Work It Daily

The job interview is an essential part of the screening process for employers. It helps employers dig deep beyond the resume to find out about 1) your experience and skills for the job, 2) whether you’re a good fit for its workplace culture, and 3) your career goals and outlook to determine how dedicated and loyal you’ll be to the job and continued employment with the company.Asking questions is essential to helping employers make the right decision on which job applicant to select for the job. So, let’s break down some of the typical interview questions you may be asked and what employers are really trying to find out so that you can provide the best response.1. “Talk About One Of Your Greatest Achievements At Work.”When employers ask this question, they are trying to see what you consider important on the job and are also trying to understand your key skill set. The best response is an example that can directly relate back to the job you’re applying for.2. “Talk About A Time You Faced A Major Challenge At Work.”Employers are always trying to see how you face obstacles at work and your approach to dealing with them. Regardless of the challenge you present, the key is to demonstrate that you were able to overcome it and bring results of success.3. “What’s Your Greatest Weakness?”Employers want to see how honest you are, and the way you answer can also shed light on if you’re able to overcome obstacles. Everyone has a weakness, so provide an honest answer but finish off your response with how you’ve worked to improve on it so it actually isn’t a weakness anymore.4. “Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?”Employers want to find out your long-term goals and how they may fit into their plans. Your response should inform the employer that you’re dedicated to the profession and you have a confident outlook to move up in your career with even more experience and skills to succeed on the job. Do not give an answer that indicates you may not stay with the company.5. “Describe To Me The Type Of Work Environment You Desire.”It’s important that employers ensure you can fit in culturally and they want to understand the type of worker-boss management relationship desired. Say the person supervising is a micromanager, but you are one who has self-drive and desires empowerment. In such a case, conflict is highly likely.Do your research ahead of time to understand the employer’s workplace culture so you respond accordingly. But it’s also important in helping decide whether you should even apply for a job because you want to work in an environment where you’ll be happy.6. “Why Do You Want To Work With Us?”Employers need to find out if you’re a serious candidate for the job and if you have a true desire to work for the company and in the specific field you’re applying to. If you do your research beforehand, you will have an idea of things you can call out about the employer that impress you. It’ll also inform the employer that you’re not just randomly applying to any job, but that you have a true desire to work for them.7. “Why Are You Leaving Your Employer?”Employers will ask this question to try to better understand your long-term goals. It’s also to ensure that the reason you’re leaving is not one that may present itself again on the new job.If you were fired from your job, the employer wants to ensure the problem or concerns about being fired do not carry over to the new job. Focus on a response that speaks to your desire for more challenge and that will allow you to utilize your experience and skills, and help you to continue to grow them.When you understand what employers are really trying to find out with the questions they ask, you can tailor your responses so that you come off as the best candidate for the job.Need more help with your job search?Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!This article was originally published at an earlier date.

