What NOT To Ask At A Job Interview

As you should know by now, any normal interview will usually end with the interviewer asking if you have any questions for them. We’ve already covered what you should ask at this point, so we thought it was time to cover what you definitely shouldn’t ask.

What’s worse than drawing a total blank when asked for questions during an interview? Asking ones that will instantly put you in a bad light in the eyes of the recruiter.

So, to stop that happening, have a look at these tips on what you categorically should not ask in a job interview!

1) How Much Money Will I Get?

There’s a time and a place to talk salaries, and your interview is not one of them. Don’t bring up the subject of money unless the person interviewing you does.

This sort of attitude really puts recruiters off, and suggests you’re only interested in the money – not the actual job.

2) Can I Work From Home/Is there A Flexi-time Option?

These sort of questions are a big no-no when it comes to interviews, as it suggests you’re looking for ways to get out of the office before you’ve even started.

If you really need to discuss flexi-time or telecommuting, wait until you’ve been offered the job and are in a position to do so.

3) What Holidays Do I Get?

Similar to the last point, asking about holidays at the interview stage will present you as someone who won’t be devoted to the role and will always be looking for their next holiday or day off.

You want to appear 100% devoted to the role in hand during the interview, otherwise the simple answer is that you’re not going to get hired.

4) When Do I Get A Raise/Promoted?

Assuming you’re entitled to a raise or promotion will immediately put the hiring manager off you. In this current jobs market, it shows a lack of understanding and an arrogance that will not go down well in the workplace.

Instead of focusing on when you will get a promotion, ask how you can work for one and what the KPIs are etc. This will show that you’re interested in working hard and progressing within the business, not just reaping the benefits.

5) Do You Do Background Checks?

A less-than-perfect question to ask in an interview is if they do background checks or will look into your past in any way.

Background checks and reference checks are a standard part of the hiring process, and you asking this question just shows you have something to hide, and won’t fill the hiring manger with confidence about hiring you.

The same goes for asking about drugs tests or speaking to former employers – just don’t do it!

6) What Does This Company Do?

Any questions that suggest you are not that interested in the role are obviously not the ideal things to say in an interview.

This question shows that you haven’t done your research and don’t really care about the potential job – not exactly a great impression to make!

So there we go, some things that you absolutely, definitely shouldn’t say in an interview!

Do you agree with this advice or have any of your own – from experience or otherwise? Let me know in the comments below.

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6 Steps To Keeping Social Media Accounts Relevant

Social media can be a great marketing tool, but only if used properly. It is an all-too-common occurrence in the modern world for a company to begin using social media with high hopes, only to find that it isn’t making much of a difference.

Why does this happen?

This happens because they’re using it wrong. Followers on social media accounts don’t want to feel as though they are being advertised to nonstop. Instead, they want to feel connected to companies and professionals on a deeper level. If you can successfully make them feel connected, you can generate a type of customer loyalty like nothing else can. Customers will grow to think of your business as a good friend instead of just another place to sell products. There are two important aspects to creating this:

1. 
   

   Keeping your social media accounts active

   
   


2. 
   

   Going about it the right way

   
   

Ready to find out how you can do this? Just follow these six simple steps to keep your social media accounts relevant. Check out the additional tips and tricks at the end for more ‘how-to’ information.

Step One: Craft A Post Daily

Crafting a well thought out social media post will literally take you five minutes or less. Although creating a post strictly for advertising purposes is fine once in a while, the vast majority should be aimed towards engaging with your audience. The best way to do this is simply ask a question. If you’re stuck on what to write or ask about, try something very basic, like this:

“The weather’s bright and sunny here today! What’s the weather like where you live?”

This super simple post will engage with your audience simply because you’ve asked a question. In order to remain professional about it, however, you need to remember a few things. Always double check for spelling, grammatical errors, and typos. Also avoid abbreviations, which are not only unprofessional but also incredibly annoying.

Step Two: Like All Comments From The Previous Day

Liking all comments left on your posts from the previous day is simple, and takes almost no time at all. Even if you had over 500 comments, it is entirely plausible that giving each of them a like will take you no more than about ten minutes. The ‘why’ behind doing this is that it makes your customers feel as though you actually care about what they have to say. This is a big part of forming that strong customer loyalty we talked about in the introduction.

