Top 10 questions to ask your prospective employer in an interview
Use these top 10 questions to learn what you need to know about the job you're interviewing for, and impress the interviewer.
You've landed the job interview, and it's going well. There's that awkward pause as the interviewer runs out of steam. The guy who could be your future boss asks, "Do you have any questions?" This is your chance to find out what you need to know about the job and the company and impress the interviewer with your interesting and thoughtful questions. Here are ten questions to help you find out what you need to know.
So, what should you ask? Here are ten great questions for you to use.
- What are the top three qualities an employee needs to be successful in this job? - What would I do during a typical workday? - How will I be trained or introduced to the job? - What is a typical career path from this job? - What are some of the goals and challenges your group is likely to face in the next year? - How would my job performance be evaluated? - What are some of the things that you like about working for this company? - Who would I work with? - What hours do people typically work? - What are the next steps?
Let's look at what you can learn from these questions. In most cases, there's no right or wrong answer - you just need to be able to assess if you are comfortable with the answer.
- What are the top three qualities an employee needs to be successful in this job?
If the interviewer says he values attention to detail, good writing skills, and the ability to juggle several tasks at once, you've learned a lot about his expectations. You'll also be able to assess if the job is a decent match with your skills.
- What would I do during a typical workday?
Ok, it's obvious why you would want to ask this. But watch out for a possible problem - if the interviewer says, "Well, every day is different," he may not know what he wants. There may be confusion about responsibilities. If you get that answer, say, "Tell me about the sorts of things I might do over a typical week or month."
- How will I be trained or introduced to the job?
Understand if you're on your own on day one or if there's a plan for getting you up and running successfully.
- What is a typical career path for this job?
This may not apply to some types of jobs.
- What are some of the goals and challenges your group is likely to face in the next year?
You're looking for two things here - information about what's likely to happen, and whether people are thinking about the future. A company is more likely to be successful if its staff is thinking ahead.
- How would my job performance be evaluated?
There should be a clear answer to this. If there isn't, you may be at the whim of an arbitrary boss. Most companies have a process for performance evaluations.
- What are some of the things that you like about working for this company?
If the interviewer can't come up with a couple of things he likes about the company, you may want to learn more before accepting a job offer.
- Who would I work with?
Find out about the people you might work with - is it a large group, or small? Are they your peers? Are there any people you can learn from?
- What hours do people typically work?
If most people work 7 AM to 3 PM, and you like to roll in at 10 AM, you may have a mismatch. You may also want to explore how much people work - is this strictly eight hours a day, or are you expected to work a lot of additional hours?
- What are the next steps?
You want to find out if there will be another round of interviews, if you'll hear back by a certain date, and what the hiring process will be.
Doing a job interview is a two-way street. Your potential employer wants to learn about you, but you should learn as much as you can about the job and people you'll be working with. Use these questions to help you figure out if the job is right for you.
10 ideas for home-based businesses
Looking for unique home business ideas? Read this article for ideas for businesses you can start immediately.
When you think of a home based business, you probably think of providing daycare for children and babies, house cleaning and window washing, bookkeeping and tax preparation, and lawn care. Many people have typical businesses such as these, and they earn a decent living by doing them too.
But if you're considering staring your own business, there are other ideas you can use to earn a decent living too. These are not your typical home business, so you'll have the advantage of being a "one of a kind" business that has little or no competition.
A good place to start is to check around your city and determine what types of products or services are not provided, but are needed. Here are ten home-based business ideas to get you started:
1. Construct Crossword Puzzles- If you enjoy working with words, then this might be the job for you. Most anyone who has a firm grasp of the English language, a software program, Internet access, and a computer can construct crossword puzzles. To find markets for your work, you can perform a search on the Internet or check out the current editions of puzzle books for contact information.
2. Collect and Sell Nuts- There are several companies that buy nuts such as chestnuts, hickory, acorns, et cetera. The great thing about this home business is that you don't even need to own an inch of land! All you need to buy is a nut collector, which is a hand pushed device on wheels that picks up nuts and stores them in a bin. Then, ask your neighbours, family, and friends that have nut trees on their property if you can collect the nuts. Since nuts can be a nuisance lying in yards or on sidewalks, most people will gladly allow you to take them for free!
Then, find a market for them by checking your local yellow pages or the Internet.
