Photo by: Screenpunk
So with that in mind, here are the top five things you should NEVER do:
1. Be late. If you don’t make it to the interview on time, the hiring manager will think you won’t make it to work on time, either. Or do anything else right. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Don’t rely on Internet-map driving directions; go there the day before so you’re clear on exactly how to get there and how long it will take. “Horrible traffic” is no excuse for being late. Every company wants to hire someone who plans ahead, anticipates potential problems, and succeeds despite those problems. If there is a REAL emergency, call to explain and ask to reschedule.
2. Show you didn’t prepare. “Ummm… uh…my mind just went blank. Can I get back to you on that?” is not a good way to answer a question. “What do you guys do around here?” is not a good question to ask. Research the industry, the company, the job, even the interviewer, if possible. You can do all of that online. Be prepared for likely questions. Be prepared to offer specific solutions to help them achieve their specific goals. Remember the 5 Ps: Preparation & Practice Preceed a Powerful Performance!
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Without exception, they were the best people I’ve ever had the privilege of working for.
Please remember our veterans (and not just on Nov. 11) as people. Sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers… all willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for their country and their beliefs. Those who served in the past, and those still serving today, have my respect and my gratitude.
They are my heros.
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Photo by: Talli_1985
At the job interview, Nancy answered every question well.
Unfortunately, her behavior sabotaged her performance.
When introduced to the interviewer, she said, “Thank you so much for seeing me. I really need this job.” After answering one of the questions, she added, “I hope I answered that sufficiently for you. I really need this job.” As the interview was ending, the last thing she said was, “Thank you for the opportunity to interview for this job. I really need it!”
Nancy, like many other job candidates, believed that letting the interview know she really needed the job would help her to get it.
But that’s not true.
As a matter of fact, being “too desperate” for the job is one of the most common reasons hiring managers will reject you, regardless of your qualifications. If they know how desperate you are, they will wonder to what lengths you will go to get the job—would you exaggerate on your résumé or lie during the interview? You don’t want them wondering about things like that. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity, but don’t be a “Needy Nancy.”
Here are six other behaviors to avoid during job interviews (despite the names, all behaviors apply to both men and women):
Posted in Career Advice Job Interviews by .
Photo: Andres.thor
Here are 5 ways to do that:
1. Think of the interview as just a conversation between you and someone you just met—someone you like.
2. Think of the person interviewing you as an equal, not a superior. Remain respectful, courteous and professional, but don’t think of yourself as inferior in any way.
3. Think of yourself as a valuable, talented person whom any company would be lucky to have on their payroll. They need you as much or more than you need them.
4. Think of the interviewers as being just as nervous as you. Perhaps they’ve never interviewed anyone before.
5. Think of the job as just one of many opportunities. You want to be enthusiastic and assure the hiring manager that you want the position, but convince yourself that it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get it. It may not have been right for you anyway. There will be more opportunities.
Above all, remember that “Preparation and Practice Precede Peak Performance.” When you’re confident and well prepared, you’ll be less nervous… and more likely to get hired.
Posted in Job Interviews by .
Oct 10
29
Job Interview with a Vampire
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Photo: Aoife city womanchile
Suddenly the silence was shattered by an unearthly sound! “Grrrrrooowwwwlllll!” The grumbly-gurgly-rumbling noise was so loud, I was sure the “big one” had hit (where I work is only 3,500 feet from an earthquake fault) and the roof was caving in!
I quickly ducked my head and scanned the room for falling debris. Then I noticed my coworkers. They were looking at ME, their eyes wide in shock.
“Holy crap! What’d you do, skip breakfast and lunch?” One of them asked.
To my horror, I realized the awful noise had come from my growling stomach!
I considered crawling under the table as my face turned red as a chili pepper, but responded, “Whoops, please excuse me. I don’t know why that happened. I’m not even hungry!”
The meeting carried on and five minutes later it happened again. “Grrrrrooowwwwlllll!” Everyone looked at me but no one said anything this time. I mouthed “Sorry” and looked down, embarassed. I wanted to punch myself in the stomach. Stupid stomach!
