Nail Your Job Interview with these 4 Tactics

Introduction to Nail Your Job Interview

Nail your job interview with this advice advice - STAR method

Job search isn’t a fun exercise for most candidates.  You can’t always nail your interview when seeking a new job. It can be grueling but it’s a common occurrence these days. Actually, some time in your career path, you’re likely either going to be shown the door by your employer or dislike your job enough that to look for other employment.

Maybe both.

Job search will occur with you at different times until you can find that satisfactory career position.

A job interview is always required for anything substantial. Most of us can benefit by practicing our interview skills. It’s not something many of us do well without considerable practice.  And practice is what’s really required to nail your job interview.

4 Techniques to Master the interview process and get the job
1. Know your story

One of the first interview questions you’re guaranteed to face is something along the lines of, “Tell me a little about yourself.” They want to know your basic career story. There’s no excuse not to be prepared for this question. Think of a way to present yourself in an interesting and positive light.

2. Research the interview format

There are a variety of interview formats. You might face one on one questioning from your prospective boss, or you might have three separate interviews with your boss, his boss, and someone from human resources. Some interviews take place in front of 10 or more people.

3 Brush up on your body language

The way you sit and move counts for a lot in a job interview. There are many free resources available online that explain your body movements to nail your job interview. Spend some time on this important skill.

4. Get a list of likely interview questions

Consider the position you’re interviewing for and consider the questions you’re likely to be asked.

  • Take a look at your resume. What questions would you have if you were interviewing someone with your past? Are there holes in your resume?
  • Find lists of interview questions online or in the bookstore.
  • Compile a list of questions that you consider to be possibilities.

OK, now that you’ve done your research, what’s next?

Practice to Nail Your Job Interview

1. Work on your answers. Go through the list and imagine how you would answer each one. Anticipate logical follow-up questions and have suitable answers prepared for them.

2. Get a friend to help. Get a friend to help you by giving you a practice interview. If you dig enough, you’re likely to find that you have a friend, or friend of a friend, with experience conducting job interviews. Use several people and get as much experience as possible.

3. Make the interview realistic. Avoid just sitting on the couch in a t-shirt during these mock interviews. Wear the clothes you would actually wear. Attempt to recreate a similar environment and mood. Make the experience as realistic as possible.

4. Consider video recording the interview. Review your performance on the tape. Watch once with the sound off. How do you look? How is your body language? What message are you sending? Now, just listen. Close your eyes and avoid watching. How do you sound? Finally, watch and listen simultaneously.

    • What do you need to work on? What did you do well?
    • Figure out what improvements you’d like to make and go through the mock interview process again.

5. Visualize success.  Imagine yourself in the interview presenting yourself perfectly. See yourself answering the questions calmly and charismatically. It’s challenging to be successful if you can’t see it in your mind first.

You’ve already impressed your potential employer with your resume. Now it’s time to stand out when you meet them in person.

Summary

4 tactics to nail your job interview

Summary

A job interview isn’t something you deal with often, so it’s not something you’ll do well without practice. You can’t gain enough experience during actual interviews to become an expert. Fortunately, it can be easy for you to outperform the competition if you’re willing to put in the work.

Partner with Flexicrew Experts

At Flexicrew Staffing, we get to know you: who you are, what you want, what you need, and your future goals. Next, we work with you yo learn the tips and tricks to dominate job interviews that we send you on.  We don’t just find you the best jobs – we find the best jobs for you and prepare you to successfully navigate the interview process.  And that starts with active listening.

Flexicrew supports job seekers looking to improve interview skills

Apply online with Flexicrew today and let us show you the way to ace your next interview.

9 Vital Construction Interview Questions to Ask

How to Screen Construction Workers for Your Open Position

Construction interview ask right questions

If you’re recruiting construction workers, here are 9 vital construction interview questions to ask your candidates.  We also describe for each question the reason for asking and what to expect a viable candidate to answer.

9 Vital Construction Interview Questions

What makes a construction worker an optimum candidate for your next project? These 9 construction interview questions will help you identify the ideal worker(s) for your business.

9 construction interview questions

1.   Describe the construction projects you have worked on?

Why ask this one of 9 vital construction interview questions

Versatility is the cornerstone of the construction industry.  The most viable construction candidates are those who are at-home working across a range of building projects. Checking all the boxes of needed experience takes time.  But they should be capable of working on a wide range of functions from masonry to assembling scaffolding. However, if they’re missing one experience, they’ll need to be excited about quickly learning it.

2. Safety is fundamentally important on all construction sites. How do you ensure your worksites are secure?

Construction interview questions - safety

Why ask this one of 9 vital construction interview questions

Employers always want to select a candidate who can show that they’ll maintain a safe work environment for their coworkers and themselves . That is especially the case in construction where there may be many potential hazards on work sites.  Good candidates must be able to explain safe work practice such as inspecting equipment or wearing PPE (like gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits).  They must be on the lookout for  potential issues. Aside from showing how dedicated they are to their profession, this gets at a candidate’s regard for their co-workers.

3. What’s your familiarity with reading and interpreting electrical drawings and blueprints?

Construction Interview reading blueprints

Why ask this one of 9 vital construction interview questions

A construction worker does not really qualify as a high potential unless he can read and understand blueprints and electrical drawings. Candidates must exhibit their ability in the interview.   Give each of your candidates the same blueprint in their interview and ask them to read and interpret it right then. This becomes the best opportunity for candidates to prove their ability and competence without any B.S.  It allows you to contrast one candidate’s responses with others.

