Brain Teasers to Find the Right Candidates

Brain Teasers to Find the Right Candidates Logic-based interview puzzles are becoming increasingly popular in recruitment processes to help employers find the brightest candidates and gain insight into a candidate’s thought process. Brain teasers are particularly popular in the tech sector, where employers want to find the most logical candidates who can help them advance with their next innovative product launch. Famously, Google is very keen on logic puzzle interview questions, even ceasing to ask some of their more difficult questions as “they were too tricky”1. More recently, tech giants like Airbnb2 and Facebook3 have adopted logic puzzle questions to find the right software developers to keep them ahead of the competition. Robert Scott, Managing Director at Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment said: Integrating logic based interview questions into a recruitment process can be a great opportunity to see how a candidate thinks on their feet. It isn’t necessarily about getting the answer right but more of a measure to see how they apply logic and question the information provided.   Too often interviews rely on evaluating the achievements of a person’s past, which is important, but logic-based questions can be a great indicator of how the candidate deals with the problems that are placed in front of them. With this in mind, Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment has collated a series of 3 great logic puzzle questions for employers to work into their recruitment processes: 1. Newcastle rain Question: You’re about to board a train from London to Newcastle. You want to know if it’s raining, so you call your three friends who live in Newcastle. Each friend has a 2/3 chance of telling you the truth and a 1/3 chance of telling you a lie. All three friends tell you that, yes, it’s raining in Newcastle. What is the probability that it is, in fact, raining in Newcastle? Answer: The answer is 96%. How: You only need one friend to be telling the truth. So if you calculate the odds of them all lying, that’s 1/3 multiplied together, making 1/27 (1/3 x 1/3 x 1/3). So that’s a 1 in 27 chance that all of your three friends are lying. So, switch that around, and it’s a 26/27 chance one of them is telling the truth â€" or 96% that it is, indeed raining in Newcastle! 2. Juggling jugs Question: You have a 5-litre jug and a 3-litre jug. That’s great, but how would you measure out exactly 4 litres without using any other equipment? Answer: First, fill the 3-litre jug and pour it into the 5-litre jug. The 3-litre jug is now empty, and the 5-litre jug has 3 litres in it. Now, fill the 3-litre jug again and tip it slowly into the 5-litre jug. You’ll have 2 litres in before the 5-litre jug is full because it already has 3 litres in from before? Now you have 1 litre left in the 3-litre jug and the 5-litre jug is full. Empty the 5-litre jug. Now pour the remaining 1 litre in the 3-litre jug into the 5-litre jug. Lastly, fill up the 3-litre jug again and tip it all into the 5-litre jug, which now ends up with exactly four litres in it! 3. Snail trail Question: A snail sits at the bottom of a 30-foot wall. Each hour it can climb three feet, but it then slips down two feet. How long does it take the snail to reach the top? Answer: The answer is 28 hours. That’s because for the first 27 hours it climbs a net one foot. But in the 28th hour, it reaches the top with its three-foot climb before having the chance to slide down two feet. About the author: Rob Scott has specialized in technical sales recruitment, particularly engineering and electronics sales recruitment, and has over 12-year operational and commercial management experience.   During his corporate life, Rob won the coveted best-performing manager award 2004 for profitability (out of 315 group managers) and won numerous other group Awards for both achievements and excellence.   Since setting up  Aaron Wallis  Rob has steered the company to enjoy double-digit growth year-on-year through turbulent economic times by maintaining clients and making a difference.

Spanish Resume Template

Spanish Resume TemplateWhen it comes to finding Spanish language skills, a Spanish resume template can help you get you started. Using a standard resume format, you can include all of the important information that will be included on your new job application.A professional resume format is something that you should be familiar with. There are several different options available to you, and you should choose the one that best suits your needs. One of the most common Spanish resume templates is the chronological resume. This is an ideal option if you have experience with formal education, such as college or a certain degree, and you want to include that as part of your curriculum.If you only have basic skills in Spanish, you can find templates that have a section for basic Spanish vocabulary words. This can make your resume easier to read and is often considered an easy way to reach employers who have trouble reading basic documents in Spanish.A top choice when it comes to building yo ur Spanish skills is to choose the Professional Profile area. It can also be very effective if you want to build a career and build your resume around work experience.It's a good idea to include your recent jobs in order to make your resume more interesting. This includes what you were responsible for, and how many years you've been employed in that position.Keep in mind that if you don't have any education in this language, you should include education as a major focus. When you do have some experience, be sure to list your certifications, as well as any accomplishments with awards or certificates. You can add anything to the education section of your resume that is relevant to your career goals.When it comes to your skills, consider adding Spanish skills to the other sections of your resume. If you don't already know the language, taking classes can make you more employable.You can even find Spanish skills to include in your resume. Many people choose to add their hobbies to the s kill section. These can help you to show your interests, as well as offer references to any projects you may have completed.

