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Warning signs during an interview that your potential boss may be a bully

You’re interviewing for your dream job, and things seem to be progressing okay…

But then the interviewer suddenly drops a question that throws you for a loop. Such questions from your potential boss can reveal a lot about their management style and how they might treat you if you were to work for them.

Thus, let’s discuss how to spot a potential bully boss during an interview, and what to do if you encounter one.

Gives you the silent treatment

If your potential boss ignores your questions, that could be a major red flag. A bully boss will often give you the silent treatment to intimidate you and see how you will react. So if this happens during your interview, be sure to stay calm and professional. Don’t let them rattle you.

Talks over and interrupts you

A bully boss will steamroll over anyone to show their authority. And if you’re not able to stand up for yourself, you’re going to have a tough time working for that person.

Remember that you have the right to be treated with respect, and you don’t need to put up with a potential boss who doesn’t respect your boundaries. So if you encounter a bully boss during your interview, it’s best to move on and find another company that will appreciate you as an individual.

Tries to dominate the conversation

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If your potential boss tries to dominate the conversation, this person is probably used to having things their way and won’t hesitate to trample over anyone who gets in their way.

You need to be prepared for this type of behavior and know how to handle it. Keep your cool and recognize that you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you. If this person can’t handle a two-way conversation, then they’re not the right fit for you.

Plays favorites among other candidates

For example, if they seem to be friendly with one candidate for a particular reason but act cold or dismissive towards you, it could be a warning sign that they will be just as unfair to you once you’re hired. This can be unsettling and make you question whether or not you want to work for that company.

If you do see any of these warning signs during your interview, trust your gut and don’t take the job. There are plenty of other companies out there that will value your skills and won’t put you through the emotional toll that comes with working for a bully boss.

Puts you on the spot with controversial questions

During the interview, a bully boss will put you on the spot with controversial questions that are meant to test your response. These questions are designed to see how you will answer under pressure.

So if you’re not prepared for them, you will likely end up sounding like a deer in headlights. And that’s exactly what the bully boss is looking for. The best way to deal with this type of question is to take a few seconds to gather your thoughts and then give a response that’s confident and respectful. Stay calm and collected, even if you’re feeling overwhelmed. And whatever you do, don’t get defensive.

When interviewing for a new job, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs that your potential boss may be a bully. This will help you avoid working for someone who may make your work life miserable. Some warning signs to look out for include if your potential boss is overly domineering and demanding. If you see any of the abovementioned warning signs during your interview, it may be wise to look for a new job elsewhere.

How to train yourself to be more innovative

You feel like you’ve been stuck in a rut lately.

You’re not sure what’s going on, but you’re just not as creative as you used to be. Ideas don’t come to you as easily and your work is starting to suffer because of it.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of people go through periods like this, but thankfully, there are ways to get yourself out of it. In this post, we will talk about how to train yourself to be more innovative so that you can start generating new ideas again.

Break the rules

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You’ve heard it before: break the rules. But what does that mean?

It means not being afraid to think outside the box, experiment, and innovate. It means not being terrified to try something new, even if it doesn’t work the first time. It means being okay with failure.

Just as Thomas A. Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” And that’s the key to innovation—trial and error, experimentation.

You need to be willing to take risks. You need to be able to think on your feet and come up with new solutions when the going gets tough. It takes practice, but if you’re committed to becoming more innovative, you can do it. It starts with breaking the rules and thinking outside the box.

Be open to new ideas

When you’re open to new ideas, you’re more likely to come up with fresh solutions to problems. It’s all about being receptive to new possibilities and keeping an unrestricted mind.

Too often, people are resistant to change and they stick to what they know. But the truth is, the world is constantly changing and if you want to stay ahead of the curve, you need to be open to new notions.

The best way to train yourself to be more innovative is to expose yourself to fresh views. Read books, watch documentaries, attend talks and workshops—anything that will help you learn about unexplored subjects.

When you’re exposed to new ideas, it’s easier for your brain to come up with fresh solutions. So make it a habit to always be learning and expanding your horizons. You never know when a unique thought will strike, so it’s always best to be prepared.

Take moments to daydream

a woman looking out of the window from her desk

Image Credits: verywellmind.com

Let your mind wander and explore new possibilities. When you’re stuck, it can be tough to come up with new ideas. But if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort, you can train yourself to be more innovative.

