By now, job seekers hopefully know the two cardinal rules of interview questions:

1. When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, you better have something to ask.

2. You should walk into the interview room prepared to answer the classic questions, such as, “What is your biggest weakness?” or “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

But there’s an often overlooked rule that you should remember for your own good:

3. You should be asking important questions at every step of the hiring process — from the first time you speak to the hiring manager to the last conversation you have with him.

Have a list of questions ready before you start. You don’t need to ask these questions to look good to the employer; you need to ask them to learn about the employer. You are interviewing employers just as much as they’re interviewing you.

Here are 11 questions you should be asking employers throughout the interview process:

When you receive the first call before the in-person interview:

No. 1: Whom will I be interviewing with?
The best way to adequately prepare for an interview is to know whom you’ll be speaking with. You’ll likely have different questions for the hiring manager than you would for the entire team or the department head. You’ll also want to do some research on the interviewers so you can ask them personalized, insightful questions.

Plus, if the employer can’t give you specific names, you have to wonder if they’re taking the situation seriously and are even a legitimate business. For all you know, you could end up in a room with 30 other applicants on the receiving end of a sales pitch. If a serious employer calls you for an interview, they’ll already have interviewers lined up and should have no problem sharing their names.

No. 2: Does the opportunity involve commission sales or purchase of a sales kit?
If you get a call out of the blue for a position you never expressed interest in, you have a right to be skeptical. If the position sounds confusing, or their description is too vague, dig deeper. If you get the feeling the position requires you to purchase a sales kit or there is no base salary, and you’re not interested in that type of role, ask them up front. A reputable employer will answer directly and trust that you’ll know if the position is right for you.

No. 3: Can you tell me more about the opportunity and why you think my qualifications are a good fit?
You’ve spent a lot of time customizing your résumé so that employers know you’re serious about their specific role. You used keywords and quantified results to prove your worth. If employers can’t pinpoint what attracted them to you, then they’re probably not looking for a great worker to help grow with the role. They’re looking for anyone who will accept the offer and won’t hesitate to make a replacement if it doesn’t work out.

During the interview:

No. 4: What are your short- and long-term goals for the position?
Employers will probably ask about your career goals, but you should ask them what they want the person in this position to achieve. Are they concerned with increasing revenue, visibility, leads, improving morale, or any number of other things? You want to know that they have a purpose for this position and aren’t just looking for a temporary solution.

No. 5: Can you tell me why the last person left this role?
They might not tell you, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. If the person got promoted or even took a better job elsewhere, that’s a sign that the position is a good way to advance a career.

No. 6: Who are the primary people I’ll be working with on a daily basis?
Where does this role fit in the overall structure of the team and even the business? Will you get face time with people who can help your career? Will you spend most of your days in silence, typing on a computer? All that matters is that you receive an answer that  appeals to you.

No. 7: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the person taking this role?
No position is perfect. In fact, some roles are created to address a problem that needs to be solved. That could very well be what attracted you to the job. An honest employer will tell you what struggles lie ahead. That’s your opportunity to turn the answer around as a challenge you’re happy to accept and present some ideas of how you would tackle the obstacles. If the employer makes it sound too good to be true, it probably is.

No. 8: Do you have any doubts about my fit for the position? I’d be glad to clear anything up for you.
Not all interviewers ask direct questions or are even very good at interviewing, so you might have to prompt them to tell you what their concerns are. Now is the only chance you have to clarify anything, so make sure you leave no question unanswered.

No. 9: What is the timeline for filling the position?
You deserve to know when a decision might be made and what the next steps are. Hiring managers have a ballpark idea of how long the interviewing process will take, whether candidates will have to come back for another interview, and when a decision will be made. It might not be exact, but at least you have an idea of what to expect.

After the interview:

No. 10: Have you made a decision? (If the given deadline has passed)
If the hiring manager says it will be a week before you hear back, wait an extra day or two (or even three). Then follow up to see if a decision has been made. Don’t pester her and don’t show up at the office — that won’t win you any points. A quick email to ask how the process is going is enough.

No. 11: Do you have any recommendations for how I could improve my interviewing skills?
If you don’t get the position, you’ll be disappointed, but use it as an opportunity to improve your interviewing skills. Some employers won’t give you tips, but others might give you feedback that will help you on the next interview.

