Getting Great Letters of Recommendation from Professors

http://www.passthebaton.biz/2013/01/new-year-new-recommendations.html

By Susan Gainen

Best letters

The best letter of recommendation speak to intellect, work ethic, personality, and why you are particularly well-suited for a job. It also gives an employer a sense of who you are, and what it might be like to work with you. Speaking up in class last year (or five years ago) with no further contact makes it impossible for anyone to write an effective letter on your behalf. 

You can't begin too soon to get to know the people on your faculty whose work intrigues you and whose minds challenge you.

 

How do I get to know a professor?

 

As a student:

 

1. Knock on the door and introduce yourself. Let Professor X know why you are interested in her scholarship. It isn’t enough to say “I am interested securities regulations.” You must explain why you have this interest. Be prepared to tell your story.
2. Bring a resume to this first casual meeting so that Professor X can put your name, your face, and your story together. Faculty stand in front of dozens or hundreds of students every day, and even with seating charts with photos, they can’t always remember everyone. Be helpful.
3. Say “hello” when you see Professor X in the hall. Make eye contact. Say your name if you have the slightest inkling that the Professor might have forgotten your name.
4. If you are really interested in Professor X’s scholarship, make sure that you read her recently-published work. When you have formulated some intelligent questions, drop by during open hours or ask for a meeting to discuss it. Bring coffee.
5. Once you have established some common ground and made yourself known, you might ask for a research assistant position or for a research project opportunity. You have a chance to develop your writing skills, get serious about a topic that interests you, and contribute to potentially important scholarship. Collateral benefit: your professor can speak directly about work that you have done for her. Gratitude is a great motivator.
6. Asking for the recommendation. If you have established common ground and a good connection, and (better yet) taken a class and performed well, ask for a recommendation. Even if you didn’t earn a top grade, the professor may be able to write a helpful and positive letter based on your common connection and your astute class comments.

As an alum:

Even if you have had no law school contact with a professor, you can still make an appropriate connection that might (repeat: might) turn into a recommendation.

Begin this way: If you have a professional issue that falls within the Professor’s scholarship, introduce yourself, offer to buy her a cup of coffee or lunch, and ask your question. If the answer is short, lunch is enough to begin this relationship. Unless you are doing pro bono work, if the answer requires research, make sure that you have a budget for outside research. To keep up the connection, offer to guest-lecture for her class.Former students often collaborate with their professors on papers, projects, and litigation.

Do not hesitate to contact your professors who have changed employers. Their relationships to students from their old schools can last forever.

 

How to ask for a recommendation:

1. The Job. Tell your proposed recommender about the job for which you are applying. Describe it fully and explain how you believe that your experience could be relevant. If the recommender agrees, ask about the format that he or she prefers for the contacts. Whether it is electronic (email or spreadsheet) or a typed list, it is your responsibility to make sure that all of the names and addresses are correct. If your Professor’s secretary will create the letters, be sure to thank him or her.
2. The Letter. Be prepared for your recommender to ask you to draft the letter. Think carefully about what meant most to you about the work that you did for your recommender, and put it into a context that will be helpful to your prospective employer. This is not easy. Check with career services professionals for guidance and review.
3. Future Requests. Should you have additional requests, check with your recommender to be sure that she is still available to help you. Update your situation. Provide the contacts in her required format. Mumbling a name and address on the phone will not get your letters written on time. 

Letters of recommendation for federal judicial clerkships.

Some schools have systems for managing the judicial clerkship application process which has faculty recommendations as a key element. Follow instructions to the letter. Do not miss deadlines and expect them to be altered for you. Be kind to the staff who may be wrangling thousands of letters and applications.

Men's Guide to Buying Dress Shoes & Caring for Them

Interviewing soon or want to add to your professional wardrobe?  Some tips on what type of shoes are appropriate and how to buy a quality pair of shoes that will last many years.