Step Three: Personally Respond To At Least Five Comments

While it may be near impossible – or at least horribly time consuming – to respond to every comment you receive, you should be personally responding to at least five of them each day… per social media account. Even if it’s nothing more than a simple “thank you.” This helps solidify the idea that your company cares about what it’s customers have to say.

Step Four: Share Something

In addition to one personally crafted post each day, you should also be sharing something. Try to share items that are relevant to your customers. Preferably, these would be posts or articles written by businesses you have connected with on some level. Why? It would serve two purposes. First, it keeps your social media accounts active and relevant. Second, it prompts other companies and professionals to share your posts in return.

Step Five: Connect With At Least One New Person

Take just a second to connect with at least one new person each day. This will help to ensure your list of professional contacts slowly but steadily grows over time. Your professional contacts are incredibly important, because they serve numerous purposes. Primarily, it offers you a sharing network. If you share their stuff, they’ll share yours. Your professional contacts may also be able to offer advice, tips, tricks of the trade, and additional contacts to tap into.

Step Six: Repeat For Each Social Media Account

Now simply repeat the above five steps for each social media account you have. Most companies have between two and four social accounts they are active on.

Other Tips & Tricks For Social Media

As an added bonus, here are a few extra tips and tricks for keeping your social media accounts relevant:

• 
  

  Be personable. Professionalism does not automatically indicate that you must sound like a robot.

  
  


• 
  

  Never argue or fight on social media, even if someone else is instigating it. Publicly arguing with someone through the internet is incredibly unprofessional.

  
  


• 
  

  If you can’t keep up with the demands of your social media accounts, try hiring a freelancer to help.

  
  


• 
  

  Link your blog up with social media. This way, every time you write and post blog content, you will also be working towards keeping your accounts active.

  
  


• 
  

  Don’t stretch yourself thin. More is not always better. If you can’t stay active on all your social accounts, hire help or deactivate your least viable one.

  
  

Social media can be an incredibly useful marketing platform if used properly. If you’ve been using social media without the desired results, try utilizing the six above steps for keeping social media accounts relevant. Keep the additional tips and tricks in mind for optimal results.

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The ONE Interview Question You Must Consider

Everyone interviews. Even the boss had to go through an interview process.

There is ONE Interview Question that you should be ready to address.

Some interviewers are very good at what they do. Some are not quite so good. The good interviewers will let you do the majority of the talking. They should already know what they know. The good interviewers will sit back and listen. Not to catch you in a trap or some other Machiavellian machinations. Rather, they are looking for the right candidate to fill the role.

Smart Interviewers are often looking for something else too. That can be anything from initiative, reflection (on the questions that are asking you to answer) and for that One Thing that makes you stand out from other candidates. Knowing the answer to The One Interview Question can help set you aside as The One Candidate to move to the top of the heap.

Take the Initiative

Whether they ask it or not… be ready to answer the following question.

Tell me about the first experience in your life when you realized that you had the power of change or the power to do something meaningful.

By thinking about and being prepared to answer this question you will be showing off a few traits that every interviewer should be looking for. These are traits that every employer should be looking for when adding talent to their organization. Smaller companies need people with more diverse skills, but everyone has to start somewhere. Larger companies are often looking to fill specific talent gaps. Thinking about how you have addressed, accomplished or perhaps failed in a challenging situation will help you interview better. It will help you come across as more well rounded and as someone that has thought about the things that have made you into what you are today.

Using The One Interview Question

A few advantages of thinking about and crafting a response to The One Interview Question are that it puts you in a better position to evaluate both the roles your are considering and to the questions the interviewers are asking. You’ve likely put a lot of thought and time into the types of roles you are considering. Perhaps driven by your major in college or perhaps by something else. By thinking about The One Interview Question you will be able to project the following traits that should come across in an interview situation.

• Knowing Yourself


• Understanding Your Strengths


• Realizing your Potential

Depending upon how you want to position yourself your response can also include your Awareness of your Weaknesses. This is NOT to say you are weak. However, knowing your weaknesses is at least as important as knowing your strengths. If you haven’t taken the time to read Marcus Buckingham’s book “Now, Discover Your Strengths ” this would be a good time to add it to your reading list.

