Raza Rauf - The Advance Group

What is an Interviewer REALLY Asking When They Say “Tell me About Yourself”?

Raza Rauf on November 27, 2011

You are in an important interview for a job you really want at a company that gets you really excited about your career. As you sit across from the potential employer, you smile and know things are going well. Then, they ask the question, “Tell me about yourself?” What do you say to that?

The common answer that interviewees give is about their work experience. Some will discuss their personal lives. Others will answer with comments about what they like to do and what they did last night. None of these answers is the right one from the perspective of the person giving the interview.

What’s He Really Saying?

When heading to an interview, realize that the person asking you questions is not always going to be looking for the answer to that question. In other words, he or she may ask one question but is probing for a completely different one. It is up to you to understand the true meaning of any question prior to answering it. This is not always an easy process, though.

In order to know what the interviewer is really saying, you need to do two big things: listen to the entire question and notice any cues he is giving you. If you can do those things, you will be able to answer any question, including this one accurately.

What Is the Interviewer Looking for in Those Questions?

In most situations, a job interviewer is looking for the best candidate to fill a specific position. To learn if the person sitting across from them at the desk is that person, he needs to find the answers to some very specific questions, including these.

Can you do the job? Will you do the job?
What special skills do you have that others do not have that makes you a better choice?
What experiences do you have that makes you a better choice over other applicants?
What do you have to offer to me that is something the company is lacking?

Knowing what information the interviewer is after, you can provide a better answer to the question asked to you. Ask yourself, how you can answer these questions in a way that provides the information the interviewer is really looking for you to provide.

Know the Cues

Secondly, notice any cues that the interviewer is putting out there. These can be key indications of what information is necessary and what may not be. More so, the cues are often signals to you as to how you should answer questions. For example, the following are some cues you may see.

The interviewer is distracted by something else in the room.
The interviewer is interrupting your replies, which shows he or she is impatient.
He keeps looking at the wall.
He is slouching.
He is listening intently to what you are saying.

If the interviewer seems distracted, he or she may be annoyed with how long your answers are. If he is interrupting, you may not be answering in the right manner.

Tell Me About Yourself

Keeping all of this in mind, the answer to this question comes down to just a few things. Can you communicate well with others? Do you have the ability to set goals and to stay on track? Can you handle rejections? In other words, are you able to answer these questions in a way that delivers the responses he or she needs?

Get ready for a great new part time or full time career when you work with Advance Staffing Solutions. Let us help you get ready for those upcoming interviews so you can be successful in your quest for the right job.

Job Offer Letters: What to Include and What to Avoid

Raza Rauf on November 21, 2011

People who enjoy watching horse racing are familiar with horses coming “out of the gate”. This term refers to how smoothly a horse leaves the starting gate, which can give the horse a good starting position in the race. It also helps to contribute to how successful the horse will be.

In a way, this idea can also refer to new employees. Hiring companies and new candidates know that a good start is beneficial to both. A good job offer letter can be the beginning component of this successful start. Here are some elements of what should be included in an offer letter, and what should be left out.

Job offer letters should specifically state the job title and location of the position. Identifying the job title confirms to the candidate what the actual job duties will be. Location is helpful if there are multiple locations for the company. The letter should also mention the start date of the job. These may seem obvious items to express in the letter, but they minimize confusion for new employees not familiar with the company. Effective communication of details sets the tone for good rapport with the company. In addition, a designated contact person needs to be stated on the letter.

Many companies are at will employment agencies. This means they have the ability to hire and fire at will. Some companies in a union environment have an established procedure for the termination of employees. Job offer letters should include information that the business is an at-will company so that new workers are aware of this from day one.

Letters should also clarify the compensation for the position. This may have been addressed in the job announcement and at the interview. For purposes of clarification, pay should be included in writing. This should not be done on basis of annual salary but what it will be per pay period. Knowledge of their compensation helps new workers when they need to make adjustments in their lives with their employment such as added cost of a longer commute.

