Apply Now to Compete in the ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW)

Apply Now to Compete in the ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW) Apply Now to Compete in the ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW) Apply Now to Compete in the ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW)The clock is winding down if you would like to participate in this years ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW) the global competition for inventors and entrepreneurs who have developed hardware-led social innovations. Applications for the three events to be held this spring in India, Kenya and the United States must be submitted by Feb. 8.The ISHOW program highlights sustainable and scalable products that are intended to address a social, economic or environmental problem. The first of this years ISHOWs, ISHOW India, will take place on April 4 in Bangalore, India. The second competition, ISHOW Kenya, is scheduled for May 9 in Nairobi, Kenya. The third event, ISHOW USA, will be held on June 13 in Washington, D.C.Three winners from each of the ISHOWs will receive a share of $500,000 in cash and in-kind services , including an extensive design and engineering review by a panel of experts.Finalists for ISHOW India will be announced Feb. 18, while finalists for ISHOW Kenya will be announced March 11. The finalists for ISHOW USA will be announced April 15.To learn more about the 2019 ISHOWs, to apply, or to learn about past ISHOW winners, visit https//thisishardware.org. You can also get updates on the competitions by following the ISHOW on Twitter asmeishow and thisishardware.

10 words you should never use to describe yourself in an interview

10 words you should never use to describe yourself in an interview10 words you should never use to describe yourself in an interviewJob interviews are the time to put your best humblebrag skills to use and show employers why youre the best part for the job. But when interviewers ask questions like Tell me about yourself, or How would your friends describe you? it gets a bit mora difficult to brag about yourself without going over the top.Heres the dealWhile you definitely want to show employers all of the great things that make you perfect for the job, you dont want to risk slipping up and saying anything that makes you come off as, well, a self-righteous jerk. Theres a fine line between qualified and conceited, and you want to avoid the latter at all costs.With that in mind, here are 10 words you should never use to describe yourself in an interview, and what to say instead1. IndependentYou think youre telling interviewers that you dont need anyone to hold your hand through a projec t, that you can get things done efficiently on your own, and that you dont need any micromanaging. But what theintervieweris hearing is that you dontwork well with othersand you might not be the friendliest person to work with.Instead, tell the interviewer that you enjoy working autonomously, but you also enjoy being part of a team, and you can take direction well from others. You dont want employers to think that youre standoffish or not a team player, so its best to avoid describing yourself as independent, a lone wolf, or something of the like.2. IntelligentDescribing yourself as intelligent in a job interview basically tells employers that you think youre smarter and better than anyone else. This is one of those personality traits youd hope for someone else to use to describe you, but saying that you think youre intelligent is a quick and easy way to come off as a pretentious jerk.Instead, describe to interviewers how you think and approach problems. Use terms like fast learner, logical, perceptive, or analytical. Interviewers will be interested to know about your thought process and how you solve problems, but trust us, they dont really care about how smart youthinkyou are.3. ObsessiveYou think that using this word to describe yourself will tell employers that youre passionate and you have a keen eye for detail, but honestly, it just makes you come off as a little crazy. Avoid using any words that could possibly have a negative connotation so you dont end up having to explain yourself and recover from aschwimmbad impression.Opt for more descriptive words to describe your passion for your work. Use words like detail oriented, focused, and excellent timemanagement. behauptung words effectively show your dedication to your job in a much more positive light than saying that youre obsessive, or as the interviewer would hear, psycho.4. LikeableThis is another one of those descriptors that makes you sound a little self-obsessed. Plus, its going to be kind of har d to find examples to backup how likeable you are without sounding like a complete narcissist.To show that youre personable and generally well-liked without sounding hopelessly pompous, use words that you can provide examples for, like team player, enthusiastic, or outgoing. Then, feel free to provide examples of times you hosted company parties, spoke up during meetings, and pitched ideas for projects. This is much more convincing than just claiming that people like you.5. GenerousThis is another one of those words that you should never use to describe yourself. Generosity is a title thats earned, and its one of the highest forms of praise someone else can give you. Claiming for yourself that youre generous will just make you look silly.If you actually do feel that youre a fairly generous person and want to show this to your interviewer, tell them that youre helpful, or willing to lend a hand. Give them examples of your community involvement or participation in any fundraisers or c harities. If you cant provide these examples, its probably not even worth trying to convince others that youre generous.6. HumbleEven though an interview is definitely where you want to put your best humblebrag skills to use, you should never actually brag about how humble you are. Its contradicting, its weird, and it just doesnt work.If this is an aspect of your personality that youre just dying to let your interviewer know about, show them that youre humble through your answers. Even interviews are the time totoot your own horn, you can show employers that youre humble by describing your experiences and stating facts - without bragging about yourself. Let the interviewer do the judging.7. Straight-forwardYou might think youre telling hiring managers that you tell it like it is, you dont beat around the bush, or that you just keep it real. But all the interviewer is hear is that youre abrasive, disrespectful, or just plain rude.Instead, describe yourself as being direct, sincere, or truthful. These descriptors effectively get the idea across without coming off like an inconsiderate jerk.8. Self-disciplinedThe struggle to stay self-disciplined is one that were all familiar with. Its difficult to stay so on-track constantly without needing a break every now and then. So difficult, in fact, that its almost unbelievable.If you really want to get this idea across, show the interviewer your discipline with examples of your projects and their outcomes. The best self discipline yields results, so use your experience to your advantage.9. AdaptableThis one is just redundant. Change is happening all the time, everywhere (except in the White House, am I right?), so its basically a necessity as a human to be adaptable. Dont pat yourself on the back for being something that youre supposed to be.Instead, say that youre good at handling and leading change and adjusting to new conditions. You can also use words like flexible, innovative, or inventive, to showcase your affini ty for adjusting to new methods and ideas, or even creating new ideas of your own.10. SuccessfulJust dont even bring this one up. Saying that youre successful is another one of those terms that makes you come off as super self-obsessed. Employers will be able tojudgeyour success for themselves from reading your resume and listening to you describe your work experiences andprofessional strengths.If youre dead-set on convincing interviewers that youre successful, focus on describing why youre good at what you do and what skills you excel at. You should aim to show your success, not just deem yourself as a successful person.Now you know what words to avoid using when describing yourselfWhen it comes to interviews, everything you say matters. You dont want to risk saying something wrong and leaving a bad impression on your interviewer, especially when youre describing yourself.Use words that showcase and describe the aspects of your personality that you want to show off to interviewers. And whatever you do, dont say anything that will make you come off as pretentious or self righteous.Now that you know what mistakes to avoid when describing yourself, check out these articles onhow to answer the tell me about yourself interview question, how to tell interviewershow your friends would describe you. Good luck at your next interview

