Work in Progress: Do ask, do tell

Focusing on the 3 simple questions can allow job seekers to examine a resume, interview answers and evaluate objectives.

By DANIELLE BERKOWITZ
Office desk 370 (photo credit: Wikicommons)
Office desk 370
(photo credit: Wikicommons)
Relocation Jobs provides global relocation and employment services, offering comprehensive solutions for international companies with Global HR needs.
The interview is an important tool for recruiters to evaluate candidates and determine how individuals may fit into a team, position and company. An interview can also be a useful way for job seekers to reflect during the job search, learn from past work experience and determine future targets. By seeing a resume and career through a recruiter’s perspective new insights can be revealed about a career path and job search techniques.
The following set of three questions is asked about each position listed on the resume. These questions can be a guide for job seekers to examine a resume, interview answers and evaluate objectives.
How did you find out about the position? This question can highlight the importance of networking and building trusting relationships with colleagues and bosses. For younger candidates, early in a career, it’s common to find jobs on job boards or websites. Eventually as careers develop it becomes important to focus goals and create a clear direction. Engage friends and colleagues to find new opportunities. It’s vital to create lasting relationships at work to continually grow in your career.
What attracted you to the position before you started? Move beyond “it was a great opportunity’ or “I needed a new challenge.” As you get to know your work self and develop a career in the long term it’s necessary to seek out work that will be motivating and engaging, that allows for professional growth, learning new skills, developing talents and utilizing core strengths. Seek out companies that promote noble values and work that is satisfying.
What made you leave the position? There are lots of reasons to leave a job; better pay, a bad boss, unpleasant colleagues, the job was different than the description. Any one of these answers may be appropriate for one job in particular. If however, the answer is the same for more than two jobs perhaps the problem is not the job. Examine yourself to discover behaviors that may be leading to recurring problems. If it’s difficult to find a clear answer, seek the advice of a friend, mentor or coach to help root out the cause of problems and formulate a proactive solution. Part of that solution may be adjusting the type of jobs and work environments you seek.
Constant evaluation can help direct a job search and reveal professional strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness can be a job seekers best tool to create clear goals and define targets.
Similar questions and this interview technique was publicized on Inc.com
Relocation Jobs provides comprehensive solutions for companies with international HR needs.