3 Commonly Used Types of Psychometric Tests - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

3 Commonly Used Types of Psychometric Tests One of the most notable trends in the field of job recruitment today is conducting psychometric and assessment tests. Today, more than ever, getting hired requires one to be aware of and prepared for the possibility of having to take a psychometric test. Such tests examine, among other things, candidates skills, knowledge, abilities, personality traits, and attitudes. The key to outperforming the competition and achieving the desired advantage is practising. However, one of the greatest challenges is knowing which test to practise for. Therefore, it is important to understand the main types of assessments big firms use: Aptitude tests â€" The main goal of aptitude tests is to assess various cognitive abilities. Normally, aptitude tests contain two main sections: a numeracy section and a literacy section. These may be accompanied by sections on spatial awareness, abstract reasoning, deductive reasoning, and more. The numeracy section consists of two types of questionsâ€"numerical literacy and numerical reasoning. While numerical literacy questions examine basic calculation skills, numerical reasoning questions require a higher level of application of interpretation and analysis. The verbal section also consists of two main types of questions â€" text analysis and linguistic-based questions. The text analysis questions require basic reading comprehension skills and the ability to draw logical conclusions from short passages. The linguistic-based questions include word analogies and odd-one-out questions. Additionally, they require an extensive vocabulary. Behavioural tests â€" As different types of jobs require different types of personalities, behavioural tests are intended to highlight the specific personality traits particular positions require. Each employer chooses a different method to examine these traits: personality questionnaires, leadership tests, motivation tests, and/or situational judgement tests. One of the most common types of behavioural tests is personality tests. Personality tests are used to create a psychological profile of a candidate, and they are designed specifically to evaluate that candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. Usually, the tests aim to examine a candidates level of assertiveness, social skills, tendency to dominate, etc. Situational judgment tests, on the other hand, consist of an array of questions that examine how a candidate reacts to different workplace situations. Assessment day exercises â€" These exercises are based on human interaction assessments. Unlike aptitude and behavioural tests, these exercises do not come in the form of a written test, but rather are carried out by assessors and psychologists. The time constraints a candidate experiences during assessment day exercises are intended to increase pressure and examine the candidate’s ability to cope. The two most common exercises are role play simulation and group exercises. So how can this information be helpful? Before attending a job interview, gather as much information as possible about the process you are about to face, and start preparing for any possible assessments. Knowing the exact type of psychometric test your potential employer uses will enable you to find the most suitable practice resources â€" those that ensure you are as prepared as possible to outperform your competition, gain an advantage, and get hired.

4 Easy Ways to Figure Out What You Wanna Be When You Grow Up

4 Easy Ways to Figure Out What You Wanna Be When You Grow Up I can hardly believe that I never wrote a post like this, but its true! I havent! So super many thanks to Janelle from re:find Joy for not only asking me to guest post, but asking me to write a how to figure out your dream career/reach your goal/make it happen post which led me to 4 Easy Ways to Figure Out What You Wanna Be When You Grow Up. Check it out I promise it lives up to its name!

Should You Put Writing Samples on Resume?

Should You Put Writing Samples on Resume?If you are looking for a way to get noticed for a job, do not put your writing samples in your resume. That is one of the biggest mistakes people make. They end up putting something in their resume that will get them a low grade and not get a call back.What you should do instead is to include an impressive list of all the writing samples you have done. Include paragraphs that describe your writing style and the topics you covered in your writing. This will give the reader an idea of what kind of writing you can do and that you can be trusted.When you are talking about the experience you have with your resume, you need to do the same thing. You need to state how you have used the different skills and abilities you have to solve a problem. List the skills that you have used and those you are going to use.There is nothing wrong with including a paragraph stating how well you wrote a particular resume or why it is relevant to your field. You shoul d definitely put this on your resume if it fits your skill set.As you are writing your resume, do not use the word 'researcher' as much as you do in a title. This will not attract the reader and may cause them to skip over the rest of your resume. The information in your resume should be focused on what you have done and the skills you possess.You also need to be very organized when writing your resume. Your resume should contain only one page of information. If you have more than one page in your resume, do not use the keywords, such as 'writer', because these keywords are already taken by many other writers who will easily find out what you have to say.You should always keep in mind the reason why you want to put your writing samples on your resume. If you put in any facts about yourself, make sure that you take the reader to the specific information you need. If you did this properly, you will see that this strategy will get you noticed.

