I’m really enjoying Glassdoor’s Top 25 Oddball Interview Questions of 2011, complete with suggested responses from Glassdoor readers. Here are some of my favorites:

Q. How many people are using Facebook in San Francisco at 2:30pm on a Friday?
A. More than are using Google+

Q. Name 5 uses of a stapler without staple pins.
A. Nutcracker

Q. How many planes are currently flying over Kansas?
A. All of them. Planes can’t fly below or through Kansas.

Q. What is 37 X 37?
A. Hold on let me check my iPhone calc app.

Q. How would you get an elephant into a refrigerator?

A. I’d use a really big blender.

Sometimes questions such as these are asked to assess a candidate’s reasoning and problem solving skills. Sometimes they are asked to see how a candidate answers something they didn’t expect to be asked. And sometimes they are asked to determine how engaging the candidate is or if they have a sense of humor. You may not be a fan of these types of interview questions, but it never hurts to be prepared. In addition to these brainteasers and other interview questions, members of Glassdoor anonymously post company reviews and salary information that can help others source valuable information for their job search. You can check out what they have to offer here.

The holidays are behind us. And maybe you’ve made a few New Year’s resolutions…Lose weight, save more money…or maybe look for a new job. There are many simple, painless changes you can make in 2012 to increase your chances of finding your next job. Here are my top ten.

1. Update your resume. The last week of December was one of my busiest weeks ever. People who had no expectations of being sourced for a position and interviewed called me in a frenzy because they had to put a resume together pronto. You never know when someone will want to speak to you about a great opportunity. Update your resume before you need it and keep a list of running accomplishments throughout the year so if someone wants to see your resume quickly you will be ready.
2. Stop ignoring Facebook as a job search tool. I speak to job seekers every day and ask them if they use Facebook as part of their networking and  job search strategy. Usually they snicker or say, “I just use Facebook for personal relationships.” Job search is about all relationships…personal and professional. You never know where your next job lead will come from. Embrace the gray area and blur the lines. A friend is just as likely to introduce you to a great connection as a business colleague. Use tools like BranchOut and BeKnown to optimize your chances of finding key people via the Facebook platform.
3. Invest in a professional photo. With the explosion of social media sites, the expectation is that your photo will accompany your profile. If no photo is there people wonder why. By investing in a professional photo, you can ensure the best angle and lighting and be able to select from multiple shots. And some photography studios can help with hair, makeup, and wardrobe choices. Some can even Photoshop out certain imperfections from the shot.
4. Update your wardrobe. You don’t need to make a huge investment. A new jacket, tie, sharp scarf, pin or something similar might be all you need. If your look screams 1985, you could give hiring managers the impression that your skills are stuck in that era as well. Find a style savvy friend to help you update your wardrobe or hire an image consultant to get you on the right track.
5. Join a professional association. Many job opportunities are shared through professional associations. Why post a job to thousands of strangers when you can go to your internal colleagues and advisors and quickly source the best candidates? Being involved in a professional association helps you become part of the inner circle in your professional community.
6. Let someone pick your brain. Perhaps you read the recent Forbes article, No You Can’t Pick My Brain, It Costs Too Much recommending you be cautious about giving free advice because doing so means you are devaluing your knowledge. I disagree. Giving free advice could mean more opportunities in the future. Spend 20 minutes with someone to help them resolve an issue and they will remember it. And you will be on the top of their list of people to help in the future. It’s possible for someone to pick your brain without them siphoning your entire knowledge base. Don’t be stingy with information.
7. Give kudos. Offer endorsements via LinkedIn and other social media sites to people whose work you know and trust. This will keep you top of mind with your network and increase the likelihood that people will in turn help you when you are seeking advice and information.
8. Make time for lunch. We get so wrapped up in work and other priorities that we forget to take time to socialize during the work day. The lunch hour is a time to reconnect with people, share advice, and gather information. This is a critical aspect of career management. The more people that know you and the more people know about you, the greater the likelihood that someone will be able to assist you with some aspect of your career in the future. And if you’ve been spending your lunch hour with the same 2 people for the past 5 years, now’s the time to change that and branch out your inner circle.
9. Buy a piggy bank. For many job seekers money is tight. They forgo a promising networking event or dues for a professional association membership due to the cost. They may fail to realize that for every week that they make poor job search decisions they stay unemployed longer and lose valuable income. Inquire about “in-transition” rates for professional organizations. Some don’t advertise these cost reductions aggressively but do offer a reduced rate for in-transition professionals.
10. Learn something new. What’s trending in your industry? Which of your skills are rusty? What gaps are there between your skills and the needs of your industry? Gaining education doesn’t have to be expensive and doesn’t necessarily require a formal education. Read industry publications, follow the blogs of industry thought leaders, or make an investment in a class or degree program if you think it is warranted.

