How to Answer What Motivates You in an Interview

How to Answer What Motivates You in an Interview Its finally the day of the big interview youve been waiting for. Youve planned all your responses thoughtfully and youre feeling cool, calm and collected. But then they drop the big question you werent expecting what motivates you? Before you panic and spiel off an answer that has nothing to do with the question, you must consider your answer  and also what the interviewer wants to hear. Read on to find out some top tips for answering the question perfectly. 1) First consider why they are asking you the question: Every question posed in an interview is posed for a specific reason, whether it be to test your skill, knowledge or  experience. By asking what motivates you, the interviewer will find out what type of person you are, what your values  are  and whether or not these combined would make you fit in well with the team. 2) Think about your own interests: Its important to be honest, but at the same time you dont want to blurt out money is my only motivator. Instead, think about times in the past when you worked as a team to get things done, and use this as an aspect to tell the interviewer. You could mention how the buzz of working in a team motivates you, or the positive results that happen after youve completed a piece of work to a high standard. 3) Dont forget to back it up with an example: Whether its career based or not, in an interview, its always best to have an example on hand to explain your answer. Before you go into an interview, make sure you have situational stories to back up all your answers. 4) Mould the answer to the job at hand: If youre going for a job thats target driven, why not mention that you love smashing goals and targets, and give an example of when you did and how it made you feel. You should do the same with any other role. 5) Remember what employers are looking for: A key point to remember is that employers are not looking for a robot who can spiel of the correct answer theyre looking for a human with real aspirations, who are willing to grow and learn with a new employer. So make sure you highlight this in your answer. Wed love to know if youve ever been asked the big what motivates you question. let us know over on Twitter @UndercoverRec.

10 Reasons Your LinkedIn Group SUCKS!

10 Reasons Your LinkedIn Group SUCKS! How do you build up your talent networks on LinkedIn? Running you own groups is definitely one of the most popular ways. There are over 2 million groups on LinkedIn now, I would venture to say that a majority of those were created for the purpose of recruiting. Most active users are now members of up to 50 groups (which is the limit) but they check in with very few of these on a weekly basis. As a group owner, you aim is to get the right people to join your group and get them to actively contribute. The more activity you get in your group, the more this will attract new members. Unfortunately I see too many groups on LinkedIn run by recruiters that dont seem to have any strategy. While it may seem simple to set up a group and invite lots of top candidates, this will only work when these individuals see a real benefit of joining. More on this at How Recruiters Should NOT Run LinkedIn Groups. 10 Questions to ask yourself about your LinkedIn group: Whats the purpose for your company to run this group? Just to grow numbers is not an acceptable answer what will be the tangible return on your investment? Who owns your group? Companies cant own groups outright, only one individual LinkedIn user can. You can however appoint a number of group managers. Make sure you consider all eventualities here. SEO; Have you optimised your group description keywords? Its very easy to search for groups and conversations within these, look at what users actually search for and work from there. Why should anyone join this group? Or better yet, why should they leave one of their 50 current groups to join yours? You have to have a compelling value proposition. At first glance, does your group look like an active community with peers exchanging useful information? Or is tumbleweed a more accurate description? What type of conversations do you want in the group and what are you doing to encourage these? You can seed discussions, or get active group members to do this. Do you have any sub-groups? These can be very useful for more niche or location-based conversations. How do you vet members and how do you moderate spam? The more exclusive the membership criteria, the more you will attract top people. And excessive spam will cause members to depart. Do you send mailshots to group members? Very few group owners use this feature where you can email users once per week through LinkedIn. Do you have a team of people to help you run the group? These should be internal and external. And if you havent already, do check out the Undercover Recruiter LinkedIn group. And please tell us if you think it sucks!

Life Choices A Virtual Spaghetti Bowl Of Divergent Paths

Life Choices A Virtual Spaghetti Bowl Of Divergent Paths It was Robert Frost who said Two roads diverged in the wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. While the wisdom in those words is indisputable, theres also risk.  The risk is that you believe those divergent paths happen only once or at most a few times throughout life.  Reality tells us differently. Life isnt a mostly straight line with perhaps a couple of roughly parallel lines from birth to death.  Its brim full of divergent paths.  And left and right turns and even the occasional u-turn or loop-the-loop.  So the better metaphorical representation might be a  spaghetti bowl.  Or, to paraphrase The roads before me twisted and turned in wondrous and amazing and sometimes frightful ways.  And all the paths I chose were unique and made all the difference in my journey. In short, we get to choose.  Every day.  Yes, even multiple times per hour, every day.  You are faced with life choices that lead to unique and different tomorrows.  You are making choices every day that might forever change your life path. Choose Your Own Adulthood While this has been a concept that Ive often pondered, Ive seldom seen it described in simple terms.  In terms that were just gentle reminders that you and I are creating our lives, one moment at a time.  Choosing our tomorrows.  Choosing our adulthood.  Until now. Hal Runkel has authored a small book about small choices aptly named Choose Your Own Adulthood,  written first as advice to his own daughter as she began college.  But the insights are good reminders to all of us that we can make big differences in our lives with seemingly small choices.  Not just the big choices of the looming fork in the road.  But in the choices we face many times every day. For the June Grad, or for Dad, or for anyone, I highly recommend it.  Its never too late, or early, to start making conscious, life-changing choices. . Image credit.