If your budget won't allow for a more expensive pair of shoes, at least polish the best pair you have before an interview!

http://www.kinowear.com/blog/a-simple-guide-on-dress-shoes


Shoe Basics

1 The Laces
It’s an inescapable fact that a lace-up still looks better with a suit than a slip-on.
2 The Color
Black will always be dressier than brown. If you’re suiting up for a board meeting or a formal event, go with the former. If necessary, however, you can pair brown lace-ups with suits – especially navy or charcoal – as long as they’re scuff-free.
3 The Material
Glossy leather is the fail-safe choice, but you should feel free to experiment with suede – starting with a pair of classic bucks and progressing to exotic materials like alligator and ostrich or the growing number of antiqued leathers.
4 The Toe
An elongated toe is unequivocally classier than a square. That doesn’t mean all your lace-ups should be pointy – lots of elegant cap toes have squared-off tips – but unless you’re aiming for mid-nineties nostalgia, no shoes you wear should have a blunt, squared-off toe. I suggest staying away from them.
5 The Welt
Well-made lace-ups should have a close welt – the seam where the upper meets the sole and creates the outer edge of the shoe. It should be visible, but it shouldn’t extend so far past the edge of the shoe that it creates a ledge.
6 The Sole
A thin sole is the hallmark of a cheap shoe – plus, it not only looks cut-rate, it wears out more quickly. Yours should be at least a quarter-of-an-inch thick and preferably leather, not rubber.
7 The Broguing
Traditionalists will tell you that the more broguing – decorative stitching and perforated and serrated edges – a shoe has, the less dressy it is. But while it’s true that heavily embellished bucks look better with sport jackets and tweed than with pinstripe suits, this rule is flexible.

Dress Shoes for Business or Dressy Occasions
Cap-toe oxford

The cap-toe is the dressiest and most popular of all the business shoe styles. It looks best when worn with the more serious suit fabrics and styles. If you get one in brown, wear with navy suit, or an earth-toned suit of olive, brown or tan. Black is fine with all of the serious dark colors of gray and navy but not at all with any of the earth tones. Cordovan is the one color that seems to go with everything except black – and is understood everywhere.

Wing-Tip Oxford

Because of its texture and heft, the wing-tip can be worn successfully with the more textured and heavier fabrics like tweed and flannel. They’re too formal for khakis or jeans, so avoid the mismatch.

Plain-toe Oxford

The plain-toe is less dressy and more simple. It’s appropriate for all business settings.

Monk Strap

The Monk Strap is a European classic which has a buckle on the side. It is most commonly made of calfskin, but brown suede leather is very popular with the man who would like a touch of uniqueness in his dress footwear. The suede leather version is seen as casual and a very elegant alternative to the loafer.

8 Fit Tips for Shoes:

1. Shop after you have been out and about a bit, since feet do swell. This way you will get the most realistic measurement.
2. Shop only at a store that uses a Brannock foot measuring device for determining your exact foot size.
3. Almost everyone has one foot larger than the other, usually it is the right foot; fit the shoes to the larger right foot. Do not rely soley on the size you have always worn. Different makes can vary significantly from each other, even though the numeric size is the same. Always try them both on, walk around in them, and buy them by how they feel on your feet – not just by the size.
4. Allow a half-inch between the tips of your toes and your shoes. If the toes of the shoes are pointed, be certain there is enough room for your toes to move comfortably. Shoes should never be tight over the instep of ball of the foot. You should be able to stick your index finger in the back for wiggle room.
5. When considering an oxford-style shoe, you should not be able to tie the laces so tightly that the two edges of the shoe meet. If you can, then a narrower size is probably better for you.
6. Buy leather shoes. Though more expensive, because it is porous, leather is the best for the health and comfort of your feet. In leather shoes the foot can breathe, discouraging the build-up of bacteria.
7. Shoes should fit from the moment you try them on. Do not accept the salesperson’s, “Once you break them in they will be fine.” The man-made materials used today do not stretch significantly, but leather adapts to your foot shape quite well.
8. When shopping, wear the same type of sock you will use with the dress or sports shoes. Too heavy or too thin socks will distort the fit.

