The Pros Cons of Working in a Coworking Space as a Recruiter

The Pros Cons of Working in a Coworking Space as a Recruiter Working in a coworking space these days is fast becoming the norm. Where you pay-as-you-work in typically boutique-feel environments where the coffee is free flowing and the wifi is super fast (most of the time….) As a user of one of these office places myself, I have experienced firsthand myself the pros and cons of being a recruiter in one of these settings so I thought it would be useful and insightful for anyone who is either considering working in one of these similar places or has recently moved into one. With real estate and rental options a very expensive and often hindering factor to businesses, research shows that the square footage of flexible office space has grown at a rate of 22% over the last seven years” versus a 1% growth rate of traditional office space during the same period with the forecast that 30% of commercial space rented will be classed as flexible space by 2030. I made the choice to move into Workplace in Manchester when my business partner joined Qui Recruitment in 2015 and we felt we would benefit more from working together 3-4 days a week than remotely from home (which I had always done since I started Qui Recruitment in 2005). My considerations were that I didnt want to go from paying practically zero rent to an exorbitant rate yet I wanted to work somewhere that suited my own brand and was practical for my needs. Having now worked in my coworking space for almost 2.5 years, I have observed all the pros and cons for a recruiter. Pros Flexibility In a number or flexible workspaces, you can choose how many days a month you want to work although some operate a full time only scheme- therefore this works well for those who want some level of “working from home” or perhaps have to commute to a central head office and therefore the cost is typically a lot less than renting a full time “desk” or office somewhere. For example, when I was looking at 4 person office in Manchester for full-time rent, some were £1500+vat or more a month whereas to work 12 days a month for the same number of people would only cost max £800 a month. In a recruitment context, thresholds are usually dictated by “desk” cost which includes rent and therefore this saving can be passed on to a better commission plan- resulting in a more motivated recruiter who bills more which is better for everyone in a blue sky world. Social aspect There is no question about it, being surrounded by new people and familiar faces is a sure-fire way to expand your network and actually make new friends too. I have seen myself how the collaboration can benefit those who work alongside each other through referrals and introductions that would and could never have happened were it not for the fact that two business people were sitting side by side. The benefits to recruiters are you can expand your network around you; perhaps if you recruit freelance graphic designers and you happen to be sat next to said designer, you could have a chat over your cappuccino about how you can place them into their next assignment. I have seen this happen right before my eyes! The “wow” factor Most of the shared spaces I have visited and inhabit are beautifully designed and have an incredible ambiance. With the finest furniture and the tastiest coffee (and breakfast far too often), there is a resemblance to being hosted in a boutique 5* hotel. When you invite a client in to meet you or a candidate as a recruiter, there is always the small talk about the office and this will always impress your guest. This also has the additional benefit that you environment creates a positive frame of mind and this will enhance your well being and results from this should mean a greater productivity than if you were just sat in a grubby coffee shop or bar as an alternative. Cons Privacy and commercial sensitivity One day you may be sat to your mate whom you have got to know and trust, and you politely get on with your job side by side knowing there is no risk of anything being overheard or discussed. However the next day you may find yourself sat next to a stranger who doesnt engage and they could be a spy or worse than that- a competitor. Tip: Always politely introduce yourself at the start of a new neighbor relationship by explaining who you are and what you do and that way you know immediately whether to move desk/sofa or whether it is safe for both parties to stay put. Noise factor You have no control over who sits where and how many people may end up coming to work near you- there sensibly does tend to be a polite rule about Facetime/Skype calls away from others but there is sometimes an element of “shut the heck up” when you sit next to someone who resembles the Dom Joly of Trigger Happy TV….. Tip:  A majority of co-shared spaces have “quiet” zones so if you do have an option to use this area for work that requires concentration opt here. Equally, if you know you are going to be on the phone a lot, respect others around you! If your interviewee needs confidentiality, opt for the middle of the area so you are neither in the quiet area nor the frantic so you can blend into the background. And turn your phone ringer lower or on silent if you are in meetings. Given the prediction for the trend in growth of this sort of office space, will this dominate the world of recruitment? No, although it is becoming more common, for those of a certain size who cant offer flexible or work from home options, buying or renting a larger space to make their own will always be more cost-effective from an ROI perspective. But as more employers become more flexible to their employees, I think the usage amongst recruiters will mirror the prediction above