For example, you may be extremely detail oriented or you may be the complete opposite. Either trait may be fine for the role you are being interviewed for. However, if you know they are looking for one trait or skill set over another you may be able to tailor your response. Also, knowing your strengths and weaknesses will also help you insure you are interviewing for the right roles. Don’t waste your time interviewing for roles that you know you will not be satisfying.

Other Benefits of Using The One Interview Question

Having thought through the One Question also shows the softer side of the skills you have been developing, including communication skills, interview skills (which is almost more of an art these days) and it highlights your authenticity.

As noted above… even if the interviewer doesn’t ask this question they will likely ask something similar. If they don’t even come close you can look for ways to slip your thoughts into a conversation. Not in a disingenuous way. Rather as a way to highlight your skills.

Slipping The One Interview Question into the Conversation
Most interviewers will always ask something like:

“Is there anything else I should know about you?”

This is a great chance to say …

“well, I’d like to share with you the first time I realized I had the power to make a difference.”

Knowing the answer to The One Interview Question and being able to articulate it in a meaningful way will help you Stand Out in your Interview. Which speaks volumes for how you will stand out in your career. Smart interviewers will be looking for these skills and traits.

Now will be a good time to think about The One Interview Question . If it helps you to get started you might want to think about something other than the First Time. However, do take the initiative to really think back to the first time you realized you had the power to do something meaningful. Then craft your response to The One Interview Question and practice how you will deliver it in your next interview.

Good Luck and Good Interviewing!

Note: The One Interview Question was posed by Simon Anderson, CEO of DreamHost, in this interview.

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5 Innovative Ways of Harnessing iBeacons

Every week we bring you the FreshMinds Friday picks – ideas to help you make the most of digital technologies and understand how they are helping brands to grow and innovate. This week we’re looking at five ways of harnessing iBeacons. These little devices emit a low energy Bluetooth signal which triggers a reaction from nearby smartphones with a corresponding app. iBeacons can be placed almost everywhere – from supermarket shelves to moving objects – and as such their use cases for the technology are very broad. We look at 5 of our favourites – from improving customer service to providing a tech-enabled dining experience.

To target customers with marketing messages in store

For retailers, one of the most interesting applications of iBeacons is in-store targeting. US fashion chain, Macy’s, was one of the first companies to use iBeacons for this purpose. Last November, they installed the technology to target customers with coupons and relevant product alerts as they pass through the store. Since then a number of other companies have followed suit including American Eagle Outfitters and Waitrose. Whilst using iBeacons for this purpose can be beneficial for brands and consumers alike, it’s important that marketers don’t go overboard and leave customers feeling that their privacy has been invaded. This is being practiced to great effect by Tesco. The grocery giant is using iBeacons to provide helpful tips and reminders, whilst shoppers grow accustomed to the technology, before using it for marketing purposes.

To improve the customer experience

Ever keen to embrace new technology, Virgin Atlantic is leading the pack when it comes to using iBeacons to improve the customer experience. This month, the airline announced plans to trial the technology at London Heathrow Airport to enhance customers’ boarding experiences. Possible applications include triggering a customer’s boarding pass to appear as they approach security or presenting offers as they wonder through duty free. This is not the first time Virgin Atlantic has harnessed new technology to improve customers’ experiences. Earlier in the year, they launched a six-week pilot of Google Glass which was used to provide customers’ with up-to-date information such as flight times or the weather at their destination.

To provide a tech-enabled dining experience

One of my favourite applications of the technology so far is at Japan’s Mirai Resu restaurant. Dinners are greeted not by a waiter, but by an iBeacon at the centre of their table. When a nearby smartphone picks up the Bluetooth signal, it reacts by opening up the menu, which even features the ability to sync with social networking sites to see what dishes your friends have enjoyed in the past. Guests are also able to order food and request the bill via the iBeacon.

