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Interviewing Tips/Questions Answered by Expert Erin Sprout

Subject	Date Asked
Interview question	10/25/2011
Q: I'm shankar. I've a banking interview next month. I'm very, very nervous. My basic degree is ... A: Shankar, You should answer the question honestly. What is the reason you are applying for a job in ...
Responding to Craigslist job ops	9/23/2011
Q: I am considering responding to some job listings on Craigslist, and this is my first time in doing ... A: Joel, Professionalism is the key word here: When you do respond, it's less important which number ...
Tips for Telephonic Personal Interview	7/2/2011
Q: Iam currently working for TNT India Pvt.Ltd in Customer Service. I have recieved an Opportunity, to ... A: Mohammed, I would encourage you to do some searching online to find more about how to prepare for ...
Applying to companies even if they arent hiring	6/22/2011
Q: i would just like to know is it worth my time to send out resumes by either email,fax,or in person ... A: Adam, It is definitely worth your time to apply to companies that aren't publicly advertising open ...
portfolio questions	4/22/2011
Q: I'm 14 years old and I am making a portfolio at school on what I would like to be when I grow up, ... A: Katie, There are all kinds of questions you could include. Here are a few of my suggestions: - ...
How to answer: What makes you better than other students applying	4/15/2011
Q: you send me a message regarding my interview question and I need to be make it short and discrete. ... A: Gizaw, The main thing that interviewers are looking for in an answer to this question is confidence ...
Job Search in a new city	4/7/2011
Q: I was just recently laid off from the company, but my last day is still few months from now. My plan ... A: Cicel, I wouldn't indicate a start date at all until asked; if you feel strongly about it, however, ...
Proper suit to wear/Requesting time off after I get the job	4/6/2011
Q: Erin, I was laid off my job over a month ago. There is a possibility I may receive a job offer in ... A: Nate, It wouldn't be unprofessional, exactly, to ask for so many things; probably just bad manners. ...
Proper suit to wear/Requesting time off after I get the job	4/5/2011
Q: Erin, I was laid off my job over a month ago. There is a possibility I may receive a job offer in ... A: Nate, Congratulations on a possible job, and congratulations on your pending marriage. For ...
Health Issues and Interviewing	3/23/2011
Q: I am going to be interviewing for a new job/new company for the first time in 20 years. I have a ... A: Definitely not. You should no more disclose your condition (and a possible future hospitalization) ...
Interviewing Scares Me!	2/17/2011
Q: I have a major problem with interviewing. I am not quick on my feet and don't do well when put on ... A: Layla, My best answer is also the simplest: practice. The nervousness you experience at an ...
Always Mess Up in Interviews	2/16/2011
Q: Recently I had a job interview that I took 1.5 days to prepare for. I had never prepared so much ... A: Alana, My best answer is also the simplest: practice. The nervousness you experience at an ...
Interview question--organizing a social event	9/28/2010
Q: Last time I asked a question was in 2008 and it really did help a lot. Thanks one again from the ... A: That's a wide-open question, and an interesting one for an interviewer to ask. Could you provide me ...
interview waiting	9/15/2010
Q: I know some companies schedule interviews back to back, and occasionally they run over their ... A: Fifty minutes is an awfully long time to wait for a Starbucks interview, in my opinion. In fact, ...
Third interview--HR response time?	9/9/2010
Q: My husband had his first phone interview with a gaming studio on August 5th. They called him back ... A: Sandy, The short answer is...yes. Unfortunately. Now, in this economic climate, and as always, HR ...
Did I screw up? Post-interview e-mail with company.	9/8/2010
Q: I am going to try to make this long story short. I worked as an embedded software engineer from ... A: I hear you when it comes to comparing yourself to a recent college graduate; we are certainly living ...
Revealing future degree in the interview	8/26/2010
Q: Sprout: I have decided to go back to school and get my associate degree in Respiratory Therapy. I ... A: In short, don't reveal your educational plans, since they don't relate to the jobs you're ...
The 'what is your weakness' question?	8/21/2010
Q: I would like to ask for the best reply to the "what is your weakness" question in a job interview? ... A: This is always a catch-22 of a question; first, the fewer weaknesses that an employee perceives you ...
Discussing salary, using references multiple times	7/20/2010
Q: I went on a job interview recently where the employer refused to discuss the salary that he will be ... A: Good questions. I'm going to separate your question by the sub-questions, to tackle each of them ...
Best Buy Interview (Help!)	6/28/2010
Q: I have an interesting scenario. I am applying to work at Best Buy. My first interview was with HR, ... A: It looks like you no longer need the answer to this question. However, my two cents: interview ...
Question on Interviewing w/former employer	6/26/2010
Q: D. I have another question. I have always been extremely nervous while interviewing, to the point ... A: My guess is that if you're interviewing with someone you worked with directly in your previous job, ...
Interviewing with former employer	6/14/2010
Q: Sprout- I am considering interviewing for a position at a company I worked for but I was laid off ... A: specific question! This lady says yes. (Erin is a feminine name, just in case you run across someone ...
Post interview e-mail	6/10/2010