How to impress in a job interview (12 crucial things to do)

How to impress in a job interview (12 crucial things to do)How to impress in a job interview (12 crucial things to do)You finally landed an interview for the job youve been coveting congrats Now its time to buck up and blow your upcoming interview out of the water. Easier said than done though, especially if youre pretty new to interviews in general or its been a while since your last job hunt.No matter what the situation, youre likely wondering how can I stand out in the crowd and impress my interviewer(s)?Heres howBe authentic.Although preparation is important, the job is really only the right job for you if its right forbothof you the interviewee (you) and the employer (the company). So being professional but still yourself is the best way to save welchested time and disappointment in your job search because if they hire you it should be based on who you really are, and if they dont move forward with you, it should be because it wasnt an honest match.Dress the part.Whether your e interviewing to flip burgers or run a country, show up dressed to impress. While a suit is no longer the only way to dress well for interviews, it is still a good go-to in most situations. To be totally sure, ask the company before the day of your interview what their dress code is or do a little bit of research on your own aboutappropriate interview attire for different situations. At the end of the day, though, Its always, always better to overdress than underdress.Use first names.There is no sweeter sound than your own name.Studies showthat even patients in a persistent vegetative state react to the sound of their own name thats how powerful this tactic is. Influence the hiring managerand leaving a lasting impression by remembering and using the names of each team member.Bring a copy of your resume.Having a resume to reference makes it easy to share the highlights from your career,ensuresthey align well what you shared on your resume, and demonstrates preparedness in case an i nterviewer doesnt have a copy.Allow the pause.The most impressive candidates control their desire to fill every space with impulsive answers and hesitant ums and uhs. When asked a question, take a moment to think through your response or identify an appropriate anecdote and then begin speaking. The pause is fine and it even shows your ability to be calm and composed.Show interest in the company.Interview the team thats interviewing you by asking questions that allow them to talk about what theyre most proud ofI saw that you have greatemployer reviews. Were you aware of these and why do you think theyre so positive?What wasthe organizations greatest accomplishment last year?What makes people stay at your company?Talk about what you can do for them.Instead of sharing your skills and knowledge in a totally general sense, share how you think your skills and knowledge applies to the role youre applying for and in the organization as a whole. Reference the organizations mission and goals, if youre able to find them online prior the interview, and help them envision you as a team member of the company. This all amounts to tailoring your background to the role and it is at the root of what interviewers want to hear, because it tells them that youre elend just looking for any job, buttheirjob.Be fully prepared to answer any interview question that comes your way. No, theres no way to know for sure what exact questions an interviewer might throw at you, but there are definitelya bunch of common interview questionsyou could use as guide. Being fully preparednot only helps you avoid getting stumped by a question in the interview, but it also helps show that you take this opportunity seriously, that you care enough to put effort into proper preparation, and also to allow the interview to progress more smoothly and enjoyably for everyone involved.Arrive 8 minutes early.Candidates who arrive too early can put pressure on the companys team members to abandon their other oblig ations (OR just let you sit there awkwardly by yourself), and candidates who arrive late might be perceived as unprepared or disrespectful. Arrive in the parking lot or neighborhood as early as you need to, but walk in the front door just 5-8 minutes prior to your scheduled interview time.Never agree to start immediately.Employers want to know that you care about your current employers operations despite leaving the company. If youre currently employed, always mention the notice you have to give and your cognizance of your employers needs when asked how soon you can start.Be positive, courteous and confident.You might do everything else right in the interview, but if you come across as very negative and /or lacking in good manners or confidence, itll make any interviewer second guess whether youve gotthe right personality traits theyre looking for in new hiresthat will make you pleasant to work with.Follow up.Sending a follow-up note or email can keep you fresh on the teams mind and reinforce the fact that youre a courteous and thoughtful person, all great things to do no matter where you are in the hiring process but especially if you were interviewed early in the selection process. Plan that follow-up phone call or email as early as the day of the interview or the morning after.This article was originally published on Kununu.