How to Overcome 4 Weird Job Interview Situations

How to Overcome 4 Weird Job Interview SituationsHow to Overcome 4 Weird Job Interview SituationsYou probably came prepared with dazzling stories about past successes and even a solid response to the old greatest weakness question. But sometimes weird job interviewsituations arise that can throw even the best candidates for a loop.In general, remaining composed is the best first step when dealing with any unexpected scenario. Calmness promotes thinking on yur feet, which is what youll need to do should any of these uncomfortable events occur.Here are four weird job interview situations you may encounter, and how to handle each one1. You think the interviewer is hitting on you.Get up and walk out, says HR professional Michelle Petrazzuolo, CEO ofLevel Up Prep. It is unprofessional at best and harassment at worst. You dont want to work in an organization where that is the best face they put forward when trying to attract candidates. It will only get worse from there.If you do decide to stay, aim to get the conversation back to business by providing purely professional responses to questions.Reciprocating the flirty exchange may seem like a sure way to increase your odds of getting hired but will only lead to trouble down the road, says cross-cultural trainer Sharon Schweitzer, founder of Protocol Etiquette Worldwide.If necessary, she suggests asking the interviewer to refrain from deviating from the interviewing questions. Yes, this might be intimidating for a candidate afraid of ruining the option to get hired, but it also shows a willingness to stand up for oneself.2. The hiring manager scans Facebook while you talk about why youd be a great fit for this job.Resist the urge to get angry or snarky. Instead, let the interviewer know youre still committed to the meeting by giving each answer your all. Strategies that might help includeRaising your voice slightly to subtly call the interviewers attention back to youAvoiding rote responses that simply regurgitate yo ur resumeCreating conversation by asking engaging questions requiring more than a yes or no answer3. You accidentally pass gas.While you may be mortified, everyone is human and has embarrassing moments Schweitzer says. Excuse yourself and move on with the conversation.Also consider avoiding fiber-heavy foods the day of the interview and using the bathroom prior to the appointment. The proper nutrition can make a difference on interview day.4. The interviewer has something really gross in theirteeth.Obviously, dont stare (yes, that can be difficult), look disgusted, or try to make a lame joke youll both end up embarrassed. Schweitzer recommends maintaining strong eye contact and doing your best to ignore the pesky particle.Or, if you feel brave enough, you might try this route suggested by Petrazzuolo.Once you are both in an office or private setting, simply say, I just wanted to let you know, you may have something stuck in your teeth. I didnt want to interrupt our meeting, but I wo uld want someone to let me know. It shows empathy and helpfulness, both wonderful traits in an employee, and can earn you instant brownie points. Recruiters and hiring managers are people, too We make mistakes as well, and if I had something stuck in my teeth, I would certainly want someone to tell me, and the sooner the better.Check Out More Job Interviewing Tips

