How to Catch a Liar Before You Hire Them

Research shows that our ability to detect when someone is lying is just as good as an estimate or a guess. Perhaps, this is why lies get past us so often because our guess is that the person is not lying. For most people, the act of lying elicits several reactions because it takes the brain some time to pause and not tell the truth.

Some of these reactions include an increased stress response (think Brian Williams), a stance of defiance and dominance (think Lance Armstrong), and a covering of true emotions, otherwise known as the truth (think Anthony Weiner). Wouldn't it be great to know when you are being lied to? Or better yet, that you could get a heads-up before someone starts lying to you?

13 Unlikely Body language tips to help you land the job

Body languages cannot be underestimated in the search for jobs in this 21st century. Some employers do not overlook these signs as you go through your interview process: Learn more

Make the best impression. By the time you're invited for an in-person interview, hiring managers have already reviewed your qualifications for the job. They want to learn about you as a person. So make sure your body language communicates why they'd be crazy not to hire you.

Psych yourself up. Research by psychologist Amy Cuddy shows when we use expansive body language, we feel more confident. So spend a few minutes at home standing with your legs and arms spread wide or sprawling with your feet on your desk.

4 Interview Questions to Identify Trailblazers and Nonconformists

If you own a widget factory, what you need in employees is punctuality, efficiency, and the ability to withstand the boredom of repeatedly following a set procedure. But you're probably not running a widget factory. 

In pretty much any other sort of company, you're going to need some people who can think on their feet, challenge the status quo, and call BS when appropriate. In short, you're going to need what Wharton professor and best-selling author Adam Grantcalls "originals."

"We can't all be nonconformists at every moment, but conformity is dangerous," Grant says, explaining the value of originals and iconoclasts in a fascinating and lengthy recent First Round Review article. "If you don't hire originals, you run the risk of people disagreeing but not voicing their dissent."

Time is Your Most Valuable Asset - Don't Waste It

I've been working with a bunch of interns and twenty-somethings of late. As I pondered their strengths and weaknesses - some want and need some direction and guidance, others won't take it - I remembered my first hiring effort from many years ago. It happened soon after my first management job as manager of capital budgeting for a large automotive parts manufacturer. I was asked to be part of the company's MBA recruitment effort and three days later was sent to a major university to compete with the likes of IBM, Ford and P&G to recruit the best of the bunch.

3 Ways Blogging Is Replacing Cover Letters

Studies show that 50%+ of recruiters and hiring managers aren't reading cover letters. Why? They're tired of reading the same stuffy, self-important, boring words from hundreds of candidates.

Cover Letters Used To Get You Noticed

The initial idea behind cover letters was simple: add a well-written note that showcases your communication skills and professionalism. However, fast-forward many years later and job seekers have gone on 'auto-pilot' with respect to cover letters. Using outdated templates and playing it safe, the result is a letter that screams one part narcissist and two parts copycat. In short, cover letters have lost their originality - the very thing that made them effective.

How to Interview When You’re Hiring for Soft Skills

When interviewing potential hires for roles that rely on soft skills--such as customer support--you always run the risk of repeating the same questions, receiving the same answers, having the same small talk, and then promptly forgetting all the important details.

The antidote? Think creatively, establish a system, and then stick to it. You won't be left groping for questions, your interactions will be more memorable, and you'll be able to standardize the circumstances under which you assess candidates.

The Modern Day Interview

The history of finding the right person for the job dates back to 1792 BC, when tradesmen sought apprentices to teach their skills to. The modern day system of hiring can however be credited to Thomas Edison, the creator of the light bulb. It is said that Edison would get hundreds of applicants whenever he was seeking to add someone to his workforce. Edison, being the genius that he was, and in trying to find college graduates with knowledge comparable to his own, created a “test” for all prospective employees, which consisted of a series of general knowledge questions. Some were specific to the exact position Edison was hiring for, while others were related to topics such as geography and literature. Newspapers of the day picked up the story and other captains of industry began to use tests of their own in their bid to select the best person for the job. This process evolved into the system of hiring that we have today.