What Sacrifices Have You Made For Your Personal Brand Lately - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

What Sacrifices Have You Made For Your Personal Brand Lately - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Tonight, I went to dinner with a few good friends, such as Ryan Healy of BrazenCareerist.com fame, as well as my first and retired editor of Personal Branding Magazine, Rebecca Modite Thorman, and the ever popular Carla Blumenthal. Right now Im sitting in my chair half asleep, speaking to this girl interest, who just passed out in her couch, after having an equally long day. Everyday my friends and family say Dan, you really should get some sleep, quit this blogging stuff. Of course, I dont listen to them or I would have been asleep hours ago. My current workload What a lot of people dont know is exactly how busy I am. Aside from blogging 10 times per week, I publish a magazine, podcast series, make presentations to schools and companies, write articles for magazines, talk to the press, do some consulting, am on the board of advisers for a startup company, judge awards, and I just finished a 256 page book that took me over a year to write and edit. Im constantly networking, interviewing successful leaders and commenting on blogs. When it comes to social networking, I allocate most of my time to the network that gives the highest ROR (return on relationship), which is Twitter. Now if you think that would keep me busy, then realize that I spend another 50-60 hours a week doing social media for EMC, which includes social media press releases, newsrooms, community building, social network and blog strategy and more. What Ive sacrificed When it comes to social media, you trade your time, and some money, for results over the long-term. Ive had to turn down dates with girls, parties with friends, and time spent with family. Im also fairly certain that this workload has impacted my health because I dont get much sleep and since I havent written a to-do-list in 6 years, my brain has been brutally punished as a result. Ive managed everything in my head. Luckily, I started my first to-do-list this week! Im not saying I never go out, but its certainly not as often as it was a few years ago.   If I were to go out on a Friday or Saturday night to a bar and stay up till 2AM, it would impact my productivity the next day.   Also, I would wake up close to noon.   Time is so precious now, so I have to be more careful where I spend it.   Ill be going out this weekend because my best friend is home from Texas, and is leaving for Italy on Sunday.   Your time is important, so spend it carefully! Why Ive made these sacrifices I believe, wholeheartedly, that I was put on this earth to help millennials build strong personal brands and to encourage schools to teach marketing to everyone, not just marketing majors. I want to live in a world, where people are passionate about their jobs, to the point, where they are compensated and work becomes a hobby. In order to help people, I must sacrifice my time for the good of the community. Ive blogged on a cruise ship! I cant even go to sleep tonight until I have a post written for you for tomorrow. Am I doing it for money? Nope, there is no advertising on this blog. Im doing it because I have a mission in life and a cause worth fighting for. Together, we can change the world. Sacrificial tweets I asked a few Twitter friends what sacrifices theyve made recently. What sacrifices have you made for your personal brand lately?

