Interview question Tell me about a time youve dealt with a difficult person

Interview question Tell me about a time youve dealt with a difficult person by Amber Rolfe Difficult interview questions? What about difficult people? Some interview questions are used to test your competencies, whilst others place an emphasis on your career goals. This one, on the other hand, is really a question of character â€" asked to gauge how you react in difficult situations.We’ve already covered some of  the most common interview questions  that could come up, but here’s our advice for how to answer: ‘Tell me about a time youve dealt with a difficult person’:The real question What they’re asking: ‘Tell me about a time youve dealt with a difficult person’What they’re actually asking: ‘You know everyone’s difficult sometimes, right?’OK, so this question isn’t really about the difficult person; it’s about you.The key is to recognise that nobody’s perfect, and demonstrate that you have the tolerance, listening skills, and understanding to work successfully with them anyway.  Step 1: Steer clear of clichés This questi on often prompts two possible reactions; to say you’ve never worked with a difficult person, or to reach for the particularly annoying person that brings out the worst in you.Both tactics are unlikely to impress.Opting for the first could make you appear dishonest. After all, even people with short work histories will have worked with at least one difficult person â€" even if it was at school or university.And the second? Not only could it show that you haven’t prepared in advance, it could also taint your answer with negative emotions â€" ones that could lead the interviewer to question whether you really can work with people you don’t like.Instead, be honest. Just because some people are tough to work with, it doesn’t mean it’s an obstacle that’s impossible to overcome.  Step 2: Choose your example wisely It’s vital to put some time into consciously choosing your difficult person anecdote.Unless the interviewer specifies it should be a customer, colleague, or boss, a safe option is to recall an encounter with someone whose job it is to give you grief.For example, someone from a rival firm, an agent for the client, a certified inspector, a journalist, or someone from local government may all give you a hard time (to some extent) â€" meaning you (and they) can’t be blamed for their difficult nature. It comes with the territory.But no matter who you choose â€" always demonstrate that you were the bigger person.The interviewer isn’t looking to trade war stories, nor are they asking you to shift blame onto someone else.  Step 3: Talk about yourself Aside from setting the scene with the STAR technique, your answer should primarily focus on how you handled the situation.After all, your interviewer already knows difficult people exist; so there’s nothing to prove there. But people who can handle them professionally? They’re harder to come by.Bearing this in mind, it’s a good idea to ask yourself the following questions:Did you listen to the o ther person?Could you have changed the situation?Could you have been reasonably been expected to put up with it â€" and if not, how did you stand your ground?Did you keep your cool?And remember: always follow with how you eventually resolved the situation. Without a positive ending, you’ll only end up giving the recruiter more questions about your character than answers.Example answer When I was an Assistant Manager at my local leisure centre, a woman came in very upset, demanding a refund for her daughter’s swimming lessons. I could see the counter assistant was getting flustered, so I stepped in and calmly asked the woman what was wrong. Apparently, after several lessons her daughter was still terrified of the water. I apologised that her little girl hadn’t made any progress, and said I could see why she was disappointed. It was against our policy to offer refunds â€" although, to be honest, I think it’s better to have a satisfied customer â€" so I explained that children respond differently to different teaching styles and offered to switch her daughter to a another class.  She agreed to that, and after a week I saw her again and she said her daughter loved her new teacher and was doing great. In fact, she signed her up for the next set of lessons then and there.  Need more interview questions?Unfortunately, we can’t help you predict exactly which interview questions will come up on the big day. However, we can help you prepare for every eventuality and avoid any  interview nightmares.Buy James Reed’s new book:  Why You? 101 Interview Questions You’ll Never Fear Again  to find out how.Five interview questions you should stop being scared of  Still searching for your perfect position?  View all available jobs now  Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and a cknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Interview Techniques Job interview tips

