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Handling Illegal Interview Questions

Jim, 48, is sitting in an interview, which has been going well. He’s confident that his qualifications match those of the position, and he believes he’ll fit into the corporate culture. As the interview is winding down, the interviewer casually asks: “Will your family mind the relocation from New York to Texas?”

How should Jim answer this question?

There are several questions that employers may not legally ask applicants. Federal law attempts to ensure that candidates are hired on job qualifications and not by prejudicial criteria. Questions structured to obtain information on race, gender, religion, marital status, age, physical and/or mental status, ethnic background, country of origin, sexual preference, or any other discriminatory factor are generally illegal as grounds for making employment decisions.

With few exceptions, these factors contribute nothing to your ability to perform a job, and an employer must substantiate those cases where a direct relationship is thought to exist.

Anything that is not a bona fide occupational qualification may not be covered directly, although the interviewer may seek the information indirectly.

So, how do you handle an illegal interview question?

First it is important to assess the intentions of the interviewer.

Most illegal interview questions are asked in true innocence — or, better stated, in true ignorance: ignorance of the law, ignorance of what questions are proper, and ignorance of how the information could be used by others in a discriminatory way.

Ironically, most illegal questions are asked when the untrained interviewer is trying to be friendly and asks a seemingly innocent question about your personal life or family background.

Therefore, any attempt by the candidate to assert his or her constitutional rights will merely throw up the defense shields and put an end to any future consideration for employment. Warning lights go on, sirens sound, and the interviewer begins backing down from what otherwise may have been a very encouraging position.

So what is the proper response?

Any response depends on the particular situation and the personalities and motives of those involved, but overall you have three basic options:

(1) Answer truthfully if you feel your response will not hurt you;

(2) Inform the interviewer that the question is illegal and risk offending them and ending your chances for the position;

(3) Base your answer on the requirements of the job and your ability to perform it.
Here are a few examples of casually asked illegal questions and suggested responses:
Q: Does your family mind the travel required for this position?

A: I am accustomed to significant business travel. In fact, I find being on the road invigorating, and my track record has been very consistent under these conditions.

Q: Are you religious? Will your religion prevent you from working extra hours or on weekends when we have a big project?

A: I suppose everyone is religious in their own way. I do not foresee any circumstances that would interfere with the quality or commitment of my performance.

Q: You have a very unusual last name. What is its origin?

A: It really is a mouthful, isn’t it? I’ve always used my first name and last initial in my business e-mail address, as it is easier.

Q: Are you planning a family in the near future?

A: Currently, I am focused on my career and although having a family is always a possibility, it is not a priority at the moment.

Q: How many more years do you see yourself in the work force (before retiring)?

A: In today’s world people don’t retire like they used to; some can’t. My career and my need to earn an income are priorities that I do not foresee changing in the near future.

How you choose to handle these types of questions depends on the perceived motivation of the interviewer as well as your desire to have the position. However, no matter how badly you want or need a position, always keep in mind that if a company is capable of asking illegal questions before you are an employee, there is a greater potential for mistreatment after you are hired.

Your best bet is to try and keep the interview focused on the qualifications of the position and your qualifications as a candidate.

Blatant discrimination does take place. If it does and you are offended, you have the right to end the interview immediately (“I don’t think we’re a good match. Thank you for your time.”) — You never wanted to work there in the first place!

So, how did Jim in our example above answer the question? He could have said, “It’s none of your concern,” which likely would have quickly ended a promising interview.

But Jim thought about the underlying intent of the company in asking the question, which was “Will relocating an employee who likely has a family be so troublesome that he/she will be unproductive for months?” Considering that, he might have responded, “My family and I are committed to my career, so relocation is absolutely not a problem.”

But Jim’s family of five was used to moving every several years because of his ascending career, so Jim responded: “I’ve moved my family every three years, and they always consider it a great adventure. I’ve talked to them about the possibility of this move, and they’re very excited.”

