Consider using the three-question strategy before your next interview

Most likely, you will be screened by a recruiter before you meet with the hiring decision-maker.

Being invited for a job interview can be an exciting moment during your search. It is the gateway to meeting with a potential employer interested in talking with you. As much effort as it takes to get to this point in your search, you want to make a great impression that will hopefully lead to the offer stage.

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Most likely, you will be screened by a recruiter before you meet with the hiring decision-maker. Your skills will be evaluated and discussed to determine if you have the requirements needed. Inquiring about your skills is part of the hiring process, but pay attention to the role you play as well. Candidates who explore the job description by asking about the nature of the job are more likely to leave a good impression on the interviewer.

Remember that job descriptions can change from company to company, and while some postings share similar wording, employers will often list skills in a creative way that is unique to their work culture.

You could easily find two similar job descriptions asking for the same skills but using different titles or phrases to describe the responsibilities and the roles.

One of the things candidates need to correct when preparing for interviews is assuming that interviewers understand their background and skills. For instance, a job candidate recently raised concerns about interviewing when she did not receive a job offer. As an experienced interviewer, she understood the significance of sending the correct perception within a limited time. How To Prepare for a Job Interview (thebalancemoney.com)

Yet, like many others, she still needed to practice by treating each interview as though her next opportunity depended on it - because it does. If you have experienced the same concerns and disappointment in your job search, there are some strategies you can implement to improve your chances of going through the entire hiring process.

You can start by becoming more actively involved in the interview process by asking questions during the screening interview before talking with a decision-maker. Failing to take the initiative in asking questions early on is where some candidates make costly mistakes. They rely on their past interview experiences, assuming they know the employer’s needs.

To increase your chances of a successful interview, ask questions to gather valuable insight regarding the employer’s needs. When you focus on preparing questions ahead of time, your confidence gets a boost, leading to building rapport and developing good chemistry with the employer. Smart Questions to Ask Before a Job Interview| Job-Hunt

When you participate in an interview with a lack of knowledge about the specific skills an employer needs, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead of having a robust discussion, the lack of research beforehand creates unnecessary anxiety that you can eliminate by asking just a few questions.

Consider asking these three questions before your first meeting; they will enhance your interviews and give you the knowledge you need to advance to the next step.

1. Ask for a job description. You may already have one if the job was posted online. However, it does not hurt to ask for a more detailed description. Once you receive the job description, highlight key areas matching your skills and expertise. Use this description as a road map to assist you in asking more thoughtful questions during the interview.

2. Ask about the interview schedule. This question may seem trivial. However, clarifying the next steps gives you more understanding. For example, Will this be a group interview? Or how much time should you block out? If you have the opportunity, ask about the background of the person (s) interviewing you. Even though you can research the interviewer’s background online, acquiring knowledge about the interviewer will help you establish rapport. Knowing the length of the meeting can help you prepare and anticipate more questions.

3. Ask about specific areas in your background that interest the employer. This question will help you quickly identify the types of skills and experience in your career background that interest the employer. For example, one job candidate assumed the employer was interested in his project management skills, but the employer was more focused on his engineering degree. Asking about the employer’s interests will help you define the employer’s needs and help you highlight your value during the interview.

What is the best way to prepare for interviews in advance? What kinds of questions do you ask before the interview?

Mental health professionals answer parents' top questions about kids and mental health

From social media to school shootings, three years of a global pandemic, an ongoing climate crisis and the everyday pressures of school and friendships that come with being a kid, there is a lot happening in the minds of America's youthright now.

The data shows this as well, prompting the U.S. surgeon general in 2021 to warn of a growing mental health crisis among young people.

"The challenges today's generation of young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate," Dr. Vivek H. Murthy said in his 2021 warning, calling it both a moral and medical obligation to respond and provide resources for children and families.

On the ground, the nation is also experiencing a crisis of care, with a record number of kids in need of mental health care crashing up against a lack of access to care.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry estimates that when it comes to child and adolescent psychiatrists -- medical doctors who are able to prescribe medicine -- there are just over 10,000 currently practicing in the U.S., at a ratio of 14 per 100,000 children.

To learn more about the crisis facing kids, "Good Morning America" interviewed leading mental health providers from across the country, who all agreed the U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented emergency.

