Situational and Behavioral Interview Questions

Situational interview questions are in some ways similar to behavioral ones. In most cases, when someone is asked a situational interview question, he or she is presented with a sort of "what if" situation.  The potential employer is looking to see how you would handle things if put into a certain "situation" that you have not been in before. Situational questions involve more spontaneous thinking. Answers to these questions cannot be easily memorized. In many of these questions, interviewers are looking to see if you possess good analytical and problem-solving skills. 

Behavioral questions are used to see if you have the skills and are competent enough to handle the job. These types of questions are the ones that can be prepared for. Many websites offer example behavioral questions that can be tailored to fit you personally. 

Whether situational or behavioral, you should never enter an interview completely unprepared. Practice makes perfect. A good interviewee rehearses potential questions over and over. This is the only way that you can prevent becoming caught off guard with a question that you are unsure of. 

Video Resumes and Other Unconventional Strategies

Resumes are a big part of the hiring process. Resumes that are sloppy or unprofessional could be a deal breaker when it comes to getting a job. A good resume is one that stands out, is original, and makes a recruiter interested. The old phrase "better safe than sorry" is true in a lot of situations, but sometimes it actually pays to take risks when crafting a resume. One "risky" way to get noticed is by submitting a video resume. These types of resumes are sure to get a recruiter's attention. Some resumes are all about selling yourself. With a video resume, your strengths and weaknesses are easily and quickly noticed. A video resume gives a job-seeker an advantage if he or she is called in to an interview. Creating a video resume is simply practice for the real thing. Unfortunately, video resumes can often be viewed as unprofessional. These types of resumes may only be the better choice in certain situations. For more suit and tie type jobs, a traditional paper version may be more appropriate. Video resumes and the like are also sometimes quite unconventional. When an employer just wants the facts, a video resume could turn into more of a hassle than a benefit. Creative job application strategies sometimes give you an edge over the competition, but they can also turn an employer off very quickly. It is important that the situation and job you are applying for is clearly assessed before choosing an application strategy.  

Why Condemn PowerPoint?

I believe that PowerPoint can be a very powerful asset to many presentations and assignments. It often adds an extra oomph that is needed to spruce up the dullest of messages. I keeps an audience focused and attentive in even the longest of presentations. Unfortunately PowerPoint can easily become a hindrance rather than an asset if it is used improperly. I do agree with many detractors in the aspect of it being more the operators fault that the PowerPoint program itself that a presentation becomes boring.
Users should be well versed in the language of PowerPoint before attempting to use it. There are many animations and the such that can be used to really enhance a person's work. PowerPoint is often condemned permanently because of a bad experience that may have occurred some time ago. Many users make the mistake of either overusing or under-using this program. It can be used for so much more than simply posting one photo or word onto a slide and clicking next. Likewise, it should not contain so much information that viewers become overwhelmed.
PowerPoint is a great tool that can be easily used by anyone who is willing to learn how to use it. Detractors should not so quickly condemn a program that can be such an asset. If used correctly, it can be one of the most powerful tools to use when conveying a message.

Soft Skills are Useful in Landing Jobs

Soft skills are very helpful when it comes to landing jobs. Many employers may look over your educational background and credentials, but they really dive into the soft skills area. Soft skills are what makes a person stand out. In areas of high demand, it often takes more than just being qualified for a job. During my "job search" I came across many soft skills that were simply being repeated by employers. Communication, leadership, technical/computer, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills were some of the main traits that employers desire their employees to have. 

Like many other people, I do not really like to rate myself. I am usually more apt to downgrade my abilities than really show them off. As far as communication skills go, I would probably give myself an 8 on a scale of 1-10. I love to talk to people, but not in front of big crowds or very important people. To improve this skill, I would probably work on my public speaking skills. I would give myself a 9 on technical/computer skills. I am pretty at figuring things out when it comes to computers and technology. If it is something that I am unsure of, I am bound to figure it out in a short amount of time. I rate myself a 7 when it comes to problem-solving skills. I am very anti-conflict in most situations. I give myself a lower rating because I would rather stay out of the problem then try to fix it. Lastly, I rate myself a 9 on interpersonal skills. I am very good at working well with others. My anti-conflict attitude really helps this skill when it comes to working with people that may have different views than I do. 

