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Discover the unique advantages of temporary employment and why it could be a great fit for you!

Click here to learn about Xplora’s staffing division!

Temporary, contract, or “interim” positions are more plentiful than ever & are a great way for unemployed candidates to get back to employment! What’s more, taking a temp or contract job just might lead to a permanent position.

With so much uncertainty over the past 1.5 years, it is not shocking that many people are reluctant to take temporary jobs. There is a misconception that short-term employment does not provide security and stability that so many people are looking for post-pandemic. Some job seekers believe that temporary work only includes entry-level positions, not realizing that the temp industry staffs for nearly every profession out there including accounting and finance. Many of these temporary jobs require employees to have specific skill sets and training!

If you are willing to consider a temporary job, it can have many short-term and long-term benefits:

1. Builds Your Resume

Companies are looking for a variety of experiences. Taking a series of temporary jobs will show that you have an array of skills and have worked in multiple environments. This will make you look both qualified and adaptable which will increase the likelihood of you getting hired. 

This also allows you the opportunity to gain experience without the long-term commitment; in case that you decide a position is not a good fit. Temporary positions allow you to test out different environments and determine what type of schedule, work culture, and management style best suit you.

2. Faster Hiring Process

Employers who are looking for temporary help may have a more urgent need to fill the position. It can mean that they do not have time to go through a variety of candidates and are therefore willing to be flexible with their requirements. When looking for temporary employees, most companies hire the help of a firm like Xplora Search, which will help you process paperwork, get you on the payroll, and send you to the job in a timely manner.

3. Flexibility

Working a temporary position often offers more flexibility because they are almost always hourly, which allows you to do your job and go home. With the need to fill the position, many companies will be willing to accommodate scheduling requests, if it means filling the role.

4. Competitive Pay

While this may not be the case in every situation, because companies are looking to quickly hire, they will offer competitive wages with hopes of getting candidates in the seat. They understand the importance of ensuring that the job is worthwhile to the candidate.

5. Ability to Build Your Network

When you take temporary jobs, you will meet lots of people that you otherwise would not have met. This can expand both your professional and personal networks. If you do your job well, you will meet someone who is willing to give you a strong reference.

6. Keep Your Skills and Knowledge Current

In a workforce with many moving parts, things continue to change at a rapid rate! Continuing to be employed allows you to learn these things as they come up, which will leave you better equipped for the next short- or long-term position that you take.

7. May Lead to Permanent Position

Taking a temporary job is a definite way to get your foot in the door in an industry that you want to be in – consider it a working interview! It is a combination of performing well and being in the right place at the right time to be offered full-time employment at the company you are working at.

If you are currently in search of a new job, please be sure to reach out to one of our team members and let us help you find the right fit!

Are you speaking to a recruiter? Don’t forget to ask these important questions!

Whether it is a recruiter calling you about the job you applied for directly or a recruiter who found you via LinkedIn or networking, this call or meeting is your chance to make a great first impression. It is also your chance to ask any questions you might have about the job, prepare for an interview, and even seek additional opportunities.

Here are the “go-to” questions to ask your recruiter:

Who is the ideal candidate for this role?

Ask your recruiter to describe the company’s ideal candidate. That way, you’ll be able to use this information to determine if this role is a good fit for you even shape your answers to interview questions.

How quickly are you looking to fill this position?

By asking your recruiter how quickly a company’s looking to fill a position, you can better understand the pace at which the process will move, especially if you have other opportunities in play.

How would you describe the company’s culture?

Before going into an interview, you want to research a company’s culture to see if you would be a good fit. The best way to do this is to study a company’s website and poke around social media (e.g., Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram). A recruiter should be able to provide some additional insight and clarity based on their interactions with the company.

What is the starting salary range?

This question is a BIG NO-NO when it comes to the job interview, but you can feel more comfortable asking your recruiter. The goal of this initial conversation is to figure out if you might be a good fit for the company and vice versa. Try something along the lines of: “I want to make sure this opportunity fits my needs. Do you have information on the compensation range? It is not uncommon for your recruiter to ask you about your salary expectations, so be prepared to answer that question as well.

