You work so hard to get a job interview that may lead to a job. But how much time, in hours, are you spending to prepare for that meeting? Not enough. And if your answer is “enough” then double that time.

“Crap” comes in two forms: Mistakes and excuses that prevent you from “winning” a job in this competitive environment. Most mistakes are innocent!

After 30 years of interviewing, mentoring and hiring, here are the top interview bloopers I’ve witnessed:

1.Not rehearsing the most basic interview questions.
2.Not bringing copies of your resume, cover letter, and the job description you are discussing.
3.Not bringing pad and pen to take notes (no, not a device!)
4.Not studying the company, the division that is hiring, or the job description in great detail.
5.Not dressing appropriately, looking disheveled, disorganized.
6.Not knowing where you are going; therefore, being late.

As you see, interview preparation is not just studying possible questions. It is important to lay out the items you need to take with you, leave early and much more. That’s why I have TWO interview chapters in my book. One shares all the things you can do well before you even have an interview. The later chapter discusses the day-before preparation., You will be surprised how much more calm you will be during the interview and, as a result, how much better you will do.

Did you know that networking meetings, informational meetings and interviews are all the same? Regardless who you are meeting with, the person on the other side of the table or the phone is asking themselves the following:

•Are they someone I would recommend to someone I know?
•Are they someone who is showing the skills needed to be successful at work?
•Are they committed to the job search process and will follow through on next steps? Or are they just sniffing around?
•Are they passionate about the job or company or industry we are talking about?
So, here are the top 3 preparation steps you can adopt to be successful:

Step 1: Interview Questions: Study the top 10 most common interview questions and write down no more than 3 bulleted answers to each one. Practice and repeat them. For phone interviews, you should have a “cheat sheet” in front of you. And it’s okay to bring in notes for your face-to-face meeting, too.

Step 2: Job Description and Your Resume: List the top 5 reasons why you are the best candidate for the job or company. These should listed in the form of skills and experience you have to offer THEM and should not be a list of random skills you have that are irrelevant to the job or company. Memorize those and word them in terms of “You’re looking for XYZ and I have Y years of experience and Z skills”. Prepare examples of each skill, as well, so you can answer “tell me a time when you have performed that skill.”

Step 3: Prepare to Meet – the day before: Make more than enough copies of your resume, your cover letter, any samples of your work and the job description. Organize them all in a neat-looking folder. Bring paper and a pen to take notes with (and take notes!). Lay out the clothes you are going to wear and try them on to assure all looks good. Print a Bing Maps (or other) and double the time you think it is going to take to get there. If you are not sure, then drive there days before to find the exact location or get there super early then go find a coffee shop to wait at. Finally, set two alarms if the meeting is in the morning.

In summary, be ultra-prepared and “Cut the Crap™, Get a Job!” (on Amazon and comes with 9 free downloadable tools, including a guide on how to answer the top interview questions)

(To accelerate your next career move or hire a dynamic speaker, visit DanaManciagli.com

I hate my job…what’s next?
AUTHOR Susan Ricker DATE January 20, 2014

http://www.theworkbuzz.com/on-the-job/worklife/i-hate-my-jobwhats-next/?adbsc=SM_BC_OJ_20140715_27803326

Most people feel a little grumpy at work on Monday mornings, but if your irritation lasts throughout the week, it’s time to make a change. Before you send in your resignation letter, however, check out these tips to see if job satisfaction and happiness can be a regular part of your workday.

Paint a clear picture of your current work situation
First, break down why you’re unhappy at your job and what you can do to change the situation. “Don’t quit your job until you’ve done everything you can to improve it,” says Lauren Milligan, job-search coach and résumé writer at ResuMAYDAY. “If you’re working in a job you hate, often it’s easier to change certain aspects of the job, or add elements to the job that you’ll love, rather than trying to find a new job…especially in this job market.”

“The problem with just bailing on a job without trying to improve it is that the next job might not be any better,” Milligan adds. “First of all, you have to figure out what it is you actually dislike. Is it an objective function of the job — the actual job tasks that you were hired to do, or is it a more subjective part of the job, such as the long commute, the co-workers, your boss, the slow computers that always crash or something else that has a negative impact on how you feel about the job? It can be one of these, or a variety, but you first have to identify the problem.”

If you’re having trouble pinpointing where your unhappiness stems from, it might help to ask what role you play in the situation. After all, if there is an issue on your part, you don’t want to bring it to the new job or let it continue in your current role.

Alanna Levenson, certified career and business coach and founder of I Love My Life Coaching!, says, “What a worker can do to help them make a decision [whether] to stay or go is to ask themselves a few simple questions, such as: ‘What attracted me to this company/position in the first place?’ ‘What is it that I’m running away from, or is it that I’m trying to go toward a better career choice?’ ‘Assuming that I haven’t done everything to improve my current situation, what else can I do?’”

“Sometimes I find that people are avoiding having a conversation with an influential person that can change their situation but they don’t out of fear,” Levenson continues. “I then want to know what it is that they are really afraid of.”

Take action and make changes
“Next, figure out which of things that you’ve identified are fixable or able to be changed,” Milligan says. “Each of them will have different solutions. If it’s a long commute, do things that make your commute more bearable, such as listening to audio books or possibly carpooling. If it’s a detested co-worker, focus on making friends with other people. If it’s the work you despise, figure out what things you love to do, and see if there are cross-training opportunities in a different department. If you love to write, see if the company needs someone to put together articles for the company newsletter. If you’re really into working out in your off hours, put together a wellness committee for the company that gets people to walk during their lunch hour and discuss fitness and weight-loss tactics. If you love classic cars, organize an outing to a car show over the weekend.”

