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Are You Teaching Financial Literacy To High School Students?

The teaching curriculum consists of fourteen lesson plans & worksheets designed to augment a semester course in life skills and personal finance management. The Teacher's Guide, compiled in a separate, easy-to-use notebook, includes an outline of the curriculum:

Goals

Lesson objectives

Suggested resources

Teaching notes

Chart indicating appropriate age groups for the key learnings offered in each lesson

Presentation slides

Worksheets

Answer keys to worksheets (when necessary)

Lesson One: Making Personal Finance Decisions

Each day, we are faced with many decisions. While most decisions are simple, such as "what should I wear?" or "what should I eat?," others are more complex, such as "should I buy a new or used car?" As decision-making skills are used and improved, a person's quality of life is enhanced. Wiser choices result in better use of time, money, and other resources. This introductory lesson provides students with an opportunity to learn more about decision-making. The lesson starts with an overview of the decision-making process followed by a discussion of various internal and external factors that affect decisions.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson One: Making Decisions Student Guide - Lesson One: Making Decisions Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson One: Making Decisions Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson One: Making Decisions
Lesson Two: Making Money

Building your career is one of the surest ways to increase income and make money. When planning for the future, one of the most critical financial decisions is determining your career path. In this lesson, students will be encouraged to consider various topics related to career planning and the financial aspects of employment. This variation of the decision-making process can help a person match personal abilities and interests with appropriate employment opportunities.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Two: Making Money Student Guide - Lesson Two: Making Money Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Two: Making Money Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Two: Making Money
Lesson Three: The Art of Budgeting

A personal budget is a financial plan that allocates future income toward expenses, savings, and debt repayment. "Where does the money go?" is a common dilemma faced by many individuals and households when it comes to budgeting and money management. Effective money management starts with a goal and a step-by-step plan for saving and spending. Financial goals should be realistic, be specific, have a timeframe, and imply an action to be taken. This lesson will encourage students to take the time and effort to develop their own personal financial goals and budget.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Three: The Art Of Budgeting Student Guide - Lesson Three: The Art Of Budgeting Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Three: The Art Of Budgeting Teachers Power Point Presentation - Lesson Three: The Art Of Budgeting
Lesson Four: Living on Your Own

As young people grow up, a common goal is to live on their own. However, the challenges of independent living are often quite different from their expectations. This lesson provides a reality check for students as they investigate the costs associated with moving, obtaining furniture and appliances, and renting an apartment.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Four: Living On Your Own Student Guide - Lesson Four: Living On Your Own Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Four: Living On Your Own Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Four: Living On Your Own
Lesson Five: Buying a Home

For many, buying a home is the single most important financial decision they will make in their lifetime. However, the process of becoming a first-time homebuyer can be overwhelming, and requires a foundation for basic home-buying knowledge. This lesson will provide students with information on buying a home and where and how to begin the process. After comparing the differences between renting and buying, students will be introduced to a five-step process for home buying. This framework provides an overview for the activities involved with selecting and purchasing a home.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Five: Buying A Home Student Guide - Lesson Five: Buying A Home Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Five: Buying A Home Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Five: Buying A Home
Lesson Six: Banking Services

If the fee for an ATM transaction to withdraw money is $1 and a person withdraws money twice a week, the banking fees for that person will be $104 a year. Over a five-year period, those fees invested at five percent would grow to more than $570. Most students know that banks and other financial institutions (credit unions, savings and loan associations) offer a variety of services. However, few people know how to make wise choices when using financial services. In this lesson, students will learn about the different types of financial service products available and the features of each.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Six: Banking Services Student Guide - Lesson Six: Banking Services Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Six: Banking Services Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Six: Banking Services
Lesson Seven: Credit

In today's world, credit is integrated into everyday life. From renting a car to reserving an airline ticket or hotel room, credit cards have become a necessary convenience. However, using credit wisely is critical to building a solid credit history and maintaining fiscal fitness. While most students have a general idea about the advantages and disadvantages of credit, this lesson provides an opportunity to discuss these issues in more detail.
Teachers Guide - Lesson Seven: Credit Student Guide - Lesson Seven: Credit Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Seven: Credit Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Seven: Credit
Lesson Eight: Credit Cards

What is APR? What is a grace period? What are transaction fees? These and other questions will be answered in this lesson as students learn about credit cards, and the different types of cards available and features of each, such as bank cards, store cards, and travel and entertainment cards.

As students start to shop for their first (or next) credit card, this lesson will make them aware of various costs and features. Included in this section is a discussion of the methods for calculating finance charges. Various federal laws protect our rights as we apply for and use credit cards, such as procedures for disputes and protection from card theft and fraud. In this lesson, students will also be given an opportunity to analyze the information contained on a credit card statement.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Eight: Credit Cards Student Guide - Lesson Eight: Credit Cards Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Eight: Credit Cards Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Eight: Credit Cards
Lesson Nine: Cars and Loans

"Should I buy a new car or a used car?" "Where is the best place to finance my automobile purchase?" "Is it better to take the rebate or the low-rate financing plan?" These are typical questions asked by people buying vehicles. In this lesson, students are asked to identify costs associated with owning and operating a motor vehicle. Since these costs are commonly underestimated, guidelines are provided on how much to spend when buying vehicles.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Nine: Cars And Loans Student Guide - Lesson Nine: Cars And Loans Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Nine: Cars And Loans Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Nine: Cars And Loans
Lesson Ten: The Influence of Advertising

In today's modern world, advertising seems to be everywhere we look; online, television, billboards, magazines, newspapers, on buses, grocery carts, even cell phones. In addition, some forms of advertising can be subliminal, such as the strategically-placed soda can in a movie. We can't help but be influenced and manipulated as consumers. In this lesson, students will become aware of the various techniques and appeals used to influence consumer behavior.
Teachers Guide - Lesson Ten: The Influence Of Advertising Lesson 10: The Influence of Advertising - High School Student Guide Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Ten: The Influence Of Advertising Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Ten: The Influence Of Advertising
Lesson Eleven: Consumer Awareness

Decisions, decisions. With so many choices available to us, how can we be sure we're making the right decision? Wise consumer buying starts with a plan. Using a systematic purchasing strategy will provide students with an ability to make more effective purchases. Comparative shopping techniques will be discussed to encourage students to carefully consider price, product attributes, warranties, and store policies. Next, this lesson covers a variety of buying methods, such as buying clubs, shopping by phone, catalogs, online, and door-to-door selling.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Eleven: Consumer Awareness Student Guide - Lesson Eleven: Consumer Awareness Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Eleven: Consumer Awareness Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Eleven: Consumer Awareness
Lesson Twelve: Saving and Investing

Saving just 35 cents a day will result in more than $125 in a year. Small amounts saved and invested can easily grow into larger sums. However, a person must start to save. This lesson provides students with a basic knowledge of saving and investing. The process starts with setting financial goals. Next, a commitment to saving is discussed.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Twelve: Saving And Investing Student Guide - Lesson Twelve: Saving And Investing Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Twelve: Saving And Investing Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Twelve: Saving And Investing
Lesson Thirteen: In Trouble

The material in this lesson will help students become aware of the warning signs of financial difficulties. This lesson includes information on where to go for debt consolidation help and for nonprofit credit counseling.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Thirteen: In Trouble Student Guide - Lesson Thirteen: In Trouble Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Thirteen: In Trouble Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Thirteen: In Trouble
Lesson Fourteen: Consumer Privacy

In today's information age, keeping your personal financial information private can be challenging. What you put on an application for a loan, your payment history, where you make purchases, and your account balances are but a few of the financial records that can be sold to third parties and other organizations. This lesson, with attached budgeting activities, will encourage high school students to take the time and effort to develop their own personal financial goals and spending behaviors.
Teacher's Guide - Lesson Fourteen: Consumer Privacy Student Guide - Lesson Fourteen: Consumer Privacy Teacher's Slide Presentation - Lesson Fourteen: Consumer Privacy Teacher's Power Point Presentation - Lesson Fourteen: Consumer Privacy Supplementary Resources
In an effort to give you the most up-to-date information for teaching and making personal financial decisions, we've compiled the following lists of periodicals and organizations that can enhance your use of Practical Money Skills for Life.

More Resources for Students: The Cost of College

The cost to attend college has soared faster than almost any segment of the economy over the last 30 years. The average cost for students attending a public university is up 213% ($3,190 in 1988 to $9,970 in 2018), while private school is up 129% ($15,160 to $34,740) over the same time period.

