Ace Your Interview: Part 3

You get a call from your dream company. “We’ve reviewed your resume and would like for you to come in to speak with the interview team.” Your heart races with excitement. You’ve made it through the first hurdle!

Then your happy buzz fades as the sobering reality sets in: You now face a second and more challenging hurdle—the Interview.

What should you wear? WHAT questions will they ask? How should you respond to their questions? What questions should YOU ask?

As you sit down to sort through the varying outcomes of each of these questions, you start making lists of “Shoulds” and “Shouldn’ts,” of “Dos” and “Don’ts.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were lists already made for you? Lists you could mold to fit your particular needs? Lists that serve as starting points in your preparation?

I want to see you land your dream job! To make your life a little easier, I’ve compiled several lists to help you as you enter the land of The Job Interview. In Part 1, we’ll explore the things you should and should not ask once you step into that room.  I hope these guides serve you well.

Questions you SHOULD ask during your interview:

• Can you describe the position in more detail? Even better: do some research on your own and preface this or any other question with information you’ve discovered about the company. For example, “I see that your company is rapidly expanding… I’m curious if the position I’m applying for is new or is it an existing position?”
• Can you describe a typical day for the person in this position?
• Would you provide an example or two of the types of projects I’ll be working on?
• Will I be primarily working with a team or on my own?
• Can you describe your ideal employee for this position?
• What’s your company’s 3- or 5-year plan, and how does the department I’m applying for fit into that plan?
• How does your company show that it values its employees?
• Does your company offer professional training and development?
• When do you hope to fill this position?
• If I were to start tomorrow, what would my top priority be?

 

Questions you should NEVER ask during your interview:

• Do you pay overtime?
• When will I be eligible for a raise?
• How often does the company give raises?
• Will you check my Facebook page?
• Do you do background checks?
• Do you pay overtime?
• Will I be able to work from home?
• How much sick, holiday, and vacation time is allocated? Actually, it’s OK to ask this question, but MUCH later in the process after the company has expressed interest in you.
• Avoid questions that start with “Why,” because they put people on the defensive.
• Do not ask questions that you can easily find information about on your own with a quick Google search.

Interested in learning even more interview tips and tricks? Follow me on Pinterest, particularly my board I’ve dedicated to helping you “Ace That Interview.” http://www.pinterest.com/drgloriab/ace-that-interview/

I hope you enjoyed today’s post! Care to chat more? Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to continue the conversation! Twitter: https://twitter.com/gloriaburgess Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drgloriaburgessPhD. And feel free to learn more about me and Jazz! Inc. by checking out my website: http://gloriaburgess.com/index.html.

Until next time… keep on keepin’ on. And let me know what’s happening with you.

Pass It On!

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Things Great Leaders Do Daily

Leadership is difficult.

Contrary to popular belief, leaders aren’t born. They are made. You grow into leadership through the choices you make.

We stand in awe of leaders who can make tough decisions on a dime, especially when they say, “I just went with my ‘gut feeling’ on the matter.” What these leaders don’t say is that their gut feeling is honed through years of experience, learning through their personal and professional trials and challenges as well as through others’.

That gut instinct is also honed through doing a few critical things every day. Things that over time become automatic, such as their ability to lead effortlessly under pressure. These learned characteristics mold leaders, transforming them from good to great, and they are characteristics that anyone anywhere can incorporate into their daily lives.

They Exude Positivity and Energy

In any organization, there will be snags along the road to success. A great leader doesn’t allow those bumps in the road to disrupt positive momentum. The workplace they create is uplifting and inspiring, and they constantly seek new ways to generate positive attitudes among team members. Each morning, they set the tone for the rest of the day. Whether it’s simply saying good morning to everyone and asking if anyone needs any guidance on their work or if it’s organizing the occasional “company offsite” to boost camaraderie on their team, a great leader never lets the opportunity to lift the team spirits slip through their fingers.

They Speak Up

Great leaders are aware that if they wait for the perfect moment to bring up a concern, voice an opinion, or act decisively that moment may never come. They aren’t afraid to make themselves uncomfortable for the greater good. If they have a concern, they’ll surface it in order to rectify a situation before it snowballs into something bigger and, possibly, worse for themselves, their team, and their organization. Typically, they’re the first ones to say out loud what everyone else at the table is already thinking. What’s the difference between them and you? They took the chance to speak up.

