10 Tips to Boost Your Interview Skills
By Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer
Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for job interviews. Why, you ask? Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these 10 strategies to enhance your interview skills.
Practice Good Nonverbal Communication:
It’s about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first nonverbal impression can be a great beginning – or a quick ending – to your interview.
Dress for the Job or Company:
Today’s casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as “they” do when you interview. It is important to know what to wear to an interview and to be well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview.
Listen:
From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.
Don’t Talk Too Much:
Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may ramble when answering interview questions, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position’s requirements and relating only that information.
Don’t Be Too Familiar:
The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer’s demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.
Use Appropriate Language:
It’s a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation – these topics could send you out the door very quickly.
Don’t Be Cocky:
Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you’re putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.
Take Care to Answer the Questions:
When interviewers ask for an example of a time when you did something, they are asking behavioral interview questions, which are designed to elicit a sample of your past behavior. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don’t answer the questions, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.
Ask Questions:
When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, “No”. Wrong answer. Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions that demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what you’re asked during the interview and asking for additional information.
Don’t Appear Desperate:
When you interview with the “please, please hire me” approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three Cs during the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Business Professional Dress Code: What Women Should Wear in the Office
Business Professional Dress Code: What Women Should Wear in the Office
(as found on freebeautytips.org)
Your work wardrobe depends largely on what you do for a living, and if you aren't a natural-born fashion hound, it can be difficult to put together work ensembles that are practical, comfortable and affordable. Besides the obligatory chinos and polo shirt-uniforms of many retail establishments, there are three types of working wardrobes: professional, business casual and casual. In this column, we're going to cover the basics of dressing for the professional office.
What is a Business Professional Dress Code?
Probably the easiest wardrobe to assemble is the professional one that most large corporate firms expect from women. Most corporations and firms whose employees affect professional dress have strict if unwritten dress codes: observing what other people wear is the best way to decide on your own wardrobe basics.
Even now, many firms expect women to dress in skirts rather than pants to work, which raises complications in terms of choosing comfortable shoes that look good. If you are applying for a position with a company where professional dress is the norm, do as much reconnaissance work as you can to determine what designers are favored, whether suit blouses are strictly white and tailored or more feminine and colorful, and what makeup styles are in fashion. Wear the best shoes you can afford to your interview, spend more money on hose that won't snag and run before you even get to the interview, and wear a skirt, even if women also wear pants in that culture..
How to Dress for a Job Interview
When you're interviewing, it's always better to dress a little more on the formal and conservative side. This is relative, of course. If you're going for a job at a funky piercing studio, you shouldn't show up in Donna Karan, but leave the ripped jeans at home until you've gotten the job. For professional work environments, it means opting for tailored over trendy and severe over sexy. Forget the Allie McBeal micro-minis and tights tops: TV fashion does not apply in the real-world professional workplace, and people won't take you seriously if the first thing they recall about you is your astonishing cleavage. If you want to base your wardrobe on a relevant TV show, think West Wing or The Practice.
The Classic Women's Business Suit We Should All Have
Most suit skirts have the same basic shape: either pencil-straight or a slight flare as they fall from the waistband. A kick-pleat can be a nice addition, or a small slit in front or on the side may add interest. Good suits have skirts that are lined, and are usually made in wool gabardine. Skirts should fall a couple of inches below the knee or an inch above the knee (depending on your personal comfort zone). If you have cute knees (and most people do), don't cover them up--the expanse of leg between your shoes and your skirt will be an attractive wardrobe feature.
Hose should be tasteful and unnoticeable. Stay with nude colors, or maybe sheer black hose in winter. You can wear tights to keep your legs warm if you're going to wear boots in the winter, but keep the colors muted.
Classic Office Appropriate Shoe Styles
Shoes are crucial to the excellent wardrobe. First of all, they should fit as perfectly as possible, because they contribute directly to your health and well-being. Bad shoes contribute to bad posture, back, neck and leg pain, and create foot issues like bunions and corns. Especially if you walk from trains, spend a lot of time traveling, or work on your feet, your shoes must provide you with support.
Professional wardrobes require pumps. A moderate heel (around one inch high, up to two inches if you need the extra height), is classy and sensible without being frumpy. Avoid stilettos, wedge heels, trendy colors, odd designs or patterns and open toes. Shoes should be elegant, tasteful, and not the first thing people notice about you. (Some people look at your shoes first; they consider good shoes an indicator of taste and breeding. If you're wearing the right shoes, they'll pass muster, and the rest of you will then be considered.) Shoes should be made of a good quality leather or something so like leather that you can't tell the difference. Ideally, your shoes will also point up the finer aspects of your legs without trying too hard. The toes of your shoes can be slightly rounded for comfort, or if you have narrow feet, slightly triangular toes are all right too. If your feet are wide, you may need to go for a slightly boxy toe, but before getting square-toed shoes, consider checking out shoe designers who provide deeper rather than wider toes-boxes.
Some companies don't consider boots professional dress, no matter how well-made they are, but in other firms, wearing boots in fall and winter is acceptable. The perfect boot for the workplace is sleek and sophisticated, with no trendy additions. It should be brown or black, have a medium heel, a leather or suede finish, and should hit you one to two inches below the knee. (Try boots on with your work skirt before committing to a purchase to make sure the combination works.) A hidden zipper is your best bet: lace-ups look a little too Victoria's Secret to be professional.
Buying Professional Attire on a Budget
The money that you spend on acquiring the perfect shoes can be made up for in your budget when you shop for blouses. If your blouse is usually going to be worn under a jacket, you can skimp on the quality and get away with it as long as the cut and fabric are good. Linen blouses are a nice idea, but all-linen wrinkles right away: go for a blend. Cotton-poly or the more recent stretchy blends of cotton and Lycra will keep their shape better than all-cotton or cotton-linen blends. Some people can wear silk: others find it doesn't breathe well enough to be comfortable. If you do go with silk, you may find some wonderful blouses in the new, washable silks. Avoid anything ruffly, frilly or lacy, and forget about colorful accents on your blouses in the way of buttons or bows. Think Katherine Hepburn: tailored, classy, very understated.
What to Look for When Choosing a Career Pant or Skirt Suit
When you're putting together a professional Career wardrobe, plan for the long-term. Good suits with a jacket, pants and a skirt are expensive, but they may last you for ten years, and if you choose a classic look, outdated clothes won't be an issue. Choose conservative, neutral colors, black, gray, navy, white or beige for suits and shoes, and make sure each piece you add can be mixed and matched with pieces you already have. One simple way to achieve a pulled-together look based on separates is to find a designer you like and stick with him or her when purchasing your suits. (Ann Taylor has marvelous working wardrobes.) Three skirts, two jackets, five blouses and two pairs of pumps (one black, one brown) should see you through the first six months or so, at least until your new paycheck has caught up with your standard of living. At that point, you can start adding separates piece by piece, with the eventual goal of being able to take last week's clothes to the dry cleaners and still have plenty to wear until the weekend.
Keep Jewelry & Accessories Simple at Work
Your jewelry and makeup will fit in with the professional look by being understated as well. Keep makeup muted and elegant: use neutral tones and minimal eye makeup. Lipstick can be a bit brighter; after all, that's what it's for, but ignore any trendy statements in the way of metallics, glitters, glosses or hot colors.
Jewelry should be simple, without fuss or glitter. Jewelry should be cleaned on a regular basis to make sure it looks nice and not shabby. Follow the rule of three, wearing a bracelet and earrings, or necklace and bracelet, but not all three at the same time. (Wearing earrings and necklace becomes unbalanced because all your jewelry is clustered around your face. You may be able to get away with it if earrings and the necklace are utterly simple.) For earrings, wear hoops (not too big), or studs, but avoid dangling pieces that will destroy the clean line of a professional suit. If any one piece of jewelry has gems, keep other pieces solid.
