Asking Questions During an Interview

Now that you are going in for an interview there is something you need to think about.  Sure, you need to practice answering questions they could ask you, but just as importantly, you need to think about the questions you could ask them.   

For some of you, if it is your first time interviewing, you may not realize that you could ask questions.  Asking questions not only gives you more insight into the company and the position, it also gives you a chance to have some control of the interview.

Interviewing isn’t a one-way street where the interviewer is the only one asking questions.  You have, not only the right, but also the responsibility to ask questions as well.  How will you know if an opportunity is right for you if you leave without getting your questions answered?  You are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you.  Don’t forget that!

Most hiring managers are given a list of questions from someone in human resources and they just go down that list one-by-one.  They are supposed to get through all of the questions and take notes on what you said.  A lot of the people conducting the interviews may be just as uncomfortable in there as you are.  Therefore, if you could turn the interview into more of a conversation, instead of an interrogation, it could benefit both of you.   

Most people who do well in interviews ask plenty of questions.  They don’t ask questions just for the sake of asking them though.  They ask questions to determine if the company is one they want to work for and if the position is a good fit for them.  When you ask questions, it not only shows that you are engaged in the interview, it shows that you came prepared. 

Below is a list to help get you thinking of the types of questions you could ask.

Ø  Why is this position open?

Ø  Who has been successful in this role in the past?  Why were they successful?

Ø  Who has been unsuccessful in this role in the past?  Why were they unsuccessful?

Ø  What would I be doing on a daily basis?

Ø  What is the culture of the company?

Ø  How much turnover have you had in this position?  Why is it happening?

Ø  What type of training will I receive?

Ø  What makes this a good company to work for?  Why do you like working here?

Ø  What is your leadership style?

Ø  As a member of your team, what will you do to help with my development?

Stay tuned for our next article on 11/06/14 when we will discuss tips for researching a company prior to your interview. Until then, feel free to catch up on our previous articles, and be sure to check out our pages on Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for the latest news and opportunities available through Verum Staffing! If you are interested in speaking with us further regarding positions we have available, future opportunities, or interview/resume help, please visit our site at www.verumstaffing.com to set up an informational interview!

Phone Interviews

                It is always exciting to have a recruiter or company call you back and say that they are interested in interviewing you. Getting to that point takes a lot of hard effort, both in your schooling and your job search! The next step, however, is just as critical if not more so. And this of course, is the interview.

                During our previous article, we discussed a variety of techniques to prepare for an interview. These included researching types of behavioral questions, understanding the STAR technique, and especially practicing how to answer these questions. If you’ve followed these steps, you should be fairly prepared to answer interview questions. You may be expecting that being invited to interview means that you will be going in to the office, manufacturing plant, or the like to meet with your interviewer. In many cases this will be the standard protocol. However, there are other types of interviews that may take place. One other such type is the phone interview.

                A phone interview naturally has a lot in common with a standard in-person interview, although there can of course be several key differences that you should be prepared to deal with. In many cases, the phone interview will act as “round one” of interviewing for a position. In these situations, you may be speaking with someone besides the hiring manager (the person who would be your supervisor in the job), such as someone from human resources, who is checking to see whether you have the basic skills, education, and/or work experience for the position. If that is the case, the phone interview will most likely be short. If you were invited for a “round two” of interviews, it would most likely indicate that the next interview would then be an in-person meeting.

                Regardless of whether you speak with the hiring manager or another employee of the company, it helps to be prepared for the interview. Expect to answer basic questions about your qualifications for the job, as well as possible behavioral questions. Remember, since you are not there in person to present confident body language, your answers are even more important. Silence on the phone is not a good way to show yourself in the best possible light! Since the interviewer cannot see you, it is perfectly alright to keep a copy of your resume, the job description, information on the company, etc. in front of you for quick reference.

                Another quick tip that may help: although you are not going to interview in person, consider dressing up a bit anyways. You may not need to wear a suit to speak on the phone, but dressing up (if only for yourself) can help to put you in the right frame of mind. Remember, this is still an interview and should be taken seriously! Other things to consider:

·         Make sure that when you are setting up the interview time, you double check whether the interviewer will be calling you, or if you are expected to call in to the company.

·          If you are interviewing for a position out-of-state, double check that you have the correct time zone information. For example, if you live in California, but are interviewing for a position in Minnesota, there is a 2 hour time difference; this would mean that to call in for a 3:00pm interview in Minnesota (CST), it would be 1:00pm in California (PST).

·         If you are using a cell phone, make sure that you are in an area where you have great coverage. A dropped call is not something you want to deal with when you are trying to answer a hard question!

