Top 5 - Movie characters who were unqualified for their jobs

Top 5 - Movie characters who were unqualified for their jobs by Michael Cheary Weve already examined the worlds worst fictional bosses, but what about the wider workforce?Here are our top five movie characters who were clearly unqualified for their jobs5. Dewey Finn (School of Rock)Jack Blacks character in School of Rock had many characteristics. Unfortunately, the ability to teach wasnt one of them.In fact, he only got the position in the first place by lying about who he was, imitating his long-suffering flatmate, Ned, and taking his money in the process. Good role model.And dont be fooled by the musical theory montage showing him broadening the students horizon. As far as we can see, he pretty much spent the entire time teaching them one song. It wasnt even a very good one.There is a whole believe in yourself/improve your self-confidence angle in there somewhere, but lets see how handy that really is when the end-of-term tests come around4. Indiana JonesWe admit that this is a slightly controversial decision, as Dr. Jones is actuall y a professor of his chosen profession, namely: archaeology.But whats the first rule of archaeology? OK, we have no idea, but were pretty sure its not buy some neat duds, and crack your bullwhip at anything that moves, which is the style seemingly pioneered by Indy.Aside from this, he seems to breaknearly everything he touches. Upon discovering the ancient temple in Raiders of the Lost Ark he doesnt carefully record data and recover vital artefacts with painstaking precision, as you may expect the typical archaeologist to do. Instead, he proceeds to destroy the efforts of thousands of years of civilisation, and takes the whole place down. Why? Because he wanted one golden relic.We cant see him appearing on Time Team any time soon3. Frank Abagnale Jr. (Catch Me If You Can)Based on a true story, Catch Me If You Can tells the tale of Frank Abagnale Jr., a young conman who blags, steals and borrows his way across America in the 1960s.In the movie portrayal, Frank is seen to be doing thr ee jobs: Pilot, Doctor and Lawyer. As a pilot, he never flies a plane. As a doctor, he cant stand the sight of blood. Finally, as a lawyer, he eventually reveals that he really did pass his bar exam to become fully qualified. However, whilst lawyers take years to study their craft and prepare for this exam, Leo simply read a few books. Suddenly hes a member of the club? Why not. Latin never really seemed that hard anyway (N.B. The story by the real Abagnale is also a point of contention).Still one out of three seems a pretty poor return competence-wise. 10/10 for effort, but minus several hundred on the career choice front.2. Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter series)OK, so we know Dumbledore is supposedly a great wizard and everything. But lets face it, he has a pretty laissez-faire style when it comes to being a headmaster.He constantly abandons his duty of care to his students, is oblivious to numerous blatant health and safety violations, and regularly cancels end of year examinatio ns (presumably) resulting in at least two year groups leaving school without any formal qualifications. And dont even get us started on his staff screening process (do interviews mean nothing to this man?).His sheer lack of interest is perfectly demonstrated in the Chamber of Secrets. Learning that the children are in imminent danger, a fellow teacher asks: Sir, the chamber of secrets is opened again! Do we close the school?. No says Dumbledore. Lets leave it, and hope a paltry bunch of pre-teens can save the day.Has anyone ever even seen his PGCE?1. Jamaican Bobsleigh Team (Cool Runnings)This movie (another based on a true story) pushes the boundaries when it comes to sports movies. Wed almost go as far as calling it a modern day classic. But the actual recruitment process leaves a lot to be desired.Yes they were good athletes. Yes they were determined. But had they ever actually been in a bobsled before? No. In fact, they hadnt even seen snow before. And if we were conducting the Winter Olympics qualification interviews that would definitely have been considered a pre-requisite.But not for John Candy, it seems. A few test runs down some steep hills and 30 minutes sitting in a fridge, and theyre on their way to Canada. They do manage to put on a good show, and leave with their pride and their heads held high, which is nice. But they still lost.Maybe if they spent more time practicing and less time soul-searching and kissing eggs, they may have finished higher than bottom. I see pride, I see power, I see them back searching for jobs on MondayHonourable Mentions: Burt in Mary Poppins (less singing, more sweeping and dont even mention the accent), President Merkin Muffley in Dr. Strangelove (Gentlemen, you cant fight here, this is the war room!), Willie Stokes in Bad Santa, Elizabeth Halsey in Bad Teacher, Arnold Schwarzenegger in Anything.Think theres any weve missed out? Share them with us on twitter @reedcoukFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for mo re Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features

