Wednesday, November 27, 2019

The Trick Question They Ask Jobseekers Over Age 50

The Trick Question They Ask Jobseekers Over Age 50The Trick Question They Ask Jobseekers Over Age 50Its hard to not allow age to weigh heavily on your mind. If youre seeing ads online, checking off the boxes mentally because you meet the qualifications, making it to the phone interview, but then getting ghostedafter a while it starts to feel like theres no other reason for the silence except for your age.While that may be true some of the time, its doesnt apply 100%. Candidates over age 50 get hired day in and day out. The reason why is they take control of their communications every step of the way, to make the decision maker think about them differently than the other applicants. This especially applies to the trick question that comes at the end ofthe meeting, Why do you want this job? You can and should turn this questionto your advantage. Lets talk about what goes into answering the trickquestion, then put it all together into specific language you can use.Rise Above The BasicsT he decision maker is asking you this question to get to your real motivation for wanting to work in this job at this organization. This is like dating on that 1st date, you need to demonstrate interest in that person, not just enjoyment about the wine, appetizers, and merely being out and about.The employer would like to know that youre not just running aroundtrying to get any old job. Therefore, your answer should not be anything alongthe lines of, I really believe in this companys mission, and I want to be apart of helping people and making a difference. Thats literally what youcould say to any interviewer in any company in the world and guess what thatsexactly what most of your competition is going to say, which is why youreabout to be better.Ramp Up Your Research You have the ability to dive deeper into an organization than what theirweb site provides on the about us page. Everything is social now, and socialmedia is where you find out the real deal. Follow the organization on Twitterand follow the individual decision makers as well dont forget to be humanand make human-to-human connections.Use Google in a more comprehensive way than you probably do right now. The results page of any search on Google offers several tabs at the top all, maps, images, news, videos, and more. Enter the organizations name into the search bar and when the results page appears, click the news tab. This will offer you virtually every media story from every media outlet almost in real time. It will tell you when the results came up, as recently as within the hour.In your notes for your interview, write down 3-4 things about what theorganization is doing right now, working on right now, about to launch,location theyre about to open, or industry award they just won.Speak Your TruthWhen you were doing your research, you didnt write down every single thing you found out. You went through a mental process some facts about the organization struck you, while others you immediately dis carded from your thinking. That process means that there were points that automatically resonated with you.They resonated with you for a reason. What is that reason? Why did you take note of that particular fact? What did it mean to you? Dont overthink this. What I repeatedly encounter in interview coaching sessions is that candidates fear their answers arent good enough. Yet when I hear the answer, its the truth. The truth is good enough. YOU are good enough.Talk about it. Not cheesy and stilted with resume-sounding words. Just normal and natural. For example, Now that weve had this conversation, I am even more intrigued by the role. Plus this company is a CES Innovation Award winner that is the top honor in this industry and I look forward to being a part of designing and engineering your next stellar product.What do you think the interviewers thinking now? Good guy, but hes probably 53 years old, so, no. Or, I like that guy. He understands what we do and that we do it with exce llence. Thats the kind of attitude we want to add to this team.You win at job search when youre doing things none of your competition is doing. And you have to do this every step of the way. Theres a free online training coming up, 5 Secrets Smart Jobseekers Age 50+ Know That Make The Job Search EASY where we show you what to do differently, so youre not getting blocked at practically every move, so more of the people relevant to you even see you in the 1st place, and so you can immediately find and talk to the real decision makers. Join us by clicking here.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Study 45% have shed tears, 52% have gotten visibly angry at work

Study 45% have shed tears, 52% have gotten visibly angry at workStudy 45% have shed tears, 52% have gotten visibly angry at workThere are certain things you can do when a colleague or employee cries in the office, but people feel differently about its effects on your career. Staffing firm Accountemps released the results of new research showing that a surprising 45% of employees saytheyve cried at work, while 52% say they have gotten visibly angry.Heres how people say crying makes you look at workWhile 43% of employees in the 55 and up age bracket dont believe that crying impacts someones reputation, compared to 31% of people ages 35 to 54, and 25% of those ages 18 to 34.The research also asked workers and CFOs how they feel about crying in the office. Thirty-two percent of employees and 26% of CFOs agree that crying is never OK at work - people will perceive you as weak or immature. Thirty-eight percent of employees and 44% of CFOs think that crying is OK here and there, but that d oing it too often can undermine career prospects.But some took a more neutral approach31% of employees and 30% of CFOs think that crying has no negative effect - it shows youre human.While high-profile figures like Sheryl Sandberg, Tom Brady, and Steve Jobs have reportedly cried on the job, how things will work out for you, if you do the same, depends on the nature of your specific workplace and circumstances.Heres who people are lashing out at on the jobThe research found that among the 52% of employees who said theyve gotten visibly mad at work, 65% directed it at a coworker, 37% had done it to a supervisor, 21% have done it to a customer and 14% had done it to a vendor.Michael Steinitz, executive director of Accountemps, commented on the researchWere all human, and sometimes emotions can get the best of us. Workplace challenges are inevitable, but how you respond and move forward can demonstrate your professionalism, resilience and emotional intelligence, Steinitz said. Thinkin g before reacting will not only help your professional reputation but also show that you are considerate of your colleagues. Frequent emotional displays can be disruptive to coworkers and ultimately damage your work relationships.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

