ESSENTIAL VIEWING: How to Pitch Yourself to An Employer in 30 Seconds

Anish shares a PRO STRATEGY for creating a powerful and effective 30-second "elevator pitch" for employers.

ESSENTIAL VIEWING: Hiring for Culture Fit- What You Need to Know

With over 40% of hiring managers choosing CULTURE FIT over SKILLS when determining who gets the job, knowing how to play to this side of things is key. Here are some tips!

Here are some frequently asked employer questions on culture fit (according to a recent HBR article):

• What type of culture do you thrive in? (Does the response reflect your organizational culture?)

• What values are you drawn to and what’s your ideal workplace?

• Why do you want to work here?

• How would you describe our culture based on what you’ve seen? Is this something that works for you?

• What best practices would you bring with you from another organization? Do you see yourself being able to implement these best practices in our environment?

• Tell me about a time when you worked with/for an organization where you felt you were not a strong culture fit. Why was it a bad fit?

ESSENTIAL VIEWING: Should I List a Toxic Former Boss as a Reference?

Are you obligated to list a toxic former boss or manager as a reference?

My latest video offers some clear answers on this front- enjoy!

Recently Fired? Then You Need these 5 Interview Answers.

Career Track/Responsibilities Change

"I loved working at [PREVIOUS EMPLOYER] and [OUTLINE MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITY]. A little over a year ago, a new management team was installed, and they decided to change the focus of my department as well as my responsibilities. While it didn't affect my performance, I ultimately decided to leave so that I could find a position that better catered to my strengths. Based on what I've learned so far, this role seems like a very strong fit."

Culture Mismatch

"A new [POSITION TITLE] was installed, and as a result of the changes that occurred, the in-house culture and priorities shifted significantly. I no longer felt that my priorities and those of the organization were in sync, so with regret I decided that it was better for all concerned that I move on. I don't foresee that as being remotely an issue here."

Further Education

"I knew that a [DEGREE, TRAINING NAME] was essential to realizing my career goals. And I knew that trying to pursue both it and a full-time career wasn't realistic. I dove in feet first, learned an incredible amount, and now feel empowered to move to the next stage of my career. Based on what we've been discussing, this seems like an excellent place to do just that!"

Internal Conflicts

"Our company has been suffering with low morale and high turnover for quite some time, and I began to understand that the systemic issues behind it were more than I could overcome. This is why I feel like this position would be an excellent match...."

"As rewarding as working at [PREVIOUS EMPLOYER] was, I felt disappointed by the lack of opportunities for career growth and wanted to change that. Based on what we've been talking about, I feel like this position would..."

This is The Best Way to Answer "So, What Do You Do?"

The secret to answering "What do you do?" EFFECTIVELY is via a 1-line Tag Line. Here's how to create it:

1) What's Your Emotional Appeal?

How do I make people feel?

How do people benefit by working with me?

What words do others use to describe me?

2) Who Is Your Brand For?

What field or industry am I in (or do I want to be in)?

What are the words I would use to describe my work?

Who is my target audience?

3) What's Your Function?

Are you a creator, an organizer? A connector of people?

What service do I have to offer people?

What do I do that makes me stand out from everyone else?

NOW PUT YOUR ANSWERS TO ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS TOGETHER...

"I help ambitious people reach a new level in their careers."

"I transform the quality of patient care and the scope of healthcare services within large systems."

"I help companies enter the digital health space and bring game-changing solutions to market."

Click here to receive Anish's free video training on Generating New Career Opportunities ON DEMAND (in the Age of LinkedIn): http://bit.ly/2nT3Tfc

What's Your Why?

WHAT'S YOUR "WHY?" KEY CAREER QUESTIONS TO ASK:

CORE STRENGTH QUESTION:

Ask yourself: "AM I PRIMARILY..."

a) THE TALENT

b) MANAGER/LEADER

c) ENTREPRENEUR

Your answer is your CORE STRENGTH.

Now, what would be a path that would allow you to start dipping into one or both of the other areas? This should inform your career direction.

ROOT MOTIVATION QUESTIONS

1. Think of a time when you were performing at your best. What were you doing? What were you saying, thinking and feeling? What was going on around you?
2. List the top ten things in life that give you joy. What common themes do you notice?
3. What are three accomplishments you are most proud of? What are your natural strengths that you love to use?
4. Think about times that you have gotten angry/upset/irritated. What core personal value(s) were not being met?
5. Who is the one person you admire the most? What would that person advise you to do?
6. What do you dislike the most about your current or past work?
7. What would happen in your career if we doubled your self-belief? What if we quadrupled it?

DAILY LIFE CHECK-IN QUESTIONS:

1. What am I consuming? Reading, listening, watching. How much of it is actively helping me GROW?
2. Who do I spend time with? Assess the 5 people you interact with most frequently professionally. Are they people to aspire to, or people who are holding you back?
3. Who are my role models? Am I directly interacting with them, following them on social media, taking their courses? How am I "drifting" behind those who have already succeeded at what I wish to do?

CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN QUESTIONS:

1. What do you want to achieve with your career?
2. How much time are you prepared to spend on your career?
3.  What skills do you need to develop?
4. What resources will you need?
5. Where can you get support or advice?
6. What type of person do you need to be?
7. What is your motivation?

3 Secrets Hiring Managers DON'T Want You To Know

Anish shares 3 secrets hiring managers would prefer you didn't know as a jobseeker.

10 Toxic Interview Questions to Avoid at All Costs!

We all have pet peeves, little things that get under our skin and make it harder to move forward. For hiring managers, these 10 questions are considered major turn-offs. With a little prep on your part beforehand, you can avoid these "interview killers" and stay on-track to landing that new job:

1) Don't ask for information you could have easily found with a quick online (Google, Linkedin, Company Website) search. The stronger your knowledge, the clearer the signal it sends that you want a position with THIS company.

2) Don't ask if you can change the job details, the schedule, or the salary. You need to prove 100% fit with the role first, negotiate salary only once an offer's on the table, and work out scheduling specifics once you actually have the job! Don't get the order confused.

3) Don't ask too many questions about the interviewer’s background. Some initial questions about the work they do and their experience at the company is fine, then move on.

4) Don't ask about pay, time off, benefits, etc. during the initial interview. This can make you come across as a "WIIFM" ("What's in it for me?") candidate.

5) Don't ask “What does your company do?” YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW THIS!

6) Don't ask “If I’m hired, when can I start applying for other positions in the company?”

7) Don't ask how quickly you can be promoted. Again, this is putting the cart before the horse. Succeed at the job first before entertaining thoughts of promotion.

8) Don't ask “Do you do background checks?” Assume they will.

9) Don't ask about gossip you’ve heard or come across online.

10) Don't ask if the company monitors e-mail or Internet usage.

"What's Your Greatest Strength?"

Here's a great way to answer a tricky interview question!

How Can I Communicate More Effectively During Interviews?

In this episode, Anish shares some quick tips on improving communication effectiveness during interviews. Small changes can make a BIG difference!