Using a Federal Resume Writing Guide

Using a Federal Resume Writing GuideHaving a good federal resume writing guide is an integral part of the entire process. This is not something that you can take for granted, because even if you've had years of experience, there will be a lot that you will need to learn from the get go. It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start and there are many different factors that you must consider when it comes to this. Although you may have experience, it's always best to learn everything that you can about federal jobs.The first thing that you need to do when looking for federal jobs is to familiarize yourself with the various types of federal jobs. There are different branches and categories within the government and the best way to be prepared is to know which one you are looking for. You may be qualified to apply for a number of different positions, so you will want to find out which one you are actually interested in. It's always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality, especially when it comes to getting a federal job.Another thing that you will want to know is what kinds of federal jobs you can expect to get. This is important because you will want to know if you will be employed in a position that is of high quality or whether you will be working in a department that may not be as reputable. You will also want to make sure that you are choosing a position that allows you to advance as quickly as possible. If you are starting off at the bottom, it's usually a good idea to start working your way up.When you are searching for a federal resume writing guide, it's important to make sure that you choose a government career site that is legitimate. This will help you avoid being scammed by some unscrupulous individuals who may be looking to take advantage of people who have more experience than they do. Don't rely on free sites that aren't related to government. You'll have to go one step further to find the information that you need.To find a federal job, you may want to use free websites such as Glassdoor.com. While this site isn't necessarily right for everyone, it can be a good resource for job seekers. Be careful to follow the guidelines that Glassdoor has set up in order to make sure that you are posting your information in the proper way.Using a federal resume writing guide can also help you if you are searching for online employment. These are generally written by current employees, which can make it easier for you to understand what to do. It will also be a great source of information on how to properly write your resume, which can be critical to your success.You can also take a look at websites that offer resume writing training. Some of these can even be downloadable, which can be useful. Using them will help you get the knowledge that you need in order to write a well-written resume.Being prepared is important if you are interested in finding a federal job. Make sure that you are taking the time to learn about the dif ferent options that are available to you. Don't forget to use a federal resume writing guide in order to make sure that you are using the right words when writing your resume.

