Fears about COVID-19 can take an emotional toll, especially if you’re already living with an anxiety disorder. But you’re not powerless. These tips can help you get through this stressful time.
Understanding your anxiety It’s a frightening time. We’re in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, with cities and even entire countries shutting down. Some of us are in areas that have already been affected by coronavirus. Others are bracing for what may come. And all of us are watching the headlines and wondering, “What is going to happen next?” For many people, the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus is the hardest thing to handle. We don’t know how exactly we’ll be impacted or how bad things might get. And that makes it all too easy to catastrophize and spiral out into overwhelming dread and panic. But there are many things you can do—even in the face of this unique crisis—to manage your anxiety and fears. Stay informed—but don’t obsessively check the newsIt’s vital to stay informed, particularly about what’s happening in your community, so you can follow advised safety precautions and do your part to slow the spread of coronavirus. But there’s a lot of misinformation going around, as well as sensationalistic coverage that only feeds into fear. It’s important to be discerning about what you read and watch.
When you feel yourself getting caught up in fear of what might happen, try to shift your focus to things you can control. For example, you can’t control how severe the coronavirus outbreak is in your city or town, but you can take steps to reduce your own personal risk (and the risk you’ll unknowingly spread it to others), such as:
How to stop “what-ifs” from spiraling
Relinquishing our desire for certainty and control is easier said than done. If you feel yourself start to spin out into negativity or panic, grounding yourself in the present moment can stop the negative spiral and allow your rational brain to come back online. The technique is simple yet effective: Bring your attention to your breath and your body. Focus all of your attention on the here and now: noticing the sights, sounds, and smells around you and what you’re feeling in your body. Continue to breath slowly in and out—gently bringing your mind back to your body and breath every time it drifts—until you feel more calm. For a mindful breathing meditation that can help you regain inner calm
Stay connected—even when physically isolated
Evidence shows that many people with coronavirus—particularly young, seemingly healthy people—don’t have symptoms but can still spread the virus. That’s why the biggest thing that most people can do right now to make a positive difference is to practice social distancing. But social distancing comes with its own risks. Humans are social animals. We’re hardwired for connection. Isolation and loneliness can exacerbate anxiety and depression, and even impact our physical health. That’s why it’s important to stay connected as best we can and reach out for support when we need it, even as we cut back on in-person socializing.
Emotions are contagious, so be wise about who you turn to for support
All of us are going to need reassurance, advice, or a sympathetic ear during this difficult time. But be careful who you choose as a sounding board. The coronavirus is not the only thing that’s contagious. So are emotions! Avoid talking about the virus with people who tend to be negative or who reinforce and ramp up your fears. Turn to the people in your life who are thoughtful, level-headed, and good listeners. If you don’t have someone you trust to turn to, apps such as 7 Cups are a good resource for free, emotional support. Take care of your body and spiritThis is an extraordinarily trying time, and all the tried-and-true stress management strategies apply, such as eating healthy meals, getting plenty of sleep, and meditating. Beyond that, here are some tips for practicing self-care in the face of the unique disruptions caused by the coronavirus.
It’s no coincidence that those who focus on others in need and support their communities, especially during times of crises, tend to be happier and healthier than those who act selfishly. Helping others not only makes a difference to your community—and even to the wider world at this time—it can also support your own mental health and well-being. Much of the anguish accompanying this pandemic stems from feeling powerless. Doing kind and helpful acts for others can help you regain a sense of control over your life—as well as adding meaning and purpose. Even when you’re self-isolating or maintaining social distance, there’s still plenty you can do to help others. Follow guidelines for preventing the spread of the virus. Even if you’re not in a high-risk group, staying at home, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding contact with others can help save the lives of the most vulnerable in your community and prevent overburdening the healthcare system. Reach out to others in need. If you know people in your community who are isolated—particularly the elderly or disabled—you can still offer support. Perhaps an older neighbor needs help with groceries or fulfilling a prescription? You can always leave packages on their doorstep to avoid direct contact. Or maybe they just need to hear a friendly, reassuring voice over the phone. Many local social media groups can help put you in touch with vulnerable people in your area. Donate to food banks. Panic-buying and hoarding have not only left grocery store shelves stripped bare but have also drastically reduced supplies to food banks. You can help older adults, low-income families, and others in need by donating food or cash. Be a calming influence. If friends or loved ones are panicking, try to help them gain some perspective on the situation. Instead of scaremongering or giving credence to false rumors, refer them to reputable news sources. Being a positive, uplifting influence in these anxious times can help you feel better about your own situation too. Be kind to others. An infectious disease is not connected to any racial or ethnic group, so speak up if you hear negative stereotypes that only promote prejudice. With the right outlook and intentions, we can all ensure that kindness and charity spread throughout our communities even faster than this virus.
