Berks & Beyond Blog

Q:  What are behavioral interview questions?

A:  Behavioral questions are designed to reveal more than just skills or experience.  They operate on the premise that understanding past behavior is the best way to predict future success.  Questions may be casually inserted into a typical interview, or you may be formally required to answer a set list.

Behavioral interview questions will require you to describe situations from your past, as well as your feelings and observations about them.  Depending upon your answers, the interviewer may have follow-up probing questions.  The interviewer will look for evidence of desired behavioral traits in your responses, to assess your proficiency in certain job-related areas.

Q:  What are some examples of behavioral interview questions?

A:  Unlike standard questions, which are designed to gain more information about your skills and experience, behavioral questions focus on revealing behavioral traits.  Here are a few examples:

“What is the most creative idea you’ve implemented to solve a problem?”

“Can you describe a time when you tried to persuade another person to do something that he was not very willing to do?”

“What is the most difficult project you’ve worked on – and how did it help you develop professionally?”

Q:  How can I perform well in a behavioral interview?

A:  As with all interview questions, preparing for behavioral questions is essential to success.  While you cannot predict the specific questions you will be asked, you can use these tips to ace your next behavioral interview – no matter what type of job you’re seeking:

• Learn about the company.  Do your homework before the interview to learn about the company, its core values and the available position.  Use the job description to determine the most essential behaviors needed to succeed in the position, then research potential behavioral interview questions that are associated with these traits.
• Create your behavioral interview arsenal.  Create a list of key accomplishments that exemplify the traits necessary to succeed in the available position.  If you lack work experience, draw upon your school experiences (challenging courses/tests, group projects, research papers, etc.).  Select experiences that reflect well on you, even if the outcome of the situation itself was not favorable.  With a bit of work, you can develop a repertoire of a small number of workplace experiences that you can use to answer a wide range of behavioral questions.
• Flesh out each experience.  Make sure each of your examples has a beginning, middle and end.  Experts recommend using the STAR technique to communicate your ideas logically and concisely:  the beginning should describe a Situation you were in or the Task you needed to accomplish; the middle should recount the Action that you took; the end should review the measurable Results you achieved.
• Practice with a friend.  Behavioral interviews can be grueling.  Boost your confidence by rehearsing your workplace stories ahead of time with a friend or relative.  Aim for vivid, concise answers that are one to three minutes long.

Looking for more interview help?  Searching for jobs in Harrisburg, Allentown, Reading, Pottstown, York or Carlisle?  Berks & Beyond is here to help.  As one of Southern Pennsylvania’s largest staffing companies, we can help you take the next step in your career.

If you’re looking for a full-time job, there are two things you shouldn’t do:

1. Don’t let disappointing employment figures and talks of a double-dip recession dishearten you.
2. Don’t rule out temporary or contract assignments.

In a tough economy, temporary and contract positions offer a viable path to direct employment.  Why?  More and more, employers are using contingent workers as a way to get more done while keeping costs under control until the economy picks back up.

Use this employment trend to your advantage.  Work as a temporary to get your foot in the door with an employer and showcase your talents on the job.  When that employer is ready to hire, you will have already completed a “working interview,” and therefore be in a prime position to land the job.

Use these tips to make the most of your temporary or contract assignments, and optimize your chances of turning one into a full-time job:

• Treat the assignment as a permanent job. Whether you are there for a day or a month, give your best effort every time.  Always be cheerful, positive, enthusiastic and conscientious.  Offer to take on more work if you are able.  Make sure that the quality of your work is equal to, or better than, the work of direct employees.
• Temp where you want to work. Accept assignments in line with your career interests.  Use every assignment as an opportunity to learn more about your position and your industry.  When the time comes to hire someone, you’ll be the obvious choice.
• Adopt the company’s culture. If you hope to become a direct employee, act like one from the outset.  Try to blend into the culture you are working in.  Learn employees’ names, figure out what makes the company tick and try to exemplify the company’s values.
• Dress the part. Contingent work is not a license to dress down.  Your appearance, like the quality of your work, should be no different from that of a direct employee.
• Advertise your desire for permanent employment. Make sure your staffing representative and your on-site supervisor know that you want a direct job.  Most temporary and contract positions are designed to end at some point.  So if you want to be considered for a permanent position, you should take it upon yourself to communicate this desire regularly.
• Continually build your skills. Being a temporary or contract employee puts you in a unique position to learn new things.  Use every opportunity to learn new skills, both on the job and through training offered by your staffing service.  While on assignment, seek out mentors and garner insight from experienced employees.  If your current assignment doesn’t ultimately lead to your dream job, you will be positioning yourself properly for one that does.