How to Make Candidates Feel Comfortable During an Interview

How to Make Candidates Feel Comfortable During an Interview As a recruiter used to interviewing lots of candidates every day, you probably realize by now that some interviews go wrong purely because candidates are nervous and this makes you lose some really great hires in the process. Its in your best interest to create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere during the interview. This way youll allow candidates to show their best qualities, helping yourself to spot  some real talent. Here are 6 tips on how to make candidates feel relaxed during a job interview. Provide as much information as you can: Candidates fear job interviews mainly because of the many unknowns involved in the process. Thats why providing lots of practical information about the interview is a great technique for  making them feel safe and prepared for it. When wiring an invitation to an interview, dont forget to specify which topics youd like to discuss in particular. Give candidates tips about company culture and dress-code. Be clear about what they can expect: Another important aspect of that early, pre-interview phase is making sure that candidates know what to expect from you. Explain the hiring process in detail, provide a list of its main steps, as well as an estimated time frame. Most candidates will probably be familiar with the workings of an office building, but theres no such thing as ‘too much information’ in this case. Explain the procedure of entering the building and give practical indications so that candidates meet you on your territory well-prepared. If your office is hard to find, make sure to mention it. Arrange a personal greeter: The interview day has finally come. If you’re interviewing many candidates on the same day, its a good idea to delegate one person to be responsible for greeting the candidates and showing them around while you prepare for the interview. The first moments: Be friendly â€" smile and greet each and every candidate by name. Say a few words about the company and settle for the interview. By now, candidates will be warmed-up and prepared to face any challenge. Another important step on the onset of the interview are the introductions. Some quick introductions to your team are part of business etiquette and are a good idea even if you dont hire this person. This is especially crucial for hires you plan to incorporate in the existing company structures. Give candidates a brief overview of the team, explaining each member’s role and responsibilities. Starting an interview isnt easy. Ask some safe and non-threatening ice-breaker questions, offer candidates a beverage or ask them for their impressions so far.  All this will allow them to ease into the situation and swiftly cooperate with you once the real interview begins.   Give candidates time to respond: During the interview proper, allow candidates lots of time to ask relevant questions and provide insightful responses to your queries. Be plain about it and dont rush the candidates. If theyre in the process of formulating a precise response to your question, youll only gain by actually granting them this time. Limit distractions: So, your candidate has finally settled into a comfortable question-and-answer interview pattern, when suddenly your phone rings or you receive an email signal and ruin what youve managed to build so far. Your task is to limit all possible distractions â€" tell your colleagues not to disturb your meeting and turn off the sound on your phone. Let your candidates know that youre giving them your full attention and that theyre not just another person youre interviewing in haste. Ensuring a comfortable atmosphere during the interview, youll see candidates warming up to you, responding to your questions honestly and showing their best side â€" offering a perfect occasion for assessing their talent. Author: Cindy Boesel works at BizStats.co.uk. She is interested in the European startup scene and the ways mobile is changing business globally.