If you wear a watch, don't wear a bracelet, not even on the other wrist. Your watch should be elegant, and if you want to make it into a piece of jewelry, splurge on something with diamonds and a sleek style that matches your suits.
Never, ever wear an anklet or armband to work.
The single strand of pearls favored by yesteryear's clothing designers and movie stars is timeless: if you're starting your professional jewelry wardrobe, a medium-length pearl necklace and a really great watch (maybe with an oyster or mother-of-pearl dial) are excellent starter pieces.
A Little on Handbags, Purses and Brief Cases
Your handbag says a lot about you, and it can be hard to find the right handbag for work. Even if you always carry a briefcase, there will be times when you will to go to a luncheon, and your briefcase will need to stay behind. Like shoes, great handbags can cost a fortune, and the really elegant ones will also be innocuous until closely inspected. If you don't fancy spending a couple of hundred bucks on a purse that you're going to use about once a month, visit consignment shops to look for a classic design with minimal wear. Get crocodile, lizard or leather, or an excellent imitation in an animal-free textile. Don't bring a fabric bag to a professional do: it never looks right. You probably already know whether you prefer a clutch to a strappy purse: clutches have a cleaner look, but some people are more comfortable with a strap. When it comes to purses, smaller is better, although it should be big enough to hold your necessities.
Now you have the basics of your professional wardrobe. Keep in mind that, like a career, your wardrobe can be built over time starting with a few basics and adding gradually over a period of years. Keep it simple and straightforward for a look of timeless, understated elegance.
(Photo courtesy of waltoncollege.uark.edu)
(as found on freebeautytips.org)
Your work wardrobe depends largely on what you do for a living, and if you aren't a natural-born fashion hound, it can be difficult to put together work ensembles that are practical, comfortable and affordable. Besides the obligatory chinos and polo shirt-uniforms of many retail establishments, there are three types of working wardrobes: professional, business casual and casual. In this column, we're going to cover the basics of dressing for the professional office.
What is a Business Professional Dress Code?
Probably the easiest wardrobe to assemble is the professional one that most large corporate firms expect from women. Most corporations and firms whose employees affect professional dress have strict if unwritten dress codes: observing what other people wear is the best way to decide on your own wardrobe basics.
Even now, many firms expect women to dress in skirts rather than pants to work, which raises complications in terms of choosing comfortable shoes that look good. If you are applying for a position with a company where professional dress is the norm, do as much reconnaissance work as you can to determine what designers are favored, whether suit blouses are strictly white and tailored or more feminine and colorful, and what makeup styles are in fashion. Wear the best shoes you can afford to your interview, spend more money on hose that won't snag and run before you even get to the interview, and wear a skirt, even if women also wear pants in that culture..
How to Dress for a Job Interview
When you're interviewing, it's always better to dress a little more on the formal and conservative side. This is relative, of course. If you're going for a job at a funky piercing studio, you shouldn't show up in Donna Karan, but leave the ripped jeans at home until you've gotten the job. For professional work environments, it means opting for tailored over trendy and severe over sexy. Forget the Allie McBeal micro-minis and tights tops: TV fashion does not apply in the real-world professional workplace, and people won't take you seriously if the first thing they recall about you is your astonishing cleavage. If you want to base your wardrobe on a relevant TV show, think West Wing or The Practice.
The Classic Women's Business Suit We Should All Have
Most suit skirts have the same basic shape: either pencil-straight or a slight flare as they fall from the waistband. A kick-pleat can be a nice addition, or a small slit in front or on the side may add interest. Good suits have skirts that are lined, and are usually made in wool gabardine. Skirts should fall a couple of inches below the knee or an inch above the knee (depending on your personal comfort zone). If you have cute knees (and most people do), don't cover them up--the expanse of leg between your shoes and your skirt will be an attractive wardrobe feature.
Hose should be tasteful and unnoticeable. Stay with nude colors, or maybe sheer black hose in winter. You can wear tights to keep your legs warm if you're going to wear boots in the winter, but keep the colors muted.
Classic Office Appropriate Shoe Styles
Shoes are crucial to the excellent wardrobe. First of all, they should fit as perfectly as possible, because they contribute directly to your health and well-being. Bad shoes contribute to bad posture, back, neck and leg pain, and create foot issues like bunions and corns. Especially if you walk from trains, spend a lot of time traveling, or work on your feet, your shoes must provide you with support.
Professional wardrobes require pumps. A moderate heel (around one inch high, up to two inches if you need the extra height), is classy and sensible without being frumpy. Avoid stilettos, wedge heels, trendy colors, odd designs or patterns and open toes. Shoes should be elegant, tasteful, and not the first thing people notice about you. (Some people look at your shoes first; they consider good shoes an indicator of taste and breeding. If you're wearing the right shoes, they'll pass muster, and the rest of you will then be considered.) Shoes should be made of a good quality leather or something so like leather that you can't tell the difference. Ideally, your shoes will also point up the finer aspects of your legs without trying too hard. The toes of your shoes can be slightly rounded for comfort, or if you have narrow feet, slightly triangular toes are all right too. If your feet are wide, you may need to go for a slightly boxy toe, but before getting square-toed shoes, consider checking out shoe designers who provide deeper rather than wider toes-boxes.
Some companies don't consider boots professional dress, no matter how well-made they are, but in other firms, wearing boots in fall and winter is acceptable. The perfect boot for the workplace is sleek and sophisticated, with no trendy additions. It should be brown or black, have a medium heel, a leather or suede finish, and should hit you one to two inches below the knee. (Try boots on with your work skirt before committing to a purchase to make sure the combination works.) A hidden zipper is your best bet: lace-ups look a little too Victoria's Secret to be professional.
Buying Professional Attire on a Budget
The money that you spend on acquiring the perfect shoes can be made up for in your budget when you shop for blouses. If your blouse is usually going to be worn under a jacket, you can skimp on the quality and get away with it as long as the cut and fabric are good. Linen blouses are a nice idea, but all-linen wrinkles right away: go for a blend. Cotton-poly or the more recent stretchy blends of cotton and Lycra will keep their shape better than all-cotton or cotton-linen blends. Some people can wear silk: others find it doesn't breathe well enough to be comfortable. If you do go with silk, you may find some wonderful blouses in the new, washable silks. Avoid anything ruffly, frilly or lacy, and forget about colorful accents on your blouses in the way of buttons or bows. Think Katherine Hepburn: tailored, classy, very understated.
What to Look for When Choosing a Career Pant or Skirt Suit
When you're putting together a professional Career wardrobe, plan for the long-term. Good suits with a jacket, pants and a skirt are expensive, but they may last you for ten years, and if you choose a classic look, outdated clothes won't be an issue. Choose conservative, neutral colors, black, gray, navy, white or beige for suits and shoes, and make sure each piece you add can be mixed and matched with pieces you already have. One simple way to achieve a pulled-together look based on separates is to find a designer you like and stick with him or her when purchasing your suits. (Ann Taylor has marvelous working wardrobes.) Three skirts, two jackets, five blouses and two pairs of pumps (one black, one brown) should see you through the first six months or so, at least until your new paycheck has caught up with your standard of living. At that point, you can start adding separates piece by piece, with the eventual goal of being able to take last week's clothes to the dry cleaners and still have plenty to wear until the weekend.
Keep Jewelry & Accessories Simple at Work
Your jewelry and makeup will fit in with the professional look by being understated as well. Keep makeup muted and elegant: use neutral tones and minimal eye makeup. Lipstick can be a bit brighter; after all, that's what it's for, but ignore any trendy statements in the way of metallics, glitters, glosses or hot colors.