Tips For Help in Writing Resume

Tips For Help in Writing ResumeIf you are looking for help in writing resume, then you should find some tips below. In order to learn more about the things that you need to look for when you are trying to learn how to write resume, you can read this article.One of the most important things to know about writing a resume is the fact that it should always be professional. Your resume is your first impression of yourself and your ability to do work. Most people tend to overlook that aspect, and therefore they end up hiring people who do not follow this rule.Start by creating a list of all the jobs that you have ever held. List all the jobs that you are qualified for, all the skills that you have. Remember that the next time you sit down at your computer and want to write a resume. Go through this list and you will see all the things that you need to include. This will give you a guide as to what you should add.Do not try to hide the fact that you have worked at a supervisory position, f or example, as an entry level position. Most employers will look for applicants who have this experience, and this is exactly why you should have it on your resume.Of course you do not want to leave out everything that you have done. That would be a huge mistake. However, you should also make sure that you provide examples of your qualifications for every job that you might have held.You should also state that you are the best in your field for each of these positions, and that you were able to demonstrate your qualities during interviews. Most employers do not care about what they have seen on an interview tape. They only care about how you performed during the interview.Make sure that you do not submit your resume to several different companies at the same time. This is actually against the law, and it also shows that you are not serious about your work. To avoid this situation, you should submit your resume to one company before you send it to another.Most people tend to overlook that there are rules that you need to follow when you are trying to learn how to write resume. You do not want to submit to all the companies at the same time, and you do not want to be too casual when you are working on your resume. You must adhere to the same standards as everyone else.

Moving Overseas For Your Spouses Job The Most Important Thing You Will Pack is Patience

Moving Overseas For Your Spouse’s Job The Most Important Thing You Will Pack is Patience For over thirty years, I enjoyed a career in the world of non-profit organizations: fundraising for organizations I admired (such as PBS); helping corporations and foundations make strategic philanthropic decisions; serving on the boards of many civic organizations in the Boston area, where I live. My identity had been shaped largely by my work for much of my life. Then, in 2008, my husband Alan and I were given the opportunity of a lifetime. Alan was asked by President Obama to serve as US Ambassador to Spain and Andorra. I was thrilled at the idea of moving overseasat first. The confirmation process took time, but once it was complete, the reality of moving overseas set in. My fear and anxiety began to rise. There was so much unknown. What would that look like? What kind of work would I find to fill the gap of leaving behind my own career? How would I navigate the culture and language? I offer this advice to anyone who is moving overseas for her or her partner’s job.   Be kind and patient with yourself for these reasons: You will likely need to adapt your career to your new culture and not the other way around. In my case, I knew I would not be able to export my career. State Department ethics rules dictated that I would not be able to bring my work with me. Until this time, so much of my identity had been wrapped up in my work in the world of non-profit organization and serving on the boards of many civic organizations in the Boston area, where I live. In moving to Spain, I knew I would need to design or find a meaningful new role for myself. The Spanish culture was also new to me. So I listened to people around me as much I was able (sometimes with the help of a translator). By being patient, I learned to make the best of a series of opportunities outside of what I had considered my career to that point. You may have to navigate a new language. My Spanish wasn’t fluent enough for the kind of networking and collaboration I wanted to do with existing organizations in Spain. However, I trusted myself to figure it outand you can, too. I joined a committee focusing on women’s leadership in the business world. I didn’t know what it would entail, nor had I met the women involved. But my work in what became the Women’s Leadership Network, a series of events featuring top level women and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries and fields, became some of my most treasured experiences while in Spain. It’s important to be patient as you learn a new language or gain fluency just as it is to learn the major and finer points of a culture. Sometimes things can move more slowly than you would like, but don’t give upespecially on yourself. It will be worth it to understand where you can make a meaningful contribution and where exactly your skills can be useful.   You will probably make some mistakes, and that’s okay. You will bring your instincts wherever you go overseas. Remember that your instincts don’t make you foolproof. It’s okay to make mistakes. It is often the only way to learn. Being patient with yourself as someone who is learning something for the first time will allow you to seize opportunities even if they don’t appear at first blush to be exactly what you’re seeking. Remember that you have already done the hardest thing which is to move your whole life to a new country. Everything after that is part of the rich, wonderful adventure of living abroad. This guest post was authored by Susan Lewis Solomont From 2008 to 2012, Susan Lewis Solomont she served alongside her husband, Alan Solomont, in Madrid, Spain, where he was appointed as US Ambassador to Spain and Andorra under President Barack Obama. She was named International Woman of the Year by FEDEPE, the leading organization for Spanish women executives and directors. She holds a bachelor of science degree from Cornell University and a masters degree in education from Tufts University. Lost and Found In Spain: Tales of An Ambassadors Wife is her first book.