Start by taking some time to daydream. When you come across something that catches your interest, write it down or sketch it out. Then, try to take that sentiment and run with it. See if you can come up with a plan to make it a reality. The more you practice, the easier it will be to come up with ingenious resolutions to problems.

Set aside time for brainstorming

If you’re feeling stagnant at work, it might be because you’re not taking the time to come up with unexplored conceptions. And the best way to do that is by setting aside some time for brainstorming.

During this time, you should allow yourself to be completely creative and come up with as many possibilities as possible. Don’t worry about whether they’re good or bad—just let your mind run wild. And then, once you’ve got a bunch of ideas, start sorting through them and see which ones might work.

Tip: It is simpler to identify suitable strategies when a summary of a brainstorming session’s creative contributions and team recommendations is visually created. Information should be graphically mapped out to help you and your coworkers see the connections between outputs and determine what to do next.

Wake up your brain with a 20-minute walk

Image Credits: thriveglobal.com

You may think that you need to be born with a natural gift for creativity to be inventive. But that’s not the case. Anyone can train themselves to be more innovative if they know how.

One way to do this is by waking up your brain with a 20-minute walk. This gets your blood flowing and helps you start thinking more creatively. The fresh air is also a great way to clear your head and come up with untried concepts.

As you tread through the gardens or buildings outdoors, pen down any ideas that come to mind on your phone, no matter how crazy they seem. And don’t be afraid to share these opinions with others—the more input you get, the better it is.

You can do many things to start training yourself to be more creative. First, start by being open to new ideas and change. Next, try to come up with fresh ways of doing things, even if they may seem a little absurd at first. Finally, get out and explore the latest happenings in your industry and beyond. With a little endeavor, you can start training yourself to be more innovative and open up new prospects for yourself and your career.

Here’s why you should not hire without asking for job references

You’re about to make your next big hire, and you’re feeling confident about the process.

You’ve reviewed resumes, conducted interviews, and made your decision. But are you done? Not yet. One final step in the hiring process is to ask for job references.

References can provide additional insight into a candidate’s skills and qualifications, and they can give you a sense of how the candidate interacted with former employers. It can also help you verify the information on a resume.

So, don’t skip this final step in the hiring process. Ask for references from your top candidates, and then follow up with those references to get the most accurate picture of who these individuals are.

Provide valuable information

Not only do references give you an idea of how potential employees performed in their past roles, but they can also provide practical discernment into the individual’s character and personality. References can tell you a lot about a potential employee.

For example, if one of your candidate’s references says that they were always late for work, that might be something you want to take into consideration. Or if another contact says that the candidate was always willing to go above and beyond, that’s something you will want to know about too.

Learn about a candidate’s work ethic

Image Credits: businessinsider.com

References are a great way to find out what a person is really like when they’re at work. Are they the type of person who delivers on time and gives more than 100%? Or do they always leave work early and take long lunches?

References can also tell you how well a person works with others. Do they always take credit for their work? Or do they give credit to their team members? Do they cooperate and collaborate or do they butt heads with everyone?

References give you an idea of how a potential employee will fit into your company culture, and they can help you avoid making a bad hire. So don’t skip this step in the hiring process—ask for job references!

Asking for job references is a professional approach

When you’re hiring, it’s necessary to err on the side of caution and ask for job references. This will give you a sense of who the candidate is as a professional and if they’re someone you can trust.

It also shows that you’re approaching this seriously and that you’re not just winging it. By asking for job references, you’re signaling to potential candidates that you’re a boss who means business. And that’s something they will appreciate—especially if they’re looking for a long-term career opportunity.

As we close, employers should never hire a candidate without first checking their job references. That’s because references provide insights that are difficult to derive from resumes or interviews. They can attest to the candidate’s skills and abilities and deliver understanding into past performance reviews. If you’re an employer, be sure to always ask for job references from prospects. If you’re a job seeker, make sure you have a list of references ready for your interview.

How to avoid picking a job you might regret later

You’ve just received two job offers and you’re not sure which one to choose.

Both positions have their pros and cons, but you’re worried you might lament your decision if you choose the wrong one.

