Get Ready for The Interview

​Performance appraisal is a crucial process in any organization, serving as a systematic evaluation of an employee's job performance and contribution to the company's goals. It provides valuable insights into areas of strength and areas needing improvement, facilitating constructive feedback and goal setting for professional development. By fostering accountability and recognizing achievements, performance appraisal plays a vital role in enhancing employee engagement and organizational success.​​Question: I have a performance appraisal session coming up with my manager. What should I do to prepare for it in order to get a good review? Also, how should I do a self-appraisal that puts me in a good light?​​​Feeling anxious about appraisals is normal. While nerve-wracking, performance appraisals are an essential part of the productivity management process to help organizations and individuals excel. ​​The main goals of appraisals are to help organizations: Assess, communicate, and improve employees’ performance and identify areas to improve to ensure their development is in line with organizational objectives. Create a transparent and constructive feedback loop by facilitating open dialogue between employees and leaders. ​​At the end of the day, appraisals are meant to help both organizations and employees excel. To make the most out of your review with your manager, it is important to approach the session with a positive and open mindset. View it “as an opportunity for both personal and professional growth rather than mere criticism,” advises Ms.Thikhamporn Khamkaen, Associate Director of Professional Perm,ManpowerGroup ThailandLikewise, managers conducting the performance appraisal should also keep in mind that reviews are not meant to be a one-sided affair, but a mutually consultative feedback session where both employers and employees can bring up issues important to them. ​The (Not So) Secret Ingredient to Acing Your AppraisalPreparation is essential for a productive appraisal session. Prior to your review, allocate sufficient time, at least one to two weeks, to reflect on your accomplishments for the year, the challenges faced and areas for improvement. However, as most appraisals are done annually, it is always good to regularly record your work progress and achievements to avoid missing anything, says Mr Loan Cao, Operations Manager, Staffing Outsourcing & HR Consulting Services, ManpowerGroup Vietnam, who recommends doing this weekly or monthly. ​​​Tips for Preparing for The Performance Review 1. Conduct a Self-Assessment: Reflect on your performance for the year and evaluate what you have done well, areas that you found challenging and needed more support as well as your goals for the coming year. Prepare information that supports your points, including quantifiable metrics and examples so that you will come across as being more objective. Some questions you can ask to help you get started:What are my key accomplishments and contributions since the last assessment period?What specific skills or competencies have I developed or improved upon?What challenges or obstacles have I encountered, and how did I address them?How have I contributed to team projects or collaborations?What are my career aspirations, and how can I align my current efforts with my long-term goals?What are some of the supports I would like to receive from my manager that I think will help me grow? Need help planning a career map? Click here for tips.​2. Don’t Point Fingers: While you are encouraged to provide feedback and share about your challenges, it is important to not turn it into a complain session or point fingers at others for your performance shortfalls. “Avoid going in with the view that ‘I am right, and he is wrong’, otherwise such appraisals would be counterproductive and not helpful to anyone,” advises Mr. Rohit Chattree, Operations Director for Manpower Singapore. Doing so may convey that you lack professionalism and accountability, even if some of your claims may be valid. It may also indicate that you are not receptive to feedback, which can be a red flag for managers. ​3. Focus on the Next: Employees should adopt a forward-looking mentality during employee evaluations. “Focus on what is next and what contributions you can make for the projects that are ahead of you” instead of lingering on past achievements, advises Mr. Chattree. If you feel that you did not perform well for the year, take accountability for it, and proactively come up with a plan to address performance issues and how you plan to achieve your goals. The key is to show that you’re receptive to your manager’s feedback and seek to improve. It also helps if you highlight the support you need during the session so that your manager is aware and has a clearer idea of how to help you excel and grow. ​​As you prepare for your performance review, keep in mind that it's not just a review of past achievements, but an opportunity for growth and development. Here's to your success in your next performance appraisal! ​

