5 Tips to Make Money for Your Music Business

5 Tips to Make Money for Your Music Business5 Tips to Make Money for Your Music BusinessThe number one struggle of nearly everyone in the music industry is money. How do you find the money to complete your projects? This short guide to money and the music industry will walk you through some of the options you have for funding your music career while youre still up-and-coming. 01Before You Apply for Music Industry Funding Credit Blend Images - Andersen Ross / Getty ImagesThere are a lot of ways to get cheated out of money in the music industry, but if youre savvy, you can minimize your risk of getting fleeced. Dont fall for common scams, like paying for a list of music industry insider contact names and numbers. Dont pay to play any shows for exposure. Theres no landlord on earth who will accept exposure as payment for rent. It isnt worth it.And dont shell out your hard-earned cash to pay for some so-called experts advice. While there are legitimate consultants in the industry who may be able to offer guidance, look into their other clients and their track record before writing them a check.

25% of employees think they have excellent work-life balance

25% of employees think they have excellent work-life balance25% of employees think they have excellent work-life balancePrior research has found that 38% of working parents say theyve missed a childs major event over the past year, but separate data shows that a slice of American workers think theyre doing very well at having a life outside of the office.New research from global staffing firm Robert Half shows that 25% of employees think they have excellent work-life balance. One survey also showed thatfound that 26% of business leaders said that accessing work-life balance mostly falls on the worker.Independent research firms polled mora than 2,800 workers in 28 U.S. markets and more than 5,500 U.S. leaders across a variety of professional fields. Robert Half came up with the surveys.These cities are the greatest for work-life balanceHeres what the infographic shows, according to more than 2,800 American employeesSan FranciscoLos AngelesChicagoHoustonMiamiNew YorkAnother survey show ed that 39% of workers think its up to their employer to help them reach this goal.These states are the worst for work-life balanceHeres how more than 2,800 American employees weighed in, according to the infographic.San DiegoDenverNashvilleAtlantaCincinnatiRaleighPaul McDonald, senior executive director for Robert Half, commented on the research in a statement.When employees can enjoy their personal lives alongside work responsibilities, they are happier and less stressed and bring their best efforts to the job, he said.The quality of Americans work-life balanceEven though 25% of professionals said they had excellent work-life balance, 29% were men and 23% were women. Those in the 18-34 age group were the most likely to agree, at 33%.While 49% of them said they had good work-life balance, 49% were women and 49% were men. Fifty-two percent of those in the age 35-54 category said theirs was good, the highest percentage of any age group.Just 22% overall said that theirs was fair. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, a slim 3% described their work-life balance as poor.Robert Half notedon the infographic that because of rounding, some responses dont add up to 100%.