That's the primary reason Americans are $1.4 trillion in debt on student loans.

The good news is that are hundreds of online sites offering tips on not just what it will cost, but what you can do to pay for it. So, take a deep breath and check out these sites that should help you find a college you can afford to attend.

www.collegecountdown.com: Asks and answers questions about actual costs of college, school that fit you financially and how to evaluate offers you receive from colleges.

Other Resources for Teachers

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Free Financial Literacy Lesson Plans for High School Teachers

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InCharge.org provides 14 free financial literacy lesson plans including Powerpoint Presentations, PDF workbooks, & student worksheets for high school teachers.

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“I hate networking.” It’s a familiar refrain. But in today’s world, networking is a necessity—and fortunately, an aversion to it can be overcome. Drawing on laboratory experiments and on studies at a large law firm, the authors have identified four strategies that can help people become more excited…

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Getty Images

Fresh out of college, my first job was doing marketing research for McGraw Hill in New York City. I didn't know many people in the city, and, to me, networking was all about finding new friends to hang out with. Networking was purely social.

What I discovered over the years is that networking is much more than that. It is an essential part of building a successful career, and, if done strategically and intentionally, it can be very powerful.

Here are the seven secrets about networking I wish I learned in my 20s:

1. Effective networking involves focus, attention, and strategy.

Many of us network haphazardly. We join some industry groups. We meet coworkers after work for a drink, but we don't have a plan. We might even think the more people we meet, the better. But meeting the right people is most important. The right people are those that can help you reach your career goal. The right people are those people who are willing to speak up for you. You need to focus on people with whom you can build strong, mutually beneficial relationships.

2. There is a direct relationship between networking strategically and increased income.

Upwardly Mobile, Inc., with the support of Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business Management, conducted research in April 2008 about how professionals use networking. They surveyed more than 600 high-earning "elite" professionals about how they use networking to cultivate richer relationships, gain more access, and enjoy more success in their careers and personal lives. Their findings confirm that "networking is a key driver behind higher salaries and career advancement."

3. Keeping in touch with former alums and colleagues is money in the bank.

When I wanted to make a career move after having lost out on a promotion, I tapped into my network and let people know I was looking for a new opportunity. Almost immediately, a former colleague gave me information about an opening in her company. She worked in another business unit there and knew the management team. Not only did she give me the lead, but she also presold me to the key stakeholders. I interviewed for the position and landed the job. My income almost doubled.

4. Paying it forward pays off.

One important lesson I've learned is that the more you invest in your network, the more valuable your network is. Taking calls, responding to emails, offering to help people creates a strong bond. People trust that you will be there for them and are often willing to respond in kind. It's important to network proactively so you have these relationships when you need help.

One of my clients is a great example of this. Lisa was always willing to offer her help and support to her former colleagues. An executive with a long history in banking, Lisa took a risk and joined a technology startup as COO. After one year, it was apparent that this new opportunity wasn't working out. Lisa was let go. The primary breadwinner in her family, she needed another high-level job as soon as possible.

She immediately let her network know what she was looking for. They gave her leads about openings, and she was able to secure a senior executive position within a month and a half. The job had not even been formally posted yet. The time and energy she invested in helping her network contacts paid off.

5. Collecting business cards is better than handing them out.

Do you go to networking events armed with a stack of business cards? We have been instructed that giving out our cards is the best way to make connections. The secret to effective networking, however, is to make sure you collect business cards of those people you meet. This way you can control the follow up. You give away your card - you give away the control. After you go to a networking event, write notes on the back of the cards about the conversation you had with this person and potential ways to follow up.

6. Forget the elevator pitch; find commonality.

I often hear from clients that they don't know what to say when they first meet people at networking events. They stumble over their elevator pitch trying to impress someone with their title or expertise. Here's the thing to remember: It's the commonality that matters. Enter into conversations and ask questions and listen. The things you might have in common help to establish a connection that will blossom over time.

7. Don't just network with people you like and people like you.

Our comfort zone is to hang out with people most like us, but research supports the benefits of diverse networks.

Ronald S. Burt, professor of sociology and strategy at the University Of Chicago Booth School of Business, has done extensive on the efficacy of diverse networks.

"Indeed, it might not be who or what you know that creates advantage, but rather more simply, who you become by dint of how you hang out - the disadvantaged hang out with folks just like themselves, while the advantaged engage folks of diverse opinion and practice."

How are you currently networking? It takes focus and intention to network effectively for your career advancement.

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7 networking secrets everyone should learn in their 20s

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Fresh out of college, my first job was doing marketing research for McGraw Hill in New York City. I didn't know many people in the city, and, to me, networking was all about finding new friends to hang out with. Networking was purely social.

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This is the skills trifecta for a fruitful career. You'll thank us later.

Career success: Everyone has a definition for it. For some, it's a ticket to the C-suite, or a six-figure salary, or the perfect work-life balance. No matter your long-term goal, the key to achieving it is to launch your career with enough force to propel yourself to the finish line.

"View the early stages of your career as gathering rocket fuel," says Courtney Templin, co-author of Manager 3.0: A Millennial's Guide to Rewriting the Rules of Management. "You should be a sponge. Learn as much as you can. Show people you're a problem solver. Study up on business trends and competitors."

In short: Become an expert in your field, and leverage the relationships you build. To jumpstart your career, make these three pivotal moves.
Build your network organically
Making authentic connections early on will lead to more job opportunities in the future, so network your butt off from the get-go.

Unfortunately, many millennials focus the bulk of their time and energy on building their network online, laments Chip Espinoza, author of Millennials@Work: The 7 Skills Every Twenty-Something (and Their Manager) Needs to Overcome Roadblocks and Achieve Greatness. In turn, 41% of millennials surveyed by PricewaterhouseCoopers said they prefer to communicate electronically at work than face-to-face. The upshot: Learning how to connect with people in person gives you an edge. "There is a dimension to face-to-face networking that's irreplaceable," says Espinoza.

Step away from the computer and attend industry conferences to rub shoulders with recruiters and influencers. Set specific goals for each event, such as meeting a representative from your dream employer. Having meaningful conversations is crucial to making a lasting impression, so don't be a "drive-by networker" and just hand out your business card and move on, Templin advises. Brush up on the latest industry news and use it as an icebreaker.

Additionally, you can meet people in person through events held by your alumni association, volunteer work, and sports leagues. Keep in mind that "you need to network on a consistent basis-not just when you're on the job hunt," says Templin.
Always be in learning mode
One-third of employers report difficulties filling vacancies because of a lack of technical skills, ManpowerGroup reports. At the same time, only one in five are providing additional training and development to existing staff. Therefore, you'll need to equip yourself with the skills that are in demand in your field.

To determine what those are, look to job description requirements, which you can use as a templates for what skills you need. Furthermore, get clear expectations from prospective managers during job interviews. Templin recommends asking: "What types of skills and competencies do you want to ensure I'm developing?"

Looking to acquire hard skills or certifications on a budget? Websites such as Udemy and Coursera offer a number of free and low-cost courses with video tutorials on topics like social media marketing and Excel.

The best way to gain soft skills, meanwhile, is by learning on the job. Seek out mentors both at and outside your employer to learn from more seasoned workers. Also, be the first to volunteer for new projects and cross-departmental projects. "Always be pushing yourself out of your comfort zone," says Jim Finkelstein, author of Fuse: Making Sense of the New Cogenerational Workplace.
Have an open line of communication with your boss
Always have a clear picture of what your boss wants, says Finkelstein. To do that, you'll need to have a consistent dialogue with your manager about what you're doing well and what you can improve upon. Meet for weekly check-ins to discuss your performance and make sure to solicit specific feedback (e.g., "On a scale of one to 10, how did I perform on this assignment, and what would make it a 10?").

Since job descriptions change every 12 to 18 months, says Espinoza, also meet with your boss on a quarterly basis to reevaluate your responsibilities. "Ambiguities are kryptonite," he says. The sooner you foster a good relationship with your manager, the sooner you'll be able to nab your first raise or promotion.
Find your next job on Monster. MORE FROM MONSTER:

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Master these 3 skills in your 20s and watch your career soar

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This is the skills trifecta for a fruitful career. You'll thank us later. Career success: Everyone has a definition for it. For some, it's a ticket to the C-suite, or a six-figure salary, or the perfect work-life balance.

