50 Worst of the Worst Job Interview Mistakes

There is an excellent article you can read on this topic by clicking here. However, I also have some suggestions.

Here is a list that, for the most part, makes a lot of sense. There are a number that you could argue about. There are a number of others that you could add, and add, and add. Is this article helpful? Absolutely! That is why I recommend it. A few of the items might hit home and make a difference in your results.

The concern is that this is so tactical that readers might think these items are all they need to know. That would be a tragic mistake and probably not what the author was suggesting. The bigger help is to recognize that if you are not following the Jobpreneurship™ process then you are missing the larger, strategic process, that will help you compete among the top 5-10% of those looking for a job.

So, I encourage you to read the article, print it out, and put it into your interview tips file.

Secrets of Networking, Part 5

The fifth point from a blog by Charlie Robertson from the book “Deserve What You Get” by Jay Levinson is:

5.  Respect – you say a lot about yourself in the way you treat other people and in the professionalism in your appearance.

I agree, with a caveat. If you practice appropriate manners, customs, and expectations then you are showing respect. If you are about helping others and not self-absorbed, then you are showing more than respect. You are showing trustworthiness, compassion, and understanding.

By appropriate, some examples are:

• You understand rules of networking, relationships, the office, and home
• You practice what is right in the environment where you are. These are different depending upon country, industry, cultural societies, and even within a department within a division within a company.
• You understand what is not right in any circumstance.

You understand that respect does not mean you sacrifice your values to show respect. It does suggest that if your values may be compromised, perhaps you should not be going there or perhaps you should move on.

If you want to help others, then you will generally be aware of how to show respect. Most of those who fall into the trap of disrespect are those whose opinion about themselves and their self interests are so high that they demand others respect them and their rights even as they disrespect and trample upon the rights of others.

Breaking the Chains of Exercise

Most of us want to exercise. We watch football on TV while sitting on the couch and say, “I can do that!”  We watch gymnastics on the Olympics and say, “I would love to be able to do that!” Then we get up to get more food.

Now, some of you reading this are in great shape. As long as you don’t spend too much time exercising, congratulations. I have one son who maxes out the Marine fitness test. He used to do hand stand pushups as a teenager. The other son runs marathons. My wife tries to exercise every night. Then there is me.

We did buy some very expensive equipment for our home gym. You should be proud of us. Yet most people use their equipment for a clothing hanger or use their fitness club membership for a few weeks and then stop.

I recently read a friend’s book entitled, “The Secret of Success – A Little Bit Over A Long Period of Time.” The author, Phillip Crone, is a sales executive and runner.  One point he makes is that if you target only 10 minutes a day for 5 days a week for 30 days then you will begin to develop the habit of exercise. Next month you can add another minute and work your way to 30 minutes…

The key to this is that most of us use the excuse that we don’t have time. But 10 minutes? I can do that. So can you.

Today, I exercised for 20 minutes and burnt 200 calories. Of course I also walked the dog for 15 minutes; twice.  I could have exercised longer, for 60 minutes, but I have a hurt foot. If you don’t believe me, I can limp even more! Yet even 20 minutes makes me feel better, less guilty, and over the years help keep my weight down, tone up, and self confidence high.

So how are you breaking the chains of exercise? Do you have 10 minutes?

Breaking the Chain of Diet

“You are what you eat.”  I am not sure who said those words. After all, I like ice cream; and cake, and pies, and candy, and…  I do not have a sweet tooth. I have sweet teeth. Others like breads, red meats, deep fried …  Well, I guess I like those too.

Have you ever watched the show, “The Biggest Loser?”  There are some fascinating tips.

First, just don’t buy fattening food. If it is around, it gets eaten. Actually, there is some apple pie left over from the dinner party last night. Say, isn’t that a fruit?

1. Second count calories. That means, if I eat less calories today then eating my pie and ice cream last night was OK; right? Actually, it can be as a rare treat in moderation.
2. Learn to enjoy better foods with lower calories. OK, my wife finally taught me to eat salads. I now actually prefer to order salads when dining out than traditional foods. They are lighter, less guilty feeling, and my wife feels better. That makes me feel better.
3. Learn to cook creatively foods that are healthier and you can actually enjoy.

Here is the issue. If you are overweight, you feel more sluggish, tire easier, have more health issues, and generally die younger. Bad enough? How do you think a hiring manager views a big person versus a target weight person?

A company sees heavier people as a lower peak performer, a higher cost health risk, and less likely to fit into the executive suite or “success” image. That means the chain of diet could lead to not being hired or not making the compensation that your performance may suggest.

On the other hand, eating right leads to better health, higher self confidence, better appearance, more energy, and a longer life. It also means being more competitive in getting jobs, promotions, and clients.

How do you break the chains of diet?