Build your career
One of the key components of success in any career is continually expanding your knowledge and skills related to your chosen profession. However, it is one thing to understand the importance of developing your potential, and it is another to fit continuing professional education into an already busy schedule.
Between work responsibilities and family obligations, finding time to squeeze in classes can be tough. This is especially true for those whose jobs find them working unpredictable or long hours. One resource to consider is classes offered through professional associations affiliated with your industry. These classes have the advantage of being tailored to your needs, as well as offering flexibility.
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is a leader in occupational education. The association offers its members a wide variety of opportunities to grow in their careers by continuing their education. "The construction industry offers so many different career options, we want to help our members determine the best fit for their aspirations and then help them pursue and achieve their goals," says Dennis Day, AGC's executive director for public affairs.
Harnessing the Power of the Internet
The AGC Online Institute delivers, manages and tracks training through the Internet. It enables organizations to efficiently train any number of employees, customers or the general public through self-paced courses.
The Online Institute combines all the elements of a training program, such as delivery, access to instructors, training administration and students into one Web site. Students get a valuable, interactive learning experience, which features modular content, peer discussion groups and online instructors. Courses range from "Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response," to how to run an effective meeting.
Course content is presented in self-paced modules that give students the flexibility to structure their learning around any schedule. Students always know where they are in the course and can immediately return to where they left off.
Interactive exercises are modelled after a traditional classroom so students have a hands-on experience that will help reinforce the material and prepare students to take the exams that are given after most modules.
Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow
AGC also offers its members a Supervisory Training Program (STP) designed specifically to meet the needs of the construction industry. Developed, updated and field-tested by and for contractors, the program consists of 11 courses that focus on the knowledge and skills that every supervisor must have to be an effective manager of people, time, equipment and materials.
Since its inception in 1976, more than 100,000 people have participated in one or more STP classes. Each course is activity-based with discussions, case histories, problems and exercises. Participants draw upon their own field experiences and learn by interaction with others from all areas of the construction industry.
Management Development
Members can fine-tune their careers with AGC's Management Development Programs, ranging from a construction project manager course to an advanced management program and a leadership in construction workshop.
These classes are the industry's premier educational offerings for those who want to hone their leadership skills as they advance in their careers. The management classes are intensive programs taught over a span of three days to a full week.
"Members of the construction industry take their careers very seriously," says Day. "AGC's role is to help these high achievers reach their goals, while at the same time making sure that our industry has a steady supply of well-trained, uncompromising individuals."
Interview Questions
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
By Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer
The interviewer asks a rather simple question, yet it catches you off guard: "Why do you want to work for this company?" The obvious answer that comes to mind is, "Because you have an opening, and I need a job." While this may be true, it won't get you points in a job interview.
The interviewer is looking for an answer that indicates you've thought about where you want to work -- that you're not just sending your resume to any company with a job opening. Researching the company and industry before your interview will make you stand out as a more informed and competent applicant.
For instance, Annette is the first candidate interviewed for an HR manager position. When she is asked why she wants to work there, she replies, "I have always wanted to work for this company. I love your product, and I have used it for many years. This job would be perfect for me, a real opportunity for me to grow and develop."
Annette's answer begins well, but then shifts to what she can get out of the experience instead of what she has to offer. Her answer would be stronger if she proved she had researched the industry and company, and therefore could discuss more than her own experience with the product.
James is another candidate, and he answers more directly: "Based on the research I've done, this company is an industry leader. When I visited your Web site, I found some impressive information about future projects you have planned. I was also impressed with the founders' backgrounds and the current financial statements. This is the company I've been looking for, a place where my background, experience and skills can be put to use and make things happen."
James's answer demonstrates his interest in and enthusiasm for the company and what it stands for. He also demonstrates how he envisions he could be a member of the team.
You must do research before the interview and come up with two or three reasons why you want to work for the company. Search company Web sites for mission statements, product and service information, principals' backgrounds and contact information. Check company financials through the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
It would also be beneficial to think of at least two reasons this job is a good match for your skills, strengths, experience and background. What can you bring to the company? Write down your thoughts and rehearse them as part of your script.
There are no right or wrong answers to this question. Your answer should reflect that you have thought about what you want and have researched the company. Let the interviewer know you are being selective about where you want to work and you're not just going to take any job offered to you. Demonstrate that this is the company you want to work for -- a little flattery will go a long way.
Own the Interview: 10 Questions to Ask
By Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs
For many job seekers an interview can seem too much like an inquisition. That's usually because they're doing all the answering and none of the asking.
"Somewhere in the interview you have a chance to impress the employer on your own terms and see if the job is a good fit for you," says Florida-based career coach and executive recruiter Jonathan Milligan. "And you absolutely should take this opportunity. By asking the right questions you can determine if the job is right for you and also show you're engaged and interested in the job."
