40 Interview Questions That Will Sort the Great from the Good

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire
Originally published by Inc.com
It’s the soft skills that determine how successful leaders will be.

By Gordon Tredgold
Founder and CEO, Leadership Principles

 

Interviewing people for jobs can very difficult, especially for leadership or management positions. You often have only a limited time available to ask questions, and many candidates are so well prepared it can be difficult to get beneath the polished veneer that they are looking to present, and find out who they really are. Technical ability is fairly easy to assess but it’s their soft skills, their emotional intelligence that is going to have a much bigger impact on whether they will be successful or not.

You need to get them talking about themselves freely, throw them out of their rhythm, and try to find out who is the person behind the mask, The better you can do that, the more successful you will be in your hiring.

Here are 40 interview questions that I have used when interviewing for leadership positions, which have helped me identify the best candidate.

As many of these are open-ended questions give your candidate as much time as they need to answer them, the more they speak the more they will reveal about themselves.

  1. What value do you bring to this organization?
  2. If you could start your career over again, what would you do differently?
  3. Describe the best boss you ever reported to, and why?
  4. Describe the worst boss that you ever reported to, and why?
  5. Tell me about the biggest failure you were involved in and what you learned from it.
  6. Describe what you think this role is about and why it is important to our company?
  7. Tell me about a project where you did more with less, and how you achieved it?
  8. What does accountability mean to you?
  9. Tell me about a time you had to let an employee go? How did you handle that process, and did it go smoothly?
  10. How do you give people feedback when their performance is not up to standard?
  11. If you could know three things about your boss what would they be?
  12. What’s the best feedback you have ever been given, and why?
  13. What’s the worst feedback you have even been given, why, and how did you handle it?
  14. If you were asked to do something that was impossible, how would you handle that?
  15. We asked your previous bosses what they liked and disliked the most about you, what do you think he said?
  16. What kind of challenges would you not want to be involved in?
  17. What’s your biggest fear in life?
  18. What would you do if you won the lottery?
  19. If you could go back an redo your college years, what subject would you study, and why?
  20. If we asked you partner about you what would they say?
  21. Is the customer always right and please explain your thinking?
  22. What have you done professionally that you succeeded at, but isn’t an experience you’d want to repeat?
  23. Is it better to be perfect and a little bit late, or ok and on time?
  24. In less than 5 minutes, please explain something to me that is complex, but you know and understand very well?
  25. What is something you’d be happy doing every single day for the rest of your career?
  26. If you had $1,000,000 to start your own business, what kind of business would you start?
  27. What’s the biggest decision you have ever had to make, and how did you go about making it?
  28. What’s the toughest interview question you have been asked and what was so tough about it?
  29. If you had to promote one of your staff what skills would you look for in the ideal candidate?
  30. What’s the one question you dread most in an interview?
  31. Tell me about a time where you coached someone through a difficult challenge.
  32. What qualities in your co-workers bother you most?
  33. What qualities in your co-workers do you appreciate most?
  34. Tell me about a work incident in which you were totally honest, despite a potential risk or downside for yourself.
  35. What your favorite Leadership/Management book and why?
  36. How do you handle it when co-workers or your team challenge your decisions?
  37. Describe a time when you were asked to do something you weren’t trained or experienced to do. How did you handle it?
  38. Describe a time when an employee was underperforming, how did you handle that situation.
  39. In 2 years time, what achievements of yours are we celebrating?
  40. What questions about the job or company would you like answered?
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
PUBLISHED ON: JAN 24, 2017
#interview #jobsearch #cfs #recruiter

 

How to maximize LinkedIn for your job search

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

http://content.wisestep.com/how-to-maximize-linkedin-for-your-job-search-top-tips/

Tips for Using the LinkedIn platform:

If you haven’t yet updated your LinkedIn account with all the recent achievements and qualifications, then it is high time you do that. Moreover, to increase your visibility, you must take into consideration several pointers that are mentioned below –

1. Complete your profile: If you are keeping certain spaces in the LinkedIn account blank, then you are actually reducing your chances of visibility. You never know, which recruiter is looking for what skills. Therefore, it is very crucial that you complete your profile. Yes, it is a time consuming affair, but at the end it will reap you ripe fruits only. Hobbies are as important as other pieces of information. Use industry jargon and buzz words because the recruiters will look for candidates with the help of keywords. Therefore, the more complete your account is, the more your chances of getting noticed increases.