Q: I recently interviewed for a job, and I sent an email thank you note by the end of the day. Later ... A: Good question, and I think you're on the right track: first, that you wrote a thank-you note, ...
Questions for interviewee to ask	6/2/2010
Q: I had a really good 1st interview for a job. The manager than decided to do a ref check based on ... A: Yes, I would say that having "too many ideas" seems like a positive, not a negative, in a ...
Resignation and interview	5/18/2010
Q: I have been forced to resign from my current position. It comes down to my manager and I seriously ... A: I'm assuming you answered your own question, since you needed an immediate answer and I couldn't get ...
Question about online job apps	5/16/2010
Q: On most job applications that I fill out, there is a question that asks "may we contact this ... A: Answer in the affirmative; supervisors (and co-workers, etc.) go with the job, not the company. So ...
My Boss showed up at my interview	5/7/2010
Q: I have approximately 15 years experience in my field, which is television technical production. ... A: A., I've spent some time pondering your question, and my main conclusion is that this is a very ...
Suspicious redundancy	5/2/2010
Q: Something really puzzles me about the last role I held. I did exceptionally well, was even told this ... A: Hmm. That is very suspicious indeed. And, unfortunately, mostly a mystery which will remain so, ...
Asking for work with former employer	4/27/2010
Q: I worked for a company I really liked but sadly my position was made redundant. It has been 6 ... A: I think that six months is plenty of time. I would simply send out an e-mail expressing how much you ...
Want contract work, got FT job offer instead	4/14/2010
Q: I am a freelance medical writer and I recently submitted marketing materials to a company hoping ... A: That's a tough one, and I've been in that position myself. There's not really a way around it--most ...
Questions to ask in an interview	1/31/2010
Q: http://www.abb.com.au and I was wondering what would be some compelling questions I could ask them. ... A: I'm afraid I can't advise you on whether or not you'd have a career at that specific company--that's ...
Why is there a third interview?	12/6/2009
Q: I'v made it through 2 x interviews with a company and now they want to hold a third interview. What ... A: Congrats on getting to the third stage! No need to worry; every company (and sometimes department ...
no experience, career change, getting an interview	11/22/2009
Q: "i'm a fresh graduate and holding a degree of architecture(RIBA). i would like to change my career ... A: That's a big change you're making. I'm sure you've realized it, but the reason you're not landing an ...
References who no longer work there	11/21/2009
Q: I've been out of work for several months and have had extreme difficulty finding new work. The ... A: A good question and not an easy one to get around. However, there are a few things to keep in mine: ...
Choosing between two good offers	11/6/2009
Q: I need an advice from you. I've obtained internship at a well-reputed company, which gives me 50% ... A: I'm not completely sure on your situation, but I believe that basically you have two opportunities ...
Interview questions to ask at end	11/4/2009
Q: Company is focus on business. Some questions: 1. How is the company's business plan positioned to ... A: TJ, Congratulations on the interview! I think those are both excellent questions; they're strong, ...
Preparing for a large corporation	10/22/2009
Q: sir,i am having 7yrs experience in sales ,i have done btech mechanical,2yrs in printing,2yrs in ... A: The opinion from this lady is that the best way to enter a large company is to get experience at the ...
Software Developer Portfolio	9/30/2009
Q: I'm a entry level software developer, I have an interview with a company. They told me to bring my ... A: Beau, I'm no software developer, nor have I ever been. But I agree with you; a portfolio for a ...
Unrelated Experience, Education on resume	9/19/2009
Q: I am a recent college grad with a B.A.in Political Science and I am poised to apply for various jobs ... A: You definitely want to tailor your resume to specific positions you're applying for. However, you ...
quit job	9/17/2009
Q: I am going for a job interview in a.m., what should I say why I quit my last job, no 2 week notice? ... A: Rebecca, Above all, be honest; if you're not now, it'll come back to bite you at some point. As ...
Cover letter suggestions	8/26/2009
Q: I am trying to write a cover letter, could you please suggest a re-write for me: (I am really ... A: Sue, I'm sorry you're struggling to find a job. Sadly, you're in very good company, and I ...
Post-Interview Dilemma	8/13/2009
Q: I applied and interviewed for a position as a Graduate Assistant at my school. I got along well with ... A: Micah, I think your offer is generous and genuine. I understand your hesitation--you don't want ...
Hiding job search from current employer	8/12/2009
Q: I'm searching for another job, and was wondering, if I put my current employer on my resume (under ... A: Good question--and I can see that your company is a bit insecure about its employees, and having ...
How to highlight info on resume	6/9/2009
Q: I would really like to highlight the following on my Resume, please could you suggest how I could do ... A: I'm afraid I can't rewrite your paragraph for you, but I'm happy to provide some suggestions: ...
how do you improve your interviewing	6/2/2009
Q: if you never get any feedback? I am interviewing with 3-4 companies now. Two of them should be ... A: So many questions! I have never been asked that before, but you're right that it is a perplexing ...
Interviewing	5/9/2009