Top behavioral questions to ask construction workers
4. Describe the most successful construction project you’ve worked on. What did you achieve  that made it so successful?

Why ask this one of 9 vital construction interview questions

This question requires candidates to give practical examples of what they can do. No answer is absolutely right—though good candidates might describe working long hours, communicating with foremen to improve safety processes, or encouraging new workers. This question is a chance for candidates to show their excitement, and shows if they have the enthusiasm and discipline to make a positive difference to your team.

5. How would you leave a construction site if you were working late and knew another shift started early the next morning?

Why ask this one of 9 vital construction interview questions

This question lets candidates show they recognize the important role their team plays.  An organized work area is crucial.  Leaving for the day with the area disordered or in disarray is not reasonable. The best candidates will therefore describe how they would tidy up building materials and pitch in to help their co-workers before they themselves go home.  More importantly, top candidates should be explicit that organized workplaces lead to greater productivity, saves time and expense because it lets workers rapidly find the tools and materials necessary to finish the project.

6. If you saw a colleague working unsafely, what would you do?

Why ask this one of 9 vital construction interview questions

This is a tough one.  But a viable candidate must be willing to confront a co-worker if they were working unsafely. This shows integrity, strength and a concern for the team. Maybe even more important is that unsafe construction sites can rapidly be closed down and their workers punished. This gets at the hallmark of construction projects—safety and efficiency.  This lets a candidate show he recognizes what is critical in a construction project.

7. Describe why time management is important in this job?

Why ask this one of 9 vital construction interview questions

Obviously, time management is a necessary skill in most industries.  Even so, construction companies live or die based on whether they they complete builds on time and budget.  Even relatively small delays can be expensive. Candidates should therefore describe that they’re capable of using their time efficiently, quickly understanding how long different tasks will take.  Obviously, weather or illness interfere with outdoor construction work.  When that occurs, is your candidate willing to work extra hours to make up for lost time to complete a project on-time?

8. Do you enjoy teaching new concepts and helping others develop their skills?

Why ask this one of 9 vital construction interview questions

Though there are many practical programs and courses construction workers can attend, there’ll always be a certain amount of on-the- job training . Well-informed candidates will be able to reflect on this themselves, describing how a more experienced co-worker took them ‘under their wing’ to show them ‘the ropes’ earlier in their career. A quality candidate should also show willingness to mentor a worker new to construction trade, and explain the environment in construction projects  to newbie. This question, in other words, promotes generosity and teamwork.

9. What characteristics of a construction career mean the most to you?

Why ask this one of 9 vital construction interview questions

This is a difficult, though well-paying career.  Extended hours and hard physical labor are not easy. But it also has its rewards. From learning multiple practical skills, spending your time outdoors (rather than cooped up in an office),  to forming close relationships with your team, there are many reasons to enjoy construction work. Though they should be aware of the challenges, the best candidates will be enthusiastic to join your company and get started.  This question gives them a chance to prove their enthusiasm.

Wrapup

When you need a team of experienced tradespeople to work on your project, it’s important that you conduct a thorough interview process.  Interviews are important because they help you learn about candidates and their experience. You must  use the interviews to uncover if candidates possess the skills and professional background to succeed on your project and to decide if a candidate would fit in with your construction firm and your current team.  The above 9 construction interview questions will help you identify the ideal worker(s) for your business and your next project.

Flexicrew Support

Flexicrew account managers have advised many HR recruiters and construction hiring managers on correct interview questions and successful recruiting methods.  That reduced the chance of their making most common recruiting mistakes.

If you would like support in recruiting your next new construction hire, please contact one of our professional recruiters with many years experience in staffing.  We’ll  help prevent your team from making a recruiting error.

 

Production Interview Advice that’s Essential

What Production Interview Advice You Must Have

production job interview advice

Interview Skills – How To Ace Interview Questions

There are many ways you can prepare and obtain essential production interview advice. It is important that you prepare well and try to impress the interviewer. Here are some tips for you:

Interviewers will ask you a range of questions. Some will be skills-based and others will be personality-based. The more you prepare the better you’ll be able to answer these questions and be able to get the job you want.

Do You Have Experience With a particular highly sought-after production skill?

Skills-based interviews are common in the job market and are an excellent way for the recruiter to assess a candidate’s experience and competency. They are also a good way of gauging whether the candidate has the ability to perform their job role. Preparing for the interview by listing your skills used in previous assignments will help you to perform well.

Production job interview advice

The best way to find out if you are qualified for the job is for the interviewer to ask specific skills-based questions. Often, you will be placed in a hypothetical real-life situation and be asked to make a decision. This will put you in a situation where you have to think and apply your knowledge.

The 6 Best Questions To Ask About Jobs

Here’s our production interview advice on answering skills questions. You can get a feel for how a potential employer will see you. Think about your skills and past behavior and what you can do to show them off. The interviewer will give you a production job task and ask how you would respond to show you can do the job.

Skills questions are an important part of the interview process. They help an employer get a feel for your previous work experience.  They provide insight into how you could bring value to the employer’s production environment.

Through asking these questions, the interviewer could determine whether you are the right person for the job.

How to Answer a Skill Question

Be careful when answering skills-based questions. Skills are important but if you’re being interviewed for a job which doesn’t require skills, they won’t be relevant. An example of a relevant question would be, “What skills do you have which are useful in this role?”