Shoe Care Tips
How to polish shoes:

Tweet your way to your dream job

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57563726/tweet-your-way-to-your-dream-job/

By Amy Levin-Epstein

 

(MoneyWatch) Twitter isn't only a great way to research your dream company before a job interview, it might even help you land a meeting. (Don't believe it? Read these success stories.) Here are some things to Tweet at a company you're interested in, from career and social media expert Heather R. Huhman, founder of the consulting firm Come Recommended.

Ask for an informational interview
Emailing is still an effective way to score a coveted "get in the door" interview, but if you can fit your request into 140 characters, Twitter can also work, says Huhman. Just be sure to mention something that draws you to the company, so they'll see that you're focused on their company, not just any company in the Twittersphere.

Try to arrange a casual in-person meeting
If an informational interview seems like a long shot with a large company, try to maximize any in-person networking opportunities, like a job fair or conference, by connecting online first, says Huhman: "For example, '@XYZCompany I see you'll be at [event name here]. I'd love to connect! Any idea where you will be located?'" At the very least, your name might be familiar to the recruiter, and you'll be that much closer to scoring a formal meeting.

Join them in chats
Participate in Twitter chats your organization attends and instantly, you're involved in a conversation. Either re-tweet an answer you found helpful, or ask them a related question directly, suggests Huhman. Taking the time to attend these virtual chats shows that you're not only serious about gaining employment at their organization, but that you're a tech-savvy candidate.

Re-tweet their content
This is a simple way to catch a company's eye. To make your re-tweet more effective, share your own thoughts on the subject, says Huhman: "For example, 'Great list -- #4 has already worked for me! RT @XYZCompany 10 ways to build relationships w/journalists.'" In addition to following the company on Twitter, subscribe to their blog so you don't miss any important content -- or opportunities to start a dialogue.

10 Habits of Remarkably Charismatic People

http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/10-habits-of-remarkably-charismatic-people.html?nav=next

By Jeff Haden

Charisma isn't something you have. It's something you earn. Here's how.

Some people instantly make us feel important. Some people instantly make us feel special. Some people light up a room just by walking in.

We can't always define it, but some people have it: They're naturally charismatic.

Unfortunately, natural charisma quickly loses its impact. Familiarity breeds, well, familiarity.

But some people are remarkably charismatic: They build and maintain great relationships, consistently influence (in a good way) the people around them, consistently make people feel better about themselves--they're the kind of people everyone wants to be around...and wants to be.

Fortunately we can, because being remarkably charismatic isn't about our level of success or our presentation skills or how we dress or the image we project--it's about what we do.

Here are the 10 habits of remarkably charismatic people:

1. They listen way more than they talk.
Ask questions. Maintain eye contact. Smile. Frown. Nod. Respond--not so much verbally, but nonverbally.

That's all it takes to show the other person they're important.
Then when you do speak, don't offer advice unless you're asked. Listening shows you care a lot more than offering advice, because when you offer advice in most cases you make the conversation about you, not them.

Don't believe me? Who is "Here's what I would do..." about: you or the other person?

Only speak when you have something important to say--and always define important as what matters to the other person, not to you.

2. They don't practice selective hearing.
Some people--I guarantee you know people like this--are incapable of hearing anything said by the people they feel are somehow beneath them.

Sure, you speak to them, but that particular falling tree doesn't make a sound in the forest, because there's no one actually listening.

Remarkably charismatic people listen closely to everyone, and they make all of us, regardless of our position or social status or "level," feel like we have something in common with them.

Because we do: We're all people.

3. They put their stuff away.
Don't check your phone. Don't glance at your monitor. Don't focus on anything else, even for a moment.

You can never connect with others if you're busy connecting with your stuff, too.
Give the gift of your full attention. That's a gift few people give. That gift alone will make others want to be around you and remember you.

4. They give before they receive--and often they never receive.
Never think about what you can get. Focus on what you can provide. Giving is the only way to establish a real connection and relationship.

Focus, even in part and even for a moment, on what you can get out of the other person, and you show that the only person who really matters is you.

5. They don't act self-important…
The only people who are impressed by your stuffy, pretentious, self-important self are other stuffy, pretentious, self-important people.

The rest of us aren't impressed. We're irritated, put off, and uncomfortable.
And we hate when you walk in the room.

