Berks & Beyond Blog

You know it’s coming – that moment about three quarters of the way through your interview, when the hiring manager asks:

“So, do you have any questions for me?”

Believe it or not, the worst thing you can say at this point is “No.”  Interviewers actually want you to ask questions.  In addition to helping them provide more complete information, your questions give potential employers insights about your preparedness, personality and level of interest in their available positions.

Take advantage of this opportunity to shine.  Customize this sample list of potential interview questions to showcase your knowledge, position yourself as a leader, demonstrate your interest in the job – and learn critical information to help you make an informed decision:

1. Why is this position available? This seemingly innocuous question can provide valuable information about the company’s culture and performance.  The position may be vacant because it’s new, because someone was promoted from within (potentially good signs) or because the company is plagued by high turnover.
2. How would you describe the ideal candidate? This question is a form of transference, encouraging the hiring manager to imagine you actually performing the job as he is describing it.  Listen closely to the skills and characteristics he mentions and point out those that you possess, citing examples.
3. How would you describe the company’s culture? Your success in a position isn’t only about performing job duties; it’s also about how well you fit into the environment.  Your interviewer is certainly sizing you up for a cultural fit.  You should be doing the same of your potential employer.  When evaluating the interviewer’s response, consider whether or not the company’s culture is one that will align with your personal values and will likely support your success.
4. What are the next steps in this process? Hiring organizations vary greatly in their selection processes.  Some have multiple interviews; some require extensive skills and behavioral testing; still others conduct only one or two interviews before making an offer.  This question will help you set expectations and remove post-interview anxiety by helping you understand: timelines for making a decision; whether or not additional testing/screening will be required; when the new hire will be brought on board; whom you may hear from and when; when and how you should follow-up, should you not hear from anyone.

Other Potential Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

• Who would be my supervisor?
• Whom will I supervise?
• With whom will I be working most closely?
• What are the current plans for expansion or cutbacks?
• What are the biggest challenges this company faces?
• What do you like most about working for this company?  The least?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this position?
• Will I receive any formal training?
• Are there opportunities for advancement within the organization?

As you ask these questions, feel free to jot down a few brief notes; however, you should not let note-taking distract from the conversation.  Before you leave, be sure to thank the interviewer for his time and (if applicable) let him know that you’re sincerely interested in the job.

Berks & Beyond – Committed to Your Job Search Success

Berks & Beyond is committed to the success of your job search.  With offices throughout Central and Southern Pennsylvania, and a great team of experienced recruiting and staffing specialists, we have the resources and experience to match you with the ideal temporary, temp-to-hire or direct hire opportunity.  Contact us today or Search Jobs online.

What questions have you asked while in an interview which proved valuable?  Ever ask one you wish you hadn’t?  Please leave us a comment below.

“Thank you for your time today.  We’ll be in touch soon.”

You’ve just walked out of an interview for your dream job.  Things seem to have gone well – you were calm and poised, answered questions intelligently, made appropriate eye contact, and really put your best foot forward.

Now what?

For many job seekers, walking out of an interview marks the start of a long and sometimes anxious waiting period.  I mean, there’s not much you can do, other than sit around and passively bide your time until you find out if you landed the job, right?

Wrong.  In fact, here is a list of 7 things you can do after the interview to edge out the competition for your dream job:

1. Always, always send a “Thank You” letter. While this may seem obvious, not everybody does it.  As soon as you get home (while the interview is still fresh in your mind), compose your note.  Instead of sending a generic “one size fits all” letter, step into the interviewer’s shoes and address the points which seemed most important to him or her.  Additionally, use your “Thank You” letter to restate your qualifications and identify relevant accomplishments or experiences that you did not mention in the interview.  While you want to include these details, remember to keep the letter both brief and professional.
2. Make sure your “Thank You” note is letter-perfect and timely. Gather business cards for everyone who interviewed you, use LinkedIn, or call the company directly to ensure correct name spellings and job titles.  Have a friend proofread your letter and send the note within 24 hours of the interview.
3. Confirm the best way to follow-up. Before you leave the interview, find out from the receptionist the way (regular mail, e-mail, FAX, etc.) interviewers would prefer you to contact them.  If you contact these people via their preferred method of communication, your follow-up will be better received.
4. Contact your references. Let them know where you’ve interviewed and that they may be receiving a phone call.  This way they can be prepared to help you shine.
5. Leverage inside references.  If you know anyone who works at the company, contact him or her and describe your interview experience.  This contact may be able to provide you with inside information on the hiring process or even offer to put in a good word for you.  A word of caution:  never pressure an inside contact, or ask your contact to apply internal pressure for information – doing so could backfire.
6. Send work samples. Depending upon the position, you may be able to create an additional follow-up opportunity by sending samples of your work (collateral, proposals, project summaries, etc.).
7. Don’t pester. Rules of follow-up etiquette vary, and it’s up to you to determine the appropriate timing and frequency of follow-up.  If a hiring decision is expected to take 30 to 60 days, it’s completely inappropriate to call every day.  On the flip side, if the position needs to be filled immediately, don’t wait two weeks before following up.  Your goal should be to follow-up appropriately, consistently and using the interviewer’s preferred method of communication (see #3).

