Job interviews are some of the most important steps a person will take in their career. Making a good impression and ensuring you align with the company while sticking out from other candidates is what can help you secure the position . A great way to prepare for an interview is by becoming familiar with how you would answer these common interview questions. There is an endless amount of questions that could potentially be asked during an interview, especially across various fields . For that reason, preparing solid answers for a handful of questions is most effective. Here are some common interview questions as well as best approaches for answering them and example answers. Your response does not have to sound exactly like these examples given. It is actually better to memorize key points to highlight during the interview rather than memorizing your entire answer and sounding as though you are reading from a script. 18 Common Interview Questions Tell me about yourself. Why do you...

Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon, impostorism, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve all they have achieved. Individuals with impostor syndrome incorrectly attribute their success to luck, or interpret it as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent than they perceive themselves to be. Who Came Up With The Phrase Imposter Syndrome? Imposter syndrome was first identified and coined as a term in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes. In their seminal paper “The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women,” Clance and Imes described imposter syndrome as an internal experience of intellectual phoniness common among...

Even in 2024, workplace microaggressions such as “Is that your real hair?” or “You’re so articulate” persist nationwide. Despite their subtle nature, these behaviors do not go unnoticed, leaving a lasting impact on the workplace atmosphere, morale and creating challenges for those targeted. From making assumptions about one’s abilities based on background to perpetuating stereotypes and using exclusionary language, managing workplace microaggressions requires a thoughtful approach. The first vital step is acknowledging that even well-meant words can cause harm. Building an understanding that unintended comments often reinforce unfair systems allows us to then dismantle that damage. Additionally, self-awareness of our own possible microaggressions, though uncomfortable, can prevent workplace exclusion. According to the 2023 McKinsey & Company report on Women in the Workplace , 78 percent of women resort to self-shielding at work in response to these microaggressions, modifying their...

Navigating the workforce is an ever-evolving process. Some of the traditional methods of searching, applying and securing a job are much more nuanced today than they’ve ever been. With the pandemic forcing people to slow down and evaluate what it means to preserve their mental health, job seekers are more particular about schedule, flexibility, salary, and cultural fit. In the words of Fat Joe, “Today’s price is not yesterday’s price.” Employers have had to adjust to this change as well. Companies all around the world are looking at new approaches to recruiting and retaining talent. While the results of the Great Resignation have been the catalyst for the shifting dynamics in the workforce, many employees at companies like T. Rowe Price have mastered the ability to pivot. AfroTech had the privilege to learn in-depth interview tips from Thomas Byrd (Cyber Security Senior Manager), Engelia Tucker (Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist), and Douglas Gilmore (Sr. Cyber Security...

LVMH — also known as Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton — is kicking off the new year with a few new additions to its senior staff, including the appointment of Dr. Atira Charles as its new head of Diversity and Inclusion, Black Enterprise reports. The outlet shares that Charles has been active in the spirits industry for awhile now, and understands the power of promoting and implementing diversity practices into a corporate-style luxury conglomerate like LVMH. Her new position with Moët Hennessy is sure to propel her in her already-established lane as a thought leader and consultant. “As far as IDE and working in the consulting industry, I feel like I was made for this from early on,” Charles shared in an emailed statement to Black Enterprise. “It has been important for me, in establishing and running my firm, The Charles Consulting Group, to focus on issues of diversity, inclusion and wellness.” Within her written statement, Charles also noted the significance behind minorities, Black...

Before you win as an entrepreneur, you have to win the emotional and mental battle in your mind. Your ability to remain positive amid rejection, maintain your composure during a disagreement or adapt your value proposition during a sales pitch — depends on your level of emotional intelligence (EQ). Travis Bradberry, the co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, defines EQ as your ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behavior and relationships. Are You Prepared to Unlearn? Although EQ may sound like a “touchy-feely nice to have” skill, your level of EQ can make or break the success of your business. It’s just not enough to create a great product, show up for work, and work hard. Managing your emotions, building positive relationships and communicating clearly and confidently determines how far you go in life. So ultimately, you may need to unlearn some habits or childhood beliefs you’ve developed...

Here’s a harsh reality. Although many entrepreneurs may have the skills to create and sell a product or service, sometimes their abilities to manage employees, market their services, or deal with customer complaints are lacking. I get it, as an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up running day-to-day operations. However, whether your goal is to raise capital or build a team to support future demand, soft skills are critical for sustaining business growth. Look at it this way: Building a rock star team and handling difficult customer conversations, that’s setting expectations, managing your emotions, and communicating assertively. Delivering a pitch presentation to an investor, that’s using storytelling to capture their attention, and communicating your ideas and value proposition in such a way that it wins them over. I could go on and on but you get the point. Soft skills are no longer a nice to have but a must-have — especially if you have the vision to level up. If you’re in...

Ambitious. Hard-charging. Hungry. Persevering. If you’re an entrepreneur or considering becoming one, you’ve probably heard these terms elevated as the ideals to which any successful entrepreneur must aspire. To say entrepreneurship is challenging would be a gross understatement, and these qualities are almost mandatory to achieve success. When you’re just getting a business started, you are forced to wear many hats: product manager, marketer, salesperson, and many more. With everything you have going on, coupled with the additional problems often faced by women and persons of color , it’s not hard to see why mental health often slides to the bottom of the priority list. Here are some self-care tips you can incorporate into your life today to keep yourself sane during the brutal early years of entrepreneurship: Establish a Morning Routine The most important part of my day is the first hour after waking. I allow my self several minutes to slowly ease out of sleepiness. This includes...