Dave's Library

If you’re being called in for interviews but don’t get the job, it’s possible that something you’re doing is raising red flags, causing the interviewer to question your suitability for the position. A recent survey found that the most concerning red flags range from obvious mistakes like lying, to more subtle slip-ups that job seekers might not even be aware of. The most concerning behavior from job candidates — by a significant margin — is dishonesty, with 63% of hiring managers saying they view it as the biggest red flag. Hiring managers see rude language or behavior as a red flag in potential hires. Despite your technical skills being strong, hiring managers are often also judging your interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Criticizing or badmouthing previous employers is also a red flag with 62% of executives viewing badmouthing as a deal-breaker. Lastly, being unprepared can harm you in more ways than simply not knowing about the company’s background. For example, being inadequately prepared can cause some people to panic during interviews, leading them to overtalk and fill the silence with unnecessary details. Use these tips to support your interview preparation and have a better chance at getting an offer.

Hiring for the office set is slowing down and employers are getting picky again

Negotiating can increase your base pay — and your job satisfaction.

There are many interview questions that inspire dread in an interviewee — from “What’s your greatest weakness?” to “Tell me about yourself.” But one in particular is especially complicated: “What are your salary expectations?” If you go too low, you might end up making less than they’re willing to pay. But if you go too high, you could price yourself out of the job. In this piece, the author offers practical strategies for how to approch this question along with sample answers to use as a guide.

Stuffing your résumé and LinkedIn profile with generic buzzwords can be off-putting to potential employers, but it’s far worse when you recite them during an interview.

Google VP of Global Partnerships Bonita Stewart says if you want to impress her at the job interview, bring up these six important details.

The opportunity to ask questions at the end of a job interview is one you don’t want to waste. It’s both a chance to continue to prove yourself and to find out whether a position is the right fit for you. In this piece, the author lists sample questions recommended by two career experts and divides them up by category: from how to learn more about your potential boss to how to learn more about a company’s culture. Choose the ones that are more relevant to you, your interests, and the specific job ahead of time. Then write them down — either on a piece of paper or on your phone — and glance at them right before your interview so that they’re fresh in your mind. And, of course, be mindful of the interviewer’s time. If you were scheduled to talk for an hour and they turn to you with five minutes left, choose two or three questions that are most important to you. You will always have more time to ask questions once you have the job offer in hand.

Spoiler alert: “What’s the culture like here?” is definitely NOT one of them.

Think of qualifications as a set of guidelines, not strict requirements.

Step 1: Take it easy on yourself.

Look smart while gaining valuable insight.

Givers versus takers: How to make sure the givers always win.

Job-offer negotiations are rarely easy. Consider three typical scenarios: You’re in a third-round interview for a job at a company you like, but a firm you admire even more just invited you in. Suddenly the first hiring manager cuts to the chase: “As you know, we’re considering many candidates. We like you, and we hope […]

Not sure how to write a Pain Letter directly to your hiring manager and leave the automated Black Hole recruiting portal behind? Here's the step-by-step!

You've landed the interview for your perfect job. You're on the phone with a potential new client.

In this series, professionals share their hiring secrets. Read the stories here, then write your own (use #HowIHire somewhere in the body of your post).

Ira Glass is a writer, producer, storyteller, performer, and a familiar voice. His show This American Life has set the contemporary standard of nonfiction radio shows, and has influenced and inspired countless others to grab a mic and give podcasting a try.

The public radio show This American Life is at once old school and ahead of its time. A weekly hourlong program divided into acts, the show’s stock-in-trade are character-driven stories that are long on surprising plot twists.  On its face, a weekly radio documentary program might seem like a holdover...

Talks about how to interview and access real passion from people.