Berks & Beyond Can Help You Land Your Dream Job

As a leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania staffing and placement firm, we match job seekers like you with rewarding employment opportunities every day.  Contact us today to learn about temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire opportunities throughout Central and Southeast Pennsylvania.

Should you stay or should you go?

In a time when good jobs are harder to find, you may be tempted to just “stay put” – even if your current position lacks the potential you desire.  But if you look at your career from a strategic point of view, there are several reasons why it makes sense to change jobs every few years:

Find your career passion. Career passion is an essential component in long-term success.  How passionate are you about your current role?  Does your work take advantage of your biggest strengths?  If not, you may want to explore career opportunities that will spark more engagement and key into your natural talents.

Broaden your experience and skills. Every job has an initial learning curve during which you acquire invaluable knowledge, skills and experience.  After a few years, however, you become competent in your current role.  Learning diminishes, as does your professional development.

Increase your earning power. When you strategically seek out opportunities with greater responsibility, you accelerate both your promotion cycle and wage /salary increases.  Be careful, however, not to make a strategic change based solely on pay.  Keep your work/life balance, career passion and long-term development in mind as well.

Considering a Job Change?

If you are thinking about making a strategic job change, keep these important steps in mind:

Create a plan. Develop a focused vision of where you want to go – and what you want to do – in your new role.  Write it down and use it to guide you as you make important career decisions.

Test the waters. Find out what job opportunities are currently available.   Berks & Beyond’s Job Board makes it easy to learn about potential opportunities throughout Central and Southern Pennsylvania.

Get advice and help if you need it. Our employment experts can help you:

• Critically analyze your experience, strengths and goals, to map out a strategy for your long-term career success.
• Confidentially explore career opportunities while you’re working.
• Access unadvertised positions that may promote your career development.
• Conduct a more efficient job search, by bringing the right job opportunities directly to you.  This way, you don’t have to “troll” the Internet and sift through countless job listings that aren’t the right fit for you.
• Get started in a temporary or contract position, allowing you to build new skills, try out different types of jobs / employers, and find your employment niche.

Ready to make a strategic job change for the better?  Contact a Berks & Beyond Recruiter today.

Let’s be honest – finding the right job opportunity is hard work.

Today’s job hunt is about more than just posting résumés and calling a few work contacts.  Finding your dream job involves a combination of working closely with professional recruiters, networking with second and third generation decision makers, and good old-fashioned hard work.

But like most things in life, the more time and effort you put into your job search, the greater your chances of success.  So as you start the New Year, get organized, get down to business and make finding a job a full-time job:

• Determine what type of job you really need to continue your career development and set some short- and long-term goals to get you where you want to be.  Let these goals drive a prioritized to-do list, broken into manageable, productive job-search tasks.  You’ll be much less vulnerable to distractions if you stick to this list and track goal attainment.
• Devote time to job-search activities in proportion to their importance.  Blanketing potential employers with digital résumés rarely produces results proportionate to the effort expended – so manage time spent on this activity carefully.  While it may be easier than interviewing with a recruiter, or face-to-face networking, it’s not the most productive use of your time.
• Establish a daily routine that simulates a work day.  Get up early, exercise (if that’s your routine), shower and get dressed.  You don’t need to don a suit, but dress nicely enough to make yourself feel both positive and productive.  Take a look at your prioritized to-do list, establish a game plan for the day and tackle your highest priority tasks first.  Before you end your job-hunting day, plan out the next.
• Schedule informational interviews.  While they may not lead to immediate job offers, this low-stress form of networking can be a high-yield career development tool. 
• Work with Berks & Beyond Employment Services.  When you work with Berks & Beyond, you have access to opportunities with leading employers throughout Central and Southern Pennsylvania– many of which are not advertised elsewhere.  If you haven’t already registered with us, you can get started right now by contacting a recruiter.  And if you are currently registered, remember these quick tips to maximize the value we provide:

Send your updated résumé to Berks & Beyond.  Have you gained new skills, experience or responsibilities since you first sent us your résumé?  If so, please let us know so that we can update your profile and consider you for additional opportunities.

Search all of Berks & Beyond’s open jobs periodically.  Set-up a regular reminder in Outlook, on your mobile phone, or in any other scheduling software you use.  We receive new openings daily and update our job board frequently.

It’s like a bad dream.

You’re in an interview, dressed to impress and feeling totally in control of the situation, when the unthinkable happens – the interviewer asks a question that completely stumps you: 

“If you could have dinner with anyone from history, whom would it be and why?”

“Why is a manhole cover round?”

“Which fictional character would you say best describes you?”

If just reading these questions makes beads of sweat pop out on your forehead, you’re not alone.  In an interview situation, most of us would be stopped in our tracks by off-the-wall questions like these.  But that’s the point:  interviewers ask odd questions intentionally, to see how well job candidates thinks on their feet and respond to stress.