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 You mean well, but those little gestures you’re doing to help the server might make their job harder. Customers come to restaurants for a pleasurable experience—you enter, sit down, peruse the menu, order, dine, make small talk, pay, and leave. All around you, however, a world of busy bees keep drinks filled, cook the food, and make sure every element of your encounter is enjoyable. While you likely know how hard people in restaurants work, you might not realize the small ways you actually make their job harder. Here, we explore things well-meaning patrons do that make servers and restaurant staff work harder, even when you absolutely don’t mean to.
You wait to split the check at the end Some diners find it gauche to discuss payment before a single bread basket has been served, and we certainly suggest you feel out the level of formality before discussing the bill. However, at your local Thai spot or pizza joint, don’t be afraid to help out the server by letting them know before anyone orders are given how the ticket will be split. Be nice: Making the arrangement clear helps them—and you—get faster service and prevents possible goofs on the bill. This is an especially good idea if you have somewhere to go after the meal and are crunched for time. You don’t say anything about a meal you don’t like If something is wrong—your steak is undercooked, your salad is soggy, your chicken is stringy—speak up. Don’t sit in silence, thinking it’s too much fuss to raise a flag. Your server, the kitchen staff, and the restaurant’s manager shouldn’t learn about your poor experience at their establishment with a semi-anonymous online criticism. They should hear about it right then and there, when it happens, so they can correct it and learn from it. Be nice: Flag your server, and explain the issue. Give your server and the restaurant a chance to fix whatever is wrong. Don’t sit there and plot your vicious one-star smack down. If it’s still wrong after that, type away, keyboard warrior. The server is occupied, so you help yourself to the tea pitcher It’s easy to see your waiter is busy, so what’s the harm in sneaking over to the bar and filling up your cup of tea? Actually, a lot. If the manager spots you, your waiter will likely be reamed out for not getting you what you need. You could also make a mess of the beverages, which makes someone else have to stop their work to clean it up. Be nice: If you’re getting bad service—the waiter isn’t keeping your glass filled—talk to the manager. Otherwise, just try to flag your server, and perhaps consider asking for another glass if you’re downing a lot of drink that night for some reason. You stack all the empty dishes Believe it or not, there’s a method to the madness of bussing a table. Waiters and restaurant staff are trained in the best way to gather, clean, and sort dishes. If you stack up all the plates, bowls, and silverware—and then toss napkins on top of the pile—you’re making a bigger mess for your server or the person who has to clear the dishes from your table. Be nice: Leave the plates in front of you. Don’t push them away either, as that makes them harder to reach. The staff will ask you before removing your plate if you’re finished. Let them do the bussing. You seat yourself You walk into your favorite little restaurant (where, yes, they probably know you by name), eager to get dinner so you can get back home to chores. You notice the host is busy with another group, so you just grab a menu and seat yourself. While you think it’s no big deal, the host has an intricate system for making sure tables are distributed evenly among areas of the restaurant and servers. If you seat yourself (at least anywhere other than the bar), you may throw off their system. Be nice: Hang out for a minute. The host will see you and make sure you get a seat. If the host disappears to the back of the restaurant, you can flag another member of the staff and ask to be seated. You try to clean up your own accident It happens—you get carried away telling a story and knock over a glass of Merlot. Ruby red wine and shards of glass are everywhere. Your first instinct may be to start grabbing the pieces, but the restaurant staff don’t want to compound the issue with a bleeding hand. Be nice: Alert the staff, and let them clean it up. They have the tools for cleaning up the wine as well as the broken glass. Thank them profusely—leave a bigger tip, too—but don’t put your hand into the shards. You don’t listen to the specials Contrary to urban legend, most daily specials in restaurants are not dishes that use up foods before they spoil. Indeed, in a lot of cases, they’re special dishes the chef wanted to cook with seasonal ingredients, or she’s testing them out on a smaller scale before placing them as a full-time item menu. Be nice: When the server starts rattling off the day’s specials and things not on the menu, listen. You might hear something that strikes your interest and changes your mind about what you plan to order. Also, it’s just plain rude to interrupt. You’re too chatty It’s lovely to have a good rapport with your server, especially if you’re a regular at their restaurant, but keep in mind the server is working. That means they need to place orders, pick up food, fill drinks, and more. When you occupy them to chat, especially when the restaurant is busy, you’re preventing them from doing their job. Not only can that get them in trouble, it could affect your own service. Be nice: Follow their cue. If they stop to chat for a second, you can engage. But don’t flag them down just to chat. Friendliness goes a long way, as does a generous thank you and a good tip. You order from another server You’re ready to order, but your server is two tables over with another group of patrons. You flag down a server and ask to order. They likely won’t tell you no (though they should), but confusion could unfold. If you have any special orders, the server that’s responsible for your meal may not know all the intricate details. You may also have errors on the bill if they don’t know what everyone ordered. Be nice: Instead of asking the server to take your order, ask them to alert your server. This way you get the best service possible and there’s no back-end confusion. You take items off the full tray to help As the server approaches your table, you spot your pint of beer on the side. In an effort to “help” him, you reach for the beer. Big mistake! The server has all the items on that tray balanced beautifully, and removing one item unexpectedly could throw it off kilter. Be nice: Let the server empty the tray at their own pace. If you want to be of assistance, help pass out things to the table as he takes them off the tray.  