Happy Halloween from your Heroes of Hiring!

10 Outrageous Interview Questions

tahupedia.com

I was recently given the task to incorporate a new question into my interviews to see what type of new information it would provide to our process and candidate pool. While I was thinking of creative ways to ask the question, I did some research and found some funny interview questions. Enjoy J

 

·        Dell: "What song best describes your work ethic?"

·        Clark Construction Group: "A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?"

·        Marriott: “How would you rate your memory?”

·        Mastercard: "Can you say: 'Peter Pepper Picked a Pickled Pepper' and cross-sell a washing machine at the same time?"

·        Trader Joe’s: “If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?”

·        Urban Outfitters: “Pick two celebrities to be your parents.”

·        Kimberly-Clark: "If you had turned your cell phone to silent mode, and it rang really loudly despite it being on silent, what would you tell me?"

·        Petco: "How would you direct someone else on how to cook an omelet?"

·        LivingSocial: “What’s your favorite song? Perform it for us now.”

·        Gallup: “What do you think about when you are alone in your car?”

How would you answer some of these questions?

You can perform your favorite song to ashley.gonzales@mattressfirm.com

 

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100371504

 

Super Recruiters Have Feelings Too

Hi, my name is Erin and I’m a super recruiter. Everyone say it back now…”Hi, Erin.”

 

 

Even though I have super recruiting powers, I’m still human and rejection hurts. Let’s discuss how to let a company down easy.

 

 

I recently received a not-so-great email from a dear candidate that had accepted a job with my company and then changed her mind. This candidate had been on my radar for about a year. I met her at a university career fair and we instantly made a connection. She was a perfect fit and could have made a huge impact with Mattress Firm. We maintained a relationship for quite some time, hung out socially and I was even there for her during difficult times between her transition from college to the real world.

 

 

One gloomy morning, one week before she was scheduled to start with us, she emailed me with one sentence saying she had taken a job elsewhere. That’s it, one sentence! How could she do that to me after everything we’ve been through? I’m not going to lie...it stung.

 

 

Here are a few tips to avoid another travesty and not hurt a company’s super powers:

 

 

· Pick up the phone-call the employer to let them know you are declining the offer and why-we always value feedback!

· Don’t burn any bridges - leave the door open for the possibility of future employment with the company.

· Suggest any referrals you may know who would be a fit!

 

 

I may not be a masked vigilante fighting crime but I am trying to use my super recruiting powers to help those find a career right for them. So remember, even though a company may not be a fit for you, we still have feelings…let us down easy!

Do you have any super powers? Share them with erin.lindquist@mattressfirm.com

Yo Interviewer, I’m really Happy for you….I’ll let you finish But….

disneydreaming.com

You may remember at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Taylor Swift received the prestigious award for Best Female Video. In case you live under a rock, I’ll give you the synopsis. Four seconds into Taylor’s speech, Kanye West rudely interrupted by explaining that he was happy for Taylor, and would let her finish, but Beyonce Knowles deserved this award……What!?!

 

 

Now, you may question why I’m referencing something so outdated and frankly overly mentioned. Well, Kanye received much deserved negative scrutiny. In our culture, interruption is perceived as disrespectful and inconsiderate for the other party. As an interviewer, I’m interrupted more than you may imagine.

 

 

If we know that interrupting is so rude, why do we do it? Especially during something as important as an interview? Although I’m no psychologist, I’ve determined why someone would interrupt through my careful analysis:

1)      Wanting to relate to the interviewer’s topic

2)      Being passionate about the subject being discussed

3)      Not wanting to forget about what you are thinking

4)      Not being aware that one is, in fact, interrupting

5)      Wanting to get a point across

Earlier when I stated that Kanye rudely interrupted Taylor, that was a bit redundant. Interruptions are rude. We have to be more aware of this especially in an interview. An interviewer wants to know that you are passionate and have skill sets that are applicable. We want you to get your point across. You can execute all of these things without interrupting.  Challenge yourself to stay quiet and bring a notebook to mark down what you are thinking so you can express when the time is appropriate.

Written by daja.pope@mattressfirm.com

Be prepared for the preseason!

keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

The most wonderful time of the year is amongst us – football season (even if it is just the preseason). The preseason offers players the opportunity to really shine and potentially earn a full time position in the regular season. Take for example the current battle for the backup quarterback for the Houston Texans – T.J. Yates vs. Case Keenum. Both have really brought their A -  game to the preseason and are letting the fans know that they’re putting up a fight for that coveted spot (although as a fellow University of Houston alum, my vote goes to Case Keenum! – I hope Bob McNair is reading this).

 

 

The interview process should be viewed in the same way, as the preseason – this is no time for fumbles or interceptions. This is your shot to be on the roster for your dream employer. One big mistake in the interviewing game is not utilizing proper body language.

 

 

Below I have included a list of body language mistakes that could cost you the job.

