DON'T PANIC! Here's the FAQs

"Nobody told me there'd be days like these. Strange days indeed." Thanks for the precursor, John Lennon.

Recession? No recession. Covid up, covid down. The "system" seems unpredictable in these bass-ackward times. However, according to the Economic Policy Institute, "Jobs report doesn’t show signs of recession—yet—as labor market remains strong." Companies are still hiring. For those who need work and for people who want to work, there are jobs to be had.?It's a candidate's market.

As we see the job market making strides, we are also prioritizing what’s important to us, and our path forward. More than half of the Gen Z entering the workforce said they would quit a job if it interfered with their ability to enjoy life. Recent studies show that candidates are also asking potential employers about their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, remote work/flexibility, and non-financial incentives. Rest assured, employers understand this simple-and-equitable new reality.?In fact, companies with a higher level of cultural diversity and who have a flexible attitude are seeing boosted sales and profits. So, with uncertain times and tectonic workplace shifts, what exactly is the new "it" that employers are currently looking for in applicants?

How do employers assess a great candidate and what questions are they asking in interviews? While employers are still looking for hard skills, soft skills are?more important for long-term growth within a company. According to recruiter.com, the top 10 skills recruiters are looking at in 2022 are (in order): "Adaptability, Emotional Intelligence, Communication Skills, Ability to Work in a Virtual Environment, Willingness to Learn, Leadership Abilities, Decision Making, (experience working with) Artificial Intelligence, Creativity, Resilience." What kind of answers would you normally give and what answers should you give interviewers seeking this information?

Still included in the interview is the age-old, dreaded question: "What's your greatest weakness?" And for the love of all things practical, please don't answer this one with "food" or "my partner." Seriously though, "soft skill" qualities are difficult to quantify. Therefore, questions need to be answered thoughtfully and honestly. Be true to yourself and what you want. Here are some of the toughest questions and ways to insert your unique characteristics into your answers:

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF: Share a couple of personal interests outside of work, like a favorite hobby, volunteering, something interesting about where you grew up, what inspires and motivates you like music or art. Your answer should reveal your extra dimension whether that is problem-solving, creativity, social acumen, adventurous nature, and/or empathy.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK HERE: Hopefully it's because you believe in the mission of the company, and you see the opportunity to learn more and grow within the company to attain future goals. You could nail two or three questions here by including why you're a good fit and best person for the job being a team player (cooperative learning and creative problem-solving) and an asset to the team with any quantitative experience, special skills, or leadership qualities you possess.

WHY ARE YOU LEAVING (OR HAVE LEFT) YOUR JOB: Keep your answer short and sweet no matter what the circumstance. You can say you weren't looking for a job, but a friend recommended the job, and it sounded like wonderful opportunity (insert mission alignment here). Your company downsized and you're ready for your next chapter (this works for pre-retirement, quitting, or getting laid-off). You want to have your educational background or new certification, or degree apply to better serve a new position (especially if you've outgrown your current or previous position). If you've been fired, be honest, keep it brief and to the point, and spin-it by saying you were let go BUT "it was a blessing in disguise" or "when one door closes, another opens," and continue with a positive statement regarding your qualifications or what interests you about the new position and the company.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH (which you can also spin as an answer for your greatest weakness): This is where you tell a story that exemplifies why you're qualified for the job that reflects your experience and your growth, how you handled problems and/or stress that shows your grit and resilience. On the flip side of this question--what's your greatest weakness, turn your weakness into strengths by giving examples of improvement, ability to overcome challenges and that you learn quickly.

For more FAQs and how to answer, please contact 4D Executive Search and don't panic! You got this; we got you.