You may be asked salary information on an application form, or be faced with a “current salary” or “desired salary” field on an online application. Or you may be asked the same question by a legal recruiter. The answer you provide may be used in the screening process—answer too high and you may not be considered for the position at all.This number will also likely come into play at the interview/offer stage. It can establish the range for the offer the employer makes. And if you’re underpaid and undervalued at your current employer, then there’s the risk that your low level of pay will follow you when you move on.On a paper application form—or if the online form allows you to type in whatever you want—you can write “Negotiable.” This gives you the opportunity to discuss your salary history and expectations later on. How To Answer Salary Questions On Job ApplicationsIf it’s not a required field on an online form, leave it blank. If the “desired salary” field requires you to enter a figure, however, you have a couple of options. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks:Enter $0, $1, or $10 (the minimum number you can). It will be clear you’re not answering the questions (most employers will know you aren’t offering to work for free).Enter $999,999 (or the highest number you can). Like answering $0, this shows you are purposely avoiding the question.You can enter your desired salary, based on not only your personal needs and wants but also on your market research of your value and salaries. But know that it may lead to you being screened out (if it’s too high) or being offered a lower salary in the interview.If you can, enter a range. Some online forms will allow you to enter two numbers. Entering a salary range is often the best option because it reduces the chances of you being screened out, allows room for negotiation, and recognizes that some of the most valuable compensation (vacation time, signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, insurance, company cars, travel, child care, insurance, and more) isn’t included in the salary.How you answer the salary question on a job application will depend on your situation and what format is allowed on the online form. But if you can, entering a salary range is always the best option.Need more help with your job search?Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Balancing the demands of a career while nurturing a family is a juggling act that countless parents face every day. The modern world presents working parents with a unique set of challenges, from managing time efficiently to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. What can busy working parents do to excel both professionally and personally? How can they effectively balance work and family?We recently asked our leading executives for their best tips for working parents.Here are their responses…Ana Smith, Leadership Development & Learning StrategistWorking parents in the digital age face unique challenges, but also have a plethora of opportunities and tools at their disposal. Here are some of the best tips for navigating this landscape:1. Embrace TechnologyUse digital tools for organization and productivity, such as digital calendars, to-do lists, or apps specifically designed for families like Cozi or Trello.Engage in virtual telehealth appointments, parent-teacher conferences, or tutoring to save travel time.2. Set BoundariesDesignate a specific workspace in your home. When you’re in this space, your family knows you’re “at work.”Set specific “digital-free” times to fully engage with your family, devoid of work emails or distractions.3. Educate Yourself and Your Kids About Digital SafetyDiscuss online privacy, cyberbullying, and the importance of strong, unique passwords.Use parental controls when necessary, but also teach your children about responsible internet usage.4. Prioritize Quality TimeEven if you’re using technology together, such as watching a movie or playing an online game, ensure you’re engaging in ways that foster closeness.Set aside tech-free zones or times in the home to ensure uninterrupted family moments.5. Promote a Healthy Tech-Life Balance for ChildrenLimit screen time and encourage physical activities, hobbies, and reading.Use tech as an educational tool, not just entertainment.6. Stay ConnectedWith the convenience of video calls, working parents can remain connected with their children even when they’re away. A quick midday call can work wonders.Use technology to stay involved in your child’s school life, such as accessing online grade portals or school communication apps.7. Self-Care and Mental HealthUtilize digital platforms for self-care and mental health, such as meditation apps, online therapy, or digital fitness classes.Recognize when you need a digital detox, and take short breaks away from screens.8. Continuous LearningDigital landscapes are constantly evolving. Dedicate some time to learn about new tools, apps, or platforms that can make your life easier as a working parent.9. Outsource When NeededConsider using digital services like grocery deliveries, virtual assistants, or online tutoring to help manage your time more effectively.10. Maintain an Open DialogueAs children grow, their relationship with technology will change. Keep the lines of communication open and encourage them to share their online experiences, concerns, and discoveries with you.11. Lead by ExampleChildren often mimic the behavior of their parents. Model good digital habits and a healthy relationship with technology.The digital age certainly presents challenges for working parents, but by leveraging the opportunities it offers and setting boundaries, you can promote a balanced and fulfilling family life.Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the “red thread.”Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations ExecutiveThe NFL has always been committed to fostering a workplace that encourages work-life balance and supports the unique challenges faced by working parents. Here are some compassionate suggestions for navigating the demands of our dynamic industry while ensuring a healthy family life: 1. Flexible Scheduling: Encourage managers to embrace flexible work arrangements that allow parents to adjust their schedules when needed. This can significantly assist with managing family responsibilities and job commitments.2. Parental Leave Policies: Ensure our policies are comprehensive and accommodating. Offering ample time off for new parents is vital in helping them transition into their new roles.3. Remote Work Options: Consider allowing parents to work remotely, at least part of the time, as it can provide the flexibility they need to effectively balance their family and professional lives.4. Childcare Support: Explore partnerships with local childcare providers to offer discounts or on-site daycare options. This can ease the burden on working parents and provide peace of mind.5. Mentorship and Networking: Facilitate mentorship programs and networking opportunities for working parents within the organization. Connecting with colleagues who have faced similar challenges can be invaluable.6. Employee Resource Groups: Promote and support employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on working parents. These groups can provide a sense of community and a platform to discuss shared experiences and solutions.7. Wellness Initiatives: Emphasize the importance of mental and physical well-being by offering wellness programs, stress-management resources, and counseling services for parents dealing with the juggling act.8. Clear Communication: Encourage open and transparent communication between employees and supervisors. This helps in setting realistic expectations and finding mutually beneficial solutions.9. Professional Development: Ensure that career growth and development opportunities are accessible to all employees, regardless of their parental status. This encourages retention and motivation.10. Recognition and Appreciation: Recognize working parents’ hard work and dedication within the organization. Simple gestures of appreciation can go a long way in boosting morale. Incorporating these strategies into our workplace culture demonstrates our commitment to supporting working parents and contributes to a more inclusive, empathetic, and motivated workforce. Together, we can create an environment where all employees, including working parents, can thrive in the fast-paced sports business industry.Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M – $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.Lisa Perry, Global Marketing ExecutiveAs a mother of two girls and a brand marketing executive, I know the intricacies of balancing work and family and the numerous challenges it brings. “Balance” often felt like an elusive concept as I constantly made sacrifices, for work, family time, or personal well-being. I’ve been through the extremes—working relentlessly, traveling extensively, and grappling with the guilt of being away from my children to declining work commitments to ensure I’m present for girls’ milestones and bedtime routines. Achieving harmonious work-life balance was a perpetual battle. If you are a working parent, here are some tips that I’ve used that can help you make the balancing act a little easier: Prioritize Family: Spend quality time with your family to strengthen bonds and nurture happy, healthy children. Make family time a non-negotiable priority.Self-Care: As women, we often overlook self-care and end up stretched thin. Whether it’s a leisurely lunch with a friend, a spa day, regular exercise, or simply getting ample rest, taking care of yourself is crucial for mental well-being and resilience.Delegate Family Responsibilities: Consider delegating tasks if you’ve shouldered most household chores as a working mom. It’s okay if things aren’t done your way; what matters is the quality time you gain with your family. Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to unrealistic work expectations and establish clear boundaries. This not only helps you focus but also opens doors to new possibilities.Open Communication: Maintain open communication with your boss and colleagues about your family responsibilities. A supportive work environment can make a significant difference in managing work and family life.Time Management: Effectively managing your family’s time by creating synchronized schedules that balance work, family, and personalized activities. Coordination and alignment are key.Flexible Work Arrangements: Explore flexible work options like remote work or adjusted hours, if your job permits. These alternatives empower parents to meet their needs within a traditional 9-5 workweek.Finding the right balance between work and family life is an ongoing journey. Adjustments are okay as your family’s needs and work responsibilities change. If you’re eager to delve deeper into effective strategies, I invite you to explore my book How to Develop a Brand Strategy. Within its pages, you’ll discover a comprehensive step-by-step guide to crafting a robust brand strategy that aligns seamlessly with your business objectives. Remember, you’re not alone! With the right strategies and mindset, you can navigate the challenges of being a working parent while fostering a fulfilling life for yourself and your family.Lisa Perry helps companies drive revenue by using consumer trends, insights, and data analytics to innovate their approach to marketing.What are your best tips for working parents? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily’s Executive Program.