Jewelry should be simple, without fuss or glitter. Jewelry should be cleaned on a regular basis to make sure it looks nice and not shabby. Follow the rule of three, wearing a bracelet and earrings, or necklace and bracelet, but not all three at the same time. (Wearing earrings and necklace becomes unbalanced because all your jewelry is clustered around your face. You may be able to get away with it if earrings and the necklace are utterly simple.) For earrings, wear hoops (not too big), or studs, but avoid dangling pieces that will destroy the clean line of a professional suit. If any one piece of jewelry has gems, keep other pieces solid.
If you wear a watch, don't wear a bracelet, not even on the other wrist. Your watch should be elegant, and if you want to make it into a piece of jewelry, splurge on something with diamonds and a sleek style that matches your suits.
Never, ever wear an anklet or armband to work.
The single strand of pearls favored by yesteryear's clothing designers and movie stars is timeless: if you're starting your professional jewelry wardrobe, a medium-length pearl necklace and a really great watch (maybe with an oyster or mother-of-pearl dial) are excellent starter pieces.
A Little on Handbags, Purses and Brief Cases
Your handbag says a lot about you, and it can be hard to find the right handbag for work. Even if you always carry a briefcase, there will be times when you will to go to a luncheon, and your briefcase will need to stay behind. Like shoes, great handbags can cost a fortune, and the really elegant ones will also be innocuous until closely inspected. If you don't fancy spending a couple of hundred bucks on a purse that you're going to use about once a month, visit consignment shops to look for a classic design with minimal wear. Get crocodile, lizard or leather, or an excellent imitation in an animal-free textile. Don't bring a fabric bag to a professional do: it never looks right. You probably already know whether you prefer a clutch to a strappy purse: clutches have a cleaner look, but some people are more comfortable with a strap. When it comes to purses, smaller is better, although it should be big enough to hold your necessities.
Now you have the basics of your professional wardrobe. Keep in mind that, like a career, your wardrobe can be built over time starting with a few basics and adding gradually over a period of years. Keep it simple and straightforward for a look of timeless, understated elegance.
(Photo courtesy of waltoncollege.uark.edu)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Presenting a Professional Image
Presenting a Professional Image
In today’s world of “accept me as I am” and “casual Fridays”, it seems that there is some confusion about how best to present a professional image for interviews and the regular work week. More and more we see candidates showing up for interviews in attire that is, shall we say, less than one could hope for. It is okay to be ‘you’, but there is a time and a place for showing your individuality in non-professional ways. When going for an interview, it is best to dress professionally and let your credentials and experience show the things that matter to a prospective employer, instead of making them wonder about your professionalism due to your clothing choices.
Tattoos and Piercings:
While this is not technically a “clothing choice”, let’s start with tattoos and piercings, since we have been seeing a lot of them lately. They may have special meaning to you, but let’s face it – to someone who does not know you yet, or your motivation for having either of these decorations, they can give off the wrong signals. So what do you do about them? Cover up tattoos and remove piercings. It’s that simple. Unless you are applying at a tattoo or piercing shop, this body art will not gain you any points, and may seriously damage your chances for attaining the position that you desire. Especially if you are seeking a professional position. It was unfortunate, but we know of a highly qualified medical professional who recently lost the opportunity of a lifetime due to leaving facial piercings in for an important interview. Another example is a nurse who lost the chance at a position because of visible tattoos. It may be your way to show your individuality, but if it does not mesh with the vision that the employer wants to present to the public, then your chances of obtaining a job with them while showing tattoos and piercings is slim to none. Piercings are easy – just remove them. You can put them in your purse and re-insert them once you are back to your car if you’d like. Tattoos can be a little more difficult to hide, depending on their location. A good suggestion is to not get a tattoo where it can’t easily be hidden, but if it’s too late for that there are still things that you can do to make them disappear. For tattoos on the arms, wear sleeves that are long enough to cover the entire tattoo and won’t ride up and expose a portion of it when you move. This may get hot in the summer, but it was your choice to get the tattoo where you got it! Tattoos on the legs are easier – wear long dress slacks. If your tattoo is on the top of your foot or your ankle, try wearing opaque hosiery to hide the ink or make it at least a lot less visible. Wear a higher neckline to disguise tattoos on the neck or upper chest. For tattoos on the wrist, wear a bracelet that covers the tattooed area.
Slacks or Skirts:
For an interview, either wear a skirt that stops approximately an inch below the knees, or wear a nice pair of dress slacks. Do not wear jeans, knit pants, sweatpants, corduroys, Capri’s, or something that is most appropriate for a picnic or day at the park. If you are not sure exactly what constitutes “dress slacks”, type in the phrase on Google Image Search and it will show you literally hundreds of examples. Not all of them are exactly dress slacks, but if you look at what is feature most often, you will get the idea. As for the skirts – avoid the long type that have multi-layered tiers (“peasant skirts”) or anything that is too short or too tight. Make sure that your skirt or slacks are clean, pressed, and free of stains, lint or pet hairs. You do not have a pay a fortune for a decent skirt or slacks (or any article of clothing, for that matter)…if you use good judgment and pay attention, you can find perfectly appropriate items at K-mart, Wal-Mart, and even Goodwill. Choose solid, muted colors – charcoal, navy and black are the most versatile and professional.
Blouses & Jackets:
Generally for an interview the best way to go is a blouse and jacket combination. The jacket should be in a solid muted color that matches your slacks or skirt, or at least coordinates well with it. Blouses should not be low-cut! Be sure that the attributes you are showing off are the right ones – your experience and abilities – not the physical ones. It is okay to choose a lightly printed blouse, but avoid anything that with wild patterns or very vivid colors. Remember – the goal is to be professional, and you can wear the wilder choices after hours. In some offices, once you have been hired and everyone has become accustomed to you and have judged you based on your merits, it’s okay to loosen a little on the color/pattern choices, but keep it simple and basic to start out.
Shoes:
Shoes should be of a color that goes with your jacket and slacks/skirt, and should be dress shoes. Please, do not wear a nice skirt or pair of slacks and then ruin the effect with a pair of tennis shoes or canvas shoes. Dress shoes with a slight heel look good, but do not choose the same type of shoes you would wear for a night out on the town – those 4” spikes may make you feel attractive, but they aren’t professional. If you cannot wear heels at all, you may choose a pair of nice flats. Avoid sling-backs and open-toes for an interview. Depending on the office, those shoes may be fine after you have started, but they’re not the correct choice for an interview. Also, make sure that whatever shoes you choose are clean and in good repair with no visible scuffs, tears or dirt. If they are dirty, wash them off with a damp cloth. If they have scuffs or tiny tears you can disguise these using a marker in a matching shade (make sure it is a very close match!). If they have significant scuffs or tears, don’t wear them.
Jewelry:
Jewelry should be kept simple and appropriate. If you usually wear a playboy bunny necklace, remove it at all cost!!! Avoid bangles and clunky jewelry that will distract your interviewer or make a lot of unnecessary noise. Also, stick to a few key pieces of jewelry, such as a watch, wedding/engagement ring, one bracelet, a simple necklace and moderate earrings. (Avoid the big dangly type of earrings that detract from the rest of your outfit.) Again, you want the focus of your interview to be on your abilities, not on what you are wearing. This is another one of those situations where once you have gotten the job, depending on the office, you can branch out and wear different types of jewelry – but continue to leave that playboy bunny necklace at home!!!
