One way to conduct a smart, integrated job search is to learn how to work with recruiters who specialize in your industry or area of expertise. Joseph Wahl, principal, Wahl and Associates, who’s led several high-profile searches from nonprofits and governments to...
Interview Skills
When it’s Your Turn: 10 Solid Questions to Ask Your Interviewer
The more you can think of an interview as a conversation rather than an inquisition, the better. One of the best ways to do this is by asking thoughtful, smart questions. If you respond to your interviewer's invite to answer questions with, “You’ve already covered...
How to Interview From a Distance
Even if you live close to the company you’re interviewing with, odds are very good they'll want to talk to you on the phone or via video first, as distance interviews remain a popular, cost-efficient way for employers to screen candidates. Since this is your entrée...
“Why Are You in the Job Market?”
One of those simple, early-in-the interview questions you’ll often hear is “Why are you in the job market?” Variations include, “Why are you looking for a new job?” or “Why do you want to leave your current position?” While this seems like a straightforward,...
True Stories from People in the Position to Hire Part 3: An Occasional Series Featuring Real Anecdotes From Hiring Managers and Recruiters
Employer bad-mouthing, long-windedness, and a case of plumber's butt are just a few of the recent faux pas Jennifer Tiana witnessed when interviewing candidates in her role as director of software development at AltSource, Inc. In this and other roles, Tiana has...
True Stories from People in the Position to Hire Part 2: An occasional series featuring real anecdotes from hiring managers and recruiters
Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid In her last round of hiring, my friend “Allison,” a SaaS company director, expected her pool of senior-level consulting candidates to be savvy in nailing their job interviews. Instead, she found that many mismanaged some basics...
True Stories from People in the Position to Hire Part 1: An occasional series featuring real anecdotes from hiring managers and recruiters
My friend “Madeline,” who’s a veteran management consultant, just led the job interview and hiring process for a financial manager role in a well-known Northwest nonprofit. She phone-screened a field of promising candidates with the right credentials and was part of a...
How to Graduate from the Basement and into a Job ASAP
Moments after you’ve switched your tassel from right to left and you’re declared a college graduate, reality hits: “I’ve earned my degree. I’m going back home to live with my family. I need a job. Now what?” To ascend from the basement of your family home and into a...
You’re Qualified, But Do They Like You?
Your résumé stood out and you made the short list of job interview candidates. Your phone screen went swimmingly. Now Interview Day is here, and you’re in the lobby armed with hard copies of your résumé, a solid list of questions for the interviewer, and knowledge...
“Tell me about yourself…”
"Tell me about yourself" is one of the first job interview questions you'll face. Sounds innocent enough, right? But what you say in that first minute of your meeting sets the tone and influences the interviewer’s first impression of you. (S)he is judging your ability...