You’ve polished your resume to no end, especially after finding a job posting that precisely fits your skills. But did your cover letter merit the same attention? Many hiring managers use your cover letter to gauge your interest in the company, as well as your aptitude for the job. Therefore, when you resort to “Dear Sir, I’m interested in your open job, here’s my resume,” you’re missing out on a critical chance to persuade employers to take you seriously.Here are five of the most crucial mistakes made in cover letters—those that can quickly knock you out of the running for a leadership job:1. The Opening Line In Your Cover Letter Is Boring”I am an operations director with 18 years of experience” or “In response to your ad for a CEO, I have enclosed my resume” really aren’t compelling enough to use as opening statements. Instead, try a hook that makes the hiring manager sit up straight in his or her chair, as in these examples:”Would a sales vice president who consistently pushes teams past quota (up to 52%) make a difference in your national rankings?””As a CIO for global company ABC Consulting, I’ve increased customer satisfaction to 97% in 3 outsourcing engagements—pushing our revenue growth to its peak despite the recession. I’m interested in creating the same results for you.”The idea is to speak precisely to the employer’s pain points while describing the performance impact you’ve had in previous roles. Note each of these sentences contains metrics, a targeted job title, and a career-defining achievement that is framed in context and laid out quickly for the reader to absorb.At Work It DAILY, we advise members to follow our disruptive cover letter format and use storytelling to hook the hiring manager. The key is to show a connection between you and the company. Your opening line should also leverage the research you’ve done on the company, per the next point.2. Your Cover Letter Doesn’t Tell Employers How You’ll Solve Their ProblemsRattling off a list of competencies isn’t strong enough to distinguish you from other candidates, but speaking directly to the company’s needs will do the trick.You have to dig into the company’s history, press releases, annual reports, social media accounts, and other news to figure out their pain points. What type of expansion is planned? Were earnings down in previous quarters? What do industry analysts say about the company’s future and business strategy? Armed with this information, you’re able to connect your leadership skills to the employer’s needs much more succinctly: “My ability to produce business development results (30% rise in cloud-based solution sales during Q4 2022) can address any struggles you’ve had in breaking into this market. Can we talk?”3. Your Cover Letter’s Key Points Don’t Match (Or Exceed) The Job RequirementsLike resumes, cover letters must be precise and direct the reader. It should keep them attentive to the reasons they should hire you and the edge your work can give them. While you’re writing, put the job description in front of you to remind yourself what the employer is seeking. Then, look for ways to point out how you can surpass these expectations. The following paragraph is taken from an IT director’s cover letter: “Your ad noted that you require a leader in service delivery and customer satisfaction. My career includes 3 years of 97% satisfaction ratings, achieved by improving infrastructure and network capacity, and I hold responsive service as my #1 priority.”4. Your Cover Letter Isn’t Addressed To An Actual PersonFinding a contact name inside the company has never been easier. First, you can use LinkedIn to search for the employer. Then, navigate to the “People” tab on the company page and find the name of the hiring manager or department head. For example, a business development manager might look for keywords such as “VP Sales” or “COO” to identify the next-level manager contact, while an IT product director can try to find the CIO’s name. If you don’t find a name through LinkedIn, be sure to check Zoominfo.com or the company’s About Us page. If you have access to Dun & Bradstreet, you can also use that resource to locate company insiders. In addition, Data Axle is a free contact name database available through many public libraries and requires only your library card for access. Taking the time to locate a name (vs. resorting to “Dear Hiring Manager”) will help your letter create more impact at a target employer.5. You Aren’t Assertive In Your Cover LetterThis is especially important if you’re pursuing an executive or senior-level role. Employers like to see a take-charge style (the same one you’ll use to deal with vendors or your new team). If your closing line isn’t strong, you run the risk of looking too passive. “Thank you in advance for reviewing my credentials” is certainly polite and professionally stated. However, “I plan to exceed your requirements as your next Vice President of Finance” and “I am confident that I can demonstrate the leadership you look for in your next CIO” are both stronger.Even more intense, “I will follow up with you next Tuesday” shows definite intent on your part to influence the hiring audience, and gives them advance notice of the proactive steps you’ll take to secure the interview.To summarize, there’s no reason to settle for a bland, one-size-fits-all cover letter that blends in with the others. Your job search will fare better when you zero in on the hiring audience with an unforgettable opening—especially when it draws a parallel between employer needs and your unique value.Need more help with your job search?Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!This article was originally published at an earlier date.