Here’s to your career in 2012 and beyond!

As 2011 draws to a close, I’m reflecting on some of my favorite blog posts of the year. Looking forward to sharing more job search advice, rants, and funny stories about the world of work in 2012. Happy New Year!

Job Search Advice

Common Interview Questions and What They Mean

Resume Writing Tips For Susan Lucci and Others Who Haven’t Written a Resume in 40 Years

Ask the Job Search Coach: How Can I Get a Raise?

Career Advice From the Class of 2015

Changing Careers: Look Before You Leap

Rants

The Real Reason Why Most LinkedIn Profiles Suck

Working Women Need Wives

Breastfeeding Breaks at Work: How Far Have We Really Come?

Working Mothers and Letting Go of the Guilt

Just for Fun

Handshake Horror Stories

Funny Job Postings

Outrageous Interview Blunders

Lying to Get a Job: 9 Famous Fibbers

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Other Famous Affairs With the Boss

My male clients often ask me questions about appropriate interview dress. Most know to wear a suit and tie and polish their shoes. But I recently read a great post by Ann Lindsay of Style of Success, an image consulting firm specializing in men, titled What Does Your Wallet Say About You? If you think about it, your wallet is a huge part of your interview attire.You may need to pull it out during the interview so you can give out your business card or accept cards from others. So what does your wallet say about you?

According to Lindsay, the wallet is often the weak link in a man’s professional interview attire. A worn, overstuffed wallet says:

1. I’m not organized.
2. Details don’t matter.
3. I don’t care that the lines of my clothing are being distorted.
4. I put myself last.

Yikes! Certainly not the impression you want to convey during an interview. You can read the full post here for advice on how to select a great wallet and keep it neat and organized. And if you are interested in working on your interview attire, check out our partnership with Lindsay via Career Solvers’ image consulting services.

Most job seekers struggle during interviews because their answers are not clear, concise, or memorable. Interview responses frequently veer off course, are too long, or contain extraneous information that dilutes the candidate’s original message.

The best way to practice interviewing fora job is to record or videotape your responses and self-edit. Or if you don’t have access to these recording devices, call your voicemail and leave your responses to some of your toughest interview questions there. Here are the questions job seekers should ask themselves when they review their interview recording:

1. Is my response too general? Many job seekers think that responses to interview questions should be very general to show their big-picture thinking. But specific examples of success are what help build trust and confidence with a hiring manager.
2. Does my response only describe my job tasks or does it showcase my accomplishments? Most hiring managers believe that past success is a good indicator of future success. Many of your competitors will possess similar job skills. Focus on the impact your knowledge had on the organizations you supported to prove how you do things smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
3. Am I answering the question? First of all, make sure you understand the interviewer’s subtext, or what the question really means. Then, make sure you answer it. Don’t wander off track; focus on communicating a clear story that conveys your professional challenges, the actions you took to address those challenges, and the corresponding results that prove how you help companies make money, save money, save time, or grow the business.
4. Is my answer too long? Long-winded responses are a pet peeve of many HR professionals. If your answer to an interview question is too long, the hiring manager might start tuning you out before you get to the best part of the story. As a general rule, responses that are more than 90 seconds are probably too long. If your responses tend to ramble, reflect on the question, do some editing and continue to practice your answers until you can create a tighter, more digestible sound bite.
5. Does my voice communicate enthusiasm and interest? Your body language contributes to your messaging, but your voice alone also plays a critical role. Is your speaking voice very soft or very loud? Is it monotone or are you using appropriate intonation to communicate your talking points and value? By listening to your pre-recorded voice, you can make adjustments to improve the quality of your message.

I chat with recruiters frequently and I often ask them this question:
“If you could tell job seekers one thing, what would it be?” Here are their top responses.