Courtesy: The Work Buzz

Grade-school students often welcome tornado and fire drills as unexpected escapes from class. Every few months, students practice what to do in case of an emergency, and for a few minutes they get to chat with friends and maybe even skip a test. Hopefully they never actually encounter a real fire or tornado, but it is the school’s responsibility to ensure that everyone knows what to do should one occur.

As adults who spend most of our days at work instead of school, we don’t always have that same level of preparation. A new CareerBuilder survey on disaster preparedness finds that many companies do have some form of a disaster-recovery plan, but many aren’t ready for the variety of crises that could come their way. Check out the infographic below to see if companies are as prepared for a cyber attack as they are for a fire.

Courtesy: The Work Buzz

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, many workers yearn to leave the constraints of their offices or cubicles and enjoy the outdoors. But if you’re unemployed during the summer months, chances are you’d be happy to trade in the mild temps for the office environment.

Summer job seekers, you’re in luck. Hiring conditions are steadily improving, according to CareerBuilder’s annual Summer Job Forecast. The survey found that 29 percent of U.S. employers plan to hire workers this summer, up from 21 percent in 2011 and an average of 22 percent over the past four years.

Hot industries for hiring
Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America, says that confidence is up among the employers most closely associated with summer hiring. The manufacturing sector leads the way in expected summer hiring, with 45 percent of employers planning to add summer workers. The other industries that are expected to have high levels of seasonal hiring include:

• Hospitality — 44 percent
• Retail — 34 percent
• Finance — 31 percent

The customer service, office support, information technology, research, engineering and sales sectors are also predicting summer hiring spikes.

Summertime salary
What compensation should seasonal workers expect this summer? When asked what they plan to pay seasonal hires, employers gave the following responses:

• More than $16 per hour — 20 percent
• $10 or more per hour — 64 percent
• $8 to $10 per hour — 29 percent

Summer temps could last all year long
Many job seekers would be happy to take a temporary job during the summer, and if it leads to a full-time position, all the better. Seventy-one percent of employers hiring this summer said they’ll be considering some hires for permanent positions. In fact, 39 percent of employers said they’re less likely to hire someone who isn’t interested in working beyond summer.

“A majority of employers told us they consider a summer position an extended job interview,” Rasmussen says. “The forecast is also a strong indicator that the job market will continue to strengthen as we come closer to the second half of 2012.”  

Haven’t started looking for seasonal work yet? It’s not too late. Thirty-eight percent of companies typically complete summer hiring in May, and 19 percent will hire in June and beyond. So whether you’re a recent college grad, an unemployed job seeker or someone who has left the workforce but is considering a comeback, you can expect to enjoy a sunnier summer job season.

Courtesy: The Work Buzz

It’s college graduation season, and more 2012 graduates are leaving school with a job or job prospects than their 2011 counterparts did at this time last year.

According to a recent survey from The National Association of Colleges and Employers, 44.2 percent of 2012 grads who applied for a job received at least one offer, up from 41.4 percent of 2011 grads who applied for and received an offer.

Not only have this year’s grads received more offers than last year’s, but more have accepted those offers as well. In fact, 25.5 percent of the 2012 grads who applied for a job have already secured one. Last year at this time, 24 percent of 2011 grads who had applied for a job reported having accepted one.

If you’re not one of the lucky grads to already be employed, or if you’re a job seeker of any age, here are 10 companies that are hiring this week:

1. Alorica
Industry: BPO/customer care
Sample job titles: Customer care representative, outbound sales

2. Coinstar/Redbox
Industry: Automated retail
Sample job titles: Marketing, information technology, engineering, field support

3. First Command Financial Services
Industry: Finance
Sample job titles: Financial advisor/military market financial advisor

4. FTI Consulting
Industry: Professional services
Sample job titles: Consultant specializing in strategic communications, corporate finance, forensic accounting, eDiscovery or economics; information technology; data center operations; eDiscovery sales

5. Guardian Healthcare
Industry: Home health care
Sample job titles: Registered nurse case manager, licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse clinical supervisor, certified occupational therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapy assistant, registered nurse, marketing account executive

6. IAP Worldwide Services
Industry: Government services (department of defense and federal)
Sample job titles: Infrastructure management, logistics management, engineering services, emergency and environmental services, power, construction, global support services, communication and information services, health, science and technology

7. LexisNexis
Industry: Information collection and delivery
Sample job titles: Senior software engineer, account executive, consulting software engineer