Posted in Job Interviews On the Job by .
Photo: designwallah
I’d only gone about a quarter-mile from home when it happened.
Just as I was turning a corner, a large dog darted out in front of my car! I slammed on the brakes and was suddenly spinning out of control. As the car hydroplaned off the road, I felt so strange — almost detached, as if I was observing the accident happen to someone else. The panic didn’t hit me until the car stopped moving in a soggy field.
I sat there gripping the wheel as adrenalin causing my heart to do its best to pound its way out of my chest. Two thoughts went through my head: (1) I’m okay; (2) My boss is an idiot.
Let me explain that seemingly out-of-context thought about my boss. He was the Group Commander (I was a Civil Service employee working on an Army base in Okinawa at the time). As the Commander, part of his job was to keep the soldiers and civilians who worked on base, and their families, safe.
During the previous six months, there had been three car accidents caused by dogs running into the street (there were several packs of stray dogs roaming the island). In one of the crashes, a person was killed.
So my boss the Commander issued this advice to everyone: “If you’re driving and a dog runs out in front of you, hit the dog. That’s better than swerving to avoid it, crashing your car, and possibly killing yourself or others.”
I thought that was excellent advice (even though I love dogs). It made sense to me — if faced with the choice of hitting a stray dog or possibly getting killed in a car crash, I’d hit the dog. Wouldn’t you? (No, you probably wouldn’t… read on.)
Posted in Job Interviews by .
Oct 10
21
Research Rocks! Here’s Why…
Photo by: Clover_1
One of the most important aspects of preparation is doing research about the company for which you want to work. Why? Because knowledge is power. The more you know about the company, the better off you’ll be at the interview.
Because doing research can be somewhat tedious, this is a step most job seekers don’t take – so it will give YOU a definite advantage. You can use the information you find to customize your comments during the interview. The interviewer will be impressed that you did your homework, and will believe that you are interested in the company as well as the job. On the other hand, if you don’t know squat about the company, the interviewer may not only be unimpressed, he may be downright insulted. Not a good way to make a good first impression!
One more reason to do this research – it may save you from making a terrible mistake! If the company has a poor reputation, is in the middle of downsizing, or has a history of frequent layoffs, it’s much better to find out about it before the interview, rather than after you’ve accepted a job offer!
So do your research. Google is my favorite research tool. Here are a few more:
Posted in Job Interviews by .
Oct 10
11
Video: Job Interview Tips from AARP
It’s well worth your time to check it out:
Oct 10
6
Be Green, But Be QUIET!
Under the category of “No good deed goes unpunished,” Frito Lay created the first totally compostable chip bag, made out of biodegradable materials, for its Sun Chips. The environment: “Yay!”
Isn’t it great to see a mega-corporation trying to be a little more green?
How did customers respond? Did they thank Frito Lay for thinking about sustainability and helping the environment, for doing the right thing? Nope.
They complained… about the noise the new bag makes. Seriously. Sun Chips sales plummeted.
You can guess what happened then. Or you can read the Wall Street Journal article.
But the best part is the video that’s with that article: “Sun Chips: The Loudest Chip Bag Ever.”
Whether or not you care about the environment, Frito Lay, Sun Chips, or noise pollution, watch the video — the ending is hilarious. :-)
Posted in Fun Stuff Totally Off Topic by .
Sep 10
30
Buy My Atlantic City Timeshare
Own a bit of the Jersey Shore!
I’m selling my timeshare in Atlantic City, located on the famous Board Walk. Why? Because I just bought one in Sedona, AZ, and don’t need two!
The timeshare is for one week every other year.
Even if you have no interest in Atlantic City, you should consider this. By joining a timeshare exchange service, you can exchange yours for stays at timeshare resorts all over the world.
See all the details about the timeshare I’m selling (through a listing service) here.
The price listed is negotiable. Make an offer!
Posted in Totally Off Topic by .
Sep 10
28
Free Saucer Rides
see more Gifs
Posted in Fun Stuff Totally Off Topic by .
