Tag Archive for: Interviewing

How to Answer Questions About Your Salary History

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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 Easy Ways to Make a Great Impression in a Interview

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When you are trying to get a new job, making strong first impressions during a job interview is vital to your success. The first introduction you have with a hiring manager is going to impact every interaction you have after. You want to make sure that it goes well.

The challenge is trying to figure out how to make great first impressions. Most often, job seekers fall back on trial and error, adjusting their approach after each interview. But, there are three easy things you can do that will help you make a better first impression during a job interview. Here is what you need to do.

1. Assess Your Previous Interactions With Others-

If you want to improve how a hiring manager perceives you during the first critical moments of an interview, you need to reflect on how you have come off in past interviews.

The easiest way to do this is to ask yourself a series of questions – be sure to answer them honestly. For example, do you actively listen when a hiring manager speaks or do you just wait for your turn to talk? Are you respectful of the hiring manager’s personal space or do you tend to intrude? Did your introduction come off as confident or arrogant?

Yes, asking these questions can be difficult, but it’s necessary to improve. By doing this, you start to identify any potential shortcomings, allowing you a chance to fix them.

2. Know Your Strengths-

By knowing what you do well, you can adjust your interviewing style to play the areas where you are strong. Knowing your strengths can give you a nice confidence boost.

Actively knowing what your strengths allow you to recognize skills that don’t require improvement, which lessens the amount of work you have to put forth to make a better first impression.

3. Work on Your Weaknesses-

Almost everyone struggles in some manner when introducing themselves to a hiring manager. The key is to understand what your’s are so you can improve on them. For example, if you tend to stumble over the interview question, “Tell me about yourself,” you can focus on preparing a robust and straightforward response that touches on all the right points – doing this until it becomes second nature. Let’s say that you don’t have a firm handshake; you can ask for the help of a trusted friend to help you get more comfortable.

When you practice self-awareness, you begin to spot potential problems quickly and take steps to fix any issues that can harm your chances of getting a new job. As you continually work through your weakness, the quality of your first impressions will drastically improve, ultimately helping you manage interviews easier.

If you are interested in finding out how to make better first impressions or are searching for a new job opportunity, the hiring team at Award Staffing can help. Contact us today to speak with one of our team members to see how we can help you take the next level in your career.

Your Job Interview Checklist for St. Paul Job Seekers

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After you apply for a new job and you are invited in for an interview, proper planning is the key to your success. But figuring out how you should prepare isn’t always easy, especially going beyond merely practicing your answer to traditional interview questions.

Being a great interviewee takes time and practice, but it doesn’t have to be challenging. If you are looking to impress a hiring manager during your next interview, here are ten tips that will help you.

1. Research your Interviewer-

You should take time to discover and learn the names of those who will be interviewing you. See if they have a profile on the company website or their LinkedIn page to find out what sorts of answers or questions will grab their attention.

2. Learn About the Company-

It is critical to have a solid understanding of what the business has to offer you as a possible employee will play to your advantage. You can add relevant pieces of information based on the company’s priorities and goals. This ensures that your responses speak to their needs while making you stand out.

3. Learn How They Interview-

There is a wide variety of interview types, and many St Paul companies use various approaches depending on their goals. Take time in advance to find out if you will be participating in a traditional, technical or behavioral interview. This gives you an opportunity to prepare your responses based on that information.

4. Be Conscious of Your Movements-

When in an interview it isn’t just your responses that matter your mannerisms also tell a story, so make sure your body language is appropriate and inviting to the interviewer.

Helpful Hint: Practice your answers in front of a mirror so you can witness your own actions – allowing you to make proper adjustments to ensure you present yourself accurately.

5. Put Numbers to Your Answers-

If you are practicing your interview responses, it is always a wise idea to put data on the information you are sharing about yourself. Numbers and hard metrics are a powerful tool to help you get a new job, make sure to use them whenever you can.

6. Choose Your Clothes Wisely-

On the morning of your interview, the last thing you want to do is scramble to pick your outfit. Try not to leave this to the last minute, plan your attire out in advance by laying out your clothes, shoes, and accessories the evening before. This ensures that you are fully prepared, giving you peace of mind, focusing solely on the interview.

7. Assembler Your Interviewing Materials-

It is always a good idea to bring copies of your resume and references with you for an interview. Like step six, planning your outfit, doing this the evening before your interview ensures everything is ready and nothing is forgotten.

8. Prepare Questions-

Almost every interview ends with an opportunity for you to ask questions, and it is wise to have a few ready. You can most likely adjust your questions to what you have learned during the interview, but questions like, “Is there anything that would keep me from being hired for this job?” can be used in nearly any interview.