To enhance exhibitions and other educational experiences

When we first covered iBeacons on the FreshMinds blog in January, we predicted that one application of the technology would be to exhibitions and museums. In March, the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York did just that, opening an iBeacon-enabled exhibition to replicate the experience of walking through a minefield. Visitors have to pass through the exhibition avoiding the iBeacons, each of which represents a landmine. If they get too close, the Bluetooth signal will trigger the sound of an explosion and a brief commentary from a landmine survivor. This demonstrates the broader implications of installing iBeacons in exhibitions and museums well– to provide additional commentary on specific objects, thereby enhancing the visitor experience.

To conduct market research

We’re yet to see this in action but we couldn’t finish this blog post without mentioning the application of iBeacons to market research – an area we’re experimenting with internally here at FreshMinds. iBeacons could transform the way we do in-store research. Using the technology it would be possible to send customers questions or tasks as they reach or indeed leave certain points in-store, allowing us to gain in-the-moment insight on everything from products to promotions.

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Making the Most of Email Marketing?

The arrival digital marketing technologies drastically changed the sales environment. In the past, salespeople made phone calls, and then met with clients and prospects in person. E-mail changed this process from a handful of face-to-face meetings to a more complex round of e-mails, phone calls, voice mails and, if a salesperson is lucky, face-to-face meetings.

Today’s sales environment involves more back-and-forth communication between the salesperson and prospect, and less face-to-face time. This undermines the “information equation,” which states that the frequency and quality of face-to-face meetings between a salesperson and a prospect improve in proportion to the caliber of the data the client provides. To make e-mail work for you in sales, leverage it to speed the sales process and facilitate more in-person meetings.

E-mail as a Basic Sales and Marketing Tool

E-mail can start the process of building a relationship with a prospect, but don’t bombard potential clients with introductory e-mails, follow-up e-mails and more e-mails asking if they received your earlier e-mails. This routine can turn you into that “crazy person who keeps e-mailing me.” As you build a relationship, make sure that any information you share with prospects is easy for them to agree with and helps them. These tips apply to all your sales communications, not just e-mail.

E-mail offers more opportunities to connect with prospects, but it may also generate false promise. Some people mistakenly think that writing a clever e-mail will magically produce sales. But that approach focuses on taking orders when, in actuality, you should focus on moving each sales relationship up to the next step.

Initiate your relationship with a prospect by phone or face-to-face before relying on e-mail to communicate. E-mail can launch the sales process, but it seldom succeeds in completing it. E-mail is a necessary tool that supports, but does not replace, other tools in the sales kit.

Buying a list with thousands of e-mail addresses and sending a mass e-mail to everyone on it may sound like a good idea, but it is not. This method is more likely to lead to anger than to qualified leads. Sending bulk e-mails also puts a salesperson at risk of noncompliance with U.S. CAN-SPAM legislation. Building productive client relationships means connecting with other people on a personal basis. A blind e-mail does the opposite. Most prospects won’t receive a mass e-mail and won’t read it if they get it. But, don’t ignore e-mail’s sales potential; just deploy it strategically.

Use the time spent on crafting e-mails wisely. Never ask a prospect, “Did you receive my e-mail?” Nothing useful comes from this question and it seems like badgering. Instead, take the conversation in a different direction that encourages moving to the next step. For example, “I have some ideas on how your sales team can beat its quota. Could we meet tomorrow at 9 a.m.?” Keep the three “universal communications principles” in mind:

1. “People respond in kind” – And the salesperson “controls the flow.” Raise your hand for a high five or put it out for a handshake, and what happens? Most likely, the other person responds in kind. You can control the flow of conversation by what you write or say.

2. “All responses can be anticipated” – Experienced salespeople have an answer for every possible question or rejection.

3. “People communicate through stories” – When a client shares a story, it may indicate that your relationship is moving in the right direction. Stories help people connect.

These principles explain, for example, why asking if a prospect got your e-mail doesn’t work. You control the flow of communication, so brace yourself for an awkward response. How do you think a person will respond? Most of the time, the response won’t be positive. The question could provoke a person to go into a story about how busy the day was, so reading your e-mail wasn’t very likely. The lesson: Avoid that question. Do something else to reconnect.

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5 Tips for “Less Is More” Writing

Campers, it’s getting tough out there. More and more businesses are jumping on the content bandwagon, email inboxes and social feeds are busting at the seams, and attention spans are getting shorter by the millisecond.