Employment experts identify five key question areas where you can gain insight, put yourself in a good light and take some control in the interview.
Identify Their Pain:
"What is one of the biggest problems the company faces that someone with my background could help alleviate?"
"If I started in this job tomorrow, what would be my two most pressing priorities?"
Find Out Where the Company Is Going:
"Where do you see this department/company in five years?"
"What are the long- and short-term goals of the company/department/work group?"
Determine Whether You'd Fit In:
"How would you describe your company's culture?
"What tangible and intangible qualities attracted you to the organization?"
Show You're Really Interested:
"What additional information can I provide about my qualifications?"
"What are the next steps in the selection process?"
Ask Follow-Ups:
"Can you clarify what you said about...?"
"Can you give me some examples of...?"
"By requesting clarification or examples, you show interviewers you care and that you're thinking deeply about the issues they brought up," says learning and development consultant Bill Denyer. He suggests taking notes in the interview, using keywords to jog your memory of what was discussed but not burying your head in your notebook.
What you don't want to ask are questions with obvious answers, according to Susan RoAne, author of Face to Face: How to Reclaim the Personal Touch in a Digital World.
"You really need to do your homework," RoAne says. "Before the interview, go to the company Web site and use search engines to get up to speed, and browse social networking sites to see who knows what about the company."
And never, never ask an interviewer, "How long is the vacation?" or "What does your company do?'" RoAne added.
Some experts suggest waiting for the inevitable "Do you have any questions for us?" at the interview, while others recommend looking for conversation openings to ask appropriate questions.
"It depends on the situation," Milligan says. "If the interviewer seems to be reading from a sheet of questions, don't interrupt. If it's a more casual conversation, you may have chances to turn the questions back on the interviewer."
RoAne advises job seekers to remember "the job interview is a two-way street."
Beat Interview Brainteasers
By Thad Peterson, Monster Staff Writer
How many quarters -- placed one on top of the other -- would it take to reach the top of the Empire State Building?
When Jeremy Solomon was asked this in an interview, he didn't have a clue as to what would be the correct answer. Nonetheless, he remained calm.
First, he asked the interviewer exactly what she meant by "placed on top of the other." After she said on their sides, Solomon began to explain his logic step-by-step to the interviewer. He estimated that a quarter is about an inch in diameter and guessed that there are 120 floors in the Empire State Building, with each floor being 10 feet tall. Then he did the appropriate math.
Did Solomon give the right answer? Not quite -- the building only has 102 floors, and they aren't 10 feet tall.
Did he nail the question? Absolutely.
Divulge Your Thought Process
"Really, what interviewers are looking for is how somebody thinks through the problem," explains Jean Eisel, director of the Career Management Center at Duke's Fuqua School of Business. "Whether somebody gets the answer or not, it's more looking at how [job candidates] think through the problem. Don't try to get the answer. Focus on how you're going to divide the problem up. You don't necessarily have enough information to give the answer. They're really looking at how people process information."
The brainteaser is a type of interview question that's recently been popping up more and more. The use of these puzzling interview questions (how many times do a clock's hands overlap in a day? how would you weigh a plane without scales?) is originally attributed to Microsoft and made it's way into many technology companies' interviews. These types of questions have since been adopted by other industries, like business consulting, investment banking, law, marketing and finance.
There's even a book about this phenomenon, William Poundstone's How Would You Move Mount Fuji? The author offers similar advice to Eisel's: "They really expect you to walk them through your whole way of reasoning. And even if you end up not getting the right answer, they can be very impressed by some of the approaches you toss out there. In solving any real-world problem in business, you basically have to go through this process of brainstorming some ideas that aren't going to work out. So if you can show that you can do that -- even with one of these [mind-bending] problems -- that gives them a lot of useful information, even if you don't actually come up with the answer."
Talk It Out
Joel Spolsky is founder of Fog Creek Software and used to work as a program manager at Microsoft. He's used brainteasers at both companies, primarily as conversation starters. "The goal is to have an interesting conversation with the person and to try to see if they're smart through that conversation," Spolsky explains. "If you have an interesting conversation about certain types of topics with a person, you can determine if [he] is the type of person you want to hire. The questions are almost a pretext to having that conversation. If you have a conversation with somebody about the Backstreet Boys, you're not going to learn how smart the person is."
The truth is, a smart interviewer won't particularly care if you know how many piano tuners there are in the world or why manhole covers are round instead of square. What interviewers will care about is how you approach, analyze and break down a problem.
Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
By Margot Carmichael Lester, Monster Contributing Writer
There are many reasons you might have left your last job, and not all of them are rosy. Perhaps you worked for a toxic boss or you met obstacles on your way up the ladder. Or maybe you were just plain bored with your work.