How to Handle Mental Health Issues in the Hiring Process

How to Handle Mental Health Issues in the Hiring Process When people ask Ruby Wax whether they should tell their boss about their mental illness, she asks them, ‘Are you crazy?’ Sadly, nine times out of ten, she’s probably right. Mental illness is the stickiest of labels, and any admission of depression or anxiety can instantly put an arm’s length between you and anyone in your professional network. In recruitment it’s a big grey area no one wants to explore: recruiters, employers, candidates â€" no one. But in order to be sensitive to what is almost always a complex situation, you’ve got to approach it from every angle. Candidates: Be honest with yourself It’s easy to think you won’t perform in a job you won’t enjoy, but at the same time, you never know whether you’ll enjoy a job until you start. Approach the job hunt with openness and shrewdness: the job you take on will reward you for your abilities, and that’s no bad thing if a little self-congratulation is what’s lacking in the first place. Apply for jobs you’re interested in and that fit an overall career progression with confidence, knowing that by law  your employee rights are protected.  Remember, full time employment could be a great replacement for full time depression. The pay’s better, too. Sniff out company culture Your performance as part of a company is in part defined by your ability to gel with other employees. Trying to spot company culture in a job interview can be a challenge. It’s the last thing on your mind when affronted with a barrage of questions probing your professionalism, and is often swallowed with the fear of being thought of as juvenile. Find more creative ways to probe the suitability of office culture, without asking give-aways such as    â€œhow much sick pay am I allotted?” or “how would you react if I told you I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder?” Work on not working Ultimately, the binding force in most offices is the collective pursuit of cold hard cash. If your colleagues are understanding about your condition one day, they might be cagey the next. There is no real reason for this. A narrow spectrum ranging from social decorum to general awkwardness that defines most office interaction is usually incompatible with the medley of emotions experienced by the mentally unwell. Weave a strong support network outside of work and put your eggs into this basket instead. Recruiters: Reserve judgement What should a recruiter do if they believe they have a candidate that is mentally unwell? Well, the first impulse might be to drop them, but think about it. Why are they here? They must have done something right to get to their current position. Remember your role as a recruitment consultant not a psychiatrist and reserve judgement. Professionals should be defined primarily by their achievements, rather than by their “undesirable” traits. A main criticism of recruiters is their penchant to speak with authority on topics they don’t really know much about. The same applies to those candidates: the least you can do is get to know your candidate and step out of the way of their career trajectory. Apply humane skills Putting forward a candidate with mental health problems could damage your reputation. Will the client come back to you for another candidates after the first took an emotional tailspin? Perhaps not. Similarly, while you might be tolerant of issues of mental health, your client may not share that view. Carefully judge the tone of the role or you could inadvertently be buckling your candidate in for a bumpy ride. Being able to read avenues of possible behaviours between the candidate and client is a central part of your job. Apply your intuition your best asset and leave as little as possible to chance. Don’t fear-bait Attitudes are changing in the UK. Mental health charities such as Mind are doing their bit to improve the living and working conditions for those who are diagnosed, yet the chasm between employers and employees is closing with regard to mental health issues. As an agent between the two, you need to treat the issue sensitively. The best candidates will encourage their clients to open up, professionally-speaking. An open conversation about what the business expects and how the candidate regards the role should do the trick. Normalcy should reign: any sign of unprofessionalism should be considered within the framework defined by a job description, and shouldn’t question the individual’s personal constitution. Employers: Use your noodle Could you handle someone diagnosed with mental illness? What does that sentence even mean? There’s always the possibility any candidate could be unwell, and unless it  really  seems like there’s a problem, until it surfaces, it’s not worth double guessing. Recruitment in Britain is tolerant and more supportive of diversity than many other nations, but has a sting in its tail: most just don’t want to know. However, if the situation does arise that a candidate or employee’s mental health is brought into focus, it is important that the employer is able to respond to the situation with appropriate care and diligence, and not just supply a dismissive pat on the back. Give them options Noticing mental illness in an employee shouldn’t necessarily be encouraging them to settle into a normalised office environment. Nobody wants to be stuck in a rut, and a degree of flexibility when it comes to workload and hours enables an employee to work it out for themselves, on their own terms. Only when all reasonable options are exhausted can you be sure your employee isn’t right for the job, and you’re sure they would be better placed elsewhere.   Try a little tenderness Intervene without being David Brent. The best employees are the ones that care. Without making them feel indebted to you, make them feel included. With a little effort, the situation can be turned on its head. I’ve experienced cases of employees with depression where a single sincere conversation has brought about a committed employee able to produce work of a consistently high quality. Here, both of us were well rewarded by a very simple bridge-building exercise and what began as initial misunderstanding quickly turned into a concerted effort.