Milligan says that if you bring more of the things you love into your workplace, you’ll ultimately be happier at work. “Now more than ever, managers and business owners see the value in happy, sociable employees.”

If it’s time to go, find somewhere good to go to
If you’ve made an effort to change but you’re still miserable, you can move on with peace of mind. That starts with taking what you’ve figured out and applying it to your job search. “Determining what factors are important to you in your next workplace or role can be fun,” Levenson says. “An exercise I have personally used and encourage my clients to use is to ‘Create Your Ideal Job.’ Create a list of all of your desirables and don’t censor yourself. Even if you start to hear that voice in your head that says, ‘You can’t have that,’ you never know.”

“Get specific about all of the things that are important to you that you want to have in your next job,” Levenson adds. “Here are a few ideas: the company reputation, your office space, the people in it, the benefits, location, commute, desired salary, the resources you’ll have to use, the training program, management styles, growth opportunities, hours and company culture.”

Dana Manciagli

13 Interview Attire Mistakes That Can Sabotage your Job Search
July 09, 2014 

Job search is all about first impressions. You want your appearance to convey a confident, respectful, professional and prepared job-seeker. Remember, you are ‘on stage’…and this interview day is your BEST day. Obviously, you want the interviewer to concentrate on your skills, qualifications, and fit with their job description specifications. However, if you look disheveled or too casual, you may be remembered for the wrong reasons. Interviewers know that what you wear is not your normal day-to-day attire, and it may not even be the everyday style of their office.

First and foremost, understand the product or service of the company. Applying for a position with a law firm requires a different ‘attitude’ in dressing than for an internet company or manufacturing facility. However, during my 30 years as a hiring manager and candidate, I have never heard an interviewer complain that “they came in too nicely dressed”.

Following are 13 mistakes that WILL derail your ability to make a professional first impression and may undermine your ability to WIN that job. A special thanks to my mother, Ilse Metchek, a fashion icon and President of the California Fashion Association (CFA).

For Men:

Men’s Suits

Mistake #1: Wearing a suit with bold colors, large prints, stripes, plaids or funky patterns

Correction: Wear a jacket in a dark, solid color such as navy or charcoal/gray

Mistake #2: Wearing a suit jacket with pants that don’t match

Correction: If you wear a 2-piece suit, be sure it matches, or wear a blazer and slacks – no jeans!

Mistake #3: Wearing a suit made of an exotic fabric such as suede, leather or velvet

Correction: Wear a jacket of neutral fibers (depending on the season) like wool, a wool blend, cotton, or linen.

Mistake #4: Wearing a garment that doesn’t fit.

Correction: Anything too large or too small is a dead give-away that it is not yours! Invest in ONE ‘interview’ outfit; it’s worth it!

Men’s Socks and Footwear:

Mistake #5: Wearing no socks, short socks, or socks with large prints, patterns or bright colors.

Correction: Wear socks mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down. Generally, your socks should match the bottom of your slacks.

Mistake #6: Wearing dress boots, athletic shoes, deck shoes, crocs, sandals, flip flops

Correction: Wear leather shoes with or without laces; dressy loafers are OK for a casual facility—shinier materials, such as patent leather, are too dressy

Mistake #7: Wearing a short-sleeve shirt, collarless shirt, ill-fitting shirt, rolled up sleeves or wrinkled shirt

Correction: Wear a well-pressed, long-sleeve, button-down-the-front shirt with a collar. The shirt should fit your neck perfectly (If it is too tight, it will look strained and if neckline is too large your tie will drag the collar shirt down). Here’s the trick: hang your shirt in or around a steamy shower for about 5 minutes to get the wrinkles out.

Mistake #8: Wearing bold shirts in flashy colors or prints

Correction: Choose a solid or conservatively striped shirt

Men’s Ties:

Mistake #9: Wearing a flashy tie, a tie with religious, political or sports symbols, or with cartoon characters

Correction: Wear a tie with neat repeating patterns or a traditionally striped tie. When in doubt, be on the conservative side

Men’s Jewelry:

Mistake #10: Wearing excessive amounts of jewelry , or body jewelry (ear, eyebrow, nose rings)

Correction: Limit yourself to a watch and one ring per hand

For Women While many of the mistakes and appropriate recommendations above apply to women as well, there are a couple of additional points for women:

Suit: Wear a pant suit or a knee-length skirt suit
Hosiery: When wearing a skirt suit, wear neutral or flesh-tone stockings. In spite of the no-hosiery trend, this interview needs to be your BEST day so err on the formal side.
Shoes: Wear a low-heel shoe versus flats or 4+-inch high heels; no sandals, tennis shoes or flip flops. Depending on the season, boots are OK too.
Necklines: Too low a neckline can give the interviewer the wrong impression. Button up your blouses. Do not show any undergarment shoulder straps.
Hemlines: Wear a suit that reaches the middle of the knee or 1-2 inches below the knee. When legs are crossed, the interviewer may be given the wrong impression.
Perfumes: Do not wear any. Some interviewers may be allergic and you don’t want to leave an impression of your perfume in their office all day. Additionally, aromas are very subjective; the interviewer may just not like your scent…ever.
All Genders: Briefcase / Portfolio / Pen:

Mistake #11: Not having anything with you to take notes with. Not having copies of your resume.