In a crowded job market, the last thing you want in a job interview to be is forgettable. Yet people do it every day with this one mistake: not asking any questions in a job interview. The mistake is understandable. You’ve been so busy preparing to answer questions, that you’re forgetting to show the curiosity that lets interviewers see what you really want to know. After all, even if every single one of your responses are flawless and on point, by not asking a question or two of your interviewer you run the risk of coming across as generic. On the other hand, you don’t want to ask terrible questions. That’s even worse. These questions to ask in an interview can show the person interviewing you how you’re different and why you stand apart from the rest.
Why did you join the company? Mark Phillips, who runs a top office for Sanford Rose Associates, one of the largest recruiting networks in the U.S. had a simple question that could be quite complicated. If the interviewer tells you it was because of vacation days or benefits, chances are good that there isn’t all that much below the surface. If, however, they tell you about the creativity or integrity of the brand, you know you’re potentially going to work for a winner. How does this role further your company’s mission? Kelly Lavin, chief talent officer for newly launched Canvas, the first text-based interviewing platform suggests you ask this because “While job duties and company culture are important to understand, determining why a company and role exists is just as, if not more, important.” It will also allow you to better understand if you “align with the company’s mission and will feel a sense of purpose in your new role.” Tell me about your most successful employees. What do they do differently? Believe it or not, this one is almost a trick question for potential employers Lavin says. “The answer to this question will help a candidate understand how a company defines success and what specific behaviors can lead to that success.” In one fell swoop you’ll find out what success means to this company and how you can better achieve it. What do you expect someone in this position to accomplish in the first 60-90 days? University of Richmond Career Advisor Anna Young says, “Great candidates hit the ground running, find out how you will be expected to jump in and start contributing to the organization from day one.” And in case you’re wondering, it’s fine to modify the question for an internship and ask about expectations for the first few weeks. What, if anything, in my background gives you pause? Roberta Matuson, President of Matuson Consulting, says this is pretty much the one must ask question job seekers should ask in an interview. She says “By asking this question, you’ll be able to overcome any objections the interviewer might have before you leave the room.” And if you’re smart, you can find a way to combat any preconceived notions by addressing them in a follow up note. What is the turnover in your company, in the executive suite and in the department, I am interviewing for? Dave Arnold President at Arnold Partners says as a leading independent CFO search consultant for technology companies, he’s had 100’s of people go out to interview with clients, and he thinks that’s a question worth asking. While people no longer expect to stay at any given job for decades or more, it’s nice to know how long you can expect to stick around if given the opportunity. If the interviewer grows uncomfortable or shares the fact that turnaround at their company is higher than Dancing with the Stars, you might want to think twice before accepting the position. What are the opportunities for growth and advancement? Young says, “This can help you to understand the structure of the organization and if there are opportunities to move up and advance your career.” It’s also a great way of finding out about different ways to progress or move into different roles “Also, it could help you to learn if they offered continued training or professional development for employees.” If you had a chance to interview for your company again (knowing what you know now), what questions would you ask next time?  Savvy hiring managers can glean a ton of information about you by asking just a few, well-chosen questions. But while they may seem simple, some are actually designed to get you to reveal information you may have been trying to conceal. In other words: they’re trick questions. “To uncover areas that may reflect inconsistencies, hiring managers sometimes ask these tricky questions,” said Tina Nicolai, executive career coach and founder of Resume Writers’ Ink.But they’re not just about exposing your flaws, said Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant.” “Their real agenda is for your answers to ultimately paint a picture that you are the perfect fit for the job — not just on paper, but from an overall trust standpoint,” Taylor said.Here are 21 common examples of tricky job interview questions, complete with advice on how to ace each one:Can you tell me about yourself?