9 Passive-Aggressive Things People Say in Emails and the Best Way to Respond to Each

9 Passive-Aggressive Things People Say in Emails â€" and the Best Way to Respond to Each If that snippy coworker is being passive-aggressive in an email (again!), resist the urge to send an equally snarly response. “The goal of the passive-aggressive person is to get someone else to visibly act out the anger that they have been concealing,” social worker Signe Whitson, author of “The Angry Smile,” told Business Insider. “Any time their covertly hostile email is responded to with overt hostility, the passive aggressive person succeeds.” Don’t fight fire with fire. If you do, you’re just falling into the passive-aggressive person’s trap. Instead, Dr. Neil J. Lavender, author of “Toxic Coworkers: How to Deal with Dysfunctional People on the Job,” said you should focus on what you need to do to complete the task at hand, rather than “majoring in the minors.” “If the email is requesting you to turn in a report, then turn it in. If you need to return a phone call, then return the phone call,” Lavender told Business Insider. “Don’t get ‘mired in the minutia.'” Adobe found the nine most-hated passive-aggressive email phrases in a recent survey. Below, take a look at some key phrases you can use to diffuse the situation when one of those emails lands in your inbox. ‘Not sure if you saw my last email’ With 25% of workers saying this is the most annoying email phrase, “Not sure if you saw my last email” was by far the most disliked phrase in Adobe’s survey. Lavender suggested beginning your note with, simply, “Thank you, I did receive your last email and…” ‘Per my last email’ Whitson recommended leading your response with an equally brief, “Thanks for the reminder.” ‘Per our conversation’ This might be a sign that your worker is trying to create a paper trail from your in-person talks. “A simple, ‘Thanks for the recap’ will go a long way in keeping a friendly workplace and rising above someone else’s covert anger,” Whitson said. ‘Any update on this?’ A tenth of workers told Adobe that “Any updates?” is the most annoying phrase used in emails. But it might not have any negative intentions. “(I)n the business world, where most of us are juggling 1,000 balls every day just trying to get through, I really wouldn’t take the time to try to analyze the ‘real hidden meaning’ behind the tone of every email statement,” Lavender told Business Insider. Just be honest, Lavender said, and tell them what the updates are. If there are no updates, Whitson suggested writing back, “I don’t have any updates at this time but I will email you as soon as I do.” ‘Sorry for the double email’ Whitson said you should acknowledge their persistence, instead of getting angry at them for filling up your inbox. “I have received both of your emails and will respond as soon as I have an answer for you,” she recommended writing. Lavender suggested a different route that acknowledges their apology (even thought it likely wasn’t made in earnest): “Thank you, I did notice that. I accept your apology, no problem.” ‘Please advise’ This phrase has several different meanings, according to Grammarly. It could mean “Let me know,” “I need your advice,” or “I’m waiting for your response, and have been waiting.” Not only is it vague, but it’s often perceived as overly formal. Still, you can’t do anything if your coworker keeps sending this phrase to you. If they’re asking for your advice, Lavender suggested responding, “Will do. I’m currently working on the solution and should have it for you by (insert date or time).” If you can’t advise, explain why. ‘As previously stated’ Similarly to “Per my last email,” try simply responding to this type of email with, “Thanks for the reminder.” “Don’t jeopardize your own professionalism by replying with the first sarcastic thought that pops into your mind, such as, ‘Oh, did you state that previously? I must have missed it because you talk so much that I usually just tune you out,'” Whitson said. ‘As discussed’ “Don’t mirror the hostility by replying, ‘Not sure if you realize how busy I am,'” Whitson said. Instead, go with, “Thanks for the recap of our last conversation.” ‘Re-attaching for convenience’ Whitson recommended this respectful response: “I appreciate that you re-sent the document.” If there’s an ongoing pattern of passive aggression, sit down with your coworker Everyone has their off days and may accidentally dash off a snarky email to their coworker. But if the passive-aggressive remarks keep coming, you may want to sit them down to understand what’s happening on their end. Lavender suggested sitting down with your coworker and directly asking: “Are you angry at me? Is there something you would like me to do differently?” Most likely, Whitson said, the coworker will deny that they’re upset. But they’ll probably change their behavior now that they’ve been confronted. “Your respectful acknowledgement marks a change in the dynamic,” Whitson said. “The passive-aggressive person now knows that you are a straight shooter who will not shy away from trying to resolve a conflict.” This article originally appeared in BusinessInsider.com.