Amid a growing mental health crisis for kids, mental health professionals answer parents’ questions. (ABC News Photo Illustration / Alex Gilbeaux)

Here are their answers to five top questions about the youth mental health crisis.

Expert describe the current crisis as being caused by a "melting pot" of different factors. While there's a spotlight on the crisis now, they point to data showing it has been building for years, and was only exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

"The pandemic, school shootings, grief, etc., may all be contributing to the youth mental health crisis, because mental health is shaped by a lot of factors," said Ariana Hoet, Ph.D., clinical director of On Our Sleeves and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital. "Growing up is hard enough, but when you add racism and discrimination, adverse childhood experiences, community violence, gun violence, worries about climate change and the opioid epidemic, it's a lot of continued stress for a lot of kids."

Story continues

"The pandemic only brought upon new challenges, as it disrupted the day-to-day life of kids, increased awareness of inequities in social determinants of health and led to many kids who lost parents," she said. "In addition, social media can make managing mental health difficult because this information is accessible at all times. Not to mention, bullying, a decrease in outside activities, social comparisons and more can be a negative result of social media."

The good news agreed upon by experts is that kids are resilient, and with the right supports in place, the mental health crisis among kids can be eased.

They argued the most promising solutions are to start building mental health resilience from a young age -- in primary schools, pediatricians' offices and within families.

Dr. Tami Benton, psychiatrist-in-chief at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said she would like to see kids be "more integrated" in their local communities in order to build more connections.

"We can increase green space ... community connections whatever your church, your faith-based community might be, your neighborhood friends, recreation center," Benton said. "Those are ways that young people connect with other people in ways that allow positive engagement."

Schools can also be a focal point in helping kids, according to Sharon Hover, Ph.D., professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & co-director of the National Center for School Mental Health.

MORE: Suicide can be contagious for teens, research shows. Here's how parents can help

"There are universal mental health supports that we can put in and that's really where schools do come into play," said Hoover, who recommends a three-tier mental health strategy in schools.

Tier 1 is universal programs that include social-emotional education as part of the curriculum and making sure the school is a safe, supportive place for kids. Tier 2 is for group interventions, check-ins and mentoring for students in mild distress. Tier 3, according to Hoover, is for students in more serious crisis and might involve regular therapy with an outside professional who comes into the school.

"One of the shortcomings in both mental health and health is that we tend to invest in what we would call downstream, where kids are at the highest level of need, and people talk a lot about but don't always invest in moving upstream and doing more prevention and promotion," Hoover said. "We are seeing improvement and engagement in school and a sense of belonging in communities where they really do invest."

Mental health professionals at Children's Mercy Kansas City, a medical center in Missouri, say that social media can impact not only "adolescents' self-view and interpersonal relationships," but spending a lot of time on smartphones and "media multitasking" can also negatively impact kids' sleep, cognitive control and academic performance.

Dr. Patricia Ibeziako, a psychiatrist at Boston Children's Hospital, said she sees many young people, particularly teens, turning online to cope with the pressures of the world, but at the same time not always finding a positive coping mechanism there.

"The way teenagers cope is with video games, surfing the internet, going online, and increased screen time has been linked to social isolation and depression," Ibeziako said. "So their coping mechanism is making them worse."

Ibeziako and other experts also described social media as a "double-edged sword," in that it allows kids to connect with each other and it can open up conversations on mental health for kids, but may lead them to the wrong sources for help.

"That's what they think they're doing when they spend all this time online, on social media," Ibeziako said of teens connecting with each other online. "And the effects can be detrimental if you're connecting with the wrong person giving you the wrong advice."

Hoet added that it's up to adults to help kids navigate the online world, saying, "We need to help them find trusted resources."

The American Psychological Association recently issued the first guidance of its kind on teenagers and social media.

In addition to setting time limits, the APA encourages parents to have ongoing discussions about social media use and conduct active supervision, especially in early adolescence. Parents are encouraged to model healthy social media use, including taking social media "holidays" as a family.

Mental health experts interviewed by ABC News universally agreed that when celebrities come forward to speak about their mental health, it reduces stigma and helps everyday patients feel less alone.

Celebrities like Selena Gomez and Shawn Mendes, who are vocal about their mental health struggles, can make a big difference for young people, experts say.

MORE: As new data shows kids in a mental health crisis, parents ask, where is the help?

