Insights to aid you on your journey.    

Hindsight Moments

There are s many things I wish I'd known when I first started my career.  It would have spared me so many missteps along the way. Well, at least I can share some insights with my readers.

1. Read an oldie, but a good book, "Corporate Confidential". Pick up Cynthia Shapiro's book and read it! It offers so many insights related to some of the motives (obvious and not so obvious) of many companies. And, based on my professional experience, it's right on. Read it and learn. It will make you smarter.

2. Find a Mentor or a Coach. It's so important to have someone you trust to talk to when you're managing your career. Having a mentor or a professional coach can be helpful regardless of where you are on your journey--entry level or seasoned veteran.

3. Create Balance. Define what does work / life balance mean for you. It's your life! Live it Your Way! Design it the way you see fit. For some, it might be spending more time with loved ones or volunteering in your community; for others it might mean finding time for prayer, meditation or doing yoga. 

Whatever it is that brings you joy and connects you with experiences beyond the workplace, do it!  

4. Learn from Mistakes. First, everyone makes mistakes. The key is to learn from them and not repeat them. There was a time in Corporate America when making mistake was lauded as being necessary for growth and innovation. Now, not so much. However, I believe it's important for individuals to know that to make a mistake is human. If you make a mistake, learn from it, forgive yourself, ask for forgiveness, and then move on.

5. Learn about Emotional Intelligence or EI.  EI is another one of those best kept secrets that many don't talk about in the workplace. But, it's HUGE! It enhances your ability to observe, manage your emotions, and control how you respond. Having an enhanced perceptive ability will help you remain calm and navigate rough waters.

6. Remember P.I.E. Like so many people, I spent so much time working hard - countless hours, sacrificed things I loved doing, etc. - and delivering results. I figured those where the things that mattered most and would provide an objective view of my abilities. Yet, exceptional performance didn't always equal recognition, financial reward, promotion, or appreciation. Then I heard about the P.I.E. Principle--Performance, Image, and Exposure. It was illuminating! And, it made sense. Like so many, I mistakenly placed too much emphasis on performing and not enough focus on Image and Exposure. In sum, it’s recommended that we invest 60% of our efforts in Exposure, 30% in Image, and 10% in Performance. That changes everything.

Read more:  http://www.mondofrank.com/pie/

The Right Skills

Employability skills are basic skills or traits that make you appealing to prospective employers; skills that will help you keep a job you already have; or, skills that help you do well on a job.

However, first impressions will always precede and influence how 'employable' you are. So, make sure your first impression is awesome. 1. Exude confidence  2. Have a positive, 'can do' attitude  3. Demonstrate a willingness to work hard 4. Be energetic, and 5. Be authentic.

Types of Employability skills:  

Dependability - how dependable are you?  Will you show up to work on time; complete assignments on time and as instructed, etc.

Teamwork - are you a team player?  Do you play well with others and constructively contribute to the team's efforts?

Flexibility - are you open to change? Can you go with the flow when projects shift; team members change; budgets are cut; departments are restructured? Just how agile are you?

Honest--No one wants an employee who is dishonest. Period. So, be committed to always be truthful and to work with integrity. This is non-negotiable and real table stakes.

Reliability - can you be trusted to get the job done? Do you have the reputation for being the 'go to' person? Do you deliver?

Willingness to learn - no matter your age, always be open and willing to learn. It keeps you relevant and sends a message that you're dedicated to continue to grow and make a difference.

Communication - Suffice to say, being a good communicator is critical. And, you must be effective in communicating across all vehicles and platforms - i.e. video conferencing, email, presentations, social media, etc. And, make sure you ‘show up’ and be engaged.

Tech savvy - know where your key audiences / targets go for information and to be inspired. You can’t afford to be using yesterday’s tactics to satisfy today’s needs.  

Problem solving - Be a good problem solver. Offer solutions. No manager wants an employee who constantly brings them problems and a ‘woe is me’ mindset. Always do due diligence to find solutions first. At the very least, identify some viable alternatives for addressing the problem. It will help position you as a critical thinker.

Interviewing Tips

Before you you can keep a job, you have to get the job.  Below are some interviewing tips.

Interviewing Tips - DOs

1.  Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. There's no excuse for not being prepared for an interview. What do you know about the brand? What does the company stand for? Why is the position open? etc. So, do the upfront work so that you can crush the interview.  

2.  Know where you're going before you go. Map out your route a few days before you have to go to the interview. There's nothing worse than being anxious because you weren’t clear where to go for the interview.

3.  Arrive at least 15 - 20 minutes early.

4.  Dress in a clean, simple, and confident manner.

5.  Turn off your smart / cell phone.

6.  Know the company, and why you want to work there.

7.  Know what you want to share about yourself.  What are the 3 things you want the interviewer to remember about you?

8.  Bring a copy of your resume and a pen and notepad for taking notes.

9.  Make good eye contact and have a firm, steady handshake.

10.  Share your accomplishments and ask smart, relevant questions.

11.  Send a 'Thank You' follow-up email immediately following your interview.  And, if you want to make a lasting and meaningful impression, you can also send a handwritten 'thank you' note.

While knowing 'what to do’ during an interview is important, knowing ‘what not to do’ is also important.

Below are some tips for what Not to do during interviews.

Interviewing Tips -- DON'Ts

1.  Don't be late.

2.  Don't make jokes.

3.  Don's use slang.

4.  Don't babble.

5.  Don't badmouth an old boss, a company, a professor, a teammate, no one.  

6.  Don't slouch.

7.  Don't flirt with the interviewer.

8.  Don't play with your face, hair, clothes, pencil/pen, template, notepad, etc.

9.  Don't wear excessive jewelry, piercings, flip flops, sagging pants, a hat, cologne/perfume.

10.  Don't smoke in the car on your way to the interview.

What Else Matters...

Be responsible for your digital presence. Companies routinely search the web for potential candidates, and if your digital presence is questionable, it could compromise your chances in the interview. Own your personal brand and protect it.

Top 10 Reasons for Getting Fired

To have a good job is a real blessing but it takes being smart and aware to keep a job. Obviously, having the right attitude, performance, and being mindful are all key ingredients.

Below, you'll find a list of top 10 reasons people lose their jobs.

Top 10 Reasons for Getting Fired...

1.  Absenteeism

2.  Lack of interest in the job

3. Costly mistakes

4. Not showing any enthusiasm 

5. Being constantly late

6. Problems with co-workers

7. Refusing to or can't follow directions

8. Constantly arguing with your boss

9. Lack of skills / refusing to learn new skills

10. Lack of engagement