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With so many websites offering free financial tools, it can be hard to know whom to trust. At NerdWallet, we spend literally 1,000s of hours researching partner offers and following strict editorial integrity to match you with the perfect choice. We even share how we make money so you can enjoy our expert advice and researched recommendations with total clarity and confidence.

Pop quiz: What's the difference between a credit card and a debit card? Why is it important to have access to credit? How do credit cards work?

Don't panic if you don't know the answers to these questions off the top of your head. The Nerds are here to introduce you to the basics of paying with plastic - and help you get started on identifying the right kind of card for you.

What is a credit card?

A credit card is a tool that allows you to use borrowed money to pay for goods and services. It works like this: When you're approved, the bank hands over a hunk of credit in the form of a plastic card to use at your discretion. In swiping or dipping your credit card, you're not using your money to pay for your groceries or a new outfit. You're using the bank's money, which they'll let you do on a short-term basis without incurring any interest. At the end of the month, you have to pay that mini-loan back in full or finance charges will be assessed.

Debit cards work differently. With this type of plastic, an auto draft from your checking account is occurring when you swipe your card. You're using your own funds to pay for your items on the spot, so there's no borrowing involved and no bill to settle at the end of the month.

Prepaid debit cards are similar to debit cards, but with a significant twist. Instead of tapping funds in your checking account, swiping a prepaid debit means drawing on a cash deposit you made onto the card; you've essentially paid ahead for your purchases. As with debit cards, you're not borrowing money from a bank when you use prepaid debit.
" MORE: What is a credit card?
Why it's important to get a credit card

To the untrained eye, it might seem that debit or prepaid debit cards are a smarter way to pay. Since they don't involve borrowing money, there's no way to get into debt, right?

That's right, but using borrowed money responsibly is essential to building your credit profile. Having good credit will make it much easier for you to get loans on good terms in the future. It will also go a long way toward making other financial tasks stress-free. Examples of these tasks include renting an apartment and finding affordable car insurance.
Aside from building credit, using a credit card as your primary form of payment plastic will also help you earn rewards and minimize fees. Usually, debit and prepaid debit don't offer rewards programs, and prepaid debit cards are notorious for their high (and often opaque) fees.

Tips for effective credit card use

Getting a credit card is only going to help you build good credit if you use it carefully. Here are the Nerds' top tips for the care and keeping of your card:

Pay your bill on time every month. No exceptions!

Pay off your charges in full every month. Credit card debt is expensive and can drag down your credit score.

Keep the balance on your card below 30% of your available credit at all times during the month. Make a payment if you start approaching that threshold.

Put at least six months of space between credit card applications.

Check your credit card online at least once per week. This will help you track your spending, and could help you spot fraud fast.

The bottom line
Lindsay Konsko is a staff writer for NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Twitter: .
Although they look and feel the same, credit cards are very different from debit and prepaid debit cards. Using a credit card responsibly is a great way to build and maintain a healthy credit profile, so be sure to get started as soon as you can.

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With so many websites offering free financial tools, it can be hard to know whom to trust. At NerdWallet, we spend literally 1,000s of hours researching partner offers and following strict editorial integrity to match you with the perfect choice.

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A budget is a plan that shows you how you can spend your money every month. Making a budget can help you make sure you do not run out of money each month. A budget also will help you save money for your goals or for emergencies.

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How to Budget Using Simple, Zero-Based Budgeting | DaveRamsey.com

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Zero-based budgeting can be accomplished using a budget worksheet, budget software, or our free budget app. Start budget planning today!

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It is budgeting, not rocket science

Make sure you spend less than you earn - sounds simple enough, right? But for many, it's easier said than done. Regardless of your experience with budgeting or financial management, it is important to develop a clear idea of how much you earn and how much you spend. A well-maintained budget can help you do just that.

Creating a budget simply means measuring and spending your money in a way that ensures your basic needs - food, shelter, electricity, insurance, etc. - are met every month, while hopefully leaving enough to fulfill your wants: cable TV, Internet service, Little League fees, whatever.

Creating a budget, in short, helps you spend responsibly and achieve your financial goals, not to mention eliminating stress.

To create a budget:

Evaluate your income to start budgeting. How much money do you have coming in each month? Make sure to include all forms of income (loans, allowances, etc.).

List your expenses. Again, make sure to include everything. Start with fixed expenses (payments that are the same each month), like your rent or mortgage payments, car insurance, student loan, etc. Next, look at your flexible expenses, payments that vary each month (phone bill, spending money, food, etc.).

Do the math. After you have set up your income and costs, figure out how much of a cushion you are working with. Track your expenses and find out where your money is really going (personal finance software can help with this).

Stick with it. Monitor your budget and make necessary adjustments wherever needed to achieve your goals. If you're saving for a new car, for example, keep an eye on your budget to make sure you sock away money every month towards your new ride.

Looking for a good rule of thumb for where to spend your money?

A basic breakdown looks like this:

25-30 percent to housing

15-18 percent to transportation

16 percent to food.

The rest goes to discretionary spending and saving. If your spending is out of sync with this breakdown, you should work hard to make adjustments.

Most financial experts also suggest you save anywhere from three to 12 months' worth of expenses in an "emergency fund" in case you lose your job, get in an accident or run into any sort of financial hardship. Go with an amount that makes you feel most comfortable.

Managing your budget

There are a number of tools available to help you stay on track - from personal finance software like Mint and Quicken, to online banking tools to help ensure your bills are paid automatically and help you avoid late fees. Find a budgeting for beginners tool that works for you and give yourself a month or so to get in the habit, before budgeting becomes second nature.
Benjamin Kniss is writer and editor specializing in business topics. He graduated from California State University, San Bernardino, earning a B.A. in business administration. Kniss is also studying to become a certified financial planner

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It is budgeting, not rocket science Make sure you spend less than you earn - sounds simple enough, right? But for many, it's easier said than done. Regardless of your experience with budgeting or financial management, it is important to develop a clear idea of how much you earn and how much you spend.

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Florida Paycheck Calculator | SmartAsset.com

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Use our Florida Paycheck Calculator to calculate your take-home pay per paycheck for both salary and hourly jobs after taking into account all taxes.

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Wouldn't it be great if you knew exactly what questions a hiring manager would be asking you in your next job interview?

We can't read minds, unfortunately, but we'll give you the next best thing: a list of more than 40 of the most commonly asked interview questions, along with advice for answering them all.

While we don't recommend having a canned response for every interview question (in fact, please don't), we do recommend spending some time getting comfortable with what you might be asked, what hiring managers are really looking for in your responses, and what it takes to show that you're the right person for the job.

Consider this list your interview question and answer study guide.

1. Tell Me About Yourself.

2. How Did You Hear About This Position?

3. Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?

4. Why Do You Want This Job?

5. Why Should We Hire You?

6. What Are Your Greatest Strengths?

7. What Do You Consider to Be Your Weaknesses?

8. What Is Your Greatest Professional Achievement?

9. Tell Me About a Challenge or Conflict You've Faced at Work, and How You Dealt With It.

10. Tell Me About a Time You Demonstrated Leadership Skills.

11. What's a Time You Disagreed With a Decision That Was Made at Work?

12. Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake.

13. Tell Me About a Time You Failed.

14. Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?

15. Why Were You Fired?

16. Why Was There a Gap in Your Employment?

17. Can You Explain Why You Changed Career Paths?

18. What's Your Current Salary?

19. What Do You Like Least About Your Job?

20. What Are You Looking for in a New Position?

21. What Type of Work Environment Do You Prefer?

22. What's Your Management Style?

23. How Would Your Boss and Coworkers Describe You?

24. How Do You Deal With Pressure or Stressful Situations?

25. What Do You Like to Do Outside of Work?

26. Are You Planning on Having Children?

27. How Do You Prioritize Your Work?

28. What Are You Passionate About?

29. What Motivates You?

30. What Are Your Pet Peeves?

31. How Do You Like to Be Managed?

32. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

33. What's Your Dream Job?

34. What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With?

35. What Makes You Unique?

36. What Should I Know That's Not on Your Resume?

37. What Would Your First 30, 60, or 90 Days Look Like in This Role?

38. What Are Your Salary Requirements?

39. What Do You Think We Could Do Better or Differently?

40. When Can You Start?

41. Are You Willing to Relocate?

42. How Many Tennis Balls Can You Fit Into a Limousine?

43. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?

