10.13.08

Three Interview Pitfalls to Avoid

Posted in General at 5:53 pm by Paul Ambrose

It is that time of the year when folks are scurrying around interviewing for job. Interviewing is a skill. Here are some tips from Toni Bowers of TechRepublic on what not to do during an interview.

  • Bad non-verbal cues: Make sure you have a firm handshake, and maintain eye contact
  • Talking too much or not enough: Watch for cues that indicate that you need to stop talking or talk more.
  • Not asking questions: Ask questions based on what the interview said during the interview.

You can read more on Toni’s blog at TechRepublic.

06.06.08

Want to Conquer the Fear of Public Speaking?

Posted in General at 12:00 pm by Paul Ambrose

The widely held notion about overcoming the fear of public speaking is to imagine that your audience is sitting in their underwear. However, Toni Bowers of TechRepublic offers the following suggestions to overcome your fear:

  • Leave nothing to chance. Lay out your strategies, have your material ready, line up a contingency plan (in case something goes wrong), and practice what you’re going to say often and out loud.
  • Take a deep breath before the presentation. It is biologically effective at lowering your heart rate, and subsequently, your nervousness.
  • Keep it slow and steady. Pause when you need to take a breath; you’ll think better.
  • Tell stories. Stories will get your idea across much better than charts and graphs and numbers. They also have the added benefit of helping to engage your audience.
  • Prepare for more than time will allow. Time flies when you’re up there, and you may speak quickly out of nervousness.
  • Understand that your audience is on your side. They want to hear what you have to say and to see you do well.

Here the link to Toni Bowers article on TechRepublic

01.03.08

Questions that Employes CANNOT ask during a job interview

Posted in General at 9:34 pm by Paul Ambrose

Did you know that it is illegal for employers to ask certain questions during a job interview? I often find that students are unaware that employers cannot ask certain questions during a job interview. Susan Thornberry of Tech Republic identifies 10 questions, or area where employers cannot dig into during an interview. Here’s a summary of Susan’s article:

  • Where were you born?
    Employers cannot discriminate based on a candidate’s national origin.  However you can ask whether a candidate is authorized to work in the United States.
  • What is your native language?
    Again, this question could be used to determine national origin. But you can ask whether the person knows a language if it is required for the job.
  • Are you married?
    You can’t discriminate on the basis of marital status, and hence this question is off limits.
  • Do you have children?
    This is covered by a general prohibition about discrimination over parental status.
  • Do you plan to get pregnant?
    Employers ask this question to weed out women who might take a maternity leave. It has always been rude coming from a casual acquaintance, and now it’s illegal as well.
  • How old are you?
    Age discrimination is illegal.
  • Do you observe Yom Kippur?
    You can’t discriminate on the basis of religion.
  • Do you have a disability or chronic illness?
    This information is not supposed to be used as a factor in hiring. If the job will require some specific physical tasks, you may ask whether the person could perform those tasks with reasonable accommodation.
  • Are you in the National Guard?
    It’s illegal to discriminate against someone because he or she belongs to the National Guard or a reserve unit.
  • Do you smoke or use alcohol?
    You can’t discriminate on the basis of the use of a legal product when the employee is not on the premises and not on the job.

Here’s the link to Susan Thornberry’s full article.