 

2. Enhance connections: You never know who will come up with a great offer for you, therefore keep on connecting and make more and more people aware of the fact that you are looking for a job.

3. Give a face to your name: It is very important to have a photo uploaded to your account. It is easier to connect to the accounts with an image. If there is no photo uploaded there, then it gets quite awkward to connect. Personalize your account with a photo.

4. Be a part of the group: There are several groups out there in LinkedIn. Join one, which you feel is related to your domain or your likings. This helps you in getting noticed by the people who matters and also enhance your connection. Make a good impact by answering some questions and also ask some thought provoking questions that will highlight you in the group. Don’t ask irrelevant questions just for the sake of asking.

5. Change the settings: When you visit someone else’s profile, they will be able to see that. Therefore, while you are paying a visit to a recruiter’s profile change the settings to invisible, so that they don’t get to see that you have visited them 10 times a day.

Maximizing your Job search utilizing LinkedIn:

In the age of digital networking, if you do not have an account on LinkedIn, then you are surely missing out a lot. Every professional should have their profile updated on LinkedIn. Drop in the relevant keywords in your account, so that when the recruiters are fishing for the right candidate they are able to catch you. If you are trying to maximize LinkedIn for the job search, then here are some tips that will help you –

1. Connect more and more: The key to maximize LinkedIn lies in enhancing your connections. The more your network grows, the better it is for you. Making connections don’t mean collecting names or contacts, but it is far more than that. You need to keep following them up and ask questions. You need to keep in touch with them on a regular basis. You have to ensure that all your contacts know you at the top of their head and not keep wondering who you are when they hear your name.

 

2. Conveying the message: Making your job search obvious can be quite tricky. If you do not have your current boss connected to your profile, then you can say that on your profile that you are looking for exciting offers. But, if you have your boss on-board, then you can just keep your profile complete, so that you are visible to the potential recruiters.

3. Perception of the number of contacts:When you have a huge line up of contacts, then it might seem that you are getting connected to almost anybody and everybody. But, if the names in your contact list boast of some big names and it is seen that you are in touch with them, then it will work in your favor. If you have a small number of connections, then also it will have a negative impact on you. It will show that you are not that interested in networking beyond your friends and people you know.

4. Active respondent: It is of no use of having an account that is sitting idle. Be an active member of groups and also take part in polls. When you are adding value to the discussion or poll answers, then you will surely be noticed by someone who has the potential to offer you something better.

5. Etiquette for requesting recommendations: Though there is no such pre- determined etiquettes that you can follow while asking for recommendations, but you can always ask them politely whether they can take out some time for you and write about your positive traits. You must always return the favor by writing the same about them as well.

6. Professional summary: This section is an important part of your account because this is the place where you can highlight yourself. Start with the heading and also don’t forget the industry. Recruiters mostly use this field for searching the right candidates. Make an impression right at the top with all the keywords and everything crafted properly.

7. Customizing URL: Instead of using the URL that is generated, you can customize the URL with your name. It will be much more appealing and easy to share. So, instead of using http://www.linkedin.com/45z84jr23wef08, you can use something that has your name like http://www.linkedin.com/in/your name. This will make you accessible even outside LinkedIn as well.

8. Options available: The contact settings have different options and it is one place through which you will be able to reach out to the recruiters. There are different options available to make the recruiters aware of the status. Therefore, you can either select consulting offers, career opportunities, new ventures or job reference requests.
If you follow the suggestions closely, then hopefully you will soon be rewarded with a handsome offer.

 

Senior (SEC) Financial Reporting Specialist – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Apply online at http://www.cfstaffing.com

The Senior Financial Reporting Analyst will be filling out an SEC reporting team for a publicly traded company in the Oil & Gas industry. This position will report directly up to the SEC reporting manager and is bonus eligible. Located on the South-West side of Houston, my client is rapidly growing due to an acquisition mentality.