6. …Because they realize other people are more important.
You already know what you know. You know your opinions. You know your perspectives and points of view.

That stuff isn't important, because it's already yours. You can't learn anything from yourself.

But you don't know what other people know, and everyone, no matter who they are, knows things you don't know.

That makes them a lot more important than you--because they're people you can learn from.

7. They shine the spotlight on others.
No one receives enough praise. No one. Tell people what they did well.
Wait, you say you don't know what they did well?

Shame on you--it's your job to know. It's your job to find out ahead of time.
Not only will people appreciate your praise, they'll appreciate the fact you care enough to pay attention to what they're doing.

Then they'll feel a little more accomplished and a lot more important.

8. They choose their words.
The words you use impact the attitude of others.

For example, you don't have to go to a meeting; you get to go meet with other people. You don't have to create a presentation for a new client; you get to share cool stuff with other people. You don't have to go to the gym; you get to work out and improve your health and fitness.

You don't have to interview job candidates; you get to select a great person to join your team.

We all want to associate with happy, enthusiastic, fulfilled people. The words you choose can help other people feel better about themselves--and make you feel better about yourself, too.

9. They don't discuss the failings of others...
Granted, we all like hearing a little gossip. We all like hearing a little dirt.

The problem is, we don't necessarily like--and we definitely don't respect--the people who dish that dirt.

Don't laugh at other people. When you do, the people around you wonder if you sometimes laugh at them.

10. ...But they readily admit their failings.
Incredibly successful people are often assumed to have charisma simply because they're successful. Their success seems to create a halo effect, almost like a glow.

Keyword is seem.

You don't have to be incredibly successful to be remarkably charismatic. Scratch the shiny surface, and many successful people have all the charisma of a rock.
But you do have to be incredibly genuine to be remarkably charismatic.
Be humble. Share your screwups. Admit your mistakes. Be the cautionary tale. And laugh at yourself.

While you should never laugh at other people, you should always laugh at yourself.

People won't laugh at you. People will laugh laugh with you.

They'll like you better for it--and they'll want to be around you a lot more.

Jeff Haden learned much of what he knows about business and technology as he worked his way up in the manufacturing industry. Everything else he picks up from ghostwriting books for some of the smartest leaders he knows in business. @jeff_haden

Nontraditional Career Paths at Law Firms

 http://www.nationaljurist.com/content/nontraditional-career-paths-law-firms

By Hillary Mantis

Did you know there are positions in large, prestigious law firms for lawyers seeking career alternatives — with no brief writing, contract reviews, or billable hours required?

There are several career paths for lawyers seeking non legal positions in law firms these days. Here are a few of the more popular options:

Legal Recruiting:
This position may be all too familiar to you — these are the staffers in law firms who coordinate the firm’s on campus recruitment program, summer associate program, and often manage the firm’s lateral hiring needs. If you were jealous of the people running the summer associate program at your firm, rather than practicing law, this may be a good future option for you. Skills needed: excellent people skills, management skills, attention to detail, and problem solving skills. This is not a career for someone who would like to be left alone in the office.

Marketing/Business Development:
As competition to attract clients and develop business has grown significantly, law firms have continued to develop marketing departments. Often staffed by lawyers, the marketing team assists lawyers with finding client development, speaking and writing opportunities, as well as preparing for client pitches. Skills needed: business and marketing skills and background, excellent writing skills, knowledge of the legal market.

Professional Development:
The professional development department at large law firms provides in house CLE (continuing legal education) and training opportunities for their lawyers. They also plan orientation programs, mentoring programs, retreats, and sometimes work on the lawyer review process, and other HR matters. Skills needed: program planning skills, knowledge of CLE requirements, attention to detail. Like recruitment, this career path has a high degree of people interaction, and requires very strong interpersonal skills.

Pro Bono Program Director:
Many large law firms help connect their firm’s lawyers with organizations that need pro bono legal assistance. The Pro Bono program director manages this for the firm. Skills needed: knowledge of the nonprofit world, litigation skills, management skills, and attention to detail.