Who will be interviewing me?

If the recruiter has made it clear you’ve been invited to an interview, ask about your interviewer(s).  
You can better understand the types of questions you’ll be asked. You can also spend some time on LinkedIn exploring their professionals’ backgrounds. This can help quickly establish a more personal connection.

What’s appropriate interview attire?

There are few things more uncomfortable than walking into an interview dressed too casually! It is perfectly fine to ask your recruiter what their recommendation is that you wear for the interview, especially if it’s a virtual interview.

What types of interview questions can I expect?

Recruiters will set up a prep call/meeting with you so you can feel prepared ahead of time! Always, ALWAYS accept this offer. This will help alleviate those day-of nerves and always ask if there are certain questions you should prepare for in advance.

“What are the next steps?“

The most important question you should continue to ask your recruiter after each step in the interview process is simple: “What are the next steps?”

You will have several other questions about the interview process along the way! The best part about engaging a recruiter is that he/she is your go-to contact for anything you need related to the job search. Having a reputable recruiter in your corner always helps to ensure a smooth interview process (and less stress)!

An offer has been extended to you – congratulations! What do you do now? Our team at Xplora is here to help you strategize your next steps to ensure you are set up for success all the way through the end of this process and up until your first day at your new job.

Before you give a verbal or written commitment, keep these steps in mind and make sure you have your professional references ready to go, as your recruiter will check them on behalf of your prospective employer.

1. Be prepared for the offer call

Talk to your recruiter beforehand so that you know the best way to handle this call if you are speaking directly with your new employer and an offer is being delivered directly to you. A lot of employers have been delivering offers via video nowadays, so it’s also important to remember that, even during this call, you are STILL INTERVIEWING! While you are not required to give an answer on the spot, you certainly can, especially if you’re excited and the offer is in line with your expectations! If you need time to talk to your circle of influence, let your recruiter and/or the employer know this and confirm when the deadline is to give an answer. Thank them for the opportunity and let them know you will be back to them timely; this shows your enthusiasm but gives you time to make a well-informed decision. Also, take advantage of this additional conversation as an opportunity to ask any additional questions.

2. Negotiate your offer, if necessary

Once you receive the initial offer, talk to your recruiter if you think you want to negotiate the offer. This is the time to voice any concerns and negotiate what is fair, but ONLY if you are serious about taking the offer with this company. If this step is necessary, work with your recruiter on the best way to handle it. Our team will offer you some professional & proven strategies to ensure you are receiving a fair and competitive offer.

3. Review your written offer

Once you have verbally accepted/committed to the terms of the offer, you will receive a written offer letter where you can review the salary, bonus, benefits, and time off. Make sure your offer includes all aspects of the offer that you discussed with both your recruiter and prospective employer.

4. Background check & drug screen

Your prospective employer will likely require a background check and/or drug screen as a condition of employment. If you suspect there to be any issues with either, it’s imperative that you let your recruiter know immediately.

5. Pre-planned vacations? Once you accept your offer, let your new employer know if you have any pre-planned vacations or scheduled PTO for the remainder of the year.

6. Inform other prospective employers that you’re interviewing with

If you have other interviews going on, extend the courtesy of letting those companies know that you have already accepted another job offer or that you are expecting another offer. This is a professional courtesy and employers greatly appreciate this, as it opens the door for other candidates that the company is interested in.

7. Go the extra mile with a thank you phone call

Once you’ve accepted your offer, it’s a great idea to call your new manager to relay your excitement and enthusiasm about coming to work on their team! It’s the little things that go a long way.

8. Give your notice

Do NOT give your notice to your current company until your new employer and your recruiter give you the green light! It’s important to ALWAYS wait for your offer letter in writing before giving notice and be sure you set up a time to talk to your recruiter beforehand to walk through best practices of giving notice. You ALWAYS want to be fully prepared for this conversation and giving your notice prematurely can result in a lot of confusion and added stress.

We, at Xplora, are here to help you ensure that your virtual interviews remain professional and that you make a good impression. Many people have gotten a lot more comfortable with virtual interviews over the last year and a half. However, at what point does this level of comfort become unprofessional? This blog post will shed light on why joining a video interview from your phone isn’t the best move and what you should do instead!