5 Goals To Reach Before Opening Your Own Business - Work It Daily

5 Goals To Reach Before Opening Your Own Business - Work It Daily In a world where three quarters of all business start-ups fail, you might find yourself doubting your ability to achieve your entrepreneurial dreams. The more you understand about owning your own business, the more likely you are to succeed. Here are five important objectives to reach before you can open your doors. 1. Understand Your Customers All businesses fill a need. The better you understand this need, the better you'll be able to satisfy your customers. Don't rely on street smarts alone when plotting your strategy; perform research, gather statistics, and crunch numbers. The more specifics you have, the better you'll fare in the long run. If you don't know how to conduct market research, consider these ideas: Interview consumers. Find out what customers in your niche like/don't like and how much they're willing to spend for various products. Solicit information online. Invite consumers to take online surveys or questionnaires. Reach out. Don't just research the consumers around you; reach beyond your inner circle and gather information from other populations, too. Perform deep research. The Internet is a goldmine, but some of the best information nuggets are found in a library. Don't limit yourself to web research; make the trek to your local library or business center as well. 2. Get The Funds Most start-up entrepreneurs don't finance their business out of their own pockets. Thankfully, there are financial institutions and private investors who want to help aspiring entrepreneurs. To win the interest of a potential investor, you must prove you are trustworthy and that your business will deliver a decent ROI. Start-up investors want to know your profit potential. They want to see that you've performed smart research, that you've identified a profitable niche, and that you can handle the rigor of running your own business. Outline your work history, playing up your strengths and past successes. Provide concrete budget information. Identify a lucrative gap in the market and illustrate it so clearly the investors can see the profit potential. 3. Choose Who To Work With One of the hardest choices a future business owner has to make is whether to fly solo or form a partnership. In the UK, most businesses fall into one of three legal categories, and each category has its own set of legal requirements. Sole Trader: A business owned by one person. Limited Company: A business owned by a group of people or organisations. Business Partnership: A business in which two or more partners share a stake in the success. The next hardest decision is choosing the right partner. Friends and business rarely mix, and the same applies to business and family. Choose a partner who you will hold up their end of the bargain, and keep you accountable for holding up yours. 4. Conceptualize Your Business Plan You'd be foolish to jump headlong into a new business without spelling out some of the particulars first. Granted, you don't know everything there is to know about your business yet, but you have ideas and ideals that must be conceptualized and written down. Related: 5 Tips For Starting A New Business On A Shoestring Budget Here are five general questions to ask yourself when creating a business plan: What purpose will my business serve, and how will it go about fulfilling its purpose? How can I make my business stand apart from similar businesses? What are its unique features? Who are the key players in my business? What population am I serving, and about how large is my potential customer base? How will I acquire capital, invest capital, and generate revenue? What will it take to break even and/or make a profit? If you're stuck for ideas, it often helps to look at a sample business plan when you're trying answer the tough questions. 5. Decide How To Advertise Customers won't find you if they've never heard of you. Depending on your market and customer base, you'll need to select one or more forms of advertisement. Here are some of the more popular choices: Billboards Business Cards Direct Mail Email Marketing Leaflets/Flyers Press Releases Social Media/Online Advertising TV and Radio Why do you need to know how to advertise before hand? You can start creating promotions before you launch, so your grand opening draws in curious potential customers and media. You advertise early to invite people to celebrate this milestone and become long-term customers. Starting your own business can be a daunting process. It takes grit, it takes spunk, and it takes perseverance. It also takes some know-how. If you take the time to do your homework before swinging those business doors open to the public, you'll thank yourself later. Related Posts 5 Things You Need Before You Start Your Own Business How To Reduce Costs When Starting A Business Have An Idea? Why You Should Start A Business NOW   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