If any of these positions interest you, start your research by checking for associations for each career path profiled; associations often have job listings, membership directories, and conferences. You can also join related LinkedIn groups, which also often have job listings. You can start to network, and adjust your legal resume to look more appropriate for the field. Fortunately, I have found that lawyers who have made this type of transition are generally happy to share their stories. 

Hillary Mantis is a Director of the Pre-Law program at Fordham University, and a legal career consultant. She works privately nationwide with law students and lawyers. She is the author of Alternative Careers for Lawyers. You can write to Hillary at altcareer@aol.com

5 Ways to Maximize the New LinkedIn Profile Layout

http://studentbranding.com/5-ways-to-maximize-the-new-linkedin-profile-layout/

By: Trish Freshwater

If you haven’t heard, your LinkedIn profile is about to get a face-lift – if it hasn’t already. LinkedIn announced in mid-October that it would be rolling out a new look to profile pages aiming to make it easier to showcase your experience and connect with others. To see examples of the new page, click here for an interactive example or click here to see my full profile in the new format (click the link on the right to view the Full Profile).

With the new layout, it is becoming more important than ever for you to complete your LinkedIn profile so that recruiters can gain better insight into your skills, experience and talents. Here are five tips to prepare your LinkedIn profile for the updated look.

1) Add a Professional Photo of Yourself

The new profile page has a prominent placeholder for a photo of you. As you seek to build relationships on LinkedIn, people will want to see who you are – just like on Facebook or Google+. Remember to use a professional-looking head shot and not your favorite pic from last year’s summer vacation.

2) Make Your Headline Meaningful

Use the title or headline as an opportunity to grab your page visitor’s attention. Rather than simply list yourself as a “student,” use industry buzz words to show your ambition and career potential. Perhaps you are a “Rising Culinary Expert” or an “Aspiring Writer.” Or, you could use this space to cite your own personal branding statement – citing your career goals. And, in your contact info, don’t forget to list your personal website, Twitter and/or blog URLs.

3) Complete Your Information!

Ensuring that your profile is complete and up-to-date is a key step in your LinkedIn success. Your Summary should be a concise snapshot of your experience and skills, much like an elevator speech, and provide a statement about your career goals in one short paragraph or two.

The revised Skills & Expertise section is a great place to list all of your skills. Next, use the Experience section to add any current jobs or internships, as well as any other positions you’ve held that lend to building your credibility and showcasing your experience. Much like a resume, this is your opportunity to tell the world about all that you are capable of achieving. So, provide some concrete examples of how you’ve accomplished goals, led a team to reach an achievement or took initiative to create a success. And, don’t forget to list any Volunteer work!

The new Projects section is a great space to provide detailed information about any project you have worked on – perhaps in an internship or volunteer capacity. Did you organize a fraternity/sorority event? Did you work on a special class project that required you to complete real-world tasks? Did you take on a leadership role in a project for an agency where you volunteered over the summer? Use this space to talk about those projects while describing your specific role and how you met objectives, surpassed goals or otherwise created success.

4) Personalize Your LinkedIn Profile Link

By default, LinkedIn assigns your profile page a nondescript link that includes a long numeric identifier. However, you can personalize this link to become something like:
www.linkedin.com/in/trishfreshwater. Having a personalized link makes it easy for you to remember when sharing your profile, and it helps build your personal brand by identifying yourself in the link. You can update your link simply by clicking the Edit Link hypertext next to your default profile page link on your profile.

5) Get Recommendations

Recommendations are a great way to have others endorse your skills and experiences. Ask professors, former employers, those who you have volunteered with or other leaders who you have worked with to write brief recommendations on your page. Third-party endorsements are one of the strongest ways to promote your experience and capabilities.

Building your LinkedIn profile is an important step in maximizing your use of this social medium in your job search. But, don’t forget to join relevant groups in your career field and become an active contributor. Participating in conversations, sharing your knowledge and building relationships are all important for building your personal brand, advancing your job search and building your future career.

Make your LinkedIn profile stand out. Embrace the new profile and let your skills leap off the screen at those who may be interested in hiring you. Remember, you only get one chance to make a great first impression.

