Interviewing Over Lunch: Are You at Risk?

Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the hiring manager. Despite anything said to the contrary (like "It'll just be an informal lunch so we can get to know each other."), this is a formal part of your interview!  This can be a very tricky situation.

Impressions made in a restaurant are just as important as those in an office or meeting room.

If you don't want an "eating mishap" to ruin your chances at a new job (or a promotion if you're dining with the boss), follow these tips: 

1. Avoid ordering messy foods.

This includes long pasta, of course, but also anything with stringy cheese... you know, the kind that stretches up with your fork from the plate to your mouth.

Watch out for soup, anything with a sauce or other "drippable" ingredient. No matter how careful you are, you know an invisible hole can magically appear in your spoon and cause you to drip all over yourself!

Even a salad can be hazardous! Have you ever tried to spear a cherry tomato with your fork and squirted yourself, your neighbor, or watched the tomato go flying off your plate? Not impressive. Avoid cherry tomatoes.

2. Mind your manners.

First, let me say I am definitely NOT "Miss Manners." These are just common-sense tips, not something you'd learn at charm school. (So don't send me an email with the "proper" etiquette, OK?)

This may be considered old-fashioned and unnecessary by some (especially women's libbers, if there's still such a thing), but I think it's still a nice courtesy for a man to pull out a chair for a woman. Either sex can offer to take someone's coat and hang it up. In general, just be nice, thoughtful, and courteous.

Thank the servers.

If you're in a fancy place with 6 different forks, 3 knives and 2 spoons, don't freak out about which to use for what. In general, they're placed in the order in which the food that you use them with will be served... implement furthest from the plate being used first. So when the salad comes out first, grab the fork furthest from your plate. Or just watch what the big shot does and follow his/her example.

If your food comes out first, don't start scarfing it down while the other(s) wait for their food to arrive. If they're courteous, they'll invite you to go ahead before your food gets cold. Likewise, if someone else has been served and is waiting while your food is delayed, invite them to go ahead and eat.

Don't reach... ask someone to pass.

Don't use your bread to mop up sauce, soup, or anything else.

Don't slurp or burp. Ever. Yes, this may be acceptable in some countries as a way to show appreciation for good food, but if you're in the U.S., don't do it. Even if the big shot does.

3. Watch the cost.

It doesn't matter if you've been told, "Order anything you'd like, this is on me." Do not order the most expensive thing on the menu! Even if the big shot does.

4. Beer or wine?

Have you seen that commercial where several guys are at a restaurant with a big shot and he asks what they want to drink? They go around the table and all order a non-alcoholic drink except for the last guy, who orders a Sam Adams (beer). The big shot is "impressed" and orders the same.

Hah! Never fall for anything you see in a beer commercial!

Would you have a beer or glass of wine at the office? (You better say "No!") Despite the surroundings, food and drink, if this is a business function (and it certainly is if you're interviewing or discussing business with your boss), do NOT order alcohol! Even if the big shot does.

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How to Answer Questions About Underperforming Co-workers

A new subscriber recently asked me how to respond to this type of interview question: "What would you do if a colleague was not pulling his weight?"

Note: since the question is worded with "colleague" and not "employee" or "subordinate," I'm going to answer this as it would apply to a NONSUPERVISORY position. 

There are generally two management styles that determine how employers want their people to handle such situations. Unfortunately, they are completely different.

One style encourages employees to resolve conflicts and fix problems at the lowest level. So in that case, they'd probably want you to talk to your colleague one-on-one, to explain what he or she is doing wrong and how it's bad for the company and his/her own job

security. Then offer to help that person improve (as long as it did not adversely affect your own duties). If you can help this person improve, then you are helping the employee pull his/her weight (meaning he/she may not have to be replaced), you are helping the company maintain its quality standards, and also helping the supervisor/manager by saving them from having to deal with this problem.