Correction: Bring in a portfolio or briefcase with a clean pad and pens (have back-up!), multiple copies of your resume, notes you have taken to prepare for the interview, including questions you will ask them, and a copy of the job description. Toss in a bottle of water and a nutritional bar in case you are waiting or are given a short break.

All Genders: Cell phone:

Mistake #12: Talking or texting on your way into the interview area — or worse yet, taking a call during the interview. Your cell phone should be off once you are on the premises. Correction: Turn off your cell phone as soon as you step out of your vehicle or transportation. Trick: Put a big yellow sticky note on your portfolio to remember.
All Genders: Hats or Sunglasses:

Mistake #13: Wearing a hat or sunglasses in the building for your meeting.

Correction: Do not wear a hat and remove sunglasses immediately upon entering the building. (No sunglasses up on top of your head—remove them completely)

These recommendations are for the traditional, conservative industries. If you’re pursuing a position in the creative or artistic field, you may need to adjust these recommendations. However, always err on the conservative side of the industry unless you feel you simply could not be happy working in a somewhat conservative environment.

Remember, this is your BEST day and you want to be remembered for your “total package”, including the presentation of your skills and capabilities. Yes, dressing for success is important. As Shakespeare said, “All the world is a stage and we are merely players”….the interview is your ‘stage’.

(To accelerate your next career move or hire a dynamic speaker, visit DanaManciagli.com)

Performs a wide variety of Accounting functions, such as provide assistance to Director of Compliance in assuring proper control, balance sheet integrity, and Sarbanes Oxley compliance for the company. The position will assist in driving improvements to processes in a manufacturing environment, maintain records, research problem areas, develops analysis of general ledger accounts and issue reports on findings.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensure company accounting procedures conform to GAAP principles and local accounting principles and drive compliance to Sarbanes Oxley requirements.

Participates in the annual physical inventory process at locations as needed.

Assists in the annual internal, external, & tax audits in multiple countries.

Involved in projects and staff meetings, offer solutions to problems and stay informed on issues that directly effect facility.

Ensure balance sheet reconciliations are properly performed and reviewed with reconciling items clearly explained in Blackline Reconciliation software monthly.

Understand relevant financial reporting risks in a manufacturing environment and adapting processes and procedures as needed to mitigate risk and maintain a high level of control.

Proactively communicate and work with management team on significant, unusual, or non-recurring accounting matters to manage risk.

Work with plant personnel and corporate team to keep accounting policies and procedures updated and relevant for plant operations.

Identify inefficiencies in existing processes that lead to variances on the balance sheet, including inventory, and recommending improvements to processes to reduce variances.

Promotes a high level of ethics and accountability.

Assist in month end close and supplemental reporting as needed

Research, analyze, and interpret accounting pronouncements and assist in the evaluation of the impact and financial reporting for management.

Review of contracts and leases for compliance with company policy and GAAP.

Job Specifications:

Skills

Knowledge of integrated ERP systems

Advanced Level: Excel, Microsoft Word, Windows, PowerPoint

Strong FASB/GAAP accounting theory, research, and application skills

High Degree of professionalism, respect, and integrity

Conflict resolution and problem solving skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to work cross-functionally and be a contributing team player within a manufacturing environment

Energetic, resourceful and hands-on individual with a strong bias for action, someone who commits himself/herself fully to stretch goals and who is dedicated to developing and delivering outstanding results.

Education

Four year degree in Finance or Accounting

CPA preferred

Work Experience

Minimum of 3+ years in public accounting AND/OR

Minimum of 2+ years of business experience performing accounting work of a detailed nature, in a manufacturing organization that has a Standard Cost System.

International Accounting Experience Preferred.

A billion-dollar international services company is looking to fill multiple Internal Auditor positions. They offer the lowest travel in the industry (<10%) with a lot of growth potential – a highly visible role to senior executives.

Candidate Responsibilities:
– SOX and Operation Audit
– Serve as a consultant to upper management on audit findings
– Ad hoc projects

Candidate Requirements:
– 1- 3 years previous Internal Audit experience
– Prefer SOX exposure, but not required
– Ability to travel domestically
– Bachelor Degree in Accounting or Finance

Qualified applicants should apply by sending their resume directly as a MS Word Attachment to dcd@fittsroberts.com.

Why Recruiters Ask The 5 Toughest Job Interview Questions
During a job interview, there are five questions you must absolutely be ready to answer.

Why these five? Because old-school recruiters and hiring managers have come to count on them as the best possible way to gauge your confidence, passion, sincerity and knowledge of the role for which you’ve applied as well as the mission of the company.

There’s a down side to this, of course: because these questions are asked of everyone there is almost no such thing as an original answer. While the recruiter is smiling, nodding and exuding professional politeness the chances are good they are really thinking:

“For the love of Pete… Can’t anyone give me a good answer to this question?!”

With that in mind, here’s why a recruiter is really asking these questions, and what they really want learn from your answer:

“Why should we hire you?”
As complicated as this question sounds, it is designed to help the recruiter learn three simple things:

How well do you know – and how well can you articulate – your strengths, skills and qualifications?
How much do you know about the mission of this organization and the role for which you applied?
Have you considered how working here, in this specific role, will help us accomplish the mission?
So when answering this question, don’t dive into your hometown, what you enjoyed most about college, your hobbies or family life. Don’t simply regurgitate the company mission statement. And definitely don’t give some generic “Miss America” contestant answer about wanting to change the world.