3. Collect and Sell Herbs- If you know your herbs, you can start your own home based business and get some exercise at the same time. Health food stores are often on the lookout for home grown herbs such as Ginseng, Chamomile, and Spearmint. Check your local phone directory and contact several health food stores to determine if they buy from private suppliers, what herbs they buy, and how much they pay before you begin.
4. Provide Genealogy Services- Many people are interested in their family's history, but yet they don't know where to begin a search. You can offer your services and supply them with a complete genealogy of their family for a flat fee.
Basically, all you need to start this business is a home computer, a genealogy software programme, Internet access, and access to court and library records.
5. Provide Errand Services- With the fast paced lives that everyone leads nowadays, there are often not enough hours in a day to get everything done. You can help out busy people, senior citizens who don't drive, disabled persons, and others by contracting with them to do their errands. Simply decide how much you need to charge, and then advertise in your local newspaper.
6. Compile and Market Cookbooks- Cookbooks are always a popular seller, especially if the recipes are nutritious, but quick and easy to make. You can use any word processing program and your computer to write up a book. Then, either print off copies or take the master copy to a printer. Advertise in your local newspaper or on the Internet to sell copies.
7. Provide Home Inventories - Everyone needs to have their belongings, especially expensive items and collections, inventoried in case of a fire, theft, et cetera. If you have a camcorder, you can charge clients a flat fee to make a documentation of every item in their house.
As you walk through each room, have the owner describe their items as you document them on tape. Then, give them the tape and instruct them to store it in a fireproof safe or lock box.
8. Design and Build Pet Furniture and Toys- Ideas for these include handmade cloth toys that have Catnip in them, cat beds, dogs beds, scratching posts, leashes, collars, et cetera. Then you can sell them at flea markets or over the Internet.
9. Provide Daytime Adult Care- You may need a license for this home based business, but other than that, the start up costs are minimal. You can provide lunch, snacks, and beverages, as well as activities, games, and basic, loving care. To find clients, advertise in your local newspaper.
10. If you have a good quality camera, you can take snapshots of homes and turn them into either postcards or large framed photographs for homeowners. You'll be surprised at how many homeowners will gladly buy your products!
5 ways to identify stress
Some people show their anxiety outwardly, while others are able to repress it from the outside world.
Stress affects everyone in different ways. Some people show their anxiety outwardly, while others are able to repress it from the outside world—for a while at least. While it is true that people have varying thresholds for stress and that it manifests itself differently for each person, there are certain telltale signs of anxiety. Some of these signs are behavioural and some are physical. Here are five of the ways stress typical manifests itself on the human body and soul.
One of the chief indicators of a stressed out person is the inability to make decisions—particularly trivial ones that normally would not be met with hesitation. Stress attacks a person’s confidence and assertiveness, and as a result, a normally decisive person may waiver on choices, insignificant and significant alike. If you find yourself in a store having a mini-crisis over what colour scarf you should buy chances are it is not the winter apparel getting you down, rather, a deeper issue or a collection of stressful issues is bogging you down and clouding your mind.
Another prime indicator of high anxiety is a change in appetite. Usually a stressful situation will result in a loss of appetite; however, some people will seek solace and refuge in food.
Fatigue is another physical symptom of stress. Fatigue can be the result of being spread too thin at work or with personal problems. Insomnia, which can also be the byproduct of stress, will lead to fatigue during the day. The fatigue can be so pervasive that it affects the person both physically and mentally. Mental fatigue is tied in with the inability to make decisions and a person’s vulnerability to talking trivial matters way too seriously.
Changes in your body’s normal functions or appearance are signs of over-stress. Acne—zits or pimples—are more apt to show up on your face when you are stressed than if you are relaxed. Other skin blemishes may be indicators of anxiety as well. Nervous ticks may develop under great loads of stress. Your body’s digestive routine may be thrown off track under great stress as well. Diarrhea or constipation often accompany a time of great anxiety.
Under great stress a loss of appetite may be accompanied by a loss of humour When a person is stressed out it can sometimes be difficult for him or her to see the lightness of an event or appreciate the humour in someone. Anxiety can stymie a person’s ability to see things in perspective and to distinguish between the serious and non-serious elements of life; and, as a result, nothing, or at least very little, is funny to a stressed out person.
How can you combat these stressed-out symptoms? The first thing to do is to take a deep breath. Deep breathing will send oxygen through your body and has a rejuvenating effect on your organs. Practice long and deep breaths whenever you have spare time. Second, go for a run. You do not need to run the marathon, but exercising for twenty to thirty minutes will not only jumpstart your body, but will give your mind a holiday from your stressful thoughts. Taking time out of the day for a long shower or bath can be a good de-stressor.