Prepping for Production Job Interview Skills Questions

The best way to prepare for an interview is to list the skills you’ve needed for production jobs in the past.

production job interview advice

Once you have your list of skills, think of situations in your past assignments where you used these skills effectively. Think of situations you can confidently discuss and that had positive and measurable outcomes.

In particular, include hard skills such as forklift driving, operate pallet jacks, or experience setting up machines to start a production cycle.

Hard vs soft skill differences

Yet, soft skills such as communication and time management are also required for most production jobs.

Think of your past jobs and skills you used, like most workers you are good at some things and bad at others. Highlight the things you have achieved with positive outcomes.

STAR Technique: How to Impress Interviewers

Feeling a bit unsure?  Part of our production interview advice is to look for tips in our previous posts. Key production interview advice on technique for answering questions :  The STAR technique is one of the most effective tools in answering skills  interview questions and can help you deliver pertinent answers to skills questions. We have discussed this in previous posts you may wish to consult.

Production job interview advice - STAR method

The STAR technique is a simple process that involves breaking your resume down into four sections and providing an explanation for each. Here is an example of how the STAR process looks:

using STAR technique to keep your answers crisp and concise

 

 

 

 

Situation

The context of the situation is very important. It may be the job you are currently in, a previous job, a previous employer, or something else.

Task

How did you contribute to this situation? Were you responsible for creating the situation, or were you the person that had to resolve it?

Action

Make sure you describe what you did specifically. This will help your employer understand how you carried out your role and what you achieved.

Results

This is another one of those questions where the interviewer wants to know what you did and what you accomplished. This is a question about your actions and how they helped company or team performance. The interviewer wants to know how you have helped effectiveness in the past.

Consequently, the STAR technique is important when responding to an interviewer. It is important to focus on your actions and results and avoid the unnecessary details. When writing the details of the task and the situation, focus on the results and the benefits of those results. You should be clear about what the recruiter is looking for.

Nail Production Skills – Production Interview Advice

Preparing for an interview for production work is crucial. If you are going to be interviewed, you need to know what you are going to be asked, and how to answer. The interviewer will ask you skills questions.  Prepare for the situation by creating a list of your skills and familiarizing yourself with the STAR technique. The STAR technique is a way to answer questions thoroughly and effectively.

Summarizing Production Interview Advice

When you prep for the interview, list your qualities that match the job specification. Research the company and the industry and craft your summary statement.  Review common questions, create your answers and come up with a list of questions to ask the interviewer.

In the interview, focus on the points you have prepared.  Relax and don’t let your answers sound rehearsed.  Learn what you can about the company.  Ask questions. Listen to the interviewer’s answers and observe.  At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer, and ascertain the next steps.  Finally, get the interviewer’s business card so you can send a follow-up letter reminding the recruiter your good qualities and your fit to the job.

Flexicrew Production Jobs

Flexicrew is an employment agency that focuses on production work. Whether you are looking for your first production job or you are a tenured production worker looking for a new opportunity contact us today!  We will thoroughly prepare you for any production job interviews we send you on.

STAR Interview Questions Tips And Examples

Become Adept at Fielding STAR Interview Questions

STAR interview questions for the candidates

Preparing for an interview requires a lot of time and effort. Don’t delay preparation if you have an interview coming up. When you know common STAR interview questions, it can really help. So, use this post to recognize when and how to use the STAR model in getting ready for the interview.

How?

A good approach is to practice STAR interview questions. (See typical question list below).  Study our tips and examples until they are second nature to you.

Familiar with the STAR interview method?

This post offers examples of STAR interview questions and answers. Read it to become acquainted with the technique. Then you should be prepared for any interview questions that are used in your interview.

Keep in mind that this type of interviewing style is a way for the interviewer to decide if you are right for the available job.  So you should learn persuasive answers to common STAR interview questions to impress your interviewer.

So, let’s peel the onion…

STAR Interview Method

STAR questions to ACE an interview

Interviewers use the STAR model to ask behavioral questions. In short, your answers to these questions focus on how you behave in real life situations that involve some sort of work problem or issue and how you overcame it.

STAR interview questions about real life situations

STAR Details

STAR is an acronym organized around the following:

S – Situation: Describe the situation you were dealing with or the issue

T – Task:  Discuss what your task involved in that particular situation

A – Action: Detail what actions you took to resolve this issue

R – Results: Talk about the outcome of the situation and your contribution.

This framework is simple to understand after spending time looking at some STAR method examples. The STAR method of interviewing is a great way to keep your responses structured and focused. In an interview you could go off on a tangent or get ‘long-winded’ when answering questions.  But in a STAR interview this is a lot less likely to happen if you follow the framework.

Let’s get into more detail about STAR…

STAR Method Interview

The STAR method, as we mentioned, follows a step-by-step process for answering behavioral interview questions. For instance, here is a common interview question: “Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult issue at work, and what you did to resolve it?”

Let’s discuss it step-by-step.

Situation

The first step in answering STAR method interview questions is to describe a situation you have been in. In the case of our example question, we will be describing a time in which we faced a difficult issue at work.

In order to do this, you may need to recall a couple of situations where you faced a problem. Do this during your interview preparation so you aren’t stumped during the interview.

Let’s say you worked as a customer service representative. The difficult issue you faced was engaging with an irate customer whose order is a month overdue.

To answer this interview question, you may say something like this,

“When I worked at Company X as a Customer Service Representative, I dealt with hundreds of customers. One day I received a phone call from a customer who was clearly annoyed they had not received their order which was almost a whole month overdue.”

Task

Once you have described the situation you then discuss the task. You tell the interviewer what your responsibility was in this particular situation.