Why do they ask this? They ask to determine how the candidates see themselves as it pertains to the position and how confidently they can communicate their skills. “The employer wants to hear that the candidate did their homework,” Nicolai said. “If this opening answer is weak, it can send the remainder of the interview into a tailspin or cut the interview short.” What makes it tricky? It can tempt you to talk about your personal life — which you shouldn’t! “Most candidates are not versed in seeing this as a trick question, so they may answer by speaking from a personal perspective: ‘I have three kids, I’m married, etc,'” Nicolai said. What response are they looking for? A focused answer conveying your value to the organization and department. “The employer wants to hear about your achievements, broken down into two or three succinct bullet answers that will set the tone of the interview,” Nicolai said. Try this, from Nicolai: “I am known for turning around poor performance teams as a result of my innate skills in analyzing problems and seeing solutions very quickly.” This statement tells the interviewer that the candidate has analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and leadership ability that enables them to turn around business performance. How would you describe yourself in one word? Why do they ask this? Through that one word, Taylor said employers will be able to assess your personality type, how confident you are in your self-perception, and whether your work style is a good fit for the job. What makes it tricky? This question can be a challenge, particularly early on in the interview, because you don’t really know what personality type the manager is seeking. “There is a fine line between sounding self-congratulatory versus confident, and humble versus timid,” Taylor said. “And people are multifaceted, so putting a short label on oneself can seem nearly impossible.” What response are they looking for? Proceed cautiously. “If you know you’re reliable and dedicated, but love the fact that your friends praise your clever humor, stick with the conservative route,” Taylor said. If you’re applying for an accounting job, the one-word descriptor should not be “creative,” and if it’s an art director position, you don’t want it to be, “punctual,” for example. “Most employers today are seeking team players that are levelheaded under pressure, upbeat, honest, reliable, and dedicated,” Taylor said. How does this position compare to others you are applying for? Why do they ask this? They’re basically asking: “Are you applying for other jobs?” And they want to see how you speak about other companies or positions that hold your interest — and how honest you are. What makes it tricky? If you respond, “This is the only job I’m applying for,” your interviewer will worry. Very few job applicants apply to only one job, so they may assume you’re being dishonest. But if you’re too effusive about your other prospects, however, the hiring manager may see you as unattainable and pass. “Speaking negatively about other jobs or employers isn’t good either,” Nicolai added. What response are they looking for? Go with this response, Nicolai said: “There are several organizations with whom I am interviewing, however, I’ve not yet decided the best fit for my next career move.” “This is positive and protects the competitors,” Nicolai said. “No reason to pit companies or to brag.” Can you name three of your strengths and weaknesses? Why do they ask this? The interviewer is looking for red flags and deal-breakers, such as an inability to work well with coworkers or an inability to meet deadlines. “Each job has its unique requirements, so your answers should showcase applicable strengths, and your weaknesses should have a silver lining,” Taylor said. “At the very least, you should indicate that negative attributes have diminished because of positive actions you’ve taken.” What makes it tricky? You can sabotage yourself addressing either. Exposing your weaknesses can hurt you if you don’t explain how you’re taking steps to address them, Taylor said. “Your strengths may not align with the skill set or work style required for the job. It’s best to prepare for this question in advance, or risk landing in a minefield.” What response are they looking for? First of all, do not say your weakness is that you “work too hard.” Interviewers are “looking for your ability to self-assess with maturity and confidence,” Taylor said. Furthermore, hiring managers want to know that your strengths will be a direct asset to the new position, and that none of your weaknesses would hurt your ability to perform. Why do you want to work here? Why do they ask this? Interviewers ask this because they want to know what drives you the most, how well you’ve researched them as an organization, and how much you want the job. What makes it tricky? “Clearly you want to work for the firm for several reasons,” Taylor said. “But just how you prioritize them reveals a lot about what is important to you.” You may be thinking to yourself, “I’m not getting paid what I’m worth,” or, “I have a terrible boss,” or, “All things being equal, this commute is incredibly short” — none of which endears you to the hiring manager. What response are they looking for? Hiring managers want to see that you’ve taken the time to research the company and understand the industry. Why do you want to leave your current job? Why do they ask this? “Your prospective boss is looking for patterns or anything negative, especially if your positions are many and short-term,” Taylor said. The interviewer may try to determine whether you have had issues working with others leading to termination, if you get bored quickly in a job, or other red flags. What makes it tricky? If not answered diplomatically, your answer could raise further questions and doubts or sink your chances entirely. What response are they looking for? They hope you are seeking a more challenging position that is a better fit for your skill set or that there’s something specific about their company that you’re drawn