15. Why have you been out of work for so long? Why do they ask this? “ Interviewers are skeptical by design,” Taylor says. “Sometimes you’re guilty until proven innocent — until all the perceived skeletons in the closet have been removed.” This is a daunting question in particular because it can seem offensive. The implication is that you might not be motivated enough to secure a job; you are being distracted by other pursuits; your skills set may not be up to date; there is an issue with your past employers, or a host of other concerns. What makes it tricky? The way it’s worded is naturally designed to test your resilience. The key is not to take the bait and just answer the intent of the question in a calm, factual manner. What response are they looking for? The hiring manager wants be assured that you possess initiative even when unemployed, as this drive and tenacity will translate well in a corporate setting. Sample responses: “I have been interviewing steadily, but want to find the ideal fit before I jump in and give my typical 110%,” or, “I’m active in my job search, and I keep my skills current through [courses, volunteering, social media, business networking groups].” “If you took off time to take care of a personal matter, you can certainly state that without giving a lot of detail,” Taylor says. Make sure you’re accountable. Don’t blame the unemployment rate, your market, industry, or anything else. This is about how active and excited you are to be making a contribution to the employer. 16. How did you make time for this interview? Where does your boss think you are right now? Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to find out if your priorities are in the right place: current job first, interviews second. “They know that the habits you follow now speak to your integrity and how you will treat your job at their company should you undertake a future job search,” says Taylor. “They also want to know how you handle awkward situations where you cannot be truthful to your boss. Ideally your interview is during a break that is your time, which is important to point out.” What makes it tricky? The implication is, “How is it searching for a job behind your boss’s back?” For most employed job seekers, it’s uncomfortable to lie about their whereabouts. So they’re vague and treat it like any other personal matter they handle on their time. What response are they looking for? It’s wise to explain that you always put your job first, and schedule interviews before or after work, at lunchtime, during weekends if appropriate, and during personal time off. If asked pointedly, “Where does your boss think you are right now?” be vague. Don’t say: “I took a sick day.” Instead, Taylor suggests you try something like: “My boss understands that I have certain break periods and personal time — he doesn’t ask for details. He’s most interested in my results.” 17. coque iphone 7 Tell me about a time you disagreed with a company policy. Why do they ask this? To determine your decision-making ability, ease of working with others, and most importantly, whether or not the candidate will speak up if they see an area in need of improvement. What makes it tricky? “To say, ‘I’ve never disagreed with a company policy’ is tough to believe from even the most amenable employee,” Nicolai says. “This also sends a message that you may just accept anything that you are told to do without thinking through all possible outcomes.” While companies want leaders and employees to follow the rules, they also want people who are going to review potential outdated policies and have the courage to push back and propose changes to maintain a current, competitive edge and productive workplace. What response are they looking for? Offer up a real situation that points out a logical and business reason that you were in opposition of a policy, she suggests. “Focus on how your idea to rework the policy was beneficial to the company as a whole. Speak up on the research that you conducted, the facts that you presented, and the outcome of your attempts to have the policy re-written.”
15. Why have you been out of work for so long? Why do they ask this? “ Interviewers are skeptical by design,” Taylor says. “Sometimes you’re guilty until proven innocent — until all the perceived skeletons in the closet have been removed.” This is a daunting question in particular because it can seem offensive. The implication is that you might not be motivated enough to secure a job; you are being distracted by other pursuits; your skills set may not be up to date; there is an issue with your past employers, or a host of other concerns. What makes it tricky? The way it’s worded is naturally designed to test your resilience. The key is not to take the bait and just answer the intent of the question in a calm, factual manner. What response are they looking for? The hiring manager wants be assured that you possess initiative even when unemployed, as this drive and tenacity will translate well in a corporate setting. Sample responses: “I have been interviewing steadily, but want to find the ideal fit before I jump in and give my typical 110%,” or, “I’m active in my job search, and I keep my skills current through [courses, volunteering, social media, business networking groups].” “If you took off time to take care of a personal matter, you can certainly state that without giving a lot of detail,” Taylor says. Make sure you’re accountable. Don’t blame the unemployment rate, your market, industry, or anything else. This is about how active and excited you are to be making a contribution to the employer. 16. How did you make time for this interview? Where does your boss think you are right now? Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to find out if your priorities are in the right place: current job first, interviews second. “They know that the habits you follow now speak to your integrity and how you will treat your job at their company should you undertake a future job search,” says Taylor. “They also want to know how you handle awkward situations where you cannot be truthful to your boss. Ideally your interview is during a break that is your time, which is important to point out.” What makes it tricky? The implication is, “How is it searching for a job behind your boss’s back?” For most employed job seekers, it’s uncomfortable to lie about their whereabouts. So they’re vague and treat it like any other personal matter they handle on their time. What response are they looking for? It’s wise to explain that you always put your job first, and schedule interviews before or after work, at lunchtime, during weekends if appropriate, and during personal time off. If asked pointedly, “Where does your boss think you are right now?” be vague. Don’t say: “I took a sick day.” Instead, Taylor suggests you try something like: “My boss understands that I have certain break periods and personal time — he doesn’t ask for details. He’s most interested in my results.” 17. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a company policy. Why do they ask this? To determine your decision-making ability, ease of working with others, and most importantly, whether or not the candidate will speak up if they see an area in need of improvement. What makes it tricky? “To say, ‘I’ve never disagreed with a company policy’ is tough to believe from even the most amenable employee,” Nicolai says. “This also sends a message that you may just accept anything that you are told to do without thinking through all possible outcomes.” While companies want leaders and employees to follow the rules, they also want people who are going to review potential outdated policies and have the courage to push back and propose changes to maintain a current, competitive edge and productive workplace. What response are they looking for? Offer up a real situation that points out a logical and business reason that you were in opposition of a policy, she suggests. “Focus on how your idea to rework the policy was beneficial to the company as a whole. Speak up on the research that you conducted, the facts that you presented, and the outcome of your attempts to have the policy re-written.”