How to Survive a Bad Day at Work

How to Survive a Bad Day at WorkHow to Survive a Bad Day at WorkIt happens to the best of us. You find yourself at work with your head in your hands, unsure if you want to pound your fist on your desk or run screaming.So, whats wrong?Quite simply, its a schwimmbadeanstalt day on the job. Unfortunately, youre at the office, and you dont have the luxury of climbing into bed and pulling the covers over your head. Your boss and coworkers are counting on you to be productive. And you feel the pressure to maintain your professional game face, at least as much you can manage.Many things can trigger a stressful day like this. Maybe you feel overwhelmed with assignments. Perhaps your boss or coworkers have infected you with their own bad moods. Or maybe you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.Are you angry or just hangry?Sometimes we get so busy that negative feelings just kind of creep up on us. When we finally notice, we may chalk them up to generalized stress or a bad mo od, then attempt to power through the day without investigating whats actually going on.But it can really help to identify your feelings. Are you angry? Overwhelmed? Anxious? Disappointed or sad? Just by naming the emotion, you have taken a big first step in releasing its grip on your mind and mood.Once youve figured out how youre feeling, youre in a much better position to understand what caused it. Did your boss criticize your work or fail to appreciate an achievement? Was it something your significant other said that morning, or something you regret saying yourself? Are you hungry or sleep-deprived?Once youve figured out the cause(s) of your grumpy mood, you stand a better chance of correcting it. And correcting it doesnt have to mean confronting the issue directly. Maybe all you can do for the moment is vent your feelings to a trusted friend - or officially take the issue off your plate until you have the resources to tackle it.Whatever the cause, here are some techniques that can help make a hard day bearable - and maybe even a wee bit fun1. Use the magic of musicFew things can wipe away the frustrations of a horrible commute or help you through a heavy workload like a favorite song. If youre free from meetings for a little while, slap on a pair of headphones and let the music take you to your happy place.2. Go viralIf you can, take a quick break to watch a brief, uplifting video. That hilarious clip circulating online, a motivational message or a moment from your last vacation can help to flip your mood around in a few short minutes.3. Fight it with friendsWhen youre feeling good, you probably have no problem picking up the phone and venting to a friend - or strolling down to chat with a colleague. But what about when youre feeling down? Then it can be a lot more difficult. Wallowing in isolation is unlikely to make you feel any better, whereas a conversation with a sympathetic friend can change the entire dynamic of your day. It can be hard, but the effort is so worth it. 4. groe nachfrage away (momentarily)We often feel pressure to look productive at all times. But regular breaks can actually make us be more productive. Checking social media at your desk doesnt count as a break, especially if you spend all day sitting in front of a screen already. On the other hand, you dont have to attend a 90-minute yoga class to feel better - and you may not have that luxury, anyway.That said, a break of 10 minutes or so can make a big difference in your mood. Do stretches, head outside for fresh air, walk around the block or brew some coffee in the break room. You may be surprised how a small reprieve can make a significant change, even on the worst of days.5. Set em up, knock em downWhen your morning looks like it could quickly turn ugly, a little forethought can stave off the nastiness. Maybe all the tasks on your plate are overwhelming. Or perhaps personal issues are distracting you. Before diving in, take 10 or 15 minutes to create a list of the things that must get done today.Getting all those tasks out of your mind and onto paper can provide relief in and of itself. You may even find everything is more doable than you imagined. And as you work through your list, you have the satisfaction of checking off the boxes as you go.You may find that you really do have too much to do. If so, you know its time enlist help from your boss or a colleague - and you can show them exactly why you need their help.Check out more time management tips that can make your workday easier.6. Bring the happy to othersWhen youre in a bad mood, you may close down and think only of your own problems. Break the cycle with a simple act of kindness.It doesnt have to be a big deal, either. When you go for a coffee, ask a colleague if you can get them one too. Compliment a coworker. Write a thank you email to a customer or member of your team. The person likely to benefit the most is you.7. Eat for energyStart your day off with a decent break fast. You may save a few minutes by skipping a meal, but your empty stomach might come back to bite you. Some people get irritable when theyre hungry. Others lose their ability to concentrate or suffer from fatigue. However it affects you, hunger is bound to weigh down both your mood and your productivity throughout the day.Sure, a healthy lunch isnt going to solve all your problems or suddenly make a bad day fabulous. But it can give you the stamina to meet challenges with greater ease. Or promise yourself a favorite food stop after work - looking forward to a great dinner can easily lift your spirits.Have you had too many bad days at work lately? Ready to search for a new job? Register with Robert Half to gain access to a wide range of job listings, career tips and professional development coursesRelated postsHow to Relieve Stress in the Workplace 5 Simple TipsWhat are the Most Stressful Jobs? (And How to Know if Youre Interviewing for One)How to Beat the Sunday Night Blues