5 Reasons You Should Create Your Personal Career Website

5 Reasons You Should Create Your Personal Career Website5 Reasons You Should Create Your Personal Career WebsiteIf youre looking for a job, a great resume is a must. But did you know that a personal career website can increase your chances of being hired?We live in an online world. Even if a classic offline resume is here to stay, most of the hiring managers today take your online presence into account before they call you up for an interview. A personal career website is a great way to show yourself in the best light online.You say you dont know how to code? No problem There are so many website builders and hosted CMS (content management system) sites available where you can create your own web easily even if youre leid a coder. Most of them offer a sortiment of pre-designed templates that you simply just fill in with your text, pictures or links and voil your website is done. If you think you dont have enough content to create a complex website with plenty of subpages, dont worry about that. You can create a great website with only one landing page. Check out ,WordPress, Weebly, Wix, or Squarespace.Why should you have a personal career website?You might think you dont need a personal website because you either dont have that much experience or enough assets to add to your portfolio. Dont worry about that, anybody can have a website.If you dont have extensive experience, your website can serve as a contact page containing little info about yourself with links to your email or social media. You can also create your online resume where you list all your previous work experiences and skills or you build a portfolio page where you showcase all your works.On the contrary, if you have a lot to say, you can combine all of these and create a complex website about the professional (and a bit of personal) you. You can evenlink it to your blog or your photography portfolio page.A big advantage of a personal web is that you can keep your resume brief. If you put a link to your website, be sure the hiring manager is going to check it and hence you dont have to put that many details on your resume. Also, unlike a resume, your personal website is a dynamic place that you can constantly update for new skills or projects.Do you still need more reasons to create a personal career website? Here you go1. People can easily reach youThe disadvantage of a resume is that you send it out privately and usually only a couple of people from the company youre applying for will see it. The thing with a personal website, however, is that it is online and therefore, for everyone in the vast world of internet to see.You might not want to disclose personal information about yourself online. But you dont have to worry. You usually dont really put very personal stuff someone might abuse up there. To reveal information about your professional life is not that much of a threat. On the contrary it might help you because you never know who sees your profile and contacts you . It goes without saying always put your contact information on as well.2. It helps you stand outEven though its quite easy to create a personal website, still many people dont make the effort. So if youput a link to your website on your resume youll appear much more professional. Of course, make sure your website is nicely designed and includes quality content. Because to have a website isnt everything. You have to have a good website. If you have a website, you appear like a much more attractive candidate than someone who doesnt.3.More space to showcase yourselfIt showcases all your work in one place. In order for your resume to be easily legible, you cant really squeeze that much info into a resume. Especially when youre after a creative kind of job, a personal website is a must-have. You simply cannot show enough of your abilities through a resume, even if you list down your skills. For any other kind of jobs, the same applies. A resume is just a brief overview of your professi onal work, but a personal career website can show a lot more from your work to the hiring manager.4. You control your online presenceThis is quite an important thing. Theres been so much talk already about the hiring managers googling the candidates and how they go over their social media sites. If you have a personal website, theyll find all the relevant info about you on it and then dont need to take your facebook inc or Twitter profile that much into account. Of course, you shouldnt give your potential employer a reason to think badly of you based on how you present yourself on social networks. Present yourself in a better way on your personal web and be sure theyll appreciate it.5.You improve your skillsLike we already said, if you have your own personal website, youll come across more professional. Building of a personal web is yet another experience you get in order to get your dream job. B creating your webiste. you gain plenty of useful skills every hiring manager will surel y appreciate. You enhance your skills in coding, web design, graphic design, copywriting, etc. And even if you dont build your webiste from scratch, but rather use one of the pre-designed templates in one of the hosting platforms, its still a creative work that helps you improve.Would you like to have a personal website but think creating one takes too much time and effort? In , you can create your personal website straight from your resume with one click of a button.Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

Sample Interview Questions for Hiring Administrative Support Workers

Sample Interview Questions for Hiring Administrative Support Workers Sample Interview Questions for Hiring Administrative Support Workers Sample Interview Questions for Hiring Administrative Support Workers The sample interview questions below will assist with your interview preparation when interviewing candidates for an administrative support job description. Tell me about your previous work experience as an administrative support person. What were your primary responsibilities? Tell me about a complex project you were tasked with completing under deadline. Talk about a project that you were particularly proud of managing. What sort of reporting structure did you work within in your previous admin jobs? What type of interactions did you have with other departments? What has been your experience in working with clients and vendors? Have you had to interact with the general public? Tell me about your computer skills. What technologies are you an expert with using? What other technologies have you utilized in your admin work? What type of documents and formats have you generated in the past? What have you done at your present/last company to increase revenues, reduce costs, or save time? What makes you a great fit for this position? What do you know about our company and products? What type of schedule are you looking to work? Would you be available to work extra hours if needed? Knowing the best interview questions to ask is a key factor in finding top talent in fact, knowing how to interview should be an essential component of your recruitment strategy. Get started on making your next hire Adminworkers help keep your business running smoothly, so its crucial to hire capable people who are quick to learn and comfortable with your workflow. A thorough interview will help the top candidates rise to the top. Could you use some more tips?Sign up for exclusive https://www.youtube.com/ adviceand well send you the latest recruiting tips, hiring trends, management strategies, and even some awesome deals.Weve got the time-tested expertise, plus cutting-edge technology,to help you attract top candidates for admin jobs.