Why Office Design Should Matter to HR Professionals

Why Office Design Should Matter to HR Professionals You would think that office design would only be something that facilities management would be concerned with. But as it turns out, office design is hugely important to HR professionals as well. This is because the space in which employees work has an impact on both the recruitment process and how well people perform in their respective roles. Office designs are evolving. Businesses are starting to see how detrimental the open-plan office is to productivity, team morale, and employee well-being. For HR professionals to truly excel in their careers, they should work to find effective solutions to these sorts of issues. And this means making office design a top priority. Let’s take a look at some of the key reasons why office design matters for HR. Recruitment Office design affects recruitment. The office design company K2 Space published a survey showing that nearly half (48%) of respondents agree that the room in which they’re interviewed in would have an impact on whether or not they would accept a job offer. This figure also changes depending on the industry. It increases for medical and health services (69%), sales and marketing (57%), and finance and accounting (53%). The research also highlighted that nearly a third (30%) of respondents thought their current office was out-dated, drab, and in need of change. Again, this figure changes for specific sectors. It rises for hospitality and leisure (45%), media and sales (40%), and legal (37%). Respondents identified particular issues relating to office design, including: A lack of natural light A lack of access to quiet areas for lunch, reading, and downtime Blandness Not enough privacy for calls, virtual meetings, and working without distractions It would be a shame for HR to find the perfect candidate for a role, only for that candidate to be put off when they are shown around the office. A noisy, crowded, smelly open-plan office could be reason enough for anyone to turn down a job offer. Attracting and retaining the best talent is crucial for any company’s success. So HR should ensure that candidates get a good impression of the office they could potentially be working in for years to come. Employee Engagement HR professionals are constantly trying to figure out how to boost employee engagement. This is because employee engagement is inextricably tied to productivity levels and staff retention rates. Office design is highly relevant in any discussion about levels of engagement in the workplace. But for HR professionals to offer employees an office space that will keep them engaged, they need to ask workers what they want out of their work environment. For example, employees may want good coffee, space, and resources that help them do their job, quiet zones, a café, and an abundance of breakout areas. HR professionals should pay attention to the needs of employees and find an office design that works for everyone. Having clearly defined areas for privacy deeply focused work, and collaboration is vital. This will ensure that employees can be as engaged as possible in the day. Employee Performance One of the main tasks of an HR professional is to implement a strategy that will enable employees to perform at their best. This means improving behaviors that are linked to performance, including communication, productivity, efficiency, collaboration, and creativity. Of course, training and development initiatives play an important role in employee performance. But office design matters too. As a case in point, the placement of each department can have a substantial effect on employees’ ability to collaborate effectively. HR professionals, therefore, need to think about which departments need to be close to each other and which ones don’t. Creating space for spontaneous collaboration can also be beneficial. HR professionals could benefit by looking at some of the research on how certain office design features influence productivity. For instance, a study from the University of Exeter showed that introducing office plants boosted workers’ creativity levels by 45% and productivity by 38%. Having plants in the office can also reduce stress and improve employees’ mood and ability to concentrate. Employee Wellbeing The ability of plants to improve our mood is something HR professionals should think about. After all, there is an undeniable link between mental health in the workplace and productivity levels. We also know that a major factor in employee well-being is the environment in which they work. A noisy and hectic work environment with a lack of privacy may be a major cause of stress for employees, leading to worsened mental health over time. In contrast, certain aspects of office design can help enhance employees’ mental health, such as: Privacy Access to natural light Air quality Quiet Workplace density Having a standing desk Well-being in the workplace should be one of the top priorities in any HR strategy. If the work environment is harming employees’ mental health, then this will lead to reduced productivity, focus, morale, and satisfaction, along with more days lost to ill health and higher turnover rates. If HR professionals pay closer attention to workplace design, they can ensure that employees view the company office as a place conducive for work, rather than somewhere they dread going to each day. Let’s not forget, employees are the backbone of every business. And the long-term success and growth of a company depend on how well HR can look after the needs and preferences of employees. This is why HR professionals should find out what employees want in an office and then work that research into their HR strategy. About the author:    Sam Woolfe writes for Inspiring Interns, which specializes in sourcing candidates for  internships  and  graduate jobs. He is particularly interested in self-development, psychology, mental health, and the future of work. Most of all, though, Sam is passionate about helping people find work that is meaningful and fulfilling. You can follow him on Twitter.