9. Reflect on Your Past Experiences-

While preparing for your interview, it is a good idea to reflect on your past job experiences. Take some time to consider how you’ve grown in each job that you have held in your career. This helps you visualize your career path, making it easier to keep things straight during your interview.

10. Get a Good Night’s Sleep-

Make sure go to bed early, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep so you can arrive at your interview refreshed and alert – increasing your odds of being at your best.

By following the tips above, you put yourself in position to stand out. If you are interested in finding a new job opportunity, the hiring team at Award Staffing can help. Contact our team today to see how our services can help you find a new job.

How Minnesota Job Seekers Reduce Pre-Interview Jitters

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Nervous before your job interview? Don’t worry; it’s normal. Reducing the appearance of your pre-interview jitters, however, will increase the possibility that the company will hire you. Try these tips.

Don’t Drink Coffee Before the Interview-

Most people are coffee drinkers, who tend to have one to two cups of coffee in the morning to jumpstart their day. We’re telling you: don’t do it. Caffeine exacerbates anxiety, and it’s one of the worst things you can consume if you’re trying to get yourself to calm down and not be nervous. If you do need something to wake you up on the morning of the interview, try going for a jog or sipping on an herbal beverage (like tea) that is low in caffeine. It might take a little getting used to, but you will find that your nerves will provide you with more than enough energy. Skip the caffeine!

Listen to Calming Music-

Studies reveal that music plays a significant role in our mood and emotions. In fact, upbeat music will get your heart beating a lot faster than your resting heart rate, which will be harder to deal with when you’re trying to calm down. If you want to walk into your interview with a calm demeanor, try listening to acoustic or classical music fifteen or twenty minutes before your interview. You will feel your heart rate slow down, which your chances of walking into the interview calm, collected, and ready to go.

Review Your Resume-

Interviews can be stressful because of the pressure associated with sitting across from another person who is grilling you about your accomplishments and skills. Even though you know what you’ve done and what skills you possess, you may find yourself tripping over your words if you’re nervous. One way to combat this is to review your resume right before going in the interview. If nothing else, it will give you a series of talking points to hit while answering questions so you can steer the conversation more toward where you want it to go.

Searching for a way to experience real-life interviews? Contact Award Staffing. We will not only help you secure job interviews but also help you adequately prepare for each one – no need for nerves! 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!

5 Ways to Boost Your Resume For Any Minnesota Job

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When you submit your resume to most companies, the first person who sees it is a recruiter who sees dozens of resumes a day. You have one chance to make the kind of the first impression that gets you to the next step. Here are five ways to boost your resume past the first stage and move you on to more face to face interviews:

Make It Clean and Readable-

Want your resume to be read? Make it easy to understand. No wall of text sections. Use short, punchy bullet points, clear, concise information and sufficient white space. This makes it easy for your resume to be scanned.

Focus On Success-

You want to include your full toolbox of applicable skills and experiences. Don’t forget to show off these attributes as part of past accomplishments. Tie a skill with the way you used effectively and give specific results.

Use Relevant Keywords-

A good resume is like a good Google search: You get better results when you use the right keywords. Robin Ryan says you should “make a list of the “buzz words connected to perform your type of job. Look through employers’ job ads to uncover the major ones. Incorporate these keywords into the sentences describing your previous work experience.”

Tailor Your Resume for Each Application-

Every job post will clearly state what the company is looking for regarding skills and experiences. Make sure you include matching information using the same keywords as the job post every time you send out your resume. A short intro that has the exact info the recruiter is looking for is also a good idea.

Less Is More-

Remember your resume isn’t being read like a book, it’s being scanned like an outline.

According to Nancy Collamer, “we all skim more than we read, so to reward that reading style. Also, add white space between paragraphs to provide “breathing room.”

Excessive words are just clutter. Check your word count when you write your resume and see if you can cut 20% of the words without losing any essential info. You will be surprised how much cleaner and more professional this makes your resume look.

If you’re ready to get your resume out in front of prospective employers, contact Award Staffing. We will be able to help you find a new job opportunity that lets you take advantage of your abilities to take the next step you in your career.

Why You Should Customize Your Interview Questions

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When you’re interviewing potential candidates for a job, you need to see that they’re the right fit for that exact position. Usually, employers will use an interview as a way to gauge whether or not that particular employee is the right fit for the job. If you can, you should refrain from using boilerplate interview questions and here’s why:

You’ll Get Better Responses

It should go without saying that if you customize your interview questions, you’ll get better, more customized responses, which means that it will be easier to make comparisons between eligible candidates.