The other style encourages employees to notify supervisor/managers immediately whenever there is a problem. The theory here is that management needs to know what's going on so they can make improvements. If there's an employee who is not performing up to standards, it could mean that employee was poorly trained, is not being properly motivated, or should never have been hired. Any of those situations should be addressed by management, so the best thing would be to bring the colleague's poor performance to the attention of your supervisor. He/she can then decide what to do about it.

As you can see, these management styles are opposite in nature. If possible, it would be good if you could find out which type of approach is preferred by the company involved. But I realize that may be difficult. In that case, I believe the best way to answer that question is something like this:

"My first step would be to determine how ABC Company prefers for these types of situations to be handled -- whether they want such problems resolved at the lowest level, or immediately broght to management's attention. Can you tell me which is preferred by ABC Company?"

If they do tell you, then you can easily adjust your answer to fit their particular management style. If they do not tell you, then you'll have to say something like, "Well, if they prefer that these situations be handled at the lowest level, then I would personally try to help the employee to improve his performance (as long as it did not affect my own duties)." (Then go into some detail about ways you could help, such as answering his questions, showing him how to do a particular task, etc.)

"If my attempts to help the employee were unsuccessful and I felt his performance was going to continue to be below ABC Company standards, I would bring the matter to the attention of my supervisor. I know that ABC Company prides itself on quality service and performance, so I feel it would be my responsibility to ensure those standards are upheld, not only by myself, but by those around me.

"If ABC Company prefers that such situations be immediately brought to the attention of the appropriate supervisor or manager, then I would, of course, do that instead of spending time trying to help the employee improve."

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I'll File a Grievance!

I recently went to a retirement party with my husband for one of his co-workers. I worked at this same place six years ago (that's where I met my husband, but that's another story), so I knew most of the people at the party. 

One person I didn't know (I'll call her Jill but that's not her real name) was talking about how bored she is in her current job. She's been with the agency for about three months and is doing administrative work.

"I'm way overqualified for this position," she said. "I used to be an Office Manager. I only took this job because I heard this agency was a good place to work. I know I can get something better."

Jill told me she planned to apply for a new opening at the same agency -- a slightly better-paying administrative position. That position became vacant recently when that secretary retired. It's been filled by a temp for about three weeks.

"I know I'm way more qualified than that temp!" Jill said. "If she gets hired instead of me, I'm going to file a grievance!"

If she hadn't quickly disappeared, I would've given her some advice. If you've ever had the same attitude as Jill, maybe you can use this advice.

First, an employer is not under any obligation to hire the most qualified candidate. They can hire the least qualified candidate, as long as that candidate meets the minimum qualifications stated in the position announcement.

Second, employers are people, and people hire those they like and want to work with. As long as there is no discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, marital status, age, gender, sexual orientation or physical/mental disability, employers can legally hire whomever they want.

The fact of the matter is, a candidate is never hired based solely on her qualifications. A candidate is hired because she convinces the hiring manager that she can do the job and be a positive, enthusiastic, pleasant-to-work-with member of the team.

Someone who is blabbing to co-workers (and strangers!) that she'll file a grievance if she doesn't get hired is unlikely to fit that bill.

If you're thinking of applying for a promotion within your current company, please realize that more than your experience, skills and qualifications will be judged.

What's your reputation? If you're a dedicated team player, great!

But if you're a complainer whom your current boss and co-workers would not miss, you've got some reputation repair work to do first!

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When and How to Say "I Just Can't Do It!"

We naturally hesitate to tell our boss when we can't do something or are feeling overwhelmed in our job. Bosses don't want to hear that, right? Well, it depends. 

In many situations, your boss is so busy that he/she doesn't keep track of how much work you're doing. When your boss gives you a new project, he's not thinking about all the other projects you're already working on.

And here's the kicker -- unless you speak up and tell your boss that you can't handle the workload he's giving you, he'll assume everything is fine. 

This can have bad consequences for you AND your boss. You know what will happen. Eventually things will start falling through the cracks or you'll rush through tasks and start making mistakes.

