Think back to the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant when Caitlin Upton, representing South Carolina, was asked why so many Americans were unable to locate the United States on a map. Her response was muddled, to put it kindly. Her incoherent response not only left the judges scratching their heads but also proved that answering a question on the spot can cause anyone to stumble.

Although that video clip went viral and millions of viewers have had fun laughing at Upton's botched answer, you can probably assume everyone identified with her to a degree. Who hasn't been called on in class or been asked a question in a meeting and just blathered on like a toddler?

Imagine feeling this helpless during a job inter....

Too Old to Be Hired?

When Anna Klenman and her boyfriend moved to Los Angeles, they decided to try a local temp service for employment opportunities. Her boyfriend went in one day and was told, "We have lots of jobs. We'll get you placed right away." He was working in less than 48 hours. Encouraged, Klenman went in soon afterward and was interviewed by the very same client-placement manager. But instead of an enthusiastic response, Klenman was told, "It's a difficult market. You should apply to as many other temp services as you can."

Why the difference in attitude? Klenman contends it was because she is significantly older than her boyfriend. "It's a competitive market, and temp services want to supply companies with young, f....

7 Questions That Make Interviewers Cringe

Chances are you've prepared answers to a variety of questions an interviewer might throw your way, but have you spent equal time considering the questions you want to pose to a potential employer? What you ask (and sometimes when) can speak volumes about your interest and work ethic. Keep interviewers from cringing -- and possibly questioning your suitability for the position -- by avoiding these seven questions:

1. What does your company do?

Sure, an interview is a two-way street designed for both parties to learn about one another. Yet how can a job seeker prove he is the person for the position if he doesn't even know the basics about where he wants to work?

"I feel that if someone is....

How to Answer: \'What Have You Been Doing Since You Were Laid Off?\'

When you first lost your job, you spent your time wallowing in your sorrows -- eating ice cream in your pajamas and watching Judge Judy all afternoon.  Then your determination kicked in, and you decided to find a new job. You perused job boards, polished up your résumé, searched for old co-workers on LinkedIn -- and occasionally watched Judge Judy all afternoon. 

While this may be the truth about what you've been doing since your last job ended, telling this to a recruiter probably won't be all that impressive. Though looking for a job is an admirable and necessary task for those out of work, telling a recruiter about your job search won't set you apart from the pac....

Mistakes You Made in School That Shouldn\'t Be Repeated in the Job Search

High school and college may seem like a distant memory, especially if you're an experienced professional who hasn't looked at a textbook in years. But some job seekers are channeling their school-age selves with many of the same consequences. You may not get a trip to the principal's office, but you could take yourself out of the running for the career you want.

From procrastinating to goofing off, following in your teenage footsteps is never a good idea. You may not even realize you are doing it. Here are three mistakes you may have made in school that you should avoid repeating:

Waiting until the last minute to study

The night before a paper was due, there you were, trying to quickly w....