5 Things to Never Say in an Interview

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Your goal at any job interview is to get hired. To prove your candidacy, you need to impress and tell hiring managers what you are capable of. However, there are things you can say and definitely should never say. Here are five messages you absolutely do not want to slip out of your mouth:

#1: "What does your company do/specialize in?"

It is expected that you do research on the company before the interview. The hiring manager should not be the one to inform you. Not knowing general information about business makes you seem unprepared and unfit for the job. If you are unsure, you can ask for clarification, but do know the basics, such as the type of restaurant it is or what type of cuisine it serves.

#2: "Um... I don't know."

You may be stumped by your interviewer's questions, but there is a better way to go around it. Try to avoid saying, "I don't know", and respond with, "That's a good question." That reply can help you segue the conversation or redirect it towards a topic you are able to answer. However, be sure to stay relatively relevant and don't go totally off topic.

#3: "My last boss/job was terrible."

Talking negatively about your former employer or workplace is not a good idea. Your complaining makes it look as if you are hard to work with and not a team player. Instead, mention how you able to take away positive experiences and learnings from your previous position.

#4: "You can find that on my resume."

Certainly, the hiring manager knows that, and just wants you to elaborate further. He/she most likely wants you to tell them more about your role that you did not have written down. Also, he/she could be assessing how well you are at communicating and testing your social skills. Basically, use this chance to highlight your skills in a greater way, rather than it being something listed on a piece of paper.

#5: "No, I don't have any questions."

Don't leave the job interview on a flat note. Ask your recruiter a thought-provoking question, because it can possibly help your memorability-factor. Prepare, in advance, a few you can perhaps ask, such as "Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications?" or "What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this role?"


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How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself"

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"Tell me about yourself" is pretty much a requisite in all job interviews. After all, employers want to find out and learn more about you, and see whether you are suitable for the position. You may think, "Why would I need to practice talking about myself?" In actuality, most people aren't fully prepared to answer this question successfully. So here are the key points you need to remember when introducing yourself to a hiring manager:

#1: Expand on your resume.

Do not word-for-word say what you wrote on your cover letter or resume. Recruiters have already seen them before they invited you into the interview. You may refresh them of your background, but only with the main items. For example, if you held several roles in the past, consider saying, "I am well-versed in the hospitality industry with four years of hotel experience under my belt."

#2: Mention your greatest achievements.

It's okay to boast a little bit. Highlight a quality or instance you were positively noticed for. Try to speak about something special and something highly quantifiable, rather than abstract, so that it can be easily retained in the recruiter's memory. If you are applying for an executive chef position, you can talk about how you had revamped the menu at the restaurant you previously worked at, and how resulted in increased sales of $20,000.

#3: Use descriptive words in your pitch.

Stick to a set of vocabulary that evokes professionalism. Your wording sets the tone and shows that you are capable and confident. For instance, use the words like leader, expert or established, rather than started or followed.

#4: Pace your speech.

Remain calm, and do not rush it. Talking too slow or using an excessive amount of filler words (um, like, etc.) is not good either. If it helps, you can also try pausing shortly between each statement, so your thoughts are more organized. Perfecting your speech comes with practice, so rehearse in front of the mirror or with a family/friend.


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Go from hunting to hired with Harri's updated Mobile App

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Landing your next gig can be challenging, especially if you’re constantly on the move. That’s why Harri created the Harri mobile app, giving hospitality professionals like yourself the ability to go from hunting to hired on the go. Our new features include:

  • Push Notifications: stay on top of applications, new job alerts and more.
  • All-New Message Center: communicate with potential employers easily from anywhere
  • Upgraded Media Gallery: enhance and crop photos from your media library in seconds
  • Multi-Location Apply: Apply open positions at multiple locations under the same brand 

We are dedicated to helping you find the perfect job no matter where you are or where you’re going. The Harri mobile app is available now on iTunes and Googleplay.Get it today.

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5 Things That Make Your Profile Look Unprofessional

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Being that your professional profile and resume is the first thing that recruiters see, you definitely don't want to give off an impression that you are not an ideal candidate. Don't let the little things ruin your chances of gaining a job. So make sure you have these five things that make your profile look unprofessional in check:

#1: Email Address

If you are still using the same email address you created back in high school, make a new one immediately. Get one for your professional life and work, because nobody will take you seriously if you are prettyprincess85@gmail.com. (Save it for personal use, instead.) You can easily set up a new email on Google, Yahoo or Hotmail.

#2: Poor Grammar and Spelling

Misspelled words and bad grammar are big giveaways that make you seem unprofessional. Be sure you give your profile a second look and also ask others to proofread it for you.

#3: Phone Number

It is best that you provide a personal contact number, like your cellphone, rather than a home number. You do not want hiring managers to call you at your house number, and have a family member or roommate pick up. Just make it easier for your prospective employer with a mobile number, so they can reach you anywhere and anytime.

#4: Profile Photo

You want to provide a good first impression to the hiring manager even before you meet at the interview. You can do so with a professional, business-appropriate profile photo. Do refer to Tips for a Professional Profile Photo for more in-depth advice.

#5: Unnecessary Personal Information

It's nice to share a bit about your personality and hobbies away from work, but keep it to a reasonable amount. In case you didn't know, oversharing may actually hurt your employment prospects. So no need to share overly personal details and/or photos. Topics that you can possibly discuss about are clubs, associations or organizations you are a part of, or volunteer work that you are engaged with.


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Tips for a Professional Profile Photo

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Did you know that a profile photo is a valuable element to your job search on Harri? It can help increase your chances of getting that dream job that you have been chasing after. In fact, you are 7x more likely to be hired.

Although, a profile photo is usually excluded from the traditional paper resume, it is very important to have for your online presence, like your Harri profile. You owe it to yourself, so maximize your job searching efforts. Here's a guide to achieve a professional profile photo:

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#1: Size

The ideal profile photo should be no larger than 600 x 600 pixels in dimension. (For reference, that is the same size as an Instagram photo.) If your photo is too small, it can be appear blurry or fuzzy, which is a not a good sign of professionalism. Generally, square headshots are the most popular and can be used across all channels.

#2: Distance

You do not want to appear too close, nor too far. Find a good balance so that your face is in focus. Also, keep in mind that your entire face should be in view.

#3: Group or Cropped Photos

Avoid using group photos with friends and family. Cropping out people from a group shot is not the smartest idea either. Stick to using solo shots, so that you do not have hassle with Photoshop, and cutting out unnecessary people in your photo.

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#4: Lighting

A profile photo would not be a profile photo if you cannot be seen in it, so be conscious of the lighting. Take photos in natural light or near a window. Refrain from being in direct sunlight and overhead light sources because they can create dark, harsh shadows.

#5: Pleasant Expression

You want to appear like somebody an employer would like to hire and work with, so put on a pleasant expression. In a natural manner, try to express positivity and confidence. Stay away from posing and the use of hands/gestures.

#6: No Selfies

Keep the selfies to yourself. For your professional profile photo, you will want to have somebody take it for you, whether it be a friend or an expert photographer.

#7: Professional Attire

Remember, dress to impress. Wear something that you would typically wear for an in-person job interview, such as a button-down shirt/blouse and a blazer. Another tip is to stick to neutral or dark colors, like white, black or gray.

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