"Changing the way popular culture talks about mental health not only decreases stigma but it also increases mental health literacy and trust, if done well," said Hoet. "If we ever want to get to a place where mental health is treated like physical health, we have to be more open and talk more about it. This is why celebrities talking about their mental health can be so impactful."

The most important things parents can do, the experts said, is talk with their kids about mental health and monitor their child's behaviors for warning signs of mental health struggles.

"Despite the fact that people say teenagers don't want to talk to their parents, they actually do. Maybe they don't want to listen to what they have to say, and may not do what they say, but they want to know that their parents are interested and concerned," said Benton. "The key to us getting through this is going to be family -- the caregiver, the neighbor who takes care of you, whoever it is."

Hoet said caregivers can build what's called "protective factors" in their children so they're better able to cope with stress and the ups and downs of life.

"Help children learn how to label, notice and cope with emotions," she said. "It's important for children to grow up understanding that we all feel emotions and that all emotions are normal."

She continued, "Having an environment at home that is routine and structured can give children a sense of control and calm. It's important that parents and family members should be who kids feel they can talk with, they can rely on, and feel loved and supported by."

While mental illness presents in different ways in different people, parents should watch for changes in their kids' moods and behaviors, ranging from excessive sleeping during the day to a lack of concentration, unwarranted frustration and a decreased desire to participate in normally enjoyable activities, experts say.

The Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology offers an online resource, EffectiveChildTherapy.org, with information for parents, from how to know when a child needs to seek professional help to how to find an expert.

A child's pediatrician or medical provider and their school are also good places to turn for help.

If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org or dial the current toll free number 800-273-8255 [TALK].

Mental health professionals answer parents' top questions about kids and mental health originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com

Mental health professionals answer parents' top questions about kids and mental health

From social media to school shootings, three years of a global pandemic, an ongoing climate crisis and the everyday pressures of school and friendships that come with being a kid, there is a lot happening in the minds of America's youthright now.

The data shows this as well, prompting the U.S. surgeon general in 2021 to warn of a growing mental health crisis among young people.

"The challenges today's generation of young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate," Dr. Vivek H. Murthy said in his 2021 warning, calling it both a moral and medical obligation to respond and provide resources for children and families.

On the ground, the nation is also experiencing a crisis of care, with a record number of kids in need of mental health care crashing up against a lack of access to care.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry estimates that when it comes to child and adolescent psychiatrists -- medical doctors who are able to prescribe medicine -- there are just over 10,000 currently practicing in the U.S., at a ratio of 14 per 100,000 children.

To learn more about the crisis facing kids, "Good Morning America" interviewed leading mental health providers from across the country, who all agreed the U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented emergency.

Amid a growing mental health crisis for kids, mental health professionals answer parents’ questions. (ABC News Photo Illustration / Alex Gilbeaux)

Here are their answers to five top questions about the youth mental health crisis.

Expert describe the current crisis as being caused by a "melting pot" of different factors. While there's a spotlight on the crisis now, they point to data showing it has been building for years, and was only exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

"The pandemic, school shootings, grief, etc., may all be contributing to the youth mental health crisis, because mental health is shaped by a lot of factors," said Ariana Hoet, Ph.D., clinical director of On Our Sleeves and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital. "Growing up is hard enough, but when you add racism and discrimination, adverse childhood experiences, community violence, gun violence, worries about climate change and the opioid epidemic, it's a lot of continued stress for a lot of kids."

Story continues

"The pandemic only brought upon new challenges, as it disrupted the day-to-day life of kids, increased awareness of inequities in social determinants of health and led to many kids who lost parents," she said. "In addition, social media can make managing mental health difficult because this information is accessible at all times. Not to mention, bullying, a decrease in outside activities, social comparisons and more can be a negative result of social media."

The good news agreed upon by experts is that kids are resilient, and with the right supports in place, the mental health crisis among kids can be eased.

They argued the most promising solutions are to start building mental health resilience from a young age -- in primary schools, pediatricians' offices and within families.

Dr. Tami Benton, psychiatrist-in-chief at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said she would like to see kids be "more integrated" in their local communities in order to build more connections.

"We can increase green space ... community connections whatever your church, your faith-based community might be, your neighborhood friends, recreation center," Benton said. "Those are ways that young people connect with other people in ways that allow positive engagement."

