Interviewing tip

If you are asked a question in an interview about what you did in a job, give a full answer. Don't just say, "I worked in the office" or "I worked in maintenance."

For example, if you worked in the office at an RV park, explain what your duties were - answer the phone, take reservations, check people in, answer questions about the area, etc. - and what skills you used. Skills in this case could include using a certain reservation system, processing credit cards electronically, handling complaints, stocking products, opening and closing the cash register and office.

In maintenance, your duties might include things like cleaning restrooms and community areas, repairs to plumbing, mowing lawns and weedeating, filling propane. Your skills could include choosing proper cleaning supplies and methods, maintaining lawnmower and weedeater, certified to fill propane tanks, testing swimming pool and adding chemicals as needed, use a snake to unstop a sewage line.

Add numbers too: 300-site campground, four restrooms, often had ten check-ins lined up in the afternoon.

One employer may not call a position the same as another employer but if she hears specific skills and duties, she can relate that to her position and know you have experience.

Giving meaty answers is a way to sell yourself. Your confidence and knowledge will show and raise your value as a candidate for the job. Even if most of this information is on your resume, hearing you expand on what you did and use the vocabulary that goes with it during the interview goes a long way in reassuring the employer that you know what you are talking about and can actually do the job. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For tips on interviewing and negotiating, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

What's a Jobinar?

Technology is amazing! Now you can attend a job fair online.

WorkamperPlus subscribers of Workamper News now can participate in Jobinars at no extra cost. What's a Jobinar? As an attendee, you see the employer's presentation on your computer and hear the dialog on your phone. Just like the group interviews at job fairs, the employer tells you about their company and the positions they have available. You have the opportunity to ask questions, either by typing in your question online, or "raising your hand." When you are called on, everyone hears your question. Since a large group is participating, someone may very well ask a question that you don't have on your list.

Get the most out of a Jobinar by preparing in advance. Research the company. Search and post on forums to find out what other Workamper feedback is. Prepare a list of questions. Have your questions in front of you so you can take notes and mark them off as they are answered.

I attended my first Jobinar a week ago. I was impressed. Workamper has two more scheduled for August plus others on the schedule. Subscribers are now getting even more for their money. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on interviewing and negotiating with employers, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

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Support Your RV Lifestyle
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Why is a manhole cover round?

Have you gotten an oddball question like this during an interview? There is no correct answer. An interviewer would ask something like this to see how you react and if your answer showed good reasoning. The wrong thing to do would be to dismiss the question as a joke and not take it seriously.

If you are interviewing in person for a sales job, the interviewer might hand you something like a pen and say, "Sell it to me." She wants to see how you think on your feet and how you present yourself and the pen.

If you do get the manhole cover question, one that seems unrelated to the job or even one you weren't expecting, pause and say, "That's a good question." That gives you a few seconds to think before answering. When you make up an answer for the manhole question, speak confidently like you are the expert! It may just get you the job. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For questions you should ask during an interview, see the 2nd edition of Jaimie Hall's Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, available at RVBookstore.com