How to Deal at Work When Your Mind is on Something Else

How to Deal at Work When Your Mind is on Something Else How to Deal at Work When Your Mind is on Something Else Over the past few months, I’ve planned a wedding, bought a house, and moved out of my apartment- all while working two jobs. And so, during the workday, instead of focusing on my day-to-day responsibilities, it wasn’t unusual for me to actually be thinking about paint colors, honeymoon destinations, credit scores, event vendors, and endless paperwork. And that made it pretty hard to get any real work done. When you have something big going on in your personal life, it’s nearly impossible to block it out from 9 AM to 5 PM. At the same time, you can’t let it take over your work life, distracting you from your responsibilities and tanking your performance. Instead, I’ve found it best to somewhat meet in the middle. In a few small ways, it’s OK to give in to the distraction. Of course, it’s also important to learn how to stay strong and overcome the temptation to focus entirely on what’s going on outside of the office. Here are a few ways I do both. Give In: Add it to the List When I had a lot going on in my personal life, going to work didn’t exactly take my mind off of it- in fact, it did the opposite. I’d spend meetings mentally going over my never-ending to-do list; if I got a quiet moment at my desk, I’d forgo any focused work and start thinking about upcoming commitments, conversations I needed to have, and personal phone calls I should have returned last week. When your mind is buzzing with outside distractions, it’s OK to indulge in a few minutes of planning to organize those thoughts and to-dos so that you can refocus on your job. But the key is to write it down with the purpose of getting it out of your mind and moving on to other (read: work-related) things. For example, I started several ongoing to-do lists in the back of my work notebook. Then, whenever my workday got interrupted by my wandering mind (I need to buy stamps, track down those old tax returns, address invitations…), I’d jot it down on the list- to tackle later. It’s a simple solution, but getting it out of your mind and onto paper will help you focus on what’s happening now- instead of what needs to happen tonight, tomorrow, and next weekend. Stay Strong: Minimize Your Triggers Whatever it is that’s distracting you, there’s probably something that triggers those feelings. Maybe it’s a text from your significant other, an email newsletter with tantalizing headlines (“The 25 Songs That Will Get Your Guests on the Dance Floor!”), or messages from friends on Facebook, asking if you’re OK or if you could use a drink at happy hour tonight. Believe me, I know how it feels. The minute I got engaged, I was suddenly on a hundred email lists that I never signed up for, all of which sent me daily emails about cake flavors and honeymoon destinations. Seeing those emails first thing in the morning got me excited about planning a wedding- but certainly didn’t get me in the mindset to get some serious work done. So, figure out how to minimize that trigger. Unsubscribe from those lists, save social media checks for your lunch break, or tuck your phone away in your purse or briefcase. Separating yourself from the things that spark your distraction will help you re-establish your workspace as a place you should be, well, working- instead of thinking about your life outside the office. Give In: Let Yourself Have a Lunch Break Take a glance around my office at noon, and you’ll see occupied desks, noses buried in work, and the occasional dejected Lean Cuisine, tossed aside after a few tasteless bites. In other words, lunch breaks aren’t the norm. When I was deep in the trenches of the house-buying process, though, I desperately needed that free hour to look at houses, gather and fax paperwork, and drive to my real estate agent’s office when I inevitably missed a signature line. At first, I let that make me feel guilty. Here I was, traipsing around town, popping in and out of potential houses, while my co-workers kept their heads down and worked through lunch. But eventually, I realized that if I didn’t get those tasks out of the way during my midday break, I’d spend my entire afternoon worrying about when I’d be able to get to them- and subsequently, get no real work done. In the end, allowing myself to use my lunch break however I needed helped me refocus for the rest of the workday. Whether you need that hour to meet with vendors, stop by the post office, sign papers, or just vent to a friend, don’t feel guilty. It’s your lunch break- take advantage of it! Stay Strong: Hold Yourself Accountable One of my former bosses used to have me email him every Monday, outlining my focus for the week, which typically included two to three major projects or goals that I wanted to accomplish. On Friday, he’d check back in for an update. And knowing that a “So, where are you on your goals for this week?” was inevitably coming, I was much more apt to get my mind of personal issues and get my head in the game. If you don’t want to make that kind of arrangement with your boss (or clue him or her in on what’s going on in your personal life), make a mutual agreement with a co-worker. Exchange lists at the beginning of the week, then chat over a cup of coffee on Friday about how you did. (Just make sure you pick someone who will hold you to your commitments- and not just reassure you that it’s OK that you spent the entire week browsing Zillow.) Whatever you’re going through- whether it’s sad, exciting, distracting, or all of the above- it probably won’t stop running through your mind when you get to the office. But you know what? That’s just life. Manage that distraction with a few of these tips, and you’ll stay successful in and out of the office. Photo of woman thinking courtesy of Shutterstock.