Being qualified for a job does not always ensure that you will get it. Having good soft skills could make you stand out from the rest in the eyes of the employer. These skills may not only increase your chances of landing a job, but excelling at it. 

Plagiarism and How You Can Avoid It

Plagiarism.org defines plagiarism as "an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward." Many people do not realize the seriousness that comes with plagiarism. It is an issue that should not be taken likely. There are many people who commit this offense on a daily basis. Some of the people do this intentionally due to lack of time or because they just want to hurry and get an assignment done. Many people plagiarize unintentionally. With so many documents and copyrighted files on the Internet, it is possible that two people have the same thought processes. Plagiarism is also very easy to avoid. The easiest way to avoid plagiarism would be to always cite your sources. Whether it be a book, picture, video, or song, it is always a necessity to note where it came from and give credit where credit is due. Another (less feasible) way to avoid plagiarism is to avoid using the work of another person all together. This is easy to do when writing for fun, but many teachers require a number of sources in many assignments. Plagiarism is serious, but avoiding it is simple. Always cite your sources! 

How might technology shape business report formats and their delivery in the future?

Technology plays a big part in all aspects of the business world today. The creation of business reports has been greatly affected by the growing innovations of technology. Most employees do not enjoy writing a business report. It is a task often viewed as unpleasant for those who do not enjoy organizing and writing information. Luckily, technology has helped making this task simpler.

Letters, manuscripts, memos, and pre-printed data are becoming a thing of the past. The use of paper and pen in to format business reports is becoming more scarcely used in the workplace. Technology such as PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, and video are just a few tools that are becoming more popular when formatting a report.

Employees and employers no longer have to be tied down at a desk waiting for an email that contains the business report. Business data can now be delivered and accessed virtually anywhere from handheld devices. With new advancements such as company share-drives and iCloud tools sharing and delivering reports is hassle-free. The formatting and delivering of business reports will only become easier as technology quickly advances. 

Direct-mail Sales and E-mail Sales Messages

Sales messages can be conveyed in two different ways, direct-mail and e-mail. Many experts view direct-mail as the best way to sell anything to anyone. According to Tom Egelhoff, "If I shoot a rifle at a target I have to be precise in my aim. The target is very small. If I shoot the target with a shotgun I have a better chance of hitting the target but a lot of my shot also misses the target. So those pellets are wasted because they missed the target. The same is true in advertising." Using direct-mail is precise. When you use direct-mail you can send the message to exactly who you want to reach. Some may think that direct-mail is a thing of the past, but in reality it shows no signs of going away. People still use it today because it is foolproof and it works. Unfortunately, direct-mail tends to be more expensive for the marketer than e-mail. 

E-mail is not only a faster way to relay a message, but also a cheaper way. E-mail doesn't require the use of thousands and thousands of pieces of paper and pens. Not to mention the number of envelopes and stamps. E-mail is also a great deal faster than snail mail. As soon as the marketer presses the send button, the message is almost instantly received. E-mail mail seem perfect, but it has its downsides. Many people receive hundreds of spam e-mails a day. This can often clutter a work space and could even lead to lost mail that could be vitally important. Direct-mail can usually be quite a bit longer than e-mail as well. According to Ivan Levison, "When prospects are going through their email, they want information quickly. So long copy is out. Complex offers are out. Supporting facts and arguments are out."

Both of these mediums are used frequently every day. They both have the ability to get the job done. When you weigh the pros and cons of each, they could really tie. I think that choosing the best medium depends on the circumstances.