Employers often ask Situational questions during interviews in order to gain a better understanding of how a candidate may perform in certain situations - likely situations which will be common in the role for which they are hiring. These questions often begin with the phrase "tell me about a time when..."
.
For example: "Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done."
or
"Tell me about a time when you had to manage a conflict with a peer or supervisor."
.
If you have an upcoming interview, chances are you'll have to answer at least one of these types of questions. So how do you demonstrate that you'd be the ideal hire?
.
Our Tip: Shine Using the STAR Method

Research shows that Americans spend over 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime. For many people that adds up to a THIRD of their life. That's a third of your life that you can enjoy...or a third of your life that may make you miserable. 
.
While no single position or environment is perfect, certain positions, organizations, teams and environments may be a better fit for you than others. Perhaps your ideal role includes an environment with a lot of structure and supervision, opportunities for creativity and problem-solving, a flexible schedule to maintain family obligations, and a specific level of medical benefits given the cost of daily medication. Maybe instead it requires education reimbursement benefits, a 401K with Employer Match and the opportunity for upward mobility and promotions, but could start out with a lower salary range to begin! Everyone's list is different.
.
So how do you gauge if a role is the right fit for YOU?
.
Our Tip: Identify & Prioritize Your "Deal-Breakers"

Life during a global pandemic has brought with it a variety of adjustments, which require creativity and flexibility...and job seeking is no exception. Virtual interviews are more common than ever before, and that change is likely to outlast the effects of COVID as virtual interviews save employers money on travel accommodations and meals; they are easier to schedule and coordinate with larger groups/panels, and they often widen geographic searches and save time overall! 
. 
So how do you put your best foot forward in a virtual interview?
.
Our Tip: Treat and prepare for a virtual interview like you would an in-person interview! 

So you've been out of the workforce for some time? Maybe it's been a few months or a few years. Perhaps you were laid off when your employer downsized, or maybe you have been working inside the home as a caretaker for children or a family member. It's possible that you resigned in order to pursue a career change and have been building skills and knowledge through training and volunteering. Maybe you've been healing from or learning to manage an illness or disability. 
.
Regardless of the reason, it is likely you'll be asked to explain any gaps in your employment. So how do you explain gaps without giving employers a reason to doubt that you're the right fit for the role?
.
Our Tip: Be Honest, Ready and Interested. 

Federal and State laws prohibit employers from asking certain questions during job interviews. This is intended to protect job seekers from (intentional or unintentional) discrimination within the hiring process. However, sometimes these questions still make their way into the interview setting (often because hiring managers are poorly trained and unaware that they're illegal). 
.
So what questions are off-limits within an interview?
.
Questions related to legally protected populations are often off limits, including any questions about:

• ​Race
• Age
• Gender
• Religion
• Country of Origin
• Marital/Family Status
• Disability

...or any other protected category - unless directly relevant to the position. 

*For Example, age may be relevant for a bartender position as individuals may have a legal requirement to be at least 21 years old to serve alcohol. In such cases, interviewers ought to ask whether a candidate meets the legal requirements and if they can provide proof of age upon hire. This is very different from simply asking "how old are you?" 
.
Questions like: "Do you have any children?" may be intended by an interviewer to simply build rapport with a candidate. However, they are (perhaps unknowingly) asking an illegal question. Some employers may use this information to make assumptions about a candidate's ability to work a particular schedule or an assumed need for frequent and unscheduled time off. 
.
So how do you respond to illegal or inappropriate questions during a job interview?
.
Our Tip: Be Polite, Professional & Direct. 

With the sentiments of Labor Day fresh in our minds, we're keeping this week's #CareerTipTuesday simple, taking our own advice and resting. 
.
Why?

...Because sometimes making progress requires taking a rest! 
.
Life is full of hustle, stress and hard work, and the job search (not to mention our careers) can be equally as draining. Be sure to take the time to you need to refresh, refuel and re-energize so that you have the strength to keep moving forward! 
.
Be safe, be healthy and be kind...to other and yourself! 

#CareerTipTuesday #Rest #ClothingConfidenceCareer ​

You've done it! You've landed that job and received an offer from the hiring manager, but the offer isn't the right fit...
.
It may be the case that the position does not meet your salary requirements even after negotiations. Perhaps you've identified some red flags throughout the course of the interview and the environment no longer seems to be a good fit for you...OR maybe you have multiple offers and you have to select only one! 
. 
Regardless of the reason you find yourself declining an offer of employment, it is important to utilize this opportunity to maintain a positive and professional relationship. So how do you communicate such a decision to a hiring manager without burning any bridges? 
.
Our Tip: Be Professional, Appreciative, Honest & Communicative! 
.

It is time for another #CareerTipTuesday and this week we're excited to provide information and resources for our friends with disabilities. Whether you're returning to the workforce for the first time since experiencing a disability or your disability has been a part of your entire professional career, navigating the hiring process can feel like a landmine. There are countless opportunities to misstep or lose firm footing. 
.
Deciding whether to disclose a disability or to request accommodations can add to the pressure, fear and stress of the process...AND it is important to understand the protections in place in order to make the best decision for you! 
.
Discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited in ALL STAGES of employment under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes the pre-employment stage! However, even though these protections exist, both discrimination and stigma still remain a reality for many with mental and physical disabilities. 
.
So how do you know WHEN and even WHETHER to disclose such information during the hiring process?
.
Our Tip: Understand Your Options and Resources! 

While the job search process can be stressful, tedious and overwhelming for jobseekers, it also requires significant time, effort and resources from employers. Drafting postings, reviewing resumes and scheduling interviews all take time and effort. Therefore, it is no wonder that many employers choose to streamline the process as much as possible through automation. 
.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are often used to screen out unqualified candidates electronically, far before a hiring manager or HR department reviews an application. This means that it is possible for your application to be placed in the proverbial "No Pile" (even if you are qualified for the role), if your application does not meet the requirements as programmed into the system. 
.
So how can you ensure that your application makes the cut, when you possess all the necessary qualifications for the role? 
.
Our Tip: Make the Applicant Tracking System Work FOR You!  
​.

The job search process can be an emotional rollercoaster. It is often a long, repetitive process...and for most folks, it includes A LOT of rejection! Presenting your best self to potential employers requires confidence, introspection and self-awareness. For many of us, this can be emotionally exhausting and mentally draining. 
. 
So how do you stay healthy and confident throughout the process in order to preserve and land that dream job?
.
Our Tip - Practice Self-Care: You're Worth the Time!