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10 SKILLS THAT ARE HARD TO LEARN BUT PAYOFF FOREVER

The best things in life may be free, but that doesn’t mean they won’t take time, sweat, and perseverance to acquire. That’s especially the case when it comes to learning important life skills. What are the hardest and most useful skills to learn? We’ve highlighted our favorite takeaways.
1. Time management Effective time management is one of the most highly valued skills by employers. While there is no one right way, it’s important to find a system that works for you and stick to it, Alina Grzegorzewska explains. “The hardest thing to learn for me was how to plan,” she writes. “Not to execute what I have planned, but to make so epic a to-do list and to schedule it so thoroughly that I’m really capable of completing all the tasks on the scheduled date.”
2. Empathy “You can be the most disciplined, brilliant, and even wealthy individual in the world, but if you don’t care for or empathize with other people, then you are basically nothing but a sociopath,” writes Kamia Taylor. Empathy, as business owner Jane Wurdwand explains, is a fundamental human ability that has too readily been forsworn by modern business. “Empathy — the ability to feel what others feel — is what makes good sales and service people truly great. Empathy as in team spirit— motivates people to try harder. Empathy drives employees to push beyond their own apathy, to go bigger, because they feel something bigger than just a paycheck,” she writes.
3. Mastering your sleep There are so many prescribed sleep hacks out there it’s often hard to keep track. But regardless of what you choose, establishing a ritual can help ensure you have restful nights. Numerous studies show that being consistent with your sleep schedule makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up, and it helps promote better sleep in general.
4. Positive self-talk “Ultimately it does matter what others think of you,” writes Shobhit Singhal, “but what you think of yourself certainly does, and it takes time to build that level of confidence and ability to believe in yourself when nobody else does.” On the other side of positive self-talk is negative self-talk, which Betsy Myers, founding director of The Center for Women and Business at Bentley University, believes can slowly chip away at your confidence.
5. Consistency Whether you’re trying a new exercise routine, studying for the LSATs, or working on an important project, Khaleel Syed writes that consistency is vital to maintaining any kind of success.
People often stop working hard when they reach the top, he explains, but to maintain that top position, they must work harder and be more consistent in their work.
6. Asking for help “I once was told in a job interview, ‘You can’t have this job if you can’t ask for help when you need it,'” Louise Christy writes. “Naturally, I said I could.
Later, I found out that the previous person with that job had screwed up big-time because he was in over his head but couldn’t admit it and didn’t ask for help.” She explains that knowing when you need help and then asking for it is surprisingly difficult to learn and do because no one wants to be perceived as weak or incompetent. But a recent study from the Harvard Business School suggests doing so makes you look more, not less, capable. According to the study, when you ask people for advice, you validate their intelligence or expertise, which makes you more likely to win them over.
7. Knowing when to shut up — and actually doing it “You can’t go around whining about every other thing that seems not-so-right to you in this world,” writes Roshna Nazir. “Sometimes you just need to shut up.” There are many instances when keeping to yourself is the best course. “When we are angry, upset, agitated, or vexed,” writes Anwesha Jana, “we blurt out anything and everything that comes to our mind.” And later, you tend to regret it. Keeping your mouth shut when you’re agitated is one of the most valuable skills to learn, and of course, one of the most difficult.
8. Listening Along with shutting up comes listening, says Richard Careaga. “Most of us in the workplace are so overwhelmed with things to do — instant messaging, phones ringing. I mean, our brain can only tolerate so much information before it snaps,” Nicole Lipkin, author of “What Keeps Leaders Up At Night,” previously told Business Insider. One tip for active listening is repeating back what you heard to the other person. “It makes things so much easier when everyone is on the same page,” she said.
9. Minding your business “It takes ages to learn and master this,” writes Aarushi Ruddra. Sticking your nose into other people’s work isn’t helpful and wastes time and resources, she says. “You have no right to put forth your two or four cents, even if you are the last righteous person standing.”
10. Mastering your thoughts to do what you want to do and accomplish what you want to accomplish, you need to consciously direct your thinking, writes Mark Givert. “The challenge is that we are the product of our experience and all of our thinking is the result of this,” he says. “However, the past does not equal the future.

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Five Mistakes That Will Cost You the Job Offer

 

131218-advice-help-support-and-tips-lg1When you’re interviewing for a job, it is going well, and the company likes you, it’s a powerful sensation. The feeling is mutual on the other side of the desk. When an interviewer meets a candidate whose energy and experience are just what you are looking for and you start to think “This person could benefit us a great deal,” you go through the same stages.

You get to know more about your candidate as you continue the conversation, and you begin to visualize this individual in the position.

The candidate starts to picturing his/herself in the job. The conversation get looser and more friendly. Finally, a job offer is extended and you hope they accept. Usually, she/he does. Once the agreement is struck, you rejoice!

By the end of a hiring process, your future manager wants to hire you as urgently as you want to be employed. For this reason, it is important to watch your manners and professionalism at the end of the recruiting process. Don’t make a last-minute blunder that will cost you the job offer!

