The Flashcards: The Fresh Collection

All the Feels It’s OK to get human. Ask what our day-to-day “feels” like.

What are some of the emotions that come up, what’s on our mind at the end of the day?

The manager/managee relationships must be symbiotic with aligned expectations. It can make or break the new work experience.

SEEK

New Management Style • Opportunities to Exercise throughout the day • Parenting Policy • Technology Hints & Tips • Mental Health Check-Ins • Diet & Wellness Tools • Goal Alignment • Creative Outlets • Support Materials • Reminders • Step by Step, Recorded Instructions • Organized Team Activity • Encouragement and Positivity • Open Communication • Training

SEEK

Up for Negotiation • Work From Home • Self Management • 4-Day Work Week • Mentor Programs • Pension Plans • Paid Vacation Time • Car Allowance • Home Purchase Allowance • Mental Health Benefits • Housing Subsidies • Transportation • Child Care Subsidies • Flexihours

SEEK

When the interviewer asks you:

“What are your salary requirements?”

(3 excellent answers) Open-Ended: “Salary is important, but finding the right, long-term, cultural fit is more important.

If I found that, I’m willing to be flexible."

Alternative Choice: “I aspire to make [$xxx,xxx.xx] in total compensation, but I’m flexible on base salary. If you’re unable to meet my expectations on the base, perhaps we can get creative with bonus and commission incentives?”

Close-Ended: “My current salary is [$xxx,xxx.xx]. I’m looking for that plus 20% as my bottom-line.”

SEEK

Work From Home Talking Points (Hint: Use this to convince interviewers and current bosses) Working from home increases employee job satisfaction & rates of retention.

Working from home is better use of space and time. When workspace is increased -as in an army of tiny home offices representing one mission - travel time is reduced. Work output goes up.

This means a smaller central office and less overhead, yet more production.

Working from home increases creativity including creative use of technology.

SEEK

Individual Contributor vs. Manager Do you prefer to live and die by your own sword, or do you embrace the guidance and protection that comes from having a strong manager?

KNOW

Introvert vs. Extrovert Ask yourselves these questions and answer truthfully: Do I prefer to interact with people, or would rather be on my own?

Do people motivate me to achieve my goals faster and more often than if I was going it alone, or are they a distraction?

Do people get in the way of my goal achievement and demotivate me?

KNOW

Remote vs. On-site Which do you prefer: a workday filled with new scenery and settings or a permanent place to call home?

KNOW

1099 vs. W2 True or False: The freedom to earn money from multiple revenue sources on a contract basis is more valuable to me than the security of a steady paycheck.

KNOW

Sprints vs. Distance Are you a work-straight-through kind of person or more of a here-and-there person?

In other words, are you better with the structure that comes from keeping a “9-5” schedule, or can you get more out of your time by working in stints and taking breaks?

KNOW

Not A “Shopper” To an interviewer: The longer you stay at one position, the better.

The fewer the job changes on a resumé, the better.

The worst thing you could be is a “job shopper”.

Be proactive in letting us know that’s not you: Have answers prepared in advance & tell us that you’re next move will be your last one.

CRAFT

Easy on the Boss Your ability to put a positive spin on past working experiences could make or break an interview?

This goes double when talking about your boss. Even if you think it’s their fault, don’t say so!

CRAFT

If you “got fired”: If your previous position let go of you, be honest and succinct about why.

Not every working relationship lasts. Your interviewer doesn’t expect perfection.

Stick to the facts, and try to avoid placing blame.

Work Story Exp: There wasn’t a cultural match.

CRAFT

If you “quit” your last job: Work Story Exp: It was a mutual decision to leave a your position.

You did so in search of something more aligned with your career ambitions.

You’ve been in search of a place where you can be of more value.

CRAFT

If you’re unemployed: The words “I’m unemployed” shouldn’t leave your mouth.

A better answer, every time, is: “I’m currently in the interview process exploring opportunities a lot like this one.”

Or, better yet, “I’m interviewing with a number of your competitors.” Ha.

CRAFT

Non-Negotiable Ask us to tell you exactly what we’re looking for.

