Dumbest things said in job interviews

We’ve all said some things we regret. But hopefully not while interviewing for a job, like these candidates. Regardless of the role nerves play in interviews, some statements just make you wonder how candidates made it this far. Here are 15 of the most memorable interview responses from real people, compiled by CareerBuilder.com: 1. Q: Why did you leave your last job? A: “I have a problem with authority.” 2. Q: What are your hobbies and interests? A: [He said] ‘Well, as you...
Published about 24-08-2009 | Rated 0

Can employer refuse to hire smokers?

Employers generally have a lot of freedom to prohibit certain conduct at work. But regulating off-duty conduct can be tricky business. Here’s a real-life example of how trying to control off-the-clock behavior can leave employers on shaky legal grounds: The Scotts Company in Massachusetts started a wellness initiative that included a policy against employee smoking — both on and off the job. Employees would be required to submit to nicotine testing. The company said the policy would: ...
Published about 24-08-2009 | Rated 0

7 signs candidate will be a bad manager

Whether you’re hiring from outside or promoting from within, companies have a lot riding on putting the right people in supervisory positions. How can HR help identify the best leaders for the organization? When interviewing managerial candidates, it’s important to make sure they have these key qualities: Adaptability — It’s a fact of the workplace: No two employees are exactly alike. Managers need to be able to adjust their approaches and figure out how to get the most out of diff...
Published about 17-08-2009 | Rated 0

Latest hiring trend: Testing before interview

A lot of interviews include some kind of test for the candidate. But some companies have started testing applicants before they even set up an interview. That’s the word from a recent article in Forbes magazine, anyway. Some employers are using in-depth tests as part of the online application process. Assessments include personality tests and skills evaluations. In many cases, only those who pass the test are brought in to interview. In others, the candidate’s answers give HR and the h...
Published about 17-08-2009 | Rated 0

Give employees the `Mr. Potato Head test`?

Does Mr. Potato Head have a place in employee training or new hire orientation? This employer thinks so. Starbucks is rolling out a company-wide efficiency initiative, with the goal of getting employees to work faster. Part of the training process: taking apart and reassembling a Mr. Potato Head doll. For two hours straight. One Starbucks manager told the Wall Street Journal that a member of the “lean team” came to her store, sprinkled parts of the toy across several tables and timed t...
Published about 17-08-2009 | Rated 0

Tips for making effective presentation

These are the best tips to make your presentation a successful one. These tips are helpful for effective public speaking also. Study your presentation, rehearse till you are perfect and do it in front of mirror. Memorize the script thoroughly. Study the back ground, think of possible questions and prepare to answer them. Run a mock session with a friend or colleague. Rehearse the timing and body language. Present the presentation with confidence and enthusiasm. Confidence reduces anx...
Published about 16-08-2009 | Rated 0

What would you do? You find out a valuable employee lied to get hired

All recruiters do their best to make sure everything candidates tell them is accurate. What about someone who lied to get the job, but ended being one of your company’s top performers? Consider this scenario: You hire an employee. After a few months, you find out he dropped out of college — even though his resume said he’s graduated. But in his first few months, he ended up being one of the top performers in his department. Should he be fired for lying? Or does his value to the co...
Published about 12-08-2009 | Rated 0

4 common recruiting Web site mistakes

The company’s “Careers” Web page is one of HR’s most powerful recruiting tools. But they aren’t all created equally. Not putting the proper care into building the page could cost a company some qualified candidates — after all, no matter how applicants hear about a job, they’ll almost always head to the company’s Web site before doing anything. Here are four big mistakes many companies make on their Careers Web page, according to CTO Joe Rotella, speaking at the 2009 Societ...
Published about 12-08-2009 | Rated 0

Should HR care about spelling mistakes?

You hear from an applicant with all the skills and experience the hiring manager wants. But there’s a problem: The resume contains a spelling error. What do you do? The most common reaction: putting the resume straight in the trash. In fact, 47% of hiring managers won’t consider an applicant who makes a single typo in a resume or cover letter, according to a survey by OfficeTeam. Another 37% would remove the candidate from the running after two mistakes. The reasoning is that letting e...
Published about 12-08-2009 | Rated 0

10 overused resume phrases

These days candidates receive more training on how to apply for jobs than ever before –- so it’s no surprise you probably see a lot of resumes with the same cliche phrases. Do you hold that against those applicants? Here are the 10 most common phrases candidates use too often, according to Liz Ryan of Yahoo! HotJobs: results-oriented professional cross-functional teams more than (x) years of progressively responsible experience superior communication skills strong work ethic met o...
Published about 06-08-2009 | Rated 0