Handling Political Questioning During Interviews
Although it’s illegal for an interviewer to ask a job seeker about politics, some just don’t care and ask away. If you find yourself in this awkward situation, follow these pointers.
- Keep calm and stay neutral. If your interviewer begins to rant or tosses out a statement about a dicey
candidate or issue, nod but do not respond. Wait out the tirade. It’s likely the interviewer will return to more relevant issues. - Smile. It’s difficult for someone to act inappropriately if you are smiling. Doing so helps keep your private thoughts just that—private.
- Don’t lie. Just as you shouldn’t overstate your qualifications on your résumé, do not feel pressure to lie about your political preferences. Simply avoid sharing your opinions by stating your feelings politely: “I’m not comfortable discussing this election.”
–From LiveCareer
Emoji Invade Workplace Communication
Once verboten, emoji have creeped into acceptable workplace communication. From smiley faces to frowns, the icons are being used in work-related emails for serious purposes. According to recent research, one of the most common ways emoji are used is when supervisors include one of the characters to soften requests, making the sender seem less authoritative.
However, one business etiquette expert advises caution before inserting emoji into workplace communication. Jacqueline Whitmore suggests waiting for a higher-up to initiate the practice before inserting an emoji. She likewise cautions against using them with a client, who may find the images frivolous. Finally, Whitmore says to avoid any emoji expressing anger or romance. The best practice is to communicate with words or to stick to using a variation of the smiley face.
–from The Wall Street Journal
To Stand Out, Shake Up Interview Q&A
Instead of waiting until the end of an interview to bring up an important skill or experience, job candidates should break up the standard question and answer interplay during a job interview.
One expert suggests job seekers bring a list on paper (not a phone!) containing points the candidate wants to make during the interview. If one of the points has not been made as the interview is winding down, create a separate conversation that deviates from the standard interview script. A polite phrase such as, “Can I please tell you about a time I …” can provide the opening to present new pieces of information that otherwise may go unsaid. The interview is a one-shot chance—interviewees should make the most of it.
–From the Chicago Tribune