·         Invading personal space

·         Crossing your arms

·         Playing with your hair

·         Bad posture

·         Lack of eye contact

·         Looking disinterested

·         Not Smiling

·         Fidgeting

·         Hiding your hands

 

 

By avoiding these body language mistakes your future coach will know you’re a professional and committed to the team.

 

Good luck!

 

For advice on landing your dream job or for fantasy football advice contact Edith @ edith.botello@mattressfirm.com.

*http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/08/19/interview-body-language-gaffes-that-can-cost-you-the-job/2/

Back to Class!

collegebound.net

In the coming days, college students across America will be heading back to campus, with sun-kissed faces, stories of summer road trips and a revived vigor for a new semester!

 

Just like each class you pass gets you one step closer to that degree, you should also be purposefully utilizing resources on campus that will get you one step closer to life after the degree… your career! Whether it’s your first semester or your last, I’ve provided three tips on what you can do now to ensure you receive an A+ in your job search!

 

Get involved!

I know that, for many, being a college student is a full-time job. Between studying, classes, study groups and a social life, finding time to do much of anything else is hard to do! However, getting involved in activities outside of the four walls of the classroom can do much for you in terms of a job search.

 

Getting involved in activities or volunteer opportunities has endless benefits, including:

·         The opportunity to work in a team environment,

·         The chance to utilize and/or develop certain skill sets,

·         Allows you to contribute in a leadership role, and

·         Expands your social network.

 

Plus, if you have limited work experience, being able to discuss similar situations that you encountered during your time in an activity is an excellent (and equally relatable) alternative in an interview!

 

Reach out to Career Services!

Imagine how nice it would be to have a staff of three working on your job search while you are sitting in class, listening to another riveting lecture on quantum physics and its historical impact on society given by a professor whose name you can hardly remember (if this is you, make sure to read my next tip!).

 

NEWS FLASH! At most schools, this staff exists! Check out your school’s Career Services office. Set up a meeting to chat with someone about your career goals, prospective employers, and the current courses you’re taking. Or look for workshops or career fairs that are hosted throughout the year to spice up your resume or expand your professional network. Utilize your Career Services team as much as possible – that’s their job!

 

Utilize faculty and advisors!

While the two of you may not be Facebook friends, the professor leading your Tuesday/Thursday Introduction to Management course may very well be one of your best friends come graduation time! Faculty members and club advisors are oftentimes a wonderful resource when seeking internship, part-time and full-time job opportunities!

 

Alumni of the institution and employers who have close relations with the school reach out to familiar faces when it comes to open opportunities. Make sure that you’ve met and shared with teachers and advisors your career goals… they usually have more than homework to give out to those who ask!

 

Written by haley.hoskins@mattressfirm.com

 

 

National Book Lovers Day

Did you know last Friday, August 9th was National Book Lovers Day? We may have missed the page on that one but wanted to share a reading list from Mattress Firm's President & CEO, Steve Stagner.

 

1. Leadership & Self-Deception; The Arbinger Institute

2. Spin Selling; Neil Rackham

3. Good to Great; Jim Collins

4. Radical Leap; Steve Farber

5. Purple Cow; Seth Godin

6. The Art of Possibility; Rosamund Stone Zander, Benjamin Zander

7. The One Minute Sales Person; Spencer Johnson, Larry Wilson

8. Blue Ocean Strategy; W. Chan Kim, Renee Mauborgne

9. The Loyalty Effect; Frederick F. Reichheld

10. The Great Game of Business; Jack Stack

11. Play to Win; Larry Wilson, Hersch Wilson

12. Maximum Achievement; Brian Tracy

13. Why We Buy; Paco Underhill

14. Differentiate or Die; Jack Trout

15. The Greatest Salesman in the World; Og Mandino

16. The End of Marketing As We Know It; Sergio Zyman

17. Outliers; Malcom Gladwell

18. The Tipping Point; Malcom Gladwell

19. The One Minute Manager; Ken Blanchard, Spencer Johnson

20. Nuts; Kevin Freiberg, Jackie Freiberg

Steve Stagner President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Steve Stagner knows passion. Just listen to him speak about his career and his vision for the company and you’ll understand the reason why Mattress Firm is truly one of a kind. Steve has over 20 years of experience in the bedding industry and a wealth of knowledge that covers every facet of the business. Utilizing this experience, he goes the extra mile to impart his passion in order to make the company vision a reality.  Prior to becoming the Chief Operating Officer in 2005, Steve owned and operated Elite Management Team in Atlanta; the largest franchise in the Mattress Firm network.  As President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve continually finds ways to strengthen the Mattress Firm brand and promote our culture.  He also serves as director of the Rousche College of Business Advisory Council at Stephen F. Austin State University, President of the Mattress Firm Foundation, and serves on the National Advisory Council for TGen.