Some form of feedback should be given by the new employee. This can be in the form of an email confirming receipt of letter and acceptance of employment. Some companies also make it a policy to have the candidate sign, date and return the letter verifying acceptance of the employment offer. Businesses need to make this decision based on their need. Any letter written should be simple, professional and direct.

Avoid making statements regarding job security as anything in writing can become a legal document if problems occur and arbitration is necessary in the future. Nothing should be mentioned regarding the length of employment. Personal statements should be kept out such as “we are sure you will have a long future with us”.

For more information on writing offer letters, be sure to visit our employer resources found at Advance Temporary Services.

Confessions of an HR Manager: Why I Love a Great Staffing Agency

Raza Rauf on November 15, 2011

A special thank you to our client, Meredith Soleau, Human Resources Director at Ed Schmidt Auto, Inc. for writing this post.

I’ll never forget the first time I called Advance Staffing Services. I was beyond stressed.

My Lead Administrative Assistant was going to be out for a medical emergency, and we had no idea when she would be able to return to work. It was a total crisis. Visions of me answering the phone and making customer receipts danced through my head.

I needed help. Thus began the beautiful relationship between the Ed Schmidt Auto Group and Advance Staffing.

Finding help that day was easy. It was honestly easier than ordering a pizza. They delivered Jacque to our doorstep the next morning, and she was absolutely perfect. She handled the Administrative position much better than I ever could have, and she was already trained! We ended up loving Jacque so much that we’ve found her a permanent position in our company, and she is now our employee.

I’ve really relied on Advance Staffing over the years. I call them for a variety of staffing needs.

Temporary Assignments: They handle both short and long term temporary assignments.
Temporary to Hire: I can “test” and employee and decide if they would be a perfect fit before I hire them on my staff.
Direct Hires: They take care of my entire recruiting process.
Professional Search: They seek out the top talent in the industry and feed me the best. This is especially useful when you never stop recruiting for very hard to find, niche positions.

As the head of a small HR department, I’ve found there are many advantages to using a staffing agency.

Cost & Time Effective
My time is worth money. The time it takes to recruit, hire, and train an employee is valuable. And when I make a hiring mistake? It’s not as if I can just send them away. There are additional costs involved with replacing someone and leaving a position open during that time.

Advance Staffing removes cost per hire/cost of turnover concerns from the equation. If I am not 100% satisfied with whom they’ve sent – they send me someone else. If I need someone tomorrow – I have them on time, every time.

I no longer spend time to placing expensive help wanted advertisements, weeding through 100’s of resumes, interviewing, and waiting on background checks. I simply call them and they deliver quality people time and time again.

It’s Flexible
I need extra help during our busiest times of the year. The car business is cyclical, and I don’t want to be saddled with actual employees that would need to be terminated during out slower months. So whether I need a little extra help during our annual inventory audits or extra people to assist with customers, it’s great to know I can adjust my staff size with temporary help based on business need.

Forming Relationships
Jacque is a perfect example of how long lasting relationships can be built with Advance Staffing employees. She was able to show us her abilities, and when a position opened in our company, we were able to hire her. She was noticed as a top performer before I ever had to place an advertisement. A connection was made between us (the employer) and Jacque (the employee).

At the end of the day, that’s what human capital is all about. Humans.

Want to work somewhere FUN? Prepare for an interview at an employer with a unique company culture.

Raza Rauf on November 13, 2011

In many companies today there is a focus on providing not only a great salary and benefits package, but also on giving employees a fun atmosphere to work in. This movement started with the first company that decided a casual, fun workplace was more conducive to happy and productive employees—and for good reason. Studies have consistently shown that happy employees lead to higher levels of productivity, which translates to more revenues and greater creativity. This leads to innovation like never before seen. Just think Google and Apple and you get the general idea.