1. Unfavorable first impression

Joining a video interview from your phone when you are the interviewee is never a good idea, especially if it is your first-round interview with a hiring manager. You want to avoid doing anything in your interview that will hinder your credibility or cause the interviewer to question your ability to succeed in the role. Think about it; let’s say a hiring manager was conducting two interviews for the same position and that one person answered from their phone while driving and the other answered from their computer at their desk. Right off the bat they will likely feel that the more reliable candidate is the one who was at their desk, regardless of the content of each interview. When it comes to interviews, first impressions are extremely important!

2. Unprofessional

Aside from giving the interviewer a bad first impression of who you are as a person and/or potential employee, it is also extremely unprofessional and is not standard business practice to join an interview call from your phone. Instead of joining from your phone in a public place or from your car, be sure to join the call from a computer with a minimalistic and well-lit background, if possible. This will start the interview off on a positive note and will set you apart from other candidates who might not have done the same.

3. Shows a lack of respect for the hiring manager’s time

Joining a video interview from your phone usually will make you come across as rude and inconsiderate. The hiring manager will likely assume that the interview is not your priority and that you are disinterested, even if that is not the case. This is disrespectful to the hiring manager because they took the time out of their schedule to conduct the interview and they will probably feel that you did not do the same. Always be courteous and give hiring managers your utmost respect and undivided attention…(from a computer)!

4. Can cause poor connection

We all have been there – when the FaceTime connection cuts in and out or when your Wi-Fi connection isn’t strong enough. Think of the frustration you feel when you are on the other end of that call. Now, imagine that a hiring manager is on the other end of that call. When you join an interview call from your phone, you run the risk of an unstable connection way more than if you were joining from a computer in your home. This can be very disruptive and therefore the interview will likely not run as smoothly as it could. For one, you might miss some of the questions the hiring manager asks, and/or they might not hear your answers. If crucial aspects of the interview get lost in the poor Wi-Fi connection, it could ultimately hinder your chances of being hired.

5. Unenjoyable

Lastly, joining an interview from your phone can simply make the interview unenjoyable for everyone involved. Unlike a computer that would be resting on a desk, when you’re holding your phone in your hand, you run the risk of having a shaky screen or dropping it. A chaotic and shaky screen does not make for an enjoyable phone call, let alone a professional interview.

Bottom line: if you are in an unexpected situation where you are unable to join the interview from your computer, it is better to explain your situation to the hiring manager and try to reschedule instead of simply joining from your phone.

For additional interview tips check out these posts:

The Right Team. Right Now.

Have you considered engaging a recruiting agency to coach and mentor you through your job search process? Our Xplora team is committed to helping you achieve your career goals. Let us help alleviate your stress and make your job search enjoyable! Mike Krebs and Josline Jose, two of our recruiters, address some frequently asked questions from candidates here:

Q: What’s the benefit of using a Recruiter/Agency?

A: With Xplora specifically, we have a really strong understanding of the industry/market with strong relationships with top tier Accounting and Finance professionals in the area, so you have the advantage of being maybe 1 of 4 or 5 resumes rather than 1 of over 100 people applying directly to a posting from the company itself. You also get the benefit of having an advocate throughout the entire process to help guide and prep you along the way and provide you with detailed feedback. You also have the ability to ask questions throughout the entire process and apply to multiple companies simultaneously. Working with a Recruiter is a great resource to utilize even along with doing your own applying/interviewing and it builds long lasting relationships. I have people I’ve worked with over 5 years ago that still reach out to me! 

Q: What is the interview process like during the pandemic times/moving past the pandemic?

A: Most companies have adjusted to do virtual interviews and continue to do virtual interviews moving forward. It does seem that the market is starting to shift back towards an occasional in-person interview, but most companies who have made the adjustment seem to like the flexibility and convenience of a virtual interview. 

Q: Are there a lot of fully remote positions?