Preferences:

  • SEC reporting experience (Public or Industry)
  • CPA
  • 10K & 10Q preparation experience
  • Footnote Creation
  • Heavy Excel experience, GreatPlains, Workiva
  • General Ledger & Journal Entry experience
  • Consolidation experience
  • Experience working with audit teams

Position Details:

  • Salary range varies with experience
  • Bonus typically 10% of annual salary
  • 5% 401K match
  • Interviewing immediately

The best (and worst) words to have on your resume

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Article originally published by CareerBuilder: http://advice.careerbuilder.com/posts/the-best-and-worst-words-to-have-on-your-resume?linkId=33680180

Employers don’t simply want to know what you think about yourself; they want to see results.

Do you consider yourself a hard worker? A real go-getter? Someone who likes to think outside of the box? Then you’re just the type of person who needs to review their resume ASAP.

A recent CareerBuilder survey found there are some words hiring managers and human resources pros just don’t want to see on your resume. And if you’ve called yourself a go-to person, a team player or a strategic thinker, you’ll need to make a few changes before you send your resume to anyone else.

The deal-breakers
Unless you want to end up on an employer’s “Do not call” list, think twice before you put any of these empty words on your resume — they won’t accomplish as much as you might hope:

  1. Best of breed: 38 percent
  2. Go-getter: 27 percent
  3. Think outside of the box: 26 percent
  4. Synergy: 22 percent
  5. Go-to person: 22 percent
  6. Thought leadership: 16 percent
  7. Value add: 16 percent
  8. Results-driven: 16 percent
  9. Team player: 15 percent
  10. Bottom-line: 14 percent
  11. Hard worker: 13 percent
  12. Strategic thinker: 12 percent
  13. Dynamic: 12 percent
  14. Self-motivated: 12 percent
  15. Detail-oriented: 11 percent
  16. Proactively: 11 percent
  17. Track record: 10 percent

You don’t have much time

Given the amount of time your resume has to make an impression, it should come as no surprise that your choice of words can be exactly the reason you aren’t brought in for an interview. In fact, if you get more than a couple minutes of attention, you should consider yourself lucky.

Sixty-eight percent of hiring managers and human resources pros will spend two minutes or less reviewing each resume they receive; 17 percent will actually spend 30 seconds or less.

“Hiring managers prefer strong action words that can be used to define specific experience, skills and accomplishments,” says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. “Subjective terms and clichés are seen as negative, because they don’t convey real information. For instance, don’t say you are ‘results-driven;’ show the employer your actual results.”

The words they actually want to see


If you felt like you really had something when you called yourself “hard-working,” there’s a lot of room for improvement. (Besides, that’s something almost everyone would say.) Employers don’t simply want to know what you think about yourself; they want to see results. If you really are a hard worker, prove it by backing up that claim with some data.

Rather than focusing on your previous duties to capture your relevant experience, focus on what you’ve been able to achieve using your relevant skills. The following terms — mostly verbs — should help you refocus your resume on what truly matters. As an added bonus, hiring managers would love to see these terms:

  1. Achieved: 52 percent
  2. Improved: 48 percent
  3. Trained/mentored: 47 percent
  4. Managed: 44 percent
  5. Created: 43 percent
  6. Resolved: 40 percent
  7. Volunteered: 35 percent
  8. Influenced: 29 percent
  9. Increased/decreased: 28 percent
  10. Ideas: 27 percent
  11. Negotiated: 25 percent
  12. Launched: 24 percent
  13. Revenue/profits: 23 percent
  14. Under budget: 16 percent
  15. Won: 13 percent

The bottom line: You can’t afford to make a bad first impression, and you don’t have a lot of time to make a good first impression. With some hiring managers, you’ll have 30 seconds to make your case, and the numbers say you probably won’t make it past two minutes.

Highlight your accomplishments and sell just how important your skills have been. If you’ve received honors or awards, make sure to find room for them. Focus on what you think will cause hiring managers to stop and take a second look at your name — you can likely find more unique things to say about yourself than “I’m a hard worker.”