They Communicate Their Expectations

Do mind readers exist? Great leaders don’t think so. They recognize the need to properly translate their vision and expectations to their team members so that their expectations will come to fruition. They keep an “open door,” encouraging team members to communicate directly with them and among themselves. After all, everyone needs to be on the same page if they’re all in the same organization working towards the same goals. Great leaders constantly remind their team of the standards they’ve set, making it easy for them to identify high-performers and those who are not.

What are some things YOU’VE seen great leaders do consistently? I’d love to hear from you. Tell me in the comment section below or let’s start a conversation on Twitter! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to continue the conversation! Twitter: https://twitter.com/gloriaburgess Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drgloriaburgessPhD. And feel free to learn more about me and Jazz, Inc. by checking out my website: http://gloriaburgess.com/index.html. Have an uplifting week!

Pass It On!

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Feel Good Tuesday ~ A Cup of Compassion

This morning, one of my students opened our class with an attunement, our meditative practice at the beginning of each morning to focus our energy – spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

Compassion Flower

Her attunement was to shine the light on simple acts of caring and compassion. She shared with us a moment she experienced just today while waiting for the ferry. As she waited in line, she noticed a man who had slept on the ground the night before, apparently homeless. She watched as he sat up, smoothed his clothing, folded his blanket, neatly, and brushed his hair, readying himself for the day while his companion was still sleeping.

My student noticed another man as he got out of his car and approached the man who had slept on the ground. They had a brief conversation then the man returned to his car. A minute or two later, he emerged, carrying two cups of hot, steaming coffee. He gave both of them to the man, a cup for him and a cup for his companion.

As my student described this early-morning exchange, she said she was struck not only by what she had witnessed, but also by the simplicity of what it means and what it takes to care for our brothers and sisters: a little time… attention… generosity… and a heart of kindness.

Pass It On!

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Feel Good Tuesday ~ Sanctuary… Time out of Time

Sanctuary is very special time-out-of-time, a time-honored way to practice self-care for your own healing, renewal, and rejuvenation. It is a time set aside with the intention to take special care of ourselves, so that we can better care for others and our environment. In this sense, Sanctuary is about both “me” and“we” and how deeply connected we are.

Candles.Sanctuary.Gloria Burgess

Here are a few simple ways to time renew your spirit and feed your soul:

– As we lean into autumn, the days grow shorter and we have fewer hours of daylight. During this time nature rejoices and prepares for a season of rest. Following nature’s example, take time to pause and express gratitude for your many blessings—say thank you for family, friends, bread on your table… maybe even a few extra bucks to buy a loaf of bread for someone else.

– Light a candle to remind yourself of the many miracles in your life… and to offer light and prayer for those who live in darkness—the friendless, those without shelter or ample food… those who sleep with fear each night, without hope… those who must walk miles each day in search of sanitary drinking water.

– Take 10: 10 minutes today to select 10 gently used books to give away to someone who will benefit from them—a sister, brother, niece, or nephew; young people in your neighborhood; our service men and women who proudly serve our country; those in faraway places with few or no libraries  close by.

– Get outside and rejoice in nature. Be intentional. Focus on something or someone you don’t normally notice—clouds, colors, children at play, the texture of leaves beneath your feet, teenagers walking home from school, squirrels, nests, the sound of wind in the trees, your own heartbeat. As you dwell in nature, remember that we’re part of it. Care for all of nature as if it belonged to you, because it does.

Enjoy the blessings of this harvest season and the blessings Sanctuary—peace, love, abundance, and joy.

Pass It On!

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Feel Good Tuesday ~ One Encounter Can Change Your Life

The power of one encounter can change your life. You never know when that moment will happen.

It’s not your business to know. Your business is to simply live your life with intention, gratitude, and an attitude of service… to be a blessing to others along the way. In this video I share one woman’s remarkable story, an encounter that changed not just one life but many lives.

Pass It On!

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Feel Good Tuesday ~ The 3 Faces of Hopefulness, Part 2

Developing a sense of hopefulness helps us maintain a positive focus on the future.

Hopefulness has many facets. Three of the most important are: a sense of purpose, a devotion to service, and a sense of faith.

Today’s focus: Service.

Service: a positive focus on others. Making a positive difference in another person’s life offers a double blessing. When you give your time, love, and energy to others, they receive a gift… and so do you. Your gift is the pleasure and sheer joy that comes from being of service to someone else.