Keeping a journal of your feelings can be helpful in identifying the stress-catalysts in your life. Make sure you include what you did that day and how each event, encounter, or activity made you feel—physically and emotionally. In addition, having someone to talk to abut your problems is crucial if you find yourself stressed out. While a good friend or relative is an excellent resource, finding strangers with similar problems through can be beneficial as well. You can do this easily by looking into or joining online forums. Since stress often exists in or is caused by personal relationships between close friends or family members an outside source may be a better option.
Unless you have decided to take a vacation on a Caribbean island for a week,(which you should do if you can) it is a good idea to stay away from depressants like alcohol when you are stressed. Cracking open a beer after work may seem like a good idea when you are under great pressure but it can have a snowball effect that may send you deeper into your frenzied or depressed mood.
The last, and perhaps most important piece of advice is to get some sleep. Studies show that stress levels are typically higher people who do not get enough sleep. Buy a new down-blanket or splurge on that waterbed you’ve always had your eye on—whatever it takes—your body and mind will thank you when you feel well-rested and ready to take on the day in the morning.
Best Deals > On Sale >>
Course Monster sells over 4,000 instructor-led training courses
----------------
Be onscreen - your ticket to appearing on TV - search through shows that are looking for participants, get free audience tickets, find a job in television & entertainment + receive email alerts of new listings !!
-----------------------
Constructaquote differs to other insurance websites in that it’s specialised for small business. We bring together the insurance products relevant to small business needs, so that it is possible to arrange all your commercial policies in one place.
—-----------------
PostGoldForCash Send us gold, we send you cash
—----------------
fish4jobs is part of the fish4 group of websites, which also includes fish4cars, fish4homes and fish4holidays.
—------------------------
Top Cashback is the UKs Most Generous Website
—-------------------
Contact Law has 4,000 solicitors located throughout the UK that can help individuals and businesses in all areas of law including family, employment, commercial, personal injury, will & probate, immigration and conveyancing.
—--------------------
Who-Remembers-Me is a worldwide service for finding and reconnecting with old friends, or just a chance to reminisce. This site will always remain free to register and add your details so that others can find you, and FREE to use our search facility.
----------------
With enrolment figures of 45,000 students, ICS is the leading private provider of distance learning in the UK. Its programme includes a comprehensive list of professional, vocational and leisure distance study courses.
—--------------------------
UK Virtual College provide e-learning and blended learning online. Customers buy our training courses from as little as £25 and do both the training and the tests online.
----------------
Accredited courses including: Criminology, hairdressing, beauty therapy, teaching assistant, childcare, Computing, Web, Multimedia, Airline Skills & Interior Design.
------------------------
Coursework.Info is a highly desirable service for every single UK student from the beginning of GCSE to the end of university.
----------------
National Lottery and the official retailer of Lotto, EuroMillions, Scratchcards and all other lottery games.
---------------
Scratch2Cash is the no.1 online scratch games site in the world featuring over 20
different games and jackpots of up to £200,000. £5 FREE BET!!>
------------–
888 is a fun and friendly online bingo site. It offers exciting chat rooms, huge jackpots, fabulous promotions
—----------------------
Play Bingo and Video Slots for massive Jackpots of £100,000. New Players get £10 free just for downloading and a 100% match bonus on first deposit of up to £100.
--------------
BingoCafe offers awesome 3D Bingo and slot software with a £5 NO DEPOSIT trial and a 100% match on your 1st deposit if you like what you see.
--------------
BingoBongo offers the best in Online Bingo, with a massive £1,000,000 jackpot every Wednesday and Friday evenings at 10pm.
---------------
The Paddy Power Casino offers all the thrills and spills of Vegas 24/7 to punters from around the Globe
-------------
Ladbrokes games offer over 20 captivating instant win betting games with no need to download software. These Games now include the very popular Deal or no deal, Bingo and Mah-Jong
---------------
180 exciting casino games, plus the security, discretion and integrity you’d expect from the world’s biggest betting and gaming company.
-------------------
King over 60 online-games you will find conversion-strong skill games including, "Who wants to be a millionaire?", "Deal or no Deal" and "Luxor".
----------------
Gala is synonymous with bingo as we operate over 177 land based bingo clubs. FREE TRY!!>>
----------------
A download casino is now available, as well as the ultimate online gaming portal.FREE £10 BET!>
—----------------