Makeup and Hair:
This tends to be more geared towards ladies, but there are a few brief tips for men as well. Guys, have your hair trimmed a couple of days before an important interview and make sure that any facial hair is neatly trimmed as well. Be sure to use a comb or brush before you leave home, and bring one with you for touch-ups if needed. Everyone should wash and dry their hair before leaving home. Ladies, choose flattering styles for your hair – do not show up with it in a ponytail, or worse, looking like you just rolled out of bed and didn’t even bother to brush it. If you dye your hair and it’s been a while, do a touch up a couple of days prior to your interview. If using hairspray, try to go with an unscented type and make sure that the sprayer doesn’t malfunction and leave you with an unattractive glop of hairspray stuck in your hair. Ladies – even if you are not accustomed to wearing makeup, it is appropriate to apply at least a little before an interview. Coming in with no makeup tends to make you look as though you didn’t care enough to bother, or like you quit in the middle of getting ready and forgot to finish. For those who are used to wearing makeup, be sure to keep it light and simple – try to stick to neutral colors and avoid the ‘party’ look. For those who don’t normally wear makeup, try adding just a little light eyeshadow, some mascara, and perhaps a light lipstick. Be sure that if you wear foundation it is the appropriate shade for your skin-tone – you do not want to look like a vampire (too light of a shade) or a zombie (too dark of a shade).
Scent:
You cannot believe how important this one is!!!! The best option is to not wear perfume, cologne or body spray at all, but if you absolutely feel that you must, please, please, please keep it light! Some interviewers are allergic to scents and some are not – you never know which one you will end up meeting. And for those who are not allergic, strong scents are still a turn-off. We have had several candidates arrive and by the time they were half-way through filling out the paperwork we were ready to throw the window open (even in very cold weather) to air out the room. If you wear strong or heavy scents, it leaves a lasting impression – unfortunately it’s a negative impression. So avoid that and either forego the scents altogether or go very very light on them!
Conclusion:
It’s not hard to present a professional image – it just takes a little thought. Choose professional clothing that is suited for an office, not a night out or a trip to the garden, and accessorize accordingly. Remove your piercings and cover your tattoos. Follow the tips outlined above and you will present the type of image that employers will respect and find appropriate. Let your individuality shine at other times and other places, or introduce it in very small amounts over time. Good luck with your interviews!
In today’s world of “accept me as I am” and “casual Fridays”, it seems that there is some confusion about how best to present a professional image for interviews and the regular work week. More and more we see candidates showing up for interviews in attire that is, shall we say, less than one could hope for. It is okay to be ‘you’, but there is a time and a place for showing your individuality in non-professional ways. When going for an interview, it is best to dress professionally and let your credentials and experience show the things that matter to a prospective employer, instead of making them wonder about your professionalism due to your clothing choices.
Tattoos and Piercings:
While this is not technically a “clothing choice”, let’s start with tattoos and piercings, since we have been seeing a lot of them lately. They may have special meaning to you, but let’s face it – to someone who does not know you yet, or your motivation for having either of these decorations, they can give off the wrong signals. So what do you do about them? Cover up tattoos and remove piercings. It’s that simple. Unless you are applying at a tattoo or piercing shop, this body art will not gain you any points, and may seriously damage your chances for attaining the position that you desire. Especially if you are seeking a professional position. It was unfortunate, but we know of a highly qualified medical professional who recently lost the opportunity of a lifetime due to leaving facial piercings in for an important interview. Another example is a nurse who lost the chance at a position because of visible tattoos. It may be your way to show your individuality, but if it does not mesh with the vision that the employer wants to present to the public, then your chances of obtaining a job with them while showing tattoos and piercings is slim to none. Piercings are easy – just remove them. You can put them in your purse and re-insert them once you are back to your car if you’d like. Tattoos can be a little more difficult to hide, depending on their location. A good suggestion is to not get a tattoo where it can’t easily be hidden, but if it’s too late for that there are still things that you can do to make them disappear. For tattoos on the arms, wear sleeves that are long enough to cover the entire tattoo and won’t ride up and expose a portion of it when you move. This may get hot in the summer, but it was your choice to get the tattoo where you got it! Tattoos on the legs are easier – wear long dress slacks. If your tattoo is on the top of your foot or your ankle, try wearing opaque hosiery to hide the ink or make it at least a lot less visible. Wear a higher neckline to disguise tattoos on the neck or upper chest. For tattoos on the wrist, wear a bracelet that covers the tattooed area.
Slacks or Skirts:
For an interview, either wear a skirt that stops approximately an inch below the knees, or wear a nice pair of dress slacks. Do not wear jeans, knit pants, sweatpants, corduroys, Capri’s, or something that is most appropriate for a picnic or day at the park. If you are not sure exactly what constitutes “dress slacks”, type in the phrase on Google Image Search and it will show you literally hundreds of examples. Not all of them are exactly dress slacks, but if you look at what is feature most often, you will get the idea. As for the skirts – avoid the long type that have multi-layered tiers (“peasant skirts”) or anything that is too short or too tight. Make sure that your skirt or slacks are clean, pressed, and free of stains, lint or pet hairs. You do not have a pay a fortune for a decent skirt or slacks (or any article of clothing, for that matter)…if you use good judgment and pay attention, you can find perfectly appropriate items at K-mart, Wal-Mart, and even Goodwill. Choose solid, muted colors – charcoal, navy and black are the most versatile and professional.
Blouses & Jackets:
Generally for an interview the best way to go is a blouse and jacket combination. The jacket should be in a solid muted color that matches your slacks or skirt, or at least coordinates well with it. Blouses should not be low-cut! Be sure that the attributes you are showing off are the right ones – your experience and abilities – not the physical ones. It is okay to choose a lightly printed blouse, but avoid anything that with wild patterns or very vivid colors. Remember – the goal is to be professional, and you can wear the wilder choices after hours. In some offices, once you have been hired and everyone has become accustomed to you and have judged you based on your merits, it’s okay to loosen a little on the color/pattern choices, but keep it simple and basic to start out.
Shoes:
Shoes should be of a color that goes with your jacket and slacks/skirt, and should be dress shoes. Please, do not wear a nice skirt or pair of slacks and then ruin the effect with a pair of tennis shoes or canvas shoes. Dress shoes with a slight heel look good, but do not choose the same type of shoes you would wear for a night out on the town – those 4” spikes may make you feel attractive, but they aren’t professional. If you cannot wear heels at all, you may choose a pair of nice flats. Avoid sling-backs and open-toes for an interview. Depending on the office, those shoes may be fine after you have started, but they’re not the correct choice for an interview. Also, make sure that whatever shoes you choose are clean and in good repair with no visible scuffs, tears or dirt. If they are dirty, wash them off with a damp cloth. If they have scuffs or tiny tears you can disguise these using a marker in a matching shade (make sure it is a very close match!). If they have significant scuffs or tears, don’t wear them.
Jewelry:
Jewelry should be kept simple and appropriate. If you usually wear a playboy bunny necklace, remove it at all cost!!! Avoid bangles and clunky jewelry that will distract your interviewer or make a lot of unnecessary noise. Also, stick to a few key pieces of jewelry, such as a watch, wedding/engagement ring, one bracelet, a simple necklace and moderate earrings. (Avoid the big dangly type of earrings that detract from the rest of your outfit.) Again, you want the focus of your interview to be on your abilities, not on what you are wearing. This is another one of those situations where once you have gotten the job, depending on the office, you can branch out and wear different types of jewelry – but continue to leave that playboy bunny necklace at home!!!