A: Although the pandemic forced companies to adjust and do as much as possible virtually, it does seem that companies are not fully embracing a 100% work from home schedule, long-term, quite yet.  Although we do see more of these remote roles than ever before, it is still not the norm on the market and candidates should expect companies to begin having employees back in the office (even if it’s a hybrid schedule of 2-3 days/week in the office).

As Q2 comes to an end, we want to provide you with the resources you need to succeed in your job search! Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to stay in the loop on all of our current job opportunities!

• On our website, go to ‘Current Openings’ or click here to check it out!

• On our LinkedIn, go to the ‘Jobs’ tab or click here to check it out!

For more information and additional questions:

• Give us a call: (215) 568-2300
• Follow our hashtag on LinkedIn: #xplorasearch
• Message one of our team members via LinkedIn and let us help you!

The Right Team. Right Now.

1. Quick hiring process

If you are looking to start a new job immediately, it could be beneficial to consider applying for a temporary position. The hiring process for consultants is usually quick because companies are often looking for project-based consultants that are able to start working right away. Here at Xplora, we can find the perfect temporary role for you in a matter of days!

For more information:

Follow us on LinkedIn and check out our weekly posts to stay up to date on our top interim/temporary needs

Check out our current openings listed on our website

2. Gain experience

Thinking about making a career change? Becoming an interim consultant is a great way to gain experience in a new industry, grow your network and learn new skills that will enhance your resume for your future job search. Project-based work can be helpful if you want to make a career change, but don’t have enough (or any) relevant experience. A consulting position can help you become more qualified for a permanent position in your industry of interest. Working temporary jobs will help you diversify your resume and provide you more clarity when job searching down the line.

3. Short-term commitment

If you are not certain about a new career path, no need to worry! A temporary position will give you the opportunity to ease into a new line of work and learn the ins and outs of an industry without having to make a long-term commitment! Since there is a timeframe established right off the bat, it allows you to do a ‘test run’ of a job, company and/or industry. Whether you enjoy your experience or not, each temporary job you have will help you better identify what you are looking for in a job and in your career as a whole.

4. Fills resume gaps

If you are between jobs or struggling to find a permanent position, temporary work is a good option because it will prevent gaps in your resume. Having long-term gaps between jobs often raises questions to employers when viewing applications and can even be the determining factor of whether or not an applicant is called in for an interview. Even if you spent that entire period job searching, hiring managers would have no way of knowing that purely based on an application. Having a temporary position while job searching will give you something to show for that time period and communicate to potential employers that you take your career seriously. It will also prove that you remained committed to honing your skills and gaining knowledge and experience between jobs, which could help you stand out as an applicant.

5. Can lead to a permanent position

If you succeed in a temporary role and your employer decides that you are a good fit for the company, a temporary position could potentially be a steppingstone to a permanent offer! While this does happen, it is important to note that there is never a guarantee, as each situation is different. That being said, if you don’t receive a full-time offer from the company, don’t get discouraged or view your experience as time wasted. Project-based work is so much more than just the job you have while you are between jobs! Regardless of the outcome, a temporary position has the potential to open many doors in your career. For one, the experience you gain from consulting could provide you with a competitive advantage in your job search and help you stand out to hiring managers. With each temporary position, you get the chance to meet many experienced professionals in the industry with connections to various companies. It is a great way to develop your career and exponentially grow your network which can lead to endless new opportunities.

6. Consulting as a career

Have you ever considered making a career out of consulting? Many people begin as an interim consultant and enjoy project-based work so much that they build their career around it and begin to market themselves as a consultant/freelancer rather than look for permanent positions. Making a career out of consulting and project-based work is great for people who thrive on a change in environment, management style, company culture and workplace dynamic. If this sounds like you, then it might be a good idea to reconsider seeking a permanent position and look into becoming a full-time consultant!

Check out our blog on the benefits of hiring interim consultants!

The Right Team. Right Now.

Here at Xplora, we have a variety of interim staff members ready to join your team in a matter of days! We recruit the talent you need for accounting, finance, internal audit, IT audit and tax positions. Keep reading for some of the benefits of hiring interim consultants!