to, Taylor said. What are you most proud of in your career? Why do they ask this? Interviewers want to understand what you’re passionate about, what you feel you excel at, and whether you take pride in your work. “How you describe your favorite project, for example, is almost as important as the project itself,” Taylor said. “It’s assumed that if you can speak with conviction and pride about your past work, you can do the same during important presentations at the new employer.” What makes it tricky? Managers may assume that this type of work is what you really want to do most or focus on in the future. It can make you sound one-dimensional if you don’t put it in the context of a larger range of skills and interests. What response are they looking for? Hiring managers want to see your ability to articulate well and foster enthusiasm in others, as well as your positive energy. Have you ever considered being an entrepreneur? Why do they ask this? The interviewer is testing to see if you still have the hidden desire to run your own company, thus abandoning ship, Taylor said. “No firm wants to sense this, as they will begin to ponder whether their valuable training time and money could vanish.” What makes it tricky? Most everyone has considered being an entrepreneur at some point in their lives, but to varying degrees. This question is tricky because you can unwittingly be lured into talking about your one-time desire to be your own boss with too much perceived enthusiasm. An employer may fear that you still hope to eventually go out on your own and consider you a flight risk. On the other hand, saying “no” outright might indicate you’re not a self-starter. What response are they looking for? It’s OK to tell a prospective manager that you once considered entrepreneurship or have worked as an independent contractor, Taylor said. It can easily be turned into a positive by saying that you’ve already experienced it or thought about it, and it’s not for you. And that might be more convincing than saying, “No, I’ve never considered that.” This is an opportunity to discuss why working in a corporate environment as part of a team is most fulfilling to you. You may also enjoy the specialized work in your field more than the operational, financial, or administrative aspects of entrepreneurship. Have you ever stolen a pen from work? Why do they ask this? Reed, author of “Why You?: 101 Interview Questions You’ll Never Fear Again,” wrote in his book that hiring managers who ask this are not worried about their inventory — they’re just trying to get a better sense of your level of integrity. What makes it tricky? We’ve all taken a pen or two, so if you say that you haven’t, then they might think you’re a liar. But if you say that you do it all the time and act like it’s no big deal, then that could be problematic, too. Reed, who is also the chairman of Reed, a top job site in the UK and Europe, wrote in his book that saying something like “I have once or twice taken a pen from the office in an emergency but I have always returned it the next day or the day after” is a terrible response. Why? The interviewer knows that pen is still on your desk at home and might challenge you. What response are they looking for? In his book, Reed wrote that going with something more realistic, like: “Well, I’d be lying to say I haven’t ever absentmindedly slipped a ballpoint into my jacket pocket, but it usually ends up back on my desk the following day, unless I leave it at home. I haven’t got a spare room full of paperclips and staplers, though, if that’s what you mean.” What kind of boss and coworkers have you had the most and least success with, and why? Why do they ask this? Interviewers are trying to ascertain if you generally have conflicts with people and/or personality types, Taylor said. What makes it tricky? You run the risk of appearing difficult by admitting to unsuccessful interactions with others, unless you keep emotions out of it. You may also inadvertently describe some of the attributes of your prospective boss. If you said, “I had a boss who held so many meetings that it was hard to get my work done,” and your interviewer turns beet red — you might have hit a nerve. What response are they looking for? “ They want to hear more good than bad news,” Taylor said. “It’s always best to start out with the positive and downplay the negatives.” You don’t want to be evasive, but this is not the time to outline all your personality shortcomings either. This is an opportunity to speak generally about traits that you admire in others yet appear flexible enough to work with a variety of personality types. Taylor recommended you say: “I think I work well with a wide gamut of personalities. Some of my most successful relationships have been where both people communicated very well and set mutual expectations up front.” If you could work for any company, where would you work? Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to ascertain how serious you are about working for them in particular, versus the competition, as well as your level of loyalty, Taylor said. What makes it tricky? You might get caught up in the casual flow of the discussion and inadvertently leak out some well-respected firms, but this is counterproductive and only instills some doubt about your objectives. What response are they looking for? “Your interviewer wants to know that you’re interviewing at your first company of choice,” Taylor said. Try this response: “Actually, I’ve been heavily researching target firms, and (your company] seems like the ideal fit for my credentials. It’s exciting to me that (your company] is doing XYZ in the industry, for example, and I’d like to contribute my part.” How do you define success? Why do they ask this? Interviewers want insight into your priorities: are you motivated by big paychecks? Being challenged? Learning new skills? “Or,” Taylor added, “do you take a more personal, individualistic approach to success?” What makes it tricky? This one is a minefield, since “success” is highly subjective, and even a perfectly reasonable