Boxing

Just a couple days ago, I began reading the biography on Steve Jobs.  He was a very interesting man who changed the technology industry forever, so I was hoping to glean a little bit of knowledge from the 600+ pages that it contains.

One quote by Jobs shocked me within one of the first few pages.  In it, he made the statement that he believes all business people should have a major failure in their life.

Yes.  They must get sucker punched; take one to the chin. 

It shocked me at first. Isn't that what you are trying to avoid? As I thought about it more though it makes sense.  It focuses your drive and teaches you many things like how to get back up, what to do instead the next time etc. 

Not EVERYONE needs to fail, but if you look at some of the greatest athletes, presidents, and business people of all time you'd be surprised how many of them failed.

They know what they're talking about

Writing resumes for people on Land the Perfect Job helps newly graduated college students a lot.  It makes sure that their skills and past experiences can be expressed in the best way so that they can get the job they want. 

It doesn't help them in the interview itself though.  And the interview is a large component of the application process. 

What I am going to work on next is a series of videos.  Short ones, only about 3 - 5 minutes long on topics that will help students ace their interviews.  Things like potential questions they may encounter, and how to best answer them.  Or what type of dress they should use.  Should they wear a black suit or a brown one? Should their shoes have a pointed toe, or a squared off one?  These answers are best coming from the experts themselves, so I will be talking to Men's Wearhouse and places like them to get their opinions. 

I want to hear from you guys.  What topics would you like to see videos on?

Mom's lessons

Always say, "Thank you" after an interview.

This may seem like a topic that doesn't need to be discussed, but it surprises me how many interviewees forget to do it.  Most people give a small means of appreciation and walk out of the office, or other interview location without a second thought to anything more.


When you get home that day, take five minutes to sit down and write a two sentence thank you card that can be mailed to that interviewer.  Just thank them for their time and the opportunity to meet with you.  That's all.

Very few job applicants write these, and this small act might get your application that second look that it needs or even solidify you for the position itself.

There is nothing else that takes this insignificant amount of time that helps this much.  So, why not do it?

So common, so valuable

What's the number one thing couples fight over at the time of their child's birth?  The name.  It has to be just right. 

It has been said that a someone's name is one of the most valuable assets that everyone posses.  Not in the fact that you can sell it and make a good profit, but that you can make it mean something.  Take Michael Bay for example.  When a film is produced by him, you can be sure that it will a high intensity action film, far from a love story.  Another example is Donald Trump.  If you are purchasing an apartment from him, you can be sure that the quality will be superb. 

It can go the opposite way as well.  If you consistently default on your promises, run late, etc. you will be associated with those characteristics.

Take some time to think about what your name might mean today to people.  Is that what you want it to mean?  If not what do you want it to stand for? How can you go about doing that?

The power of words

Even though he served two terms as president, George W. Bush has been regarded as one of the worst public speakers the world has seen.  In almost every speech you could find a blunder or a misspoken phrase.  Of course it was funny to all of us, but in a position of power like the presidency, it looked unprofessional. 

The same can apply for you and your job or interview.  Most positions in today's corporate world force you to come in contact with other to make business deals or negotiate terms.

Therefore you must be able to speak to them in order to get your point across.  If you can't do that, you will lose the deal.  If it's in an interview, you could lose the job. 

"Put your behind in your past"

Almost everyone has seen the Disney movie The Lion King.  Even if you haven't, you know the song "Hakuna Matata" that Timone and Pumba sing.  Based on a mindset of no worries, it may not be the best thought for all situations.

Before the song starts, Pumba (in incorrect terms) gives Simba the advice to put his past behind him.  Too many people constantly think about what could have been, or what went wrong in a situation.

Their past haunts them.

Do not let past failures in your job, company, or interview dictate how you think or act today.  The past has gone, and nothing you do will change it.

Move on.  Work to ensure that you never fail in that same way again.

A thought on knots

A staple in almost every business professional's dress is the necktie.  Some prominent figures are known to wear ones that are flashy and stand out while others just wear one because everyone else does. 

I find that I look nice in them, but they make me stiff and uncomfortable.  I figured I just had to suck it up and deal with it until recently.  An article by Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Empire has taken a new stance on the fashion piece. 

His thoughts were that the traditional dress was too uptight and was limiting to his employee's friendliness and customer service.  Interesting thought in a time when customer service seems to be key. 

In some occupations it is still a necessity in order to be taken seriously.  If given the option, I am going to lose the tie every time from now on knowing that Sir Richard is with me on this one.  What do you think?

Who doesn't like free stuff?

If you are ever going to go interview for a job, research position, organization position, etc. you are not going to want to commit one of the Seven Deadly Sins of Interviews.

I'll send you these free.

Just sign up to follow this blog by putting in your email to the right and I will send you the sins.  You are going to want to make sure you know these so that you have the best chance.

Don't dress to impress

"What can I wear to impress my interviewer?"  This thought runs through virtually every candidate's head the morning of their interview.  "Do I look better with the red shirt, white tie, or white shirt, red tie?"

Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker suggest differently.  He believes that you should dress averagely so that you DO NOT stick out.  Flashy clothes calls attention to your outfit, and not your attributes or qualifications.  Which would you prefer?

Instead, wear something forgettable.  If, after you left, the interviewer can describe extremely accurately what you wore, you dressed incorrectly.

Are Your Friends Holding You Back?

It is important to be mindful of who it is that you are friends with.  Not just only in the workplace, but in all aspects of life. 

I'm not talking about Steve a couple offices over who you can hi to in the hallway and that's it.  No I mean the guys who you go out for drinks with after work.  Or the guys who you go golfing with every Saturday morning.  Even the fraternity brothers who you have so many memories with. 

Depending on their habits, dreams, and personalities, you will mold your own to fit in with them.  Your life will be highly influenced by them.  It is exactly the reason why its harder to start on a paper early when your teacher says it, but its extremely easy when your friends tell you to. 

You are closer with them.  Their words and actions have more of an impact.  If they are an athletic group, so will you be.  Same goes for academics, personality type, and almost anything else you can think of.  Are they someone you aspire to be?

Take a look around.  Who are you closest with?

Are they holding you back?

Brer Rabbit and the briar patch

While exploring Disney's Magic Kingdom yesterday, I came across a quote this quote by Brer Rabbit, "You can't run away from trouble . . . ain't no place that far".

Life will never clear a path for you, nor will it help you to avoid trouble.  That's much of the fun about chasing a dream or a goal.  It will instead throw brick walls in front of you, and cause trouble for you to try and make you take your eyes off the final destination.

When life does this to you, become Brer Rabbit.  Instead of running away from Brer Fox and the hot pot of water all the time.  When they catch you, figure out a way to get thrown in the briar patch instead. 

"When one door closes, another one opens. That, or you climb in the window, or break the door down, or look for the key, or pick the lock. You have to think outside of the box sometimes."

Predicting the Weather

Most people if given the choice to pick the weather, would rather have a sunny day over a cloudy rainy one.  Sure, rain helps water the plants and grass to grow, but everyone experiencing that weather feels down a little. 

It’s the effect weather has on our moods. It does it to everyone. 

The same goes for your attitude and outlook on life.  If you walk around acting like every little thing is the end of the world.  Or like nothing good ever happens, you are raining.

Sometimes literally.

This causes the people around you to rain to.  Or if you are starting to show signs of a storm, they may avoid you altogether.  You will have many more friends and relationships if you are a happier person.

People notice. Fast.

Incredible, isn’t it?

I have only recently rediscovered my sense of wonder and awe at some of the everyday occurrences that I used to take for granted.  Take a minute and think.  There really are a lot.

Most of these things are very simple to understand.  Almost anyone who has taken an elementary physics, chemistry, or biology class know exactly how it works.  But I find the fact that it does so fascinating.

Just this morning I took a flight to Orlando. Two thoughts flooded into my mind.  Even though I know how airflow and updraft allows for air travel, the fact that a metal object thousands of pounds can fly through the air is mind blowing.  Or take the fact that even though the weather was crappy, as soon as we rose above the cloud cover, the ominous looking clouds turned into what resembled a beautiful frozen tundra.

Thanks to modern science, we can explain almost anything anymore.  But, no one will think less of you for being impressed.

So go on, wonder away…

"He touched the butt."

I don't know of anyone who doesn't love Disney's Finding Nemo. The title and idea for this post is taken from a scene very early on in the movie when Nemo's father forbids him from going near the risky boat (the butt as the kids call it).

A lot of times people tell us don't take risks.  Sometimes we tell it to ourselves.  Maybe fear holds us back.  Fear tells us, "Well, yeah, you can do that, but this bad thing might happen...".  It rarely lets the small ray of light shine through of the fantastic outcome that will most likely happen.

I'm the type of person that loves the adrenaline rush I get from taking risks. Something as small as starting this, my first blog, to jumping out of an airplane last summer gives me a feeling that I cannot get enough of.  Sure, there is a chance that no one will read my blog, or that my parachute will not open.  I know the risk, but I choose to do it anyway.  I have this saying that I try to live my life by, "I would rather regret attempting something, than looking back and regret being too afraid to try".
 
A lot of these risks I have on my bucket list. I'm slowly working on checking them off.  Some people call me insane, but I just like living life to the fullest.  My next big challenge is to hike the Hang Son Doong caves in Vietnam.

What is on your bucket list? What risks are you taking to enrich your life? (I'd love to read your answers in the comment box!)

Me in flight last summer.  It was the best experience of my life.  I cannot wait to go again this fall!

Never Work a Day In Your Life

Jumping off what I mentioned yesterday I bring a new thought to you today.  If money did not matter, schooling did not matter, and you could do anything in the world that you wanted, what would it be?

What would you do? What would you create?

So many people, college students even, work summer jobs or internships, or even accept job offers based on ridiculous reasons.  They do not like the job description or the company, but they see a flashy salary number and are drawn to it.  Then they complain nonstop about how they hate their job.

Then why do it? "Well, I need to pay the bills somehow..."

While this may be true, there are a hundred other things you could be doing that are much more fun and that still pay fairly well.  And, if you can't find it, create it yourself.  You will be much happier in the long run. 

If for some reason you are stuck in that job you hate, find a way to make it fun.  Make jokes with other employees, dance to music while you work, anything that makes you smile. 

A friend on mine once told me he works forty hours at one job during the week, and then goes to a second job on the weekend to work at least another ten.  When I asked him what he thought about it he answered:

"I love it. I still can't believe I'm getting paid to do this!"