5 Things You Need To Quit the Job You Hate And Go For Your Dream Job - Classy Career Girl

5 Things You Need To Quit the Job You Hate And Go For Your Dream Job If you hate your job, the simple act of showing up every day can really suck. Some days, it’s tempting to simply stop going altogether, or hand in your resignation. However, financial need and a desire to maintain a professional reputation keep those impulses at bay. So, does this mean those of us who hate our jobs are simply stuck? Absolutely not! It is more than possible to get out of a job that you hate, and into your dream job. If you’re ready to make the leap, keep reading. 5 Things You Need To Quit the Job You Hate And Go For Your Dream Job 1. Practice Self Care The moment you decide that it’s time to move away from the job you hate, and into a fulfilling career, something amazing happens. You may feel renewed, energetic, and motivated. You’ve made an important move. That’s truly affirming. You’ve also added an element of uncertainty to your life. As you work towards your goal,   you will have more things to take care of each day. Your stress levels could become a concern. This is a time when practicing good self-care is important. Get enough sleep. Don’t ignore minor health issues. Ask friends and family for help if you need it. In fact, it’s not just the necessities that matter. Keep pursuing interests, spending time with family and friends, and cutting out negativity.   2. Pursue a Talent, Not a Fantasy or Enjoyment Think about your dream job for a few moments. Why have you chosen to pursue it? If your responses begin with I want to or I like to, take a breather. Keep your new goal in perspective. Remember that simply liking something or wishing you could pursue that career isn’t enough. Do what you love  is well intended, but ultimately bad career advice. You won’t find happiness or success doing something that you like unless you are also doing something at which you are talented. If you’ve ever witnessed American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance audition episodes featuring the folks that didn’t make it through, you’ve seen this in action. People pursue something when they have no natural talent for it. They simply want it. This may sound like a bit of a killjoy, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are attracted to a specific career or industry, you should still explore it. For example, if you have a passion for art, but not much artistic talent, museum curator or art gallery manager could be careers to consider. [RELATED: 7 Essential Steps To Your Dream Career] 3.  Polish up Your Resume At some point in time, you’re going to need to pull up your resume or CV. When you do this, take your time to go over the document carefully. Don’t simply add your most recent job to the top and call it a day. Instead, think like a hiring manager in your new field. Are you highlighting your skills and experience in ways that would be appealing to them? What about keywords? Pull up some job listings that are relevant to your dream job. Take note of the most commonly required skills or education. These are your keywords, the more of these that you can use on your resume the better. One thing you may want to consider is having a professional help you with your resume. When you start your job search, you’ll be competing with many people who have invested in resume and cover letter writing services. 4. Define The Situation You Want There are so many things that contribute to career satisfaction, beyond your job title. Before you make a move, do a bit of self-analysis. What’s driving your current unhappiness? Is it only your current field, or are there other factors involved. For example, if working for a large corporation makes you feel invisible and unfulfilled, moving into a different career in the corporate world isn’t going to make you happy. Ask yourself the following questions: What kind of people do I want to work with? How would my ideal workspace look? What industries appeal to me? How would I map out my ideal day on the job? 5. Go Back to School Have you met the educational requirements to start your new career? Are there licenses or certificates you need to obtain? Will you need to earn an entirely new degree, or simply take some classes? If changing careers means getting a new education, it’s best to start early. The sooner you are able to meet those requirements the better. If time and money are concerns, consider alternative options. For example, W3 Schools, Khan Academy, and Coursera provide free or low-cost online courses. You might also consider a bit of on-the-job training. If possible, see if you can pick up some relevant side gigs, or work part time as an assistant or helper to someone in your field of choice. Don’t let fear or inaction stop you from going for the job of your dreams. Too many people spend decades doing something they hate because they fear change or simply remain inert. Don’t let that happen to you. Instead, make a plan, know exactly what you want, and get to work. It won’t happen overnight, but you can make the changes required to land your dream job.