Think Before You Reject a Job Offer

http://studentbranding.com/think-before-you-reject-a-job-offer/

By: Ronisha Goodwin

I had my first candidate rescind their acceptance of an employment offer. The candidate received an offer of employment, considered the offer, accepted the offer, and almost four weeks later called to tell me that they had changed their mind and was taking back their acceptance.

Rescinding your acceptance is an act that is difficult for a recruiter to forgive. In fact it’s very likely that because of this action, “we are never, ever, ever getting back together.”

It’s a question of integrity.

Yes, I have reached out to offer a candidate a position, and found out during the conversation that they had already accepted another offer. When in this situation, I’m most impressed by the candidate who is gracious, quick to inform me they have accepted another offer, and stops me before I go into the details of my offer because they’ve already committed themselves to another organization. It’s truly about your professional integrity and staying true to your word.

Know when your search is over.

Rescinding an offer is the result of not knowing when your search is over. After you accept an offer, it’s time for you to get out of the game! I know that it’s a difficult balance. You’re perhaps interviewing with multiple companies, and they’re coming back with offers at different times, but ultimately if you adequately researched prospective companies during the interview process, asked valuable questions, and assessed your true interest in each organization, you should be able to accept an offer with confidence. Once that offer is accepted, it’s truly about demonstrating loyalty to your new organization and respecting the relationship and trust you’ve built with your recruiter.

It predicts future behavior

There are studies that focus on the belief that past behavior is a predictor of future behavior. A recruiter may be able to forgive the candidate who rescinded their acceptance, but it’s unlikely that they’ll forget and again consider that candidate for an opportunity at a later time. This is because if a candidate makes a commitment, and then goes back on their word, it’s probably likely that if given another chance and actually joining the organization, they will leave for what they “perceive” to be a better opportunity. A recruiter doesn’t want to take that risk, which is why it’s likely that “we are never, ever, ever getting back together.”

Acing the "What's Your Biggest Weakness" Interview Question

http://ms-jd.org/levo-league-acing-whats-your-biggest-weakness-interview-question

 

Submitted by editor

 

This post originally appeared on www.prepary.com. For more articles on answering common interview questions, click here.

 

When you Google how to answer this question there are a lot of mixed opinions, but they generally fall into one of three camps:

 

1. Spin a negative into a positive. Such as, “Sometimes I spend too much time checking my work because I want to make sure it is perfect.”

2. Deny having any weaknesses. This one is the least common, and pretty obviously not the way to go.

3. Give an honest answer. Such as, “An area I am trying to work on is public speaking. It is not naturally something I’ve been able to master.”

 

I firmly believe in option 3. Answer the question honestly… without shooting yourself in the foot. Why?

 

Well, to start off, giving a canned answer makes the person on the other end feel like they are speaking to a robot. And any good interviewer knows this is the oldest trick in the book (and has probably heard anything you’ve managed to come up with about 100 times before). It comes off as the opposite of genuine. If the interviewer is experienced (and you should expect them to be) they will take the question a step further to see if your answer has any depth (and if it’s canned, it probably doesn’t). The followup may be, “Okay, so give me an example of a time when that impacted your work negatively.” If you don’t have a real example ready to back that up, guess what — you’re probably going to be sitting there racking your brain for another weakness and maybe even fall into pitfall No. 2…

 

Which is even worse. Being unable or unwilling to come up with anything at all only means one thing: you are not self-aware. The truth is (and everyone knows this) no one is going to be good at every single thing they do. Constantly identifying areas you can work on and then taking steps to actually improve them makes you a better employee, coworker, friend, family member — you get the point. Very few people out there are going to want to sit next to someone every day who thinks they are 100 percent perfect.

 

So let’s get to the point, why should you answer the question honestly? A few reasons:

 

1. As explained above, giving an honest answer makes you come across as genuine, honest, thoughtful, and self-aware (all great qualities that interviewers are looking for).

