The Job Search
an advertisement for an open job position. The purpose of a job posting is to inform potential job candidates about a new opening and attract them to apply.
What is a Job Posting?
a form that employers ask job applicants to fill out to learn about their work history.
What is a Job Application?
a concise message expressing gratitude to the interviewer(s) for their time and reiterating your interest in the position, typically sent within 24 hours of the interview
What is a Thank You Letter?
Tell me about a time you overcame an obstacle.
Employers ask this question to understand how you deal with difficulties. Provide a brief summary of the situation, your role in the situation, the action you put into place to resolve the issue and how the issue was resolved as a result. Briefly mention what you learned during the process.
Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
To answer this question, try to frame your answer to fit the qualifications of that particular job. You can think of hunters as more aggressive and assertive, which would be best suited for a leadership role. Gatherers are multi-taskers that are skilled at collecting data and other information.
an agency whose business is to find jobs for people seeking them or to find people to fill jobs that are open
What is an Employment Agency?
a formal letter that is often sent with a resume to serve as an introduction of you and your background experience.
What is a Cover Letter?
a formal meeting usually to evaluate qualifications (as of a prospective student or employee)
What is an Interview?
Tell me about yourself.
Employers likely ask this question early on in the interview process, and recruiters often ask it during early-stage phone interviews or recruiter screens. To answer the question effectively, provide a short synopsis of your educational background and professional career. Highlight some of your proudest achievements and discuss the aspects of your professional experience that are the most relevant to the role.
If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?
Your interviewer may ask this question to determine how creative and innovative you are. This question is also a great way for the employer to see which things in your life are your top priorities. Your answer should show your creative side and demonstrate your ability to solve tough problems.
an event where employers offer information about their companies to people who are looking for jobs.
What is a Job Fair?
a short document describing your education, work history, etc., that you give an employer when you are applying for a job.
What is a Resume?
written to inquire about the status of an application or decision after an interview. Often should be sent as a thank you for the interview as well; can be in email format.
What is a Follow-up Letter?
Why are you leaving your current position?
Why you're leaving your current position can be important information for employers to understand. It helps them ensure the opening is a better fit for your skill set and background, They might also ask it to make sure your reason for leaving wasn't because of your performance or conduct. Answer this question honestly, but refrain from providing too many overly personal or negative details.
You are a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and why?
This question allows the employer to see the qualities and characteristics that make you a unique personality. Your answer should represent your individuality and show your creative side. You could also surprise the interviewer by presenting a unique answer such as "glitter" or "clear". Either way, you will explain what that color means to you and how it represents you.
a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional or community setting.
What is an Internship?
includes information about who you are and examples of your work and achievements. A career portfolio goes beyond a resume and cover letter to show a prospective employer your work experience, skills, accomplishments, and more.
What is a Career Portfolio?
the characteristics, attributes, or personality traits that make up and reflect who you are and tha can benefit you as an employee.
How many pennies, if stacked on top of each other, would equal the height of the Empire State Building?
Employers may ask questions with no right or wrong answer to better understand your thought processes. They often want to gauge whether you can think analytically, handle ambiguity and communicate clearly. Before answering this question, spend a few minutes thinking about how to prepare a logical answer. It's also appropriate to ask follow-up questions for more information or context, though they may not provide the answer.
If you found out you won $50 million in the lotto tomorrow, what would you do with the money?
Employers ask this question to discover your motivation for your job. In an interview, employers are looking for a candidate who is not concerned with the salary alone, but who actually enjoys the job. Your answer to this question should reflect your genuine interest in the position without thinking about salary.
the umbrella term used to identify activities which collaboratively engage employers and schools in providing structured learning experiences for students.
What is Work Based Learning?
Why do you want to work here?
Employers often ask this question to make sure you've thought about your decision to apply for employment at their company. This question might be particularly important if you're transitioning into a new industry or job. Be honest about why you want to work at the company and emphasize the intrinsic value the job can offer you over extrinsic values such as higher pay and better benefits.
If you could be granted superpowers, what superpower would you like to receive?
Employers ask this question as a way to gauge your leadership ability. Another way to think about this question is to ask yourself: "Would you rather be in the spotlight or behind the scenes?" Employers are looking for an employee that aligns with the company culture and that will be a valuable team player. Any answer to this question should mention teamwork and should highlight your strengths.