You’ll Be Able to See How They Respond in That Position

You can customize your interview questions so that your interviewees have to provide answers to real-life problems and solutions they would encounter if they were in that particular position. This is helpful because it allows you to gain a clearer picture of real skills and responses before making the financial commitment to hiring them.

They Will Be Able to Gauge Their Duties

When you customize the questions, the interviewee will be able to gauge their duties based off of what you’re asking them. This will make the interview process more of a double-selection because they will be inherently aware of what you’re asking them to do as part of their job duties. By customizing your interview questions, you truly will be able to find the candidate that is best suited for your company.

If you have written applicable interview questions for that particular position but need help finding candidates, contact Award Staffing. We will be able to help you find the best candidate for you based on your unique needs.

 

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Interviewing for Jobs in Minnesota – Here is How

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A great interview is just like any other accomplishment; it won’t happen without some real planning and hard work. At Award Staffing we have highlighted some of the interview prep skills that can make the next interview the best.

Review the Job Posting-

This cannot be overstated: the company knows exactly what they are looking for, and they state it clearly on the job posting. Review the job post. List point by point every experience and skill they are seeking. Go over your own experiences and how they make you a great fit, so all of this is fresh in your mind when you walk in the door.

As Dana Leavey puts it, “try to remember what’s most relevant regarding specific clients you’ve worked with, types of projects you’ve worked on, similar companies you’ve worked for, and anything else that’s pertinent to the role.”

Research the Company-

Google is your friend, and so are social media sites like LinkedIn. Do your research before your interview. See what this company has done to get in the news. Find out what you can about the people who work there, what kind of background and skills they bring to the table. Look for points of similarity and points of difference and be ready to discuss them in the interview.

Take The Next Step Beyond Your Resume-

When they ask about information that is on your resume the last thing you want to do is just quote the resume.  Share specific examples that illustrate the information on your resume.  Be prepared to talk and give the interviewer the extra layer of knowledge they are seeking.

Listen to The Interviewer-

Don’t be so focused on what you have to say that you don’t hear what you’re asked. An interview is the first date. You need to pay attention, listen carefully and ask detailed follow-up questions. This makes the interviewer see you as someone who is interested and gives you a chance to find out more about the position.

Don’t Ask for A Job; Offer to Help-

The company didn’t put up a job post because they were hoping to give someone a salary or a cool place to hang out from 9 to 5. They put up a job post because they need to hire a new person. Find out what they need and discuss the ways you can produce the work they require. This attitude can get you out of the interview on just the right note.

As Lam Nguyen says, “it’s then up to you to make your final selling pitch by summarizing what the position is and what you bring to the table. Don’t forget to find out the next steps for the interviewing process. The follow-up item you want to leave in your interviewer’s mind is, “This is the right candidate. I’m ready to make an offer.”

If you’re looking to make your next interview your best one ever, contact Award Staffing. We have offices located in Bloomington, Chaska, Crystal, Delano, Maplewood, and Ramsey Minnesota to help you with your job search today! We will be able to help you find a new job opportunity that lets you take advantage of your abilities and prepare you to turn the interview into your dream offer.

5 Items that You Need to Bring to Any Job Interview

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When you’re going on job interviews, there are several things you need to bring with you to help ensure a successful interviewing experience.

Resume-

Your interviewer will often ask you for a copy of your resume (even if you sent one earlier) Bring several copies with you in case there is more than one person sitting in the room with your interviewer. Make sure to print out your resume on quality neutral-toned paper so it can stand out from the crowd. 

References-

Have copies of your references on hand, so you can easily hand it over to your interviewer. The less work, your interviewer, has to do on your behalf, the better chances you have of getting the job.

Notepad and Pen-

You may not need it, but it’s important to be prepared. Appearing over prepared as opposed to being underprepared is always a plus

Folder-

Don’t have your papers and pen floating around loose in your hands, bag, or pocket. Make sure you bring a nicely-organized folder and keep your belongings inside of it. Your interviewer will likely take note of your organization and will be impressed. 

Water-

You never know when you’re going to need to cough, clear your throat, or sneeze. It’s important to bring water so you can remain hydrated and have a solution in case any of these uncomfortable situations arise during your interview.

If you need help finding jobs, contact Award Staffing. We will be able to help you line up interviews for job opportunities that are a good fit for your personality, work experience, and future career goals. Want to learn more career tips and tricks – check our When Work Works blog.