response can be easily misinterpreted, Taylor said. “There’s a fine line between sounding ambitious and appearing as if you’re eyeing the top spot in the office — because you ‘really want to advance and make a difference.'” What response are they looking for? When questions are broad and leave a lot of room for “a virtual inquisition,” Taylor advises keeping your answers relatively unobjectionable. “Try to define success in a way that relates to the prospective employer, based on what you know from the job description and conversation,” she said. A good response? “Applying my brand expertise to the strategic marketing goals you’ve established for XYZ company, building on your existing success. What career regrets do you have? Why do they ask this? Reed wrote that the interviewer is really asking, “Is there something bad about you that I cannot see, and if there is, can I get you to admit it? Do you carry psychological baggage that you don’t need? How readily do you forgive yourself — and others?” What makes it tricky? “Regret is a loaded word: don’t point it your way,” Reed wrote. What response are they looking for? Reed suggested giving the interviewer “a little bit of grit,” but says you should try to avoid using the word “regret.” Instead, “focus on something positive and say you wished you’d done more of it. Then stop talking.” Here’s an edited version of the sample answer Reed offered in his book: “All told, I don’t have too many complaints about the way things have gone. If I could change one thing, I’d have moved into the cell phone insurance business sooner than I did. I turned out to be good at that, and I enjoy it too. … If I’d moved into it sooner then maybe I’d have been sitting here a couple of years earlier — but who knows? Missing out on that taught me to take the odd risk in life, and I’m thankful for that.” Why were you laid off? Why do they ask this? “Employers want to know how you hold up under pressure and less fortunate circumstances such as job loss,” Nicolai says. “They want to hear that you are positive and ready to get back to work with a great attitude. They also want to hear a level of confidence — not defeat or anger.” What makes it tricky? For starters, you may be bitter or angry about the layoff, and this question may prompt you to bad-mouth your former employer, which you never want to do in a job interview. “Stay away from finger pointing, desperation, or portraying a victim,” she adds. What response are they looking for? “Provide a level-headed answer that is focused on a business decision by the company to conduct the layoff,” Nicolai says. “Be sure to not cast blame or any discontent. Stay on track with the facts as you know them.” What would you do if you won $5 million tomorrow? Why do they ask this? They want to know whether you would still work if you did not need the money. Your response to this question tells the employer about your motivation and work ethic. The interviewer may also want to know what you would spend the money on or whether you would invest it. This illustrates how responsible you are with your money and how mature you are as a person. What makes it tricky? Questions that are out of left field can ambush you, causing you to lose composure. “They have nothing to do with the job at hand, and you may wonder if there is any significance to them,” Taylor said. “Whether there is or not, the fact remains that you can easily lose your cool if you don’t pause and gather your thoughts before you respond to a question like this.” What response are they looking for? They want to hear that you would continue working because you’re passionate about what you do — and they want to know you would make smart financial decisions. If you would do something irresponsible with your own money, they’ll worry you’ll be careless with theirs. Have you ever been asked to compromise your integrity by your supervisor or colleague? Why do they ask this? Your prospective boss is evaluating your moral compass by asking how you handled a delicate situation that put your integrity to the test, Taylor said. “They may also dig too deeply to test your level of discretion.” Essentially they want to know: Did you use diplomacy? Did you publicly blow the whistle? Did a backlash ensue? What was your thought process? What makes it tricky? Interviewers want to know how you manage sensitive matters and are also wary of those who bad-mouth former employers, no matter how serious the misdeed. “They will be concerned if you share too much proprietary information with the interviewer,” Taylor said. “So it is tricky because you must carefully choose your words, using the utmost diplomacy.” What response are they looking for? It’s wise to be clear, concise, and professional in your answer, without revealing any internal practices of prior employers. “You have nothing to gain by divulging private corporation information.” Something like this might work: “There was one time where a fellow worker asked me to get involved in a project that seemed unethical, but the problem resolved itself. I try to be as honest as possible early on if a project creates concern for me about the company, as I’m very dedicated to its success.” Can you give us a reason someone may not like working with you? Why do they ask this? Prospective bosses want to know if there are any glaring personality issues, and what better way than to go directly to the source? “They figure that the worst that can happen is you will lie, and they may feel they’re still adept at detecting mistruths,” Taylor said. “The negative tone of the question is bound to test the mettle of even the most seasoned business professionals.” What makes it tricky? You can easily shoot yourself in the foot with this question. If you flip and say, “I can’t think of a reason anyone wouldn’t like working with me,” you’re subtly insulting the interviewer by trivializing the question. So you have to frame the question in a way that gets at the intent without being too hard on yourself. “Hiring managers are not seeking job candidates who have self-pity,” she