Original publish date: 03.13.2014

 

How to answer: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Article originally published on The Muse
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
When a hiring manager asks you this, there may be a few things running through your brain. “Moving (way) up the ranks,” “running this place,” “working for myself,” or “in your job,” for example.
None of which are necessarily things you should say out loud in an interview.
So, how do you answer the question? Watch this quick video, where Muse CEO Kathryn Minshew shares a formula developed by our career expert Lily Zhang. It’ll help you share your goals and ambitions the right way—and not give your interviewer anything to worry about.
(Can’t watch the video at work? Don’t worry—we’ve also copied the transcript below.)
https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.vimeo.com%2Fvideo%2F95522853&src_secure=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F95522853&image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.vimeocdn.com%2Fvideo%2F475460940_640.jpg&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=vimeo
So, how do you answer, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
This can feel like a bit of a trick question, because sometimes the answer is, “not in this job,” or, “in your job,” or something like, “at a bigger better opportunity elsewhere.” But none of those are things you actually want to say to a hiring manager.
The good news is you can be honest while still telling them what they really want to know. Do you have realistic expectations for your career? Are you ambitious? And does this particular position align with your growth and goals overall?
For example, one way I like to think about it is: Think about where this position could realistically take you, and think about how that aligns with some of your broader professional goals.
So, for example, you might say, “Well I’m really excited by this position at Midnight Consulting because in five years, I’d like to be seen as someone with deep expertise in the energy sector, and I know that’s something that I’ll have an opportunity to do here. I’m also really excited to take on more managerial responsibilities in the next few years and potentially even take the lead on some projects. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing managers, and so developing into a great manager myself is something I’m really excited about.”
So, what if this position is not a one-way ticket to your professional aspirations? It’s okay to say you don’t really know what the future holds, but you see how this experience could really help in making that decision.
Have questions on interviewing tips? Have advice that’s worked for you? We want to hear
them! Comment below or contact one of our expert recruiters today! Find the closest CFS location to you here.
Read the original article published on The Muse.

 

Non Degreed Senior Accountant – Nonprofit – Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Local nonprofit agency currently searching for their next Senior Accountant to join the team. We are searching for an experienced individual who is a team player, embraces change and loves getting into the details.

Highlights:

  • Amazing corporate culture
  • Laid back atmosphere
  • Flexible schedule
  • Give back to the community!
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, LTD, Life Insurance, PTO
  • Reports to Accounting Manager

Role: 

  • Responsible for general accounting and reporting
  • Monthly bank reconciliations and credit card account transaction analysis
  • Record Cash Receipts
  • Prepare and enter journal entries
  • Analyze and reconcile GL accounts
  • Reconcile employee benefits deductions
  • Maintain fixed asset schedules
  • Maintain schedule of prepaid expenses, calculate amortization expense
  • Assist with Month End Close
  • Maintain monthly audit schedules

Needed:

  • Team player who shows initiative
  • College degree not required
  • Analytical and detail oriented, problem solver
  • 10 plus years of GL accounting experience

 

 

Consulting & Contract Job (Accounting) Openings!

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Please SHARE with your network on LI, Facebook and Twitter. 

Apply online at http://www.cfstaffing.com – Houston office or email me at dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

AP/AR Manager: 

  • Oversee a staff of (6)
  • Manage AP Process
  • Process payments into Healthport
  • Accounting Degree is a plus!
  • Previous management experience is required. Personality fit is essential for this client.
  • Up to $33/hr.
  • Location: Downtown!

 

Sr. Staff Accountant: 

  • CPA is a must
  • 2 – 3 years of accounting exp.
  • Up to $35/hr.
  • Location: Downtown!
  • Net suite is a huge plus!

 

Financial Controller: (Catholic Charities)

  • Non-Profit accounting experience is a must. CPA is a must
  • $50 – $55/hr.
  • Oversee a team of 8 and all accounting operations (Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll)
  • Prepare reports to summarize and forecast company business activity and financial position.
  • Oversee, supervise and manage all general ledger activity.
  • Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly and year-end close process.
  • Direct preparation of company budget.
  • Direct determination of depreciation rates to apply to capital assets.
  • Advise management on desirable operational adjustments due to tax code revisions.
  • Arrange for audits of company’s accounts.
  • Location: Midtown!