Makeup and Hair:
This tends to be more geared towards ladies, but there are a few brief tips for men as well. Guys, have your hair trimmed a couple of days before an important interview and make sure that any facial hair is neatly trimmed as well. Be sure to use a comb or brush before you leave home, and bring one with you for touch-ups if needed. Everyone should wash and dry their hair before leaving home. Ladies, choose flattering styles for your hair – do not show up with it in a ponytail, or worse, looking like you just rolled out of bed and didn’t even bother to brush it. If you dye your hair and it’s been a while, do a touch up a couple of days prior to your interview. If using hairspray, try to go with an unscented type and make sure that the sprayer doesn’t malfunction and leave you with an unattractive glop of hairspray stuck in your hair. Ladies – even if you are not accustomed to wearing makeup, it is appropriate to apply at least a little before an interview. Coming in with no makeup tends to make you look as though you didn’t care enough to bother, or like you quit in the middle of getting ready and forgot to finish. For those who are used to wearing makeup, be sure to keep it light and simple – try to stick to neutral colors and avoid the ‘party’ look. For those who don’t normally wear makeup, try adding just a little light eyeshadow, some mascara, and perhaps a light lipstick. Be sure that if you wear foundation it is the appropriate shade for your skin-tone – you do not want to look like a vampire (too light of a shade) or a zombie (too dark of a shade).
Scent:
You cannot believe how important this one is!!!! The best option is to not wear perfume, cologne or body spray at all, but if you absolutely feel that you must, please, please, please keep it light! Some interviewers are allergic to scents and some are not – you never know which one you will end up meeting. And for those who are not allergic, strong scents are still a turn-off. We have had several candidates arrive and by the time they were half-way through filling out the paperwork we were ready to throw the window open (even in very cold weather) to air out the room. If you wear strong or heavy scents, it leaves a lasting impression – unfortunately it’s a negative impression. So avoid that and either forego the scents altogether or go very very light on them!
Conclusion:
It’s not hard to present a professional image – it just takes a little thought. Choose professional clothing that is suited for an office, not a night out or a trip to the garden, and accessorize accordingly. Remove your piercings and cover your tattoos. Follow the tips outlined above and you will present the type of image that employers will respect and find appropriate. Let your individuality shine at other times and other places, or introduce it in very small amounts over time. Good luck with your interviews!
Friday, December 30, 2011
10 Career Resolutions
10 Career Resolutions
By Dan Miller, Monster Staff Writer
Like the saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life," it's never a bad time to start moving your career in a better direction. Here are 10 New Year's resolutions that can help.
Pay Attention in Class
Treat every workday like a school day. Be sure you learn something and use it to make yourself more productive. It doesn't have to relate to your skills set. It may be as simple as understanding how to work with specific peers or improving your emotional intelligence. Take mental notes. Don't sleepwalk through the day.
Look for the Next Rung
You need to excel at your job. This is how you gain credibility. But understanding your next step is key to career happiness. Career pathing is critical to remaining engaged on the job. Schedule discussions with your manager to get clarity on the next challenge. If you don't get it on your team or in your company, it may be time to look elsewhere.
Understand Company Goals
Make sure you understand how your job contributes to your company's business objectives. Are you in a revenue-generating role? A brand-awareness role? Is your mission to delight the customer? Knowing how your job fits into the big picture will give you inspiration and a sense of accomplishment -- and will help you understand your job's impact.
Be Ethical
Bring integrity to your job. Whether you're running the company or cleaning its restrooms, be honest in all you do. Don't call in sick just to get a day off -- that's stealing. Put in an honest day's work. Be accountable. If you're working remotely, be sure you are. Do what you say you're going to do. Honesty and reliability mean a lot to your manager.
Stay Fit
OK, this was probably on your last New Year's resolutions list, but that's because it's so important. Try to break a sweat for 20 minutes, three days a week. Go for a walk at lunch. Join a gym. Lift weights. A healthy body makes a healthy mind. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain and gives you ideas. You'll be more productive at work, and best of all, you'll feel better.
Stretch Your Role
Occasionally think how you can go above and beyond. Are there projects outside your defined role you could help with? Be proactive; ask to join. Come up with your own ideas, and work with your manager to implement them. If you're a hamster, step off the wheel and poke your head out of the cage. Stretch a little. This won't go unnoticed.
Manage Up
Make sure you and your manager are in firm agreement on what you're doing. Be proactive and get on his calendar to ensure you're meeting or exceeding expectations. Don't assume he's paying close attention. There are bad managers. If there's a disconnect between what you're doing and what your manager wants, you're partly to blame. Don't wait until your annual performance review rolls around.
Manage Across
Even if you work primarily alone, be sure to make time to understand your peers' roles and how they go about their jobs. Show an interest. Don't just choose a few friends and become part of a clique. High school is over. You never know when you may need people -- or be reporting to them.
Communicate
Don't leave people waiting for answers. If you're in an email environment, return emails promptly. Let people know what you're doing. If you're working on a project, always ask yourself who needs to know about it, then tell them. Talk to people; give them a heads up. And when someone helps you out, be sure to thank him. It's amazing this item even needs to be on a list, but bad communicators abound. Don't be one of them.
Make Time for Play
Have fun. Work hard, but smile while you're doing it. No one likes a grump. Approach each day with a positive spirit and stay loose. Enjoy your family and friends as well. Make time for them -- and you. It's called work-life balance. All work and no play makes life a chore.
By Dan Miller, Monster Staff Writer
Like the saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life," it's never a bad time to start moving your career in a better direction. Here are 10 New Year's resolutions that can help.
Pay Attention in Class
Treat every workday like a school day. Be sure you learn something and use it to make yourself more productive. It doesn't have to relate to your skills set. It may be as simple as understanding how to work with specific peers or improving your emotional intelligence. Take mental notes. Don't sleepwalk through the day.
Look for the Next Rung
You need to excel at your job. This is how you gain credibility. But understanding your next step is key to career happiness. Career pathing is critical to remaining engaged on the job. Schedule discussions with your manager to get clarity on the next challenge. If you don't get it on your team or in your company, it may be time to look elsewhere.
Understand Company Goals
Make sure you understand how your job contributes to your company's business objectives. Are you in a revenue-generating role? A brand-awareness role? Is your mission to delight the customer? Knowing how your job fits into the big picture will give you inspiration and a sense of accomplishment -- and will help you understand your job's impact.
Be Ethical
Bring integrity to your job. Whether you're running the company or cleaning its restrooms, be honest in all you do. Don't call in sick just to get a day off -- that's stealing. Put in an honest day's work. Be accountable. If you're working remotely, be sure you are. Do what you say you're going to do. Honesty and reliability mean a lot to your manager.
Stay Fit
OK, this was probably on your last New Year's resolutions list, but that's because it's so important. Try to break a sweat for 20 minutes, three days a week. Go for a walk at lunch. Join a gym. Lift weights. A healthy body makes a healthy mind. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain and gives you ideas. You'll be more productive at work, and best of all, you'll feel better.
Stretch Your Role
Occasionally think how you can go above and beyond. Are there projects outside your defined role you could help with? Be proactive; ask to join. Come up with your own ideas, and work with your manager to implement them. If you're a hamster, step off the wheel and poke your head out of the cage. Stretch a little. This won't go unnoticed.
Manage Up
Make sure you and your manager are in firm agreement on what you're doing. Be proactive and get on his calendar to ensure you're meeting or exceeding expectations. Don't assume he's paying close attention. There are bad managers. If there's a disconnect between what you're doing and what your manager wants, you're partly to blame. Don't wait until your annual performance review rolls around.
Manage Across
Even if you work primarily alone, be sure to make time to understand your peers' roles and how they go about their jobs. Show an interest. Don't just choose a few friends and become part of a clique. High school is over. You never know when you may need people -- or be reporting to them.
Communicate
Don't leave people waiting for answers. If you're in an email environment, return emails promptly. Let people know what you're doing. If you're working on a project, always ask yourself who needs to know about it, then tell them. Talk to people; give them a heads up. And when someone helps you out, be sure to thank him. It's amazing this item even needs to be on a list, but bad communicators abound. Don't be one of them.