Heres a Sample Hourly Employee Attendance Policy

Here's a Sample Hourly Employee Attendance Policy Here's a Sample Hourly Employee Attendance Policy Having a formal written attendance policy that all employees are privy to is essential for most companies. From the expectation that everyone shows up for work and puts in the required hours to the consequences of not showing up, the ground rules set up by an organization should be understood by all employees. Below youll find a sample attendance policy that you can adapt to your company. Attendance Excellent attendance is an expectation of all employees of XYZ Company. Daily attendance is especially important for hourly employees whose customers and coworkers have the expectation of on-time product shipment and delivery. Emergency personal time is made available to employees for such unscheduled events as personal illness, immediate family member illness, doctor appointments, or a death in the family. Emergency Personal Time Employees accrue 2.15 hours of emergency personal time per pay period. On an annual basis, this is the equivalent of 56 hours. Employees may use emergency personal time up to 56 hours. If an employee leaves employment at XYZ Company with a negative accrual balance, hours used yet not accrued will be subtracted from an employee’s final paycheck. The emergency personal time that is accrued at the time an employee leaves XYZ Company will not be paid out. Employees who are using emergency personal time must call and talk to their supervisor as soon as possible, but no later than one hour after the start of their shift. If the supervisor is unavailable, employees may leave a message for the supervisor with a phone number where they can be reached.  The supervisor will then return the call.   Failure to call in on consecutive days will be considered a voluntary resignation from employment at XYZ Company. The number of minutes and/or hours an employee misses- or is tardy for work, from lunch, or from breaks- will be subtracted from personal time accrued. Tardiness occurs when an employee is not at his or her workstation (or working) as scheduled. When an employee misses a punch, the employee should see his or her supervisor immediately. Their time worked will be dealt with as if the employee has just arrived beginning with the moment they report to their supervisor. Time missed will also count as being tardy. Hourly employees may schedule time off, in advance, for such things as doctors appointment, classes, household repair appointments, parent-teacher meetings, and religious events and services- as long as the time off does not adversely affect co-workers or customers. When possible, within ones normal schedule, the employee may make up the time missed during the week in which the time was missed. Employees must have the permission of their supervisor to make up this time. Otherwise, vacation time must be scheduled in advance to cover these events. No emergency personal hours accrued may be carried over into the next calendar year. Consequences of Overuse of Emergency Personal Time The accumulation of 12 tardies in a rolling year (i.e., any consecutive 12 months) is grounds for employment termination. Disciplinary action, that may lead up to and include employment termination, may start when the sixth tardy in a three month period is recorded. Disciplinary action, up to and including employment termination, will commence, for the overuse of emergency personal time, when 56 hours of absences have been accumulated. The disciplinary action will consist of a written warning for the next eight hours missed, then a three-day suspension without pay for the next eight hours missed, followed by employment termination when an employee has used up any hours over 72. Attendance Bonus for Hourly Employees Life events can interfere with work attendance. However, XYZ Company needs employees to use as few emergency personal hours as possible and to avoid tardiness so that XYZ Company can operate the business in an orderly and efficient manner. Therefore,  XYZ Company has established an attendance bonus system to encourage employees to show up for work and be on time. The attendance bonus system is comprised of the following four components: Each employee who uses no emergency personal time and has no tardies in a calendar week will have his or her name entered into the monthly attendance drawing. The drawing is held at the monthly all-company staff meeting. For each week the employee had perfect attendance, they are allowed to enter the drawing. Four employees a month, whose names are drawn randomly, will receive $50.00.Each employee who uses no emergency personal time and has no tardies in a calendar quarter will receive a gift from XYZ Company, with an approximate value of $25.00, in appreciation of their attendance and commitment. Every employee who accomplishes the following attendance record in a calendar year is eligible to receive the stated annual bonus after the end of the calendar year.If an employee misses up to 16 hours and has no more than one tardy, the employee will receive 100 percent of the bonus, or $300.00If an employee misses up to 24 hours and has no more than two tardies, the employee will receive 50 percent of the bonus, or $150.00If an employee misses more than 24 hours and/or has more than two tardies, the employee will not receive an attendance bonus. Employees who do not use their emergency personal hours will be paid for the unused hours at the rate of 110 percent of their straight-time pay after the end of the calendar year. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) If you or an immediate family member has a recurring medical condition that results in frequent absences, you may qualify for unpaid leave under the FMLA. Please refer to the separate policy covering FMLA. Be advised that FMLA time off must be arranged for in advance and does not necessarily relieve an employee from their responsibilities as set forth in this policy. The Signed Employee Attendance Policy Document I have read and been informed about the content, requirements, and expectations of the attendance policy for hourly employees at XYZ Company. I have received a copy of the policy and agree to abide by the policy guidelines as a condition of my employment and my continuing employment at Your Company. I understand that if I have questions at any time regarding the attendance policy, I will consult with my immediate supervisor, a Human Resources staff member, the Plant Manager, or the President of the company. Please read the policy carefully to ensure that you understand the policy before signing this document. Employee Signature: _______________________________________ Employee Printed Name: ____________________________________ Date: _________________________