Instead, focus on answering the three “real” questions the recruiter is asking. Tell the recruiter about your unique value proposition. State your version of the company mission – and be sure to include “why” the company does what it does. Then, deliberately talk about how you being chosen for the position will help them meet their organizational goals.

That is what the recruiter really cares about. That is what they are really asking!

(By-the-way, this exact same approach can easily be used to answer two other tough job interview questions: “Tell me about yourself?” and “Why do you want to work here?”)

“Describe a problem, then tell me how you solved that problem?”
With this question, interviewers are measuring your ability not just to think critically and develop solutions – but to see if you understand the impact of the solution.

Regardless of the specific issue, phrase your answer in the form of a fairy tale. Specifically, tell the recruiter:

The beginning: What was the problem? Why was the hero necessary?
The middle: How did the hero solve the story? Who was helped? Who was impacted? How did lives or business change?
The quantified end: What was the real impact of the hero’s work? How many dollars were saved? What percentage of operations were impacted? What was the effect on the customer? Who lived happily ever after?
In job interviews, storytellers make the best sellers. This is more than just a good question. This is your opportunity to tell a good story.

“Why did you leave your last job?”
This question is asked for one primary reason: to see of you are going to badmouth your former employer, boss and colleagues. Just don’t. Ever.

There is a second reason this question is asked: let’s call it a “sincerity test.” If you really hated your last job, boss or the work environment – and your body language makes it clear you did – and yet you attempt to talk your way through the question by putting a false-positive spin on the issues… a recruiter will know. Fact is: a recruiter can smell BS a mile away, no matter how well you try cover it up.

The best possible answer to this question comes from creating a concise, well-rehearsed (but not memorized) answer that talks about your need to grow as a professional and why this company is a great match.

“What is your greatest weakness?”
Yes, this question is a cliché. However, you must be ready with a really good answer.

The standard wisdom here is to take what should be a strength (“I care too much” or “I work too hard”) and relate it as a weakness. Recruiters see these generic answers coming… and they are not amused.

To answer this question in a more authentic way, review the job description and find the biggest requirement (usually found in the first few bullets) that you haven’t yet mastered. Then talk – carefully and deliberately – about how you will acquire that skill, and soon.

This answer shows the recruiter you have done your homework; that you are anticipating any possible objections that may stop them from hiring you; and – most important – you are self-aware and humble enough to tackle the hard issues. You lack that skill. You are accountable for gaining that skill. You have a plan.

That is how you turn an unimaginative, cliché question… into an opportunity to impress.

“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
Ah, the second worst cliché job interview question… yet again, you must be prepared.

Candidates tend to go two ways with this one; either they drone on in some long answer about how they want to move up within the company. Or they go into a diatribe about their personal goals of getting married, starting a family, seeing the world… blah, blah, blah.

Here’s what a recruiter really wants to hear: “Today, I’m focused on convincing you I’m the best person for this job. Over the next 90 days, I’ll prove you right. A year from now, I want you to look back on today as one of the best hiring decisions you ever made. When you feel that way, we’ll talk about my desire to lead a team right here at ABC Company.”

(Or, you could do what I did in my ultra-confident years as an engineer; you could say, “In your chair, after I help you get that promotion to National Field Director.” Yes, it worked.)

When asked these five questions, frame your answers around why the question was asked in the first place – and what the recruiter really wants to hear. Answer confidently and sincerely. And you’ll soon find yourself in the top 5% of all candidates who applied for the position!

About the Author: CEO and Founder of YouTern, Mark Babbitt is a serial mentor who has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Mashable and Forbes regarding job search, career development, internships and higher education’s role in preparing emerging talent for the workforce. A keynote speaker and blogger, Mark’s contributions include Huffington Post, Bloomberg News, Switch and Shift, and Under30CEO.

6 Recruiter-Recommended LinkedIn Tips
by Kyra Mancine on 19 June 2014 at 13:01

Many recruiters and staffing managers rely on LinkedIn extensively when sourcing candidates. Whether you’re employed or looking for a job, keeping your profile up-to-date is important. Maximize your profile, target your activity and you WILL get noticed.

1) Make the most of stealth mode. If you’re updating your profile and DON’T want people to see every change you make, go into settings and click on “Turn on/off your activity broadcasts.” This is highly recommended if you’re employed and looking for new opportunities. It can look suspicious to your current employer and colleagues if they start to see you making additions to your page.

2) Get into groups. Don’t just join a group, get involved! Every time you like or comment in a group discussion, you’re seen by the other members of the group – whether they are your connections or not! Also, did you know that you can send a message to a fellow group member without being connected? This can be a powerful tool. Don’t abuse this feature, but do use it to your advantage.

3) Quantify your accomplishments. Hiring managers look through dozens, and in many cases, hundreds, of profiles daily. You really only have seconds to grab their attention. Add statistics, numbers and percentages that show how you saved your employers time, effort and money.

4) Add images and links. If you click on “Edit Profile” on your page, it will bring up an Edit option by your Summary and Experience sections. Click on the + sign on the right to add links, images and documents to your page. This is the perfect place to add articles, blog posts and other work that showcase your skills and strengths. Note – these photos, links and documents only show up to connections. Non-connections will only see the text of your profile if they search and find you via a search engine.

5) Make your status updates count. Don’t be “me” focused. Even though your LinkedIn page is obviously about you, it’s better to offer your connections information that’s relevant to THEM. You don’t have to create the content yourself. Search Google and Yahoo for industry articles, career related content, etc. Don’t be controversial. Safe topics can include workplace satisfaction, how to be more productive during the day, interview advice, etc. Remember, any time one of your connections comments and likes your status update, all their connections see it as well.