7 Job Interview Hacks from a Veteran Recruiter

7 Job Interview Hacks from a Veteran Recruiter Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comGot an interview coming up? Want to nail it?As a recruiter for companies like Google, Coca-Cola, Bigcommerce and most recently the company I co-founded, Betterteam, I’ve interviewed candidates for thousands of positions over the years.I’ve seen lots of candidates give awesome interviews, and loads of less-than-spectacular ones too. Over the years I’ve been able to distill what I’ve seen down to a few quick tips that anyone can use to improve their interviewing.evalIt’s good to remember before going in that while it may be a job seeker’s market right now, the costs of a bad hiring decision are staggering. People are often just as afraid of hiring the wrong person as they are of letting a position go unfilled.These tips will help make sure that you don’t accidentally disqualify yourself, and let an interview mistake ruin your chances.1. The First Impression IS the ImpressionI’m not exaggerating a bit. Science has shown that humans form opinion s of one another in seconds, and after that, we just look for more evidence that our initial opinion was correct.Being late, unpresentable, having sweaty handshakes, being overly nervous… All these little things are what count in those first moments.Here’s some pre-interview advice:Get a little exercise before the interview. This will naturally help calm your nerves.Don’t overdo it on the coffee.Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Go even earlier if you’re in for a drive with unpredictable traffic.Use the extra time use the bathroom, do a final appearance check in the mirror, and relax a moment â€" try walking around the block once or twice while listening to your favorite music.Make sure that your very first impression â€" your resume â€" is ready for recruiters.On time, as relaxed as possible and looking your best â€" that’s the impression you want them to stick with.2. Don’t Curb Your EnthusiasmOk, I just told you to be relaxed â€" but you still want to show some energy and enthusiasm. I always look to recruit people who show strong interest in the job and clear motivation to do it.evalIf you’re excited to get the job, show it.3. Be Ready to Talk About Why You’re Leaving Your Last JobPretty much every job recruiter will ask about this.The first rule is not to be negative about your previous employer or boss. No matter how bad they were, this isn’t the time or place for trash talking. Just about every recruiter, myself included, sees this as a huge red flag.When asked about it, and you almost surely will be, start by talking about the positives. Mention things that “we” did at your previous company that you’re proud of. Eventually, come around to talking about how you’re ready to learn more, and are looking for new opportunities.evalBasically, you want to give the impression that you outgrew the company.4. Be Focused On this RoleBe clear that you’re interested in the particular role that you’re interviewing for, and not weighing i t against several others. So, if you’re applying to be a sales manager, don’t let on that you’re also considering a copywriting job.People who aren’t focused on a particular role are prone to high turnover, and will likely be passed on by recruiters and hiring managers.5. Know the IndustryBe ready to answer questions about industry trends, and the position in a wider sense. Read up on any recent industry news, and be ready with examples of who you think is doing the very best work in the industry.6. Know Your Facts, and Don’t EmbellishIf you’ve been in any past position where numbers really matter, you’ll want to be ready to accurately answer questions about them.For instance, if you worked in sales, be ready to talk about your sales numbers. Don’t just pull numbers out of the air. If you get caught exaggerating, you’re done. And it’s easy to catch.A common tactic recruiters use is asking about specific numbers toward the beginning of an interview, and then again at the end. If you’re making them up, it’s pretty likely you won’t remember the numbers you invented.7. Get Comfortable Talking About Money â€" But Not Too ComfortableSeasoned recruiters and hiring managers will have asked candidates about previous and expected salaries loads of times, and will be at ease asking you direct questions about salary.Be prepared to talk directly about your expected salary, and why you merit that salary.evalYou should know the market rate, where your request falls, and why.That said, once the topic is dealt with, don’t dwell. Candidates who seem overly focused on money are a big red flag.That’s what I’ve got! Now’s a great time to be on the job market. There are more job openings available in the U.S. than ever. Don’t let a bad interview keep you from getting your dream job.Following the seven steps above should give you a better shot, and keep you from doing anything that disqualifies you. Learn more about how to impress recruiters.

Youre Hired! 5 Ways to Make it Last - CareerEnlightenment.com

Getting hired is a gift you must really be thankful for. Do what it takes to keep it. Starting a new job can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. Take heart and remember that not all people are as lucky as you to land a good job (especially in this economy).   Some have been waiting for years.   Be grateful and don’t let it slip away.

Professional Resume Writing Services in Houston, TX - The Importance of a Good Resume

Professional Resume Writing Services in Houston, TX - The Importance of a Good ResumeWhy hire a professional resume writing service in Houston TX? Well, there are many reasons why, but the biggest one is the ability to get an honest opinion on your skills. Many businesses use professionals to help them produce effective resume's, but finding a service in Houston that will provide you with a professional opinion is the best way to find out if the resume you've written is one that will get you a job.Professional Houston TX resume writing services are actually experts in their field, which means they are always able to give their honest opinion about your resume. If you hire a professional for this, you'll be sure to be provided with a resume that is going to be effective.Many people, even those who have experience, need the right information and they may not know where to find it. Resume writing is no different, and unless you're able to get all of the information you need to create a good resume, you'll waste a lot of time and money with poor results.Getting a professional resume writing service in Houston is the first step you need to take if you want to have the best resume possible. You can find a lot of information online about what companies in Houston specialize in, so make sure you ask them about this before you hire anyone.If you're planning on going into a new career, it's going to be a very long process to get your foot in the door, but with a good resume you can get the job done in no time at all. A good resume writing service in Houston can help you out by providing you with a well-written resume that will get you hired and will also help you to impress the hiring manager.If you have some experience in a new career, you may want to consider hiring an experienced professional to help you get started. Many people do this, but they forget that you don't get one chance to impress someone in this competitive world, and the same is true of resume writing.W ith a professional resume in hand, it will be much easier to persuade a hiring manager to hire you. Many times, a hiring manager may look at a resume for more than one reason, and sometimes it may not be necessary for them to hire you based solely on the resume.Hiring a professional resume writing service in Houston TX can help you make the most of your resume and help you get the results you want. These are professionals that you can trust to provide you with a top-notch resume that will help you land that job you've been looking for.