Make Time for Play
Have fun. Work hard, but smile while you're doing it. No one likes a grump. Approach each day with a positive spirit and stay loose. Enjoy your family and friends as well. Make time for them -- and you. It's called work-life balance. All work and no play makes life a chore.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The True Meaning of Christmas...
Teach the children...
(Found at http://www.neloo.com/Christmas/Christmas1.html)
Late one Christmas Eve, I sank back, tired but content, into my easy chair. The kids were in bed, the gifts were wrapped, the milk and cookies waited by the fireplace for Santa. As I sat back admiring the tree with its decorations, I couldn't help feeling that something important was missing. It wasn't long before the tiny twinkling tree lights lulled me to sleep.
I don't know how long I slept, but all of a sudden I knew that I wasn't alone. I opened my eyes, and you can imagine my surprise when I saw Santa Claus himself standing next to my Christmas tree. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot just as the poem described him, but he was not the "jolly old elf" of Christmas legend. The man who stood before me looked sad and disappointed, and there were tears in his eyes.
"Santa, what's wrong?" I asked, "Why are you crying?"
"It's the children," Santa replied sadly.
"But Santa, the children love you," I said.
"Oh, I know they love me, and they love the gifts I bring them," Santa said, "but the children of today seem to have somehow missed out on the true spirit of Christmas. It's not their fault. It's just that the adults, many of them not having been taught themselves, have forgotten to teach the children."
"Teach them what?" I asked.
Santa's kind old face became soft, more gentle. His eyes began to shine with something more than tears. He spoke softly. "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. Teach them that the part of Christmas we can see, hear, and touch is much more than meets the eye. Teach them the symbolism behind the customs and traditions of Christmas which we now observe. Teach them what it is they truly represent."
Santa reached into his bag and pulled out a tiny Christmas tree and set it on my mantle. "Teach them about the Christmas tree. Green is the second color of Christmas. The stately evergreen, with its unchanging color, represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. Its needles point heavenward as a reminder that mankind's thoughts should turn heavenward as well."
Santa reached into his bag again and pulled out a shiny star and placed it at the top of the small tree. "The star was the heavenly sign of promise. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise on the night that Jesus Christ was born. Teach the children that God always fulfills His promises, and that wise men still seek Him."
"Red," said Santa, "is the first color of Christmas." He pulled forth a red ornament for the tiny tree. "Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the color of the life-giving blood that flows through our veins. It is the symbol of God's greatest gift. Teach the children that Christ gave His life and shed His blood for them that they might have eternal life. When they see the color red, it should remind them of that most wonderful Gift."
Santa found a silver bell in his pack and placed it on the tree. "Just as lost sheep are guided to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to the fold. Teach the children to follow the true Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep."
Santa placed a candle on the mantle and lit it. The soft glow from its one tiny flame brightened the room. "The glow of the candle represents how people can show their thanks for the gift of God's Son that Christmas Eve long ago. Teach the children to follow in Christ's foot steps... to go about doing good. Teach them to let their light so shine before people that all may see it and glorify God. This is what is symbolized when the twinkling lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God's precious children, their light shining for all to see."
Again Santa reached into his bag and this time he brought forth a tiny red and white striped cane. As he hung it on the tree he spoke softly. "The candy cane is a stick of hard white candy: white to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock the foundation of the church, and the firmness of God's promises. The candy cane is in the form of a 'J' to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth. It also represents the Good Shepherd's crook, which He uses to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red stripes, which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus, so that we can have the promise of eternal life."
"Teach these things to the children."
Santa brought out a beautiful wreath made of fresh, fragrant greenery tied with a bright red bow. "The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection, which is love. The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. It contains the colors of red and green and the heaven-turned needles of the evergreen. The bow tells the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ's sacrifice. Even its very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ's love. It is a circle, without beginning and without end. These are the things you must teach the children."
I asked, "But where does that leave you, Santa?"
The tears gone now from his eyes, a smile broke over Santa's face. "Why bless you, my dear," he laughed, "I'm only a symbol myself. I represent the spirit of family fun and the joy of giving and receiving. If the children are taught these other things, there is no danger that I'll ever be forgotten."
(Found at http://www.neloo.com/Christmas/Christmas1.html)
Late one Christmas Eve, I sank back, tired but content, into my easy chair. The kids were in bed, the gifts were wrapped, the milk and cookies waited by the fireplace for Santa. As I sat back admiring the tree with its decorations, I couldn't help feeling that something important was missing. It wasn't long before the tiny twinkling tree lights lulled me to sleep.
I don't know how long I slept, but all of a sudden I knew that I wasn't alone. I opened my eyes, and you can imagine my surprise when I saw Santa Claus himself standing next to my Christmas tree. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot just as the poem described him, but he was not the "jolly old elf" of Christmas legend. The man who stood before me looked sad and disappointed, and there were tears in his eyes.
"Santa, what's wrong?" I asked, "Why are you crying?"
"It's the children," Santa replied sadly.
"But Santa, the children love you," I said.
"Oh, I know they love me, and they love the gifts I bring them," Santa said, "but the children of today seem to have somehow missed out on the true spirit of Christmas. It's not their fault. It's just that the adults, many of them not having been taught themselves, have forgotten to teach the children."
"Teach them what?" I asked.
Santa's kind old face became soft, more gentle. His eyes began to shine with something more than tears. He spoke softly. "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. Teach them that the part of Christmas we can see, hear, and touch is much more than meets the eye. Teach them the symbolism behind the customs and traditions of Christmas which we now observe. Teach them what it is they truly represent."
Santa reached into his bag and pulled out a tiny Christmas tree and set it on my mantle. "Teach them about the Christmas tree. Green is the second color of Christmas. The stately evergreen, with its unchanging color, represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. Its needles point heavenward as a reminder that mankind's thoughts should turn heavenward as well."
Santa reached into his bag again and pulled out a shiny star and placed it at the top of the small tree. "The star was the heavenly sign of promise. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise on the night that Jesus Christ was born. Teach the children that God always fulfills His promises, and that wise men still seek Him."
"Red," said Santa, "is the first color of Christmas." He pulled forth a red ornament for the tiny tree. "Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the color of the life-giving blood that flows through our veins. It is the symbol of God's greatest gift. Teach the children that Christ gave His life and shed His blood for them that they might have eternal life. When they see the color red, it should remind them of that most wonderful Gift."
Santa found a silver bell in his pack and placed it on the tree. "Just as lost sheep are guided to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to the fold. Teach the children to follow the true Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep."
Santa placed a candle on the mantle and lit it. The soft glow from its one tiny flame brightened the room. "The glow of the candle represents how people can show their thanks for the gift of God's Son that Christmas Eve long ago. Teach the children to follow in Christ's foot steps... to go about doing good. Teach them to let their light so shine before people that all may see it and glorify God. This is what is symbolized when the twinkling lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God's precious children, their light shining for all to see."
Again Santa reached into his bag and this time he brought forth a tiny red and white striped cane. As he hung it on the tree he spoke softly. "The candy cane is a stick of hard white candy: white to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock the foundation of the church, and the firmness of God's promises. The candy cane is in the form of a 'J' to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth. It also represents the Good Shepherd's crook, which He uses to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red stripes, which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus, so that we can have the promise of eternal life."
"Teach these things to the children."
Santa brought out a beautiful wreath made of fresh, fragrant greenery tied with a bright red bow. "The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection, which is love. The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. It contains the colors of red and green and the heaven-turned needles of the evergreen. The bow tells the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ's sacrifice. Even its very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ's love. It is a circle, without beginning and without end. These are the things you must teach the children."
