When you’re in a job interview, one common question you may face is, “What was your biggest non-technical challenge?” This question is often asked to gauge your problem-solving abilities, resilience, and interpersonal skills. Since it’s not focused on your technical expertise, the answer gives employers insight into how you handle difficult situations, work with others, and grow from adversity. Here’s how to effectively approach this question and craft a strong, thoughtful response. Understand The Question The “biggest non-technical challenge” question is meant to assess how you handle situations that don’t necessarily involve technical skills but still affect your ability to succeed in a workplace. This can involve anything from communication issues, managing conflicts, handling stress, or overcoming personal obstacles that impacted your work. It’s essential to understand that the goal is to demonstrate your emotional intelligence, adaptability, and capacity for self-improvement....

After a job interview , it can be difficult to gauge how well you performed and whether you’ll receive an offer. However, there are certain signs to look for that may indicate the employer is leaning toward offering you the position. While no sign is guaranteed, recognizing these signals can help ease your mind and give you a better idea of where you stand. Positive Body Language From The Interviewer One of the most noticeable signs that you may get the job is positive body language from the interviewer. If they maintain eye contact, smile frequently, and lean in during the conversation, it could suggest genuine interest in you as a candidate. Furthermore, if the interviewer mirrors your movements or gestures, it can be a subconscious sign of rapport and connection. Subtle body language cues, such as nodding in agreement or uncrossing their arms, can also signal that the interviewer feels comfortable and open to what you’re saying. Studies show that interviewers who are engaged...

Navigating the job application process and getting your career off the ground can be tricky, especially if you’re uncertain whether a position you’re interested in is still open. To make matters worse, the labor market is pretty tight right now, with unemployment remaining low at around 4.1% for the month of October. As for total job openings, they’ve actually declined slightly over the past year, down 1.9 million from last September and now sitting around 7.4 million total openings. In a tough market, any little things you can do to get an edge is worth considering. Asking about the status of a job shows initiative and keeps you informed about potential opportunities. Here’s how to inquire respectfully and professionally. Research First Before reaching out, check the company’s website and job posting platforms to confirm whether the position is still listed. Some organizations update their listings regularly, while others may leave old posts online. If the role has been removed or...

If you’ve been rejected or even ghosted by a job that seemed perfect for you, the question of whether you can reapply may cross your mind. The good news is that, in many cases, it’s absolutely okay to reapply for a job you were previously turned down for. Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking of giving it another shot. Understanding Why You Didn’t Get The Job Before reapplying, try to reflect on why you didn’t land the role the first time. Sometimes, it’s as simple as timing: the company may have had a strong internal candidate, or their hiring needs may have changed. In other cases, they might have been looking for someone with a slightly different skill set. If you’re unsure, review any feedback you received from the recruiter or hiring manager (if provided), as this can offer valuable insights into areas you may need to strengthen. Automatic Screening It’s entirely possible that the hiring team has processed your application through an applicant tracking system (ATS). ATS...

Crafting a strong cover letter is essential when applying for an internship , as it’s often your first opportunity to make a good impression on potential employers. A well-written cover letter highlights your skills, enthusiasm, and fit for the role, setting you apart from other candidates. Here’s how to write a compelling cover letter for an internship that demonstrates your potential and passion. Are Cover Letters Still Relevant In 2024? Absolutely. Currently, cover letters still play an important role in the overall hiring process. Don’t think they’re just being swallowed up and ignored, either: 87% of hiring managers do read cover letters that find their inboxes. Even for an internship, your cover letter is a great chance to distinguish yourself from the other applicants, and possibly land a career-shaping opportunity. Start With A Professional Introduction Begin your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager by name if possible – check places like LinkedIn to see if you can...