As you start interviewing for new assignments, you may encounter companies that promote this “fun” workplace. In order to put the best foot forward, it’s best to prepare in advance for a different style of interviewing you may experience. Here are some ways to get ready for an interview at the next funhouse company.

Before the interview, review the corporate website and any articles that pertain to the company as a whole. You will generally be able to learn much about a company by reviewing any press that the company has received, including the executive leadership. Try to understand what the company stands for by reading the mission statement. This will come in handy when you are asked to come in personally for an interview.

If you have the opportunity, speak with the direct hiring recruiter to find out what the general corporate culture is like. Ask what the inside of the building is like, what are some of the events that the company has, and what the general population of the existing staff are like. Does the workplace include any on-site perks like a café, coffee shop, exercise center, a skateboard or bike path, entertainment spaces or other aspects of a fun environment?

Check with your staffing agent to find out what the dress code will be for the initial interview, because he or she has been inside the company. If the agent tells you business casual, be prepared to dress smartly for the interview, but not too over the top with a suit and tie, or too casual with jeans and flip flops. If this fun work environment includes ultra-casual attire, wear at least khakis and a collared shirt to avoid appearing too “stuffy”. Dress codes do vary from one fun workplace to another, so don’t assume to know what will be expected of you.

Ask around to see if any of your personal contacts know anyone who works at your target company currently. If you normally associate with people in the particular industry you are trying to get employed in, chances are someone knows a little more about the company than you, or has had a chance to visit there for an interview. Friends within the company can also shed more light on what it’s really like to work in that environment, which can give you more to go on as you interview. You’ll likely get a more accurate picture of what the fun environment is about, rather than a somewhat biased view from a recruiter who is trying to court you for a job there.

Remember, that you only get one chance to make a positive impression, and that the company has one shot to entice you to want to work there. Sometimes what seems like a “fun” environment to others may not be the right environment for you to work in. On the other hand, it may be the perfect place for you to grow in your career.

Why it’s Important to Conduct Background Checks, and How to Do It the Right Way

Raza Rauf on November 4, 2011

There are many good reasons why it’s important to conduct background checks for all potential new hires. For one, people are not always who they say they are in the interview process. People will very often say anything to get a job, especially when there is an average of 10% unemployment rate in the country as of this article. Conducting a background check protects not only the company, but also the existing and future staff at the company, from possible issues such as workplace violence, theft and property damage.

Did you know that in just 2009, there were nearly 572,000 non-fatal crimes that occurred in workplaces around the USA? These figures were released by the Justice Department Bureau of Justice Statistics’ newly released publication, Workplace Violence, 1993-2009. Those figures may seem staggering, but more and more cases of workplace violence and crime are making the news daily. It’s important to reduce the chance of workplace crime by conducting thorough background checks as part of the new hire process.

A best practice for conducting background checks is to use a reputable employment background check company to objectively provide information on candidates before an offer of employment is made. This information can be obtained within a matter of days by a good background check company, but keep in mind that all candidates must give their written consent to this check. Require each candidate to sign a background release form, which gives you permission.

Another best new hire practice is to check employee references, from past employers. Find out if the candidate is being truthful about his or her work titles, duties, dates of employment, and reason(s) for termination. While sometimes a candidate may use an incorrect date or embellish actual work duties on a resume, look for glaring differences in the information provided by the candidate vs. the actual information received by references.

You will also want to require a drug test as part of the background check. You would be surprised at the types of people who are actively engaged in drug usage in this country – an epidemic that has spread to all socio-economic communities. Again, do this before making any offer of employment, and make sure to consistently check all candidates regardless of the job itself.

Lastly, work with a quality staffing company that can conduct background checks for all your candidates. This can save you a great deal of time and money with your recruiting efforts. Any candidates will have already been checked for criminal histories, drug use, false information, and more before they have a check to become part of your corporate environment.

Want more information on how using a staffing agency to conduct your background checks can best work for your company? Consult with the career experts at Advance Temporaries today!