44. Sell Me This Pen.

45. Is There Anything Else You'd Like Us to Know?

46. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

47. Bonus Questions

Classic Questions

These frequently asked questions touch on the essentials hiring managers want to know about every candidate: who you are, why you're a fit for the job, and what you're good at. You may not be asked exactly these questions in exactly these words, but if you have answers in mind for them, you'll be prepared for just about anything the interviewer throws your way.

1. Tell Me About Yourself.

This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but it's crucial. Here's the deal: Don't give your complete employment (or personal) history. Instead give a pitch-one that's concise and compelling and that shows exactly why you're the right fit for the job. Muse writer and MIT career counselor Lily Zhang recommends using a present, past, future formula. Talk a little bit about your current role (including the scope and perhaps one big accomplishment), then give some background as to how you got there and experience you have that's relevant. Finally, segue into why you want-and would be perfect for-this role.

2. How Did You Hear About This Position?

Another seemingly innocuous interview question, this is actually a perfect opportunity to stand out and show your passion for and connection to the company. For example, if you found out about the gig through a friend or professional contact, name drop that person, then share why you were so excited about it. If you discovered the company through an event or article, share that. Even if you found the listing through a random job board, share what, specifically, caught your eye about the role.

3. Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?

Beware of generic answers! If what you say can apply to a whole slew of other companies, or if your response makes you sound like every other candidate, you're missing an opportunity to stand out. Zhang recommends one of four strategies: Do your research and point to something that makes the company unique that really appeals to you; talk about how you've watched the company grow and change since you first heard of it; focus on the organization's opportunities for future growth and how you can contribute to it; or share what's gotten you excited from your interactions with employees so far. Whichever route you choose, make sure to be specific. And if you can't figure out why you'd want to work at the company you're interviewing with by the time you're well into the hiring process? It might be a red flag telling you that this position is not the right fit.

4. Why Do You Want This Job?

Again, companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a great answer about why you want the position. (And if you don't? You probably should apply elsewhere.) First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you (e.g., "I love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem"), then share why you love the company (e.g., "I've always been passionate about education, and I think you're doing great things, so I want to be a part of it").

5. Why Should We Hire You?

This interview question seems forward (not to mention intimidating!), but if you're asked it, you're in luck: There's no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. Your job here is to craft an answer that covers three things: that you can not only do the work, but also deliver great results; that you'll really fit in with the team and culture; and that you'd be a better hire than any of the other candidates.

6. What Are Your Greatest Strengths?

Here's an opening to talk about something that makes you great-and a great fit for this role. When you're answering this question, think quality, not quantity. In other words, don't rattle off a list of adjectives. Instead, pick one or a few (depending on the question) specific qualities that are relevant to this position and illustrate them with examples. Stories are always more memorable than generalizations. And if there's something you were hoping to mention because it makes you a great candidate, but you haven't had a chance yet, this would be the perfect time.

7. What Do You Consider to Be Your Weaknesses?

What your interviewer is really trying to do with this question-beyond identifying any major red flags-is to gauge your self-awareness and honesty. So, "I can't meet a deadline to save my life" is not an option-but neither is "Nothing! I'm perfect!" Strike a balance by thinking of something that you struggle with but that you're working to improve. For example, maybe you've never been strong at public speaking, but you've recently volunteered to run meetings to help you get more comfortable when addressing a crowd.

Questions About Your Work History

The meat of any job interview is your track record at work: what you accomplished, how you succeeded or failed (and how you dealt with it), and how you behaved in real time in actual work environments. If you prep a few versatile stories to tell about your work history and practice answering behavioral interview questions, you'll be ready to go.

8. What Is Your Greatest Professional Achievement?

Nothing says "hire me" better than a track record of achieving amazing results in past jobs, so don't be shy when answering this interview question! A great way to do so is by using the STAR method: situation, task, action, results. Set up the situation and the task that you were required to complete to provide the interviewer with background context (e.g., "In my last job as a junior analyst, it was my role to manage the invoicing process"), then describe what you did (the action) and what you achieved (the result): "In one month, I streamlined the process, which saved my group 10 person-hours each month and reduced errors on invoices by 25%."

9. Tell Me About a Challenge or Conflict You've Faced at Work, and How You Dealt With It.

You're probably not eager to talk about conflicts you've had at work during a job interview. But if you're asked directly, don't pretend you've never had one. Be honest about a difficult situation you've faced (but without going into the kind of detail you'd share venting to a friend). "Most people who ask are only looking for evidence that you're willing to face these kinds of issues head-on and make a sincere attempt at coming to a resolution," former recruiter Rich Moy says. Stay calm and professional as you tell the story (and answer any follow-up questions), spend more time talking about the resolution than the conflict, and mention what you'd do differently next time to show "you're open to learning from tough experiences."

10. Tell Me About a Time You Demonstrated Leadership Skills.

You don't have to have a fancy title to act like a leader or demonstrate leadership skills. Think about a time when you headed up a project, took the initiative to propose an alternate process, or helped motivate your team to get something done. Then use the STAR method to tell your interviewer a story, giving enough detail to paint a picture (but not so much that you start rambling) and making sure you spell out the result. In other words, be clear about why you're telling this particular story and connect all the dots for the interviewer.

11. What's a Time You Disagreed With a Decision That Was Made at Work?

The ideal anecdote here is one where you handled a disagreement in a professional way and learned something from the experience. Zhang recommends paying particular attention to how you start and end your response. To open, make a short statement to frame the rest of your answer, one that nods at the ultimate takeaway or the reason you're telling this story. For example: "I learned early on in my professional career that it's fine to disagree if you can back up your hunches with data." And to close strong, you can either give a one-sentence summary of your answer ("In short...") or talk briefly about how what you learned or gained from this experience would help you in the role you're interviewing for.

12. Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake.

You're probably not too eager to dig into past blunders when you're trying to impress an interviewer and land a job. But talking about a mistake and winning someone over aren't mutually exclusive, Moy says. In fact, if you do it right, it can help you. The key is to be honest without placing blame on other people, then explain what you learned from your mistake and what actions you took to ensure it didn't happen again. At the end of the day, employers are looking for folks who are self-aware, can take feedback, and care about doing better.

13. Tell Me About a Time You Failed.

This question is very similar to the one about making a mistake, and you should approach your answer in much the same way. Make sure you pick a real, actual failure you can speak honestly about. Start by making it clear to the interviewer how you define failure. For example: "As a manager, I consider it a failure whenever I'm caught by surprise. I strive to know what's going on with my team and their work." Then situate the example in relation to that definition and explain what happened. Finally, don't forget to share what you learned. It's OK to fail-everyone does sometimes-but it's important to show that you took something from the experience.

14. Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?

This is a toughie, but one you can be sure you'll be asked. Definitely keep things positive-you have nothing to gain by being negative about your current employer. Instead, frame things in a way that shows that you're eager to take on new opportunities and that the role you're interviewing for is a better fit for you. For example, "I'd really love to be part of product development from beginning to end, and I know I'd have that opportunity here." And if you were let go from your most recent job? Keep it simple: "Unfortunately, I was let go," is a totally acceptable answer.

15. Why Were You Fired?

Of course, they may ask the follow-up question: Why were you let go? If you lost your job due to layoffs, you can simply say, "The company [reorganized/merged/was acquired] and unfortunately my [position/department] was eliminated." But what if you were fired for performance reasons? Your best bet is to be honest (the job-seeking world is small, after all). But it doesn't have to be a deal breaker. Frame it as a learning experience: Share how you've grown and how you approach your job and life now as a result. And if you can portray your growth as an advantage for this next job, even better.

16. Why Was There a Gap in Your Employment?

Maybe you were taking care of children or aging parents, dealing with health issues, or traveling the world. Maybe it just took you a long time to land the right job. Whatever the reason, you should be prepared to discuss the gap (or gaps) on your resume. Seriously, practice saying your answer out loud. The key is to be honest, though that doesn't mean you have to share more details than you're comfortable with. If there are skills or qualities you honed or gained in your time away from the workforce-whether through volunteer work, running a home, or responding to a personal crisis-you can also talk about how those would help you excel in this role.