6) Contain stalking tendencies. It’s fine to research potential employers and employees at a company you are interested in – within reason. It’s only human nature to be curious when someone clicks on your profile and then click on theirs. However, multiple viewings of the same person can start to look a bit creepy. Switch to anonymous mode to be completely safe. You’ll find this feature under Privacy & Settings.

Two Bonus tips:
LinkedIn is constantly adding new features. They recently started rolling out a feature where users can self -publish. “When a member publishes a post on LinkedIn, their original content becomes part of their professional profile and is shared with their network.” This is a great opportunity to promote yourself through writing and sharing information.

LinkedIn also has an interesting new feature where you can check how you rank compared to other users at your company and among your connections. You can see how you rank for profile views within your company and within your connections. Get to this section by clicking on Who’s Viewed Your Profile. It will bring you to a page where you can then click to see how you rank.

LinkedIn can be a great way to make connections, promote yourself professionally and research potential employers and positions. Tweak your profile and use some or all of these tips to stand out from the competition. To find out more about other new features, check out their blog.

Kyra Mancine is a member of the recruiting team at Oldcastle, North America’s largest manufacturer and distributor of building products and materials. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for career and job search advice, as well as job opportunities. We’re here to help!

#Infographic: 12 personality traits of awesome #bosses – http://ow.ly/ywPUj  #leadership

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140623123921-20017018-the-5-best-questions-a-job-candidate-can-ask

While you certainly have questions you like to ask (like these three), and maybe you ask one question to identify a superstar… if you’re an experienced interviewer you may almost always feel it’s a waste of time when you ask the candidate, “Do you have any questions for me?”

Why? The average candidate doesn’t actually care about how you answer their questions; instead they try to make themselves look good by asking “smart” questions. To them, what they ask is a lot more important than how you answer.

On the other hand, great candidates ask questions they actually want answered because they’re actively evaluating you and your company… they’re deciding whether they really want to work for you.

Here are five questions great job candidates ask:

“What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 60 to 90 days?”

Great candidates want to hit the ground running. They don’t want to spend weeks or months “getting to know the organization.” They want to make a difference right away.

Plus they want to know how they’ll be evaluated – so they definitely want to understand objectives and expectations.

“What are the common attributes of your top performers?”

Great candidates also want to be great long-term employees. Every organization is different, and so are the key qualities of top performers in those organizations.

Maybe your top performers work longer hours. Or maybe flexibility and creativity is more important than following rigid processes. Or maybe landing new customers in new markets is more important than building long-term customer relationships. Or maybe spending the same amount of time educating an entry-level customer is as important as helping an enthusiast who wants high-end solutions.

Whatever the answer may be, great candidates want to know because 1) they want to know if they fit, and 2) if they do, they definitely want to be a top performer.

“What are the one or two things that really drive results for the company?”

Employees are investments, and every employee should generate a positive return on his or her salary. (Otherwise why are they on the payroll?)

In every job some activities make a bigger difference than others. You want your HR staff to fill job openings… but what you really need is for HR to find the right candidates because that results in higher retention rates, lower training costs, and better overall productivity.

You want your service techs to perform effective repairs… but what you really need is for those techs to identify ways to solve problems and provide further benefits — in short, to generate additional sales.

Great candidates want to know what truly makes a difference for your company… because they know helping the company succeed means they will also succeed, on multiple levels.

“What do employees do in their spare time?”

Happy employees 1) love the work they do, and 2) genuinely like the people they work with.

Granted this is a tough question to answer. Unless the company is really small, all any interviewer can do is speak in generalities.

Even so, great candidates want to make sure they have a reasonable chance of fitting in with the culture — because great job candidates almost always have options.

“How do you plan to deal with…?”

Every business faces a major challenge: technological changes, competitors entering the market, shifting economic trends… there’s rarely a moat protecting a small business.

So while a candidate may see your company as a stepping-stone, they still hope for growth and advancement… and if they do eventually leave, they want it to be on their terms and not because you were forced out of business.

Say I’m interviewing for a position at your bike shop. Another shop is opening less than a mile away. How do you plan to deal with the new competitor?

Or say you run a poultry farm (a major industry where I live): What will you do to deal with rising feed costs?

A great candidate doesn’t just want to know what you think; they want to know what you plan to do — and how they will fit into those plans.

Now it’s your turn. If you’re an interviewer, what are great questions you’ve been asked – and what do those questions indicate? Or, if you’re interviewed, what questions do you like to ask?

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/human-resources/2014/06/why-i-almost-punched-this-job-seeker-in-the-face.html?page=all

Why I almost punched this job seeker in the face

John Nemo, Contributing Writer
Jun 18, 2014, 8:10pm EDT

I wanted to punch a grown man in the face the other day.
He’d been out of work several months, and we decided to meet up for coffee at the suggestion of a mutual professional connection.
I spent 90 minutes pouring every ounce of passion I had into this guy, coming up with at least a dozen ways he could take his personal story and work history and create a new narrative both online and in person. I showed him how he could use tools like LinkedIn to circumvent the gatekeeper system and start connecting and engaging with the actual decision makers and hiring managers of the places he wanted to work at.

The guy just slouched lower in his seat, nodding meekly as I went all Sgt. Slaughter on him. It took everything I had not to jump up, shove the table between us aside, grab him by the collar and shout: “Hey! You want something? You have to go get it! You need to hustle! You need to show a pulse! You need to personalize your approach and show others how once they hire you, they’ll realize they can’t live without the value and benefit you bring their business!”