A Quick Look At Disability Resume Writing

A Quick Look At Disability Resume WritingDisability resume writing should be the first step when seeking employment. That is not to say that the person cannot seek out other employment after receiving a letter of reference from a medical professional. Disability resumes are often used by people who are attempting to qualify for government assistance or disability benefits. They also may be the first step in receiving these benefits.Even if a person receives a letter of reference, they still should create a disability resume because many times the written statement is simply not enough information to prove a claim. A personal and objective medical evaluation can prove a claim, but only through an experienced professional. The one with the ability to do this can provide a true medical review of a person's disabilities and provide the necessary documentation to support the claim.A new policy may be in order when seeking employment, even if it is just an employer's offer, because it is o ften required by the insurance company that the person pass a medical exam to prove they are indeed disabled. Once a disability resume is completed, the person can then work with their insurance representative to fill out the application for disability benefits. Insurance claims can be time consuming, costly and complicated. It is the duty of the person to get the information right to avoid problems later on down the road.Seeking out a possible alternative to hiring an agency or broker can save time and money. There are several online services that will provide a free consultation before completing any form. Those who need to make additional changes or need to focus on certain areas such as employment history, educational history or experience in a particular field, a disability resume writing service will do all the work for them. There are websites that offer a free consultation to see if this is an option that can benefit a person.Disability claims have been available since 1995 and now there are government programs available to those who qualify. Each state has different laws regarding who qualifies for benefits. Reaching out to a qualified professional with expertise in this area can be a valuable resource for those who are facing issues with government assistance or disability.Making sure to follow up regularly to ensure a person is on the right track is important. This can help to avoid problems in the future. These people may also need to adjust to working outside of the home in the event that the person is able to secure a job.Disability is a major part of life for many individuals. It is also one that can be challenging to deal with at times. The most important thing a person can do when seeking employment is to seek the advice of a medical professional, even if the advice is not 100% necessary, because a health professional can help the person to ensure that they are taking care of their health condition and that they are receiving the proper care t hey need.Disability resume writing is an important tool in reaching a better life for an individual with a disability. A thorough medical examination is a must to be certain a person is actually disabled and should be the first step in any person's ability to seek employment. Finding a professional that specializes in disability claims can be very beneficial to someone who wants to pursue employment with government assistance.