Play Hard, Work Harder How to Stay Productive This Summer - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Play Hard, Work Harder How to Stay Productive This Summer - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Summer has arrived, you can’t take fault for a wandering mind. Whether you daydream about white sandy beaches, cool mountain campsites or bustling metropolises, your mind has left on vacation even if you’ve stayed put. The only bad part about a mental getaway is, well, having to work. Fortunately, there’s plenty for you to do to ward off the thoughts and actions that’ll derail your productivity this summer. Try these five tips to maintain your hardworking benchmark, so when it is time for your vacation, you’ll have truly earned it. Dress the Part If your office attire translates into your finest pair of swim trunks or your brightest, most colorful beach caftan, you’re setting the wrong mood for the workplace. We know it’s unlikely you’ll go that casual with your work gear, but the simplest summer wardrobe swaps will make you feel more on vacation than in the office. For example, imagine you head into the office in flip flops to make your commute easier and breezier. Be sure to bring along a pair of professional shoes so that you lose that tropical accessory as soon as focus time rolls around. Forego your favorite sundresses for classic workplace silhouettes, no matter if casual Friday calls your name or not. Just make sure what you wear falls into the category of “work apparel” and you’ll be good. According to Forbes, “Whatever people decide to wear, as long as it is designated as work apparel theyll get more quality work done because they’ll be more focused.” Maintain Your Health If your job takes you outdoors, listen up: You hold the reigns in maintaining your health so you can continue doing your job. A sidelining injury will only halt your own productivity. Staying safe while working in summer heat requires some planning on your part. For example, you’ll have to make a point to avoid outdoor labor during the hottest parts of the day, so you don’t overexert yourself or overheat. Wearing sunscreen and light fabrics; working in the shade; and taking plenty of breaks resemble other ways to avoid such heat-related side effects as sunstroke, heat exhaustion and sunburn. Make a To-Do List If your second job sounds a little like daydreaming, make sure to tether yourself to earth with a to-do list that keeps you on track. Rather than retain a running toll of what you have to accomplish in the short and long term, whip up a new to-do list every day of a reasonably attainable set of goals you want to achieve by the end of the day. Debate constantly circulates as to whether or not to-do lists help or hurt your productivity. It all comes down to the length of your list: a long list will feel impossible to complete, so you won’t try. The right to-do list will comprise of easily actionable items which can reasonably reach completion by the end of the day.  With a little practice, you’ll get it down â€"  and knock your productivity quotas out of the park. Become a Morning Person The sun rises sooner in the summer and stays with us for longer hours throughout the day. Take advantage of the sunshine, especially if you want to increase your productivity. Start setting your alarm clock for earlier â€"  and, no, you can’t press snooze â€"  to reap the many benefits of waking up to productivity right off the bat. Getting into the habit of exercising or meditating, planning for the day ahead, etc., represent quick little activities you can tack to the start of your morning schedule to ensure a day’s worth of productivity. Enjoy the Weather Yes, you read that right. Don’t think productivity equates to cooping up in your office and never, ever leaving ‘til the bell tolls at 5 or 6 p.m. Instead, relish in the fact that research has shown time and time again that a bit of a break from your desk can work wonders regarding productivity. Even if you stand up and step away from your computer for a few minutes, you’ll combat the mental fatigue that comes with constant work and repetitiveness. If you combine your brain’s need for breaks with the naturally productivity-boosting effects of nature, then you might hit the jackpot. Grab a co-worker or fly solo as you head outside of the office doors for a break of fresh air, a quick walk around the building or a sunny lunch away from your desk. Seriously â€"  simply seeing the color green on a piece of paper made participants in one study more creative in a set of tasks. Imagine what a bit of summer sunshine on the trees will do for your brain. This tip goes to show that, yes, a happy medium exists when it comes to summertime work responsibilities. Yes, you have to go to the office and, yes, you have to continue performing as you did this spring, winter and fall. But you can find little ways to enjoy your summer while still on the job, and that will tide you over until your turn comes around to jet off on the vacation you spent so little time daydreaming about.

How to Create a Resume on Word Using Programs

How to Create a Resume on Word Using ProgramsThe first thing that you need to understand about how to create a resume on Word is that there are certain programs that you can use to create this type of resume but it is not the same as creating one from scratch. By using a word processing program you can take the information you have and add some color and the ability to print the cover page before you start to write your resume.There are lots of programs that can be used in Word. You want to look for programs that offer templates that will allow you to write your resume from scratch without much worry of errors and mis-typed information. A good program will also offer a selection of templates so that you can use them to get a feel for how they work.A quick search for how to create a resume on Word with different programs will provide you with plenty of results that will help you out in the selection process. You may want to spend some time looking at a few of these programs to see wha t they can do for you.When you are selecting a program for how to create a resume on Word, you want to see if it is easy to use. You also want to see if it has the capability to automatically add the proper information for your cover page. By doing this you will be able to see if it is going to be an easy process to complete the job.Some programs can be set up to let you put together a letter that looks like a real letter. These types of programs will let you create your own letter to include with your resume but you can also do this from scratch.If you are looking to get a feel for how to create a resume on Word, you might want to look at the program that will allow you to print the cover page prior to entering the information for your cover page. This can be a great help when it comes to making sure that the cover page matches the letter that you have created.Using a program that allows you to automatically create the cover page for your resume can help you learn how to create a r esume on Word. It will make it easier to get your resume turned in to an approved form so that it is in the hands of the right people.With the Internet now being available to everyone, a lot of the older programs for how to create a resume on Word are no longer available. Therefore, there are a lot of programs that are more than able to take the information that you have and then help you create a resume on Word for the specific needs that you have.