By the time we were finished, I was emotionally exhausted. I might as well have been trying to motivate a mannequin. As a test, I gave the guy my card and said, “Email me and ask me to make the introductions to the people I told you about or to give you more advice on the job search strategies I’m telling you about, and we can go from there.”
The guy never emailed.

The land of plenty
What makes encounters like that one all the more maddening is that we’re living in a time of almost limitless opportunity.
Think about it. We now carry a portable television studio (iPhone) in our pocket. We have the ability to broadcast our own television show to the entire world for free thanks to outlets like YouTube. We have the ability to create our own personal printing press or online company thanks to blogs and websites. (Again, for free!) We can write and publish books on the world’s largest bookstore (Amazon.com) for free in a matter of minutes. We can locate, engage and network with leaders and decision makers at every large and small business on the planet (again, at no cost) thanks to LinkedIn.
And your excuse for being out of work or staying stuck in a job you hate is what again?

Reality bites
Here’s the deal: You are going to die.
I don’t say this to be morbid, but rather to remind us all that you only get one shot to really live.
I believe you were put on this planet for a reason, and that you have a unique value and benefit to share with the rest of us — in the business world and beyond.
So why are you wasting another 24 hours sitting on the sidelines of life?
Why aren’t you chasing your dreams and doing what you love?

Passion. Purpose. Persistence.
Somebody turned me onto Napoleon Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich a few months back.
I was intrigued because Hill kept saying there was one simple secret behind the most successful people on the planet – men like Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and countless others.

What I discovered is that it really boils down to three things: Passion, purpose and persistence.

Passion is the activity we’d pay someone else to let us do, let alone doing it for a living and getting money for it.

Purpose is what we want out of life. And the more specific we can be about that, the better. Purpose also fuels Passion. As a mentor of mine likes to say, “You’ll never make seven figures with six-figure work habits.”

Persistence is the most important of all. The life you want and the career you crave will not happen on its own.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence,” Calvin Coolidge said. “Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Arguably the greatest — and most clutch — basketball player in NBA history is Michael Jordan, winner of six NBA titles and five league MVP awards.
Jordan got cut from his high school team as a sophomore. He missed more than 9,000 shots during his career. He lost more than 300 games.
“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life,” Jordan is quoted as saying. “And that is why I succeed.”

Let’s make a deal
The only thing holding you back from living the life you want and doing the work you love is you.
That’s why I wanted to punch that guy in the face the other day.
Will you make me a promise? Will you share this with someone who needs a kick in the pants? (If that person is you, print this post out and keep it on your desk!) Then send me an email or a social media message and tell me what your passion is and how you’re going to get after it.
Look, the last thing we need is one more professional working a job he or she isn’t passionate about. It’s bad for you, it’s bad for your customers and its bad for your employer.
I’m looking forward to your notes, and even more, I’m looking forward to where you’re headed.

See you on the other side!
John Nemo is a Minneapolis-based business coach and consultant. He’s the author of six books, including “LinkedIn Riches: How to Leverage the World’s Largest Professional Network to enhance Your Brand, Generate Leads and Increase Revenue!”

 

Big or Small – 5 Steps to Reaching Your Goals
June 19, 2014

We live in a “must have bigger, shinier, better than” type of society. There is a misconception that goals have to be big, have to make you a ton of money, and have to be approved by others! Personal goals are exactly that, personal. Little goals achieved are much more productive than big ones never reached! I work with people that desire many personal/career growths. Their goals range from building confidence and self worth, finding their passion, reaching/exceeding their career goals, living a positive life, becoming a more effective leader, increasing their sales, and many more. Some goals are very big and some are very small, however, they are all personal goals and crucial to each of them.

No matter the size of your goal, there is a method to reaching and exceeding it. I am writing this from absolute experience. This is made up of massive amounts of trial and errors on my part. After many failures of reaching set goals, I realized that simply writing a goal down and wishing really hard, did not produce results. I actually had to act upon it! Not only did I have to act upon it, I had to repeatedly act upon it. I tried to avoid this at all costs but oddly enough, the results ended up the same. The good news is that I removed my head from my butt and became proactive in reaching/exceeding my set goals! I would like to share with you a plan that was already discovered by many others, but how I made it work for me and may work for you as well.

1. Set your goal – Decide on your actual goal. Start off as large as you want and then begin to break it down until you find your goal. An example is “Be financially secure.” Break it down to its smallest form and realize the first step to your goal. Maybe it is only eating out once a week, or applying for the promotion at your work. Whatever the first step to achieving your big goal, becomes your set goal for now. Once you achieve that, move to the next step.

2. Make a plan – This is your attack plan. A plan in no way shape or form has to be in any specified format. It is your plan, make it work for you. I am a simple type of person so when I make an attack plan, I keep it to 5 steps max. Once I tackle the first 5, if needed I add another 5. This is very effective for me, however, you need to adjust yours until it works for you. The only time it will be wrong is if you quit. Other than that, keep adjusting.

3. Get to work! – Today is the perfect day to begin your journey to reaching your goal. You have set your goal and made a plan. Right now you have a piece of paper and a dream. The only way to move forward from here is to take action. Again, it is up to you how much action you want to take. Start at #1 of your plan and once complete, move to #2 and so on. A mistake I have made in the past was to do #1, hop to #3, dabble with #4, and bypass #5. My advice is to stick to your order as much as possible. Once each is completed, it will naturally lead you to the next. Nobody else can determine at what speed you need to be working. This is your goal, not theirs! The important part is that you are moving in a forward motion at all times! Do the work, reap the benefits!