1. Be transparent. If there is a gap on your resume, explain it on the document itself. If you don’t explain the reason for the gap, we will draw our own conclusions.
2. Use a chronological format over a functional format. I will assume you are hiding something if you submit a purely functional resume. Recruiters need to understand all the movement in your career. If dates are missing or if your resume focuses too much on functional skills to downplay the chronology we will become suspicious.
3. Don’t apply to every job posting. Only apply to those jobs that you truly meet the qualifications for. Applying to jobs you are not qualified for is a waste of both your time and ours.
4. Don’t call incessantly to follow up on a job posting. If you don’t hear from me, I have nothing to tell you.
5. Drop the resume objective. Include a summary on your resume explaining how you can add value to the organization, rather than an objective explaining what you are looking for. Hiring managers aren’t interested in what you are looking for; they are interested in people who can solve their business problems.
6. Add a competency or skills section to your resume. Make it easy to figure out what your core skills are. We need to know right away if you have the basic skill set to do the job.
7. Get rid of the entitlement act. Don’t assume you will get a certain salary just because you ask for it. We are willing to negotiate if it is within our budget.
8. Don’t upload a Microsoft Word document into the text box of our job site. We can’t read it. The formatting is severely compromised when you do this and we will ignore your application. Instead, convert your Word document to a text only file.

Building relationships with recruiters is one way to get closer to landing your next job. If you can learn to appreciate their needs, you will increase your chances of landing more interviews.

The time in between an interview and decisions for the next round of interviews can feel like an eternity when you are anxious to move your job search forward. But what can you do in conjunction with the interview process to follow up strategically and intelligently? Here are a few suggestions.

1. During the interview, ask when the hiring manager plans to conduct the next round of interviews or make the job offer.

If you ask this question during the interview, you are more likely to have some sort of benchmark to go by for follow-up, and the waiting game becomes more manageable. If you are told that the company plans to get back to all applicants in one week, then it would certainly be acceptable to call on day eight if you haven’t heard from the company, and remind them that they mentioned giving candidates a status update in one week and you are just checking in.

2. Send a thank you letter.

A thank you letter is more than just a courtesy. It’s an opportunity to remind the hiring manager of the value you can bring to the organization. Some candidates don’t bother sending a thank you letter; doing so can be another way to differentiate you.

3. Ask if you can stay in touch with the hiring manager during the interview period.

Sometimes a company’s plans for filling a position can be extended, particularly if it is a large company or if you are interviewing at a company where there isn’t a live job opening. In these cases, it is important to remain top-of-mind with the hiring authority. You can say, “I know you won’t be making a decision for some time, but would I would like to stay in touch.” Or, “Can I send you a LinkedIn invitation? That way we can stay in touch during this interim period.”

4. Continue to research company openings and movement.

If the position was posted on the company website or a job board, continue to monitor the posting to see if it was closed or removed. Priorities in companies can change quickly and by monitoring the status of the posting, you may gain clues as to what is happening internally in the organization.

5. Stay in touch with company contacts.

If you got the interview through a networking lead, stay connected with that person to see whether they have any knowledge of what’s going on in the organization. Perhaps the hiring manager has decided to add additional positions or upgrade the job you applied for.

6. Be patient.

We’d like to think that we are the first thing on the hiring manager’s mind, but usually we aren’t. Interviewing is generally just one small part of the hiring manager’s responsibility — and sometimes unfortunately, it takes a back seat to other pressing issues.

If after all the waiting, it turns out that you are not the person selected for the position, don’t abandon the relationship you worked so hard to create; just reinvent it. Find opportunities to stay in touch with the hiring manager. Many companies like to keep in touch with their No. 2 choice for the position because there might be a better fit for that person somewhere down the line. Every hiring manager you meet can turn into a networking contact and a possible resource for the future.

Prepping for a big interview? Many think that some people are natural interviewees and that those with outgoing personalities will do better in an interview. But with practice everyone can learn how to interview effectively. Download your free copy of  33 Interview Tips to Make a Great First Impression for some quick tips on how to create a more powerful interview strategy.

Have you ever wondered why an interviewer asks certain interview questions? Some of the questions seem so vague and random that it can be hard to figure out the logic behind the interview process. What’s right? What’s wrong? What does the hiring manager really want to hear? Below is a quick guide to the translations for some of the most common interview questions.

Question: Tell me about yourself.

Translation: Why should I hire you?

Recommended response. Don’t take the question too literally. Hiring managers don’t want to hear that you grew up on a small farm in Kansas or that you enjoy world travel. Furthermore, they don’t want to hear that you are a great communicator, team player, and fast learner. They want you to show tangible proof of why you would be a good fit for their organization. Outline two to four of your key competencies and couple each competency with proof of success. For example an operations professional might showcase one of his/her competencies by saying, “I have strong project management skills and can quickly resolve customer inquiries. For example, in my last job, I resolved 98 percent of all pending customer inquiries within 24 hours which was 50 percent faster than the company’s expectation for problem resolution.

