These questions are designed to put you to the test in terms of how well you do in even the most unlikely situations; whether you handle it with grace or whether or not you crumble under the pressure, says Barnes.  So how do you handle it?  The EmploymentCrossing.com founder and career coach says preparing for it is half the battle.

“Don’t allow these questions to knock you off your center.  Instead, offer something like, ‘I almost prepared for that exact question and now I wish I had’.  That’s going to tell the interviewer a few things.  First, it lets her know that you will honestly own up to not having the right answer instead of fidgeting and fishing for the wrong answer.  It also shows a sense of humor and an ability to “think on your feet”, so to speak.  Gauging the rapport you’ve likely already established with the interviewer (odds are, that’s not going to be the first question you’re asked), you should be able to avoid that clumsy silence and quickly recover without appearing aggravated that an impossible question was even asked.

But what if the question is a legitimate one?  What if she asks, “Based on your background and experience, how will you pull our sales team out of its current slump”?  There’s a good chance you’re not even aware that the sales department is in a slump.  Pull from your past experience, says A. Harrison Barnes:

“I know how well customer incentives work and I know that they can be powerful tools for the sales force to use in their presentations.  There is a way to work those incentives in without annihilating the bottom line.  That would be my first recommendation for implementing new ideas”.

It’s short, it’s precise and it’s going to knock the ball out of the park.  Keep in mind, too, that even if they have used incentives in the past, your interviewer knows that you may not be aware of that and beside, it could be that fresh approach that will make a new incentive work better than those in the past.

So while you may not know how fast turtles travel, you can still ace your interview and those tough questions.  Confidence, acknowledging that you’re human and an open mind will come together to serve your purposes nicely.

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“It’s not uncommon, not only for lawyers, but doctors, journalists, engineers and others as well, to realize they chose the wrong profession.  They find themselves completely dissatisfied and begin to resent having to show up each day”, says Barnes.  The first thing that everyone must keep in mind is that the way you feel today, this week or even this month, might not be indicative of how you’re going to feel in three months.  If, however, you’re sure a career as an attorney is not what you want,  the LegalAuthority.com founder might suggest remaining in the legal field, but instead of filling the role as a lawyer, maybe going into the legal consulting aspect will serve you well.  This keeps you in the field and gives you a head start – you already know the law and you can easily slide right into the role of one who incorporates strategic management tactics, marketing efforts and other consultation efforts.

Barnes also encourages his clients to consider teaching.  You already know the law, it’s not a big leap to jump into the educational arena.  You’ll need to have certain qualifications to teach, but they vary.  This allows you to make the most of your education, while also allowing others the benefit of it, as well.  In fact, since it wasn’t what you thought it would be, you come to law students with a unique perspective.  Still, says the LegalAuthority.com founder, you don’t want to allow your disillusions to take over, though.

It may be, too, that you’re in the wrong specialty.  Family law is tough and takes a lot out of the attorneys who enter this particular sector.  Some lawyers simply change specialties and realize the passion was there along, it was only a matter of tapping into it.

Whatever you ultimately decide to do, it’s important to live your life doing those things that make you happy and leave you feeling fulfilled.  Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of resentment and broken dreams.  Few of us, regardless of which career paths we take, have to hone in on which area of our career brings us the most satisfaction and the same holds true for attorneys, as well.

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Recruiters, according to A. Harrison Barnes, are the best at their jobs. They help the candidate in every possible way they can – from searching for the right jobs to reviewing the resumes and preparing the paperwork, making the candidate aware of what to expect at the interview to help them choosing the right offer. Recruiters earn their living from the commission they get by helping the companies hire the right candidate for the job. His success lies in finding the right talent for the client company. So they keep in mind that they need a candidate who can help them earn money. It is a win-win situation for the candidate and the recruiter.

A. Harrison Barnes says that you should always remember that a recruiter is helping you secure your dream job to earn a living. This is the only way a recruiter can earn so he needs the right candidate who can get him what he wants. Thus it is important for you to present yourself, before the recruiter, as are the best candidate he would ever find for the opportunity he has. Not only do you have to portray that you are capable of doing the job but also move a step further by proving that you are assertive, focused and versatile. This way you can create the best impression in the mind of the recruiter.

This is why impressing a recruiter is very important says A. Harrison Barnes. The interviews that you face with them are difficult particularly for this reason. You need to prepare yourself for the interviews that you will give at the company you are applying for but also for the recruiter interview. You should always remember that they are the people who will help you get the job opportunity that will be your stepping stone to success in your career and in your future.

In order to make the everlasting impression in the mind of a recruiter you have to follow some basic steps.

Resumes and Cover Letters should Present You as Distinct: According to A. Harrison Barnes you have to present yourself as different from others who are in competition for the same position. Be complete with your accomplishments, your qualifications, your experiences and your personal skills. If you are successful in presenting it in the best possible way in your resume then it will give you an advantage over other candidates. You have to communicate to the recruiter that you unique.

Recruiters can easily identify general materials and lack of creativity in incomplete documents. Prepare your resume according to your specialized field; do not generalize it. Your resume will not be even looked at if it is not industry specific. So make sure that your resume and the cover letter are up to the mark.

Apply to Your Specialized Field: Recruiters get hundreds of resumes daily. They have to scrutinize them all according to the field the candidate belongs to. So make sure that you are clear with the choice of field you are interested in and convey the same to the recruiter. A. Harrison Barnes suggests that you only apply for positions that you are qualified for. This will not only save the time of the recruiter but will also save your own time. Help the recruiter to help you get the right job.

Wait for a Call from the Recruiter: Do not drop in at the recruiter’s office without prior appointment. A. Harrison Barnes asks the job seekers to wait for an invitation from them. This is very important because if you reach without any prior notice they may not like to meet you in the middle of their busy schedule. If you have an emergency then call them, fix an appointment and only then meet them.

Just make sure that you do not keep calling them if you were unable to get a particular job. As soon as they come across a suitable opportunity, they will inform you immediately. Have patience and deliver on what the recruiters are expecting from you. If you can present yourself the way the recruiters want, then you are surely helping yourself secure that opportunity you have been looking for.

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