; What do you like most about your job?; and What do you dislike most about your job? After a while I began to notice similarities. The answers I received from job candidates kept proving over and over that... Read the rest of this entry »

In the interview it is vital to have enthusiasm. In the GET HIRED! module of The Job Search Boot Camp eCourse, we use the acronym A-C-E when referring to interviews. You need to have attitude, confidence, and enthusiasm to ACE the interview -- a can-do attitude, confidence in your abilities, and displaying enthusiasm for the job. Read the rest of this entry »

I've addressed this topic of skills versus talents before in the Daily Career Blog, but yesterday one of my clients emailed me asking for additional clarification. It's a critical to know who you are and what you bring to the table, so I want to give you this important piece of information. Yes, it's a fact. Prospective employers do care about your skills when you apply for their positions. However, you will encounter a lot of competition in the job market for those same skills. You have x skills and so does the other candidate who's vying for the same job. What could set you apart though is your... Read the rest of this entry »