15. Why have you been out of work for so long? Why do they ask this? “ Interviewers are skeptical by design,” Taylor says. “Sometimes you’re guilty until proven innocent — until all the perceived skeletons in the closet have been removed.” This is a daunting question in particular because it can seem offensive. The implication is that you might not be motivated enough to secure a job; you are being distracted by other pursuits; your skills set may not be up to date; there is an issue with your past employers, or a host of other concerns. What makes it tricky? The way it’s worded is naturally designed to test your resilience. The key is not to take the bait and just answer the intent of the question in a calm, factual manner. What response are they looking for? The hiring manager wants be assured that you possess initiative even when unemployed, as this drive and tenacity will translate well in a corporate setting. Sample responses: “I have been interviewing steadily, but want to find the ideal fit before I jump in and give my typical 110%,” or, “I’m active in my job search, and I keep my skills current through [courses, volunteering, social media, business networking groups].” “If you took off time to take care of a personal matter, you can certainly state that without giving a lot of detail,” Taylor says. Make sure you’re accountable. Don’t blame the unemployment rate, your market, industry, or anything else. This is about how active and excited you are to be making a contribution to the employer. 16. How did you make time for this interview? Where does your boss think you are right now? Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to find out if your priorities are in the right place: current job first, interviews second. “They know that the habits you follow now speak to your integrity and how you will treat your job at their company should you undertake a future job search,” says Taylor. “They also want to know how you handle awkward situations where you cannot be truthful to your boss. Ideally your interview is during a break that is your time, which is important to point out.” What makes it tricky? The implication is, “How is it searching for a job behind your boss’s back?” For most employed job seekers, it’s uncomfortable to lie about their whereabouts. So they’re vague and treat it like any other personal matter they handle on their time. What response are they looking for? It’s wise to explain that you always put your job first, and schedule interviews before or after work, at lunchtime, during weekends if appropriate, and during personal time off. If asked pointedly, “Where does your boss think you are right now?” be vague. Don’t say: “I took a sick day.” Instead, Taylor suggests you try something like: “My boss understands that I have certain break periods and personal time — he doesn’t ask for details. He’s most interested in my results.” 17. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a company policy. Why do they ask this? To determine your decision-making ability, ease of working with others, and most importantly, whether or not the candidate will speak up if they see an area in need of improvement. What makes it tricky? “To say, ‘I’ve never disagreed with a company policy’ is tough to believe from even the most amenable employee,” Nicolai says. “This also sends a message that you may just accept anything that you are told to do without thinking through all possible outcomes.” While companies want leaders and employees to follow the rules, they also want people who are going to review potential outdated policies and have the courage to push back and propose changes to maintain a current, competitive edge and productive workplace. What response are they looking for? Offer up a real situation that points out a logical and business reason that you were in opposition of a policy, she suggests. “Focus on how your idea to rework the policy was beneficial to the company as a whole. Speak up on the research that you conducted, the facts that you presented, and the outcome of your attempts to have the policy re-written.”