1. Quick Process

If you are in a pinch and need immediate help, hiring an interim worker is a great route to take. Unlike when hiring a permanent employee, the process for hiring an interim worker is quick. Xplora will quickly provide your company with the most skilled and qualified professional for the job. Temporary hires are typically able to begin working right away so you will see immediate returns!

2. Valuable for project-based work

Interim hires can help your team immensely with projects! If the workload at your company fluctuates and you are looking for extra help with a specific project, hiring a temporary employee during busy times to take on some of the workload could be helpful. This can help prevent stress and burnout in the workplace.

3. Allows for an evaluation period

When hiring temporary workers, the risk factor and commitment are low! Since they are only with the company temporarily, it provides a built-in trial period to evaluate if they would be a good fit as a permanent employee. If you decide to move forward and hire them permanently, they will likely have a smooth transition into their new position because they already have experience at the company. This will save a lot of time because an extensive on-boarding and training process will not be necessary.

4. Cost-effective

Hiring an interim consultant can be a cost-effective way to replace permanent employees who may be out due to illness, maternity leave, family leave, sabbatical or any other long-term absence. If they are expected to return within 6 months, bringing on a contingent worker to temporarily fill in for the employee on leave is a smart alternative to hiring a new full-time employee to take on their workload.

5. Brings a fresh perspective

Interim consultants are able to bring a new perspective to your company. As a temporary worker they have likely had a lot of relevant experiences and insightful opinions to bring to the table. Bringing consultants in to help with project-based work will change the dynamic in the workplace which can boost morale and productivity.

The Right Team. Right Now.

Photo by LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com

1. Be certain

Before taking the next step and engaging with a recruiting agency, it is important to assess your current career situation and determine if working with a recruiter would be in your best interest. First, be sure that you are serious about making a career change and that your current circumstances allow for it. This is not a decision that you should make on a whim. Ensure that you are in a good headspace and take time to think it through before proceeding.

2. Set goals

If you decide that working with a recruiting agency is the right avenue for you, be sure to set intentions and identify your goals. Take time to assess your career goals and job preferences. To start, determine the industry and type of position you are looking for. Next, identify your preferences and search parameters such as location, company size, company culture, etc. Having goals prepared prior to speaking with your recruiter will speed up the process and make things easier on both ends, once you get the conversation going.

3. Get to know each other

Once you begin speaking with a recruiter, you will likely be able to determine if it would be mutually beneficial for you to work together. You want to see if they are able to help you accomplish your goals, and they want to see that you are a good candidate for their agency. Getting to know each other will help build momentum and make the process enjoyable!

4. Communicate your goals

It is important that you communicate your goals and search parameters to your recruiter to give them a better idea of what you are looking for. Providing them with this information will help the process run smoothly and efficiently. The more information you provide, the better they can help find the perfect job for you.

5. Be honest

Honesty is essential in developing a productive and authentic relationship with your recruiter. Once you begin to form a relationship, be completely transparent and open about your prior job search. For example, it is a good idea to keep them in the loop on the places you have already applied and/or interviewed. You should also be candid about your thoughts and opinions throughout the process. Remember, this is your career, and the recruiter wants to help you achieve your goals! If you aren’t interested in a specific position, or if you feel a job wouldn’t be a good fit for you, respectfully let them know.

6. Trust your recruiter

Trust is extremely important when building a relationship with a recruiter. It may take time to develop trust, especially if it’s your first time working with a recruiting agency. While it can be difficult to place your job search and potentially the fate of your career in someone else’s hands, remember that good recruiters are extremely knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the market and they want to help you succeed. Their goal is to help you achieve your goals!

7. Stay involved and engaged

Your relationship with your recruiter shouldn’t be one-sided! Keep the conversation going and show that you are engaged and serious about the process. One way you can stay involved, is by occasionally researching companies and positions on your own and updating them on your interests to ensure you are on the same page. Also, if your recruiter approaches you with a job opportunity, don’t hesitate to ask questions! If you are interested in an opportunity, ask them to send you more information about the company and job requirements.