Technical Interviews for Engineers University of Manchester Careers Blog

Technical Interviews for Engineers University of Manchester Careers Blog The company is already pretty sure you have the technical skills they are looking for. They wouldn’t be interviewing you otherwise. The interviewers just want to look at your logical, analytical and possibly numerical skills just to see how they match up to the role you are applying to. What questions are asked at a technical interview? About your final year project Every organisation will have its own approach to how technical interviews are structured. They may, for example, ask you to talk about your final year project. If so, it would be an idea to show the transferable technical skills you used that would be beneficial to both the new role and company. It is also possible that the interviewer is not an expert in your final-year project area. As a result, they may well be looking to see how you communicate a technical subject to a non-specialist. You could be asked: What is the key to effective project management? Do you prefer to start or finish a project? Can you give me evidence that you are someone who has the flair for generating and communicating ideas? Company Operations They may also show you details of one or their own products or technical projects which are related to the position, and ask you to talk about it. As a result, it would be useful to familiarise yourself as much as possible with their operations. During such questions, you could also mention their underlying values if they are big on sustainability or waste reduction, mention how this was important to the product or project. You could be asked What is the biggest challenge facing XXXXX  and how would you tackle it? How do you feel XXXXX  should deal with issues such as health and safety and public relations in the work we do? About their Industry They could also ask you about the technical/commercial factors that are affecting their industry i.e. new technology, sustainability, cost of raw materials, demographics. Researching into the industry shows you to be a strategic thinker as well as demonstrating that you have a commercial mindset as well as a technical one. What engineering innovation would you introduce to change XXXXX and why Numerical It might also be a good idea to refresh your mathematical skills as they may well put these to the test at interview or, more commonly, at the assessment centre stage. These could involve data interpretation, problem-solving, ratios and mathematical questions. You should, however, be informed if your interview will involve a numerical section. Have a look at our psychometric test preparation resources Other ways to gain numeracy skills …and finally As with all interviews, don’t forget to ask them questions at the end. Technical queries you have regarding their processes, products or operations will show you are interested and really want the role. By Pablo Costa Careers Consultant, The University of Manchester All Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted Applications and interviews Engineers Interviews job hunting Technical

5+ Best Academic Advisor Interview Questions Answers - Algrim.co

5+ Best Academic Advisor Interview Questions Answers - Algrim.co We’ve complied the absolute best academic advisor interview questions and answers to prepare you for your future job interview. Academic advisors exist on a variety of levels in the education sector. They can be within high schools or colleges and universities. Generally speaking, an academic advisor is with the school in order to help students plan and achieve their future goals with their education, leading all the way up to their professional career. Academic advisors have a high degree of communication with students and because of this, they need to be proficient in their communication and planning skills in order to help students do the best they absolutely can. Motivation is absolutely a large part of this role, considering some students won’t have the motivation to want to move forward with their careers. And its important that the person who sits in this role clearly understands how they can inspire, motivate and show students there’s a clear path forward for them and that it’s a prosperous one. Academic Advisor Interview Questions & Answers 1. Why do you want to be an academic advisor? I want to be an academic advisor because I had difficulty in school. Mostly thinking about my future life and what I wanted to be. It was a consistent struggle for me. Until I sat down with my academic advisor at the time and got guidance. That truly changed my world. I want to provide that same thing I was able to receive to future students. 2. How would you motivate an unmotivated student? Motivation is really an individual scenario. First we have to try and figure out where the lack of motivation is coming from. It can be a variety of aspects, including home life. Once we’ve identified it we can do a better job of trying to show the student the other side of the coin and the plan to be able to get there. That usually is the best way to motivate. 3. What do you consider as part of the planning process for an academic advisor? Planning means helping the student understand their future path by managing their expectations, setting goals and clearly laying out what needs to happen in order to achieve those goals. Primarily this is academically, but there may be some other types of goals in there as well. 4. How do you divide up your time to meet all students goals? This can be hard. Generally speaking, open office hours help me assure I am speaking with all students who would like to be spoken to. And then ensuring that I am looking at all my plans for each student and remembering which students need to be in the focus for that period of time. Meaning, ensuring that no student is left behind in terms of attention I am providing them. 5. What are some ways you encourage the use of the academic advisor within the community and school? Through the announcements and through the public forums that we have at the community and school, I like to present myself as an open door. A door that is therapeutic and helpful in almost any regard. Simply the communication that I am present. And that communication being frequent, helps students show up more often. Related Hiring Resources Academic Advisor Job Description Academic Advisor Cover Letter Sample

