Job Interviews - How to Answer the "Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?" Question

It is common for hiring managers to ask why you want to leave your current job. How you answer that question can have a big impact on your chances of getting the new position. So don't blow it!When answering the "Why do you want to leave your current job?" question, my advice is to be honest (to a point), positive and upbeat.

There are many reasons to leave a job. Most people are looking for career advancement opportunities or new challenges. Sometimes companies get into financial difficulty and have to reduce their work force. Where I live, many people would leave their current job simply to have one with a shorter commute!

Those are pretty straightforward reasons that anyone would understand.

Job Interviews - How to Answer the "Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?" Question

Then there are people who want to leave because they do not like their job or their boss. But NEVER say anything negative about the company or people you are working for. If you do, the interviewer may think of you as a complainer who has a problem with authority or cannot get along with others.

So, even if the reason you want to leave is that you hate your job or do not get along with your boss, give a different reason for wanting to leave. You do not have to lie; just be discreetly selective with your answer.

Sample answers:

"I've worked with ABC Company for five years, and during that time I've achieved all of the goals I set for myself. I enjoy my job, but my advancement opportunities there are limited. I'm looking for new challenges with a larger organization, like yours. With my experience in (whatever), I'm sure I could contribute to your company's mission (be as specific as possible here) and continued success."

OR...

"To be honest, I don't want to leave. I've enjoyed my work at XYZ Company and have had great success there. But the company is going through a tough time and is downsizing its staff, so it's time for me to move on. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. I've admired your company for years and am excited to have this opportunity to interview with you. I feel my experience at XYZ Company will enable me to help you with...(whatever)."

OR...

"I like my current job, but I'm interested in changing career paths. I'd like to broaden my horizons and find new ways to contribute to an organization's goals. This position with your company would allow me to do that by...(whatever)."

Try to include specific information relevant to the company you're interviewing with. For example, if you know the company participates in community environmental events, mention that ("I'm also eager to work for a company that helps the environment.").

KEY: The more you use specific information that shows you are knowledgeable about the job and the company for which you're applying, the sweeter your answer will sound to the interviewer!

Read "The Job Interview Success System" (mentioned below) for more great job interview tips.

Job Interviews - How to Answer the "Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?" Question
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Bonnie Lowe has been helping job seekers get hired for many years, and is author of the book, The Job Interview Success System.

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Four Common Types of Interviews - What to Expect

The job search process can be a struggle for many people. They send out resumes to every employer they can think of, talk to friends, sift through the classified ads, visit employment counselors, scan the job boards at employment centers, and network with people who might provide a lead to an opening they are interested in. And finally they get that all important phone call inviting them to an interview. Now you research the company, do a thorough self-analysis of your past experiences and training, make a list for your "best qualities" card, and personally prepare yourself to make a positive first impression. You have prepared yourself as well as you can. Once you walk into that interview room you will encounter one or more interview approaches that might (but should not) catch you off guard. There are four general categories of interview types used these days and depending on the job opening, you may experience more than one type as the interview progresses.

The most common type of interview is the single, one-on-one type where you sit down with your potential future supervisor and more or less have a probative conversation, he or she asking clarifying questions and you in turn inquiring about what it would be like to work for the organization. This type often occurs in an office setting or could be in a board room, but usually is a smaller location and more intimate. It can be a relaxing encounter depending on the personalities involved as the supervisor gathers information from you and you learn certain details about the job position and what to expect during a typical day on the job.

The second type is the team approach where two or more people from the company interview each candidate. Again this can be in an office setting but is more likely to occur in a slightly larger space, like a meeting room. Aside from the immediate supervisor for the position, a representative from the Human Resources Department could be present, a possible co-worker could be another, and there are cases where a higher level individual such as a director or vice-president could be part of the team. Many people find this type of interview very intimidating since they have so many strangers to face for the first time. It is important to remember that you must focus on each question posed to you and formulate your answers like the one asking is the only one present. Some of the other team members may be busy writing down your responses so focus on the one who asked the question and maintain good eye contact.