How to Avoid These Costly Interview Follow-Up Mistakes

How to Avoid These Costly Interview Follow-Up Mistakes Avoid These Costly Interview Thank-You Note MistakesDont let your vorstellungsgesprch thank-you note cost you the job. Avoid these common mistakes.A survey conducted by TopResume found that 68 percent of hiring managers say receiving an bewerberinterview thank-you note has an impact on the interviewees candidacy.In other words, if youre not conducting proper interview follow-up and saying thanks, youre hurting your chances of landing the job.However, not all thank-you notes are created equal. In fact, when written incorrectly, your thank you can do more harm than you think. Below are seven of the most common mistakes you should avoid when sending your post-interview thank-you email. You forgot to follow up with an interview thank youAccording to a national study, approximately 95 percent of candidates dont send a follow-up after their interview, even though the majority of hiring managers expect to receive one. Dont follow the c rowd in this instance. Send a thank-you email after each interview round to differentiate yourself from the competition and help advance your candidacy.You didnt proofread your interview thank-you emailWhen the competition is fierce, the littlest typo in your interview follow-up can be used to eliminate you from the candidate pool. Remember, spell-check isnt perfect. Before you send off your thank-you note, carefully proofread your homilie. Then read over it again. Then ask your friend you know, the one who majored in English or writes for a living to look over it to ensure everything is grammatically correct and spelled properly, including the anthroponym of the organization and the interviewer.Your interview follow-up welches genericIf youre going to take the time to follow up with your interviewer, dont use a generic template. Send a tailored homilie that demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and organization and reminds the interviewer of your qualifications. Take not es during your interview so you can remember what the interviewer liked most about your experience, and you can highlight those points in your message.Related Your Guide to Post-Interview Thank-You EmailsYou only sent one interview thank you but met with three different peopleIf you were interviewed by numerous people during your visit to the company, get ready to write a number of follow-up messages. Oftentimes, companies will request that all thank-you emails get forwarded to HR so they can be attached to a candidates file. As a result, its important to personalize each message you send. Again, this is where your notes from each interview will become extremely helpful.Use the little details you learned about the interviewer, such as a shared hobby or an upcoming vacation, in your follow-up message to demonstrate your attention to detail and make your note more memorable.You waited too longWhen youre looking for a job, timing is everything. Send your interview thank-you notes with in 24 hours of the interview. Also, be sure to ask for the persons business card or write down their full name and email address during the interview to ensure a timely follow-up.You used snail mail and the company is a high-tech startupConsider the company culture before you send off your thank you. In most cases, an emailed message is a safe bet. In fact, a survey by Accountemps found that 87 percent of employers said that email is an appropriate way to express thanks after an interview. However, if youve met with a very traditional organization, their hiring managers may sache into the 13 percent that prefers a snail-mail note.When in doubt, cover your bases. Shoot off an email right after your interview and follow up by dropping a hand-written note in the mailbox the following day.You wrote a novelThe purpose behind the interview thank-you email is to highlight the main points of your conversation, address any concerns the interviewer expressed about your candidacy, and convey your continued interest in the position. Dont repeat your entire resume keep your message just long enough to cover the points mentioned above.If youre concerned your message is getting too lengthy, consider how much would fit in a standard thank-you card youd buy at a stationery store. If it wouldnt fit there, I recommend reevaluating your message before you hit send.Consider your interview thank-you note to be an opportunity to reconnect with the hiring manager, build a relationship with those whom you met, and keep your candidacy at the top of the pile. Dodge these common mistakes and youll be one step closer to the much sought-after job offer.Click on the following link for more interview advice.Are you nailing the interview? Or coming up flat? Not sure? TopInterviews expert coaches can helpRecommended ReadingThings You Should Do Right After a Job InterviewThe Power of the Follow-Up NoteJob Interview Tips for Handling Weather DisruptionsRelated Articles

The Do This, Get That Guide On Method of Writing a Resume

The Do This, Get That Guide On Method of Writing a Resume Its possible for you to concentrate only on resume writing work because weve got secure and quick payment module. While writing the resume, you may use the overview of your qualifications at the start. A great resume format is simple to scan. Therefore, writing a good resume ought to be deemed as writing a bit of marketing paper with the aim of selling yourself to the employer. The writers that are appointed to draft the resume templates are selected on account of their proficiency. As welches described, a CV is a concise overview of expertise and abilities and ought to aim to be readily absorbable to the employer. A last word If youre trying to find a new job, and you are not that certain what to include in your resume, consider the abilities and behaviours you have portrayed in your successes. Although your resume ought to be kept short and easy, you should however take advantage of words and phrases which suggest t he degree of job that you are applying to and which represents your qualifications and experiences. Why Alfruchtwein Everything Youve Learned About Method of Writing a Resume Is Wrong While searching for a good resume template, make certain you look at the details as to whether its totally free or paid. Use the checklist to ensure you have included all appropriate data in your resume. Its wise not to blindly adopt any resume template and begin filling in the particulars. Resumes may be used for a number of reasons, but most often theyre utilized to secure new employment. They may be organized in different ways. Targeted resumes would be contingent on the job which you are applying for. Each undertaking is, in different words, an issue. All content ought to be presented in a precise, concise and easy way. You job is now to create a string of word pictures showing what youve done and the way you can offer value for the employer. Resume writing and efficient job searching i snt a specific science but there are a few principles that you need to look closely at. The variation theres the procedure of execution. Since you may see, the STAR method makes a much more compelling resume entry. Since you may see the STAR system is a simple way to produce fantastic descriptions of work experience. Resume guidelines can change from industry to industry, therefore its advisable to get familiar with specific industry examples. If youre fighting to think of any, you can attempt employing the job descriptions of ads in your industry, in plus-rechnen to looking at LinkedIn profiles of folks working in similar roles. Dont be scared to use whole color in a resume, but you should be conscious of the industry youre in. The Hidden Gem of Method of Writing a Resume One of the absolute most important and intimidating measures in the work search procedure is writing a solid resume that gets the attention you need and need. Saves Time When youre looking for an excell ent job, its always fantastic to have a separate resume for each and every job. When it has to do with finding work, you most likely already know you need to tailor to your resume to the job announcement. If you believe that you would prefer a more professional looking resume, and dont think that youre likely to do an effective job, then you could always outsource the undertaking.