Making lemonade out of lemons Turn unemployment into entrepreneurship - Sterling Career Concepts

Making lemonade out of lemons Turn unemployment into entrepreneurship Making lemonade out of lemons: Turn unemployment into entrepreneurship As a member of the Career Collective,a blogging community of resume writers and career coaches, this article is one of many in support of Quintessential Careers 2nd annual “Job Action Day”. I encourage you to follow ourhash tag: #careercollective on Twitter and visit my colleagues’ responses posted at theend of this article. Have you been struggling with unemploymentfor longer than youd wish? Are you starting to crave intellectual stimulation or a sense of completion? Is money starting to become tight? I’ve written before about volunteering. Volunteering can be a great option for newly found free time, but without a paycheck, it’s not the perfect panacea. Several of my clients have taken the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurial interests during extended periods of unemployment. They’re not alone. The Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activityreported an uptick in new business formation in 2008 over 2007, and the New York Times discussed the trend in this article. Thought about it? Debated ideas but then slept on it and reconsidered? Nervous to put yourself out there? I’ll share my three top reasons why I advise clients to move forward with their ideas. Show me the money â€" First and foremost, the financial considerations need to make sense. I’m in no way recommending you invest a sizeable amount of money into a franchise or take out a loan to purchase a preexisting business. But what does make sense is to turn your past skill set into a consulting opportunity or to start a business with low start-up costs. In today’s changed economy, periods of unemployment between salaried positions can unfortunately be longer than anyone would prefer. If you have a skill that can earn you money, why not take advantage of it? Keep Sharp â€" By taking on consulting projects, speaking with customers, and staying abreast of your competitors’ products and services, you’re staying in tune with your industry. Running your business will inherently provide you with a way to stay in touch with your profession, will give you something to discuss during interviews, and will expand your network to includepeople who may lead you to new opportunities. Looks Smart â€" A gap of a couple months is no longer the taboo it once was, but as that period in between positions grows longer, hiring managers start to question how you spent that time. By establishing a consulting business or your own start-up, you’re creating an instant stop-gap. You’re showing potential employers that you made lemonade out of lemons and took advantage of the time on your hands to keep busy, stay connected, and earn money. An added benefit is that your consulting experience may even introduce you to new situations, new technologies, or new processes. To be fair, while there are many benefits of starting your own company or consultancy â€" flexibility and control topping most people’s lists, there are negatives to consider: long hours, inconsistent revenue stream, and a lack of insurance and retirement benefits. These are just more reasons why testing the entrepreneurial waters during a period of unemployment may make sense for you as a calculated risk. And since no one can predict the future, you may surprise yourself. If you give it roots, your late-night idea or far-off daydream may turn into a full-time way of making a living as you join the ranks of successful solopreneurs. Looking for some ideas? Crafty? Talented?Paint, photograph, jewelry, woodwork, new idea for a child’s item, sell your wares on etsy.com or through your own website B2C consulting ideas:Coaching, ghostwriting, editing, personal shopping, event and party planning B2B consultingoptions: Human resources, engineering, public relations, editing, virtual assistant, corporate gift baskets Love to shop? Good at snagging deals? Buy things and resell items on ebay.com for a profit Good writer or do you enjoy voicing your opinion? Create a blog related to your industry. Some online resources to get you started: Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurship Small Business Development Centers SCORE â€" Counselors to America’s Small Businesses National Federation of Independent Business Entrepreneur.com Self Employment Assistance Program GoDaddy affordable website hosting and design ProBlogger tips to help you make money blogging Hybrid Mom for entrepreneurial stay at home moms Career Collective Members Posts: Meg Montford: Job Action Day: Finding Your “MOJO” After Layoff http://coachmeg.typepad.com/career_chaos/2009/10/job-action-day-finding-your-mojo-after-layoff.html Debra Wheatman: Plan B from outer space; or what do you have in case your first plan doesn’t work out? http://resumesdonewrite.blogspot.com/2009/10/plan-b-from-outer-space-or-what-do-you.html Heather Mundell: Green Jobs â€" What They Are and How to Find Them, http://dbcs.typepad.com/lifeatwork/2009/10/green-jobs-what-they-are-and-how-to-find-them.html Erin Kennedy: Cutting Edge Job Search Blueprint http://exclusive-executive-resumes.com/resumes/job-search-blueprint/ Grace Kutney: Securing Your Career While Navigating the Winds of Change http://sweetcareers.blogspot.com/2009/10/securing-your-career-while-navigating.html Hannah Morgan:Why Our Job Search Advice is the Same but Differenthttp://hannahmorgan.typepad.com/hannah_morgan/2009/10/why-our-job-search-advice-is-the-same-but-different.html Gayle Howard: The Enlightened Jobseeker http://www.theexecutivebrand.com/?p=500 Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter: You Can Thrive In, Not Just Survive, an Economic Slogging http://careertrend.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/you-can-thrive-not-just-survive-an-economic-slogging/ Rosalind Joffe: Preparedness: It’s Not Just for Boyscouts http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2009/10/preparedness-its-not-just-for-boy-scouts/ Rosa E. Vargas: Are You Evolving Into The In-Demand Professional of Tomorrow? http://resume-writing.typepad.com/resume_writing_and_job_se/2009/10/furture-careers.html Dawn Bugni: Your network IS your net worth http://thewritesolution.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/your-network-is-your-net-worth/ Miriam Salpeter: Optimize your job hunt for today’s economy http://www.keppiecareers.com/2009/10/30/optimize-your-job-hunt-for-todays-ecomony/ GL Hoffman: The Life of An Entrepreneur: Is It for You? http://blogs.jobdig.com/wwds/2009/10/30/the-life-of-an-entrepreneur-is-it-for-you/ Katharine Hansen: Job Action Day 09: His Resume Savvy Helped New Career Rise from Layoff Ashes http://resumesandcoverletters.com/tips_blog/2009/11/job-action-day-09-his-resume-s.html Martin Buckland: Job Searchâ€"The Key to Securing Your Future Career.http://aneliteresume.com/job-search/the-key-to-securing-your-future-career/ Chandlee Bryan: Where the Green Jobs Are: http://emergingprofessional.typepad.com/the_emerging_professional/2009/11/where-the-green-jobs-are.html Heather R. Huhman, Take Action: 10 Steps for Landing an Entry-Level Job, http://www.heatherhuhman.com/2009/10/take-action/ Barbara Safani: Where the Jobs Are 2009 and Beyond:http://www.careersolvers.com/blog/2009/10/31/where-the-jobs-are-2009-and-beyond/