The Benefits of Having a JOB

The Benefits of Having a JOB Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comNot a day goes by when you don’t read about how people hate their jobs, or people hate their boss, and how there is no work-life balance,etc.There is a stigma in society that being self-employed or being an Entrepreneur has more glory than Working for someone. I will not discount the value Entrepreneurs bring to the marketplace. They create companies, wealth and jobs for millions of individuals.However, not everyone can/will become an Entrepreneur. And being self-employed is not as sexy as most people think. If you think you can sit on a beach sipping pina coladas and working from laptop â€" think twice. That is very rare. Most self-employed individuals put in more time than regular full-time employees The alternative is to Work for someone, in other words- have a job. It does not sound sexy â€" but there are numerous benefits of having a job or working for an organization.Here are a few….1. A Paycheck Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comOK, let’s face it â€" unless you are a monk living in a remote monastery ,you need money. Let’s not kid ourselves. Having a job provides us a paycheck. Provided you add value to your organization and do your job â€" you will get paid. I love getting paid, it’s only twice a month â€" but I look forward to those days with enthusiasm.Your landlord, your bank, your favourite grocery store, your mayor, the taxman, Your President â€" all of them are happy that you get paid . They will get a piece of the pie for sure Ever been to a cocktail party or networking event? The first thing anyone asks you is your name. The next thing they ask you is “What do you do?”. Notice that they do not ask about your hobby, your interests, your family life right off the bat. No matter what you do â€" it is important to you. If not, you wouldn’t care about living in a bigger city working for a company. If you didn’t care about what you do, you would probably living in a secluded cabin and enjoying nature People change companies and even cities to find a job that they want to enjoy.3. Learn New SkillsPhoto Credit â€" Pixabay.comIf you work at an organization -then they provide you with all the resources tools for you to do the job. In many cases, they will train you how to use those tools. You are learning new things at someone else’s dime.Your aspirations might be to create a tech startup or a restaurant chain. Working for someone â€" gives you a perspective of what is involved in the day-to-day of running an organization. You get an inside scoop about what is involved- should you choose one day to strike out on your own.You can always go to school â€" get another degree and hope you can learn everything you need to learn to function in the real world. But this is rarely the case. Textbook learning can only take you so far.When you have a job, you are forced to learn new things. It helps you grow as an individual and of-course your marketability.Over the years, I have learnt the following ski lls by working for someone.Microsoft Excel,Word, PowerPoint,etc.Sales SkillsMarketing SkillsNegotiation SkillsTeam-work skillsLearnt multiple softwareAnd many more…4. Meet New PeoplePhoto Credit â€" Pixabay.comThis may not always be the case Who are in the office? Of course, People!!You meet people whom you otherwise would not have met. Most people Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comThe myth that permeates society is that Self-employed individuals or Entrepreneurs have more freedom. Ever seen those stories of people who travel the world, and sit on the beach with their laptops and are able to rake in millions without having a job. Although there are few who actually do this â€" this is a rarity.evalIf you think being an entrepreneur means you have more free-time- you are in for some real shock my friend. I have owned a business and I noticed I had to work longer hours just to make ends meet (forget about enjoying the beach). And I stayed up all night thinking about making money to pay my bills. And that did not last long.I have a lot of respect for Entrepreneurs â€" they have shaped the world. They have created companies and multiple jobs. But the cold-hard truth is not everyone is wired to be a self-employed. Sorry to burst your bubble â€" that is just the reality.On the contrary, having a job provides you with a structured life â€" most people work a set number of hours a week. They get their weekends off. They can spend that time doing what they want to do on weekends.6. Meaning PurposePhoto Credit â€" Pixabay.comThis might sound very odd to hear. Working at a job will provide you meaning and a sense of purpose. No job in the world is useless â€" otherwise it would not exist.Whether you are a cook at McDonald’s, a Teacher in an elementary school, a journalist at local news station, or a VP of a Software company â€" your job is important. Your job fulfills a purpose- it does affect someone else’s life (whether small or big).Let’s take the McDonald’s examp le. You are a cook in the kitchen , and people don’t necessarily see you. Why do people come to McDonald’s? They are hungry (one of the basic human needs is food). Although there is no complexity in cooking food at McDonald’s (most of it is pre-cooked)- you still fill a purpose. Someone who is hungry and had the money came to your store and bought something. You fed their hunger.At the end of the day, you get paid, right?A part of your paycheck from being a McDonald’s employee goes to taxes. The government then uses that money to invest in your community (schools, roads,etc.).The rest of the money you spend â€" and because you spend that money on clothes, food, rent, travel,etc.- others benefit â€" they have jobs, paychecks,etc.The economy keeps moving.If you are an accountant, you help save your company money. The company then takes that money â€" hires more people, provides more jobs, creates more products, pays taxes â€" and the cycle continues.Every job is important. It is all connected to a network of other jobs that keeps an economy or city or country afloat.I realize that there are many more reasons for having a job. My goal was to showcase the different reasons why you should not discount the benefits of a job.What are your reasons?