Looking for more career advice, interviewing tips, temporary employment information or jobs in Harrisburg, Allentown, Reading, Pottstown, York and Carlisle, PA?  Visit Berks & Beyond’s website today.

Recently graduated from college?  Here are a few facts about your Class of 2011:

• The U.S. Department of Education estimates that approximately 1.7 million students graduated with bachelor’s degrees in the 2011 winter/spring graduation season.
• Females outnumbered males, with the U.S. Department of Education reporting 140 females for every 100 males in the Class of 2011.
• This class is the most indebted in history, with an average personal debt of $23,000 after graduation.
• The National Center for Education Statistics estimates that the average starting job salary for graduates with bachelor’s degrees will be nearly $37,000, down from nearly $47,000 in 2009.

Undoubtedly it will be a tough go for this year’s graduates.  But if you’re looking for a job the news isn’t all bad:

• In a survey of approximately 4,600 employers nationwide, the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University found that hiring for graduates will increase about 10 percent this year.  This is significantly higher than the increase in overall hiring for all degrees, estimated at 3 percent.
• Another survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers reports similar findings.  According to this survey, employers across the country reported that they will hire 19 percent more new college graduates this year than they did in 2010.
• Hiring prospects remain better for college graduates than for non-graduates, with the unemployment rate for workers with bachelor’s degrees (or higher) at 4.5 percent.
• Although employers are still cautious about hiring, demand remains strong for college graduates in the healthcare, technical, engineering, construction and business sectors.  For a detailed long-term outlook on hundreds of jobs, follow this link to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.

If you’ve recently entered the job market, here are a few tips to make your job search after college more productive:

• Make sure your résumé is up to date. Review your résumé to be sure it has all the latest information, including your college activities and your major.  You may even want to prepare multiple versions of your résumé that cater to different positions or industries in which you’re interested.
• Build your network. Many companies don’t advertise open positions, so networking plays an important role in finding job opportunities.  Keep in touch with family, friends, professors or past co-workers to learn about potential job opportunities.  Build your online network using sites like LinkedIn and Facebook to meet new people, garner recommendations and investigate potential job leads.  Be careful, however, to mind your online image, as a majority of employers are now researching job candidates’ backgrounds online.
• Use on-campus resources. College career centers usually welcome recent grads and can help in your job search. You also might be able to connect with other alumni who can provide advice.
• Consider an internship. Internships offer valuable experience and can provide an excellent introduction to the working world.  Beyond building skills, having an internship on your résumé shows a potential employer that you have the abilities to succeed in a job after college.  In some cases, internships can even lead to full-time job offers.
• Request informational interviews. Research companies you would like to work for and ask for informational interviews to learn more about these organizations.
• Meet with a Berks & Beyond Recruiter. Our recruiting and staffing specialists can be your eyes and ears in Pennsylvania’s hidden job market.  We can provide useful feedback on your résumé and interview skills, and match you with the ideal career opportunity or a promising temporary assignment.
• Treat your job search as if it’s a full-time job. Bring the same discipline and work ethic to your job search as you would to your first real job.  Proactively build relationships, work closely with university career centers and capitalize on real-world job experiences through internships and temporary assignments.
• Be aggressive and persistent. Like it or not, competition for the best jobs is – and will continue to be – fierce.  Prepare yourself mentally for what may be a longer-than-normal job search.  While it may be tiring, and you may be tempted to give up, keep at it.  Staying positive, aggressive and persistent will help ensure that your job search after college is successful.

Technology vs. the human touch.

When it comes to your job search, which is better?  Job board technology is certainly efficient.  With a few clicks you easily can apply for several jobs in under an hour – all from the comfort of your own home.

But that same efficiency can work against you.  Jobs that are available to you are also available to literally anyone else with an internet connection.  When you submit your résumé, you may be one of dozens, hundreds or even thousands of applicants.  As the number of job posting applicants increases, so does the chance of your résumé being completely ignored.  How efficient is that?

Job boards do serve a purpose in connecting job seekers to employers.  But if you’re serious about finding a great job, here are several reasons why experienced recruiters, like the ones who work for staffing and placement services such as Berks & Beyond, beat job boards – hands down:

Reach the hiring authority – 100% of the time. A good recruiter has the ear of prospective employers and will proactively market you directly to key hiring decision makers.  Recruiters keep your best career interests in mind and ensure your skills, experience and personal brand are presented in the best light possible to potential employers.

Access the “hidden” job market. Many of Pennsylvania’s leading employers know that they have greater hiring success when working with a recruiter.  These companies rely on staffing professionals to handle the time-consuming legwork associated with finding the best candidates and skip the job board route altogether.