17. Can You Explain Why You Changed Career Paths?

Don't be thrown off by this question-just take a deep breath and explain to the hiring manager why you've made the career decisions you have. More importantly, give a few examples of how your past experience is transferable to the new role. This doesn't have to be a direct connection; in fact, it's often more impressive when a candidate can show how seemingly irrelevant experience is very relevant to the role.

18. What's Your Current Salary?

It's now illegal for some or all employers to ask you about your salary history in several cities and states, including New York City; Louisville, North Carolina; California; and Massachusetts. But no matter where you live, it can be stressful to hear this question. Don't panic-there are several possible strategies you can turn to. For example, you can deflect the question, Muse career coach Emily Liou says, with a response like: "Before discussing any salary, I'd really like to learn more about what this role entails. I've done a lot of research on [Company] and I am certain if it's the right fit, we'll be able to agree on a number that's fair and competitive to both parties." You can also reframe the question around your salary expectations or requirements (see question 38) or choose to share the number if you think it will work in your favor.

19. What Do You Like Least About Your Job?

Tread carefully here! The last thing you want to do is let your answer devolve into a rant about how terrible your current company is or how much you hate your boss or that one coworker. The easiest way to handle this question with poise is to focus on an opportunity the role you're interviewing for offers that your current job doesn't. You can keep the conversation positive and emphasize why you're so excited about the job.

Questions About You and Your Goals

Another crucial aspect of an interview? Getting to know a candidate. That's why you'll likely encounter questions about how you work, what you're looking for (in a job, a team, a company, and a manager), and what your goals are. It's a good sign if your interviewers want to make sure you'll be a good fit-or add-to the team. Use it as an opportunity!

20. What Are You Looking for in a New Position?

Hint: Ideally the same things that this position has to offer. Be specific.

21. What Type of Work Environment Do You Prefer?

Hint: Ideally one that's similar to the environment of the company you're applying to. Be specific.

22. What's Your Management Style?

The best managers are strong but flexible, and that's exactly what you want to show off in your answer. (Think something like, "While every situation and every team member requires a bit of a different strategy, I tend to approach my employee relationships as a coach...") Then share a couple of your best managerial moments, like when you grew your team from five to 15 or coached an underperforming employee to become the company's top salesperson.

23. How Would Your Boss and Coworkers Describe You?

First of all, be honest (remember, if you make it to the final round, the hiring manager will be calling your former bosses and coworkers for references!). Then try to pull out strengths and traits you haven't discussed in other aspects of the interview, such as your strong work ethic or your willingness to pitch in on other projects when needed.

24. How Do You Deal With Pressure or Stressful Situations?

Here's another question you may feel the urge to sidestep in an effort to prove you're the perfect candidate who can handle anything. But it's important not to dismiss this one (i.e. don't say "I just put my head down and push through it" or "I don't get stressed out"). Instead, talk about your go-to strategies for dealing with stress (whether it's meditating for 10 minutes every day or making sure you go for a run or keeping a super-detailed to-do list) and how you communicate and otherwise proactively try to mitigate pressure. If you can give a real example of a stressful situation you navigated successfully, all the better.

25. What Do You Like to Do Outside of Work?

Interviewers will sometimes ask about your hobbies or interests outside of work in order to get to know you a little better-to find out what you're passionate about and devote time to during your off-hours. It's another chance to let your personality shine. Be honest, but keep it professional and be mindful of answers that might make it sound like you're going to spend all your time focusing on something other than the job you're applying for.

26. Are You Planning on Having Children?

Questions about your family status, gender ("How would you handle managing a team of all men?"), nationality ("Where were you born?"), religion, or age are illegal-but they still get asked (and frequently). Of course, not always with ill intent-the interviewer might just be trying to make conversation and might not realize these are off-limits-but you should definitely tie any questions about your personal life (or anything else you think might be inappropriate) back to the job at hand. For this question, think: "You know, I'm not quite there yet. But I am very interested in the career paths at your company. Can you tell me more about that?"

27. How Do You Prioritize Your Work?

Your interviewers want to know that you can manage your time, exercise judgement, communicate, and shift gears when needed. Start by talking about whatever system you've found works for you to plan your day or week, whether it's a to-do list app you swear by or a color-coded spreadsheet. This is one where you'll definitely want to lean on a real-life example. So go on to describe how you've reacted to a last-minute request or another unexpected shift in priorities in the past, incorporating how you evaluated and decided what to do and how you communicated with your manager and/or teammates about it.

28. What Are You Passionate About?

You're not a robot programmed to do your work and then power down. You're a human, and if someone asks you this question in an interview, it's probably because they want to get to know you better. The answer can align directly with the type of work you'd be doing in that role-like if, for example, you're applying to be a graphic designer and spend all of your free time creating illustrations and data visualizations to post on Instagram.

But don't be afraid to talk about a hobby that's different from your day-to-day work. Bonus points if you can "take it one step further and connect how your passion would make you an excellent candidate for the role you are applying for," says Muse career coach Al Dea. Like if you're a software developer who loves to bake, you might talk about how the ability to be both creative and precise informs your approach to code.

29. What Motivates You?

Before you panic about answering what feels like a probing existential question, consider that the interviewer wants to make sure you're excited about this role at this company, and that you'll be motivated to succeed if they pick you. So think back to what has energized you in previous roles and pinpoint what made your eyes light up when you read this job description. Pick one thing, make sure it's relevant to the role and company you're interviewing for, and try to weave in a story to help illustrate your point. If you're honest, which you should be, your enthusiasm will be palpable.

30. What Are Your Pet Peeves?

Here's another one that feels like a minefield. But it'll be easier to navigate if you know why an interviewer is asking it. Most likely, they want to make sure you'll thrive at their company-and get a glimpse of how you deal with conflict. So be certain you pick something that doesn't contradict the culture and environment at this organization while still being honest. Then explain why and what you've done to address it in the past, doing your best to stay calm and composed. Since there's no need to dwell on something that annoys you, you can keep this response short and sweet.

31. How Do You Like to Be Managed?

This is another one of those questions that's about finding the right fit-both from the company's perspective and your own. Think back on what worked well for you in the past and what didn't. What did previous bosses do that motivated you and helped you succeed and grow? Pick one or two things to focus on and always articulate them with a positive framing (even if your preference comes from an experience where your manager behaved in the opposite way, phrase it as what you would want a manager to do). If you can give a positive example from a great boss, it'll make your answer even stronger.

32. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

If asked this question, be honest and specific about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring manager wants to know a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have ambition (a.k.a., this interview isn't the first time you're considering the question), and c) if the position aligns with your goals and growth. Your best bet is to think realistically about where this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn't necessarily a one-way ticket to your aspirations? It's OK to say that you're not quite sure what the future holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that decision.

33. What's Your Dream Job?

Along similar lines, the interviewer wants to uncover whether this position is really in line with your ultimate career goals. While "an NBA star" might get you a few laughs, a better bet is to talk about your goals and ambitions-and why this job will get you closer to them.

34. What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With?

Companies might ask you who else you're interviewing with for a few reasons. Maybe they want to see how serious you are about this role and team (or even this field) or they're trying to find out who they're competing with to hire you. On one hand, you want to express your enthusiasm for this job, but at the same time, you don't want to give the company any more leverage than it already has by telling them there's no one else in the running. Depending on where you are in your search, you can talk about applying to or interviewing for a few roles that have XYZ in common-then mention how and why this role seems like a particularly good fit.

35. What Makes You Unique?

"They genuinely want to know the answer," Dea promises. Give them a reason to pick you over other similar candidates. The key is to keep your answer relevant to the role you're applying to. So the fact that you can run a six-minute mile or crush a trivia challenge might not help you get the job (but hey, it depends on the job!). Use this opportunity to tell them something that would give you an edge over your competition for this position. To figure out what that is, you can ask some former colleagues, think back to patterns you've seen in feedback you get, or try to distill why people tend to turn to you. Focus on one or two things and don't forget to back up whatever you say with evidence.

36. What Should I Know That's Not on Your Resume?

It's a good sign if a recruiter or hiring manager is interested in more than just what's on your resume. It probably means they looked at your resume, think you might be a good fit for the role, and want to know more about you. To make this wide-open question a little more manageable, try talking about a positive trait, a story or detail that reveals a little more about you and your experience, or a mission or goal that makes you excited about this role or company.