4. Stick to it – This is the make or break one! Sticking to it will separate you from the triers and the doers. Keep in mind, if your goal was easy it would not have to be a goal. It takes effort, every single day! There will be days that you want to throw your hands up and quit. That would be easy, regretful, but easy. These are the days you find out what you are made of. How important is this goal to you? If you truly want to reach it, you will find the way to keep going! (You can contact me, I will give you encouragement!)

5. Reach Goal – YOU DID IT! Now it is time to exceed this goal. Enjoy and be proud of yourself, then find at least one way you can improve this goal immediately! Superstars are not made from doing the average. If you reached this goal, I bet you can exceed it way further than you ever thought!
Always remember, this is your journey, nobody else’s. Enjoy, and learn every single step of the way. When something works for you, share it with somebody else that is struggling. 

Debbie Dickerson

 

 

Growing company located in Katy is looking to add an Accountant to their team. 

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in accounting required. CPA a plus.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Analytical Skills
• Communications – effective listening, speaking and writing
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite; especially Excel
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Used to working in a team structure
• Knowledge of US GAAP accounting principles
• Knowledge of SOX, a plus

SOME DUTIES: • Timely completion of month-end, quarter-end and year-end close activities and journal entries
• Prepares journal entries by compiling and analyzing fixed assets and lease information from various sources
• Helps maintain and implement sound accounting controls
• Recommends changes for improvement in controls, as necessary, within a SOX controls framework
• Performs monthly analysis of account activity
• Performs balance sheet account reconciliations
• Develops strong relationships with departments outside of accounting
• Helps perform special projects, when needed
• Supports external and internal auditors, as needed
• Assist Team Lead and/or Fixed Assets Manager, as needed
• Maintains confidentiality over financial information.
• Required to learn company policies, procedures and safety rules.

Duties may change and associates may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/how-to/human-resources/2014/06/how-to-do-your-homework-before-a-job-interview.html?ana=e_hstn_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2014-06-18&u=glKEt+uVA4SWk8BOTgN7pE+OY41&t=1403099536

 

What one piece of company information stands out to the interviewer and shows that candidates have done their homework on the company?

Answer from Career Mojo:
There is more than one piece of information you need to show the interviewer to prove that you have done your homework. Here are the four key pieces of information to review before your interview:

1. Dissect the job description
Too many candidates show little to no understanding of the job requirements, since they haven’t read what the hiring manager wrote. Ensure that you understand every word, including acronyms. In addition, prepare notes that show where your unique experiences correlate with their requirements. Prepare to sell your attributes, including stories that will be examples of your skills.

2. Know the company’s various businesses
Spend hours on the web reading about them, and take notes.

3. Know the specific division, group, department or team that you are interviewing for
This is a sad – and true – story from one hiring interview I conducted at Microsoft. I interviewed a candidate for a mid-management position that would work with partners who were Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). The candidate clearly did not do his homework, because in the interview with me, he asked, “What does OEM stand for?”

4. Know yourself
Can you answer, “Tell me about yourself,” in three short bullet points? Be prepared to tell me about a time when you filled a requirement in the job description. This is called a situational interview question – expect it. These questions are becoming more common.

Dana Manciagli is a career expert, speaker and private coach. She has spent more than 30 years as a Fortune 500 sales and marketing executive, now retired after more than a decade at Microsoft. Dana is the author of the book, “Cut the Crap, Get a Job!” and a prolific blogger. She sits on the worldwide board of Junior Achievement and has her MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Basic Functions:

The basic function of this position is to process payroll and reconcile GL accounts related to payroll.

This position requires communication with all departments of  and its subsidiaries, Paycom personnel and various government agencies.

Specific Work Performed:

1. Payroll Specialist – Review timecards and payroll register for accuracy and make adjustments as needed. Sort and distribute payroll checks to various facilities.
2. Assist Controller and Assistant Controller with month end close, including reconciliation of various general ledger accounts and preparation of various monthly journal entries.
3. Preparation of monthly analysis schedules including:
a. Revenue per Labor Hour
b. Daily and weekly labor reports
c. End of month payroll accrual
4. Daily bank reconciliation for the payroll bank account.
5. Assist Controller with audit schedule preparation.
6. Assist Assistant Controller with various spreadsheets for management.
7. Perform any needed tasks requested by CFO, Controller and Assistant Controller.

Skills and Experience:
Accounting Degree or 3-5 years experience in industry 
Experience with accounting software
Computer literate including Microsoft Excel and Word
Multi-tasker, self-starter
Must be able to work in fast paced environment
Team Player
Overtime required for first week of the month and various other times depending on work load

Position Summary:

Plan, develop and coordinate the preparation of financial analyses and reports including, but not limited to, operational and capital budgets, financial statements, statistical reports, cost analyses and other financial information; perform complex and specialized assignments in assigned area of expertise.

Job Responsibilities:

Coordinate preparation of the Company’s annual operating and capital budget; development of the annual financial forecast, used as a modeling tool for determining appropriate funding levels and the corresponding impact on the allocated costs.

Prepare cash flow analysis based on projected budget.

Provide financial support related to capital projects, and serve as a resource and expert on capital budgeting issues and processes.

Collect, analyze and interpret financial data, and identify corresponding policy implications and/or recommendations.

