Billie Sucher Weblog

The Between Jobs Part

Do not falter,

nor waiver and stub.

Do not give up,

learn from a flub.

Each day is a chance

to start over again.

Be not disappointed;

it goes with the plan.

Sooner than later

and sooner, I hope.

You will find new work,

until then, cope and hope.

With the struggles, the journey

the yings and the yangs,

the joy and exhilaration,

the pain and the pangs.

Stay focused, optimistic.

Reach out a helping hand.

Do not be deterred

by defeat or poor plans.

Befriend time, trust and talent

Build a team to succeed.

Keep your eye on the goal

until you get what you need.

by billiesucher

Does Your Job Search Make Your Heart Go GiddyUp?

Does your job search make you want to shout with joy?

Do you love sharing and connecting with others, building relationships and networking?

Do you have great energy and enthusiasm for your job search?

Are you using creative thinking and creative strategies to explore new options?

Do you love the chance you have been given to start over?

Do you carry out the job hunt with a happy heart and a great attitude?

Are you passionate about pursuing the next opportunity?

Whether your answers are yes, no or I don't know, here's a link that one of my clients sent me this day after Valentine's that may bring a smile to your face. It did mine!

From Idol to Interviewing

When you hear the words Bo Bice, Adam Lambert or David Cook, do you know who they are? If you're an American Idol fan, you do. Like Idol, or not, like Bo, Adam and David, or not, I like/love watching Idol.

Last Tuesday evening, I tuned in for the first time this season. With the addition of Ellen DeGeneres as one of the judges, I was interested to see how 'things' would go. As I watched the show and listened to the judges' remarks, I jotted down some of their feedback for the contestants...very applicable to today's job seeker and the interview process. So, whether you're singing a song or sharing your sales pitch at a job interview...

"Own the moment"

"Don't be nervous"

"Don't be boring"

"Unique quality"

"Nerves will kill ya'"

"You have conviction"

"Everything about you is refreshing"

"You're unique"

"Knock it outta' the park"

"Different"

"Dude, I really loved that!" (Unless you're Randy Jackson, I wouldn't say 'dude' at an interview.)

"I thought that was terrific"

"You're infectious"

"You're real"

The next time you're invited to interview, do everything within your power to bring some of the above! Do your very best to deliver a performance that is 'remarkable' and 'memorable' and for sure, not 'f - o - r - g - e - t - t - a - b - l - e!'  "And that is a wrap!"

Jigsaw Puzzles and Job Seekers

Who invented the jigsaw puzzle?

A. Ben Franklin   B. George Washington   C. Abraham Lincoln   D. John Spilsbury   E. Thomas Edison   F. Christopher Columbus

According to this site, an Englishmen by the name of John Spilsbury invented the jigsaw puzzle in the mid-1700s. Mr. Spilsbury was a London engraver and mapmaker and his first jigsaw puzzle was a map of the world. Teachers used his puzzles to teach geography by putting the pieces of the world map back together.

Just for kicks, wouldn't it be an interesting exercise if you took all the various 'pieces' of you and mapped them on a large piece of paper, using images, numbers and words to describe yourself. For example, somewhere on my map, the casual observer would see images of trees, flowers, (nature), books, pens/pencils, travel, music, chocolate, etc.; you would see my favorite numbers and you would see specific words representing my brand, my interests, my passions, and my dreams. What a fun exercise, huh? (Well, I think so, anyway!)

Once you have mapped your images, numbers and words that well represent you, the next step is to scissor-cut your 'map' into small pieces. The goal is to put the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle you back together again. Just as you are trying to make your distinct pieces of the puzzle fit, organizations are also trying to put their own puzzle pieces together, hoping to hire the best talent and the best 'fit' to best meet their own unique needs.

If you are looking for a job in today's competitive market, where do you think you best fit? What organization is just waiting for you to complete their jigsaw puzzle? What entrepreneurial endeavor is just waiting for you to put the pieces together?

 

Interview Questions: Illegal and Inappropriate

During practice interview sessions with clients, one of the areas discussed is that of "illegal" and "inappropriate" interview questions. For all the laws on the books, there are still times when the person interviewing you may cross the line and ask a weird, strange, random or unexpected question of the illegal and/or inappropriate variety. Maybe the person asking you knows better and maybe they don't. In any event, cleaning file drawers last week, I came across the "Weird Interview Questions 2009" folder. While some of them are not suitable for posting, believe it or not...here are a few of the actual questions asked of clients in 2009. You decide....illegal...inappropriate?

1. You mentioned you volunteer to help children...does that mean you don't have any?

2. I see you're wearing a wedding band...so I take it you're married?

3. Are those your real fingernails or are they fake?

4. You're too pretty to hire...productivity would drop with you around.

5. Now when you say partner, what exactly do you mean?

6. You remind me of my grandpa...he's in his 60's.

7. J.D., huh? What does that stand for?

8. We noticed you're driving a Mercedes...convince us you need this job.

9. Has it ever occurred to you to dumb yourself down a little?

10. Is that a real Coach bag, or a knock-off?

As a 21st-century job seeker, have you ever been asked an illegal or inappropriate question, such as the above? What, if anything, did you do about it? You can read and learn more about this particular topic here.

posted by @billiesucher