Four Common Types of Interviews - What to Expect

It is often quite common for either of these first two types of interviews to move from direct informational questions such as "Tell us a little about yourself" or "What is your greatest strength" or conversely "What would you consider your greatest weakness" to questions that are described as behavioral. The interviewer will pose a scenario to you. From your past experience, you are asked how you would respond in such a situation. They are looking for your reaction. The situations are drawn from real work examples and they are trying to determine how well you think quickly, and how well you can relate your own experience to the situation and solve a problem. It will help them determine the depth of your experience as well, and indirectly will tell them how well you have prepared for the interview as these types of questions are quite common these days and should be expected. Along with this type of question, an identification question can be included. From photos you may be asked to identify certain pieces of equipment that might be necessary to carry out the duties of the job, or find a location on a map.

The final type of interview is the telephone interview. These are becoming more and more popular as good candidates apply from greater distances and it is impractical for the interviewer to travel or the candidate's location or vice versa. In such a case, it is important that you practice good telephone skills. Do not allow yourself to become complacent because the interviewers are not in the same room as you. Keep you edge sharp and prepare like you are seeing them in person. Do not practice common habits like smoking or drinking coffee while interviewing on the phone. And still dress properly. Too casual of attire will translate into an equally casual approach to the questions. The one real advantage for you in this type of interview is the fact that you can have some support materials in front of you while you talk. You can use your notes, resume, project work or other material to assist you. Organize your materials in advance so you can find them quickly and so you are not shuffling papers while the interviewers wait for an answer.

Four Common Types of Interviews - What to Expect
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For more information on preparing for your interview, visit http://www.fosterwisebuys.com/career-jobops/

Raymond Foster is a college professor that specializes in career advancement techniques.

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Midlife Career Change - Interview Questions For a Midlife Career Change

Are you considering a midlife career change? If so, the following information on preparing for a job interview and the answer to some tough interview questions will help you in the process.

As a rule, we do not get many job interviews in a lifetime, so it is not something that comes naturally for us. It is important to prepare and practice for any interview. Because we do not necessarily have experience in the new industry, and if we are making a midlife career change, it will be important to discuss how our core business principles such as problem-solving, people management, and project completion, apply in every business.

Midlife career change job interviews or any job interview require two ground rules. First, it is important to deal with the objectives and needs of both you and the interviewer and, second, it is important to retain control over the job interview. The purpose of your first job interview is to get to the second job interview. A job offer will usually not be tendered in the first job interview. This is your time to establish rapport with the interviewer, find out what they want/need and express what you want/need.

Midlife Career Change - Interview Questions For a Midlife Career Change

When preparing for a midlife career change job interview, keep the following in mind:

*Always arrive on time - which means getting there early. It gives you a chance to survey your surroundings and get comfortable.
*Be prepared with knowledge on the industry - Do research on the industry overall and the company in particular, especially if it is a new industry. Access trade magazines and industry journals. By "talking the language" you reinforce that you have the ability to pick up industry-specific knowledge quickly.
*Cover your main points - Know the main points you want to get across to the interviewer and cover them early and as often as you can since you won't know how long the job interview will last.
*For a new industry, be prepared to field questions concerning your lack of experience in the industry - It is important that you understand and can convey your shift of industries and the expertise you bring to it. The interviewer will potentially have to field these questions from others if you are to move forward in the interview process and you will too. So, give a reason for the change and solid reasons why you are a good fit for the company.

Here are some examples of tough interview questions that might be asked when you're changing to a new industry in midlife:

Midlife Career Change Interview Question #1 - "Does this job represent a career switch for you?"

Answer - "While I have never been in this industry, I will be using the same abilities and skills to solve problems, meet deadlines and manage people that were needed in my previous positions. For example, (give examples of your abilities which form a connecting link between your skills in previous jobs and the one in which you are being interviewed.)"

Midlife Career Change Interview Question #2 - "After reviewing your qualifications, I find that you do not have...?"

Answer - "That is true, but I do have..." Give examples. Again, relating your skills to the position. Keep the interviewer's attention focused on the real issue - your ability to do the job.

Midlife Career Change Interview Question #3 - "You do not have experience in this industry, so why do you want to work here?"

Answer - You may not know yet - so say that but follow it with "but here is what I know about your company... How accurate am I?" If you do know why you want to work for this company it will usually relate to one of three areas - the company (reputation, high-profile, growth, offering of ground-floor opportunities), the position (variety, pace, technical orientation, scope of authority) or the people (personality match). Always articulate what you can do for the company, not what the company can do for you.