Questions About the Job

At the end of the day, the people on the other side of the hiring process want to make sure you could take on this role. That means they might ask you logistical questions to ensure that timing and other factors are aligned, and they might have you imagine what you'd do after starting.

37. What Would Your First 30, 60, or 90 Days Look Like in This Role?

Your potential future boss (or whoever else has asked you this question) wants to know that you've done your research, given some thought to how you'd get started, and would be able to take initiative if hired. So think about what information and aspects of the company and team you'd need to familiarize yourself with and which colleagues you'd want to sit down and talk to. You can also suggest one possible starter project to show you'd be ready to hit the ground running and contribute early on. This won't necessarily be the thing you do first if you do get the job, but a good answer shows that you're thoughtful and that you care.

38. What Are Your Salary Requirements?

The #1 rule of answering this question is doing your research on what you should be paid by using sites like Payscale and reaching out to your network. You'll likely come up with a range, and we recommend stating the highest number in that range that applies, based on your experience, education, and skills. Then make sure the hiring manager knows that you're flexible. You're communicating that you know your skills are valuable, but that you want the job and are willing to negotiate.

You can also try to deflect or delay giving a number, especially if you get this question very early in the process, by saying something like, "I was hoping to get a sense of what range/band you had in mind for this role" or, as Liou suggests, "Before discussing any salary, I'd really like to learn more about what this role entails."

39. What Do You Think We Could Do Better or Differently?

This question can really do a number on you. How do you give a meaty answer without insulting the company or, worse, the person you're speaking with? Well first, take a deep breath. Then start your response with something positive about the company or specific product you've been asked to discuss. When you're ready to give your constructive feedback, give some background on the perspective you're bringing to the table and explain why you'd make the change you're suggesting (ideally based on some past experience or other evidence). And if you end with a question, you can show them you're curious about the company or product and open to other points of view. Try: "Did you consider that approach here? I'd love to know more about your process."

40. When Can You Start?

Your goal here should be to set realistic expectations that will work for both you and the company. What exactly that sounds like will depend on your specific situation. If you're ready to start immediately-if you're unemployed, for example-you could offer to start within the week. But if you need to give notice to your current employer, don't be afraid to say so; people will understand and respect that you plan to wrap things up right. It's also legitimate to want to take a break between jobs, though you might want to say you have "previously scheduled commitments to attend to" and try to be flexible if they really need someone to start a bit sooner.

41. Are You Willing to Relocate?

While this may sound like a simple yes-or-no question, it's often a little bit more complicated than that. The simplest scenario is one where you're totally open to moving and would be willing to do so for this opportunity. But if the answer is no, or at least not right now, you can reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, briefly explain why you can't move at this time, and offer an alternative, like working remotely or out of a local office. Sometimes it's not as clear-cut, and that's OK. You can say you prefer to stay put for xyz reasons, but would be willing to consider relocating for the right opportunity.

Questions That Test You

Depending on the style of the interviewer and company, you could get some pretty quirky questions. They're often testing how you think through something on the spot. Don't panic. Take a moment to think-and remember, there's no one single correct answer or approach.

42. How Many Tennis Balls Can You Fit Into a Limousine?

1,000? 10,000? 100,000? Seriously? Well, seriously, you might get asked brain-teaser questions like these, especially in quantitative jobs. But remember that the interviewer doesn't necessarily want an exact number-they want to make sure that you understand what's being asked of you, and that you can set into motion a systematic and logical way to respond. So take a deep breath and start thinking through the math. (Yes, it's OK to ask for a pen and paper!)

43. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?

Seemingly random personality-test type questions like these come up in interviews because hiring managers want to see how you can think on your feet. There's no wrong answer here, but you'll immediately gain bonus points if your answer helps you share your strengths or personality or connect with the hiring manager. Pro tip: Come up with a stalling tactic to buy yourself some thinking time, such as saying, "Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say..."

44. Sell Me This Pen.

If you're interviewing for a sales job, your interviewer might put you on the spot to sell them a pen sitting on the table, or a legal pad, or a water bottle, or just something. The main thing they're testing you for? How you handle a high-pressure situation. So try to stay calm and confident and use your body language-making eye contact, sitting up straight, and more-to convey that you can handle this. Make sure you listen, understand your "customer's" needs, get specific about the item's features and benefits, and end strong-as though you were truly closing a deal.

Wrapping-Up Questions

When it comes time for the interview to wind down, you might have a chance to add any last thoughts and you'll almost certainly have time to ask the questions that will help you decide if this company and role might be great for you. In fact, if they don't leave time for you to ask any questions at any of your interviews, that might be a red flag in itself.

45. Is There Anything Else You'd Like Us to Know?

Just when you thought you were done, your interviewer asks you this open-ended doozy. Don't panic-it's not a trick question! You can use this as an opportunity to close out the meeting on a high note in one of two ways, Zhang says. First, if there really is something relevant that you haven't had a chance to mention, do it now. Otherwise, you can briefly summarize your qualifications. For example, Zhang says, you could say: "I think we've covered most of it, but just to summarize, it sounds like you're looking for someone who can really hit the ground running. And with my previous experience [enumerate experience here], I think I'd be a great fit."

46. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

You probably already know that an interview isn't just a chance for a hiring manager to grill you-it's an opportunity to sniff out whether a job is the right fit from your perspective. What do you want to know about the position? The company? The department? The team? You'll cover a lot of this in the actual interview, so have a few less-common questions ready to go. We especially like questions targeted to the interviewer ("What's your favorite part about working here?") or the company's growth ("What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?")

Bonus Questions

Looking for more interview questions? Check out these lists of questions (and example answers!) for different types of interviews.

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Your Ultimate Guide to Answering the Most Common Interview Questions

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Wouldn't it be great if you knew exactly what questions a hiring manager would be asking you in your next job interview? We can't read minds, unfortunately, but we'll give you the next best thing: a list of more than 40 of the most commonly asked interview questions, along with advice for answering them all.

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Make a plan for yourself and stick to it, in order to cope with your test-day anxiety

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Has this ever happened to you? You've been studying hard for your chemistry midterm, but when you walk into your exam, your mind goes blank. As you sit down to start your test, you notice your sweaty palms and a pit in your stomach.

If these classic signs of test anxiety sound familiar, your grades and test scores may not reflect your true abilities. Learn ways to manage test anxiety before and during a stressful test.

What is Test Anxiety?

While it's completely normal to feel a bit nervous before a test, some students find test anxiety debilitating. Racing thoughts, inability to concentrate, or feelings of dread can combine with physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, headache, or nausea. Whether it's the ACT, an AP exam, or an important history final, test anxiety has the power to derail weeks and months of hard work.

Test Anxiety Tips

According to the ADAA, causes of test anxiety may include a fear of failure, lack of adequate prep time, or bad experiences taking tests in the past. You're not alone! Here's what you can do to stay calm in the days leading up to and during your test.

1. Be prepared.

Yes, this seems obvious, but it bears repeating. If you feel confident that you've prepped thoroughly, you'll feel more confident walking into the test. Need help reviewing tough concepts or question types? The test prep experts at The Princeton Review can provide that extra boost you need to feel cool and collected.

2. Get a good night's sleep.

Cramming is never the answer, and pulling an all-nighter can exacerbate your nerves. Having adequate rest (9-10 hours per night) is likely to be more beneficial than rereading a text until dawn (But if you ARE up late studying and have a question, our on-demand tutors are there for you.)

3. Fuel up.

Eat a nutritious breakfast before the test and pack smart snacks for ongoing energy. Look for foods that offer a steady stream of nutrients, rather than a sugar high followed by a crash.

4. Get to class-or the testing site-early .

Feeling rushed will only amp up the anxiety. Pack everything you need for the exam the night before and set the alarm, so you can get out the door on time.

5. Have a positive mental attitude .

Bring a picture of your happy place or come up with a morale-boosting mantra like "I can do this" or "I worked hard and deserve this." Peek at your picture or recite your mantra, right before the test begins.

6. Read carefully.

Read the directions thoroughly and read all answers before making a choice or starting the essay. There is nothing worse than putting time into a question and realizing you are not solving for x, or the essay is off target. Slowing down can help you stay focused.

7. Just start.

The blank page can maximize your anxiety. After you've read the directions, dive right in by making an outline for an essay answer. Or, find some questions you can ace to build up your confidence and momentum. You can always go back and change things later if needed, but a few quick answers can get the ball rolling.