When (and How) to Turn Down a Job Promotion

When (and How) to Turn Down a Job PromotionWhen (and How) to Turn Down a Job PromotionBeing offered a versetzung is usually a welcome and exciting reward for a job well done- usually, but not always. Sometimes, its not so welcome, and youd rather keep the job you have. You might love your current role, for example, or have a great relationship with your manager and your gruppe and want to maintain the status quo. The job might come with management responsibilities that you dont want to take on or represent a move away from your professional goals and in the wrong direction for your career path. Theres also the possibility that the promotion would be the best possible thing for your career, but that you lack the confidence to take it. In this case, turning down the opportunity could be a big mistake. How do you know whether to take a promotion or not- and what to say if you turn it down, to maintain a positive relationship with your employer? The first step is to figure out how the po tential move fits into your plans, and what the impact of accepting or declining would be on your career. Good Reasons for Turning Down a Promotion Not aya whether you want the promotion? Consider whether any of these common reasons for declining apply to your situation The Timing Isnt Right The timing of the opportunity may present a challenge for you or your family. Perhaps you are finishing a degree, have a child about to graduate from high school or care for aging parents. Or maybe your spouse has a great job he or she doesnt want to leave, and the promotion would require a move to another location. All of these factors can mean that a promotion- however exciting out of context- doesnt fit into your life plans at the moment. You Dont Think Youre Ready You may not think that you are ready for a promotion and would like to strengthen some key skill areas before taking on new challenges and responsibilities. If this is a possibility, consider whether your hesitation is well-fou nded or based on fear alone. Sometimes, the best way to get ready for a new role is to jump right in. If you would enjoy the work and can bridge your skills gap with diligence and hard work, consider whether youd be better off taking the role right now. You Dont Want to Step up the Career Ladder It could also be that a promotion would move you into a management position, taking you away from the part of the job that you enjoy the most. In that case, think about where youd like your career to go instead. Is it possible to remain in this same position indefinitely? Will your employer allow you to stay put, or is there an expectation that youll move up or move on? Youre Not Comfortable With the Team The promotion may mean that you will be working with a different team. You may prefer to stay in the role you have, working with the people you know well, and you get along with. The Promotion Doesnt Pay It could be that youre going to be given more responsibility without more compensation. While this is a sound reason for declining a promotion, know that some tact will be required when you speak with your manager. Youll need to make it clear that youre not trying to avoid more responsibilities generally, and that youre willing to pitch in to help the team make its goals, even as you avoid taking on an entirely new role for no additional pay. What to Do When Youre Offered a Promotion You Dont Want Its always important to show appreciation for a promotion, even if you dont want it. When you receive an offer of a promotion, you should immediately respond with an effusive expression of gratitude to show your employer that you appreciate the consideration. Dont turn down the offer without gaining a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the new job and the implications if you do not accept. Ask for some time to think it over. In many ways, accepting or declining a promotion is like considering a new job offer. Evaluate the position as you would an entirely new r ole, and think about how it will fit into your life and career plans. A quick refusal can send the wrong message to your employer about your commitment to the organization and your work ethic.You may also benefit by taking some time to analyze the consequences of rejecting the offer. Before You Make a Decision You should take the time to assess your chances for success and satisfaction in the new job prior to making your decision. Ask yourself these questions Do you have the right skills to succeed?Do you want to do the job?Would the team around you provide the right support?Would the additional responsibility, stress and hours worked be suitable given your lifestyle and family concerns? Consider What Could Happen if You Say No What could happen if you decline the promotion? The company could be fine with you staying in your current position. Or you could find out declining isnt an option if you want to stay with the company. Your employer may be changing the companys organi zational structure and your job along with it. Employees with a highly valued skill set are less likely to incur negative repercussions, but it could create problems at work. Workers who have jobs that are declining in significance or who are receiving a well above average salary for their role should be especially careful before declining an offer. It may also be difficult to turn down a promotion if you are in a job that the organization uses primarily as a management track position, such as an assistant manager or management trainee. Before you make a final decision, discuss it with your manager to get a sense of what impact it may have on your career path at the organization. How to Turn Down a Promotion If you are sure that declining a promotion is the right option for your personal situation, then devise a convincing rationale for why you should remain in your current role. Mention areas you would like to strengthen first, or reasons for postponing the promotion.Point out the skills that you enjoy using in your current job.Emphasize how you add value and help your team to achieve its goals.Convey your strong commitment to the organization and willingness to work hard in your role.Share your plans for professional development and how you will continue upgrading your performance.Leave your employer with the impression that you are very passionate about your current role and devoted to your work. Examples of What to Say When You Decline Above all, focus on the positive when you decline the offer youre not saying no to the position youre being offered as much as youre saying yes to what youre already doing right now. For example, if you are a salesperson, speak about your passion for sales and your aim to be the top salesperson.Convey your belief that your strengths are more suited for excellence in sales as opposed to management. In another example, if you are a software developer, you could emphasize your interest in problem-solving and troublesho oting through hands-on coding rather than managing staff. Another Option Try Out the New Job An alternative to just saying no is to try out the new position. You could offer to take on the role temporarily or help with some of the responsibilities associated with the higher-level job if your employer is in need. If you are sure that you want to return to your current job, its best to agree on an end date for the larger role ahead of time. Its also possible that once you take on the higher-level job, youll find its a good fit and will decide to take the promotion permanently.