​Acing the job interview requires that job candidates take the time to prepare. We have done a series on seven tough interview questions, but knowing how to answer common interview questions are equally important. By participating in mock interviews, answering the toughest and most common interview questions, any job candidate can survive even the most difficult and harrowing job interview. We deconstruct each of the seven questions, and provide a possible answer.​Tell me about yourself.This question is usually the ice-breaker that sets the tone for the interview. Provide a complete understanding of your background and your aspirations as they relate to the prospective position. So throughout your response to this common interview question, focus on your knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences that will likely be the most relevant.​What’s your biggest weakness?The interviewer is trying to determine how honest and self-aware a job seeker is. The hiring manager is also trying to identify any big red flag. The one response you don’t want to give is “I do not have any major weakness.”​Where do you see yourself in five years?The interviewer is trying to understand your career goals and possibly your career path. That means they want to see if you have realistic expectations for your career. Do you understand the role and what it entails? They want to know if your goals and expectations for growth are a good fit, and aligns with the organization’s goals.​What do you look for in a boss?The interviewer is trying to determine the job seeker’s personal leadership style to find out if it aligns with the organization’s culture. It’s also a way to discover if the interviewee is promotable.​Tell me about a time when….?In the majority of interviews, hiring managers ask what are called behavioral interview type questions because they want to find out how you behave and deal with specific types of situations that spring from tell me about a time when….? The ellipses could represent - you made a mistake, resolved a conflict, or satisfied a difficult customer.​What would you do in the first 90 days on the job?The interviewer is trying to find out how you solve problems, set goals, and whether you are an overly ambitious person, who sets unrealistic goals. You also want to emphasize in your responses that the first 90 days in a position, is also a time that you will get to know your team and your boss.​What questions do you have for me?It’s unacceptable to say you do not have any questions. During an job interview, it’s a conversation. The employer is checking you out and you should be doing the same thing. Think about the position that you are interviewing for, what information would you like to know that you cannot find elsewhere? Questions about what success looks like in the role, and any about culture are good bets.When responding to questions in an interview, remember to keep it short (no longer than two minutes for each question), keep it positive, and keep it truthful. Any job seeker who takes the time to prepare answers to each of the seven common interview questions and the seven tough interview questions will find that the job interview is less daunting and harrowing.​Advance your career with us CLICK HERE

By the time you step into a room for an interview, nothing should come as a surprise. You should be familiar with the company, its strategic goals, the people you’re meeting and your own strengths and weaknesses. Like an athlete training for game day, the interview is a chance to show all your preparation and let your skills shine. To show up ready, here are six ways to prepare for your interview. ​Research the company and interviewers Prepare a scouting report for yourself. What positions do the people interviewing you hold? Check their LinkedIn profiles or get information from your contacts about them. Find out which issues the company is grappling with and identify the company’s top strategic objectives. ​Bring supporting materials Show, don’t just tell. Bring a portfolio of your work, even if you haven’t been asked to. If you are interviewing for a higher level position, perhaps you can also bring a draft of a 30-60-90 Day Plan. It must outline what you intend to do when hired and demonstrate to the hiring manager that you are the best candidate. ​Prepare answers to common questions Some questions are asked by almost every interviewer you'll encounter. Here's how to answer the most common interview questions. ​Polish your presentation It’s not just what you say; it’s how you say it. Pay attention to how you are going to carry your body posture. If you don't display confidence and professionalism during the interview, you will lose a competitive advantage. Practice how you’re going to present eye contact, handshakes, and even your listening. ​Conduct a mock interview Your answers may make sense in your head, but how do they sound when you communicate them? The career center at your college more than likely will have services to conduct a mock job interview. If this service isn’t available, rehearse your answers with a friend during each step of the interviewing process. ​Have questions Finally, when interviewers give you the opportunity to turn the tables, don't waste it. Know in advance what you want to ask. Here are interview questions to ask hiring managers. ​Preparing for job interviews includes knowing as much as you can about the company, as well as knowing what you have to offer to help it be more successful. Be prepared. Be confident. Be ready.​Uplift your career opportunities with us CLICK HERE or fill in the information below.​​