You might follow on with:

“Since my position entailed resolving customer complaints I listened carefully to the customer and addressed their complaint,”

As you can see, your answer doesn’t need much detail in the “Task” section.

Action

Now you can tell the interviewer what actions and steps you took to address the situation for the annoyed customer. Your answer may go like this.

“Before I took down the customer’s details, I expressed my apology for this issue occurring. To solve this problem I entered their details into the company’s system. I confirmed the order details with the customer, like the delivery address, order date, the products that were ordered etc. Apparently, the order had been delivered to the wrong address. I informed the customer, and assured him that we would send out his order again on that very same day.  Also we would add store credit into his account.  This satisfied the customer and regained some good will.”

It is advisable when preparing for a STAR format interview that you use situations that show your skills and experience in a positive light. It is wise to describe an example that is easy to follow and talk about.

Result

Finally, when it comes to STAR interview questions, the last phase of your answer is the “result”. This is your chance to really show the interviewer how you were able to turn a negative situation into a positive one.

You may end the answer by saying:

“The customer was very understanding about the mix up, and really appreciated the store credit. He thanked me for my help, and I expressed gratitude to the customer for being so patient. The customer received the product shortly thereafter, and he even wrote about the helpfulness of the staff at Company X.”

You have now succinctly and successfully answered an interview question by using the STAR format to detail each step! Star interview interviews all follow the same approach.

The main thing you need to do to prepare is take some time to think of real life examples. .  This can be used as your quick prep sheet.  Use a STAR Matrix to write down your answers.  On the other hand, you may be asked a question you haven’t specifically prepared for in-depth. However, if you have thought about the situations you have faced at work, you will be able to think of something a lot faster than if you didn’t.

Write down your interview questions and answers using a STAR matrix

STAR Interview Question Examples

As we mentioned, the STAR method interviewing takes some time to understand and practice. One of the best ways you can prepare for your STAR interview question and answers is to practice lots of different questions.

Here is a list of some of the most common STAR interview questions asked by recruiters in an interview.

  • Describe a time you provided great service to a customer or client.
  • Can you tell me about a time you faced conflict while working as part of a team?
  • With this in mind, how did you resolve this conflict?
  • Conversely, tell me about a time you failed. How did you deal with that failure?
  • Describe your most successful project.
  • Tell me about a time you faced a lot of pressure to meet a deadline.
  • Detail a time when you made a mistake and how you dealt with it.
  • Give an example of a goal you met.
  • Can you think of a time you have a disagreement with a manager or supervisor?
  • Describe a time when you had to make an unpopular decision.
Additional Typical Recruiter Questions
  • Discuss a situation where you had to adapt to your surroundings quickly?
  • Can you give an example of how you typically deal with conflict?
  • Tell me about a time you used logic and good judgement to solve an issue at work?
  • Describe a time when you showed initiative and took the lead on a project.
  • Tell me of a time when you had to deal with an angry or upset co-worker.
  • Give me an example of a time when you successfully delegated work to a colleague.
  • Tell me about a time where you could have handled a situation better?
  • Can you think of a time when you motivated a team towards meeting a goal?
  • Describe a time you had to use coping skills to deal with a difficult or stressful situation.
Next Steps

You can use the above list to practice for common interview questions. These will focus you to get a good start on interview prep and help nail your next interview.

Hopefully by now the STAR interviewing technique is less challenging to you, and you feel better prepared for your interview.

For success in your next interview just review this article and call up your interview preparation, be yourself and remain calm.

Flexicrew Support

If you’re still struggling with getting interviews or call-backs, Flexicrew can help. Use our long experience in creating resumes to help you build a first-rate resume in minutes. Similarly, ask for our help with polishing a cover letter to match your resume.

11 Tactics to Dominate Job Interviews through Active Listening

Dominate Job Interview by Listening Better

Active listening skills are a subtle ways to dominate job interviews.  These have proven effective in our experience.  Half of all communication is listening but few job seekers are trained in this skill. Fortunately, listening well is relatively simple, and will become automatic once you practice this important soft skill.

Dominate interviews by mastering the art of active listening

How can you be a become a better listener, you ask?

Here are 11 listening techniques that will help you make a better impression on your prospective employers and dominate job interviews.

How to Use Active Listening to Dominate Your Job Interviews

1.Realize your limitations. Many studies confirm that we only take in half of what we hear and we forget half of that by the next day. Becoming more attentive often takes some deliberate effort.

2. Relax your mind. Most people feel anxious about applying for a new job. Take time to quiet your mind and reduce distracting thoughts. Meditate, get a massage, or listen to instrumental music.

3. Stay alert. Prevent fatigue from sabotaging your interview. Get a good night’s sleep and squeeze in some aerobic exercise beforehand. Sit up straight and dress in layers. Being chilly makes concentration more difficult.

4. Exhibit your enthusiasm. Successful people often enjoy talking about their work, especially when they have an appreciative audience. Make eye contact and lean toward your interviewer. Let your positive feelings shine through when you describe your past accomplishments and how they relate to the position you’re seeking.

5. Position yourself as a good fit. Use the information your interviewer provides to home in on the type of candidate they’re after. Explain how your background and skills enable you to contribute and become a valued team member.

6. Take notes. People listen much faster than they speak. Take advantage of that gap to take notes and collect your thoughts. Jot down keywords and main themes rather than recording every word.

5 More Ways to Use Active Listening to Dominate Job Interviews

7. Keep an open mind. It pays to be flexible. Remain neutral to avoid rejecting a new viewpoint or job opportunity before you have a chance to consider it from all angles.