Metal Machine for 3D Printing

Metal Machine for 3D Printing Metal Machine for 3D Printing The world of objects is not all plastic. And if 3D printing is ever to make the leap from hobbyist plaything to tool of serious manufacturing, its got to be able to print in metal. Though additive manufacturing has managed to dish out various metallic items over the years, its only done so using expensive, imprecise, labor-intensive processes. But now a company in the Netherlands called Additive Industries has produced a high-end, self-contained, precision 3D metal printer. The idea to make such a thing first came to Daan Kersten, the companys co-founder and CEO, just three years ago. The equipment you could buy at that moment was developed for prototyping, research, and development, rather than serial production in a manufacturing environment, he says. So to develop a next-generation machine, Kersten and his colleagues followed a two-fold path. While designing their new printer, they would also create a pilot additive facto ry for designing and making parts. That way they could learn the ins and outs of additive manufacturing and discover exactly what customers might want from a metal printer. To make the factory, called the AddLab, they teamed up with eight industrial partners in the Netherlands, including Philips. They also interviewed users of additive technology all over the word to uncover their needs. It became very apparent that the enormous amount of manual labor in the handling of the material basically kills yur business case for industrial applications.In addition to its metal additive manufacturing machine, Additive Industries has developed a software platform to support the process flow. Image Additive Industries Additive Industries answer to that herausforderung is a modular system that would allow the customer to basically configure the machine. Transitions between those modules happen automatically, thanks to a robot. If you currently want to apply metal additive manufacturing, you need a 3D printer that is a separate machine, says Kersten. You need an oven to do heat treatment, you need equipment to do sand blasting, then you have to cut the parts off the build plate, and you need to measure the parts. Thats all separate steps, all separate equipment. You easily have between five and ten separate pieces of equipment. The MetalFAB1, as their printer is called, integrates most of that into a single machine, so that there neednt be even a single employee to monitor the proceedings. Once someone hits the start button, the machine can crank out a piece in the solitude of night. At the moment, that cranking will be done in three metals stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum. Kersten hopes to add more metals as the number of customers goes up. And anyone wanting to add a material as it becomes available can simply attach the new build chamber module to their existing setup. Labor costs were not the only problem that the pilot factory uncovered. There was also the dust . It was wasteful, dangerous to employees, and got everywhere. So each chamber of the MetalFAB1 is sealed off, and waste materials are recovered and reused. Then there was the issue of precision. To achieve tighter tolerances, they turned to techniques used in semiconductor manufacturing. They also developed an integrated software program that can simulate a print job, analyze the process as it occurs, and securely store information. While machines like the MetalFAB1 may someday change how metal products are manufactured in any industry, they will likely have a more immediate and revolutionary impact in the world of spare parts. There is an enormous amount of spare partsin automotive, capital goods, and white goodsjust laying around waiting for the moment that that part is needed, says Kersten. In the future we anticipate printing that part when you need it, where you need it. But theres one last touch the MetalFAB1 needs before it hits the market We didnt put a price tag on our mac hine yet, says Kersten. We are in the process of finalizing the calculations for that. Michael Abrams is an independent writer. Learn more about the issues and challenges associated with every step of the additive manufacturing lifecycle atAM3D Conference Expo For Further Discussion It became very apparent that the enormous amount of manual labor in the handling of the material basically kills your business model for industrial applications.Daan Kersten, founder and CEO, Additive Industries

