Tuesday 5 February 2013

Ten Tough Interview Questions and Ten Great Answers


Interviews are a necessity. Very few people get a job without answering interview questions or going through the interviewing process. Be warned though! This article is not for those who pass the back door.

The following are some of the most difficult questions you will face in the course of your job interviews. Some questions may seem rather simple on the surface such as ‘tell me about yourself’ but these questions can have a variety of answers. The more open ended the question, the wider the variation in the answers. Once you have become practiced in your interviewing skills, you will find that you can use almost any question as a launching pad for a particular topic or compelling story.

Others are classic interview questions, such as “what is your greatest weakness”? Questions most people answer improperly. In this case, the standard textbook answer for the greatest weakness question is to provide a veiled positive such as: I work too much. I just work and work and work. Wrong. Either you are lying or, worse yet, you are telling the truth, in which case you define working too much as a weakness and really do not want to work much at all.

The following answers are provided to give you a new perspective on how to answer tough interview questions. They are not there for you to lift from the page and insert into your next interview. They are provided for you to use as the basic structure for formulating your own answers. While the specifics of each reply may not apply to you, try to follow the basic structure of the answer from the perspective of the interviewer. Answer the questions behaviorally, with specific examples that show that clear evidence backs up what you are saying about yourself. Always provide information that shows you want to become the very best for the company and that you have specifically prepared yourself to become exactly that. They want to be sold. They are waiting to be sold. Don’t disappoint them!

Tell me about yourself.
It seems like an easy interview question. Its open ended. I can talk about whatever I want from my day of birth forward, the team I support – Kotoko or Hearts of Oak, Chelsea, Man U. Right?
Wrong! What the hiring manager really wants is a quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are and why you are the best candidate for this position.
So as you answer this question, talk about what you’ve done to prepare yourself to be the very best candidate for the position. Use an example or two to back it up. Then ask if they would like more details. If they do, keep giving them example after example of your background and experience. Always point back to an example when you have the opportunity.
Tell me about yourself does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.

Why should we hire you?
The easy answer is that you are the best person for the job. And don’t be afraid to say so. But then back it up with what specifically differentiates you.
For example: You should hire me because I’m the best person for the job. I realize that there are likely other candidates who also have the ability to do this job. Yet I bring an additional quality that makes me the best person for the job–my passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to producing truly world class results. For example . . .
Are you the best person for the job? Show it by your passionate examples.

What is your long-range objective?
The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
For example: Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel Ill be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is what Im presently doing to prepare myself . . .
Then go on to show by your examples what you are doing to reach your goals and objectives.

How has your education prepared you for your career?
This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in your educational background which specifically align to the required competencies for the career.
An example: My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but also on the practical application of the information learned within those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more about the results . . .
Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key competencies for the career. Then ask if they would like to hear more examples.

Are you a team player?
Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You need to provide behavioral examples to back up your answer.
A sample answer: Yes, Im very much a team player. In fact, Ive had opportunities in my work, school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent project . . .
Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus on your openness to diversity of backgrounds. Talk about the strength of the team above the individual. And note that this question may be used as a lead in to questions around how you handle conflict within a team, so be prepared.

Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?
Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.
For example: Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I’ve found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other persons perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .
Focus your answer on the behavioral process for resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.

What is your greatest weakness?
Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: I work too much. I just work and work and work. Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.
You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, Im now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . . then show them your planner and how you are using it.
Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.

If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say?
This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait for the interview to know the answer. Ask any prior bosses or professors in advance. And if they are willing to provide a positive reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation.
Then you can answer the question like this:
I believe he would say I’m a very energetic person, that I’m results oriented and one of the best people he has ever worked with. Actually, I know he would say that, because those are his very words. May I show you his letter of recommendation?
So be prepared in advance with your letters of recommendation.

What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
Focus on two words: leadership and vision.
Here is a sample of how to respond: The key quality in a successful manager should be leadership – the ability to be the visionary for the people who are working under them. This is the person who can set the course and direction for subordinates. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of their abilities. I’d like to tell you about a person whom I consider to be a true leader . . .
Then give an example of someone who has touched your life and how their impact has helped in your personal development.

If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change.
For example: Although I’m overall very happy with where Im at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship… …then provide examples.
Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.
In reviewing these responses, please remember that they are only to be viewed samples. Please do not rehearse them verbatim or adopt them as your own. They are meant to stir your creative juices and get you thinking about how to properly answer the broader range of questions that you will face.

 I hope this has been of help to you.

Friday 14 September 2012

So the New iPhone has arrived ...

iPhone 5 – Is it Worth the Money?

The iPhone 5 boasts a bigger screen, faster processor, and a new connector. But it is worth your hard-earned dollars?
Bigger Screen
The body of the iPhone 5 has been elongated, adding about a quarter inch to the screen height without changing the width. This will allow for HD video to display in its true 16:9 format and give game designers more real estate to work with.  While the body is longer, the iPhone 5 is 18% thinner than the iPhone 4S — and 20% lighter.