8. Try to Put yourself in your interviewer’s shoes. Your interviewer may feel uncomfortable too. Empathize with their responsibility to find the right person for the job.

9. Restate key points. Summarize and paraphrase the most important messages. This will help reinforce their thoughts in your mind and show your interviewer that you are on the same page.

10. Seek clarification. Avoid misunderstandings by clarifying anything that’s unclear. A good employer will appreciate your efforts to fully comprehend their expectations.

11. Ask thoughtful questions. Use open-ended questions to elicit more information. Incisiveness also helps show that you’re attentive and a strong candidate.

Meeting the Employer’s Staff
  1. Get to know your supervisor. Your manager will likely play a big role in your job satisfaction. Talk about the daily routine and responsibilities. Learn about their work style and how they establish priorities.
  2. Pick up valuable information from your co-workers. Try to meet some of your future associates. They can clue you in on the work environment and organizational culture. Plus, it’s usually a good sign if employees are involved in the hiring process.
  3. Learn about the big picture from leadership. Subsequently, you may also get the opportunity to talk with some of the organization’s senior executives. Most important, even if the time is brief, use those meetings to help get a better sense of the organization’s strategic plans and future direction.

Go to your next job interview better prepared to listen. The session will probably be Active listening to dominate interviews and improve interview skillsbetter for both you and the people you interview with. Even if you don’t get this job, if you’ve kept your ears open, you may have positioned yourself for a different one. Active listening is one way to open up new career opportunities and build a better future.

Partner with Flexicrew Experts

At Flexicrew Staffing, we get to know you: who you are, what you want, what you need, and your future goals. Next, we work with you yo learn the tips and tricks to dominate job interviews that we send you on.  We don’t just find you the best jobs – we find the best jobs for you and prepare you to successfully navigate the interview process.  And that starts with active listening.

Flexicrew supports job seekers looking to improve interview skills

Apply online with Flexicrew today and let us show you the way to ace your next interview.

8 easy ways to ACE An interview

ACE an Interview 8 Tips

How can you successfully ACE an interview every time?

Got an interview coming up? Let us boil it down to several key ways you can shine during the interview:

  Ways to ACE an interview
First Things First to ACE an Interview

Ideally, you will prepare in advance for the face-to-face or virtual interview to and anticipate some of the organization’s challenges.  That goes without saying as the key to help you reveal your experience and credentials.  It’s a powerful approach you should use before every job interview as a prospective new hire.

1.Be punctual. If you’re running late, call the recruiter to let him or her know. That is better than just nonchalantly showing up late, looking like you disrespect that person’s time (and ultimately yours, too).

There’s no reason why you should not be punctual, though. Leave plenty of time, and try to arrive at least 10 minutes early. The worst that can happen is you get stuck in traffic and end up arriving on time or a bit early.

Punctuality to ACE an interview

2. Be courteous. Now that you’ve arrived in the lobby with time to spare, let’s say you’re sitting there for fifteen…twenty…even thirty minutes. Don’t look miffed. The worst thing you can do is look annoyed. Yes, your time is a commodity, and so is theirs. How many times have you had important meetings on your calendar, only to get pulled in several directions?

Remind yourself that their tardiness is no reflection on lack of interest of you as a candidate. They’re doing their best, so the best thing you can do is shrug it off when they’re late to greet you and start the interview process. It’s technically no big deal.

And These Go Without Saying

3. Be nice to everyone you meet. From the very first conversation you have with a recruiter, to the courtesies with the receptionist, to the friendly banter in an elevator – all eyes are on you.

Yes, if you’re rude to the receptionist or anyone else for that matter, it will get back to the recruiter. And when two candidates with nearly identical résumés need to be evaluated, you can bet any rudeness in the lobby or elevator will make its way to the boardroom.

4. Make small talk. This is particularly important if your interview involves a meal. School yourself on current events and popular movies and books to keep the conversation going. Be sure to steer clear from controversy, too.

Sometimes we’re so immersed in technology and the job search process that we forget to be ourselves. This is your chance to shine! Talk about a hobby or favorite vacation spot. Give them every reason to relate to you as a person and like you.

Ways to ACE an interview

Often Ignored Ways to ACE an Interview

Most candidates overlook this part of interview prep, and it’s one of the most important pieces to ace an interview!

5. Ask questions. In fact, a common pet peeve of interviewers is when candidates don’t ask any questions. Really? You don’t have one single question about the role, the company, the future of the role or anything else? There’s no excuse. It’s OK to repeat questions or ask them in a slightly different way to different interviewers. Plus, as conversations develop within the interviews themselves, you may be curious about certain aspects of the role or company.

This is your opportunity to interview employers the same way they’re evaluating you. Go ahead and ask questions! Does a new project mean there will be additional travel in the role? Why is the job open? How long has he or she worked there? If you’re at a loss, ask about the interviewer’s career. You can’t go wrong.

6. Send a thank-you note or email. This is a must! Again, when there are countless qualified candidates vying for the same role, every detail counts. It’s not unlike losing weight – sure the overall goal may be a smaller number on the scale, but replacing potato chips with crunchy celery will do a body good. The same applies here in that every move matters. Your thank-you note can be succinct, but it also must be error-free!