How can you make a correct decision? In this article, we will give you some tips for how to avoid picking a job you might regret later.

Trust your gut

If one offer feels more right than the other, go with that one. Picking a job you might regret later is not worth it, no matter how good the pay might be. Take a week or two, weigh your options, and make the decision that’s soundest for you.

Get a second opinion

Talk to your friends, family, or trusted colleagues and ask them for their honest opinion. Sometimes it can be helpful to see things from a dissimilar perspective. It’s not a must to choose the first offer that comes your way.

Consider your long-term goals

Image Credits: thebalancemoney.com

What do you want to be doing in five or ten years? If the job you’re considering doesn’t align with those goals, then it might not be the most satisfactory choice for you.

Another thing to think about is your work-life balance. Will this job allow you to have the flexibility you need? Or will it require you to work long hours? You don’t want to end up regretting your decision later because you didn’t take these things into account.

Research the company’s culture

You want to get a sense of what the company is like, what the values are, and how the employees interact with one another. Do they seem content? Are they stressed out? This information is crucial because it can help you decide if the company is a good fit for you.

If you have any acquaintances who work at the company, reach out to them and ask for their candid thoughts. They might be able to tell you what it’s like to work there, and if they regretted their decision to sign the contract. The more info you have, the better equipped you will be to make a conclusion that’s right for you.

Weigh the pros and cons of each job

What are the things you like about each position? What are the things you’re not so sure about? Make a list of the pros and cons of each job, and then compare and contrast them.

This will help you see which job is a better fit for you. And remember, there’s no right or wrong answer—whatever choice you make, it’s going to be the most well-thought-out one for you.

You’re at a crossroads. You have two job offers, and you can’t decide which one to take. Both have their pros and cons, but you’re worried you might regret your decision later if you pick the wrong one. Well, don’t rush into anything. Give yourself some time to think about each option and talk to your friends and family about your dilemma. They might be able to give you some insight that you haven’t yet considered. Also, use your gut instinct. If you have a feeling that one offer is amiss, trust your intuition and go with your other option.

The hidden job market: What it is and how to access it

You may have heard of the term “hidden job market” before, but what does it mean? And more importantly, how can you tap into it to find your dream job?

The hidden job market is made up of unpublished job opportunities. These are jobs that are not openly advertised, which means that you won’t find them through a standard job search. So how can you access this secret section? Well, networking is one of the best ways.

In this article, we will show you how to network effectively and use it to tap into the hidden job market.

What is the hidden job market?

As mentioned earlier, the hidden job market is a pool of job opportunities that aren’t advertised publicly. They’re usually filled by word-of-mouth or through networking. This means that if you want to tap into this market, you need to be proactive and strategic in your job search.

So how do you access the hidden job market? One way is by following hiring managers and keeping an eye out for opportunities that match your skills and experience. You can also reach out to your network of contacts and see if they know of any openings in a particular industry.

Why is networking crucial to access the hidden job market?

Here’s the thing: networking allows you to make connections with people who might be in a position to help you find a job. They could be people you know already, or they could be acquaintances who could introduce you to someone who’s hiring.

But it’s not just about finding a job. It’s also about building relationships and creating prospects. When you network, you never know what might happen. You could meet your next boss or business partner, or you could find out about an amazing opportunity that’s not even been advertised yet.

How can you use networking to your advantage?

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Start by building relationships with people who work at your target companies. Attend industry events and connect with people on LinkedIn. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. People are usually more than happy to give advice and initiate introductions. The bottom line is that networking is a powerful tool, and if you use it correctly, it can help you find job possibilities that you would never have otherwise known about.

Should you continue to network after you’ve found a job?

What if you’ve already found a job? Should you stop networking? The answer is a resounding no. Networking is one of the smartest ways to stay connected to people in your industry, and you never know who might have access to unpublished opportunities.

Think about it this way: networking is all about building relationships. And those relationships can come in handy down the road, whether you’re looking for a new position or not. So keep those connections alive, and stay active on LinkedIn and Twitter. You never know who you might meet.

As we close, the hidden job market is a term used to describe jobs that are not actively advertised. There are several ways to access the hidden job market and we highly recommend networking. Networking can help you connect with people who may have information about lesser-known job opportunities. So brush up your social skills, it’s time to get to work.