I asked, "But where does that leave you, Santa?"
The tears gone now from his eyes, a smile broke over Santa's face. "Why bless you, my dear," he laughed, "I'm only a symbol myself. I represent the spirit of family fun and the joy of giving and receiving. If the children are taught these other things, there is no danger that I'll ever be forgotten."
"I think I'm beginning to understand."
"That's why I came," said Santa. "You're an adult. If you don't teach the children these things, then who will?"
(Author Unknown)
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Being Thankful...
Being Thankful…
By: Melissa Stilley, Salem Solutions
These days it’s easy to look around and find negatives to dwell on in the world… we see the current day world, the fast pace, the lack of money and jobs, the political issues and unrest, and the day-to-day negativity as posted in the papers and on the TV and internet news. What we often forget is to open our eyes and see the things that there are to be thankful for…the advances that we have made, the opportunities that are presented to us, and those little things that (if we just look) make our lives more positive than we realize. They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade…and even though it seems cliché, it’s often true…life is all about how you look at it. So take a moment to be thankful for the positive things that you don’t often think about. Here are just a few…
More Free Time:
Believe it or not, we actually have more free time than our ancestors had. Yes, we rush and rush around, but often that rush is of our own making. In Victorian England, life expectancy was only about 50 years and most workers worked at least 60-hour weeks from the time they were around 10 years old until they died. These days life expectancy is around 77 years, most of us work 40 hours a week, and most youth don’t begin working until they are at least 16…and then with limited hours per week. This leaves more free time to spend shopping, going out to eat, watching our children at their sporting or other events, and with family and friends.
Literacy:
Today, around 80% of the world’s population is literate…in 1970 that was true of only about ½ the world’s population. You may hate having to read such things as bills, junk mail, and fine print, but be grateful that you are able! Imagine having to rely on others to tell you everything, from what’s on the menu at a restaurant to street names as you’re driving, to what you need to bake a cake…
Foods:
Yes, times are tight and most people cannot afford to dine on steak every evening, but at least the options are there. In the time of Versailles, France was one of the richest countries on earth, but even the King of France didn’t have the choices that we have today. Oranges in Winter? Seafood in towns far from the coast? Specialties from other countries? Unheard of – back then! Now we have the option to walk into most grocery stores and purchase whatever we can think of, from wherever it can be found, at most times of the year. Not to mention that food storage has improved to the point that we are able to buy things a week or so at a time that previously had to be gotten fresh every day, such as milk, meat and eggs.
Automobiles:
Most of us hate being stuck in traffic, smelling exhaust and paying the high prices at the pump over and over again, but think of what people throughout history have had to endure to get where they wanted to go. Riding in a horse-and-buggy may seem romantic and quaint, but it was usually way more than that! Imagine a cold winter’s night with no heater, no defroster, and often at least one open point in the buggy to let cold air in! Brrr! Imagine having to go out, harness the horses, then drive them for hours to get somewhere that now only takes 30 minutes to get to…then having to unharness them, but the buggy away, feed the horses, and clean up after them. Automobiles have made travel much easier, and much much more comfortable!
Healthcare:
As mentioned earlier, the life expectancy rates have greatly improved, mostly due to better healthcare and more knowledge of important factors like hygiene. In 1918 and 1919 the Influenza Pandemic was responsible for the deaths of more people than World War I. It has been estimated that 675,000 people in America alone died from the flu…ten times the amount that died in the war. Today we know that washing our hands with antibacterial soap, not eating or drinking after others, and getting enough Vitamin C can help prevent many viruses, and we are able to get flu shots as an added preventative. If we do get sick, we have the ability to go to the doctor for medicines and IV fluids, if necessary, to help us get well again. We have vaccinations against many of the illnesses that were once considered to be very deadly. Sitting in a waiting room may be an inconvenience, but just think how much better that is than being sick!
Housing:
Homes have changed drastically over the centuries. While throughout history there have been those with bigger homes and those with smaller homes, one fact remains…housing has come a long way! In ancient times, Celtic families had one-room homes where all family members shared the same space without electricity or heat sources other than an open fire. They often shared this space with their livestock as a way to keep them safe from predators, thieves and the weather. Victorian families had much larger homes with rooms for each family member and quarters for their servants..but no indoor plumbing! Today, most of us have electric heating, central air conditioning, bathrooms inside the house, and electricity. We also have more options…instead of only being able to have what you can build yourself, you may choose to live in a house, an apartment, a condo or townhome. You can build it to suite your needs and decorate it the way you like, or you may rent a space that is ready to move into. Whatever your choice, there are now many options that didn’t exist in previous times…
Conclusion:
Life may have it’s ups and downs, it’s trials and tribulations, but sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture to realize that, overall, life is good! Today we have so many things to be thankful for in life…our homes, our health, our families and friends. When things start to get you down and all you see are the difficulties, take a moment to reflect on what those who have gone before us had to deal with. We may not have as much as we would like to have, but overall we are living longer and better lives surrounded by those who care and love us…and with heat and indoor plumbing!!!
By: Melissa Stilley, Salem Solutions
These days it’s easy to look around and find negatives to dwell on in the world… we see the current day world, the fast pace, the lack of money and jobs, the political issues and unrest, and the day-to-day negativity as posted in the papers and on the TV and internet news. What we often forget is to open our eyes and see the things that there are to be thankful for…the advances that we have made, the opportunities that are presented to us, and those little things that (if we just look) make our lives more positive than we realize. They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade…and even though it seems cliché, it’s often true…life is all about how you look at it. So take a moment to be thankful for the positive things that you don’t often think about. Here are just a few…
More Free Time:
Believe it or not, we actually have more free time than our ancestors had. Yes, we rush and rush around, but often that rush is of our own making. In Victorian England, life expectancy was only about 50 years and most workers worked at least 60-hour weeks from the time they were around 10 years old until they died. These days life expectancy is around 77 years, most of us work 40 hours a week, and most youth don’t begin working until they are at least 16…and then with limited hours per week. This leaves more free time to spend shopping, going out to eat, watching our children at their sporting or other events, and with family and friends.
Literacy:
Today, around 80% of the world’s population is literate…in 1970 that was true of only about ½ the world’s population. You may hate having to read such things as bills, junk mail, and fine print, but be grateful that you are able! Imagine having to rely on others to tell you everything, from what’s on the menu at a restaurant to street names as you’re driving, to what you need to bake a cake…
Foods:
Yes, times are tight and most people cannot afford to dine on steak every evening, but at least the options are there. In the time of Versailles, France was one of the richest countries on earth, but even the King of France didn’t have the choices that we have today. Oranges in Winter? Seafood in towns far from the coast? Specialties from other countries? Unheard of – back then! Now we have the option to walk into most grocery stores and purchase whatever we can think of, from wherever it can be found, at most times of the year. Not to mention that food storage has improved to the point that we are able to buy things a week or so at a time that previously had to be gotten fresh every day, such as milk, meat and eggs.
Automobiles:
Most of us hate being stuck in traffic, smelling exhaust and paying the high prices at the pump over and over again, but think of what people throughout history have had to endure to get where they wanted to go. Riding in a horse-and-buggy may seem romantic and quaint, but it was usually way more than that! Imagine a cold winter’s night with no heater, no defroster, and often at least one open point in the buggy to let cold air in! Brrr! Imagine having to go out, harness the horses, then drive them for hours to get somewhere that now only takes 30 minutes to get to…then having to unharness them, but the buggy away, feed the horses, and clean up after them. Automobiles have made travel much easier, and much much more comfortable!