Question: What is your weakness?

Translation: We know what your weakness is. Prove to us it’s not a liability for this position.

Recommended response. Before your interview address any potential obstacles that the hiring manager may pick up on. Perhaps it is your lack of knowledge with a specific software or your lack of experience in a particular industry. Show how you would overcome these obstacles or demonstrate how you have overcome similar obstacles in the past. For example, if you apply for a position that requires a certain technical skill and you have limited experience, give an example of another software you are proficient in and how you gained that proficiency to prove that your current limited knowledge is a minor liability that can be quickly overcome.

Question: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Translation: Do you have a realistic perspective on what this job/company is about?

Recommended Response. Craft a response that makes sense for the employer’s business environment. If it is a small company, don’t say you expect to have a position with increasing responsibility — that may not be feasible in their organization. If you are taking a job as an accountant just to get a foot in the door of the company but really want to be a controller, don’t bring that up during the interview. The hiring manager needs to know that you are committed to the job you are applying for, not already thinking about a new job. You can mention that you see yourself in a position where you can continue to learn and contribute to the company’s bottom line and give an example of how you were able to successfully do that at a previous organization. This answer will help managers feel confident in your level of commitment to the current job and your future commitment to the organization.

Question: What have you been doing since your last position ended?

Translation: Why have you been out of work so long?

Recommended response. Discuss any volunteer or consulting assignments you may have had in the interim. If you have been actively interviewing but haven’t been extended an offer, you can mention that you have been interviewing but haven’t found the right fit yet. If you have had limited activity, you can let the hiring manager know that you have been using this time to evaluate your skills, craft your resume, conduct informational interviews, and network within professional circles. Obviously saying you’ve been watching re-runs of 20 consecutive seasons of ‘Law & Order’ won’t go over well, so stick to discussing the professional activities you have been involved in.

Question: Are you interviewing with other companies?

Translation: Are you worth investing some time in or are you about to take another offer?

Recommended response. Generally it’s best to be somewhat vague in your response, particularly if you are at the beginning of your search. If it is early on, let the employer know that you have just begun the interview process. If you have been in search mode for awhile, let them know that you have been actively searching but haven’t found the right fit yet.

Question: Tell me about the accomplishment you are most proud of.

Translation: Is your past experience similar to what we need you to do here?

Recommended response. The accomplishment you are most proud of might not be the one that is most relevant to the organization’s needs. Showcase an accomplishment that proves you have the specific competencies to do the job they need you to do. The story you select may be different for different interviews. That’s OK. You can be proud of more than one accomplishment, and it is more important to showcase the right accomplishment than it is to bring up the achievement that brought you the greatest personal satisfaction.

Question: Tell me about a time when you lacked the appropriate resources to do your job and how you handled it.

Translation: We are severely understaffed or we don’t have a budget for anything.

Recommended response. Give an example that proves that you have been in this situation before and that you can do more with less. But if you notice this is a running theme throughout the interview, proceed with caution. You could be setting yourself up to assume an impossible role with very limited support.

Question: How many golf balls can fit in a school bus?

Translation: Are you analytical, how do you solve problems, or do you mind if we just want to mess with your head?

Recommended Response. This type of question is often referred to as a brain teaser. Interviewers don’t expect you to know the answer, but they will want to see how you tackle figuring out a strategy to come up with an answer. These questions tend to be most popular in high-tech companies, but job candidates in other industries sometimes get them as well.

Getting face time with networking contacts and hiring authorities just got easier. Facebook recently announced the launch of Skype-powered video chat and I’m predicting that this will be a huge boon to job seekers and hiring managers alike.

Facebook claims collective usage of over 700 billion minutes per month and more than 700 million users and this presents a goldmine of opportunity for job seekers. With the new video chat feature, not only will you be able to find people and be found, but you willl be able to have a conversation (aka interview) quickly and easily without ever leaving your desk or your Facebook account.

Networking, sourcing, and hiring could be significantly streamlined with this new functionality and I’m excited to see where things go from here.  Right now the chat feature will only be available for one on one conversations, but I’m hoping that this evolves to group video chat which would make group interviews a snap. Google’s recently released Google+ Hangouts product currently  allows up to ten people to video chat at one time, but it would be great to see something similar offered on Facebook’s platform