You can only do so much in a day, and deadlines will be missed. While you're stressing out, work that your boss needs you to do is NOT being done.

When this happens, your boss will not appreciate your excuse: "But I had too much to do, I was overloaded with work!" Saying that AFTER the fact will be much worse than telling your boss up front -- before mistakes occur or deadlines are missed -- that you're having trouble with your workload.

It is your responsibility to tell your boss when you are overwhelmed, and there's nothing wrong with doing this.

Of course, you don't want to tell your boss, "I can't do that; I'm too busy." But you can say, "I'll be happy to take that on, but I need your help with prioritizing the other projects you've already given me. Which jobs can I put on hold or delegate to someone else while I work on this new one?"

That's way better than keeping your mouth shut, trying to do too much, and failing miserably.

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Do More than Expected to Get Ahead

One of the best things you can do to increase your career advancement opportunities where you work is to do more than expected. 

It's often not enough to just do a fine job and expect promotions now and then based on longevity. So find opportunities to show you can handle more responsibility or different duties than those in your job description.

Here's one example from my own personal experience. I had a great job as the executive assistant to the general manager. But I often didn't have enough to do to keep me busy. I hate being bored, and I enjoy writing. So I began writing articles and submitting them for the employee newsletter, even though none were solicited.

The editor liked what I wrote, and every article I submitted was accepted and published. Readers even began looking forward to my articles.

One day the editor left for a position with another company. Having already demonstrated my writing talent, I was asked to apply for the job. I had to go through the standard hiring process and compete with other applicants, but because I had volunteered to write articles, the hiring manager had first-hand knowledge of my capabilities and I was hired. Not only was this a promotion, it was a move into a position that I found much more challenging and rewarding.

So look around and take advantage of opportunities to do more than expected. You'll enjoy more job satisfaction, help others, and -- just maybe -- get rewarded for your efforts! 

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Presentation

Soon a presentation? Your thesis presentation / defense? Sweaty hands and knees? A presentation is often perceived as a stressful and nerve-racking task. Many people can greatly dread holding a presentation. Why? And why many people do not like to present? And how is a presentation a success? This article will present you can find answers to these questions. You can also find several tips for successful presentation.