8. Be patient

Working with a recruiter is can be an extremely rewarding process, but it takes time! Don’t get discouraged or lose hope if you don’t hear back from your recruiter right away. Understand that this process takes time for a reason. A good recruiter will never rush through the process. They will take the time to explore all avenues to find the right position for you. Find a balance; periodically reach out to stay involved and engaged in the process, but don’t constantly ask for updates. Trust that your recruiter will come to you with important information on job opportunities!

The Right Team. Right Now.

For more information on how Xplora can help you:

• Contact us at (215) 568-2300
• Visit our website
• Visit our LinkedIn
• Message one of our recruiters via LinkedIn

Perfecting your resume during your job search can be tricky since there is no cookie-cutter method. Every candidate is different which means that every resume will look different. It can be really difficult to stand out from other candidates through one sheet of paper, as every hiring manager values different things. However, there are quite a few simple changes that can help you stand out to any hiring manager. Keep reading for 8 small resume tips that make a big difference!

1. Describe what makes you unique

One of the most important things to focus on is ensuring that your resume effectively communicates your unique skills and experiences. If you simply list the responsibilities you have had without offering context and examples of your own personal experiences, you probably won’t stand out to hiring managers. Be sure to focus on what you’ve accomplished and explain how you’ve added value in your previous positions. This will allow hiring managers to understand your experiences on a more personal level.

2. List quantifiable statistics, if applicable

Take it a step further by listing quantifiable statistics in the experience section. Including concrete measurements of success is a great way to prove your worth as a candidate and show why you would be a valuable asset to the company. It can be something as simple as describing the number of clients you worked with or the amount of people you supervised.

This article has some great examples of simple quantifiable statistics you can include in your resume.

3. Use active language

Using action verbs such as ‘created’, ‘managed’, ‘facilitated’, etc. when describing your experiences is an effective way to communicate your unique skills and accomplishments on your resume. Action verbs are very powerful verbs that, if used correctly, will professionalize and enhance your resume. Try to get creative and diversify your verb usage rather than using the same verbs over and over.

This article has a great list of action verbs to use on your resume.

4. Tailor your resume to the job description

Familiarizing yourself with the job requirements prior to sending in an application can be beneficial for many reasons. First, it helps you evaluate whether or not you would be a suitable candidate for the position. Then, once you decide to move forward with an application, you will know which skills are the most important to highlight on your resume based on the job description. No need to overwhelm your resume with skills that are completely unrelated to the industry or job description (especially if you have a lot of relevant experience already). Keep in mind that hiring managers often skim resumes, so including keywords and highlighting relevant skills and strengths can improve its readability. Remember to offer examples and quantifiable statistics to show how you have actively utilized your skills.

5. Be honest

While it can be helpful to highlight your most relevant skills, make sure you are doing so with integrity. Don’t use keywords to embellish your resume if there is no truth behind them! Make sure you are only listing skills that are actually relevant to you and your professional experiences. You never want to include something on your resume that is untrue or that you wouldn’t be able to fully elaborate on in an interview. It is always better to be underqualified and honest, than it is to be untrustworthy.

If you don’t possess all of the skills in the job description or are underqualified in a specific area, that’s okay! If you feel that you would still be a good fit for the position, don’t get discouraged. List your relevant skills on your resume, and then if you receive an interview, be prepared to speak to your strengths and show the hiring manager your ability to learn and willingness improve in the areas in which you are underqualified.

6. Stay organized

As mentioned in number 4, hiring managers often skim resumes, so make sure that the important information stands out right off the bat. They should be able to quickly identify relevant keywords when skimming. Once you catch their eye with keywords, then they are more likely to spend time evaluating your resume.

Always make sure that your layout is easy to follow and your keywords are visible at first glance. Don’t clutter your page with excess information; your resume should be as concise as possible. If there are too many words on your page, your keywords will get lost. For an optimal layout, be sure to include bullet points, section dividers and bold font to make it easy to identify important information.

7. Convert to PDF

Converting your resume to a PDF file as opposed to a Word document, ensures that the format of your resume remains consistent no matter what. If a hiring manager views your resume and the format is distorted or difficult to read, they may disregard your application no matter how qualified you may be for the job. It is also a good way to prevent unauthorized edits to your resume. Converting to a PDF is quick and easy, but it can make a world of difference.