Schools can also be a focal point in helping kids, according to Sharon Hover, Ph.D., professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & co-director of the National Center for School Mental Health.

MORE: Suicide can be contagious for teens, research shows. Here's how parents can help

"There are universal mental health supports that we can put in and that's really where schools do come into play," said Hoover, who recommends a three-tier mental health strategy in schools.

Tier 1 is universal programs that include social-emotional education as part of the curriculum and making sure the school is a safe, supportive place for kids. Tier 2 is for group interventions, check-ins and mentoring for students in mild distress. Tier 3, according to Hoover, is for students in more serious crisis and might involve regular therapy with an outside professional who comes into the school.

"One of the shortcomings in both mental health and health is that we tend to invest in what we would call downstream, where kids are at the highest level of need, and people talk a lot about but don't always invest in moving upstream and doing more prevention and promotion," Hoover said. "We are seeing improvement and engagement in school and a sense of belonging in communities where they really do invest."

Mental health professionals at Children's Mercy Kansas City, a medical center in Missouri, say that social media can impact not only "adolescents' self-view and interpersonal relationships," but spending a lot of time on smartphones and "media multitasking" can also negatively impact kids' sleep, cognitive control and academic performance.

Dr. Patricia Ibeziako, a psychiatrist at Boston Children's Hospital, said she sees many young people, particularly teens, turning online to cope with the pressures of the world, but at the same time not always finding a positive coping mechanism there.

"The way teenagers cope is with video games, surfing the internet, going online, and increased screen time has been linked to social isolation and depression," Ibeziako said. "So their coping mechanism is making them worse."

Ibeziako and other experts also described social media as a "double-edged sword," in that it allows kids to connect with each other and it can open up conversations on mental health for kids, but may lead them to the wrong sources for help.

"That's what they think they're doing when they spend all this time online, on social media," Ibeziako said of teens connecting with each other online. "And the effects can be detrimental if you're connecting with the wrong person giving you the wrong advice."

Hoet added that it's up to adults to help kids navigate the online world, saying, "We need to help them find trusted resources."

The American Psychological Association recently issued the first guidance of its kind on teenagers and social media.

In addition to setting time limits, the APA encourages parents to have ongoing discussions about social media use and conduct active supervision, especially in early adolescence. Parents are encouraged to model healthy social media use, including taking social media "holidays" as a family.

Mental health experts interviewed by ABC News universally agreed that when celebrities come forward to speak about their mental health, it reduces stigma and helps everyday patients feel less alone.

Celebrities like Selena Gomez and Shawn Mendes, who are vocal about their mental health struggles, can make a big difference for young people, experts say.

MORE: As new data shows kids in a mental health crisis, parents ask, where is the help?

"Changing the way popular culture talks about mental health not only decreases stigma but it also increases mental health literacy and trust, if done well," said Hoet. "If we ever want to get to a place where mental health is treated like physical health, we have to be more open and talk more about it. This is why celebrities talking about their mental health can be so impactful."

The most important things parents can do, the experts said, is talk with their kids about mental health and monitor their child's behaviors for warning signs of mental health struggles.

"Despite the fact that people say teenagers don't want to talk to their parents, they actually do. Maybe they don't want to listen to what they have to say, and may not do what they say, but they want to know that their parents are interested and concerned," said Benton. "The key to us getting through this is going to be family -- the caregiver, the neighbor who takes care of you, whoever it is."

Hoet said caregivers can build what's called "protective factors" in their children so they're better able to cope with stress and the ups and downs of life.

"Help children learn how to label, notice and cope with emotions," she said. "It's important for children to grow up understanding that we all feel emotions and that all emotions are normal."

She continued, "Having an environment at home that is routine and structured can give children a sense of control and calm. It's important that parents and family members should be who kids feel they can talk with, they can rely on, and feel loved and supported by."

While mental illness presents in different ways in different people, parents should watch for changes in their kids' moods and behaviors, ranging from excessive sleeping during the day to a lack of concentration, unwarranted frustration and a decreased desire to participate in normally enjoyable activities, experts say.

The Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology offers an online resource, EffectiveChildTherapy.org, with information for parents, from how to know when a child needs to seek professional help to how to find an expert.

A child's pediatrician or medical provider and their school are also good places to turn for help.

If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org or dial the current toll free number 800-273-8255 [TALK].

Mental health professionals answer parents' top questions about kids and mental health originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com