Tag Archive for: how to interview

How to Find Out if a Job is For You

One of the trickiest things when it comes to finding a new job, is gaging whether or not a company is a good fit for you. This can be especially difficult when you get multiple offers that all have their different perks and you don’t want to choose the wrong one.

Outside of how they present themselves on their website and social media pages, there isn’t much to work with when it comes to assessing how it would feel to work in a company’s environment and if your needs as an employee match what that employer is willing to give you.

Your full-time job is where you spend the majority of your time, and while there is plenty of opportunity out there should something not work out; we all prefer to find the right place of employment on the first try.

Here are a few ways you can help yourself establish if a workplace could be well suited for you:

1. Look at the Details in Job Postings

Most people look at the entire picture when looking through job postings, which is definitely important; but if you pay attention to specific points, you’ll notice that there are small hints about what the company values. For instance, if the first few paragraphs discuss being a tight-knit team that doesn’t mind staying late a few nights per week; it’s probably not a good fit for someone who prefers to work solo and needs to be somewhere at a certain time after work. Or, if the posting is written with a lot of humor and wit, it may or may not be the place for someone who has a history of strictly professional work environments. It all depends on what matters to you.

2. Consider the Soft Skills that are Needed

Soft skills are non-technical skills that are not job/industry specific and can be applied in a variety of situations. Critical thinking, problem solving, and time-management are all examples of soft skills, and everyone possesses different ones, depending on their work history and natural abilities. Job postings almost always contain statements such as: “must be able to think on your feet” or “the right candidate is someone who is very organized”. Look for positions that list soft skills that you are good at.

3. Ask About the Main Tasks

While most employers are pretty good at giving accurate depictions of what a position in their company entails, it’s a good idea to ask a few additional questions, so you can ensure that the parts of the job that will affect you the most are in line with what you are expecting. During an interview, ask the questions: “What are the main tasks I will be doing?” and “What does a typical day and week in this position look like/consist of?”. This will give you a clear picture of how you will spend your time and if it’s a place where you see yourself thriving.

4. Determine the Impact

Everyone wants to feel like they have a significant role within their company whether their job is to drive more revenue or to support others within the organization. Before you accept any position, ask how your role specifically will affect the company as a whole. The response you receive will speak volumes about the social structure of that company and whether or not they see the value in all roles within the company. Every business has many moving parts, and they are all important. It’s crucial for all companies to know this.

5. Ask How Your Performance Will Be Measured

Some people do well in a competitive environment, while others do better working at their own pace. Additionally, some companies have lofty performance goals and measurements, while others offer leeway as long as the work is being put forth. Also, when it comes to pay increases, some companies base it strictly off of production and numbers, while others consider factors such as attendance, teamwork, and adaptability. It’s up to the individual to decide which one will work better for them.

If you or anyone you know is looking for a job, we at Award are here to help. We update our job boards daily. Check out our newest opportunities here.

How to Answer Questions About Your Salary History

When interviewing for jobs, employers want to know a lot about you. We’ve heard employers ask all kinds of questions, ranging from standard things related to the job to more creative questions like, “If you had a theme song, what would it be?” But there’s one question that always throws candidates for a loop: “What was your previous salary?”

In some cities and states, this question is illegal. Many places are adopting laws to ban employers from asking about salary on applications and during interviews. The argument is that this helps employees earn fairer wages; if they were underpaid in their last job, they may be underpaid in this job.

Minnesota has a history of progressive laws that tend to benefit workers; however, it is still legal for employers to ask about your salary history. The next time you hear this question, here are a few responses you can have lined up.

“I’m glad you mentioned salary. I’d love to talk about the expectations for this role.”

Redirect the conversation away from your salary history towards your expectations for this job. Be prepared to mention your education, experience, training and any certifications. Do some research ahead of time to see what others in similar roles earn.

“This is my first role, but I’m eager to share what I bring to this position.”

If you’re fresh out of school or don’t have much salary history to provide, be honest. Use your (lack of) experience to redirect the conversation to what you can offer and how you’ll use the skills you have in this position.

“My salary range is between $40,000 and $50,000.”

If you don’t feel comfortable saying a number but want to answer the question, provide a range of what you’d expect for this position. This is particularly helpful when the question is on a job application in a required field. Providing a range helps the interviewer better understand your expectations without limiting your options.

“My salary history is personal and confidential. I’m happy to discuss how I’m qualified for this job.”

If the interviewer insists that you provide a direct response, you can say no. However, you may want to reconsider if you truly want to work somewhere so pushy. Ultimately, you want to make it clear that what’s more important is your value to the company, and not what your prior employer once paid you. Your previous salary may have been based on an entirely different role, a different cost of living or a different industry and should not impact your new salary.

Job applications and interviews are stressful enough without worrying about how you might be limiting your own opportunities with this question. Employers are learning that this question is not best practices and may soon be illegal. Still, it’s best to be prepared for any question so that you can nail your interview.