4 Tips for a Long-Distance Job Search that Get Results

Raza Rauf on October 30, 2011

Several areas of the country have faced worse economic conditions than others. Some areas have been so depressed there is little prospect for opportunities for job seekers. As a result, many people have decided to conduct a long-distance job search to try and find employment in other communities. Trying to conduct a long distance job search can be a daunting task. The areas are unfamiliar. Following the right steps can make the job search easier.

Focus On Options

One of the surprising aspects of conducting a job search in another area is the greater competition with other candidates. It can also be a more time consuming process. It is necessary to focus and concentrate on the jobs being sought after in this job search, which may be different depending on the locale. For this reason, start by limiting the number of locations to search in. Take into account your personal situation and apply it to these areas. Look at cost of living, local schools, and quality of life. Many areas try to advertise to people moving to their areas by showing what their areas have to offer. Look into what areas have the best job prospects in your industry. Limit the search to twenty positions get a better idea of prospects in each area.

Access Your Network

Having a well-developed network can help uncover long-distance career opportunities. Friends and family who have relocated can be consulted regarding job opportunities. Professional contacts can also be utilized to learn of new job openings. Use online searches for terms like “telecommute”, “relocation assistance” and “remote” for the best results when looking for a long-distance job. Consider joining a nationwide professional association in your industry. These organizations offer job search assistance to members and direct access to unadvertised openings in different parts of the country within the industry.

Social Media

The use of social media has enhanced the ability to research information and communicate with others remotely. Sites like Facebook and Twitter allow more people to communicate from other parts of the country. Developing a professional profile and a strategic business network through these sites can help enhance job prospects. People very often share information on who is hiring and what kinds of jobs may be available. Sites like Digg and Stumble upon may give news and information about employment in several locations.

Register With Employment Firms

It is a good idea to register with a national staffing firm, like Advance Temporary Services, to access openings across the country. Getting involved with the local office of a national company gives access to resources for openings throughout the country. Representatives should be aware that you are willing to relocate to assist your job search. Contacting recruiters and search firms in the areas of interest can give information about employment markets.

A long-distance job search can be challenging, but not impossible if you follow the above tips. Using the proper resources can make it easier. Get a job start on your long-distance job search by working with the career experts at Advance Temporary Services today.

Pay Attention To Your Body Language: How Non-verbal Communication Can Make Or Break Your Interview

Raza Rauf on October 23, 2011

Did you know that it may be what you don’t say that makes an interview successful? It’s a fact that you can often learn more about a person from what they do not say. How someone expresses themself non-verbally tells a lot about them. Facial features, posture, and eye-contact can reveal much about someone. People may not even realize this as it works on a subconscious level.

Non-verbal communication consists of physical characteristics and behavioral aspects of individuals that are communicated in face-to-face interactions. Perception is based on sensory action. Certain cues and messages can be sent based on how an individual acts without saying anything. This can be especially true when in a job interview situation — the most important part of the hiring process. Decisions on appointments can be made on just a short time in this meeting. Awareness of the proper non-verbal prompts can make an impact.

In some cases, non-verbal actions can be a more reliable indicator of an applicant than verbal conversation. People may not be aware of their posture or demeanor. In a sense they let their guard down with these cues. Facial reactions to questions can tell a lot. A candidate who is slumping in their chair during a lengthy interview can indicate boredom and disinterest. Applicants should not underestimate how powerful non-verbal communication can be.

In order to have the best possible results, it is important to appear professional for the interview. First impressions are important in the interview. Making eye contact and the firmness of the grip in the initial handshake can say much about an applicant. These can be a mark of confidence and self- assurance in a candidate.

Maintaining attention and interest are important aspects in the interview. When sitting during the interview, do not slouch or lean back. This may give the impression of being too relaxed. Sit up straight and lean forward slightly. Smile and nod to responses to show you understand what is being told to you. Listen and maintain interest. Keep hands at your sides and avoid actions that may distract like parting hair or scratching your forehead. Maintain eye contact throughout the interview.