Midlife Career Change Interview Question #4 - How will you deal with subordinates and peers who have more experience in the industry than you?

Answer - "Just as I have dealt with subordinates and peers in the past. Of course, I will learn from them when I can and take their suggestions if valid. But I will also demonstrate that my experience and knowledge is transferable to this industry."

Midlife career change, while difficult, allows us to pursue our "dream" job. Or, we may just be trying to downsize our work life, taking a position that does not require our current level of skill, so we have more time for life. If we are prepared and confident in our abilities, we will have a greater chance to connect to the interviewer, move through the process and get the job offer. You can never be too prepared!

Visit http://www.activ8careers.com for other free career articles.

Midlife Career Change - Interview Questions For a Midlife Career Change
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David Hults author of the book "From Cornered To Corner Office" Overcoming the most unexpected obstacles that stand between you and your career dreams http://www.fromcorneredtocorneroffice.com

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Character Interviews - How to Make the People in Your Stories For Children Come to Life!

Having trouble creating well-rounded characters in your stories for children? Then try this tip from writer Lisa Harkrader who learned it a few years ago in a workshop she took from writer Sandy Asher (thank goodness writers love to share). Lisa says if she had to pick one single thing that has improved her writing the most, this would be it - the character interview.

There's nothing mysterious about the character interview. It's simply a list of questions to ask your main character before you start writing. You ask a question, then your main character answers (Yes, you should start hearing voices when you do this, but if you're a writer you probably already hear them anyway, so relax).

Lisa says, "My characters tend to be long-winded and usually tell me a bunch of stuff I never dreamed of before I started interviewing them. I don't use all that information in the story, but it gives me a very good understanding of the character and the character's voice, so I know what that character sounds like when he or she speaks. It almost always gives me a better understanding of the plot, and sometimes leads me to better endings or a different shading of certain events. Occasionally, especially when I'm writing in first person, I lift sentences or paragraphs right from the interview. Another thing interviews help me with is deciding when to use first or third person. If a character's voice is strong and fresh enough to carry an entire story, I feel comfortable using first person. If a character is more of a do-er than a talker, third person works better."

Character Interviews - How to Make the People in Your Stories For Children Come to Life!

Lisa conducted character interviews when she was working on her latest middle grade novel, AIRBALL: MY LIFE IN BRIEFS, which was recently released (September 2005) from Roaring Brook Press. The interview questions Lisa uses have evolved over the years. This is the list she asks her characters now:

CHARACTER INTERVIEW

1. Describe yourself--what is your best quality? What is your worst?

2. Describe your family.

3. Who is your best friend? Why?

4. What did you ask for on your last birthday? What did you get?

5. What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?

6. What is your biggest secret--the one thing you don't want ANYBODY to know?

7. What are you most afraid of?

8. What do you want more than anything?

Remember, you don't have to stick to these particular questions or use ONLY these questions. As you get used to conducting character interviews you'll probably develop your own questions that let you get to know and understand your characters, so they really come alive in your stories for children.

Character Interviews - How to Make the People in Your Stories For Children Come to Life!
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For more helpful tips for writers, visit http://www.workingwriterscoach.com and sign up for the mailing list. When you do, you'll receive a free ebook for writers, plus every weekday morning you'll get The Morning Nudge, a few words to motivate and inspire you to get a little writing done.

Visit the National Writing for Children Center at http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com and find out how you can learn to write for kids. Suzanne Lieurance is a fulltime freelance writer, children's author, and founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center.

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Seven Key Qualities of Successful Entrepreneurs

A recent poll conducted by Forbes magazine shows that majority
of its readers would prefer to become a billionaire rather than
a Nobel peace prize winner, a great scientist or a famous athlete.
There is no secret that most of the average people dream about
getting rich albeit very few makes any real effort to become one.

According to statistics, more than 100 thousand people become
millionaires each year in the United States alone! Overwhelming
majority out of them is self-made and owners of business. This
means, if you would like to pursue your goal of becoming rich,
you have to start your own venture.