Major Findings from the 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Major Findings from the 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The awesome crew over at SocialMediaExaminer.com just released their 2o1o Social Media Marketing Industry Report. The 33 page report is geared to marketers and has some great info for anyone looking to create and grow their personal brand. Here are some of the major findings from the survey: Marketers are mostly new to social media: A significant 65% of marketers surveyed have only been involved with social media marketing for a few months or less. The top benefits of social media marketing: The number-one advantage of social media marketing (by a long shot) is generating exposure for the business, indicated by 85% of all marketers, followed by increasing traffic (63%) and building new business partnerships (56%). In 2009, only 23% of marketers were using social media for years. Now that number has grown to 31%. A significant 56% of marketers are using social media for 6 hours or more each week and 30% for 11 or more hours weekly. Its interesting to note that 12.5% of marketers spend more than 20 hours each week on social media. People age 20 to 29 spend the most time using social media marketing (59.1% spending 6+ hours weekly), followed by 40- to 49-year-olds (58.3% spending 6+ hours weekly) and then 30- to 39-year-olds (58% spending 6+ hours weekly). The number-one benefit of social media marketing is gaining the all-important eyeball. A significant 85% of all marketers indicated that their social media efforts have generated exposure for their businesses. Improving traffic was the second major benefit, followed by building new partnerships. More than half of marketers indicated a rise in search engine rankings was a benefit of social media marketing. As search engine rankings improve, so will business exposure, lead generation efforts and a reduction in overall marketing expenses. More than half of marketers found social media generated qualified leads. Those who invest the most time in social media marketing gain the most business partnerships. However, 53.1% of people whove only invested a few months with social media marketing report newpartnerships were gained. We asked marketers which social media tools they most want to learn more about.Social bookmarking sites slightly edged out Twitter for the number-one slot. Facebook came in third, followed closely by Digg/Reddit/Mixx/StumbleUpon and then LinkedIn. Get ahead of the curve By getting started with blogging, social media and inbound marketing you will be ahead of the curve. While many of us have heard of these new disciplines, there are far fewer that are implementing with a sound strategy. Take your cue from savvy marketers and begin to use blogs, social media and search engines as a way to create more visibility and quality opportunities for yourself. The barriers to entry have been lowered. Will you rise up? What do you think of the major findings from the report? Where do you think all of this is heading? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. Author: Chad Levitt is the author of the New Sales Economy blog, which focuses on how Sales 2.0 Social Media can help you connect, create more opportunities and increase your business. Chad is also the featured Sales 2.0 blogger at SalesGravy.com, the number one web portal for sales pros, the professional athletes of the business world. Make sure to connect with him on Twitter @chadalevitt.