Happy at writing - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Happy at writing - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Lois McMaster Bujold, one of my favorite sci-fi authors, tried a new approach for her latest book: Having fun writing it. The first ideas for this book surfaced in June, 2004, when I was out on my back deck trying to soak up some Minnesota sunshine for the long winter ahead. (In other words, I made it up, in a welcome idle moment.) I began writing in August, quite soon after Id turned in the final manuscript for The Hallowed Hunt. This was to be a book written for my own pleasure, at my own pace, without the constraints of a contract or pressure of a deadline. The duology length came as a bit of a surprise to me, but it was precisely what the story, as it developed, needed. Also a surprise was how fast the writing went; I finished the first draft in Aug. 2006, a mere year after Id started, the time it would usually take me to write a single much shorter book. It was fun! If youre into sci-fi at all, try reading her Vorkosigan books, featuring Miles Vorkosigan, the most unlikely sci-fi protagonist ever. Theres about a dozen of them and theyre all great fun, my personal favorites being Memory and A Civil Campaign. I find it interesting that Lois decided to skip deadlines and just have fun only to find that her writing went faster and she enjoyed it more. This is at odds with the more traditional image of the artist suffering for her art. And the same concept probably also applies at work. Focus less on deadlines and more on enjoying work, and you will find that you get more work done and have more fun. By the way: Bujolds publisher is Baen. Check out the proud motto of the Baen online bookshop: If its in stock , We have it! Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Interview Questions - What Questions to Ask the Interviewer IM HIRED

Interview Questions - What Questions to Ask the Interviewer Turning the Tables on the Interviewer You got through those tricky interview questions and now the interviewer has turned the tables. It’s up to you to ask the questions. This isn’t just the interviewer being polite, an interview is a two way street. This is a perfect opportunity for you to discover whether this role is right for you. Make sure you leave that interview knowing everything you need to know to make an informed decision. Below are the 5 areas you need to be questioning in the interview. Question Progression and Training Opportunities No one wants to get offered a position where there is no potential for development. Growth in your career should never be a cookie cutter approach, everyone’s progression is unique. You need to be looking for a company that endorses a variety of training opportunities. For example, would the company be open to you taking on a part time qualification to boost your career or enrolling for a short online course. Question if they have a learning and development department or a list of courses available to employees. Question the Company Values All companies will have a set of values they promote within their business. However, whilst all companies will most likely represent great values on their company site not all will embed these into their company. Firstly question what are the company values if they aren’t openly shown online. Then listen out to how these are shown throughout their company. For example, team work could be a value but how do they ensure teams effectively work together (ie. Team socials, networking events or team training.) Questions when to Expect Feedback Once the interview is complete, asking what’s next is one of the most important questions. Set clear expectations so you know exactly when you can expect interview feedback. Obviously we’re all hoping for an offer at this stage, but if the worst case scenario becomes reality you at least need feedback so you can move forward and improve your performance next time. Don’t be afraid to include this in your interview questions. Confirming whether you will hear via phone or email and a rough timeline. Question Your Research Prior to any interview, researching the role and company is key. Now you don’t want any of that hard work to go to waste. Reference your research in your interview questions. Discuss new articles you have seen about the company’s growth or new products they have released. Ask questions about information you gathered through their website. Whether that be about the companys journey or structure. Show you are interested and passionate about joining their organisation. Companies want to know you are enthusiastic about them. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Theres only one interview technique that matters Do your homework so you can listen to the answers and react to them and ask follow-ups. Do your homework, prepare Jim Lehrer ________________________________________________________________________________________ Question the Reason for the Role One of your interview questions should be about the reason why this role is being advertised. This will give you an insight into the company or department. Whilst an employer will never state the role is being advertised as everyone is else leaving, you will gauge from their tone or explanation what’s behind their reasoning. Replacing a leaver who has been able to progress or a new role due to company growth are all positives but a company restructure might be something to explore further. Example Interview Questions What are the next steps in the interview process? Can you tell me a little bit more about the existing team? Can you give me an insight into the culture of (add company name)? Why are you currently recruiting for XXX position? What do you like about working for (add company name)? What are your expectations for this role during the first 30 days, 60 days, year? If successful, what are the progression routes for this role? How would you describe a typical day in this position? What are the prospects for growth and advancement? Are there any further questions I can answer for you? What are the biggest challenges of this job?