said. What response are they looking for? You don’t want to say, “Well I’m not always the easiest person to be around, particularly when under deadlines. I sometimes lose my temper too easily.” You might as well pack up and look for the nearest exit. Taylor suggested this response: “Generally I’ve been fortunate to have great relationships at all my jobs. The only times I have been disliked — and it was temporary — was when I needed to challenge my staff to perform better. Sometimes I feel we must make unpopular decisions that are for the larger good of the company.” Why have you been out of work for so long? Why do they ask this? “Interviewers are skeptical by design,” Taylor said. “Sometimes you’re guilty until proven innocent — until all the perceived skeletons in the closet have been removed.” This is a daunting question in particular because it can seem offensive. The implication is that you might not be motivated enough to secure a job; you are being distracted by other pursuits; your skills set may not be up to date; there is an issue with your past employers, or a host of other concerns. What makes it tricky? The way it’s worded is naturally designed to test your resilience. The key is not to take the bait and just answer the intent of the question in a calm, factual manner. What response are they looking for? The hiring manager wants to be assured that you possess initiative even when unemployed, as this drive and tenacity will translate well in a corporate setting. Sample responses: “I have been interviewing steadily, but want to find the ideal fit before I jump in and give my typical 110%,” or, “I’m active in my job search, and I keep my skills current through [courses, volunteering, social media, business networking groups].” “If you took off time to take care of a personal matter, you can certainly state that without giving a lot of detail,” Taylor said. Make sure you’re accountable. Don’t blame the unemployment rate, your market, industry, or anything else. This is about how active and excited you are to be making a contribution to the employer. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a company policy. Why do they ask this? To determine your decision-making ability, ease of working with others, and most importantly, whether the candidate will speak up after identifying an area in need of improvement. What makes it tricky? “To say, ‘I’ve never disagreed with a company policy’ is tough to believe from even the most amenable employee,” Nicolai said. “This also sends a message that you may just accept anything that you are told to do without thinking through all possible outcomes.” Companies want leaders and employees to follow the rules, but they also want people who are going to review potential outdated policies and have the courage to push back and propose changes to maintain a current, competitive edge and productive workplace. What response are they looking for? Talk about a time when you opposed a policy for a logical and business reason. “Focus on how your idea to rework the policy was beneficial to the company as a whole. Speak up on the research that you conducted, the facts that you presented, and the outcome of your attempts to have the policy rewritten,” Taylor said. How did you make time for this interview? Where does your boss think you are right now? Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to find out if your priorities are in the right place: current job first, interviews second. “They know that the habits you follow now speak to your integrity and how you will treat your job at their company should you undertake a future job search,” Taylor said. “They also want to know how you handle awkward situations where you cannot be truthful to your boss. Ideally, your interview is during a break that is your time, which is important to point out.” What makes it tricky? The implication is that you’re breaking a company rule. For most employed job seekers, it’s uncomfortable to lie about their whereabouts. So they’re vague and treat it like any other personal matter they handle on their time. What response are they looking for? It’s wise to explain that you always put your job first, and schedule interviews before or after work, at lunchtime, during weekends if appropriate, and during personal time off. Try something like: “My boss understands that I have certain break periods and personal time — he doesn’t ask for details. He’s most interested in my results.” What’s a difficult situation that you turned around? What do they ask this? This gives hiring managers a lot of information in one fell swoop, Taylor said. They want to know “not only know how you handle stressful situations, but also how you think through problems, how you define ‘difficult,’ and what courses of action you take when faced with any form of adversity.” What makes it tricky? It’s easy to interpret this as an invitation to brag about the success of your turnaround. Don’t fall for it. “The emphasis is really on how you generally problem-solve under pressure,” Taylor said. “Do you illustrate any signs of stress as you describe the event? Were you creative, resourceful and prompt in its resolution? Did you follow a logical path in doing so?” Choose your examples extremely carefully, since they’ll give employers a glimpse at what you consider to be “difficult.” What response are they looking for? Interviewers want to see that you’re a good problem solver, Taylor said. “They place a premium on those who can think clearly, remain professional when under the gun — and those who can recover quickly from setbacks.” To ace the question, be sure you go into the meeting by preparing with a few examples of times you successfully overcame significant professional challenges.
Here are three "Keys to Success" that you can use no matter what stage of life you are in and regardless of what you consider “success” to be. Pretty much every person on the planet wants to know the KEYS TO SUCCESS. How you define what success means may be totally different from how someone else does, but, chances are, you both want it. ?