Writing Your Federal Resume

Writing Your Federal ResumeWriting Your Federal Resume is one of the most critical steps in the entire job application process. Not only will it help you get an interview, but it will also help you land the job.Federal government jobs are responsible for hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs each year. The major reason why people apply to these jobs is because they are very important. Most businesses are concerned with meeting the needs of the federal government. It's for this reason that a well-written resume is extremely important.The first thing you want to do when preparing your resume is to determine what type of writing you want to do. Some of the most popular forms of writing are: business, technical, medical, and academic. If you wish to specialize in one area or all of them, that's up to you. But there is a little more work involved with researching and preparing an essay than you might think.With the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy involved in the federal governm ent, creating a resume is a very time consuming process. There are usually numerous details that need to be reviewed in order to make a clear and concise resume. The guidelines and information used by the government when it comes to resumes have changed over the years. This is due to changes in technology and requirements.The format for a resume is determined by the length of the document. It's not uncommon for resumes to take three pages to be created and approved. If you want to be sure that you get your resume approved and considered for the position, you need to ensure that your information is correct and that it will fit into the format guidelines.The Federal Government has a number of companies that provide and maintain large databases of job openings. These databases contain information about all the different types of jobs that are available. To research your possible career options, you will need to visit these websites. They will give you the names of jobs that interest yo u and will list all the different positions they offer, as well as the qualifications for each job.Now that you know what to expect with the Federal Government, you need to decide what type of writing you will be doing. If you can write, you will be more successful than if you can't. Although it's true that there are many government jobs, writing a resume is not easy. There are countless details to be researched.Whatever type of writing you are able to do, you should expect to use all of the resources available to you when trying to land a Federal Government job. Remember that what is required of you can vary depending on the position, but there are many other things that you should expect to see on your resume, such as academic or professional awards.

The Story of Wolfgang Career Coaching

The Story of Wolfgang Career Coaching It was 2009 and it seemed like I found the best case scenario for my career. I had been working for a year as a career adviser and lecturer at McCombs Business School at The University of Texas at Austin. This role was meeting so many of my values and needs. The role combined my prior business experience in consulting, talent development, training and project management, along with my Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and my PCM (Professional Career Manager) certification. I was able to teach a for-credit course on Career Management and Job Search strategies at a Research 1 institution. My values of collaboration, meaning, achievement were all being met at a high level. However, something was missing. I had to determine what the missing pieces were so I re-examined the values that were extremely important to me in a career. Two values were not being met on a consistent basis: challenge and creativity. To a degree I did feel challenged in my work, but I wanted to: Work with a larger variety of clients with different experiences Help clients navigate workplace scenarios that my current roster of undergrads had not experienced to this point in their lives Help clients create their career development strategies while navigating different roles in their lives To do this, I needed to take on clients outside the scope of my current clientele. While I was able to be creative in my job, that creativity was limited by the overall strategy of our office. Ideas that I had could not be implemented because they did not fit the context of the department heads vision. I completely accepted this since I was well aware of my role and how it fit into the organization. There were opportunities to create within that vision, but I wanted to create my own vision. Not wanting to leave my current job as it was such a good fit for me, I had to think of ways I could get those two values met. I distinctly remember when the idea hit me. My husband and I were jogging and I was explaining my situation to him. I remember him turning to me and saying, why don’t you start your own business? Throughout my childhood I received many messages that you should get a job with an employer who will pay you a solid salary and provide you with benefits. The thought of starting my own business had never entered my head before that day. At first, I thought of all the excuses of why I shouldn’t start a business, but was able to quickly rationalize those fears away. Wolfgang Career Coaching was born. It started as a very part-time business where I saw clients after work or on weekends. As my business became busier, I also had my first child. Now I had three major career roles: business owner, career adviser at UT and mom. I couldnt keep working 40 hours a week at one job and working nights and weekends in my business and still be the mom I wanted to be. Something had to give. I needed to quit my job or my business but I enjoyed them both. In the end, I had to examine my own career development and where I wanted to be in five years and in 10 years. I had to re-examine my values again and I what I wanted out of my career and my life. It came down to this: I wanted to say to my daughter with 100% authenticity that she can be whatever she wants to be in her career. She has what it takes within her to make it happen. The ultimate decision was to let go of a job I enjoyed and take the energizing/scary/exciting/overwhelming/inspiring risk of building a business my business. Looking back five years, a lot has changed! I have added another child to my family and a great team of career coaches to the business. It has been an amazing journey. I learned many lessons, had many opportunities, took risks that paid off and some that didn’t, made plenty of mistakes, and had a tremendous amount of help from so many people. I have met the most amazing people throughout this journey. My clients and colleagues continue to amaze me on a daily basis. I feel an incredible amount of gratitude for the opportunity and have never regretted the decision.