Q: I was recently fired from my job a couple weeks ago for poor job performance. When going on job ... A: I think everyone will be or has been fired from a job at some point in their life--and gone on to ...
Suggestions for resume	5/3/2009
Q: I really need help just rewriting this section for my Resume would you be able to please suggest how ... A: I can't re-write what you've included, but I can give you some tips and support. Feel free to send ...
Internship interview questions	3/11/2009
Q: I am graduating in May with a magazine journalism degree but I would really prefer to do another ... A: Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! First off, I think that getting an additional ...
Lousy work history	3/8/2009
Q: ..I have worked as a Traveler Registered Nurse for the past 6 years through various Medical Travel ... A: It does look like you've got a tough work history that will be an obstacle for you to overcome. The ...
New on job but found a better one	3/6/2009
Q: I am a young lawyer. It is true I just started, but I am alredy bored with my postion at work. I saw ... A: Tricky situation. First, I'd advise you to be very careful; although it's true that your first few ...
Addressing gaps in job history, addressing a negative job history	3/3/2009
Q: I have a situation with which I need some advice. I am currently in the process of searching for a ... A: Good and tough questions. First off, I would advise you to be honest in an interview, even if that ...
Travel industry interview tips	2/24/2009
Q: I need tips on how to appear motivated and enthusiastic about working for travel airline in a ... A: If you're truly motivated and enthusiastic about the industry and position, you won't have to "try." ...
Pay cut in new job; addressing it?	2/17/2009
Q: Erin, What is the best way to address a potential pay cut, in a new position, so that the potential ... A: So let's see if I understand first: There is a new position in a new company that you'd like to ...
Pharmacy interview questions	2/15/2009
Q: I'm really nervous about my pharmacy interview. I am in college right now and i'm majoring in ... A: I'd be happy to help you out, but as a volunteer here with a full-time (paid) job, I'm afraid I ...
What you've been doing while out of work	2/13/2009
Q: Erin, I had a "strange" call with a Recruiter yesterday, which got me thinking that maybe it would ... A: David, Strange question indeed. And a hard one to answer, since there could be a lot of variables ...
Change job start date to keep interviewing?	2/12/2009
Q: I got a job offer. I am supposed to call the hiring manager tomorrow to accept the offer. The job is ... A: :) No, there's absolutely no problem with you changing your start date; you need not tell your ...
Location of awards and education on resume	2/3/2009
Q: I would just like to know, how to present the following on my Resume: Received an advanced ... A: I am a fan of a little trick called the "executive summary," a section of the most important things ...
Large-conference interviews for teachers	1/31/2009
Q: I am a 23 year old female who is trying to get a better understanding of what helps one to stand ... A: Good questions. Could you clarify for me first? Are you looking for advice on specifically what ...
interview	11/14/2008
Q: I was recently called by a companys district manager to set up a phone interview. During our brief ... A: I've certainly never heard of someone getting the run-around for interviews like you have so far. ...
MBA FRESHER	11/7/2008
Q: i always fail in interview & how to use my skills properly in interview time A: Interviews can be very daunting, can't they? As you know, they can make or break you. Since this is ...
I need answer for the following question(question bellow)	10/29/2008
Q: Erin, I am in a fog with the following"Please tell us what are your basic life principles and ... A: Good question. Here's a take on it from this Mrs. who's interviewed enough times. (By the way, in ...
References: Who To Trust?	10/28/2008
Q: I ended up quitting my job, during hours, while the office manager (who has nothing to do with my ... A: Bonnie, I agree--this is a tough one. It's one that I've had to deal with, too. The short answer ...
Casual Dress on Interview	10/20/2008
Q: I work in NYC for a company that has causal dress attire all the time. I want to go on an interview ... A: Ah, Bill, I know the feeling--and the situation. It's one that everyone who's looking for a job ...
The "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" question	10/16/2008
Q: I will be receiving my BSBA in sport management this spring. My five year career goal is to be a ... A: The five-year or ten-year question is always a tricky one, because most of the time, the answer to ...

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Erin Sprout

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Expertise

Job searching, resumes, interviews. The more specific your question, the more I can help. What not to ask: Rewriting cover letters or resumes; I can make suggestions, however. Also, general questions such as "How can I get a job?" If you have a specific question about an area or overall idea within an employment document, such as a resume, I am happy to help.

Experience

Skilled interviewer and communicator; excellent oral and written communications (resumes, cover letters, etc.). I regularly go through the interview process to keep up and sharpen skills in this area. Professional writer and editor. I am hired to help people hone employment materials (like resumes) and gain better interview and job-search skills.

Organizations
PEN (Professional Editors Network) Copyediting List (CE-L)

Education/Credentials
Bachelors degree--English, Brigham Young University Minors: Nutrition, editing.

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