8. Don't pay attention to what other people are doing.

Everyone else is scribbling away? Ack! What do they know that you don't? It doesn't matter. Pay attention to your own test and pace, and forget about the other students in the room.

9. Watch the clock .

Realizing that time is almost up and there are lots of test questions left can make it hard to do anything useful in those final minutes. Stay on pace by scoping out the whole test before getting started. Mentally allocate how much time you'll spend on each section. If there's time to recheck, even better.

10. Focus on calm breathing and positive thoughts .

Deep breathing can slow down a beating heart or a racing mind, so practice these techniques at home. The very act of concentrating on breathing and thinking can biometrically alter those anxious feelings.

Sometimes just remembering that some test-taking anxiety is a normal part of school can help make it easier to handle. If you need a confidence boost, try a session with an online tutor. From PhDs and Ivy Leaguers to doctors and teachers, our tutors are experts in their fields, and they know how to keep your anxiety at bay.

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The Staff of The Princeton Review

For more than 35 years, students and families have trusted The Princeton Review to help them get into their dream schools. We help students succeed in high school and beyond by giving them resources for better grades, better test scores, and stronger college applications. Follow us on Twitter: @ThePrincetonRev.

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Has this ever happened to you? You've been studying hard for your chemistry midterm, but when you walk into your exam, your mind goes blank. As you sit down to start your test, you notice your sweaty palms and a pit in your stomach.

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Please tell me what the distractor is for each question.

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Generally, employers have the right to monitor their employees use of the Internet (including visiting social networking sites, checking e-mails, and instant messaging) on computers owned by the employer, during employees on-duty hours. Although federal laws prohibits employers from discriminating against a prospective or current employee based on information on the employee's social networking site or personal blog relating to their race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, and immigration or citizen status, employers can and do use information on such websites as a method of conducting background checks. Employees should therefore be conscious of what information they display on social media websites. To learn more about social media and computer privacy, read below:

1. What is social media and social networking?

2. How does social networking and social media relate to the workplace?

3. Can potential employers use information from social media in the hiring process?

4. Can an employer ask for my password to look at my social networking and social media usage?

5. If an employer asks for my social media password, how should I react?

6. Can my employer legally monitor my computer and internet activities

7. What can my employer monitor on my computer?

8. Can my employer legally monitor my email?

9. Can my employer legally fire me for information that my employer has read in an email?

10. Can my employer legally fire me for my internet use at work?

11. Can my employer legally fire me for the content that I post on my personal website, blog, social networking, or social media website?

12. Don't I have a First Amendment Right to say what I want on my social media accounts?

13. Can my employer force me to promote their products or services on my personal social media accounts?

14. Can my employer monitor my Instant Messaging?

15. What if I deleted a document or e-mail from my computer, is it safe from being monitored?

16. I feel that my employer's computer usage policy has violated my privacy rights or might be discriminatory. What can I do?

17. If a lawsuit has been filed, what should I do with my social media?

1. What is social media and social networking?

Social media is considered any form of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, messages, and other content. Social media includes internet forums, social blogs, wikis, microblogging (e.g. Twitter), social networks (e.g. Facebook), and many others. Social networking is the use of social media to communicate with others.

2. How does social networking and social media relate to the workplace?

In the United States, more than 2/3 of online adults use a social networking site. As a result, many employees have made comments and posted media to these websites about their employer, their employment status, and workplace issues. According to a 2007 survey, 28% of employers have fired employees for misuse of e-mails, while 30% have fired employees for misuse of the Internet. Half of all employers surveyed said they were concerned about their employees browsing social networking sites while at work. In some instances, employees have been terminated due to their comments and posts on social media websites. In other ways, employers have used social media to conduct some sort of background checks on potential hires.

3. Can potential employers use information from social media in the hiring process?

Employers want to ensure a potential hire is qualified and will reflect well on the company. As a result, many employers conduct a background check that includes social media. An online profile can provide information on professional credentials, career objectives, maturity and judgment, abuse of drugs or alcohol, current employment status, and other red flags.

However, there is potential discrimination if employers use personal information such as age, race, disability, religion, national origin, or gender to make a hiring decision. As a result, state and federal laws explicitly prohibit that kind of conduct.

4. Can an employer ask for my password to look at my social networking and social media usage?

There are no federal laws that prohibit an employer from requiring an employee or job applicant to provide their username and password for social media accounts. In 2013 and 2014, twenty states enacted legislation regarding employers access to employees and applicants usernames and passwords:

However, the laws vary from state to state, and do not provide the same level of protection in each state. Other states are considering legislation; you can track these bills by visiting the National Conference of State Legislature's website. For more information on this rapidly growing area of the law, contact an employment lawyer in you area.

5. If an employer asks for my social media password, how should I react?

Being asked for your social media password by your employer or potential employer can be a nerve-wrecking experience. As a result, you should be prepared for this question. Here are some things that you can do instead:

Create a fan page that is purely business and bring that up;

Make sure you only put information on Facebook that portrays you in a positive and professional light (but remember: you cannot control what a friend might post);

Say you don't have a Facebook page (although they may search for you);

State you would be glad to bring up your LinkedIn or Google profile instead as that is business related;

State that Facebook is like a diary, something to be opened only by people with authorization;

Ask them to bring their page up and then search for you.

6. Can my employer legally monitor my computer and Internet activities?

Yes, and most employers do. Employers concerned about lost productivity, excessive bandwidth usage, viral invasions, dissemination of proprietary information and their liability for sexual and other forms of harassment when explicit documents are exchanged via e-mail or the web, believe that monitoring is an important deterrent to inappropriate Internet and computer usage.

According to the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), an employer-provided computer system is the property of the employer. Therefore, employers that provide you with a computer system and Internet access are free to monitor almost everything that you do with the computer and Internet access with which you have been provided. This is especially true when an employer gives you a written policy regarding the monitoring of your computer use. Courts have generally agreed that an employee does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy when using a device owned and issued by the employer. In one case, the court ruled that even though the employer told its employees that their e-mail communications would not be intercepted, and that the employees would not be reprimanded or terminated based on the contents of their e-mails, the terminated employee could not assert that his reliance on these employer promises should prevent his termination by the employer.

Some union contracts or state laws (such as those in California), may limit an employer's ability to monitor your computer activity. Only Connecticut and Delaware require employers to notify employees that their e-mail is being monitored, while Colorado and Tennessee require state and other public entities to adopt policies regarding the monitoring of employee's email.

Otherwise, there are few laws that have been enacted to protect your computer privacy at work.

7. What can my employer monitor on my computer?

The technology exists for your employer to monitor almost any aspect of your computer usage, such as:

Internet use

Softward downloads

Documents or files stored on your computer

Anything that is displayed on your computer screen

How long your computer has been idle

How many key strokes you type per hour

E-mails (outgoing or those sent within your office)

If you can do it on your work computer or on devices such as PDAs provided for your work use, then you can expect that your employer has the ability to monitor it. Check your employer's policies and/or personnel handbook to see if your employer has a specific policy about what monitoring it does. Even without a policy, however, your employer still may be monitoring your computer and Internet activity.

8. Can my employer legally monitor my e-mail?

Yes, with certain limitations. Although some federal laws (Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2511; Electronic Communication Storage Act, 18 U.S.C. 2701; Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, 18 U.S.C. 1030) and state laws generally make it illegal for employers to intercept private e-mail or use your personal log-on and password to access e-mails on an Internet Service Providers' server, employers may monitor e-mail from the work e-mail address provided to you, or monitor any e-mail stored on your work computer. Only two states, Connecticut and Delaware, require employers to notify employees that their e-mail is being monitored.

Certain companies even have software that aids them in monitoring your e-mail. Such software pulls up any e-mails that mention "key words" such as:

If you want to send a private e-mail, it is best to use non-work e-mail accounts such as Yahoo! (R), MSN Hotmail (C) or Gmail (TM). However, these e-mail accounts can sometimes be monitored as well. In one case, an employer searched through an employee's personal e-mails accounts on a company computer, gaining access to the accounts due to the storage of the employee's user names and passwords on the computer. Although the employee won the case, employees should be aware of the potential that any saved user names and passwords on a company computer may be subject to monitoring by the employer.

It is best not to discuss non-work related or private issues at all while using your office computer, if you are concerned that your employer may be monitoring your computer activities or your employer's policies permit computer and Internet monitoring.