What are Resume Keywords

What are Resume Keywords Weve all searched for something online by typing in a word or phrase that closely resembles the type of information we are looking for. We find information and make decisions about products and services via these types of searches. Employers use a similar method to find the applicants that best match their open positions. Many companies rely on applicant tracking software to source candidates. By typing certain relevant keywords or phrases into the applicant tracking system, hiring managers can quickly find candidates that fit the requirements for their open positions.Resume keywords are words used on resumes to describe a competency or skill or to acknowledge experience in a certain job function or industry. If your resume lacks the appropriate keywords, it may never be found by the hiring manager. Here are some tips for increasing your chances of being found by hiring managers by including appropriate keywords to optimize the compatibility of your candidacy to an employers needs.Th e right keywords 1. One of the best ways to find the keywords that the hiring manager will be searching is to check the job posting or posting for similar jobs. By including those keywords in your resume, you stand a greater chance of being found by the hiring manager. Another great resource for selecting keywords is Best Keywords for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews by Wendy Enelow.2. Stem keywords and vary your word choices. For example, rather than just using the word analyst on your resume, include variants such as analysis or financial analyst as well. If you have knowledge of merchandise planning, also include the word merchandising or assortment planning to the resume to cover your bases.Also, include different ways of saying certain titles. So, a CFO should include both CFO and Chief Financial Officer in the body of the document. A candidate in the pharmaceuticals industry should use both pharmaceuticals and pharma to describe their industry. A job seeker with experien ce in mergers and acquisitions should also list the abbreviation MA, and an HR professional with experience in employment law such as the Family and Medical Leave Act should also use the acronym FMLA. By including variations on the word or phrase, you can increase the likelihood that your resume will be found regardless of the keyword the hiring manager is using for the searching.3. While it is important to optimize the resume, it must be done in a way that still makes sense to the human reader. Be sure to balance the needs of the human reader with search engine optimization techniques to create the best results. Weave word variations into your document in a logical and natural way.4. Extend the keyword concept past the resume. Keyword searches are not just limited to applicant tracking tools. Recruiters and hiring managers frequently perform keyword searches on social networking sites such as LinkedIn to find appropriate candidates. Make sure your profile on LinkedIn is robust and also includes a lot of keywords.Keyword suggestions Below are some examples of how to incorporate keywords into your resume.CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO)Operations Risk Mitigation SEC Registration/Compliance Acquisitions Due Diligence Vendor Selection and Management Technology Upgrades/Integration PL Management Forecasting/Budgeting Human Resources Administration Hedge Fund Product Marketing Investor Reporting Client Relationship  Management Office Openings and ClosingsHUMAN RESOURCES GENERALISTTalent Acquisition College Recruiting/Internships Management Development Employee Handbook Writing Competitive Benchmarking New Hire Orientations Payroll Administration EEO and I-9 Compliance COBRA Administration ERISA Administration Reductions in Force Benefits Design/Administration Policy Writing/Implementation Applicant Tracking Budgeting/Forecasting Corrective Action Plans Staff ManagementSENIOR LEVEL MERCHANDISING EXECUTIVEApparel Merchandising Merchandising Strategy Production/SKU Plann ing Competitor/Market Analysis Cross Functional Team Building Product Development/Launch International Licensing Relations Vendor Sourcing/Supplier Relations Product Standardization Inventory Management Leadership and Mentoring Account Relationship Management Purchasing Negotiations Costing Budgeting Color and Trend Forecasting Staff Development