Demeanor in non-verbal communication can be as important as actions. It is important to be calm and patient. Try to avoid perspiring even if you are nervous. Try to mirror the tone and conduct of the interviewer. If your interviewer is friendly and casual, react in the same manner. If the interview feels serious and to the point, act the same way.

There is an old saying that the eyes are mirrors to the soul. The way we act through our actions says as much about us without even realizing it. Recognizing these features can help make an interview a success.

For more tips on successful interviewing, please be sure to visit Advance Temporary’s job seeker’s resources today!

5 Ways To Increase Retention Of Top Performing Employees

Raza Rauf on October 16, 2011

Employee turnover can be costly to employees and is of great concern to HR departments. Replacing workers requires time and resources in both advertising a vacancy and interviewing candidates. There is also the cost of training new employees and the time to learn job duties. Costs in lost production from workers who leave, are another expense businesses need to consider.

There is also the sense of uncertainty of hiring someone new. How each new candidate will “fit in” and what kind of worker they will be, can affect the workplace. There are several ways that top performing employees can be retained by increasing employee satisfaction.

1. Encourage Career Fulfillment – One way to ensure employee retention is to create an environment of career fulfillment. Many workers seek a balance between their work and personal lives. Employers need to develop incentives that allow this, especially for employees in high turnover jobs like customer service. Providing a flexible work schedule provides employees latitude in arranging work with outside commitments. Employers should also provide benefits such as time off and health care that meet the needs of employees.

2. Promote From Within – Employees who feel there are little chances for advancement or personal growth will seek opportunities with other employers. The best performing employees will want to be in an environment where their efforts are appreciated and recognized. They want to be in a position that offers more than just a paycheck. Bringing people into leadership positions from outside the organization can negatively affect the morale of the best employees. Utilizing people from within promotes recognition of talent.

3. Promote Professional Development – The best employees of any company understand the value of learning something new to apply to their careers. Organizations can provide training incentives and opportunities for their workers. A company that provides a proactive development program increases skills and abilities of employees. In house training or tuition reimbursement programs can be offered depending on needs and resources of the employer. New ideas for procedures and operations can come from these policies. A company that provides an environment of progress and dynamic thinking will encourage employees to stay.

4. Communication – An employer that clearly identifies what is expected of employees gives workers a tangible idea of goals and objectives. The opportunity for employee feedback helps improve employee relations. Regular employee reviews and recognition give workers an idea of their performance and how the company perceives their work. Regular meetings ranging from individual units to those between employees and upper level management encourage an environment of open ideas.

5. Financial Incentives – Companies can provide financial rewards to top employees to encourage performance and retention. This practice shows that hard work is appreciated by a company. Regular raises and programs of bonuses and commissions can help retain employees who will want to work for an employer that recognizes their efforts.

Want to keep your employees happy? Use Advance Temporary as your source for quality candidates and staffing retention support!

Should You Avoid Hiring Over-qualified Applicants?

Raza Rauf on October 6, 2011

As our nation faces even more challenges in the job market, recruiters everywhere continue to encounter a great influx of candidates for fewer job openings than ever before – many of whom are overqualified. While this can be a difficult situation for any hiring manager to decide if taking a risk on an overqualified candidate or not, there is actually some good that can come out of this scenario.

You may not want to avoid hiring candidates who are over-qualified after all….here’s why.

Over-qualified actually means more experience. The person that is deemed over-qualified for a specific assignment may be able to bring your team more than you can imagine. Instead of having just the basic skills to do the job, the over-qualified person has gathered a nice amount of real-world work experience that can translate to better ways of doing things. Your organization can use this experience to help bring other team members up to speed faster, as well as mentoring opportunities.