What are our non-negotiables?

What could make or break a good hire?

Go even deeper than the job description.

ASK

The Dream Team Clarify your standing.

Ask us how we might design a dream team. Where do you fit?

People thrive when they belong: in their own role and as part of the team.

Ask us if we feel like you belong here.

ASK

Law of Attraction Ask about what attracted us to this particular company.

What did they offer that we weren’t already getting?

Why was joining the company the right decision for us?

ASK

A Little Competition Ask us about our company’s standing within the marketplace.

I know the competition.

This is important, even non-negotiatioble as it will have a direct impact on your salary.

ASK

We Shall Overcome Get the dirt.

Ask us about set-backs we faced when we first joined the company. Also, what are some of our current challenges?

What is the process to overcome these issues and what have we learned?

ASK

A STRIKING statement.

Formulate a personal statement about how your background and style match directly with the company.

How can YOU, personally, augment success within the scope of the position you’re applying for?

What’s the return on investing in you?

Your striking statement should be a “sell” against your competition: other candidates applying for the same job.

BUILD

Space Knowledge A plug-and-play candidate (someone who already knows the space) is perhaps the most desirable.

Present yourself as an expert within your “space”. What are 3 things you can bring to the table immediately that directly relate to my company’s specific line of business?

BUILD

Fitness-Level Can you hit the ground running?

Do you have the energy and motivation to accomplish great things in a relatively short period of time - faster than the average person?

If you achieve goals with more vigor than someone without steam, emphasize why and how.

BUILD

The Inspired One If I inspire you, tell me.

I appreciate a genuine compliment: If you’d like to join my team, explain what it is about my personality and professionalism that inspires you.

BUILD

A Future If you see continual opportunities for advancement as part of my team, say so!

Mention that it “feels” like we’re working toward a common goal.

You want “in”.

BUILD

The Pivot As soon as you sense doubt, call it out. Then turn-it around.

Exp: “I’m sure you have a few concerns. I wonder if you might be open to having a former boss give you a quick call to offer his perspective on what I actually bring to the table. Maybe we could wait until that point to make a final decision?”

TRY

A Trial Period It might be a “no” for the position you’re interviewing for, but a “yes” for the company. Have a “Plan B”.

Get me to consider you for another position.

Exp: “Is there a way for us to get creative and find a way to work my skill set into your current team?

If adding another permanent position isn’t in your budget, we could explore a 6-month temporary role and reevaluate after that time period…”

TRY

Who Loves Ya? Impress me.

Don’t hold back: List for me all the people and all the companies that show interest in you.

Tell me why. I’m motivated by my hiring authority peers.

TRY

Gain Trust Offer-up job references before I ask for them.

Who are your top 3?

TRY

‘Tis better to move-on Do your style preferences match with what the company is prepared to accommodate?

If the answer is “no”, the job probably won’t be the right, long-term fit.

Express your style preferences as soon as you can ideally at interview stage -‘tis better to move-on before you’ve started a position than to end one because you’re not getting what you need.

The Fewest Number The worker who spends the most time with the fewest number of companies wins.

Career changes show a lack of commitment and are a major red flag. Aim to spend as much time as you can with the company you chose.

And, as far as those career changes go, have a good story prepared.

The Broader Outlook Don’t focus on micro-stuff like the daily duties listed on the job description, you’ve already filled that out!

Focus on the broader out-look: What’s the career progression plan?

Is there a style match?

What’s the company’s communication style?

What does the R&D budget look like?

Seal The Deal An interview. Your interview might be your only opportunity to ask if there’s anything to prevent you moving forward.

You may have the chance to counter argue. Now, close on the job. Don’t be shy. Put your cards on the table and tell them you “want” it. What are the next steps?

You should literally ask: “Is there anything preventing you from moving me forward at this point?”.

Getting To Know You Your interviewer is a living personification of their company.

Get to know as much as you can about them in advance.

Check-out all available channels of social media. A LinkedIn profile is an excellent place to start, you can study a person’s career progression, alma mater, professional affiliations, hobbies, etc.

Find ways in which you, personally, can relate to your potential manager.

Connect.