Ready to take this advice to the real world? Award Staffing has you covered. Check out our latest job opportunities.

3 Soft Skills to Mention During Your Next Interview

Most job openings list certain criteria the employer is looking for in an applicant, such as years of experience, level of education and board certification. But many applications also include other features they’re looking for in a candidate like strong work ethic, good communication skills, and excellent teamwork. You know how to prove the first set of criteria, but how do you demonstrate good work ethic on a resume?

Soft skills are the personality traits, habits and attitudes that make for a great employee. Just as you need to be able to talk about how your prior job experience directly relates to the job you’re applying for (your hard skills), you also need to be able to talk about your soft skills and why they would make you good at your job.

During your next interview, help the employer understand why you’re a great candidate by preparing examples demonstrating these three soft skills.

1. Communication

No matter your job, you’ll need good communication skills to do it effectively. If you’re a highly-skilled carpenter but aren’t very good at communicating updates to a client or your manager, your skill may cause more problems for an employer than you’re worth. Whether you need to communicate with your boss, your coworkers or customers, communication is critical.

How to demonstrate: Communication comes in a variety of forms, mainly written, verbal and by phone. Think about previous job experience and when communication played a key role. Maybe you worked in a restaurant and had to accurately communicate with diners and chefs about meals, or perhaps you did some public speaking about your job at local events. Think about experiences you can point to and how your success demonstrates your communication skills.

2. Work ethic

Every employer wants to hire someone with a strong work ethic, even if it isn’t directly mentioned in the job posting. Having a strong work ethic means you come to work on time, focus on your tasks, stay organized and complete your work. This seems like the bare minimum for doing a job well, but employers will want to know they can trust you to do your job.

How to demonstrate: Come prepared with examples of your commitment to your past jobs. Maybe you had a client who needed something done fast and you were able to stay organized and get the project done. Perhaps you’ve earned an award like “Employee of the Month” demonstrating how you go above and beyond in your job. Think of times when your boss was able to depend on you and you delivered.

3. Teamwork

As with communication, even jobs where you’re working solo will likely require some level of teamwork. Managers want to know that you’ll get along well with other employees and that you can work together to achieve a common goal. They don’t want to hire someone who will prevent work from getting done because of personality conflicts.

How to demonstrate: Employers may ask you directly in an interview for examples related to teamwork with prompts like, “Tell me about a time when you and a coworker didn’t see eye to eye but got the job done.” Virtually everyone has a story about not getting along with a coworker, so it shouldn’t be hard to come up with an example and, most importantly, to list what you did to finish the job and what you learned from the experience.

At Award Staffing, we’re here to help you find your future by connecting you with awesome employers. Visit our website today to learn more about how we can help.

The Minnesota Way to Dress For a Job Interview

If you dress well for an interview, no matter what type of job it is, you are more likely to be hired. Here are some of our tips on how to dress for an interview.

Dress For Success-

When you go in for an interview, you want to make the best first impression possible.  In other words, what you wear matters!  Choose professional clothing that doesn’t show too much skin. Men can’t go wrong with some nice slacks and a button-down shirt. Women can’t go wrong with a cute business skirt or slacks and blouse combination. Before you go into your interview, iron your clothes or have them dry-cleaned to make sure they’re not wrinkled

Be Mindful of Tattoos and Piercings-

If you have a lot of visible tattoos and piercings, it’s a good idea to remove them before the interview. Regardless of whether or not it is fair, some companies will make judgments and associate tattoos and piercings with being irresponsible or reckless. Even if this is not the case, you want to make sure you remove them so the interviewer can get to know the real you and not fixate on your tattoos and piercings. Furthermore, in light industrial jobs, excessive piercings can sometimes create a safety hazard.

Keep Hygiene in Mind-

When you’re trying to make a good first impression, you always want to keep hygiene in mind. Part of good hygiene includes brushing your hair, showering, washing your face, and brushing your teeth. You wouldn’t want your interviewer to have a wrong impression of you based merely on how you look or smell. Spend a few minutes before you have to leave for your interview focusing on hygiene, and your interviewer will be able to focus on what you’re saying.

Add Tasteful Accessories-

Wearing tasteful accessories to an interview can accentuate your overall appearance and presentation. An example of an elegant accessory for a man would be a nice watch. An example of an elegant accessory for a woman would be a necklace or some earrings. Adding an exquisite accessory, without overdoing, tells your interviewer that you care enough to take that additional step and are responsible enough to find a balance. If you have an interview, you are seriously being considered for a job. You can increase your chances of being hired if you dress well and present yourself positively for your first interview.

If you need help finding job interviews, contact Award Staffing.  We will be able to help you find a job that is the perfect fit for you and your unique skill sets. Our team of hiring professional located in Bloomington, Chaska, Crystal, Delano, Maplewood, and Ramsey Minnesota are here to help you find you your next new job opportunity!