9. Can my employer legally fire me for information that my employer has read in an e-mail?

Yes. Outgoing e-mail, or e-mail going from one co-worker to another, can be used as the basis for firing employees. Over 28% of companies say that they have fired employees for misuse of office e-mail or Internet usage, and so far, courts have usually sided with the employers.

Be careful about saying negative things about your bosses, coworkers, or the company for which you work in e-mails, especially when using your work address to send this information outside the company. Also, be very careful to check your address line before sending your e-mail, as workers have been very embarrassed - if not out of a job - when copying a private e-mail intended for only one or a few individuals to the company intranet, large distribution list, or listserv.

You may have some protection if you are communicating with your coworkers about work conditions, under laws that protect an employee's ability to engage in " concerted activity." If you have been fired or disciplined for complaining about your working conditions to other coworkers using e-mail, or for using your work computer for union organizing activities. Consult an labor and employment lawyer in your area to determine whether your rights have been violated. Similarly, if you use e-mail to complain about discriminatory behavior or blow the whistle, you may be protected under whistleblowing and/or antiretaliation laws.

10. Can my employer legally fire me for my Internet use at work?

Yes. Employers are concerned about their liability for sexual harassment and have fired workers for visiting sexually explicit and/or pornographic websites at work. They also worry about the loss of productivity caused by Internet surfing during work hours, and have fired employees for using the Internet for non-work related activities such as online shopping or sports sites.

As it is possible -- and even probable in many workplaces -- that your online activity is being monitored, be sure you know what your employer's monitoring policy is before engaging in activity during work time that is not work-related. You should not visit any websites that you would not want your employer to see or that your co-workers might find offensive. While most employers do not mind if your personal internet use is occasional and doesn't interfere with your work, some employers do mind, and expect you to confine your personal Internet usage to non-work hours.

11. Can my employer legally fire me for the content that I post on my personal website, blog, social networking, or social media website?

Generally, an employer can fire you for having a personal website or blog that it deems inappropriate, with very limited exceptions. Even if you have a non-work related website that you don't access from your office, employers can fire you if they feel the content on your personal site or blog is offensive to them or to potential clients, or reflects badly on the company. For more information about how to blog without risking termination, see our site's page on off-duty conduct.

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, and Tennessee all have laws that prohibit employers from firing an employee for engaging in lawful conduct, or for using lawful products (ex: cigarettes) during off-duty hours. However, courts in these states will weigh the employee protections against an employer's business interests, and typically rule that those interests outweigh employee privacy concerns and permit the employer to be exempt from the law. Some laws provide explicit exemptions for employers: in Colorado, employers are exempt if an employee's off-work activities relate[s] to a bona fide occupational requirement, or is reasonably and rationally related to their work activities.

Some state laws regarding personnel records may protect an employee's off-duty Internet activities. For example, in Michigan and Illinois employers cannot gather or keep information of an employee's communications or non-employment activities, without the employee consent. However, exceptions exist in both states that allow employers to keep records of an employee's criminal activity, activity on the employer's property, or activity on the employer's time which may cause damage to the employer's business. Outside of these exceptions, employers may be liable for violating these laws or retaliating against an employee on the basis of improperly gathered information.

Although an employer might be able to legally fire you for your content on social networking and social media websites, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has stated that, under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), workers' social networking and social media usage can be protected if it is "concerted activity" for the purpose of collective bargaining, mutual aid or protection. Thus, protesting about working conditions might be protected, while complaining about a boss might not be. If an employer's social networking policies are broad and vague, that works against the employer during Section 7 considerations done by courts.

An employer may be violating federal law if they access Facebook posts of an employee, when the employee intended the posts to remain private by adjusting the privacy settings to limit access only to the employee's Facebook friends, the employer is not a Facebook friend of the employee, and they access the posts without authorization, or intentionally exceeds authorization. In Ehling v. Monmouth-Ocean Hosp. Serv. Corp., 961 F. Supp.2d 659 (D. N.J. 2013), a co-worker of a registered nurse took screenshots of the nurse's Facebook wall posts, and sent them to a hospital manager. The court ruled that Facebook wall posts are electronic communications, transmitted by an electronic communication service, placed in electronic storage, and can be deemed private if the Facebook user set her privacy settings to limit access to information on the user's Facebook profile. However, because the co-worker who provided the screenshots to the manager was a Facebook friend of the nurse, an exception to the Stored Communications Act applied, meaning the hospital for which the manager worked was not liable for any wrongdoing under the Act.

For more information on this rapidly growing area of the law, contact an employment lawyer in your area.

12. Don't I have a First Amendment Right to say what I want on my social media accounts?

Generally, you do not have that right in the workplace. Only government employees have free speech protections and those are very limited. As a private employee, you can be fired for your speech in the workplace or outside of it.

For government employees, 'Liking' a page may be protected speech under the First Amendment. In one recent case, a federal appeals court decided that a government employee who worked for a sheriff, and who clicked on 'Like' on a Facebook Page showing his support for a different candidate for sheriff, was speaking as a private citizen about a matter of public concern, did not disrupt the work of others in the office, and his interest in showing support for the candidate outweighed the current sheriff's interest in maintaining effective and efficient public services. The court therefore viewed the 'Liking' of a page on Facebook as speech that can be entitled to First Amendment protections for public employees.

13. Can my employer force me to promote their products or services on my personal social media accounts?

Possibly, but your employer runs into the risk of violating certain Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules and regulations on advertising. Comments made to Facebook or Twitter by an employee could be viewed as advertisements or endorsements subject to FTC regulation. Additionally, the comments might be considered as unfair and deceptive acts in commerce.

14. Can my employer monitor my Instant Messaging?

Yes. Employers also have the technology to read and monitor your instant-message conversations on such services as AOL Instant Messenger (R), Windows Live Messenger (TM) etc. Signs show that more and more employers are using this technology.

15. What if I deleted a document or e-mail from my computer, is it safe from being monitored?

No. Information that you have deleted from your computer is often available for your employers to monitor. Even though they appear erased, documents and e-mails are often permanently backed up on the office's main computer system.

Even worse, deleting personal documents from your work computer may violate the law, depending on the manner and context in which the files were deleted. One recent case held that an employee who used a program designed to clean off the hard drive and permanently erase documents (a "secure delete" program) before returning a computer to his employer violated federal hacking laws designed to prevent damage to networked computers. Another held that a worker erasing documents from a company-owned computer after filing a lawsuit against his employer was in essence tampering with important evidence in the case.

Before permanently deleting any documents on your work computer, check with an employment lawyer in your area first, especially if you have been terminated and/or contemplate filing a lawsuit against your employer.

16. I feel that my employer's computer usage policy has violated my privacy rights or might be discriminatory. What can I do?

While employers have considerable latitude in monitoring computer and Internet usage, if you feel that your privacy rights have been violated by your employer or believe the enforcement of your employer's policy is discriminatory, contact your state department of labor, or a private attorney.

17. If a lawsuit has been filed, what should I do with my social media?

In this digital age, lawyers will investigate or gather evidence anywhere, including your social media. As a result, you should be cognizant of your social media use. Tweets, posts, e-mails, pictures, and videos may be used against you. Exercise caution by:

Limiting your privacy settings;

Not accepting friend requests from people you do not know;

Limiting your electronic communications to people you know and can verify.

If a case has been filed, let your attorney know of things on your social media accounts that may hurt you, but get your attorney's advice about whether to delete anything, as there may be restrictions imposed by the Court once a case is filed.

NOTE: Yahoo! (R), MSN Hotmail (C), or Gmail (TM), AOL Instant Messenger (R), Windows Live Messenger (TM) and other trademarks and service marks are the property of the respective trademark and service mark holders. None of the trademark and service mark holders listed above are affiliated with Workplace Fairness or this website. No endorsement of this information, service or product by any company or person is made or implied.

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Midwest New Media, LLC - http://www.midwestnewmedia.com - (513) 742-9150

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Social Networking & Computer Privacy - Workplace Fairness

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Generally, employers have the right to monitor their employees use of the Internet (including visiting social networking sites, checking e-mails, and instant messaging) on computers owned by the employer, during employees on-duty hours.

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Should Companies Monitor Their Employees' Social Media?

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Should Companies Monitor Their Employees' Social Media?