The Amazon STAR interview method is a structured technique used to assess candidates during interviews. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It’s designed to help interviewers evaluate how candidates have handled real-life challenges, and can be helpful for any number of career paths . If you’re preparing for an interview at a company that uses behavioral questions, understanding the STAR method can significantly improve your responses. What Is The STAR Interview Method? The STAR method is a way of answering behavioral interview questions by providing a clear and concise story that details your experience. It ensures that your answer is structured and covers all aspects of the situation. This approach is especially useful for questions like “Tell me about a time when…” or “How did you handle…?” Situation: Start by describing the context or background of the scenario. Be specific about what was happening, but keep it concise. Task: Explain what you were tasked with...

Scrum masters are an essential part of agile teams, often with tech companies , guiding the process and ensuring that everyone stays on track to meet project goals. If you’re interested in entering the world of agile project management, this post will explain what a scrum master does and how you can become one. What Is A Scrum Master? A scrum master is a facilitator who helps a team use scrum, a ‘lightweight’ framework for Agile project management. While they are called “masters,” their role is more about guiding and serving the team than leading in the traditional sense. Scrum masters work with development teams, product owners, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth collaboration and project delivery. When one is endeavoring to become a scrum master, forming a commitment to the foundational elements of the agile framework while still managing to be flexible and adaptable in an ever-changing workplace is important. Key Responsibilities Of A Scrum Master One of the chief...

Crafting the perfect resume is a bit like cooking the perfect meal. You want just the right amount of ingredients, cooked to perfection and presented beautifully. One of the most common questions job seekers face is how many pages their resume should be. It’s a balancing act between providing enough information to showcase your skills and keeping it concise enough to hold the reader’s attention. Let’s dig into the nitty-gritty of resume length and find out what works best for you. Understanding The One-Page Resume Rule AndreyPopov For years, the one-page resume has been touted as the gold standard, especially for recent graduates and early-career professionals. The idea is simple: keep it short and sweet. Hiring managers often have stacks of resumes to sift through, and a concise, well-organized one-pager can make a strong impression. However, the one-page rule isn’t set in stone. It’s more of a guideline than a hard-and-fast rule. If you can fit all your relevant experience and...

For many individuals seeking new employment, one of the most stressful aspects of a job hunt is nailing the interview . Your in-person performance before your potential employer could make or break your chances of being hired, and provides you with the best opportunity to sell yourself on merit, personality, and knowledge of the field. But, in order to do all of that, you’ll first need to answer a few common interview questions that you should expect when applying for most roles. These questions range from simple yes or no answer sets to more elaborate inquiries into your work experience and employment history. While the most common interview questions are designed to give your employer a full picture of your personality and capability, some can be quite tricky to traverse.  That challenging aspect doesn’t bode well for those already anxious about the job application and onboarding process. That’s where we come in with the following list of the most common interview questions, in...

Job interviews are some of the most important steps a person will take in their career. Making a good impression and ensuring you align with the company while sticking out from other candidates is what can help you secure the position . A great way to prepare for an interview is by becoming familiar with how you would answer these common interview questions. There is an endless amount of questions that could potentially be asked during an interview, especially across various fields . For that reason, preparing solid answers for a handful of questions is most effective. Here are some common interview questions as well as best approaches for answering them and example answers. Your response does not have to sound exactly like these examples given. It is actually better to memorize key points to highlight during the interview rather than memorizing your entire answer and sounding as though you are reading from a script. 18 Common Interview Questions Tell me about yourself. Why do you...

When it comes to job interviews , your appearance plays a crucial role in making a great first impression . From your outfit to your grooming, every detail matters, including your choice of footwear. The right pair of shoes can help you feel confident, comfortable, and polished during your interview, helping you make a stellar impression from head to toe by showcasing your professionalism and attention to detail. One question that often arises is whether it’s appropriate to wear open-toed heels to an interview, or if it could somehow lend a bad first impression. Let’s deep dive into the debate and explore the best practices for selecting interview shoes. The Debate On Open-Toed Heels The general consensus among career experts is that open-toed heels are not the best choice for job interviews. Interviews are formal occasions where you want to present a polished, professional image. Open-toed shoes, no matter how stylish, can be perceived as too casual or informal for such settings....