Interviewers generally ask why you left your former company so they can “understand your motives and gain insight as to how [you] handle work relationships,” says Duncan Mathison, author of Unlock the Hidden Job Market: 6 Steps to a Successful Search When Times are Tough. “In particular they are asking themselves, ‘Will they leave us in the lurch if they become dissatisfied?’ or ‘Is there some dirt here?’” In short, asking “Why did you leave your last job?” is one way for the interviewer to ensure you’re a person of integrity.
How to Answer Interview Questions Like This
The best strategy for effectively answering this tough interview question is to prepare for it. Here’s how to be ready and how to recover when you’re not.
Emphasize Results
Do: Focus on results: Make a list of things you accomplished in your last position and focus on those, ending with something like, "‘Having successfully done that, I'm ready for another challenge,’" suggests Stephen Balzac, president of 7 Steps Ahead, a business consulting firm in Stow, Massachusetts. “Now what you're saying to the interviewer is: ‘You can count on me to get results and stay here until I do.’"
Don’t: Answer in a way that doesn't reassure the interviewer. “Answers such as, ‘I wasn't being challenged’, ‘The work was no longer interesting’ or ‘The pay was too low’ all say the same thing to the interviewer: that you might leave at any time if things aren't to your liking,” says Balzac.
Recover: If you give a bland answer, circle back to it quickly. And if you can’t, revisit why you left your last job just before you end the interview. This allows you to leave the interviewer with your previous accomplishments top of mind.
Be Polite
Do: Remember that employers run the show and can act as they see fit, according to Mathison. “Yet at the same time, make it clear that the organization you seek has the qualities to perform at a higher level,” he says. An example: “We all know that sometimes promises exceed reality. Our CEO was comfortable, as many are, with pushing the limits. But I feel that lasting business partnerships and profitability are built on my ability to deliver on my promises, so I’m looking for that type of company.”
Don’t: Badmouth the boss or the company. “That implies you may be difficult to manage,” Mathison says.
Recover: Acknowledge you were hard on your previous employer and restate your answer like this: “That might be a little harsh. I know that my former company is trying to do its best under the circumstances. I’m looking for a company that’s a better fit for me.” This also shows that you’re self-aware and have decent manners.
One Final Tip for the Interview
Don’t dwell too long on your previous employer -- the interview is about you, after all. “Always bring the conversation back to your results and reliability,” Balzac notes.
Why Should We Hire You?
By Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer
This is another broad interview question that can take you down the wrong road unless you've done some thinking ahead of time. This question is purely about selling yourself. Think of yourself as the product. Why should the customer buy?
The Wrong Track
Spencer answers by saying, "Because I need and want a job." That's nice, but the bottom line here is, "What can you do for us?"
Mariana says, "I'm a hard worker and really want to work for this company." The majority of people think of themselves as hard workers -- and why this company?
The Right Track
Tom's answer to this question is, "Because I'm a good fit for the position." Getting warmer, but more details, please.
Sharon answers, "I have what it takes to solve problems and do the job." This is the best answer so far. Expand on this, and you've got it.
Develop a Sales Statement
The more detail you give, the better your answer will be. This is not a time to talk about what you want. Rather, it is a time to summarize your accomplishments and relate what makes you unique.
Product Inventory Exercise
The bottom line of this question is, "What can you do for this company?"
Start by looking at the job description or posting. What is the employer stressing as requirements of the job? What will it take to get the job done? Make a list of those requirements.
Next, do an inventory to determine what you have to offer as a fit for those requirements. Think of two or three key qualities you have to offer that match those the employer is seeking. Don't underestimate personal traits that make you unique; your energy, personality type, working style and people skills are all very relevant to any job.
The Sales Pitch: You Are the Solution
From the list of requirements, match what you have to offer and merge the two into a summary statement. This is your sales pitch. It should be no more than two minutes long and should stress the traits that make you unique and a good match for the job.
Example: "From our conversations, it sounds as if you're looking for someone to come in and take charge immediately. It also sounds like you are experiencing problems with some of your database systems. With my seven years of experience working with financial databases, I have saved companies thousands of dollars by streamlining systems. My high energy and quick learning style enable me to hit the ground and size up problems rapidly. My colleagues would tell you I'm a team player who maintains a positive attitude and outlook. I have the ability to stay focused in stressful situations and can be counted on when the going gets tough. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
What Makes You Unique?
Completing an exercise around this question will allow you to concentrate on your unique qualities. Like snowflakes, no two people are alike. Take some time to think about what sets you apart from others.
"Never miss deadlines."
"Bring order to chaos."
"Good sense of humor."
"Great attention to detail."
Let the interviewer know that you have been listening to the problem and have what it takes to do the job -- that you are the solution to the problem.