How To Modernize Your Job Search

How To Modernize Your Job Search How To Modernize Your Job Search If you haven’t looked for a job in the last decade, or even in the last five years, you will find that things have changed. A lot. While searching employment ads used to be THE way to find a job, today it should be only one component of a job search. Technological advances have transformed the way people look for work. The best strategy is to take a multipronged approach. Stop Relying On Ads Combing the job ads used to be the way you found a job. Today, searching employment ads and applying for jobs online should be only one part of your job-search strategy.  Many jobs are found through networking, online and offline. Schedule at least 2 networking events a month if you’re actively looking for a new opportunity. A referral can sometimes open doors. Target Companies Create a list of employers you’d most like to work for. These are your target companies. Review their websites. Set up a Google alert for each organization so you’ll know whenever they are in the news. Follow them on social media. Look up key personnel on LinkedIn. Ask your current contacts (friends, family, colleagues, other job seekers, etc.) if they know anyone working at your target employer. (Connect With Your Target Employers) Update Your Email Nothing screams outdated more than your old @aol email address. That goes for @yahoo email addresses too. Open an @gmail account to use for your job search. Updating your resume with this new email address will instantly make your resume and other career marketing documents look more current. While you’re at it make sure to add your new email to your LinkedIn profile in the Advice for Contacting section. Prep for Virtual Interviews                   Increasingly employers are using virtual emails, either phone or Skype, for initial rounds of interviews even for local candidates. While you’ll need to prepare for these interviews much as you would for a face-to-face meeting, you’ll also need to plan where you’re going to take the call. Will you be able to use a landline or have to rely on your cell phone? Do you have a place that’s quiet, where no one will stumble across you? Use LinkedIn Strategically Fill in that LinkedIn profile you halfheartedly put up a few years ago. Complete the Summary section, even if it’s brief. Fill in the job sections with more than a job title and employer. Robust, optimized LinkedIn profiles will get more attention and better results. Use the Status Update feature to share articles that might interest your connections. Join a few groups and start participating. Although many things have changed, others have not. People still prefer to hire people they know and like. So while you may be connecting with people on LinkedIn the way to grow your relationships is to take them offline. You may not be meeting an employer in person, but you still need to make a great impression. (Worst LinkedIn Headline) There’s no need to throw out everything you learned about conducting a job search, just change things up a bit to incorporate the new.