Get Answers to Interview Questions About Work History

Get Answers to Interview Questions About Work HistoryGet Answers to Interview Questions About Work HistoryDuring a job interview, you will be expected to provide details about your work history, so you should come prepared with a full resume that includes details of each job you have had. Include the starting and ending dates of employment, compensation, positions held, names and addresses of companies you worked for, supervisor names, and other pertinent details.You may be asked for reasons for any breaks in employment. Beyond the bare facts and figures, you should look through your list for answers to common work history interview questions. Set aside some time to anticipate questions that pertain to your work history and think through each of your answers. Having a good answer to a question can make a difference in how you will rate among the other candidates for a position. It will show the skills you developed at your previous jobs, how you interacted with co-workers and custome rs, and how you faced challenges. How to Prepare to Answer Youd be surprised how many job applicants fumble when asked about prior employment. Dont be one of them Refresh your memory prior to the interview by reviewing your resume so you can speak about your prior work history in detail and accurately.If you dont have a resume, make sure what you tell the interviewer matches what you filled out on your job application. The best way to prepare is to download asample job applicationahead of time. Complete the sample application and bring it with you when you are applying for employment. This way you will be able to copy the information rather than having to remember dates and other employment information. Work History Interview Questions Review these common interview questions about your work history and the information you will be expected to provide during a job interview Name of Company, Position Title, Description, and Dates of Employment Sometimes, employers will request addresses, supervisor names and more, so bring them if you have them.What Were Your Starting and Final Levels of Compensation? This is self-explanatory. Simply list what you were being paid when you were hired and what you currently are being paid or were being paid when you left.What Experience Do You Have?Besides hard skills and credentials, think also of the soft skills and experience you gained that might not be obvious from a job title. When considering experiences, its necessary to limit yourself only to work. Valuable skills also can be learned in volunteer positions or as a student. What Major Challenges and Problems Did You Face? How Did You Handle Them? This question is often one youll dread. If you can come prepared with an example from one or more of your previous jobs that showproblem-solving and resilience, it can be a big plus.What Did You Like or Dislike About Your Previous Job? This can be another potential minefield, so be prepared with a good answer, trying to foc us on the positive and avoid saying you disliked something that is likely to be parte of the new job. Address how you handle the part of your job you dont like with a positive attitude and an open mind. Which Was Most /Least Rewarding? Think of the job that gave you the best sense of accomplishment, which often goes beyond how much you were paid. Avoid negatives.What Was the Biggest Accomplishment/Failure in This Position?If possible, show how you helped your employer meet an important goal or deadline. Also, be ready with a minor failure and how you worked to overcome the challenge. Be sure to also include any lessons you learned from that failure and how you have applied those lessons in the time since. Questions About Your Supervisors and Co-WorkersThese questions often ask you to explain a difficult time with co-workers and your supervisor, to show how you would perform on a team. You will be happy if you can come up with examples that show how you resolved a conflict or promote d team cooperation.What Are You Looking for in Your Next Job? What Is Important to You? Make this about skills youd like to learn, opportunities youd like to tackle.

What You Must Know About Job Resume Skills

What You Must Know About Job Resume Skills Creativity is a wide kind of soft skill that can enable you to develop innovative solutions to problems on the job. Perhaps your skill set is totally different. Knowledgeable sales professionals should think about forgoing a number of the base salary instead of a strong commission structure to make the most of the experience on their sales resume. Since many job seekers may list skills in a different section of their resume, additionally, it is important to weave them into descriptions under every one of your prior positions. In truth, it might be appropriate to incorporate a mora prominent core competencies section at the peak of your resume with thorough descriptions of certain skills if theyre absolutely central to success in the desired position. To begin with, if youre seeing a great deal of hard skills that you just dont have, it might be better to move on to the next position. Job Resume Skills and Job Resume Skills - The Perf ect Combination A fantastic sales professional is continuously seeking to upgrade their knowledge base and increase their abilities. Each career category contains a list of the conventional functions, tasks and abilities connected with jobs that fall within the category. Just remember to double-check whether adding social media to your particular resume is ideal for the job By carefully targeting resumes for particular jobs, it is possible to greatly enhance your odds of getting noticed in the work market. Retail workers should really understand the company they work for, the products they sell, and the sorts of consumers who purchase their goods. A whole lot of jobs ask that you manage projects, and tech is just the same. Most jobs require that you have a fundamental comprehension of computer programs including Excel and Microsoft Office, and skills in internet navigation, social networking sites and email systems. The True Meaning of Job Resume Skills Resume creators make i t possible for jobseekers to make and download their finished resumes directly from the web to begin applying straight away. If youre attempting to choose a CMS to learn, WP is a fantastic place to get started. Resume Wording Keyword Tips Resume keywords can be exceedingly important and are a vital part of expert quality resume wording. Importance of Resume wording Resume wording is a significant component to take into account when constructing a resume. Jobs are constantly changing and evolving, and you need to demonstrate an openness to raise and learn with that shift. If youre not certain which skills you wish to share, consider your prior experiences. Youll receive daily lessons that teach you all of the basics you will need to know to begin studying for your fantasy tech job If you cannot locate the specific job you would like, you should know what other opportunities will nonetheless benefit your long-term career targets. Keep reading for advice on how to compose a teena gers first resume. You saw above how to select the most suitable collection of hard abilities vs soft skills. Skills are important, but the very first step to success at work is consistently showing up whenever youre scheduled to get the job done. As stated earlier, assessing soft skills is quite a bit more difficult. More technical or computer-centric hard skills are occasionally also known as technical skills. The normal quantity of time it requires to discover a job is getting longer, so take some time to take into consideration how youll provide for yourself while searching. 1 thing a lot of people dont understand about writing resumes is you have to be certain it has each of the pertinent info to assist you get hired. Remember your urge to accomplish fantastic things or your belief in the organization, to keep yourself motivated. One other important consideration to consider is to relate the way your previous experiences would benefit the target company. Utilizing the m ost suitable key phrases in your resume is important to getting your resume read. Each word on your resume can be a trigger for a question via an interviewer, and youll frequently be requested to provide examples of the skills which youve referenced. Your resume must immediately tell the employer which you are somebody who will choose the work seriously.