Advice For Your Second Round Interview

Advice For Your Second Round Interview Photo Credit- Pexels.comYou’ve made it to the second round of interviews, congratulations. Now what?The odds are in your favour, but the job isn’t in the bag yet. Your initial interview is all about creating a strong first impression, the next phase of growth is where the real competition starts.In your second interview, you need to show that not only are you a great fit for the company but the best of all other candidates. Do more than tick the boxes of the hiring manager â€" stand out.evalThe likelihood of receiving an offer after your second interview is thought to be between 25% and 50%, so are you ready to rise to the challenge and secure your dream job this time around?1. Reflect on Your First InterviewevalWhile it’s clear that you hit the mark in your initial interview, reflect back on even the smallest, niggling missteps to improve your chances the second time around.Rectify your overall presentation and style of response if your answers were too brief or detailed, arri ve on time if you were a little late.Your second interview is by no means a do-over, but it can help to alleviate any concerns of the hiring manager. On the flip side, it’s also important to recognise which aspects contributed to the success of your first interview, that way you can continue the approach into the second round.2. Plan Your Answers in DetailIt’s always best to act confident and natural, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t prepare for any potential curve balls that could come your way. It can be useful to make an immediate note of the line of questioning that directed the first interview, as the second round is likely to build on this.Be sure to research the business in further detail in the lead-up. Read through the business LinkedIn profile, company website and social channels to understand the workplace culture and brand pillars. This should shape your answers to position you as the ideal candidate for the company.3. Prepare For CurveballsBetween interviews, the hiring manager will often get in touch with your references. This is to gain further insight into your professional character and validate any claims you made in the first instance. As a result, you can expect in-depth questioning.evalTo prepare for difficult topics, start by making a list of the questions that pose the greatest challenge for you. This will be different for each individual, but ‘why did you leave your last company,’ why should we hire you’ and ‘why is there a gap between your recent jobs’ can top the list.Answer any of these tough questions with an honest and positive response. For example, if you spent a few months on the job hunt and, during that time, enrolled in adult education courses, it is better to mention the latter. This is more valuable to a hiring manager and can incite a more positive reaction than explaining that you were unable to land employment.4. Ask Your Own QuestionsYour second interview is an opportunity to ask some questions of y our own. Best practice is to prepare a few before you head in. Questions around workplace culture, challenges in the current business and growth opportunities display a keen sense of interest in both the company and position.By demonstrating initiative and genuine interest, you reveal to recruiters that you are not willing to work in an environment that isn’t right for you. This can establish greater trust between you and the interviewer, who will understand that, if hired, you would only accept if the desire was mutual.5. Check For Updates in BetweenevalevalAlways take an interest in the business you are hoping to secure a job at. Between interviews, you should keep an eye on both company updates and trends in the wider industry. This will come in handy during your second interview and can be great for broader discussion.Keep your knowledge current to show the interviewer an invaluable professional practice â€" adult learning. Too often, established professionals believe they kno w all there is to know and this can stunt the growth of the business.If you continue to make the effort to learn during the interview process, this can set you apart from other candidates.6. Leave on a Positive NoteRegardless of how your second round turns out, leave the interview with a positive vibe and smile. Your last impression could just push you over the line. It’s also key to wrap up all of your answers with an uplifting response and forward-thinking attitude. At the conclusion, thank your interviewer for their time and the opportunity.Finally, often overlooked by candidates (but never by recruiters), is to clearly state that you are excited and really want the job! In an age where job seekers rush from interview to interview on the daily, this emotional intelligence could be just the thing to help you stand out.