Here are five tragic, late-in-the-game interview mistakes job seekers make that cost them the position:

  1. Announcing that you need a three-month sabbatical mid-next-year, that you can’t start your job for six weeks, or that you can only work from home.
  2. Bombing your reference and/or background check. Most employers will not overlook details in a reference-checking and employment verification process. If they run into gaping holes or information that doesn’t agree with what you told them, that will cost you.
  3. Going silent. Some candidates hear “We want you to join us — look for our offer in the mail” and will not hear the rest of the process. Two and a half weeks later a hysterical recruiter is messaging him/her constantly, asking “Where are you?”  Only to get the reply, “I went to Vegas with my buddies to celebrate my new position,” only to find out that he/she is no longer a candidate for the role.
  4. Pulling the organization into a bidding war. This is risky because some employers will play ball and others won’t.  it is a business tactic, but you have to be prepared for a company that will not play the game. The hiring manger may say “We’re happy for you — we’re delighted that you are so much in demand right now. We don’t want to hold you back from taking that offer. We cannot match or exceed that offer.” You cannot blame them if they rescind the offer. If you agreed that a certain salary would get you on board and they offered that salary but now you are saying that other employers will pay you more, they may say “All the best to you!” and move on to another candidate.
  5. Last but not least, you can lose a job offer if you fail a drug test, employers that use drug testing as part of their recruiting process have a strict no tolerance policy.

Double-check your references, your employment and educational histories before you apply for a job — not afterward! Make sure that you are ready to pass a drug screening. Keep track of the interview pipelines you are in and keep the lines of communication open in case you are contacted by the company – especially as you get close to receiving a job offer!

If you have special situation like a vacation in the near future or the ability to work from home, address those topics before you get the job offer.

Once the interviewer likes you and you like them, you are way more than halfway to the finish line in your job search. Be careful not to mess it up at the last minute!

At Ventureready LLC we prepare professional cover letters and resumes for every career, and Career Coaching to prepare for any interview.

 

 

 

 

 

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10 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A CAREER COACH

career-coaching-providing-direction-career-coach-certification3[1]Many people are fearful of asking for help with their job search or career change. We think that’s crazy – just straight up nonsense. Would you perform surgery on yourself if you needed it, or pull your own tooth out?

Here are the top 10 reasons you need a career coach in 2016…

  1. You could see a 3X return on your investment.

According to a survey in this article, wellness programs have been shown to provide approximately a 300% return on investment (ROI). In other words, companies who spend $1 in a wellness program earn $3 as a result of decreased turnover, fewer sick days, reduced health insurance costs, etc. – it’s no wonder wellness programs have experienced such tremendous growth — it makes financial sense.

  1. Your relationships will improve.

Another study shows professional coaching has even greater impact on things like relationships and teamwork. The study says recipients of coaching saw a 77% improvement in relationships, 67% improvement in teamwork, 61% improvement in job satisfaction and 48% improvement in quality.

  1. You’ll have more positivity in your life.

Career coaches are trained to focus on positive outcomes and to be a source of motivation. They tailor their efforts to help you find greater satisfaction. Since no two people are the same, having a career coach ensures you are getting assistance that speaks to your wants and needs – not someone else’s.

More importantly, it’s been proven the best way to get what you want is to surround yourself with positive people. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case with family and friends. So, hiring a career coach ensures you’ve got at least one positive influence in your life!

  1. You’ll be following in the footsteps of star performers.

One outdated stigma is career coaching is for people who are under-performing or troubled.

On the contrary!

Most smart folks who seek out career coaching do so because they want to be high performers and feel satisfied with their efforts. In the article above, according to Paul Michelman, editor of  Harvard Business School’s Management Update , “Whereas coaching was once viewed by many as a tool to help correct underperformance, today it is becoming much more widely used in supporting top producers. In fact, in a 2004 survey by Right Management Consultants, 86% of companies said they used coaching to sharpen the skills of individuals who have been identified as future organizational leaders.”

So, by choosing to invest in coaching, you are saying to the world you believe in yourself and your ability to be a star performer!

  1. It doesn’t take up a lot of time.

Many people assume coaching is like working out, you need to do it daily to see any results.

Not true!

Good coaches understand you need to work professional development into your schedule. Moreover, studies show just a few hours/month can have a huge impact. The article above states best practices in coaching call for between two and four sessions per month that last at least 20 minutes and up to 60 minutes.

A sweet spot for many coaches and clients seems to be three sessions per month for 20 to 45 minutes a session – a miniscule investment of time for the results achieved.

