Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Top 10 Tough Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
It seems like an easy interview question. It’s open ended. I can talk about whatever I want from the birth canal forward. Right?
Wrong. What the hiring manager really wants is a quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are and why you’re the best candidate for this position.
So as you answer this question, talk about what you’ve done to prepare yourself to be the very best candidate for the position. Use an example or two to back it up. Then ask if they would like more details. If they do, keep giving them example after example of your background and experience. Always point back to an example when you have the opportunity.
“Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.

2. Why should I hire you?
The easy answer is that you are the best person for the job. And don’t be afraid to say so. But then back it up with what specifically differentiates you.
For example: “You should hire me because I’m the best person for the job. I realize that there are likely other candidates who also have the ability to do this job. Yet I bring an additional quality that makes me the best person for the job--my passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to producing truly world class results. For example . . .”
Are you the best person for the job? Show it by your passionate examples.

3. What is your long-range objective?
Make my job easy for me. Make me want to hire you.
The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
For example: “Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is what I’m presently doing to prepare myself . . .”
Then go on to show by your examples what you are doing to reach your goals and objectives.

4. How has your education prepared you for your career?
This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in your educational background which specifically align to the required competencies for the career.
An example: “My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but also on the practical application of the information learned within those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more about the results . . .”
Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key competencies for the career. Then ask if they would like to hear more examples.

5. Are you a team player?
Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You need to provide behavioral examples to back up your answer.
A sample answer: “Yes, I’m very much a team player. In fact, I’ve had opportunities in my work, school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent project . . .”
Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus on your openness to diversity of backgrounds. Talk about the strength of the team above the individual. And note that this question may be used as a lead in to questions around how you handle conflict within a team, so be prepared.

6. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?
Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.
For example: “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other person’s perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .”
Focus your answer on the behavioral process for resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.

7. What is your greatest weakness?
Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: “I work too much. I just work and work and work.” Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.
You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: “I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, I’m now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . .” then show them your planner and how you are using it.
Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.

8. If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say?
This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait for the interview to know the answer. Ask any prior bosses or professors in advance. And if they’re willing to provide a positive reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation.
Then you can answer the question like this:
“I believe she would say I'm a very energetic person, that I’m results oriented and one of the best people she has ever worked with. Actually, I know she would say that, because those are her very words. May I show you her letter of recommendation?”
So be prepared in advance with your letters of recommendation.

9. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
Focus on two words: leadership and vision.
Here is a sample of how to respond: “The key quality in a successful manager should be leadership--the ability to be the visionary for the people who are working under them. The person who can set the course and direction for subordinates. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of their abilities. I'd like to tell you about a person whom I consider to be a true leader . . .”
Then give an example of someone who has touched your life and how their impact has helped in your personal development.

10. If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change.
For example: “Although I’m overall very happy with where I’m at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship…” …then provide examples.
Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.
In reviewing these responses, please remember that they are only to be viewed samples. Please do not rehearse them verbatim or adopt them as your own. They are meant to stir your creative juices and get you thinking about how to properly answer the broader range of questions that you will face.

How to Make an Anime Costume

Cosplay," or costume role-play, is a popular pastime in the anime (Japanese animation) world. Dressing up as your favorite anime character is a way of showing loyalty to a brand, celebrating at an anime convention or event, expressing creativity or simply having a good time.

Things You'll Need:

Colorful fabric
Platform shoes
Wig
Makeup
Design and Make Your Own Anime Costume

Step 1
Choose the anime character you want to portray in your costume. These can be famous anime figures like characters from Dragon Ball Z or Bleach, or female standards like Sailor Moon. You can also create your own anime character with a color or adventure theme.

Step 2
Choose an appropriate wig for your costume. Even male characters in anime are known for having outrageous hair colors and styles, so shop around for the brightest, boldest wig you can find.

Step 3
Shop at martial arts surplus stores or dancewear stores for bright costume pieces for your wardrobe. Depending on the type of character you are portraying, you may need a variety of pieces that you can alter once you get home.

Step 4
Sew on patches, symbols or pieces of fabric to customize your costume to your liking. For female characters, you may consider sewing panels onto very short skirts to create varying layers. Male characters might need a colorful sash for a samurai robe or metallic fabric for a mecha (robot) costume.

Step 5
Accessorize your costume with platform shoes or boots. Female and male characters alike can utilize these props to add drama to any anime costume. The higher the better, so seek out specialty shops for the best finds.

Step 6
Customize your makeup to match your female costume. A dot of red rouge on the cheeks and/or red lipstick only at the center of the lips is a popular choice. Bright eyeshadows in dramatic hues are often favored choices as well.

Step 7
Make a sensation by adding eye-catching accessories to your costume, such as wands, swords, wooden staffs or crowns. Make sure that they match the theme of your costume, though, and never bring anything sharp out in public.



Tips & Warnings

The only rule with anime costume making is that there are no rules. You can add different wigs to bright outfits and mix and match styles to create your own look. The spirit of cosplay encourages originality, so go for it!
If you can't find what you're looking for in wigs, you might consider dying one on your own and cutting it in the style you want.


ENJOY!!!

How to Make Bouncy Bubble Solution


Do you have kids? Do they love to play bouncy bubbles? I observe kids love to play bouncy bubbles.They enjoy the different colors of bubbles floating in the air.isn't it?
For moms, I will share you a recipe how to make bouncy bubble solution so that you can save buying from your kids.

All-Purpose Bubble Solution
This solution is great for most bubble tricks, activities, and experiments.

◦1 part water to 1 part Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
◦glycerine*
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo produces much better bubbles than any of the dish detergents we tried. Mix the ingredients gently and let the solution stand for a couple of hours.

Bouncy Bubble Solution
You can bounce these bubbles off your clothes!

◦1 package unflavoured gelatin (e.g. Knox brand)
◦250 ml (1 cup) hot water (just boiled)
◦50–70 ml glycerine*
◦250 ml Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
Dissolve the gelatin in the hot water. Add the shampoo and glycerine. Stir gently. This solution will gel as it cools. Reheat it carefully in the microwave (about two minutes).

About glycerine
What does the glycerine do?

Glycerine helps soap bubbles hold water, so that they last longer. It’s very helpful if you’re doing bubble tricks, but less important if you’re mixing up a bucket of bubble solution for preschoolers to mess about with.

Where do I get glycerine?

Most pharmacies carry glycerine. You’ll only need a small bottle.

How much glycerine should I use?

We’re not precise about it. Try 1–3 teaspoons for about a litre of bubble solution.