It’s something that’s ingrained in us from when we are young and feel like we have to get straight “A”s on our report card–maybe for approval, or maybe for our own internal reasons. As we get older, our ideas of success change but it’s generally still something that drives us to some degree, making us feel like we have to do this or that thing to be successful. Here are Three Keys to Success that you can use no matter what stage of life you are in and regardless of what you consider “success” to be. #1 KEY TO SUCCESS: FIGURE OUT YOUR WHY This one is listed first because it’s probably the most important. Sometimes we get so caught up in doing that we don’t stop to ask ourselves “Why is this important to me?” The answer to that question will help you determine how to define success for that particular project or thing you want to do. If it’s a business project and your why is “I want to take my family on a vacation!” then that will motivate you much more to earn an extra $1000 this month than simply saying “I need an extra thousand bucks this month.” Here is a great Ted Talk from Simon Sinek that talks about figuring out your why!
#2 KEY TO SUCCESS: EVALUATE ON A REGULAR BASIS
One surefire way to NOT succeed is to set out to do something and then neglect to periodically do a check-in. Using the example above, if your goal is to earn an extra $1000 this month, it’s not a good idea to wait until the 29th of the month to see where you are with meeting that goal. You need to do a weekly check-in to see how you are progressing. If you see that you are not on target to meet the goal, you can adjust your game plan and figure out what you need to do to ensure you are successful in meeting that particular goal. If you only made $200 extra during the first week, you are on target to earn an extra $800 for the month which means you will fall short of the goal. What can you do in week 2 to ramp things up and ensure success? #3 KEY TO SUCCESS: REMEMBER: “THEY” DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT We’ve all heard it. “They say you shouldn’t do that.” Or “You know what they say. You need to …” Well, guess what? No one knows who “they” even is. Trust your own intuition rather than going along with what “they” say. You know your project better than anyone else whether it’s doubling your business revenue or cleaning out your closet.
I hope these success tips help you achieve whatever it is you call success. According to Bob Proctor (Magic in Your Mind), hard work and intelligence are not the only things necessary for success. Your imagination, intuition, will, perception, memory, and reason (your mental faculties) play a huge role in how successful you become. To bridge the gap between lack of success and success, utilize those six mental faculties. Check out Bob’s program, Magic in Your Mind, today to see if it contains success tips you are looking for. Please feel free to read my review of Magic in Your Mind. I sincerely hope this article, “Success Tips 3 Ways to Finally Be Successful” has helped you on your journey to success.  The Alexander, is a premiere family owned and operated luxury residence by the Daibes family. The Daibes family has owned & operated several buildings in Edgewater and the surrounding areas for over three decades. They pride themselves on providing excellent service at a personal & family oriented level. They make themselves available for their tenants to contact for any questions or concerns they may have. At The Alexander, family management is their brand and serving their tenants is always a pleasure. The Alexander sits majestically on more than an acre of lush landscape, with 80,000 square feet of incomparable indoor and outdoor amenities, ideally situated in the heart of Edgewater NJ, just minutes from NYC. The Alexander brings together old world elegance with new world luxury. With spacious layouts that are as practical as they are elegantly efficient, every day starts on the right foot. The sun shines a bit brighter when you’ve made The Alexander home, and even the earliest mornings become easier the moment your feet touch the floor. The perfect mixture of the conveniences of the modern with the warmth and sophistication of the old world can be a tough combo to find, but they’ve artfully mastered it for an inviting, homey vibe. The Alexander sets the standard for exceptional living in Edgewater New Jersey. Luxury apartment living complete with a cutting-edge state of the art health club & yoga studio, lavish spa including steam, sauna, and treatment rooms, resort style indoor & outdoor pools, 24-hour concierge & doorman, on site car-wash, abundant tenant storage, pure water on tap. These are just a few of the many more amenities. We're talking panoramic New York city views with world class service. The Alexander magnificently appointed homes are well-refined, yet understated to highlight your personal style. Upscale amenities are enhanced by skyline views. An exquisite and graceful lobby sets a casually elegant tone as you enter your community, your home, your next chapter. |
Written, Compiled & Edited byThe Bergen Review Media Team Archives
October 2024
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The Bergen Review is Bergen county's concierge for the best businesses, restaurants & venues in New Jersey. Our agency has over 10 years experience in web branding, online media and marketing. Our team of experts scour every nook and cranny of New Jerseys best businesses, restaurants & venues to present our clients the full scoop of where best deals & experiences are. Even after researching & looking at reviews, finding the REAL scoop on what Businesses, restaurants or venues best fit your interest can be a challenge. Bergen Review Media has a team that researches & visits various establishments. Making sure the consumer gets the best experience.
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