ACE your interview with thank-you card

And Lastly

7. Don’t pester. When the interview comes to a close, pay close attention to the timing, and remind yourself it’s not on your clock. (If that was the case, you would have been hired a few months ago!) Most offers and salaries need to get a few levels of approval, so take a deep breath. Ask about next steps, where they are in wrapping up interviews and when you can expect to hear back. Yes, you should be diligent in following up, but please don’t be that candidate  who emails every single morning for a status update.  This post-mortem is also part of how to ACE an interview.

8. Be a tactful negotiator. Sometimes offers get reneged due to how the candidate behaved during the negotiation process. Hold your ground, but remain professional at all times. Hiring managers often wonder if the candidate operates this way right now, how will he or she operate in front of clients?

So go out there, and with these few easy to use tips up your sleeve, you’ll be HIRED in no time!

Tips to acing an interview

Partner with Flexicrew Experts

At Flexicrew Staffing, we get to know you: who you are, what you want, and your future goals. Next, we work with you to show you ways to ACE an interview that we send you on.  Together we’ll review how to avoid common mistakes that could ruin your chances of Acing the interview.  We don’t just find you the best jobs – we find the best jobs for you and prepare you to successfully navigate the interview process.  And that starts with active listening.

Flexicrew supports job seekers looking to improve interview skills

Apply online with Flexicrew today and let us show you the way to ace your next interview.

10 Common Manufacturing Interview Questions – Know Them Cold

Production job seekers need to recognize 10 common manufacturing interview questions to expect in their next recruitment situation.

Common construction interview questions

When it comes to common questions interviewers ask in a manufacturing environment, candidate preparation is key. Preparing for an interview takes a lot more than a Google search of common interview questions. The interview and your clear-cut answers will determine if the recruiter thinks you are a solid fit for the position, the work team, and the employer with its culture overall.

In fact, the interviewer will make that decision when she asks the right set of questions and on your side, the right questions to ask an interviewer.

Fav Common Manufacturing Interview Questions

So, what questions will the interviewer (if she is on her game) be sure to ask you? Even though one of the most common interview questions is, “Tell me about yourself,” it’s still one that befuddles applicants in interviews.

Why?

Anxiety and lack of preparation.  So, if you want a shot at the job, you better have a well-honed answer for that one.

Aside from that, to help you get prepared, here are 9 other common interviewing questions you will likely experience in your next sit-down or phone interview.

Common construction interview questions Candidates Must Expect and Knock out of the park

Common Manufacturing Interview Questions
  • How did you become aware of this job?
  • Why do you want to work at XYZ company?
  • What would you bring to our company?
  • Why do you want this job?
  • Why should we hire you?
  • What are your strengths?
  • How about your weaknesses?
  • What is your greatest work success?
  • Tell me about a manufacturing challenge or conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you handled it?

Anticipate that recruiters will ask you those 10 common questions in your Interview.  Therefore prepare (as we said above) how you would answer them for different recruiters (each has their own style).

In addition, we inserted below a few of our favorite probes we use at Flexicrew Staffing during interviews.

Flexicrew Common Questions
  • Have an answer to “Tell me about yourself” ready to go. Interviewers always ask it, and you want to be sure to nail this first part of the interview.

woman construction interview

  • Don’t be thrown off by the classic “What’s your biggest weakness?” One foolproof method: Think of something that you struggle with but that you’re working to improve.
  • Use numbers when talking about your responsibilities and accomplishments. That emphasizes and helps you tell a hiring manager why you’re impressive.  (e.g., You started production two weeks early, you lowered cost of production 2% or $537.)
  • It’s likely you’ll get asked why you’re interested in this role and company. (And if you can’t answer this question, you shouldn’t be in the interview!) Identify a couple of key factors that make it a great fit for you.

You can find lists of common questions for interviews —but don’t prepare by writing out your entire answer or the exact answers you find online.  Instead, summarize a few personal notes and keep them ready for the interview.

Now that we’ve covered high likelihood questions…

Get into Interview Mode

Don’t only think about how you’ll answer certain common questions.  Practice looking in the mirror and answering them out loud. This prep work will help you clarify your thoughts and make you much more comfortable during the interview.

Mock Interviews

Construction common interview questions

Do as many mock interviews as you possibly can with a peer. You’ll be much better at answering the question, e.g., “What would you bring to the position?” the more frequently you practice your response, right?

Practice, Practice, Practice

Even if you’re an experience interviewee, it’s necessary to think carefully about what skills, and accomplishments will resonate most with your interviewers. Your punctuality, you work well with others, your supervisory experience, etc.?

Your Own Questions

Prepare a few smart questions for when it’s your turn to ask. Make sure they’re thoughtful ones that show have done your homework when researching the company and the specific job you’re after and you’ve been paying attention in the interview.

Recruiting support for interview preparation

Flexicrew Support

From sharpening your game plan on how to tackle the toughest questions to grooming or clothing suggestions, we’ve got you covered—with a dozen ways to make sure you bring your A-game.  Flexicrew wil prep you for the Common Manufacturing Interview Questions.  Contact us to begin Today!

5 Necessary Soft Skills Employers Require in Heavy Industry Jobs

We will explore necessary soft skills employees must exhibit in heavy industry jobs interviews for a successful interview.  That is, of course if if they want the position.

Soft skills production managers and interviewers require in heavy industrial jobs

Jobseekers applying for heavy industry jobs should be aware that employers are also evaluating their soft skills before they select the favored person for employment. While employers obviously consider a worker’s ability to complete the assignments during interviews.  Interviewers weight the ability to do the functions associated with the job about 70% now. Yet, employers may  give as much as 30% weight to the candidate’s soft skills.  This is a major change in the attitude of the employers. On the other hand, they realize that if the worker has the required soft skills, it is easy to train the worker to attain maximum productivity.  So you can see interviewers use more balance in sizing up candidates in this new economic and pandemic-driven environment.