New grads with limited work experience are some of my favorite people to coach. And here’s why…You have no bad habits yet. You have no preconceived notions. You don’t have a long list of demands that you want from a job. If anything, you’re just trying to figure out what kind of work would work for you.Does that sound familiar?This is why I love working with new grads. And if you’re a new grad looking for your first job out of college, these are the best job search tips I give all my clients who are in the same boat as you…The Best Job Search Tips For Recent College Grads @j.t.odonnell Replying to @swoopchirp New Grads Job Search Tips! 👍🍀❤️ if you are a new grad then you have a competitive advantage in that you have no bad habits. however at the same time you haven’t been taught how to position yourself with employers. you need to leverage your intrinsic motivation. that is what will get you up every day to go do the job. the best thing to do is to identify companies where you feel a deep connection to the work that they do and then you want to leverage your unique skill sets to match them to jobs there. companies love hiring people that they can mold into high performing employees. that’s one of the advantages of hiring a new grad. so you want to make the most of that by being able to Showcase how your personality and your workplace personas will be a great fit for their organization. the first place to start is to take the two free quizzes linked in my bio and then if you want help decoding the results I’ve got an awesome new tiktok series here that you can purchase where you can listen to me explain the results. but most importantly if you’d like to get some career coaching to help you with all of this I hope you’ll head over to workitdaily.com where we help new grads all the time just like you. we’ve got a great 7 Day free trial! #newgrad #collegegrad #collegegraduate #newgradjobs #howto #jobsearch #howtofindajob #findmeajob #jobsearchtips #jobsearch #jobsearching #jobsearchhelp #careeradvice #careercoach #careercoachontiktok #careerhelp #careerquiz #careerdecoder #workplacepersonas #personalityquiz #communicationstyles ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell 1. Understand Your Unique Combination of Professional Strengths (Communication Style & Workplace Persona)My first piece of advice for you is to understand two major components of your professional strengths. The first is your communication style (how you interact with others in the workplace). This plays a huge role in the type of jobs you’d be a good fit for. For example, if you’re a contemplator, you’re more introverted. You’re not going to want a job that requires you to be really extroverted with a lot of people. Whereas if you were an energizer, you would actually feed off the energy of others.The second thing you need to learn about yourself is your workplace personas. This is how you create value on the job. Companies pay you to create value, right? You need to save or make them enough money to justify the cost of hiring you. This is something they never teach us in school. So, there are eight workplace personas, and you should find out what your top three workplace personas are. Are you a builder, mentor, super connector, educator, visionary, optimizer, or researcher?Take my free quizzes below to discover your unique combination of professional strengths:Communication Style Quiz (ISAT)Workplace Personas Quiz (Career Decoder)2. Use The Information In Step 1 to Create an Interview Bucket ListOnce you know your communication style and top workplace personas, you can weed out a whole bunch of jobs that aren’t a fit for you and dial in on the kinds of roles that would be a fit for you. Then, we can teach you how to take that information and use it to reach out to employers and introduce yourself to them. This is a technique called an interview bucket list where you come up with a list of companies that you feel connected to. It’s called intrinsic motivation. That’s the fancy term. And when you are a recent grad, that’s all you got, my friend.As a new grad, you don’t have a lot of experience to share. But companies love recent grads who have an intrinsic motivation to work for them and who understand their personality (their communication style and workplace personas) and how they’ll create value for them. That shows a self-aware recent grad, and that’s the kind they love to hire and mold, which will help catapult your career.It’s a really great time for you to be looking for work if you understand your unique combination of professional strengths and how to create an interview bucket list.If you would like us to coach you on all of the things I’ve discussed, sign up for Work It DAILY’s seven-day free trial of our career coaching platform that is literally going to teach you everything you need to know to land your first dream job.Good luck, and go get ’em!