Faster Processor
The brains of the iPhone have been given a significant bump and now have a faster processor than even the new iPad. According to Apple, the new A6 chipset will result in applications loading twice as fast, graphics running smoother and photos capturing 40% faster.

The Camera
The camera has gotten 25% smaller, has better low light processing, and can produce panoramic images. The video camera can shoot 1080p HD video, has improved video stabilization, and allows you to take still pictures simultaneously while you shoot video. Apple's video conferencing app, Facetime, will now transmit HD video, and Facetime can be enabled over cellular networks and WiFi alike.

LTE Data & Battery Life
The new iPhone will connect up with AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon's faster LTE data networks. This will mean significant increases in web browsing and download speeds. This data network is a notorious drain on battery life, so Apple made a big call-out that the battery life of the phone will remain consistent if not a little better (10% improvement overall) than battery life on past iPhones. They claim 8 hours of talk time, 225 hours of stand-by, and 8 hours of LTE web browsing.
Smaller Dock Connector
The 30-pin dock connector that has come standard on every iPhone to date was certainly due for an upgrade. It takes up a lot of space, and it was big entry spot for dust and moisture. Apple has introduced an 80% smaller connector they are calling Lightning that can be plugged into the phone in any direction, offers faster data transfer, and better durability. But given the $3 billion a year accessory market for iPhones and iPads, this switch will be painful and costly as users are forced to buy extra charging cables, docking speakers/alarm clocks or cases.  Apple will be selling adapters for $29 that will ship in October.

IOS 6
The IOS operating system has over 200 changes, the biggest of which is turn-by-turn navigation using Apple's own maps and 3D bird's-eye images. There will be deeper social media integration within the operating system for posting to Facebook and Tweeting, and the web browser will now allow a full screen view that takes advantage of the bigger screen.

Price, Timing, and Design Options
The new iPhone will come in black and white with a new, brushed metal back. It will be available for pre-order September 14th and in stores September 21st. The 16GB model will retail for $199, 32GB for $299, 64GB for $399. The iPhone 4S goes down in price to $99. Initial countries where the iPhone 5 will be available: United States, Canada, UK, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, France, and Australia, Availability in more countries by the end of the year.

What We Didn't See
The online rumor mill did a very good job guessing what the iPhone 5 would look like, but a few out-there predictions that didn't come true: no T-Mobile iPhone, no liquid metal back, no holographic projector or wafer-thin design.

Is it Worth the Upgrade?
The iPhone 4S was only a superficial upgrade to the device, and I did not recommend an upgrade except for those who really needed a new phone. But the iPhone 5 is an iterative step forward from Apple. The faster processor, speed increases from LTE data networks, a better and faster camera, and consistent battery life despite the LTE drain (real world tests pending), make this a worthy purchase.

Would I upgrade out of cycle if I had the iPhone 4S? No. But if you have an iPhone 4 or older, I say reach for the iPhone 5 if you can. Personally, I have been using a Samsung Galaxy SII for the last 6 months and I will be switching back to the iPhone 5 now that it has faster data, with the hope that my battery will last all day.


Specs in a nutshell:
Weight: 112 grams (20 percent lighter than 4s)
Thickness: 7.6 mm (18 percent thinner)
Screen: 4-inch display (up from 3.5 inches), 1136x640 pixel resolution (up from 960x640), a fifth row of icons on the screen, 44 percent more color saturation
Connectivity: LTE network compatible, available on Verizon/Sprint/ATT
Processor: new A6 chip (processor and graphics are 2x faster).
Battery: 8 hours talk time, 8 hours browsing, 10 hours wifi browsing, 10 hours video, 40 hours music, 225 hours standby.
Camera: 8 mp, 3264x2448 resolution, f/2.4 aperture, 25% smaller, improved low-light quality, panorama feature, 1080p HD video, front-facing Facetime camera updated (720p) and face detection, improved mics and speakers.
Dock and connector: New connector is called Lightning, 8 pin, reversible (adaptor available for current connector).



 

 