I’m delighted that our young people are growing up to be givers, to understand what it means and what  it takes to serve others—their family members, neighbors, as well as our sisters and brothers around the world.

Growing up, my mom and dad taught me and my sisters that wealth had nothing to do with possessions. True wealth meant valuing yourself and others. True wealth was understanding that we’re all part of the same blessed community and that our number one concern is caring for and helping one another. Serving takes the focus off ourselves and turn it others—towards helping, supporting, and nurturing someone else’s hopes and dreams.

Service is giving to others without expectation of reward. You just do it because it’s the right thing to do. You do it because it feels good. A few years ago, I was blessed to plant a few trees at a school in Kenya. I planted one in honor Maurice, a young student. Just the other day, he sent me an e-mail to let me know that “my” tree is growing well.  Made my day!

When you focus on others, you naturally concentrate on the future. How are you serving someone else today? How are you passing on your values to others?

Pass It On!

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Feel Good Tuesday ~ Step Up

A few years ago I attended a leadership conference in the desert of Southern California. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was one of the speakers. He gave us such simple yet profound advice: “God is waiting on us. He needs our help.” What is God waiting on you to step up for? Who can you call today to offer a word of encouragement? Who can you pray for today? Are you taking good care of yourself, so that you can be at your best for others? Did you smile at someone today?

Pass It On!

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Feel Good Tuesday ~ Victory for Your Soul

Here’s a simple way to boost your energy and stay healthy. Think “HEART” and it’s even easy to remember.   

H-ydrate. With a radiant smile on her face, my 10-year old niece reaches for a glass of refreshing water throughout the day. “Delicious!,” she says. Fill your favorite container and enjoy at least 8 glasses of water a day.    

Victory for the soul

 

E-xercise. Add more pep to your step. Use the stairs instead of the elevator, walk with a buddy, ride your bike. If exercise has been on your “round tuit” list for a while, start slowly… 5-10 minutes a day. Gradually work up to 20-30 minutes 4-5 times a week.  

A-wareness. What we think and what we feel changes our body’s chemistry. Lift others up and celebrate yourself, and you’ll be rewarded with life-giving energy.   

R-est. Take several breaks during the day—stretch, move your shoulders, take a brisk walk. Refill your water bottle! Be sure to get enough sleep each night.   

T-ransform your mind. Embrace an attitude of gratitude. It’s impossible to be thankful and negative at the same time. Each small choice you make is life-affirming. And each life-giving choice is a victory for your soul.   

Give yourself a high-5.   

Pass It On!

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Feel Good Tuesday ~ A Ray of Hope

As hard as times are, there are so many people who will give of their time, energy, and ingenuity to help others. A little over a week ago, a 9-year old girl named Chloe wanted to do something to help the dozens of people who lost everything they owned when their apartment complex burned to the ground. What began as a simple outreach has turned into a drive for food, clothing, and household items to help these families get back on their feet.

Remembering a fire that devastated her family when she was just a child, one neighbor summed up Chloe’s efforts by saying, “Chloe is not just collecting household items, she’s giving hope.”

We are each other’s keeper. What can you do to be the difference that makes a difference in somebody’s life today?

Pass It On!

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Feel Good Tuesday ~ The Power of One

“At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils.” With these words, S.L. Parker opens his lovely little book: 212°: The Extra Degree. Parker goes on to say that “…with boiling water comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train.” What a difference that one degree can make.

The power of one.

Here are some of our sisters and brothers who understood the power of one… and the power of Passing It On!

Louis Armstrong • Neil Armstrong

Johann S. Bach •  Ella Baker

Mary McLeod Bethune

George Washington Carver

Cave Canem •  Albert Einstein

Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman

Mahatma Gandhi •  Billy Graham

Martha Graham •  James Weldon Johnson Helen Keller •  John F. Kennedy

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. •  Abraham Lincoln •  Nelson Mandela •  Mildred Blackmon McEwen

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart •  Jackie Robinson • Jonas Salk  •  Albert Schweitzer

Harriett Beecher Stowe •  Sojourner Truth •  Harriet Tubman •  Phyllis Wheatley

All of these folks were supported by a great multitude of kindred souls–who worked together…. sometimes in spite of themselves… to make that one degree of difference. Tell me, what difference are making with your power of one?

Pass It On!

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