·         It helps if you can take the call in a quiet area. If you are able to be in a quiet room by yourself, so you are able to hear all the questions and not be distracted, this is best. 

                Hopefully these tips will help you to be at your best for your phone interview! Remember, a phone interview is still an interview, and as usual it helps to be prepared! Stay tuned for our next article on 10/23/14 where we will discuss the other half of the interview: what questions YOU should be asking during the interview. Until then, feel free to catch up on our previous articles, and be sure to check out our pages on Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for the latest news and opportunities available through Verum Staffing! If you are interested in speaking with us further regarding positions we have available, future opportunities, or interview/resume help, please send an email to lhoff@verumstaffing.com to set up an informational interview.  

Practice Interviewing, Behavioral Questions, and the STAR Technique.

So you've polished your resume, combed the job boards, and applied to a few positions that you really feel could be a great fit. And then the great news comes; a recruiter has looked over your resume and is inviting you in for an interview! It may seem like you are home free at this point, but the truth is you’re far from it. Although the company has determined that you meet the qualifications, there is still a long road ahead of you. For starters, you may not be the only candidate invited in for an interview. And even if you are, you still need to impress the company sufficiently for them to even consider extending you an offer.  Today we’ll take a look at some preparation techniques you can use to prepare for an interview and get ready to shine.

The first piece of advice we’ll discuss today is likely the most important, and also the simplest. Practice. Yup, just like any other skill, interviewing is something you can practice at and get better at. As a soon-to-be or recent graduate, there are several options available to you for interview practice. The career development center at your college/university is a great place to start, as most will offer sign-up times to practice interviewing with a career counselor. A friend or family member with experience in job interviews can be another resource for you. Here at Verum Staffing, we offer interview help/practice for candidates, as do many other staffing agencies. Take advantage of these informational interviews, and ask for feedback when you are done. The only way to improve upon your interview skills is to practice, so get to it!

While you are scheduling those practice interviews, take a moment to really research and familiarize yourself with some of the common questions that crop up in interview sessions. The first of these we’ll discuss is called a “behavioral” question. A behavioral or situational question gives the interviewer an inkling of how you may behave if a given or common work situation crops up. For example, the interviewer may ask “tell me about a time where you saw a co-worker who wasn’t following the rules; what did you do?” In this case, they may be looking to see if you are someone who would try and work things out with a co-worker, if you would run to tell a supervisor, or if you didn’t say anything. Behavioral questions are part of most interviews, and can vary in the type of question (and resulting answer) the interview is looking to hear. You will be hard pressed to research every behavioral question that may come up, but seeing and practicing a variety of them can give you a good head start. As a general rule of thumb, when you are asked to answer a behavioral question, the interviewer is asking you to describe one specific time. If we go back to our last example, you would want to describe one instance where you caught a co-worker not doing their job, not what you would do in most situations.

Other types of questions that may be asked of you in an interview can included the following:

·         What can you tell me about yourself?

·         Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

·         Are you planning on attended graduate school in the future?

·         What is one of your strengths?

·         What is one of your weaknesses?

Even if you have researched the questions thoroughly, you’ll still need to be able to give well thought out answer in order to impress your interviewer! Practicing the questions and receiving feedback is a good start. As a note, you do not want to try and memorize an answer. If you have a “script” answer that you plan to follow, you may get thrown off or forget your answer. A better idea is to have an outline of various situations that could serve to answer a multitude of those behavioral questions. 

Another idea is to use what is referred to as the “STAR” technique. STAR refers to the following:

·         Situation

·         Task

·         Action

·         Result

In this way, you think of the situation that best answers the question, describe the task at hand, the action that you took to resolve the situation, and what the result was.

To sum up today’s advice: practice! The more prepared you feel heading in to an interview, the more likely you are better to do! Good luck!

Stay tuned for our next article on 10/09/14 where we’ll give helpful tips for interviewing by phone. Until then, feel free to catch up on our previous articles, and be sure to check out our pages on Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for the latest news and opportunities available through Verum Staffing! If you are interested in speaking with us further regarding positions we have available, future opportunities, or interview/resume help, please send an email to lhoff@verumstaffing.com to set up an informational interview.  

Applying to the scientific job online.

It’s time to fire-up your computer, grab an energy drink or two, and start filling out those online job applications.  Why the energy drink?  Because for most of you this process is going to feel like a full-time job and if you are a procrastinator you might end up pulling some all-nighters. 

The most frustrating part about applying is that you will be filling out an application which will be asking for information that is already on the resume that you will be submitting.  It doesn't make a lot of sense to have to provide all of that information again, but that is how the process works.  Some of the applications might take well over a half-an-hour to complete.  Multiply that by the dozens of jobs, possibly hundreds, that you will likely be applying for and you can see how much of your time will be spent just going through that process. 