Becoming an entrepreneur is not an easy task! There are certain
qualities that are absolutely necessary if you would like to
become successful in your business ventures. Some of these
qualities are built-in parts of your inherent personality, and
some of them get developed over time. Knowing these
characteristics and identifying your weak ones - those, which
need strengthening - will, eventually, help you become a
successful entrepreneur.

Seven Key Qualities of Successful Entrepreneurs

1. Common Sense

Studies show that most successful businessmen consider common
sense as the foundation of their success. Common sense is defined
as an ability to make sound judgments on the issues, which you
encounter in everyday situations.

Good judgment depends on acquired knowledge and past experience.
The combination of these two creates necessary prerequisites in
developing common sense in a person. Common sense allows you to
understand complex issues in simpler terms and get into the core
of a problem.

2. Specialized Knowledge of your field

It is easier to start a successful business, if you have deep
knowledge of the business field that you decide to pursue. About
half of all home-based start-ups are launched by people who decide
to use the knowledge, which they gained from their previous work
experience of a particular niche area.

Philip Green, a billionaire, who made his fortune in garments
retailing, claims that corner stone of his success is his knowledge
of rag trade. He, presumably, can price a fabric simply by rubbing
it between his fingers. Just by looking at a rack of coats he can
predict which ones won't sell next season. That's the kind of
knowledge required in order to become successful in
entrepreneurship.

Around 45 percent of all start-ups fail to survive more than two
years. One of the main reasons is many entrepreneurs do not
accumulate needed industry knowledge before jumping into business
world.

3. Self-confidence

Self confidence is a key entrepreneurial skill for success. It is
easy to become demoralized, frustrated and resentful if you lack
self-confidence.

Self-confidence is concerned with how a person feels about his
ability. A successful entrepreneur believes in his abilities. He is
not scared to explore un-chartered territories, take risk and take
difficult decisions.

Self-confidence, however, is not a personal trait that either you
have or you don't. A person can have high self-confidence in one
situation and totally lack in another. This is one of those skills
that can be developed by training.

4. Ability to get things done

Successful entrepreneurs are persistent and hardworking. They
master self-discipline to such extent that if a work is important
and related to their goals, they will, eventually, complete it.

Getting things done is the vital link between motivations and their
outcome. At times, entrepreneurs force themselves to choose work
over fun, a boring job against a pleasant one, working on tax
papers rather than reading a glamour magazine. This requires a
self-control that many people simply fail to develop in them.

5. Creativity

Creativity is the ability to use your insights and come up with
new solutions to old problems, get things done in a different way
or find a totally different approach for conventional things to
work together. Entrepreneurs need creative thinking ability
virtually in everything. Each new product, each new marketing
method, each business decision - all these are fertile ground
for creative thinking.

Often, entrepreneurs become immensely successful thanks to one
single creative idea!

6. Ability to lead

Successful entrepreneurs are capable of leading people and get
work done by them. They use a combination of various methods -
effective motivation, planning, coaching and evaluation - to
lead people. They are concerned about the wellbeing of others
and easily get along with people.

7. Self reliance

Successful entrepreneurs try to take full responsibility for
their actions. They know that what they are today, and what
they are going to be tomorrow, depend solely on themselves,
as it is the outcome of their own choices and decisions.
They are proactive people, who set goals, walk an extra mile
to achieve them and rely, primarily, on their own resources
and abilities.

If you would like to check out if your personality fits the
typical entrepreneurial profile, the following site has
questionnaire that will help you asses your entrepreneurial
skills:

[http://www.rateyourself.com/subject.cfm/Subject_ID/2]

If, even, you have all these great qualities and you feel
quite confident about yourself, you will never know how good
an entrepreneur you are, unless you give it a try! So, the
best way to prove your abilities, is to jump start a new
venture!

Seven Key Qualities of Successful Entrepreneurs
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Nowshade Kabir is the founder, primary developer and present CEO of Rusbiz.com. A Ph. D. in Information Technology, he has wide experience in Business Consulting, International Trade and Web Marketing. Rusbiz is a Global B2B Emarketplace with solutions to start and run online business. You can contact him at mailto:nowshade[at]rusbiz.com, http://ezine.rusbiz.com, http://www.rusbiz.com

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