Experienced candidates are dedicated to their careers. You may find this surprising, but a vast majority of seasoned job seekers are actually trying to maintain a solid career path. That’s why they are applying for work at your company because they are dedicated to furthering their careers through relevant positions. The trick to keep these more experienced employees on board is to make sure they are compensated and challenged enough in their roles.

Career-minded candidates tend to desire more stability. For candidates who place a emphasis on gaining long-term career success, your task is to make sure your company can provide somewhat of a stable experience. This means having a clear succession plan in place to give top performers somewhere to go on the corporate ladder over time. While a lower level spot may be all you can offer presently, knowing that there is more to offer will keep experienced candidates on board.

Stable employees mean more successful long-term placements. The great thing about focusing on serious candidates, even if they do seem overqualified, is that their interest lays in finding stable employment. This translates to employees who will most likely stick around for a longer period of time, than job hoppers and youthful inexperienced candidates who don’t know their status. Choose seasoned candidates for lower staff turn-overs.

Want to find highly qualified candidates to fill critical positions in your company? Check out the best source of skilled employees here at Advance Temporary!

6 Reasons You Might Not Have Gotten a Call After Your Job Interview

Raza Rauf on September 29, 2011

It happens to everyone from time to time. You go on an interview that went spectacularly well, and then no phone call inviting you back ever comes. When you need a job this can be more than disheartening and make you want to give up. Understanding why you never got the call will actually help you in your job hunt. So don’t despair. Pick yourself up, brush it off your shoulder, and learn from the experience.

Reason #1- They hired someone else (unfortunately).

The climate for job-seekers is much different today than it was a decade ago. Unemployment rates are at all-time highs, and the number of people applying for positions is unreal. In most cases you should expect at least 3-4 dozen people applying for every open position. Some positions will have much higher competition. Even if your interview was great there may be someone else who was more qualified. Don’t let this get you down. Be persistent.

Reason #2- They filled the position internally.

Most companies will post open positions internally before they start interviewing applicants outside. However, people can be on vacation or busy with projects that forces them to miss the deadline for the internal posting. This means they go into the open job pool. Companies would prefer to hire within for open positions.

Reason #3- The position was eliminated.

This happens far more often than you may think. A company decides they need to hire someone, then they find a way to cut costs and fill the requirements using other people inside. Hiring freezes may have also gone into effect as a cost saving measure. This is nothing personal, and there’s not much you can do about it.

Reason #4- The job description or need changed.

Similar to reason #3, a lot of companies will end up changing the job description after it was posted. Or the actual needs of the job may have changed after the fact. You may have been a perfect candidate for the original position, but lack the skills necessary for the new description.

Reason #5- Someone else made a better impression.

The way to get the attention of a company is much different today than it was before. Focusing less on what you get out of it and more on what you can bring to the table is the new thinking. If another candidate displayed this more than you they may have been chosen over you. The employer wants to employ people who show enthusiasm.

Reason #6- Talking about money too soon.

Yes, you need a job that will pay you. However, the initial interview isn’t the time to discuss this unless the interviewer brings it up first. If you walk in with demands regarding your salary and benefits you’re showing the interviewer that you’re more interested in money than the actual job.

With this short list you can go back and rethink your interview strategy. Learn to follow up after the interviews to stay fresh in their minds. And above all else, remember to stay positive! There IS an employer out there who wants and needs you, it’s all just a matter of time.

Looking for a great new job opportunity? Check out the career openings at Advance Temporary here.

Why It’s Important To Conduct Background Checks and How To Do It Legally

Raza Rauf on September 23, 2011

The hiring of new employees can be sort of like walking a tightrope. It is important to find the right candidate with the qualifications and integrity to do the job, but in today’s hiring climate it’s impossible to accept clients at face value. To be effective in hiring practices involves delving into the background of applicants to get a better idea of their abilities and employment performance. However, this has to be measured with respect for the privacy of each individual candidate as well as staying compliant with relevant laws. The purpose of the background check is to help evaluate aptitude and skills and needs to be carried out with this the primary goal.