You might be thinking there is no way that you’re going to have to apply to a dozen jobs, let alone a hundred.  Some of you won’t, but for many others, you are going to have a big-time wake-up call once you start the process.  For those of you that do end up applying for over a hundred jobs you still might not obtain one related to your degree. 

The job market is very competitive.  We've had human resource personnel tell us that they receive hundreds of resumes when they post an entry-level position.  You will be competing, not just against recent grads, but grads from last year who didn't find a job, as well as candidates with one to two years of industry experience. 

After you apply, most companies will send you a standard email thanking you for your application.  It may also include information letting you know if you are in consideration for the position or not.  However, there will be times when you won’t hear back from a company.  That could happen for numerous reasons, but below are a few of the most likely ones:

·         They are no longer taking applications because they have already selected candidates to interview

·         The position has been filled (the posting just wasn't removed from the site yet)

·         You applied to a job you weren't qualified for (see more on “Hyper-Appliers” below)

A Hyper-Applier goes to a company’s website and applies to everything; whether they are qualified for a position or not.  The only thing they accomplish by doing that is frustrating the person in human resources in charge of screening the resumes.  Don’t be that person!  They will remember your name and might decide not to contact you when you actually do apply to something you are qualified for.

By now you might be wondering if there is any way to avoid the application process.  One way to do that is to work with VERUM Staffing.  If you work with us you won’t have to fill out an application until you go in for an interview.  Also, we always get permission from you before submitting your resume and won’t send it in if you aren't qualified or wouldn't be a good fit for the position.   

Another benefit is that we have access to the hiring managers so your resume goes directly to the decision maker.  This alone will save you a lot of time and give you a big advantage over your competition. 

If this sounds like a much better option than spending hours filling out online applications then please go to the following site (www.verumstaffing.com) and submit your resume.  A recruiter will follow up with you to schedule a time to discuss your job search.

Stay tuned for our next article on 09/25/14 when we’ll discuss practicing for job interviews. Until then, feel free to catch up on our previous articles, and be sure to check out our pages on Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for the latest news and opportunities available through Verum Staffing! 

How to read an Entry-level Scientific Job Description

If you've been following our recent blog posts you should have been able to create your resume, understand the application process, and know when it’s appropriate to start applying for jobs.  Now it’s time to find out why understanding what to look for in the job description is such an important part of the application process.

Here is a 10 second tip for reviewing a job description that will help save you from wasting your time filling out numerous applications.  Skip over the Responsibilities section and go right to the Requirements section.  It will usually be towards the bottom of the job description and look similar to the following:

REQUIREMENTS

Bachelors in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, or related science field

3 – 5 years of industry experience

Experience with HPLC, GC and UV-Vis

Knowledge of GMP and GDP required

Excellent oral and written communication skills

You have the requirement for the Bachelor’s degree already covered.  Moving onto the next line you see that they want someone with 3 – 5 years of industry experience.  Do you have the necessary industry experience?  If not, you have no reason to apply for this position.  Don’t spend anymore of your time looking through this job description.  If you follow this simple tip you will save yourself a lot of frustration because you won’t be wasting countless hours filling out applications for positions you will never get.     

Always go to the Requirement section first and see if you are qualified by looking at what degree is necessary and then the number of years of experience required.  If you can’t meet the minimum requirements, then don’t apply!  Instead, find postings for entry-level positions that require 0 - 2 years of experience or ones that specifically ask for a recent college graduate.

Please come back for the follow-up article on September 11^th where you will learn about the following:

Ø  Your competition

Ø  Number of jobs you will likely have to apply for

Ø  The reasons you won’t hear back after you've applied

Ø  How to avoid filling out applications

Ø  Why you don’t want to be seen as a “Hyper-Applier” 

Until then, feel free to catch up on our previous articles, and be sure to check out our pages on Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for the latest news and opportunities available through Verum Staffing! If you are interested in speaking with us further regarding positions we have available, future opportunities, or interview/resume help, please send an email to lhoff@verumstaffing.com to set up an informational interview.  

When to start applying for those jobs…

 It’s your senior year of college, and you graduate next week. You have no job offers lined up and you are starting to panic. When did you start looking for jobs? When did you start applying for those jobs? Did anyone ever tell you how early you should start applying? Senior year can be overwhelming. Between finishing senior projects, making sure all courses have been completed in order to graduate, and probably working a part-time job, it can be tough to manage time to look for post-college jobs. If you want to find a job closer to graduation day than later, you need to manage your time well enough that you can devote time and resources to finding your post-college job. There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for the job search and to ultimately land that job.