Controller – Grants Billing: 

  • Non-Profit accounting experience is a must. CPA is a must
  • $50 – $55/hr.
  • Performs complex, technical accounting tasks in one or more accounting functions, including but not limited to, oversight of grants financial reporting and billing, general ledger maintenance, and annual audit.
  • The work involves planning, organizing, and prioritizing workflow; requires interacting with other internal and external representatives, and the ability to research, understand, and apply State and Federal laws, agencies’ requirements, rules, and regulations.
  • Location: Midtown! 

SEC guru with XBRL tagging experience

  • Pay up to $55/hr.
  • Senior-level experience with 10-K, 10-Q, IFRS experience is a huge plus
  • Oracle, Hyperion, SmartView
  • Experience with W Desk, Web Fillings
  • Location: Northwest Houston!

Sr. Payroll Processor 

  • Pay up to $22/hr.
  • Administer withholding and filing of quarterly reports- single state and multi-state employees
  • W-2 and 1099 preparation
  • Payroll tax calculation and remittance to applicable state and federal agencies
  • Processing, remittance and administration of voluntary and court-ordered withholdings and deductions
  • Assist with related special projects, as required
  • Location: Stafford!

QuickBooks Accountant 

  • Pay up to $22/hr.
  • Review journal entries for accuracy
  • extract payroll uploads out of Prism Payroll System
  • Export into Excel
  • Heavy bank reconciliations
  • Location: Stafford!

Fortune 500 – Senior Staff SEC Accountant – Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Overview:

 

  • Assistance in the preparation of the Form 10-Q, 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the preparation of various quarterly and annual footnotes and disclosures
  • Assistance in the preparation of quarterly earnings release tables and schedules
  • Maintenance and update of XBRL
  • Preparation of analyses and corresponding journal entries including, but not limited to, stock-based compensation, shares outstanding and interest rate swap valuation
  • Preparation of various periodic governmental reports
  • Preparation of weekly/monthly bank reconciliations of key cash accounts
  • Preparation of cash flow statements for foreign subsidiaries

     

Basic/Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelors Degree in Accounting
  • CPA eligible
  • Two years of relevant experience
  • Experience with GAAP financial statements
  • Strong knowledge of MS Office Suite (Excel and Word)

Desired Qualifications:

  • Licensed CPA (or in process)
  • Experienced in public accounting
  • Hands-on experience in SEC and other reporting requirements
  • Exposure to IFRS and XBRL

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision, Life, Disability insurance
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Paid vacation
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     

 

Senior SEC Reporting Analyst – Houston – delmaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Highlights! 
– 90K to 105K annually
– High visibility to upper management
– International exposure
– Stable Company (70+ years of existence)
– This role will be a succession plan for the SEC manager
– 4%+ match on 401K
– Stock options possible once market turns

Requirements:
– Accounting degree
– SEC reporting or Oilfield services experience
– Major ERP experience
– Problem solving mentality
– 5-8 yrs experience

Job details:

  • The development and presentation of financial statements in conformance with US GAAP and IFRS for governmental agencies, management and outside auditors
  • Preparation and verification of financial information contained in Earnings Press Releases
  • Preparation and verification of Earnings Book used in each quarter’s Earnings Call
  • Ensure that all required filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are completed timely and accurately

Financial Analyst for Private Equity Portfolio Company – Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Apply online at: http://www.cfstaffing.com

JOB DUTIES                                                             

  • Perform multi-level analysis of locations from various perspectives such as geographic location, sales volume, profitability to highlight trends, risks, and opportunities.
  • Prepare analysis on various P&L and cash components, such as operating expenses and capital expenditures. Participate in the process and management of the capital process.
  • Research variances from forecast in weekly/monthly/quarterly results working with various departments to determine if trends warrant changes to forecast.
  • Participate in the monthly financial reporting processes, supporting managers in the completion of reporting and variance analysis. Maintain and improve format and flexibility of reporting efficiencies.
  • Assist in the budget and forecast process. Forecast future revenue and expenditures to establish cost structures. Maintain budget and forecast information in the accounting system.
  • Evaluate profit and cost efficiencies in various areas of the organization as needed.
  • Develop, maintain and distribute ad hoc reports and financial models as needed.
  • Identify trends in financial performance and provide suggestions for improvement.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting.
  • One to three years’ experience in financial analysis. 
  • Accounting/GAAP knowledge.
  • Advanced experience using Microsoft Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills.