Want to increase your interviewing success? Would you like a quick reference for interviewing strategies?

We send the resume', fill out the application, know someone or somehow we get ourselves into a job /career interview.  Here comes the question, "What Now?"  We may find ourselves excited, nervous, wondering and more.  Would you like a tool that provides you a quick reference in order to improve your interview skills?  Want to increase the opportunity to get a second interview or offer?

It seems as though weekly I am discussing job and career adventures with individuals and seeking ways to improve their job / career search.  Recently as I was visiting with an individual, he informed me that he has been attempting to get a job in his field for the past two years.  I asked him why he thought he wasn't successful in his attempts.  He explained that he gets several interviews, but never gets a call back or an offer.  I asked him what he thought the issue was?  He stated that he had no idea and was looking for some support and conducting some mock interviews.  I asked him a few more questions to see if I could get an initial idea of what was going on.  What I found out was that he isn't polished in his interviewing skills and isn't truly being himself. He was selling himself short because he lacked some experience in one area.  In a brief moment I provided him with a few strategies and realized that he is just one of many who are struggling with the interview process.  Having taught career strategies for several years and working with clients presently, I felt it was time to release an Interviewing Strategies ebook.  Do you need a quick reference guide to help you in the interview process?

I was working with an individual via email, text and phone conversations recently.  This woman is amazing and has all the qualities any business would want.  We were discussing all the aspects of the job / career search and discovered how we could help her market herself.  I provided her with a few interviewing strategies and we followed up after an interview she had.  One strategy I offered was how to ask questions that impact the process and help the interviewee interview the interviewer or team.  I had her ask a question that would tell her how to judge the culture and climate of the company.  She was hesitant in asking this question, but followed my advice.  She was amazed to see his reaction and about the short discussion that ensued. I have used this one question myself when I interviewed and was able to get the correct job for me.  Want to know if you can be creative and make decisions on that next job?  Ask the right question.

My life goal is to help all those who cross my path find true joy, peace and happiness in life.  With all the struggles recently with getting and keeping jobs, I really want to help you.  My goal is to teach anyone how to make an impact in life to include that "job interview."  We need to be on top of our game and yet not too anxious when seeking employment or a career change.  I have just released my first "Quick Guide to Success" series ebook entitled - Interviewing Strategies.  This ebook is designed to act as a quick reference for you in order to help you increase your interviewing skills.  I have had many years of experience working with students, clients and friends on how to interview for success.

If you need any support in finding a career or for life in general, please contact me via my website at www.thetajlgroup.com.  Please go to the Resource Center on my website to get your "Quick Guide to Success"-Interviewing Strategies ebook or click on the "add to cart" link on this blog site.  Let me help you.  Please help me start up my Social Forum page on my website as well.  This page is designed for all of us to collaborate on issues that we all share.  Want some interviewing support?  Try it out today!

What do you own that is of the most value to you?

 

What do you own that is of the most value to you?  

Recently I have been receiving inquiries from around the world seeking answers for "life changes". The inquiries weren't about money or material items, but about life. We all are seeking that answer to who we are and what we are.  Do you find yourself waking daily seeking the answer to a different path in life?  Are you questioning your life's value?  You are most likely experiencing some inner dissatisfaction, drive, calling, redefinition of purpose, or just seeking to find You.  Many years ago I came across a quote:

Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once

                                            Lillian Dickson

Since that time, I have given away many coins to individuals along with this quote.  We are blessed with this valuable "coin" (life) when we are first brought into this world.  Our coin gains value as we age and face life's challenges and successes.  We learn from mistakes, invest in our health, we gain knowledge, share our life with others, and more. 
 
There is the side of us that tends to threaten our value with destructive thinking, guidance or actions.  I often challenge students and clients with this quote as we discuss issues they are facing in life and in career.  How would you spend each day if you could spend it anyway you wish?  What would you do with your life and career?  We tend to devalue our "coin" (life) because we fail to see our true worth. You have abilities, skills and gifts that could best serve others along with yourself.  You are probably saying, "No kidding."  Well, I challenge you to take a moment and look at the true you.  I bet you look in the mirror daily and see your imperfections. We all become critical of our physical appearance and use make-up, hair products, and more to improve on our physical self.   We may exercise, diet and buy certain brands of clothes believing that we are increasing our worth.  What we are doing is polishing the outward appearance of our "coin".  Our physical health and hygiene is essential to healthy living both physically and mentally.  Our problem is that we tend to spend most of our time looking at our outward selves and not investing in our inner being.

Your "coin" is made up of the physical as well as the emotional or spiritual being.  You do have worth and purpose in life as well as a physical being.  Everyone has value.  We devalue ourselves when we doubt our abilities, compare ourselves to others, and truly not trust in what we were given.  Our "coins" are different and we all carry a different value.  Look at the currency in any country that has a system with coins.  The different value of the coins is determined by the type of materials that are used to create them and the value that is "stamped" on them.  However, I have seen coins with an initial value that is worth very little become more precious than coins of a higher value.  These coins gained value due to experiences and often due to age.  The coins aren't limited in value because of what is "stamped" on them, but limited in the way they are spent.  Some coins of little value end up purchasing items of great value.  Just as coins, we should not limit ourselves to what is "stamped" on our "coin".  We can ultimately change the value without ever changing the initial "cast"/"design" of our coin.  Our value is not limited, but it is how we invest it that limits the potential.  Finding balance of both the physical and emotional or spiritual is essential.  Many coins maintain high value because they are polished and have maintained a solid structure "inside" and "out".

I challenge all you coins out there to look at your self worth.  You are probably asking, "How should I do that?"  Can you create a personal mission statement?  Your challenge is to look inside of yourself and truly listen.  Ask questions around what you would do if you could do anything you wanted in life (within reason).  Once you answer those questions, evaluate the answers.  Are these adding true value to your "coin" or are they just "things" that you want?  How do your answers affect those around you?  Do you add value to others' coins with your answers?  Oh, oh.  I just threw another issue at you and will save it for another time: "How do we add value to  others' coins?"   I want you to write a one sentence mission statement based on what you find in your search of you.  Here is my personal mission statement that helped me establish my life's purpose: "To help all those who cross my path find true Joy, Peace and Happiness in life."

This is what I suggest you do.  I want you to find a coin of any material value.  Take the coin and write on it with a permanent marker the date and sign it.  Carry this coin with you and use it to remind you that you can spend your life anyway you choose.  Please try not to spend the coin, but carry it with you throughout life.  Some of you may want to change coins as you go through life, that is fine as well.  We all change and along with that our "coins" change.  Just remind yourself that you have value and are not limited by your perceptions of you.  Please email me at thetajlgroup@gmail.com or contact me via my website www.thetajlgroup.com and share your stories.  I would love to hear from you and collaborate on increasing our "coin" values.  You Rock, so enjoy this one life you have to the fullest.

Interviewing? Need some strategies? Simple and yet powerful results!

OCTOBER SPECIAL:

20% discount on Interviewing Preparation Services!

In order to celebrate the upcoming release of my “Quick Guide to Success” series, I am offering a special to help those seeking interviewing strategies.  Contact me via my email at thetajlgroup@gmail.com or via my contact page on my website at www.thetajlgroup.com today in order to set up your discounted session.  If you are preparing for an upcoming interview or want to learn some new strategies, let’s work together to help you stand out.  Set up a free initial screening to see if this will help you and then receive 20% discount for consultation services. With several years of career preparation experience,  I have helped many individuals interview successfully and want to help you!  This service is just an email away.

Best wishes on your current career pursuits!

What do I do now? My relationship with my loved one(s) is in turmoil?

Life is a never ending course full of obstacles, surprises and hurdles.  Do we create these in our relationships with others?  It is amazing how we get so caught up in ourselves that we neglect our loved ones.  This happens all too frequently in our relationships even when we believe that we are the experts in love and living.  It catches up to us and we can't even see it coming.  I am reminded of an episode of Cheers involving Dr. Frasier Crane and Lilith.  She admitted to Frasier that she had an affair.  Frasier realizes how he had not worked on the relationship and was caught up in himself and life around him.  He shares his realization only to find that Lilith is moving on.  She decides to live with her colleague with whom she has fallen in love with.  Watch the episode and you will get the idea: Season 11 - The Girl in the Plastic Bubble.

The point is, we all tend to neglect or have the hardest time sharing with the ones we love the most.  We tend to take them for granted or it may be that we tend to get so focused on ourselves that we fail to see those closest to us. Maybe we are looking out ensuring that those we work with, those in need or individuals we come in contact with are communicated with and cared for.  Are we farsighted when we should be nearsighted?  It can get confusing as we truly love those closest to us, but we can't even show them this to be true.  Our line of sight is tainted by the colors around us and distractions in life.  What does one do when they find out that they have hurt or neglected their loved one(s)?  How can we repair what has been done?  What Now?

We have been blessed with those in our lives for a reason.  We tend to forget the true purpose of why we encountered and how these individuals were brought into our lives. As with anything, we tend to forget our initial purpose and begin to get caught up in the flow of life.  We fail to step out of the flow and take moments to reflect on what we truly have and have been blessed with.  Why can't we stop for one moment in order to spend some special moments with those we love?  Can't we see the true gifts we were given?

The problem becomes a lack of balance in life and focus on what is most precious to us.  Only when we are faced with loss of life or those we love most, do we reflect and begin to reinvest in these relationships.  We find time to watch TV, meet up with friends, go and help others in need, join clubs and teams, but we don't use our most precious commodity of time to truly "be" with those we love.  There are so many things that are pulling on us from this world.  How can we truly balance what is most important to us?  How?  That's a deep question and one that is often never answered.  Is there a way to at least make an attempt?

We can find ways to repair and rekindle those relationships and find true joy in them.  It is going to take change and even some sacrifice.  We develop habits through repetitive motion.  Take a look at your life and you will see the habits you have developed through repetitive actions.  Our actions do speaker louder than words.  Our loved ones are watching our actions more than they are listening to our words.  We can say something, but our actions are what truly communicate what we are or are not doing.  We have to take note of what we are doing and begin to take new actions in order to develop lasting relationships.  Can you accept your shortcomings and champion change?  Can you?  The first step to change is to admit the need to change.  You need to understand that one's perception of you is in fact their reality.  If your actions are communicating a lack of care, love and understanding, then it is your loved one's reality that you truly do not care.  Accept the small kernel of truth in their criticism of you.  Listen and be present to their actions and words that are communicating their frustrations.  One of the biggest reasons we don't see the trouble coming is because we aren't truly listening to our loved one's actions and words.  Take a few moments and reflect on the past week, month, year or even longer.  What were the signs that you failed to see?  Were you  farsighted?  Were your heart glasses dirty?

Your relationships may seem to be in perfect health and you may feel like this doesn't pertain to you, but be warned that nothing is perfect.  Take time to truly evaluate your relationship with your loved one(s) and you will find areas to work on.  Don't get too comfortable in any relationship.  It can and it will sneak up on you.  Make time daily to evaluate your relationship and create actions to truly show that you care.  Be thankful for what you have been blessed with and treasure your loved ones more than you treasure the things in life.  You can always get another job, but you can't always get another family.  Find balance and display your true love and care for those who are most special to you.  Use your heart and be nearsighted in your relationships.  Do it now.

Thought of the day: NY Giants - "Easy fix to current slump without changing personnel." How?

I am sure that after the 0-6 start for the NY Football Giants, fans and the organization are questioning the, "What Now?"  The initial reaction any time an individual or organization is struggling, is to begin to blame.  The organization begins to look at the personnel involved and begins to question what to do. The radio hosts and news  outlets are feeding fans with their "blaming" analysis.  The players are questioning the coaches and each other.  It is a "blame game" feeding frenzy out there! The Giants have very good people in place on and off the field.  So, the quick fix might feel like they need personnel changes.  This kind of reaction can create some initial changes, but tends to not be sustainable.   In reality there is a more simplified solution that can help the organization realize the success it has had over recent years.  The problem the team is facing now, is the creation of habit.  They begin to subconsciously accept that they are going to lose and then begin finger pointing, and ultimately losing confidence in themselves and those around them.  The blame game can really mess things up.  I am sure that the blame game is getting a great deal of energy at the moment.  So, what is the simple fix?