10 ridiculously smart questions you should ask in a job interview

10 ridiculously smart questions you should ask in a job interview 10 ridiculously smart questions you should ask in a job interview In a crowded job market, the last thing you want in a job interview to be is forgettable. Yet people do it every day with this one mistake: not asking any questions in a job interview.Related from Ladders Don’t say these 5 types of words during a job interview How to answer 5 of the toughest interview questions Here are 7 of the craziest interview questions The mistake is understandable. You’ve been so busy preparing to answer questions, that you’re forgetting to show the curiosity that lets interviewers see what you really want to know.  After all, even if every single one of your responses are flawless and on point, by not asking a question or two of your interviewer you run the risk of coming across as generic.  On the other hand, you don’t want to ask terrible questions. That’s even worse.These questions to ask in an interview can show the person interviewing you how you’re different and why you stand apart from the rest.  Why did you join the company?Mark Phillips, who runs a top office for Sanford Rose Associates, one of the largest recruiting networks in the U.S. had a simple question that could be quite complicated. If the interviewer tells you it was because of vacation days or benefits, chances are good that there isn’t all that much below the surface. If, however, they tell you about the creativity or integrity of the brand, you know you’re potentially going to work for a winner.How does this role further your company’s mission?   Kelly Lavin, chief talent officer for newly launched Canvas, the first text-based interviewing platform suggests you ask this because “While job duties and company culture are important to understand, determining why a company and role exists is just as, if not more, important.” It will also allow you to better understand if you “align with the company’s mission and will feel a sense of purpose in your new role.”Tell me about your most successful employees.   What do they do differently?Believe it or not, this one is almost a trick question for potential employers Lavin says. “The answer to this question will help a candidate understand how a company defines success and what specific behaviors can lead to that success.” In one fell swoop you’ll find out what success means to this company and how you can better achieve it.  What do you expect so meone in this position to accomplish in the first 60-90 days?University of Richmond Career Advisor Anna Young says, “Great candidates hit the ground running, find out how you will be expected to jump in and start contributing to the organization from day one.” And in case you’re wondering, it’s fine to modify the question for an internship and ask about expectations for the first few weeks.What, if anything, in my background gives you pause?Roberta Matuson, President of Matuson Consulting, says this is pretty much the one must ask question job seekers should ask in an interview. She says “By asking this question, you’ll be able to overcome any objections the interviewer might have before you leave the room.” And if you’re smart, you can find a way to combat any preconceived notions by addressing them in a follow up note.  What is the turnover in your company, in the executive suite and in the department, I am interviewing for? Dave Arnold President at Arnold Partner s says as a leading independent CFO search consultant for technology companies, he’s had 100’s of people go out to interview with clients, and he thinks that’s a question worth asking. While people no longer expect to stay at any given job for decades or more, it’s nice to know how long you can expect to stick around if given the opportunity. If the interviewer grows uncomfortable or shares the fact that turnaround at their company is higher than Dancing with the Stars, you might want to think twice before accepting the position.    