But in this war for eyeballs and attention, you and I have a secret weapon that the other guys don’t know about, the one tool that belongs in every writer’s big red toolbox. It’s called brevity.

In these days when communication moves faster than vodka shooters at the Kimye wedding reception, the ability to get attention, get your message delivered, and get out again in as little time as possible isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s necessary for survival.

And with that, here are our 5 Tips for “Less Is More” Writing:

1. Omit unnecessary words.

Once you have a first draft written, edit your text without mercy. Imagine you’re paying $1 a word to deliver this message and start wielding that red pen with a vengeance. Be especially ruthless when it comes to empty phrases like “in order to,” “the fact that,” and “who/which is.”

2. Don’t over-explain.

If I had a nickel for every time I found myself over-explaining something, I’d have … a whompin’ lot of nickels. These days it’s a luxury we just can’t afford. Tell your audience what they need to know, nothing more. If you’re ever at a crossroads over whether an excerpt should stay or go, remember that all your readers (or viewers or listeners) have their internal radios tuned in to the same station: WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?). If the excerpt doesn’t speak to their self-interest, out it goes.

3. Write like you talk.

Imagine that every piece of content is an except of a conversation between you and your reader. Do you use phrases like “inasmuch as and “pursuant to” in your everyday water-cooler exchanges? I’m guessing no. So can’ em.

4. Reach for action verbs.

Action verbs (“doing verbs”) not only keep things tight — they give your content a sense of movement and keep the reader engaged. So instead of saying “this is to be avoided,” try “avoid this.”

5. Murder your darlings.

If you find yourself hopelessly in love with a particular word, phrase, or paragraph, your

affection is probably the only reason it’s there. I know it’s hard, buddy, but we’ve gotta save our creative flights of fancy for fiction class. So cut-and-paste those little gems your private journal and get back to the work of delivering your message.

OK, your turn: What are your favorite tricks for keeping your content right and

tight? Tell us about it in the Comments — we’d love to hear from you!

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5 Factors That Make A Great Boss

The best bosses are the ones who can turn a good organization into a great company . They are the individuals who consistently push their employees to become better, more engaged and enable them to adapt to oncoming changes in the corporate landscape.

Instead of suppressing employees, top-tier bosses encourage smart ideas, open conversation and creativity. They reward the employees who deserve recognition instead of promoting those who simply agree with them.

Regardless of industry or size of company, studies have showed that the best bosses share common traits that lead to consistent success. Below, you’ll find 5 of them.

The Common Traits and Qualities

1. An understanding of how to build confidence among employees. First-rate bosses don’t allow their subordinates to blame circumstances or environment for their failures. They maintain an energy that is optimistic and focus on possibilities rather than problems. This “can-do” outlook becomes contagious. As a result, employee motivation and confidence continually increase and so does everyone’s success rate.

2. Fanatic discipline. The best bosses set high, but attainable performance benchmarks for the employees at the company as well as themselves. Relentlessly, they pursue these achievements regardless of whether they must work around the clock to meet those goals.

Outstanding bosses don’t let intimidation or harsh business environments dictate their actions. They are unwavering in their quest to preserve profitability and prevent bad habits from forming within the group.

3. Consistency. The most effective bosses are the ones who don’t get sidetracked by chasing the “next big thing.” Instead, they make firm decisions as to the course of the organization and, thus are able to define clear roles and tasks that the employees must engage in.

They never leave the overarching goals ambiguous and stick to a pattern of operation that works. Under a first-rate boss, everyone knows where they stand.

4. Strength. The best bosses project strength and have the ability to get things done. Their employees look to them for advice because they possess the expertise and character that it takes to succeed. They are less concerned about being the most popular and more concerned with their commitment to progress.

5. Strong loyalty to the company and those within the organization – The best bosses are the ones who are concerned less for their own personal greatness and put the company’s needs first. Their ambition comes from wanting to make the organization money as opposed to being strictly focused on personal wealth. Instead of requiring outside recognition for their achievements, they quietly produce extraordinary results and set a positive example within the company.

In the End

When you work for a manager who is a top-tier boss, you are rewarded for performance rather than favoritism. You grow both personally and professionally while working under them. They give your position a sense of meaning and your job becomes less of a job and more of a passion.

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