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Presentation
During a presentation, you give an oral presentation on your research and the derived results. During the presentation you can use different attachments such as PowerPoint or overhead projector.Why do many people at present?
When does a presentation for a group of people, then the attention you get during your presentation of the group, seem very uncomfortable. The silence during the presentation, the sound of your voice, all eyes are on you and you feel your body respond differently than normal. In short, you feel insecure, and furthermore, you're all alone. At least, that seems so. During a presentation to the audience exactly what you want to hear them say. Otherwise they were not present in your presentation. A presentation, you so nice and interesting to tell and nerves are hereby entirely unnecessary and also lead just wondering.
Another reason for nerves during a presentation can be found in test anxiety. Some people feel insecure about their performance and will therefore present here in the face. Furthermore, a presentation usually seen as a test in which the speaker feels that everything depends on this single presentation. Fear of failure for a presentation you can fix. Often find by following a simple course quickly remedied.Presentation Preparation
To be successful presenting is an essential preparation for your presentation. Just because you really can see from the presentations, the chances are that your presentation (and preparation) until the last minute delays. This is not a good presentation and it will certainly not benefit. Especially not when you have done your presentation, you will find that your nerves are more affected by it during your presentation. How do you prepare for a presentation? By carefully thinking about your topic. Make sure the subject well in your head. Do you remember enough about the subject you are about to present? Read Up. For example, no longer know how to research your thesis had just broken? Read this section is equally well. Once you know enough about the topic, you must ask yourself what your listeners want to tell your presentation. Try this out of your head and just write key words on this. The full launch of a presentation is certainly not a good idea. The main goal is to create a story where you make a chronological format. Make sure that the story in your head right and you can play the story in mind. This can thrive when you're in the shower or the dog walking. This way you learn the story you want to present in your head. Case is that you, the focus on the main hold. If you want eight cases treated during your presentation, make sure you have in mind these eight cases and that you can explain during your presentation. The exact details of this you do not have to scoop. But then you look for yourself the order of eight things to have in your head down. If you do a presentation in this manner are well in your head, your preparation for your successful presentation!The presentation
There you are. For the group, the moment of silence falls and you will begin your presentation. Many sleepless nights might have preceded. And now it's come: you must be present. You have your presentation well prepared, so you have no fear. You start talking and you notice that everyone looks at you. You tell a funny story and you find that the public good pick. Your nerves are cut off. You come back to consciousness and let your nerves. How should you go? Here are some tips for each item that you hold in your presentation can keep.Eye contact during presentation
The most important during your presentation is to maintain eye contact. Over the crowd watching is no longer an option. It can be intimidating, but eye contact during your presentation is a confirmation of your audience's attention. So go do not avoid eye contact. Try as much as possible from person to person about to jump and not too long someone right in his / her eyes to see during your presentation. When someone asks a question during your presentation, make eye contact with the person first and give him / her the floor. Take your time for. The idea is that you start answering the question correctly, so you should fully understand the question. Eye contact is important.Hands
Hold objects, such as a pen or a piece of paper, during a presentation are not recommended. Avoid this as much as possible. If you're nervous, you give through your fumbling with a pen here demonstrate. Do not do it. During a presentation it is just that good to make gestures with your hands. To make the presentation more lively. Do this also in moderation. Beware, lest your hands the key role to play during your presentation.Visual aids to support your presentation
During your presentation, it is advisable to use visual aids SUPPORT. Do not use too much text and be economical with pictures and figures. Be aware that not everyone jumping frog in your PowerPoint presentation just like it. Do you use visual aids during your presentation, make sure that people see your resources. In other words, do not stand for. It sounds very obvious, but it's a common mistake during the presentation. It is positive if during your presentation when you refer to your device, the audience asks if anyone can see it and whether it is legible.

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Interested in Animation as a Career Choice?

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

If you're creative and thinking of going to school to study animation, here is some information for you.

What You'll Need:

Most college programs require high school graduation, although mature students without a high school education may be considered. Schools also suggest having math skills, basic computer skills, and sometimes a high school arts credits. Schools vary in terms of requirements, so if you don't have all the necessary courses for a certain college, it might be worth considering another one.

As well, some colleges require a portfolio of drawings to demonstrate your creativity and ability to design both the human form and everyday objects.

What You'll Learn:

At some schools, you'll learn traditional and digital animation. You can choose to focus on either as your education continues. You'll start with the basics of drawing, and move into storyboarding, character animation, scriptwriting for animation, basics of filmmaking, 3D modeling and more. Every program is different, so make sure the one you choose contains all those elements you'd like to learn.

Prepare Yourself:

Start putting together a portfolio. Learn a few of the programs that are taught at the school. If you aren't sure, call the school and inquire what programs they use. Some popular animation programs include Maya, ToonBoom, Eovia's Carrara, and 3DS Max. Though some of these might be very costly to purchase, often you can get trial versions of these programs from the manufacturer's website that let you practice learning the various tools within the program. It's a good idea to start early as some of these programs have a steep learning curve. Some programs, such as Blender and Anim8or, are actually free and let you create stunning designs without having to purchase an expensive program.

After Graduation:

The market for 3D animators is wide and varied. It encompasses a wide range of industries, from working at a production studio, to small animation companies, to ad agencies, to video game manufacturers.

Often, some design companies rely on logos and corporate animations as their "bread and butter." You'd be amazed at how many television commercials and logos are 3D creations.

You could also work at medical design companies, on an animated television series, or a film doing background scenes.

Animation allows you to work on a wide range of projects in various industries. You must be creative, detail-oriented, patient, and have the ability to see the product you are creating before it even gets put to paper or the computer screen. If you enjoy being creative, can work independently, and enjoy bringing characters to life, animation may be a career choice worth considering.