Distance education - the surprising truth

Distance education - the surprising truth Distance education the surprising truthPosted October 13, 2011, by Andrea Riddell Long considered the domain of the mature-age or postgraduate student, distance education has often been regarded as plan B when it comes to gaining a tertiary education. But for the jetsetter, corporate climber, or even the social climber, studying by distance education allows you to pursue your dreams and ambitions by acquiring the qualifications to make this possible, regardless of your age or education level. We have explored five little-known truths about studying by distance that might surprise you. 1. You dont need a computer to study by distance Tzu siche are three styles of course delivery you can choose from by correspondence (by mail), online (by email) or flexible learning (a combination of both). Some universities will also offer you the chance to include some on-campus study in your delivery package. Many course providers will allow you to choose t he delivery method that best suits your lifestyle and preference. Libby Hamel chose to have herbei course materials for a combined Certificate III and Diploma in Childrens Services through Open Colleges (formerly known as Cengage Education) mailed to her doorstep in Texas, Queensland, finding it easier to learn from hard copy rather than on screen. They would send all my study materials in the mail and then I would email back my responses. They did offer to email my materials but I chose to have it all sent by mail. I preferred to receive it in the pfote Im a bit old school, says Libby. Similarly, at SEEK Learning course consultants work with prospective students to create training packages and delivery options that accommodate their students needs and wants. 2. You have as much support as on-campus students Contrary to popular belief, the level of support offered by distance learning providers is equal to the support you would receive on campus. The difference is, again, in th e delivery. While on-campus support can be found in class, distance-learning support is provided by phone, email and on forums, as well as by SMS, teleconferencing and online chat almost always 24/7. With such an array of contact points, obtaining support from distance education providers can often be more interactive and instantaneous. You will also be assigned a tutor or mentor, and for the duration of your study this person will be your best friend. For Libby, her Open Colleges tutor welches crucial to the successful completion of her combined Certificate III and Diploma program. I had excellent support from my tutor. If I had any questions or anything, I ended up emailing her directly instead of going through the forums and shed email me either that day or the next, or give me a call, says Libby. SEEK Learning training consultants also provide career support in addition to study support. The consultants talk with potential students to find the right course for their career goals and needs. 3. Self-motivation is achievable While distance education affords you greater flexibility, it also requires greater discipline only you can decide when and whether you study. Having the responsibility of your education fall squarely onto your shoulders alone can seem completely overwhelming. However, this is the case with any form of tertiary education, on campus or not. If you plan on studying by distance there are many strategies to beat the distance education blues. One scenario you definitely want to avoid is procrastination leading, inevitably, to a daunting study load moments before your deadlines. Melissa Plant, studying a Bachelor of Communications through Open Universities Australia, chose to start her study early and spreads her workload as much as possible. As soon as the online information is available, get straight on and try to navigate your way around and get a feel for whats there, says Melissa. Its up to you to sort out what needs your urgent attention and what can be left to do at your own pace. I have a calendar which reminds me when Ive two weeks to go until something is due, then one week and so on. I try to also keep tabs on the discussion boards for my units to see if other students are raising anything I should be thinking about. Course providers are aware that it may be harder for distance students to maintain motivation, and most strive to provide extensive support to counteract this. Open Colleges provides a team of experienced mentors to help encourage motivation when needed. Our experience tells us that the best study habits deliver the best outcomes, so its crucial to establish good habits from the word go. Setting a timetable and having a specific place to study can be very useful, as can breaking the coursework down into smaller tasks, says the Academic Director of Open Colleges, Dirk Drieberg. 