Healthcare:
As mentioned earlier, the life expectancy rates have greatly improved, mostly due to better healthcare and more knowledge of important factors like hygiene. In 1918 and 1919 the Influenza Pandemic was responsible for the deaths of more people than World War I. It has been estimated that 675,000 people in America alone died from the flu…ten times the amount that died in the war. Today we know that washing our hands with antibacterial soap, not eating or drinking after others, and getting enough Vitamin C can help prevent many viruses, and we are able to get flu shots as an added preventative. If we do get sick, we have the ability to go to the doctor for medicines and IV fluids, if necessary, to help us get well again. We have vaccinations against many of the illnesses that were once considered to be very deadly. Sitting in a waiting room may be an inconvenience, but just think how much better that is than being sick!
Housing:
Homes have changed drastically over the centuries. While throughout history there have been those with bigger homes and those with smaller homes, one fact remains…housing has come a long way! In ancient times, Celtic families had one-room homes where all family members shared the same space without electricity or heat sources other than an open fire. They often shared this space with their livestock as a way to keep them safe from predators, thieves and the weather. Victorian families had much larger homes with rooms for each family member and quarters for their servants..but no indoor plumbing! Today, most of us have electric heating, central air conditioning, bathrooms inside the house, and electricity. We also have more options…instead of only being able to have what you can build yourself, you may choose to live in a house, an apartment, a condo or townhome. You can build it to suite your needs and decorate it the way you like, or you may rent a space that is ready to move into. Whatever your choice, there are now many options that didn’t exist in previous times…
Conclusion:
Life may have it’s ups and downs, it’s trials and tribulations, but sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture to realize that, overall, life is good! Today we have so many things to be thankful for in life…our homes, our health, our families and friends. When things start to get you down and all you see are the difficulties, take a moment to reflect on what those who have gone before us had to deal with. We may not have as much as we would like to have, but overall we are living longer and better lives surrounded by those who care and love us…and with heat and indoor plumbing!!!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Being Thankful In Your Job Search?!?
Being Thankful In Your Job Search?!?
As posted on www.thewisejobsearch.com
What??? Many of you read this and think that's nuts… right?
Being Thankful in the process of having to look for a new source of income for your family? Being Thankful while hoping that your career progression hasn't been set back years? Being Thankful while one potential job opportunity after another seems to be going up in smoke? Being Thankful while savings that were hard to build are slipping away day by day?
Yes… Thankful!
Here's what I mean…
Attitude First! Chuck Swindoll writes… "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." As I've often said… One of the toughest, yet most important things to do in a job search is to maintain a positive attitude. Many people have bad things happen to them. Some people seem to be crushed by relatively minor bad events in their lives while others seem to go through severe difficulties with cheer and a bright outlook on life. Attitude is not the result of someone's circumstances, but rather the result of how they choose to look at life regardless of their circumstances. Choosing to be thankful even in your job loss will make all the difference in the world in your networking calls, meetings, and interviews. Decide that you will be thankful and you just might find your job search effort start to produce better results.
You're learning skills! You are learning what it takes to conduct a job search in todays market. You may think… "Thanks, but no thanks." However, learning how to find a job in this tough job market may be one of the most valuable long-term skills you may ever learn. In the world today, you will likely have to look for a job again in a few years… and possibly every few years for the rest of your career. Lifetime jobs are extremely rare anymore. Building a network now, and learning how to be more proactive in your search (as is necessary today), you will be much better prepared and more quickly successful the next time around. If you had not been forced into learning it now, you may have had to learn it down the road when it might be even tougher. Be thankful for the lifetime skills you are gaining!
You're evaluating yourself! When things are going along relatively smoothly, few of us ever take the time to take a look at ourselves much. We don't think about what makes us tick. We don't evaluate our strengths or weaknesses. We don't evaluate our successes and failures, and what factors contributed to each. We don't spend much time thinking about what job we would like to do most… or least. We don't think about what's most important to us in terms of income, career progression, family, faith, or other interests. Generally, in a job search, we are compelled to consider all these things. The result of this evaluation is usually a better sense of self, that can create a greater sense of confidence and conviction in whatever we decide to pursue. It also can enrich our lives greatly if we determine to balance our lives more appropriately than we may have before. Much to be thankful for.
It's a whole new world! Most job seekers tend not to look at the opportunity their circumstances present. A job search is a chance to break out of old ruts and patterns. It's an opportunity to gain new experience in a new environment, with new people, and with new leadership. It's a chance to re-invent yourself, or prove to yourself that you can add value to others in a different situation as well. It's a chance to explore the possibilities, to find opportunities you didn't know existed, or to finally jump into an opportunity you've been eying over the fence for a while. Focus on the opportunity that lies before you rather than the lost past and you will find there's a lot to be thankful for.
Being thankful in your circumstances is key to maintaining a positive attitude as well as a happier life. Take stock of the opportunity you've really been given and decide you will look at things in a more productive light!
As posted on www.thewisejobsearch.com
What??? Many of you read this and think that's nuts… right?
Being Thankful in the process of having to look for a new source of income for your family? Being Thankful while hoping that your career progression hasn't been set back years? Being Thankful while one potential job opportunity after another seems to be going up in smoke? Being Thankful while savings that were hard to build are slipping away day by day?
Yes… Thankful!
Here's what I mean…
Attitude First! Chuck Swindoll writes… "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." As I've often said… One of the toughest, yet most important things to do in a job search is to maintain a positive attitude. Many people have bad things happen to them. Some people seem to be crushed by relatively minor bad events in their lives while others seem to go through severe difficulties with cheer and a bright outlook on life. Attitude is not the result of someone's circumstances, but rather the result of how they choose to look at life regardless of their circumstances. Choosing to be thankful even in your job loss will make all the difference in the world in your networking calls, meetings, and interviews. Decide that you will be thankful and you just might find your job search effort start to produce better results.
You're learning skills! You are learning what it takes to conduct a job search in todays market. You may think… "Thanks, but no thanks." However, learning how to find a job in this tough job market may be one of the most valuable long-term skills you may ever learn. In the world today, you will likely have to look for a job again in a few years… and possibly every few years for the rest of your career. Lifetime jobs are extremely rare anymore. Building a network now, and learning how to be more proactive in your search (as is necessary today), you will be much better prepared and more quickly successful the next time around. If you had not been forced into learning it now, you may have had to learn it down the road when it might be even tougher. Be thankful for the lifetime skills you are gaining!
You're evaluating yourself! When things are going along relatively smoothly, few of us ever take the time to take a look at ourselves much. We don't think about what makes us tick. We don't evaluate our strengths or weaknesses. We don't evaluate our successes and failures, and what factors contributed to each. We don't spend much time thinking about what job we would like to do most… or least. We don't think about what's most important to us in terms of income, career progression, family, faith, or other interests. Generally, in a job search, we are compelled to consider all these things. The result of this evaluation is usually a better sense of self, that can create a greater sense of confidence and conviction in whatever we decide to pursue. It also can enrich our lives greatly if we determine to balance our lives more appropriately than we may have before. Much to be thankful for.
It's a whole new world! Most job seekers tend not to look at the opportunity their circumstances present. A job search is a chance to break out of old ruts and patterns. It's an opportunity to gain new experience in a new environment, with new people, and with new leadership. It's a chance to re-invent yourself, or prove to yourself that you can add value to others in a different situation as well. It's a chance to explore the possibilities, to find opportunities you didn't know existed, or to finally jump into an opportunity you've been eying over the fence for a while. Focus on the opportunity that lies before you rather than the lost past and you will find there's a lot to be thankful for.
Being thankful in your circumstances is key to maintaining a positive attitude as well as a happier life. Take stock of the opportunity you've really been given and decide you will look at things in a more productive light!
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