8. Save with your first and last name

This one may seem obvious, but it is easy to overlook. While your resume may be named something like ‘Resume’ on your computer, it is important that you identify your resume with your first and last name to ensure that it is easily identifiable. It should be named something like this. ‘[First name] [Last name] Resume.pdf’. Hiring managers open and view countless applications and resumes so attaching your name to yours will prevent it from getting lost.

We hope some of these tips help you perfect your resume. Happy job hunting!

Check out our blog on how to answer tricky interview questions:

https://www.xplorasearch.com/2021/01/27/tips-for-answering-these-5-tricky-interview-questions/

The Right Team. Right Now.

Photo by Jirapong Manustrong/Shutterstock.com

1. “Tell me about yourself”

This is usually the first question, so it sets the tone for the rest of the interview. It is important that you have a cohesive, well-formulated response in order to start the interview on a positive note.

You should…

• Elaborate on your education and job experiences
• Describe an accomplishment in your career and relate it to how you would excel in this position
• Explain what led you to interviewing for this position today – describe your career goals and what excites you about the position and industry

You should NOT…

• Get too personal – always keep it professional
• Ramble or include irrelevant details – stick to the point
• Slander previous employers – this is unprofessional and a major red flag to hiring mangers

2. “What is your greatest weakness?”

This question tests your level of self-awareness and motivation for improvement. It is tricky because you don’t want to appear dishonest or calculated, but you also don’t want the weakness you say to cause the hiring manager to question your capabilities.

You should…

• Share a weakness that wouldn’t negatively impact your job performance
• Think of a time in your professional life where you have turned one of your weaknesses into a strength
• Explain how you are actively working to improve this weakness and provide an example

You should NOT…

• Mention a weakness without an explanation
• Disguise a strength as a weakness (e.g., “I work too much”, or “I am a perfectionist”) – you will be seen as dishonest and/or manipulative
• Be self-deprecating in your answer – you never want to seem unconfident or defeated

3. “Why should we hire you?”

This question is meant to highlight what makes you unique from other candidates. You always want to make sure your answer is valuable and stands out!

You should…

• Explain what unique value you would bring to the company
• Relate your skills to the requirements in the job description and provide examples
• Describe your previous unique job experiences and explain how these experiences would positively impact your job performance

You should NOT…

• Explain your skills without examples – you want the hiring manager to truly believe in your skills
• Answer vaguely – always give concrete examples
• Sound desperate, arrogant and/or conceited in your answer – be confident, yet humble

4. “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

This is a really important question because the interviewer wants to know that you are not only in it for the short term and that you are passionate about this position and company. Additionally, they ask this question to gauge your planning and goal-setting abilities.

You should…

• Explain how you would like to grow in your career – what skills do you want to improve?
• List the responsibilities you hope to have or projects you hope to be working on and why
• Discuss your interests and how you would like to grow your knowledge of the industry

You should NOT…

• Say that you want to be making more money or working for a different company
• Seem unsure or say that you don’t know – it will make you seem shortsighted and unprepared
• Make it sound like this position is simply a steppingstone to a promotion

5. “Do you have any questions?”

This question is usually last, but definitely not least. Always ask questions! Remember, the interview goes both ways; you want to determine if the company would be a good fit for you as well.

You should…

• Always plan to ask questions at the end of the interview to further demonstrate your interest in the company
• Ask questions that you genuinely want to know the answer to
• Take notes on their answers for future reference

You should NOT…

• Ask inappropriate or unrelated questions
• Bring up questions regarding salary, vacation time, or benefits
• Ask questions that show you haven’t done any research on the company – always do research beforehand!

Example questions:

• “What does success look like in this position?” / “How do you measure success?”
• “Can you tell me about most successful employee you have ever hired?”
• “What are the opportunities/trajectory for growth beyond this position?”
• “Can you tell me about the company culture?” / “How would you describe the culture of company?”
• “How are the company culture and values integrated into this position?” / “How does this position contribute to these shared values?”

We hope that these tips help you ace your next interview!

The Right Team. Right Now.

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