Get inside information on employers and their hiring practices. If you are interested in a particular employer, a recruiter can use his knowledge of an employer’s hiring processes (including interviewers’ personalities and interviewing styles) to help you successfully navigate obstacles.  Likewise, he can provide valuable insight on a company’s corporate culture, helping you more accurately evaluate career opportunities.

Maintain job search control. If you’re a top performer who posts his résumé all over every job board, you may suffer unintended (and unwanted) consequences.  Unethical staffing services may find your résumé on a job board and submit it without your approval or begin hounding you with phone calls.  With a good recruiter on your side, you can maintain control over your résumé and work with a single point of contact.

Manage job search anxiety. For many, finding a new position is extremely stressful.  Recruiters are experts at the process and can help guide you through the nerve-wracking process of interviewing.  By working with a recruiter you also enjoy peace of mind, knowing that you have someone else on your job search team.

Get a personal advocate and partner in your job search. In most cases (retained searches being an exception), recruiters aren’t compensated unless they actually place candidates.  Unlike a job board, they have a vested interest in ensuring the success of your job search.

Protect your privacy. If you think your current employer won’t find out you’re actively seeking another job, think again.  Many employers set up automatic search agents on major job boards which notify them if their employees are preparing to make a move.  When you work with a recruiter, you can rest assured that you will be represented anonymously, and that your job search will remain confidential.

Access temporary and contract opportunities. If you are out of work and open to temporary or contract employment, recruiters can place you in short-term assignments or project-based opportunities that get your foot in the door and may even lead to direct employment.

Berks & Beyond – The Human Touch in Recruiting and Placement

Technology is an important component in your job search, but nothing replaces a recruiter’s personal touch.  To us, you’re much more than just a résumé or an application.

We listen and take a real interest in matching you with an opportunity that suits your unique skills, needs and interests.  Contact a Berks & Beyond recruiter today to learn more about administrative, light industrial, accounting/finance, engineering, HR, managerial and skilled trades opportunities throughout central and southern Pennsylvania.

What do you think of when you hear the term “temporary employment”?

Most people regard temporary work as a means to earn extra cash, maintain a flexible work schedule, gain work experience or fill employment gaps.  Did you know, however, that temporary employment can also be a great option if you’re looking to change careers?

With a broad range of assignments and projects available, temping can be a highly effective way for you to break into a new field – but it probably won’t happen by accident.  To use temporary employment as a true career change catalyst, you must intentionally structure your work experiences.  Here are a few tips:

Choose the right type of staffing service for your career interests. Before registering with a staffing service, visit their website or contact the office directly to find out what types of placements they specialize in.  Some staffing firms place people in a wide range of industries and positions, while others specialize in a specific field.

Be upfront with your staffing specialist. When you interview with a recruiter, let him know that you are looking to change careers.  Tell him about your skills and experience and ask how they might transfer into a new field.  Discuss your need for challenging assignments that will help you try out different jobs, develop new skills and evaluate new career options.  When a staffing specialist understands your needs, he can do a better job placing you in opportunities that will drive your career change.

Treat every assignment as a learning experience. In addition to performing your required job duties, use each assignment as an opportunity to learn about the employer, the industry and potential career opportunities.  Ask questions, observe co-workers, talk to your supervisor and let him know that you’re looking to make a change.  Take as much knowledge and experience away from each assignment as you can.

Build new skills while on assignment. Most staffing services offer free skills training to individuals who register with them.  While on assignment, use non-work hours to take advantage of training resources, building skills that will help you in your next career.

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Tips for Managing Career Changes

If the thought of changing jobs and/or careers causes you anxiety, you’re not alone.  The truth is, there is a certain amount of instability inherent in changing jobs.  Here are a few suggestions to help manage the stress:

Focus on developing your skills. Choose projects/assignments/jobs that help you build new skills and develop expertise in a certain area.  When your learning curve flattens out, ask to be reassigned or look for another opportunity.  Continually building your skills will ensure you’re in demand.

Adopt a job changing mindset. Instead of focusing on the instability of a job change, view it as an opportunity.  Get used to the notion that you will change jobs frequently throughout your career.  When it’s time to make a move, your job changing mindset will make the transition much easier.

Keep your job changing skills sharp. You’re not going to stay at any job forever, and you don’t know how long it will last.  But if you keep your job hunting skills sharp – networking, interviewing, keeping on-top of temporary opportunities that serve your career interests – you will always be able to get work when your needs, or your company’s needs, change.

Berks & Beyond – Your Career Change Partner

At Berks & Beyond, we do more than just place you in a position.  We listen to your needs, learn about your skills and experience, and then present you with work opportunities that are a perfect match for you.  If you’re looking to make a job change, Berks & Beyond is the ideal partner.  Contact us today to learn more about job opportunities throughout Central and Southern Pennsylvania.