If You Do This, Youre Killing Online Conversions

If You Do This, Youre Killing Online Conversions The goal of all digital marketers is to uncover the key to boost online conversions by 100%, 500%, or even 1,000%. Every digital expert dreams secretly of unlocking the mystery behind their conversion rate and return on investment. Unfortunately, unless you’re exceptionally lucky or introduced a brand new digital strategy where there was previously nothing, it’s fair to say that conversion rate improvements might not have gone through the roof yet. You probably report on seasonal changes, noticing peaks and drops throughout the year. Most online businesses rarely claim over 10% conversion rates â€" the most successful online retailers in 2018 report an average of 3.3% according to Smart Insights. In other words, aiming to double conversions might be unrealistic. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t improve your conversion rates with new strategies. Content testing, landing page design and remarketing campaigns can go a long way towards reaching your goals. But your efforts might be counterproductive if you’re guilty of any of the following marketing sins: Genuinely confusing website Your website serves one core purpose: It’s designed to guide your visitors through the necessary steps for conversion. A website that fails to engage visitors in performing positive actions is a wasted opportunity. While it might sound obvious, too many small and midsize businesses focus too much on the aesthetic of their web layout and forget about the path to lead conversion, which can generate confusion and high bounce rates. That’s precisely because they understand that your visitors need guidance, that Third Angle web design team offers tailored design paths for your business. What’s the surest way to find out if web users are confused by your site? Check your analytics data: If users spend a lot of time on site but never move to the converting pages, it could be an indication that they don’t know where to go. You’re making it hard to book or order Even when customers already know what they want from your site, it can be tricky to perform online. The last mile of the customer journey is the most important, as it’s your chance as a company to provide the answer they need. However, as eCommerce site record over 20% drop off during the purchase process, it’s obvious that not everyone has mastered the subtleties of the last mile. Indeed, customers who already know why theyre visiting your site requires early CTA buttons to book or buy. A common error is to keep time-demanding steps during these processes â€" from long contact info forms to not displaying availability for appointments. You interrupt the navigation Most visitors dislike interruption. They came to your site with a purpose in mind. The last thing they need is a video set to autoplay or a popup that stops the visit. With 82% of visitors admitting to closing a web page to get rid of the video on it, it’s fair to say that interactive engagement can go too far to the liking of your visitors. Used as a smart guiding tool, popups can be judicious, but anything else is perceived as disturbing. What do visitors think of your website? It’s the eternal question that digital marketers try to answer using Analytics data. Improving your website will improve your conversions, assuming you focus your efforts on guiding and facilitating online activities.

How to Prepare Your Resume

How to Prepare Your ResumeThere are many different types of resume writing. There are some things that you must take into consideration while you are applying for a job. Your resume will represent you professionally, so it is essential that you know what is necessary to create a successful job application. Here are some of the things that you should consider in your job application.One of the most important things to take into consideration when preparing your job applications is the contents of your resume. Make sure that you present a full explanation of yourself. You should also include your educational qualifications, professional experience, and any skills that you may have acquired during your previous jobs. In addition, include any awards or recognitions that you have received.If you are considering applying for a position, it is a good reason to include your references in your resume. They can add credibility to your application and give you some clues on how to get the job. Be sure to include your work references. You may want to send a cover letter to the references to alert them of your employment opportunity.There are two formats for resumes - one for typed documents and one for emails. The email format is much easier to handle because it is shorter and easier to reply to. On the other hand, it is also easier to edit your resume once it has been sent. Typed resumes are more formal, and you will need to review it very carefully before sending it out.Another thing to take into consideration is the type of application that you will be submitting. For example, if you are applying for a sales position, it is not a good idea to submit an online resume. It would be more professional to send a printed copy of your resume.There are also many different types of software available on the market. Most companies prefer the Microsoft Word application because it is the easiest to use. If you have any problems with Microsoft Word, consider using another program. A word processor is also another option for resume writing.The final decision about which format to use is up to you. However, it is recommended that you use a format that will help you write your resume in the shortest amount of time. Additionally, you want to be sure that the information that you are using on your resume is complete and accurate.Resume writing is a task that requires dedication and patience. You need to make sure that you are writing a professional resume that gives the best opportunity for you to get the job. When you are writing your resume, remember that the content should be objective and should not include anything personal. With the correct resume format, it should be easy to read and easy to follow.