The simple fix may not seem simple at all, but in reality it is.  The only recourse at the moment is to quickly empower all within the organization and redefine.  What do they need to re-define?  They need to redefine individual as well as organizational purpose.  The organization needs to listen to everyone involved and simply take input.  The individuals need to feel safe sharing their input as well as not giving "finger" pointing input, but input based on what they can do.  The culture and climate needs an overhaul and re-energizing.  The end result will be increased collaboration, increased job satisfaction and overall the re-vitalization of a winning atmosphere. 

In our individual lives as well we often face the 0-6 feeling within our careers and find ourselves looking at the, "What Now?"   Getting that "winning" feeling is quite simple and you will enjoy life as your career "blossoms" and creates satisfaction in your life and in the lives of those around you.  Contact me and we can discuss the how to get there.

Giants Fans:  believe and find ways to help your team find the simple solution to a winning season.  I believe they can win the rest of their games.  Do you?  I would love to work with the NY Football Giants and take them on a simple journey to a winning season.

What one self attribute can you control that can change your day, interactions, career and life?

Give this one a try.  Wake up tomorrow and scream, "This is going to be the greatest day of my life!"  You may disturb the dog, your loved ones and even awake the ghosts in the house, but what you will be doing is setting your mind on a positive track for the day.  What we establish as we start our day is our frame of mind.  How are we going to interact with others at work and at home?  Will what we bring to the day that influences those around us?   In my book, "Tennis Everyone! An Empowering Way to Improve Your Interactions with Others", I discuss how there is an Attitude Set to our game.  From the book:

Attitude Set

      When we play a game, we bring with us a certain attitude or drive.  Setting your attitude can really make a big difference in any interaction you encounter.  Practicing attitude is essential while remembering to keep it simple and to not overplay it.  I may have covered attitude a little in the Game Play section of this book, but it is so important that we are going to cover it thoroughly.  This piece of you can be the ultimate game changer and influence you as well as the other player.  It is amazing how we can totally influence the game with one simple move. I need you to open up your mind and create an attitude that is willing to listen.  This would be a good time to stop reading for a moment and do the clearing of your mind time.  Like before, after you read this, close your eyes, clear your head and bring in that calming spirit of the mind.  Are you ready?  Game On!

      
       Attitude is often defined as a challenging manner, arrogance or an assertive stance.  Some also define attitude as a personal view about something or a general view of something.  You need to understand that we can define attitude based on who we are...........

Please visit my website at www.thetajlgroup.com and click on the "Member" page.  You can view this entire section of the book as a gift from me.

Attitude is essential to your career and life success.  What you bring to a situation will often help determine the outcome.   Is there always a weapon when a police officer enters a situation?  Sure, the police officer brings a weapon with them.  This situation has now increased the importance as the weapon can now become a point of focus.  What if the person the police officer is serving becomes scared?  Might that person go for the weapon?  What if the tension escalates, might the weapon be used?  If you enter the work day and bring in a sour, tired and defensive attitude, might those around you go after it?  We truly rub off on those around us.  Many individuals see their "career" as a job and dislike going in.  What are they bringing to the team?  Negativity? Dis-trust? Uncertainty?  Observe your work area. How much gossiping is going on?  Who is the one on the team everyone is focused on and why?  Can your attitude help re-focus your team? Yourself?  What Now?  Determine the purpose of your "job" and your team.  What is the team's purpose? Your purpose?  What are the goals?   Take your attitude and focus it in a positive light on the job at hand.  See what happens.  You will begin to find new meaning to what you are doing.  You might even find that this is not the career for you.  Use each day as a catalyst for the future. What you do today will determine the future.  Want a strong, happy and successful career?  Change your attitude and look for the opportunities before you.  You have this one attribute that you can control.  Experiment with it and watch the outcomes.  You might surprise yourself and those around you.