8. RuffaloCODY
Industry: Nonprofit marketing, management and software
Sample job titles: Program center manager, software engineer, project manager, creative writer, graphic designer

9. Saudi Aramco
Industry: Oil and gas
Sample job title: Engineer

10. Sunbelt Rentals
Industry: Construction
Sample job titles: Outside sales representative, customer service representative, heavy equipment service technician, class A CDL driver, mechanic

Courtesy: The Work Buzz

Last week we profiled health care case managers, one of the six most in-demand jobs in the U.S., according to information from CareerBuilder’s database. Today we’re highlighting another in-demand job — financial analysts. People with these jobs provide guidance on investment decisions for businesses. They assess performance of investments and help decide what moves the company should make when it comes to a portfolio.

These workers are often employed at banks, insurance companies or securities firms. According to CareerBuilder’s Supply & Demand Portal, the average national salary is $65,500, and the top cities hiring for these positions are New York, Chicago and Boston.

Watch the video below for more details:

And if you’d rather see it as a snazzy infographic, we have that too:

Check out all the financial analyst positions we have on CareerBuilder today!

Courtesy: The Work Buzz

College students pick their majors for any number of reasons — interest in a particular field of study, ability to get a job post-graduation, amount of education or training needed, and more. Another factor students often consider is how much they might earn once they enter the workforce. While it’s hard to imagine that any student would actively seek a low-paying major, some students may weigh salary heavier than others when making a decision on a degree.

According to the most recent salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary for a Class of 2012 graduate is $44,442. To break it down further, here’s a list of the highest-paying bachelor’s degrees within common academic disciplines. Also included is the percent change in starting salaries from the Class of 2011 to the Class of 2012, along with examples of occupations graduates within each major might pursue.

Business*
Highest-paying academic major: Economics (business/managerial)
Median starting salary: $54,800
Percent change from 2011: 5.6
Example occupations: Financial manager, accountant/auditor, management analyst

Communications
Highest-paying academic major: Advertising
Median starting salary: $44,700
Percent change from 2011: 2.5
Example occupations: Author, public-relations specialist, advertising or promotions manager

Computer sciences
Highest-paying academic major: Computer science
Median starting salary: $58,300
Percent change from 2011: 4.3
Example occupations: Postsecondary teacher, computer programmer, computer support specialist

Education
Highest-paying academic major: Special education
Median starting salary: $42,200
Percent change from 2011: 2.2
Example occupations: Special education teacher, elementary or middle-school teacher

Engineering
Highest-paying academic major: Computer engineering
Median starting salary: $67,800
Percent change from 2011: 0.6
Example occupation: Computer software engineer

Health sciences
Highest-paying academic major: Nursing
Median starting salary: $48,400
Percent change from 2011: 0.6
Example occupation: Registered nurse

Humanities and social sciences
Highest-paying academic major: Political science/government
Median starting salary: $38,400
Percent change from 2011: 1.3
Example occupations: Social worker, paralegal or legal assistant, labor-relations specialist

Sciences
Highest-paying academic major: Construction science/management
Median starting salary: $54,700
Percent change from 2011: 1.9
Example occupations: Constructions manager, civil engineer

*All data/information from the NACE April 2012 Salary Survey. Only certain starting salaries were available at the time the survey was conducted, so not all majors were factored into the starting salary comparisons.

Courtesy: The Work Buzz

Parenting is tough on any given day, and it does not get easier when one or both parents work outside the home. As you might expect, working moms have their own unique situations to confront, according to CareerBuilder’s annual survey of working mothers. Like all workers, today’s competitive workplaces, demanding positions and financial obligations affect how much time working mothers get to spend at home.

Balancing work and life
Workers often struggle with knowing how much time to spend at the office and when to clock out and head home. The survey found that 25 percent of working moms feel they have to choose between their children and having successful careers. In fact, 24 percent of working moms cite work obligations as the reason for having missed three or more significant events in their children’s lives in the past year.