15. Why have you been out of work for so long? Why do they ask this? “ Interviewers are skeptical by design,” Taylor says. “Sometimes you’re guilty until proven innocent — until all the perceived skeletons in the closet have been removed.” This is a daunting question in particular because it can seem offensive. The implication is that you might not be motivated enough to secure a job; you are being distracted by other pursuits; your skills set may not be up to date; there is an issue with your past employers, or a host of other concerns. What makes it tricky? The way it’s worded is naturally designed to test your resilience. The key is not to take the bait and just answer the intent of the question in a calm, factual manner. What response are they looking for? The hiring manager wants be assured that you possess initiative even when unemployed, as this drive and tenacity will translate well in a corporate setting. Sample responses: “I have been interviewing steadily, but want to find the ideal fit before I jump in and give my typical 110%,” or, “I’m active in my job search, and I keep my skills current through [courses, volunteering, social media, business networking groups].” “If you took off time to take care of a personal matter, you can certainly state that without giving a lot of detail,” Taylor says. Make sure you’re accountable. Don’t blame the unemployment rate, your market, industry, or anything else. This is about how active and excited you are to be making a contribution to the employer. 16. How did you make time for this interview? Where does your boss think you are right now? Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to find out if your priorities are in the right place: current job first, interviews second. “They know that the habits you follow now speak to your integrity and how you will treat your job at their company should you undertake a future job search,” says Taylor. “They also want to know how you handle awkward situations where you cannot be truthful to your boss. Ideally your interview is during a break that is your time, which is important to point out.” What makes it tricky? The implication is, “How is it searching for a job behind your boss’s back?” For most employed job seekers, it’s uncomfortable to lie about their whereabouts. So they’re vague and treat it like any other personal matter they handle on their time. What response are they looking for? It’s wise to explain that you always put your job first, and schedule interviews before or after work, at lunchtime, during weekends if appropriate, and during personal time off. If asked pointedly, “Where does your boss think you are right now?” be vague. Don’t say: “I took a sick day.” Instead, Taylor suggests you try something like: “My boss understands that I have certain break periods and personal time — he doesn’t ask for details. He’s most interested in my results.” 17. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a company policy. Why do they ask this? To determine your decision-making ability, ease of working with others, and most importantly, whether or not the candidate will speak up if they see an area in need of improvement. What makes it tricky? “To say, ‘I’ve never disagreed with a company policy’ is tough to believe from even the most amenable employee,” Nicolai says. “This also sends a message that you may just accept anything that you are told to do without thinking through all possible outcomes.” While companies want leaders and employees to follow the rules, they also want people who are going to review potential outdated policies and have the courage to push back and propose changes to maintain a current, competitive edge and productive workplace. What response are they looking for? Offer up a real situation that points out a logical and business reason that you were in opposition of a policy, she suggests. “Focus on how your idea to rework the policy was beneficial to the company as a whole. Speak up on the research that you conducted, the facts that you presented, and the outcome of your attempts to have the policy re-written.”
15. Why have you been out of work for so long? Why do they ask this? “ Interviewers are skeptical by design,” Taylor says. “Sometimes you’re guilty until proven innocent — until all the perceived skeletons in the closet have been removed.” This is a daunting question in particular because it can seem offensive. The implication is that you might not be motivated enough to secure a job; you are being distracted by other pursuits; your skills set may not be up to date; there is an issue with your past employers, or a host of other concerns. What makes it tricky? The way it’s worded is naturally designed to test your resilience. The key is not to take the bait and just answer the intent of the question in a calm, factual manner. What response are they looking for? The hiring manager wants be assured that you possess initiative even when unemployed, as this drive and tenacity will translate well in a corporate setting. Sample responses: “I have been interviewing steadily, but want to find the ideal fit before I jump in and give my typical 110%,” or, “I’m active in my job search, and I keep my skills current through [courses, volunteering, social media, business networking groups].” “If you took off time to take care of a personal matter, you can certainly state that without giving a lot of detail,” Taylor says. Make sure you’re accountable. Don’t blame the unemployment rate, your market, industry, or anything else. coque iphone soldes This is about how active and excited you are to be making a contribution to the employer. 16. How did you make time for this interview? Where does your boss think you are right now? Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to find out if your priorities are in the right place: current job first, interviews second. “They know that the habits you follow now speak to your integrity and how you will treat your job at their company should you undertake a future job search,” says Taylor. “They also want to know how you handle awkward situations where you cannot be truthful to your boss. Ideally your interview is during a break that is your time, which is important to point out.” What makes it tricky? The implication is, “How is it searching for a job behind your boss’s back?” For most employed job seekers, it’s uncomfortable to lie about their whereabouts. So they’re vague and treat it like any other personal matter they handle on their time. What response are they looking for? It’s wise to explain that you always put your job first, and schedule interviews before or after work, at lunchtime, during weekends if appropriate, and during personal time off. If asked pointedly, “Where does your boss think you are right now?” be vague. Don’t say: “I took a sick day.” Instead, Taylor suggests you try something like: “My boss understands that I have certain break periods and personal time — he doesn’t ask for details. He’s most interested in my results.” 17. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a company policy. Why do they ask this? To determine your decision-making ability, ease of working with others, and most importantly, whether or not the candidate will speak up if they see an area in need of improvement. What makes it tricky? “To say, ‘I’ve never disagreed with a company policy’ is tough to believe from even the most amenable employee,” Nicolai says. “This also sends a message that you may just accept anything that you are told to do without thinking through all possible outcomes.” While companies want leaders and employees to follow the rules, they also want people who are going to review potential outdated policies and have the courage to push back and propose changes to maintain a current, competitive edge and productive workplace. What response are they looking for? Offer up a real situation that points out a logical and business reason that you were in opposition of a policy, she suggests. “Focus on how your idea to rework the policy was beneficial to the company as a whole.