Prepare various financial reports and analyses. Assist in monitoring and analyzing financial trends, prioritize opportunities for improvement, and facilitate efforts to implement enhancements to the processes and systems. Identify effective indicators of financial performance and assess performance compared with industry standards.

Prepare financial models and multi-year forecasts to provide an understanding of the economics of activities of projects assigned. Develop appropriate financial strategies to ensure the organization success and profitability.

Maintain liaison with business unit financial managers to advise units regarding financial position, cash flows, accounts, budgets, budget requests and related financial matters. Manage the financial analysis and reports for departments.
Assist in identifying operational problems, issues, and obstacles regarding financial services based on metrics data, internal audit reports, and input from budget managers.

OTHER JOB RELATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

The responsibilities of this position require the ability to coordinate the implementation of solutions; to identify and analyze accounting and financial reporting issues; to meet strict deadlines with accuracy.

Qualifications:

Work requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Computer Science or a related field.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of five years of experience in budget development or financial analysis and forecasting.

Experience which provides the opportunity to collect and interpret data using different computer and statistical models, analyze trends and prepare reports, preferably in a university setting. Strong Excel skills required.

http://interviewsuccessformula.com/interview-tips/8-job-interview-tips-you-might-not-have-yet-heard-before.php?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite

 

8 Job Interview Tips You Might Not Have Yet Heard Before 

Anytime we’re looking for a job, we tend to ask lots of people or search the World Wide Web for hints and ideas. However, it seems like everyone is telling you about the same old things like writing a great cover letter, tailoring your resume to the job, widening your network and reaching out to it… All of these tips tend to get repeated over and over again.

Now, instead of hearing the same old advice, this article will give you some tips that you might have not heard. Without further ado, let’s take a look at them.

1. Whatever your interviewer is reading, read it.

Most likely, you’ve seen plenty of articles offering interview tips to job seekers. Yet, have you seen or read any article giving advice to the interviewers? By reading some of these, you’ll get a sense of what they’re trained to look for in an applicant and why they might ask certain questions. So, whatever it is you think the interviewer’s reading, you should read it as well.

2. Practice with a friend, and play the interviewer’s part.

A number of experienced hiring managers who have already interviewed many candidates say that they don’t get nervous at their own job interviews anymore simply because they’ve already handled so many interviews themselves and so already know how the interviewer’s mind works. This is actually true and beneficial. So if you have a friend who is also a job seeker, try to role play and practice with him or her and play the interviewer’s role.

3. Discover your fears.

Identify the questions you’re most anxious about, and if they’re about something specific like salary or why you left the previous job, don’t just hope and pray that it won’t be asked or that a good answer will come out of your mouth right at the moment. Instead, start assuming that these questions will be asked, and prepare and practice your answers over and over again. That way, it will be easy for you to answer these questions if they’re asked.

4. Is there a time slot available in the morning for the interview? Try to ask for it.

If there’s a morning slot that’s available for an interview, try to get that one. By getting it all done in the morning, you won’t have to worry about the nerves increasing as each hour passes during the day of the interview

5. Ask in advance (politely) whom you’ll be having the interview with.

It’s perfectly fine to ask for details about the interview, and particularly whom you’ll be meeting with. If you find out beforehand, this will decrease the pressure and fears you’ll get when you walk through the door on the day of the interview. Plus, you’ll have enough time to research about the person/s so that you’ll know how to prepare yourself for them.

6. Don’t come too early.

When candidates show up more than five or 10 minutes earlier than the expected time of the interview, most interviewers get annoyed. Why? They feel obliged to stop what they’re doing and go out to greet and welcome you. To avoid that, come early to the interview (because who knows if you’re going to face a traffic jam or other kinds of delays), but don’t walk through the front door until five minutes before your scheduled time.

7. Recommendation letters? Skip that part.

If you think that you’re strengthening your application by gathering recommendation letters from your past managers, you’re just wasting your time and theirs. If hiring managers want to speak to your references, they’ll ask you to provide reference contact information. So, skip these letters unless an interviewer asks for them.

8. Put the job out of your mind after the interview.

Don’t dwell on what happened in the interview. Once it’s done, it’s done. Don’t make yourself go crazy agonizing how it went or second-guessing your answers and trying to predict when the employer will get back to you. Put your mind at ease and keep yourself on track. Make a note on your calendar to schedule the follow-up if you haven’t heard back in two weeks.

Take note of these job interview tips; they’re unusual but definitely worth trying about. You might or might not have heard of them, but they can certainly help you achieve your goal of landing a job.

 

Growing Oil & Gas Company located in downtown Houston is adding to their team again! Are you looking for a company that provides excllent salary, bonus and benefits???? Well don’t stop now…read on!

 

Job Duties:

Month End Close / Financial Reports

Preparation and entry of Journal Entries

Intercompany Accounting

Bank account reconciliations

GL account reconciliations including resolution of discrepancies

Maintain a close checklist and close calendar

Monthly financial statement preparation and analysis

Monthly compliance reporting

Preparation of schedules for the annual audit

 

Qualifications:

Bachelors Degree in Accounting Required

CPA or CPA candidate preferred

Working knowledge of GAAP

Experience with consolidations and intercompany

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Office (Excel and Word)

Experience with accounting software

Great work ethic- lead by example character

A team player- always looking for ways to contribute to the Accounting team

Takes initiative on improving processes

Self-Starter- can work independently as well as a team player

Benefits:

10 to 30% bonus potential

Full medical, dental and vision paid by company

$100 / month gym membership…

Free downtown parking