In a competitive economy, many workers are still doing more with less at the office. Once the recession began and companies had to let workers go, the employees who remained were forced to pick up the tasks of their former colleagues. That mentality of giving 110 percent may not have left the workplace yet, even as the hiring outlook continues to improve. When working mothers were asked how much quality time they’re able to spend with their children during the work week:

• 51 percent said four hours or more per day
• 22 percent said 2 hours or less per day
• 6 percent said 1 hour or less per day

The challenge of new moms
Even new mothers adjusting to life with a bouncing baby just home from the hospital can’t keep work off their minds for too long. Twenty-six percent of working moms who have had a child in the last three years say they did not use the full maternity leave allotted by their company’s policy. In fact, 44 percent of working moms who have had children in the past three years took more than eight weeks of maternity leave. Conversely, 40 percent took off six weeks or less, and 12 percent took off two weeks or less.

The paychecks of working parents
Finances are likely a top priority for the average worker in today’s economy. Factor in supporting a child, and money is certainly a major concern. Whether you’re the sole wage-earner likely plays a role in your financial motivations as well. Thirty-nine percent of working moms and 43 percent of working dads surveyed are the only financial provider in their respective households.

While an almost equal amount of mothers and fathers are their households’ only source of income, paychecks are nowhere near as equal. The survey found that:

• 40 percent of working moms earn less than $35,000 compared to 21 percent of working dads
• 59 percent of working dads earn $50,000 or more compared to 33 percent of working moms
• 17 percent of working dads earn $100,000 or more compared to 6 percent of working moms

The pay disparity might not come as a surprise, considering that a 2011 workplace diversity survey found women are the least likely minority group to earn $100,000 or more, and a separate 2012 survey revealed just how few female executives there are in today’s workforce.

Overall, the survey shows that working mothers and fathers are trying to do what’s best for both their families and their careers, and finding that balance isn’t always simple.

Courtesy: The Work Buzz

When we share our weekly “companies hiring” lists, it’s a good opportunity to provide updates on the economy and job market as well.

Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that, while the number of job openings on the last business day of March — 3.7 million — was little changed from February, the number was up significantly from a year earlier. The manufacturing sector saw a notable increase in March job openings, and the number of total nonfarm openings has increased by 1.3 million since June 2009.

Here are 10 companies that have job openings this week:

1. 24 Hour Fitness
Industry: Fitness
Sample job titles: Personal trainer, membership counselor (sales), department manager, IT professional

2. Century 21 Real Estate LLC
Industry: Real estate
Sample job titles: Real estate agent, real estate sales associate

3. Echo Global Logistics
Industry: Logistics/technology
Sample job titles: Sales trainee, carrier sales representative, .Net developer, corporate sales executive, senior C# developer, account manager, DBA/report developer

4. Gentiva Home Health and Hospice
Industry: Home health care
Sample job titles: Home health and hospice registered nurse, home health and hospice LPN, nurse manager, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, occupational therapist assistant, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, sales executive 

5. Incredible Technologies
Industry: Computer software/entertainment
Sample job titles: Electrical engineer, game producer, software developer

6. Nielsen 
Industry: Business services 
Sample job titles: Analyst, associate client manager, client manager, engineer, project manager 

7. Protocall Communications Inc.
Industry: Marketing consultants/sales
Sample Job Titles: Account executive, sales representative (B2C and B2B)

8. UBS
Industry: Financial services (wealth management and investment banking)
Sample job titles: Credit stress testing analyst, product surveillance compliance analyst, compliance officer — UBS Trust Company, regional reconciliation controller, institutional account manager, institutional marketing manager, investment accountant

9. Waters Corporation
Industry: Biotechnology 
Sample job titles: Field service engineer, senior mechanical engineer, senior application scientist, principal scientist, informatics support engineer

10. Webster Veterinary, a Patterson Company
Industry: Veterinary pharmaceutical sales
Sample job titles: Pharmaceutical veterinary sales representative, equipment manager, service technician

Courtesy: The Work Buzz

Last week we profiled .NET developers, one of the six most in-demand jobs in the U.S., according to information from CareerBuilder’s database. Today we’re highlighting another in-demand job — health care case managers. These case managers are responsible for facilitating and coordinating patient care in a number of facilities.

Case managers plan and implement customized care for patients that provide quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. According to CareerBuilder’s Supply & Demand Portal, the average national salary is $68,000, and the top cities hiring for these positions are San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.

Watch the video below for more details on this position:

And if you’d rather see it as a snazzy infographic, we have that too:

Check out all the health care case manager positions we have on CareerBuilder today!