Wednesday 22 August 2012

6 Tips for Getting Maximum Shelf Life for Your Laptop Battery

The more time you spend on your laptop, the more you'll appreciate and understand the importance of its battery life. The truth is, regardless of how much your laptop is capable of, it's only as good as the battery that keeps it powered. With that in mind, here are 6 very important things you should know about the shelf life of laptop batteries and how to go about maintaining them to ensure you're getting as much out of them as possible
1) Keep your laptop battery cool- The hotter your battery, the quicker it loses its charge capacity. Laptop battery manufacturers will usually store their products at around 60°F. Don't put it in the refrigerator or freezer as this could cause serious damage.
2) Avoid running your laptop battery completely dry- While the belief exists that it's best to completely discharge your battery with every charge, this isn't the case when it comes to Lithium Ion notebook batteries. Today's batteries perform best when they're recharged while they still have 10-20% capacity remaining.
3) Charge your laptop battery to its full capacity the first time and every time- New batteries almost always arrive completely discharged. Give your laptop battery a complete charge upon receipt, and allow it to fully charge each time you plug it in.
4) If you don't need it, don't use it- The capacity of a laptop battery decreases with each cycle of charging and discharging. Even if your laptop is plugged into the wall, the battery is still going through a constant charge-discharge cycle. If you know you'll be working from a location where you'll be near an electrical outlet, go ahead and remove the battery and store it in a cool location (see#1).
5) Don't keep batteries stored for long periods of time- While it's nice to have spare batteries around, laptop batteries are always losing at least a small bit of their charge. Assess your laptop battery needs, and keep yourself supplied accordingly.
6) Don't charge your notebook battery before long periods of inactivity- When it's necessary to have a spare battery or two around, be sure to store them with just 10-20% capacity remaining. This will keep it performing at a high rate once it's time to put that spare battery into action.
You may very well have the best laptop money can buy, but without a functioning battery your laptop is useless. Knowing how to get the most from a laptop battery and putting that knowledge to action will make a big difference and can save you a lot of money and headaches.



Source:  Abatterypack.com

Friday 6 July 2012

Change Default Search in Firefox


Change Your Default SearchTired of having Google as the default search engine in Firefox? Maybe it is another search engine’s turn to be on top?! If you feel the urge to dethrone Google as the default search engine for your Firefox search box – this is how you can get it done:
In your address bar, type in: “about:config”
Inside of the filter search box, type in:
browser.search.defaultenginename
Double click that entry (or right click and choose “Modify”) and then type in the name of the search engine you wish to have as the default search engine. It must be one that you already have installed and also make sure you type in the name correctly.
Now if you type in “Yahoo”, restart Firefox and when your browser comes back up you will see the red Yahoo “Y” and Yahoo as your default search engine.


http://www.firefoxfacts.com/2008/01/13/change-default-search-in-firefox/

Friday 17 February 2012

Thursday 19 January 2012

So Glo is launching .... finally!!!

GLO, the Nigerian Mobile company which we thought should have been in the country since last year, has now dared to make its entrance and I'm sure people are going to be rushing all over its offices to purchase all GLO products and services. They have actually been around for some time and have been dealing mainly with big companies in terms of Distribution services. They have now officially inaugurated their retail services on this day, 19/01/2012.

In the meantime, GLO has enabled reservation of numbers. Here's how you do it.


- Identify the last six digit of your new Glo number that you want, for example: 123456=> for me

- Add 0233 to those six digits to make for example: 0233-123456 = 0233123456

- Send this number to the GLO number 0230010100 from any network

_ You will receive a confirmation text about your reservation and a code by which you can retrieve your chip at any GLo office or dealer within 7 days.


We hope they are here with good news for us because we need some good news in terms of great mobile services and internet services considering the hike in prices of commodities recently. 

More information to be put online as it comes. Stay tuned.

Thursday 13 October 2011

The NSS fiefdom!

We have taken note of the concerns raised by the board of the National Service Scheme (NSS) as contained in a correspondence one member directed to the Chairman of the Council of State.

We wish to express our total opprobrium at the unwholesome happenings in the organisation.

We have lamented before about the manner in which the Executive Director, Vincent Kuagbenu, is upending the organization which, by all standards, shows trappings of a fiefdom with the gentleman at the top.

The disturbing story about the NSS has been in the public domain for a while now; yet, the executive director's bluff that nothing would happen to him appears to be holding sway.

The fallouts from Mr. Kuagbenu's administrative blunders in this critical state agency are just incompatible with its status as one responsible for shoring the nationalist spirit of the country's youth as they serve their fatherland.

Vincent Kuagbenu, who has constantly shown contempt to the board members appointed by the president, has waxed stronger by the day because we have learnt he derives his power and arrogance from a top man in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a result of which nobody can touch him.

He appears to be right after all. Barely, a week after the concerns of the board members were made public, he is said to have fired an accountant of the establishment in a growing incidence of arbitrariness, as if to send a defiant message to the board members and those who think he is unfit to continue being in office.

Sometimes, we wonder whether this man, whose lean CV shows how little exposure he has with managing public organizations, is the appropriate person to head the NSS.

Maybe, the president sees things differently, otherwise, we would have expected an auditing of sorts of the man's stewardship.

Having been catapulted from the Dzorwulu Special School to the high office of Executive Director with the accompanying trappings of the appointment, the newfound arrogance and changed lifestyle of opulence of the gentleman should not surprise us.

Ghana, we are constrained to point out, is saddled with a worrying incidence of the president showing indifference to the concerns raised about the performance of his officials.

If, indeed, the board members of the NSS are there to deal with policy issues and to ensure the appropriate functioning of the state agency in the nation's interest, we wish to state here and now that they are being thwarted from performing these duties. This is being done through the deliberate action of the gentleman whose anomalous running of the agency is the theme of this commentary.

This is another test case of the President's concern for the proper functioning of state agencies and abhorrence for cronyism. A crumbling of this crazy fiefdom would serve the best interest of the country.


Source: modernghana.com