 

2. It actually will enable you to be in a role that you can succeed in. The person on the other end knows what the company is looking for (overall, as well as for the specific job) and is trying to make sure you are a good fit for both. If your biggest weakness is genuinely public speaking and you are applying for a role that requires constantly presenting to large audiences, it’s probably better that they know that upfront, and it may be better that you don’t get that role. If that’s the case, why are you applying for it anyway?

 

How to Ace the “Weakness” Question: Give a real weakness and explain what steps you’ve taken to improve.

 

At the end of the day, interviewers appreciate honesty and effort, and this is the best way to show off those great qualities while answering this question. It goes without saying to not give a weakness that is a deal breaker – don’t tell your future employer you have no clue how to use Excel if it is listed as a key requirement of the job.

 

Believe it or not, the canned answer approach can be seen as a deal breaker in itself, so be thoughtful and give an answer with some substance and honesty – it will go a long way.

Congrats! You’ve Landed a Job Interview… Now What?

http://blog.psjd.org/2013/01/07/congrats-youve-landed-a-job-interview-now-what/

   

Interviews are arguably one of the most intimidating and important aspects of job hunting. A bad interview could quickly land you in the “No” pile, while a good interview could give you that final push you need to land the job. So what can you do to prepare for a big interview?

For starters, it’s best to research the organization and develop your own sense of why you want the position. The Forbes Career blog recently posted an article stating that most common interview questions stem from “the only 3 true job interview questions:

Acing your response to an interview question requires pivoting off your basic answer to reinforce your strengths, motivation or fit – depending upon the true underlying question. If you don’t answer the question, you get an F. If you simply answer it, you get a C or maybe a B. An A, and ultimately getting the job in most cases, requires more.
As I’ve articulated previously, there are only three true job interview questions:

• Can you do the job?
• Will you love the job?
• Can we tolerate working with you?

(Strengths, motivation, and fit.)
But what happens when you’re responding to questions from someone who hasn’t been trained in interviewing? Take charge in a way that makes them feel good about themselves and what they uncover about you. To do this successfully, follow three simple steps: Think – Answer – Bridge

1. Think before opening your mouth.
2. Answer the question asked.
3. Bridge to answer the true underlying question.

Career blog The Ladders also recently wrote about one of the most-asked questions during interviews: the dreaded “Tell me a little bit about yourself?”:

The Wrong Response
There are many ways to respond to this question correctly and just one wrong way: by asking, “What do you want to know?” That tells me you have not prepared properly for the interview and are likely to be equally unprepared on the job. You need to develop a good answer to this question, practice it and be able to deliver it with poise and confidence.
The Right Response
To help you prepare, I spoke to a number of career coaches on how best to respond when faced with this question. Heed the career advice that follows to ace this opener:
The consensus of the coaches with whom I spoke:

• Focus on what most interests the interviewer
• Highlight your most important accomplishments

Click here to read the entire Forbes Career article, and click here for the article on The Ladders.

How to answer 7 of the most common interview questions

Jacquelyn Smith, Forbes Staff 

 

 

“Tell me about yourself.” While this isn’t exactly a question, answering this the wrong way could really hurt your chances of getting a job, Teach says. “I was once told by an HR executive that this can actually be a trick question. Hiring managers can’t ask you certain questions legally but if you go off on a tangent when answering, you may tell them some things about you that are better left unsaid.” The worst way to approach this request is to tell them your life story, which is something they’re definitely not interested in. The best way to approach this is to only discuss what your interests are relating to the job and why your background makes you a great candidate.

“What are your strengths and weaknesses?” It’s easy to talk about your strengths; you’re detail oriented, hard working, a team player, etc.–but it’s also easy to get tripped up when discussing your weaknesses, Teach says. Never talk about a real weakness unless it’s something you’ve defeated. “Many hiring managers are hip to the overused responses, such as, ‘Well, my biggest weakness is that I work too hard so I need try to take it easy once in a while.’ The best answer is to discuss a weakness that you’ve turned around, such as, you used to come in late to work a lot but after your supervisor explained why it was necessary for you to come in on time, you were never late again.”