4. Finding the time to study is simple Many people think that they will find it hard to find time to study . While your other commitments may make it more difficult to eke out solid study time, course providers recognise this with flexible assessment dates and long study periods. Organising your workload will stop any forgotten assessments becoming nasty surprises and allows you to plan your time wisely. As Melissa says, Doing a bit each day is much easier to manage. And if something comes up and you cant study, its much easier to catch up. Melissa creates a timetable for her study, leaving enough flexibility to work around her other commitments. I set aside certain nights of the week where I do different parts of study, and then try to fit in other study time around the rest of my life, says Melissa. Map out what needs to be done by when. If you have a lot of readings, try to get them all in a pile and then section them up week by week, allowing for any readings to be completed before exams or quizzes, as necessary. For Libby, her study time was less about creating a structure a nd more about fitting in with her two children. When the kids were asleep or outside playing happily, Id get my books out and sit and watch them. I didnt make my own timetable I just studied whenever I got the chance. With kids you dont have a timetable. Many course providers also guide students through their distance learning by providing students with guides to self-paced learning and writing assessments. 5. Your classmates are within reach It can be intimidating to study by distance, with the lack of regular contact with tutors, lecturers and classmates making you feel like youre all alone in your educational endeavours. However, course providers supply a multitude of avenues for you to communicate and interact with fellow students, meaning not only can you compare notes, but you can also make friends for life. Browen Westley is studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) through Open Universities Australia and enjoys interacting with her classmates despite the distance. I have made a study buddy that I will always count as a friend we phone, email, text and share assessment problems. Finding a study buddy online can also help you regain the confidence you need to excel. Open Colleges has recently launched a study buddy locator, allowing students to connect with others in their locality who are studying the saatkorn units. For Melissa, the main issue was remaining confident that she was on the right track with her assignments, and interacting with her classmates helped her with this. Just like in a classroom, other students will raise ideas and questions that you perhaps hadnt thought of. The answers are really helpful, either to give context to the readings or textbooks or to help with navigating through the unit itself, says Melissa. It is one of the many advantages of distance education being able to tap into a large collective of brainpower from students all over the world. This network of minds is accessible simply by logging in to you r student portal, discussion board, forum or any other form of online community offered to you by your course provider. And as Melissa found, these online meeting places can hold the key to the success of your education. I have a greater sense of who the tutor is and a better understanding of what she is looking for from being involved with the discussion boards. And I am also very aware of my fellow students for one subject I believe there are around 140 of them ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?menschlich Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchescareer advisor onlineunsw early entrystudy in australia for international studentsyear 10 work experience ideasflexible entry usyd CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor o f Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAndrea RiddellRelated ArticlesBrowse moreBeauty TherapyBuilding & ConstructionBest Careers To Get You Out Of The OfficeLooking for a job to get you out from behind the desk? From interior design to social work, here are some of the best careers to get you out of the office.Career AdvisorsCareer progressionCareer Coach Vs Career Counsellor Whats the Difference?Dread Mondays? Dont know where to go and what to do next? A career coach or counsellor can help you find purpose in life. In this quick read, understand the difference between a career coach and a career counsellor.Resignation tipsWork etiquette9 Dos and Donts When ResigningWhether youre leaving on great terms or cant wait to get the heck out of there, here are the big Dos and Donts everyone needs to know when resigning.From giving the required amount of notice to tidying your desk before you go, these tips wi ll help you leave with professional relationships intact