What are the opportunities for growth and advancement?Young says, “This can help you to understand the structure of the organization and if there are opportunities to move up and advance your career.” It’s also a great way of finding out about different ways to progress or move into different roles “Also, it could help you to learn if they offered continued training or professional development for employees.”If you had a chance to inte rview for your company again (knowing what you know now), what questions would you ask next time?  Ashley White, executive director for Human Resources for APQC, a member-based non-profit that produces benchmarking and best practice research suggested this toughie.This one is slightly sneaky because it also allows you to surreptitiously monitor the interviewer’s hidden signals. Do they suddenly look uncomfortable before spouting the company line? Do they greet this with a giant grin? You might have more answers to this question by what they don’t say, than even by what they do share.What haven’t I asked that most candidates ask?Phillips also suggested asking this question, which sets you apart immediately. On the one hand, you’re lumping all the other applicants together and showing a level of confidence; on the other hand, you’re gaining insight into your potential competitors:  they asked this, but it never even occurred to me.One last thing: so that you don’t spend t he coming days or weeks on pins and needles, it’s always a good idea to ask this next question.  What are the next steps in this process?Young says, “If they haven’t already shared this information, it’s important to ask about their timeline so you’re aware of when you could be notified of a second interview, or a potential offer.” What to ask yourself  Shannon Breuer, President at Wiley Group was once one of 800 laid off at her former job, Shannon now draws on her own personal experience to provide clients with career coaching and transition services. She offers a list of questions you should ask yourself before an interview, and if needed â€" you can flip them and ask the interviewer. What level of work-life balance do you wish to enjoy?   How casual do you like to dress?   Is your ideal employer an up-and-coming small business, or a century-old corporation with time-tested values and a clear path for future promotions?   Do you like the management style of the leadership team?   What are the company initiatives you can stand behind? 10 ridiculously smart questions you should ask in a job interview In a crowded job market, the last thing you want to be in a job interview is forgettable.Yet people do it every day with this one mistake: not asking any questions in a job interview.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!The mistake is understandable. You’ve been so busy preparing to answer questions, that you’re forgetting to show the curiosity that lets interviewers see what you really want to know.  After all, even if every single one of your responses are flawless and on point, by not asking a question or two of your interviewer you run the risk of coming across as generic.On the other hand, you don’t want to ask terrible questions. That’s even worse.These questions to ask in an interview can show the person interviewing you how you’re different and why you stand apart from the rest.Why did you join the company?Mark Phillips, who runs a top office for Sanford Rose A ssociates, one of the largest recruiting networks in the U.S. had a simple question that could be quite complicated. If the interviewer tells you it was because of vacation days or benefits, chances are good that there isn’t all that much below the surface. If, however, they tell you about the creativity or integrity of the brand, you know you’re potentially going to work for a winner.How does this role further your company’s mission?   Kelly Lavin, chief talent officer for newly launched Canvas, the first text-based interviewing platform suggests you ask this because “While job duties and company culture are important to understand, determining why a company and role exists is just as, if not more, important.” It will also allow you to better understand if you “align with the company’s mission and will feel a sense of purpose in your new role.”Tell me about your most successful employees.   