Because unusual interview questions can be about virutally any topic, they’re nearly impossible to prepare for.  Still, here are a few quick tips to help you handle them more effectively:

• Keep your composure.  The question was meant to throw you off your game – so don’t let it rattle you.  Keep your face neutral and recognize that this is the wacky question you’ve been anticipating.
• Take your time.  Smile, take a deep breath and avoid the temptation to blurt out an answer.  Don’t panic – if you have to take a moment to gather your thoughts, it merely demonstrates that you think carefully through a situation before responding.
• Relax.  When it comes to unusual interview questions, your answer is not as important as how you handle the situation.  In fact, most don’t have right or wrong answers.  So take the pressure off yourself.  You don’t have to be brilliant, you just need to answer honestly.

If you’d like some practice answering off-the-wall questions, consider the following popular ones:

• If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?
• If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?
• If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
• If you were a _________ (insert:  car, animal, salad dressing – you get the picture), what kind would you be and why?
• If you won $50 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?
• How would you rate me as an interviewer?

Be Prepared for Your Next Interview

Register with Berks & Beyond today.  Our team of staffing professionals will listen to your needs, match you with a perfect direct placement opportunity, and then prepare you to ace the interview.

Looking for ways to earn a raise or promotion?

Get on your boss’s A-List.  If you consistently show your boss that you’re doing a great job, you’ll progress further, faster.  Here are a few quick tips to get you noticed, separate yourself from the pack and create a lasting positive impression:

1. Communicate clearly.  When in doubt, err on the side of clarity and ask questions when things are unclear.  Provide your boss with regular updates about your projects and plans.  But be careful not to go overboard – ask him directly if you’re providing enough information or too much.
2. Honor your commitments.  Underpromise and overdeliver.  Don’t shy away from new challenges, but make reasonably sure you can hit an objective before taking on the additional responsibility.
3. Know what makes your boss tick.  Learn your boss’s pet peeves – and avoid them.  Find out what his priorities are – and incorporate them into your own (e.g., if your boss is a “numbers guy,” quantify all your results).  Anticipate his needs, by providing what you know he’ll want before he asks.  Show him you understand the issues he faces and you’re sure to make your mark.
4. Provide solutions – not just problems.  Everyone makes mistakes.  So if something does go wrong, view it as an opportunity to set yourself apart from chronic excuse-makers.  Own up to the problem and come to the table with potential solutions.  Your boss will appreciate your ability to think for yourself and manage a difficult situation.
5. Be positive.  When you celebrate a departmental success, send a congratulatory e-mail to those involved and copy your boss.  The gesture will draw attention to your success as well as your leadership skills.  During more stressful times, strive to maintain a positive attitude.  For every two complaints or suggested improvements, point out eight positive things.
6. Take a calculated risk.  A boss will notice a talented employee who demonstrates his desire for excellence by occasionally sticking his neck out.  So when the time is right, volunteer for a difficult assignment or challenge the status quo to improve a work process.  Your courage and enthusiasm will increase your visibility and earn the respect of your boss and co-workers alike.

Berks & Beyond:  Another Great Way to Further Your Career

Berks & Beyond provides challenging assignments and direct placement opportunities in a wide range of fields including office/clerical, light industrial, accounting/finance, engineering, HR, management, agriculture and skilled trades.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you further your career, faster.

To get ahead in  this world, you have to “put your best foot forward.”  But, there’s a fine line between respectable self-promotion and shameless bragging.  So how do you use self-promotion to advance your career, without coming across as a show-off?  Use these quick tips to tactfully toot your own horn:

1. Realize that context is everything.  To successfully self-promote, your comments need to be relevant to the conversation.  Bringing up your latest success while your boss is talking about his favorite TV show will not earn you any points.  Bide your time until the conversation switches gears.  Research has shown that once a topic has been raised, a subsequent boast is not viewed as inappropriate – because it’s in context.
2. Wait for the right moment.   Believe it or not, it is okay to steer a conversation toward a topic relevant to your accomplishment.  However, changing topics doesn’t give you license to just blurt out what you’ve done.  Be patient and wait until your conversation partner asks a question that gives you the opening you need.
3. Be a tortoise, not a hare.  Self-promotion is about building a long-term reputation for yourself; establishing trust and respect in your workplace (or the marketplace).  So get in it for the long-haul by making self-promotion a habit.  Set daily goals for doing something small – sharing an idea, reaching out to someone, showing up at an event – and measurable results will follow in time.
4. Promote your ideas.  Beyond talking up accomplishments, you should also spread your ideas, concepts and vision.  By promoting your ideas (as opposed to just your deeds) you will give co-workers and superiors something to support – without being “turned off” or threatened by your success.
5. Know yourself.  Are you like most people, who err on the side of caution and don’t talk themselves up enough?  Or are you the type who tends to talk easily about yourself and your accomplishments?  If you’re unsure, ask a trusted friend into which end of the spectrum you fall.  The art of successful self-promotion depends upon having the self-knowledge to realize when to toot your own horn, and when to let your actions speak for themselves.

Let Berks & Beyond help you put your best foot forward.  When you come in for an interview, our experienced staffing specialists will learn about your skills, interests, experience and needs – then show you where your strengths lie.  We can help you master the art of self-promotion and find the perfect employment opportunity.  Just give us a call.