  1. Career coaches tell you what you NEED to hear.

While you may be friendly with your career coach, they are not your friend – they are your advocate for change. Unlike your family and friends are opinionated and bias about you and your career, a career coach will look at you objectively and strive to empower you to take the necessary actions to achieve your goal.

In short, while the people in your life tend to tell you what you want to hear, your career coach will be honest and tell you what you need to hear to make your career goals a reality.

  1. You could get your employer to pay for it.

For the longest time, companies have only paid for their executives to have career coaches – but that trend is changing.

According to the CBS MoneyWatch article, online shoe and clothing company Zappos.com, known for their outstanding commitment to creating a culture of unparalleled customer service (they even teach this through Zappo-insights), has a full-time goals coach who works with any employee – not just management – on helping them create better lives.

Now is the time to see if your company is considering budgeting for career coaching services as part of their benefits program. With all the surveys showing the positive impact it has, there’s a good chance your employer may see value in footing the bill for your career coach.

  1. They’ll help you break bad habits.

A good coach will never tell you what to do. Instead, they’ll help you identify habits that are holding you back from success. Then, they’ll coach you on the actions you should take to learn new, better ways to accomplish your goals.

In short, coaches teach you how to remove roadblocks to success on your own – ensuring you can do this for yourself both now and in the future.

  1. It shows you think like an executive.

The article above indicates some executives will pay as much as $3,500/hour for a particular coach.

Yikes!

That’s too rich for our blood, but it goes on to say most personal coaches charge a monthly retainer between $500 to $2,000 a month.

What this means is either there are a lot of really silly executives wasting their money on coaching each month or they are getting results that makes them feel it’s worth the investment.

  1. You deserve better in your career.

Forget the economy for a second and just ask yourself, “Do you deserve better?” If the voice in your head says, “Yes!” then you need to take action.

Let’s face it: If you could have found greater career satisfaction on your own, you would have by now. So, why not give yourself some well-deserved support that will help you get what you want and deserve in 2016.

We spend a third of our lives at our jobs – isn’t it time you felt good about your career?

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Virtual Interview Tips

Virtual Interviews are on the rise!
Haven’t had an interview in a few years? Chances are your next one will be carried out via video conference. According to recent studies, around 60 percent of employers have made the switch to vitual interviews as either a primary or exclusive method for vetting candidates.   Click Here
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INTERVIEW TIPS!

Interviews can be nerve-racking affairs.  
The more you know about the interview process, the better prepared you will be to show yourself as the best candidate for the Job.  To learn more Click Here.
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Creating a 30 60 90 Day Plan

A 30-60-90 day plan is a modest idea that has an influential impact in your interview with a hiring manager.  This information is an outline of what you intend to do in your first 3 months on the job.
VentureReady has used this outline of the first 90 days of service in a new position with clients in various industries (not just sales) and achieved phenomenal results.  Every client who have used this document has blown away the hiring manager and was hired for the position they were seeking.
A30-60-90-day plan will show the hiring manager that you have done your homework, analyzed the position, and thoughtfully considered how you can best serve the company in this particular position. Done right, the plan will be very impressive to a hiring manager. This kind of effort is the advantage you need to set you apart from other candidates and get you hired.
Every job has a period where you’re learning the company’s policies and procedures, getting up to speed on the projects and daily work you will be performing, and taking on assignments on your own to make noteworthy offerings to the organization.  A 30-60-90-day plan expounds on that, and shows what it will look like to have you in the position.
How you put together your plan will vary by whatever industry or career you are in, but all jobs will have a basic structure you’ll follow when you start. VentureReady can assist you with crafting this powerful tool for you arsenal that is sure to turn the interview in your favor.
A 30-60-90 day plan should include:
  • Introduction: An overview of what you would like to accomplish the first 90 days in the job.
  • First 30 days: During the first 30 days in the position, time is spent in training, meeting team members, learning the organization’s systems and its products and services, reviewing procedures and assigned accounts.
  • First 60 days: The next 30 days is spent studying best practices in the industry, setting goals for the next 30 days, meeting with the supervisor to gather feedback, building relationships with your colleagues, identifying potential mentors, reviewing the efficiency of company processes and procedures, visiting other departments and continuing to attend training.
  • First 90 days: The final 30 days will be spent obtaining feedback on new processes and procedures, implementing new strategies and procedures, and addressing the three strategic initiatives.
30-60-90 day plans take a while to put together so you don’t want to write it the day before the interview. Just like the rest of the documents you prepared for the interview process, you want the plan to be visually attractive to the eye and grammatically correct.
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