The first thing you need to do is craft a solid resume. There are a lot of resources available to students. Your career center, various websites and VERUM Staffing. Once you have crafted a strong resume, you need to create a strong LinkedIn profile. Employers can use this to see your past experiences and you can use this to follow companies you’re interested in applying to. Once you have these ready, you need to lay out what it is you want to do. What types of positions do you want to work in? What industry? Are you open to relocating? Answering questions like these will help you to focus your search on positions you are most interested in. Now that you have your resume, your LinkedIn Profile and your search parameters set, you should be ready to be dive into your job search and begin applying to positions. But when should you start?

Now. Yesterday. Last year. The truth is, it’s never too early to begin applying to jobs. You want to apply to jobs in which the start date comes after your graduation date, but it’s never too early to begin searching for positions. As a freshman, it can be helpful to search for internships that will aid your career moving forward. The same can be said for your sophomore and junior years. Once your senior year starts is when you will be able to see jobs posted that you will be able to work after you graduate. The early part of the school year should be spent seeking out jobs that interest you and documenting them in a spreadsheet so you can keep track of them. During winter break is when some of those jobs that you are finding will line up with your graduation date. With your resume, LinkedIn profile and search parameters ready to go, you are prepared to dive headfirst into your job search and application process so you have a job lined up when you walk across the stage on graduation day.

Stay tuned for our next article on 08/28/14 when we’ll discuss how to better read through and understand a job description. Until then, feel free to catch up on our previous articles, and be sure to check out our pages on Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for the latest news and opportunities available through Verum Staffing! If you are interested in speaking with us further regarding positions we have available, future opportunities, or interview/resume help, please send an email to lhoff@verumstaffing.com to set up an informational interview.  

Applying to the Entry Level Job (The Online, Scientific Way)

               

                So you've found the perfect job to apply to….now what? You can have a stellar resume and be very well prepared for an interview, but unless that company can find you as a candidate an interview request is not likely happen! And quite naturally, the best way to get a chance of that interview is applying to the job. Today we’ll take a look at some of the common steps and concerns in the application process.

                The first thing you’ll want to do when applying is to review the application and make sure that you have all the necessary information. Some online applications are fairly simply: Name, contact info, upload resume, done. Others will require you to create a profile, including past work history, references, etc. in order to apply for any of the jobs listed on the company site.  Rather than scramble last minute to find all that information, it is far easier to compile a list of the necessary (or most likely) information you will need. A lot of the information can be found on your resume, but check out the online application ahead of time just in case.

                One of the most important pieces of the puzzle is having an updated resume. Not only will you find important information on there for the application process, but any recruiter or company is going to want to see a professional, updated resume. Having a resume that is either sloppy or out of date will leave a poor impression of you as a candidate.  Before you start your application, have a knowledgeable person/friend look over your resume for you. Someone who is familiar with your chosen field is best (as they will easily be able to see whether the information makes sense) but even someone not in the science field can check over for misspelled words, misplaced commas, etc. You should also have tailored your resume for the specific job you are applying to, in order to highlight the specific skills/jobs that can best showcase why you are a fit for that position.

                One of the most common misunderstandings when applying to a job is the curriculum vitae (CV) versus on a resume. A CV is sort of a resume with a slant more towards an academic setting. It is meant to showcase research, presentation, and publications; a CV is more commonly used when applying to a job at a university, or when applying to graduate school. It often will describe positions in paragraph forms. A resume, on the other hand, showcases work history and skills sets; it is used when applying to a job in a non-academic or “industry” setting. Rather than being written in paragraphs, bullet points or lists are used to highlight the responsibilities held in various job positions.

                Another question often asked by job seekers is whether to include a cover letter and references with your resume. Whether you include them or not usually depends upon the individual application/company site. If they are required, you will need to include them. If they are optional to include, it is up to you. A cover letter is your chance to highlight why your skills and experiences make you a great fit for the job opportunity, provided you don’t simply rehash what’s already on your resume to begin with! If references aren’t required, it usually means you won’t need to include them; companies will assume that if they need references from you, they will be available later.

                As some finals thoughts on applying, take the following tidbits of advice. First, be sure that your first and last name are included in the title of your resume. It makes it much easier for the recruiter or company to find a resume for “John Doe Resume” than “Resume.” Next, be sure to double check that all required fields have been filled out on the application forms, and that all necessary documents have been included. Happy job hunting!

Stay tuned for our next article on 08/14/14 where we’ll discuss when to apply for positions. Until then, feel free to catch up on our previous articles, and be sure to check out our pages on Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for the latest news and opportunities available through Verum Staffing! If you are interested in speaking with us further regarding positions we have available, future opportunities, or interview/resume help, please send an email to lhoff@verumstaffing.com to set up an informational interview.