​​The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill. That includes what has traditionally constituted professional development, with businesses cutting non-essential travel, flights being canceled, and conventions and conferences have been called off or postponed. But this time can also be used effectively to keep professional skills sharp for when the world returns to normal. “If you’re not earning, use the time to be learning,” Becky Frankiewicz, President of ManpowerGroup North America, recently said inan interview with Cheddar. “The economy will come back and you can position yourself now to ensure that you have the right skills and capabilities.”Here are options for virtual learning that can be done anywhere, anytime.  Webinars and online training Many conferences that have been forced to cancel in-person events have provided alternatives through webinars and virtual forums, often at reduced prices or no cost. Even if you weren’t planning on attending any upcoming conferences, the abundance of affordable and accessible webinars that provide star power and high talent is worth considering. Online learning courses are another option, such as LinkedIn Learning and Percipico. Currently, ManpowerGroup is offering60 days of free access to Percipio, for those interested in online learning.Listen to podcasts In podcasts you’ll find authors talking about their books, researchers expounding on their discoveries and experts discussing techniques to improve any professional field. Search in Google Play or Apple’s iTunes for keywords that you want to learn for work, such as public speaking tips, advice for management or productivity hacks. To make sure you’re hearing from an authority, look for podcasts that are hosted by someone with credentials that you trust.  Virtual networking Coffee meetings don’t need to stop just because you can’t physically meet for coffee. In fact, you have more possibilities if you open up to virtual coffee meetings to people across the country or world. Reach out to mentors or colleagues to ask questions, learn from someone more experienced and keep your networking skills sharp with virtual coffee. Reread classic business books Libraries and bookstores are closed. And yes, you can still order new business books online or access them on an e-reader. But you can also use this time to re-read (or finish) older business books that you have on your shelves. Consider what lessons you learned in the past, and if you have been following or have absorbed them over time. ​With the rapid pace of change, it can feel like surviving the daily battle is enough. But that means there’s never been a greater need to pursue continuous professional education. There has also never been a better time to learn for those who want to learn and keep growing. 

​A layoff can create gaps on your resume, however, there are a few things you can do to address the layoff, so that prospective companies do not penalize you for any gaps in employment. During the period of transition when you are looking for a job after a layoff, it is the perfect opportunity to update your skills and to use your time off in productive ways. Consider doing some of the following activities.Be open to other employment options such as part-time work, working on projects, temporary assignments, or consulting in areas where you have experience and expertise. Volunteering for an organization where you can gain new skills and experience is another option. If you decide to volunteer, don’t forget to add the new information in the Experience section of your resume. This is especially helpful if you are looking to switch careers. Additionally, look for organizations that offer internships for adults.Related to the point above, during your time off, consider investing in your career by going back to school and taking classes to update your skills. This will demonstrate to prospective employers that lifelong learning is important to you, and that you are someone who capitalizes on opportunities. Include your professional development activities on your resume.Use a functional resume to direct the hiring manager’s attention to the results you delivered in the past, your industry-related strengths, achievements and expertise, your transferable skills, your updated skills and experience acquired while off work. You can consider using only years and not months on your functional resume, but if you decide to go this route, be consistent, using years for other previous positions held.Although these activities will enable you to address layoffs on your resume when you spend your time off productively, you should be thoughtful about the process, because every step that you take, should lead you closer to securing a new job. And in the event that you have to explain a layoff in a job interview, be honest about what happened, but present it in a positive light. For instance, “My competencies and expertise were not the right fit for my previous employer’s needs, but it looks like they’d be a good fit in your organization.” And if they are concerned about how long you have been unemployed, simply say that you took time to reflect on what’s next for you, and that you are also being selective about your next move. Then without missing a beat, describe how the position aligns perfectly with your expertise.