“Where do you want to be five years from now?” “What employers are really asking is, ‘Is this job even close to your presumed career path? Are you just applying to this job because you need something? Are your long-term career plans similar to what we see for this role? How realistic are your expectations for your career? Have you even thought about your career long-term? Are you going to quit after a year or two?’” says Sara Sutton Fell, CEO and founder of FlexJobs.

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Show them that you’ve done some self-assessment and career planning. Let them know that you hope to develop professionally and take on additional responsibilities at that particular company. “Don’t say something ridiculous like, ‘I don’t know,’ or “I want your job,” she says.

Teach says no one can possibly know where they’ll be in their career five years from now but hiring managers want to get a sense of your commitment to the job, the company, and the industry. “In fact, I would even mention that it’s hard for you to know what job title you may hold five years from now but ideally, you’d like to have moved up the ladder at this company based on your performance. You’re hopeful to be in some management position and your goal is to help the company any way you can.” If you give the impression that this job is just a stepping stone for you, it’s unlikely the hiring manager will be interested in you.

“Please give me an example of a time when you had a problem with a supervisor/co-worker and how you approached the problem.” “I think that the hardest thing about work isn’t the work, it’s the people at work,” Teach says. Most employees have a problem with a supervisor or co-worker at some point in their career. How they handle that problem says a lot about their people skills. If you can explain to the interviewer that you were able to overcome a people problem at work, this will definitely help your chances of getting the job, he says.

“What are your salary requirements?” “What employers are really asking is, ‘Do you have realistic expectations when it comes to salary? Are we on the same page or are you going to want way more than we can give? Are you flexible on this point or is your expectation set in stone?’” Sutton Fell says.

Try to avoid answering this question in the first interview because you may shortchange yourself by doing so, Teach says. Tell the hiring manager that if you are seriously being considered, you could give them a salary range–but if possible, let them make the first offer. Study websites like Salary.com and Glassdoor.com to get an idea of what the position should pay. “Don’t necessarily accept their first offer,” he adds. “There may be room to negotiate.”

When it is time to give a number, be sure to take your experience and education levels into consideration, Sutton Fell says. “Also, your geographic region, since salary varies by location.” Speak in ranges when giving figures, and mention that you are flexible in this area and that you’re open to benefits, as well. “Be brief and to the point, and be comfortable with the silence that may come after.”

“Why are you leaving your current job?” Hiring managers want to know your motivation for wanting to leave your current job. Are you an opportunist just looking for more money or are you looking for a job that you hope will turn into a career? If you’re leaving because you don’t like your boss, don’t talk negatively about your boss–just say you have different work philosophies, Teach says. If the work was boring to you, just mention that you’re looking for a more challenging position. “Discuss the positives that came out of your most recent job and focus on why you think this new position is ideal for you and why you’ll be a great fit for their company.”

If you’ve already left your previous job (or you were fired), Sutton Fell suggests the following:

• If you got fired: Do not trash your last boss or company. Tell them that you were unfortunately let go, that you understand their reasoning and you’ve recognized areas that you need to improve in, and then tell them how you will be a better employee because of it.
• If you got laid off: Again, do not trash your last boss or company. Tell them that you were let go, and that you understand the circumstances behind their decision; that you are committed to your future and not dwelling on the past; and that you are ready to apply everything that you learned in your last role to a new company.
• If you quit: Do not go into details about your unhappiness or dissatisfaction. Instead, tell them that while you valued the experience and education that you received, you felt that the time had come to seek out a new opportunity, to expand your skills and knowledge, and to find a company with which you could grow.

“Why should I hire you?” A hiring manager may not ask you this question directly but every question you answer in the interview should contribute to helping them understand why you’re the best person for the job. “Stay focused on why your background makes you an ideal candidate and tell them how you are going to contribute to that department and that company,” Teach says. “Let the interviewer know that one of your goals is to make their job easier by taking on as much responsibility as possible and that you will be excited about this job starting on day one.”
Salpeter suggests you print and highlight the job description, looking for the top three or four most important details. “Do they include terms such as, ‘cross-functional team,’ ‘team work,’ and ‘team player’ several times?” If so, your answer to, “Why should we hire you?” (asked directly or as an underlying question) should mention and focus on your abilities as they relate to teams.