Verify Employment Qualifications

Any employer can be overwhelmed with the number of resumes received for an open position. There could be several applicants with outstanding qualifications to do a job. It can be difficult to determine one that sticks out. At the basic level, the background check is to determine if information provided by an applicant is true and accurate. It also helps paint a picture about the applicant beyond what is on paper or discovered in a short interview. Previous employers give an idea of what kind of work habits an applicant has. References can provide information on personal characteristics.

Protecting the Organization

The background check can be considered as a preemptive measure to ensure the integrity of the organization and the safety of employees. Individuals may not be appropriate for certain positions due to some aspect of their history. Someone with a criminal background may not be appropriate for a security officer position. If someone has had issues with substance abuse, they may not be able to work in a hospital with accessibility to drugs and medication. Certain kinds of information can only be found with a background check.

Legal Issues with Background Checks

One of the most important aspects of the background check is that information is gathered for job related purposes. Some activities of a background check may not be necessary. It is easy for an organization to go overkill in a background check to err on the side of caution. Before a background check is initiated, evaluate what the purpose is for it. Certain information such medical and credit history require written consent from the applicant.

Background checks may be somewhat different for applicants and should be planned on a case by case basis, however they must be consistent for all candidates. If an applicant feels they were discriminated against for not being selected for a job, they can file a lawsuit against the hiring authority. If subject to review, any background investigation needs to reflect being strictly part of the hiring process based on ability and not personal private information.

The background investigation can be an essential part of the hiring process. It is a tool that helps identify qualifications of applicants. The hiring authority needs to take care in collecting information to get what they require without violating the privacy of applicants.

For quality pre-screened candidates, consult with the staffing experts at Advance Temporary today!

Don’t Let an Interview Stump You! Prepare for These Difficult Questions You Might be Asked During an Interview

Raza Rauf on September 16, 2011

Source: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You’ve sent off your resume and cover letter, anxiously awaiting that elusive call from a company you’ve always wanted to work for. Then the call comes, and you start getting butterflies thinking about the pending interview. Before you start daydreaming about your corner office, be prepared for your interview with answers to the difficult questions you may be asked.

What are your goals five years from now? This is becoming a more commonplace question with interviewers, but it still is a difficult one for most candidates to answer. This is the time to respond with a prepared, yet truthful answer. The best course of action is to let the interviewer know you are hoping to be in a position where you can manage more responsibilities alongside an efficient team, in a company that provides growth opportunities and a modern work environment.

Explain your relationship with your previous boss? While it can seem tempting to start trashing your previous supervisor, ignore the urge and keep things positive instead. No hiring managers want to hear negative things about the people you used to work for. That’s a big red flag and could cost you a great job. Instead, think of several things you enjoyed about working with your old boss and explain how this helped you grow as an individual.

Have you ever been terminated from a job? This can be a real “sticky wicket” as they say, but employers have the right to ask you this question. This question is generally triggered by frequent job changes, a job marked as termination on your application, or if you have recently lost a job. Don’t be afraid to answer with an honest answer here, as most recruiters will appreciate this. However, if you were let go due to violation of company policy, be sure to add in what you have learned from this lesson.

Why do you want to work for our company? While this question may seem a little bold, hiring managers use this to screen out people who are just looking for short-term work, or those who did not take the time to research the company a little before coming in to interview. Learn as much as you can about the company beforehand and respond with some ways you see yourself as a valuable addition to the corporate team.

What do you think is a fair salary for you? Answer with caution, as you can easily eliminate yourself by quoting too high, or lower your perceived value by saying a rate too low. Use your preparation time to research current salaries for the job you are interviewing for, and stick to that range. Make sure to emphasize your unique skills and credentials too.

And remember, breathe and make plenty of positive eye contact while you are interviewing. You’ll easily impress the hiring manager and get offered a great new job!

If you need more support with finding a great career or you want more interview preparation tips, be sure to visit Advance Temporary Services today!