Courtesy: The Work Buzz

By Mollie Ficarella, CareerBuilder

The summer movie season is kicking off, and the first big blockbuster to open is “The Avengers.” It brings together some of Marvel universe’s biggest superheroes into one movie for a battle royale between a demigod and his alien cohorts. Chances are you haven’t encountered a master assassin at your office potluck, because comic-book stories aren’t usually ripped from the headlines. However, the personality types on display in “The Avengers” are probably not that far off from the volatile and larger-than-life people you encounter — or hide from — at the office.

Here are the superheroes you’ll see in “The Avengers,” the struggles they face and what we can learn from them:

The superhero: Captain America
In the movie: The product of a World War II super solider serum, Steve Rogers has woken up from an 80-year coma in the modern world and is challenged with adapting not only to a new time, but to new rules as well. He tends to lash out without provocation and against those who challenge or offend his sensibilities.
At work: Many of us have encountered bosses or co-workers who were biased against any ideas but their own, and they lashed out when a task was not completed exactly as anticipated. You could act like his superhero cohort Tony Stark in the movie and talk back with no filter, but that won’t be productive. A better way to handle the situation without superpowers or a mechanical suit of armor is to speak calmly to co-workers with examples of solutions that will help everyone.

The superhero: Iron Man
In the movie: Tony Stark is, in his own words, “a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist” with a mechanical suit of armor that allows him to fly and shoot repulsor rays from his hands. He is also so selfish that he was not originally asked to be a part of the Avengers, because he doesn’t play well with others. He always has a snarky comment on the tip of his tongue and enjoys pushing the buttons of everyone around him.
At work: Co-workers who don’t take themselves or anyone else seriously and only want to cause chaos in the workplace can be a pain. Remember, they can be managed. They might be insecure about their work, so deserving praise and encouragement can go a long way. Unnecessary confrontation, however, is not suggested, as it will only encourage more battles and less work completed. If nothing else works, walking away and ignoring them may convince them the fun is over, and it’s time to get down to business.

The superhero: The Hulk
In the movie: Dr. Bruce Banner is a scientist who was exposed to massive amounts of gamma radiation, and as a result, he turns into a muscular green monster when enraged. When covert female spy Black Widow approaches him to join the Avengers, he is living in a remote region of the world after learning to gain some control of his transformation.
At work: In every office, there is at least one person who is a loose cannon — an essential worker but not necessarily a pleasant part of the team. You need him for projects but you don’t want to be the one to approach him if something does not go as planned. Many people would say to avoid him altogether, but what if that is not an option? The best way to diffuse the situation can be to present several solutions to a problem when confronting your work Hulk. Choose your battles carefully, and always remain non-confrontational so you come out on top.  

The superhero: Thor
In the movie: Thor is the god of thunder in Asgard and the son of the All-Father, Odin. He was banished to Earth for his arrogance and brazenness. Yet he was restored to his rightful place as a demigod after learning humility and defeating his brother Loki after Loki’s attempts to kill both Thor and Odin. Thor is a demigod whose turbulent past includes a murderous brother, banishment to earth and being the god of thunder. He’s had a rough life. As a result, he can be selfish, overly confident in his abilities and demanding to an extreme. His persona doesn’t always scream “team player.”
At work: In a competitive work environment, there might be a know-it-all who has deigned to gift those around him with the knowledge only he possesses. These people do not like to listen to others and believe they are entitled to accolades, even when they’re not. The best way to ground these individuals in reality is to speak up and assert yourself in a respectful manner. You might not be on their good side at first, but over time they will hopefully view you as an equal.

The superhero: S.H.I.E.L.D
In the movie: S.H.I.E.L.D  is the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division that employs a master spy and assassin, an experienced marksman and the agents who assembled the Avengers. They are tasked with protecting the world against invasion and have assembled the aforementioned superheroes to defeat Loki and his minions from subjugating Earth.
At work: This is the team we all want to be a part of in our organization. There is a clear leader who takes charge but also delegates as needed, because he trusts each team member to contribute. Everyone is able to state their opinions and make a valuable contribution to the team. They want to bring in new members to their team and can set their egos aside for the greater good.

“The Avengers” can be seen as just another superhero movie and a chance to eat too much popcorn, but it can also show us how over the top we sometimes act and what we can do to work together. Hopefully there will be no need for an epic fight between two workplace warriors. Though if it does come to that, grab a pen and take notes — it could help your career.

Mollie Ficarella is an email marketing coordinator and writer for CareerBuilder.

Courtesy: The Work Buzz