5 Soft Skills for a Heavy Industrial Employment

In contrast with past hiring practices, experts believe that at present, workers looking for a job in the heavy industrial sector should have the following five soft skills.

Why?

Because that’s what production managers are looking for.

1.Adaptability

Before a new recruit is hired, it is advisable to confirm his ability to adapt to new environment and role. The interviewers will ask the job-seeker questions to check his adaptability. These questions may be regarding the applicants ability to learn new things, implement them, coexist with different persons and how he deals with change. The interviewer while assessing the adaptability will check how the person will handle those conditions he dislikes the most, how the applicant will behave, when he must change to adjust to the business.

2. Self Starter

This soft skill determines whether the person is self-motivated and will work without being micromanaged. It will show the person’s attitude towards work, whether he will require guidance.  Or will a supervisor  have to give directions. Being a self-starter is an indicator of the inner motivation, whether the applicant can take the initiative for projects, problem solving or generating new ideas.

3. Fitting with Company Culture

Though the job seeker is very well qualified and competent, he can only succeed at his job if he fits in with the company culture. Every business has a unique business culture which every employee should adapt to. A person whose values clash with the company’s culture will find it difficult to work. The company culture helps different persons in the company work harmoniously together. So, the worker should fit into the company culture. If he does not, he should adjust to the culture or may be forced to leave.

4. Listening Skills

The ability to listen to others is an important one of the soft skills which helps the worker get along with his other team members. Every team member should pay attention to what others say to work well. If one or more workers is not paying attention and listening, it could lead to misunderstandings at the workplace. It is important to improve the communication skills with the help of co-workers for better understanding.

5. Self Awareness

In addition to soft skills and work ethic, the interviewer will also consider the self-awareness of the candidate. The recruiter would like to find out the background of the applicant, what has influenced him, what are his strengths and weaknesses. This focuses on the job applicant alone, not the tools he uses. The interviewer may ask different questions based on the interviewee himself. While there is no recommended way of answering these questions, nonetheless the positive aspects of the jobseeker should be highlighted. Self-awareness shows that the person is self-confident and has worked hard for the positives he has listed on his resume.

Soft skills are mandatory in present work environment

Flexicrew Assistance

Flexicrew identifies job opportunities for heavy industrial workers and talks them through the best job that matches their goals and their backgrounds.  We also prep you for your interview showing which characteristics interviewers look for and what you need to succeed.  Employers, we also find the hard to get skilled heavy industrial candidates who possess the soft skills you need.

Contact us Today to gain our support.

Here’s How to Handle an Employment Gap

If you have recently had an employment gap and been out of the workforce for some time (even extended time) you are not alone. Many workers were not working due to a variety of reasons, including:

  • Homeschooled or took care of children
  • Cared for elderly parents or ill family
  • Were afraid to work for fear of bringing home sickness to family members
  • Lost a job
  • Lost means of transportation
  • Tended to personal health issues
  • Traveled at length
  • Pursued personal projects
  • Trained for a different career
  • Completed schooling
  • Simply waited for the right job
  • or merely took a break

Explaining an employment gap

Now you are seeking a job, but you must be well prepared to explain holes in your work history.

But how do you address an employment gap on your resume?

Fill the Employment Gap on Your Resume

Once a resume screener sees you have a job gap, they will wonder why. Once they know why, they want to judge if it will happen again. Give them reasons to believe you’re now prepared to fill the gap. For example, if you have children, explain that you now have childcare or that your homeschooled kids are learning in school which is open. If you were laid off, explain the conditions of your job loss as simply as possible.  Don’t make negative comments about your ex-employer. The point you want to make is that you’re ready and motivated to work and to commit to a new employer.

Remember that it’s the candidate screener’s job to find knowledgeable, talented, and reliable candidates. Studies reveal three-fourths of managers have made a bad hire and nearly two-thirds indicate the negative impact is more severe now than a year ago.  The cost of a bad hire is a risk they want to avoid They can avoid the risk of recruiting someone lacking industry knowledge or with minimal work ethic by bypassing applicants with unexplained resume gaps.

So, they are cautious of job applicants with unexplained resume gaps. Hiring managers feel more secure hiring applicants with constant, long-tenure job histories without employment gaps Hiring managers also feel safer hiring candidates with continuous, gapless, long-tenure career histories.

Yet don’t be discouraged.

Just remember what they’re looking for when you decide how to explain gaps in employment.  Employers look at gaps and say to themselves, ‘ you [candidate] seem unlikely to stay here for more than 12 months. I should keep looking for someone who’s more stable.”

Still, having employment gaps on your resume isn’t as bad as many job seekers think it is. Employers understand that there are many justifiable reasons why you might have gaps in your work history. If you can reasonably explain your gaps, employers are unlikely to hold them against you.

Here’s 4 quick tips or explaining employment gaps on your resume:

1.Use your resume summary to briefly explain why you weren’t working during the gap.  To ensure hiring managers understand that your employment gap is a direct result of COVID-19, you may want to include a brief note on your resume or cover letter                explaining that. That should help hiring managers rapidly see why you were/are out of work and may also prevent them from dismissing your resume due to an employment gap. How to Explain Employment Gaps Due to COVID-19 | Indeed.com

  1. Highlight independent projects or volunteer experience you worked on during that time gap.
  2. Explain what you learned or gained during your employment gap.
  3. Provide a convincing cover letter that explains your situation.
How to Fill in Employment Gaps on A Resume If You Still Are Currently Out of Work

If you are currently out of work and are looking for ways to fill your employment gaps, consider some of the options below.