What do they do differently?Believe it or not, this one is almost a trick qu estion for potential employers Lavin says. “The answer to this question will help a candidate understand how a company defines success and what specific behaviors can lead to that success.” In one fell swoop you’ll find out what success means to this company and how you can better achieve it.What do you expect someone in this position to accomplish in the first 60-90 days?University of Richmond Career Advisor Anna Young says, “Great candidates hit the ground running, find out how you will be expected to jump in and start contributing to the organization from day one.” And in case you’re wondering, it’s fine to modify the question for an internship and ask about expectations for the first few weeks.What, if anything, in my background gives you pause?Roberta Matuson, President of Matuson Consulting, says this is pretty much the one must ask question job seekers should ask in an interview. She says “By asking this question, you’ll be able to overcome any objections th e interviewer might have before you leave the room.” And if you’re smart, you can find a way to combat any preconceived notions by addressing them in a follow up note.What is the turnover in your company, in the executive suite and in the department, I am interviewing for? Dave Arnold President at Arnold Partners says as a leading independent CFO search consultant for technology companies, he’s had 100’s of people go out to interview with clients, and he thinks that’s a question worth asking. While people no longer expect to stay at any given job for decades or more, it’s nice to know how long you can expect to stick around if given the opportunity. If the interviewer grows uncomfortable or shares the fact that turnaround at their company is higher than Dancing with the Stars, you might want to think twice before accepting the position.What are the opportunities for growth and advancement?Young says, “This can help you to understand the structure of the organization an d if there are opportunities to move up and advance your career.” It’s also a great way of finding out about different ways to progress or move into different roles “Also, it could help you to learn if they offered continued training or professional development for employees.”If you had a chance to interview for your company again (knowing what you know now), what questions would you ask next time?  Ashley White, executive director for Human Resources for APQC, a member-based non-profit that produces benchmarking and best practice research suggested this toughie.This one is slightly sneaky because it also allows you to surreptitiously monitor the interviewer’s hidden signals. Do they suddenly look uncomfortable before spouting the company line? Do they greet this with a giant grin? You might have more answers to this question by what they don’t say, than even by what they do share.What haven’t I asked that most candidates ask?Phillips also suggested asking this questi on, which sets you apart immediately. On the one hand, you’re lumping all the other applicants together and showing a level of confidence; on the other hand, you’re gaining insight into your potential competitors:  they asked this, but it never even occurred to me.One last thing: so that you don’t spend the coming days or weeks on pins and needles, it’s always a good idea to ask this next question.What are the next steps in this process?Young says, “If they haven’t already shared this information, it’s important to ask about their timeline so you’re aware of when you could be notified of a second interview, or a potential offer.”What to ask yourself  Shannon Breuer, President at Wiley Group was once one of 800 laid off at her former job, Shannon now draws on her own personal experience to provide clients with career coaching and transition services. She offers a list of questions you should ask yourself before an interview, and if needed â€" you can flip them and a sk the interviewer. What level of work-life balance do you wish to enjoy? How casual do you like to dress? Is your ideal employer an up-and-coming small business, or a century-old corporation with time-tested values and a clear path for future promotions? Do you like the management style of the leadership team? What are the company initiatives you can stand behind? This article was originally published on August 1, 2017.You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people