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.

Like most things in life, you’ll get out of your job search what you put into it.  Those who work harder, have a positive attitude, persevere and go the extra mile are more likely to get what they want – period.

If you have the commitment to work hard, but need direction for your efforts, here are five things you can do to take charge of your job search today:

1.  Clarify your self-knowledge and your goals. Do you know exactly what you have to offer an employer?  Do you know exactly what you are looking for in a career?  Take the time to write down your specific skills, strengths, accomplishments and career goals.  If you know what you want, and what you bring to the table, it’s infinitely easier to focus your efforts, identify potential employers and find the job you want.

2.  Establish your network. Identify individuals in companies, industry organizations and professional associations who can provide insight into their employment needs.  When possible, schedule informational interviews to learn more about potential careers, as well as skills you may need to acquire to make yourself more employable.  Identify faculty, friends, business associates and relatives who can assist you with your job search.  Tell everyone you know that you’re looking for a job and ask them to refer you to potential employers.

3.  Get more organized. Place all of your job search materials, including: research on potential employers; listings of job postings to which you’ve responded; resume versions and cover letters; staffing services with whom you’ve registered; network lists, etc.  Use this binder to track your progress, plan follow-up, develop daily to-do lists or record other important information.

4.  Find a mentor. If you don’t have a trusted advisor who can help guide your job search efforts, you should get one.  To select a mentor, choose someone you know who:  has earned your respect; is successful in his or her career; will provide honest and effective feedback; will take an interest in your professional development; will support you in your career progression.  Meet with this person regularly to solicit advice, share your ups and downs, and get the feedback and support you need to keep going.

5.  Register with Berks & Beyond. As a leading Central and Southern PA staffing and placement service, we specialize in connecting hard-working individuals with rewarding temporary, temp-to-hire, contract and direct employment opportunities.  If you are looking to:

• open new doors and create new connections;
• earn money while conducting a full-time job search;
• gain access to unadvertised opportunities;
• keep your skills sharp and your morale high…

…Contact a Recruiter today.

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.

Are you new to the employment market?  Just out of school?  Making a career transition?  Looking for a change?  If so, an informational interview is a great way to help you:

• Learn about an industry, a profession, or a career path in a chosen field
• Set yourself apart from the crowd in a competitive job market
• Get tips on how to prepare for and enter a given career
• Gain valuable insider feedback on potential future job openings
• Sharpen interview skills that may have become a bit “rusty” from disuse
• Practice selling yourself and your personal brand

In short, this type of interview can provide you with invaluable visibility, information and practice – all in a low-stress setting.

Tips for Successful Informational Interviews

• Do your homework.  It goes without saying that you’ll get out of the informational interview process what you put into it.  Read industry journals and go online to research any company in which you’re interested – before making phone calls.
• Identify people to interview.  If you know anyone who could make an introduction for you, don’t be shy – ask him or her.  Additionally, you can contact an organization directly, or visit its website, to obtain names.
• Prepare for the interview.  Develop a short (15 – 30 second) overview of yourself, including your reasons for requesting the interview, as a way to introduce yourself and set a context for the meeting. 
• Initiate contact.  Contact the person by phone and mention how you obtained his or her name.  Ask if it’s a good time for the individual to talk for a few minutes, emphasizing that you are looking for information – not a job.  Request a convenient time to schedule a 20 – 30 minute appointment.
• Develop a question list.  Use online resources to create a list of informational interview questions to ask.
• Conduct the interview.  Dress the part and arrive a few minutes early – just as you would for a traditional interview.  Re-introduce yourself and ask your most pressing questions first.  Listen well, take notes if you’d like and respect the individual’s time by limiting the length of your interview.
• Find out how your skills will translate.  If you already know how your experience will benefit a potential employer, now is the time to say so.  But if you’re unsure where you might fit into a department or company, the informational interview provides a perfect opportunity to find out.
• Be honest.  Since you’re not interviewing for an available opening, be candid about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as career goals.  If your skills and priorities are not a match for a particular organization, the interviewee may be able to connect you with potential employers that are more in-sync with your needs.
• Say “Thank You.”  Be sure to let the individual know how much you appreciate the time and information.
• Follow-up.  Send a thank-you note within one to two days.  If appropriate, keep in occasional touch with this person – the relationship you initiate could become an important part of your network.

A Final Thought

Informational interviews can happen anywhere and anytime.  So keep an open mind and seize potential opportunities whenever they present themselves – because you never know who might be helpful in your career search.

If you’re in the market for a new job, or are just curious about what kind of jobs are available right now, please call Berks and Beyond today.  We offer a variety of excellent temporary and direct employment opportunities throughout Central and Southern Pennsylvania.