  • Find contract or temp work
  • Start a part-time job in your industry
  • Become a volunteer
  • Get more training

Never be inactive when you are out of work! You should always be moving forward and trying to make a difference in your job or career.

If you have a gap in your resume, you can almost be sure that it will come up during a job interview. There are many reasons why you could decide to take a break from working. Therefore, no matter what the specific reason is, you should be able to respond to questions when asked about it during an interview.

Practice Before You Go to the Job Interview

One way to convince a potential employer that you’ll make them a good employee is to walk into your interview with confidence. The way to do that is to know what to answer to any questions recruiters will ask. Practice your interview skills with a friend or career advisor during a practice interview. Address that employment gap in your mock interview and you’ll be ready for the real thing.

The interviewer is interested in knowing why you were unemployed for some extended time because employment gaps could be a warning sign or a red flag. It’s up to you to think of your reasons prior to the interview so that you fully utilize this opportunity to explain what happened and that you’re ready to move forward. If the interviewers decide to proceed with you in the hiring process, they need more information to make sure that they will not regret it.

For the interviewer, two things are important. First, the timeframe in which you were not employed. Second, how long you have been away from the workforce. For instance, if you had been unemployed for 6 weeks 5 years ago, likely the recruiter won’t worry about it. But, if your unemployment gap was more recent and for a longer period, you need a reasonable explanation that shows it wasn’t due to lack of motivation.

Explaining gaps in employment at your job interview

Honesty

There’s no reason to try to hide gaps when they are visible on your resume. Every person generally must deal with employment gaps, so don’t worry too much about it. If you, for instance, experienced a merger with your company and there were layoffs, just explain this. Don’t worry about a gap of a couple of months to half a year. Explain the gap and the reason for it.

Rationale

If you have an employment gap of over a year, it’s important to substantiate why, but also indicate that you have been busy that year. For example, you can tell the interviewer that you did temporary, seasonal, or volunteer work while still spending time looking for jobs. Also, explain that you remained active and kept your skillset sharp. Ensure that you have a polished version of what kept you busy and engaged during that gap.

style

Give a concise and brief description of the situation. There’s no need to include too many personal details; the interviewers are more interested in the main facts about the reasons for unemployment.

Put it Behind You

Just like the explanation of the situation is important; it’s essential to explain that the situation ended or that it’s not a factor anymore. You need to emphasize this to ensure that the interviewer is not worried about if you need to take another break from working (for whatever reason) anytime soon. Basically, they want to hear that you’re 100% available and committed if they hire you.

Positive Result

Always steer your answer towards a positive endnote in which you emphasize your interest in the position once more. Put the focus back on your job interview and the job you’re applying for.

Flexicrew Support

If you have a gap on your resume and want help to fill it with an expert recruiting service, contact Flexicrew today. And we’ll also teach you how to build a professional portfolio that could help you get hired.

4 Top Interview Mistakes and Ways to Rebound

Regardless of how thoroughly you prepare, interview mistakes can still happen during a job interview process. But they don’t necessarily mean you failed the interview. If you make one of these 4 common missteps, a few key tips to reset can help you manage them.

candidate embarrassed by interview mistakes

1.Sending the Wrong Resume

It’s a good idea to have a different version of your resume for each position you apply for.  Of course this leads to saving and  keeping track of different versions of the same resume, and it increases your chance of sending the wrong one.

What if you do?

If the resume you sent was slightly different from the one you intended, forget about it. But, if there’s a evident difference (like for a completely job), that’s a problem. Try to rebound by quickly expressing regret for not submitting the most relevant one for the position, and attaching the correct document.

If, by chance you get an interview even with the wrong resume, send the correct one to your company contact before your meeting, and distribute the corrected documents to the interviewers when you meet them in person.

2. Appointment Mix-Up

Occasionally you might mix up two interview dates for two different employers – another o the common interview mistakes.

Oh oh…

The employer may think you stood them up and that’s a biggie. So, if you’ve done this you clearly must call ASAP, apologize, and try to recoup your loss. Say you’re sorry for your mix up and request to reschedule.  Try to fit the new appointment as conveniently into the interviewer’s schedule as possible.

Admitting your error and making an effort to reschedule with the hiring interviewer might just get you a rescheduled interview.

3. Late for an Interview

Interview lateness may not be your fault completely but it can be one of those pesky interview mistakes that have a bad  effect on the interviewer.

So, if you’re stuck in traffic, or you’re lost, your bus is late, or you know you likely won’t make the interview on time, call the interviewer to explain the situation.  Don’t leave them wondering where you are.

Don’t make up odd excuses. Accept your delay and apologize. Then try to act calm.  The appearance of a flustered, ruffled candidate is not a good one.

4. Missing an Interview Question

Even if you have an excellent answer for every question, when you’re being hit with tough questions, sometimes you can blunder. In fact, everyone does it.

So, if you mess up answering a question, chill, and rephrase your answer. It’s important to recover from a mistake by keeping calm—the interviewer will recognize your and appreciate your efficient recovery.

Remember, one mistake in the interview is fine. Rather than panicking, don’t undermine a positive interview by over-thinking your error.

Flexicrew Support

Flexicrew offers tailored interview preparation to our candidates. For help with your next interview, contact Flexicrew Today!