Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Don't Say These Things at Your Next Job Interview

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

The video below from Fast Company discusses four phrases to eliminate from your vocabulary when on a job interview, including "I didn't feel challenged by my last job." Check out the video to learn more.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 4 Things to Do on Sunday to Reduce Stress for the Week

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 4 Sunday Prep Activities That Will Curb Your Stress All Week: "If we don’t have an attack plan for the week, it can feel like we’re fighting a schedule hydra: Once we finish one task, two more take its place. And that’s not a fun place to be."

• How to Show You're Passionate in a Job Interview: "To succeed in your next job interview, you need to figure out how to convey what matters most to you. Here’s how."

• Why Being Generous is Critical to Your Business Success: "Whatever you sell, whatever you stand for, if you want to stand out and reap more rewards, you have to give more. The receivers of your gift will give you more in return."

• Building Employees into Leaders: "We already talked about ways individuals can develop their own leadership abilities, but as a leader, there are some steps you can take to give your team a little push in that direction."
• Ten Habits of Incredibly Happy People:"Happiness spreads through people. Surrounding yourself with happy people builds confidence, stimulates creativity, and it’s flat-out fun."

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: 4 Tips to Explain the Gap on Your Resume

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

The video below from Fast Company provides four tips for explaining gaps in your resume when at a job interview, starting with being upfront about the gaps. Check out the video to learn more.

5 Ways to Think About Your Upcoming Job Interview

For many people the time spent in preparation for a job interview is one filled with incredible anxiety. There might be pressure to get a job due to unemployment or recent graduation from school. However, approaching a job interview with intense anxiety and concern will make it difficult to have a successful interview.

The following five ways to think about, and approach, an upcoming interview can help reduce anxiety and allow you to better demonstrate the talent and skills you have to offer the company.

The interview is all about the interviewer. You likely want the job you are interviewing for, but the interviewer is seeking out someone who will make their job easier. If you can demonstrate to the interviewer what you can do for them, and how you can meet the needs of the company, you are in a better position to land the job.

And it’s about determining if the job/employer is a good fit for you. Sure, the job might sound great on paper, but the interview process might reveal that you’d be working for a jerk or at a company that does not respect an employee’s personal life and obligations. The interview is a great opportunity for you to ensure that this job would be a good fit for you.

Practice makes better. Like anything, the more we do something the better we can become at it. Think of your job interview as practice. You might not get this job, but you’ve practiced interviewing and are now better prepared for the next interview that comes your way. Evaluate your performance and identify areas for you to improve upon in your next interview.

This is an opportunity to expand your network. You’ll be meeting other people throughout the interviewing process, from the person who greets you when you arrive, to the manager or human resource representative who interviews you. This provides you with introductions to new people who can expand your network, and who you might work with in the future. Be kind and remember those you might.

You’ll learn something about your field. The interview, if you approach it correctly, can also serve as a learning opportunity. You can deepen your knowledge of your chosen field by asking pertinent questions and gain an understanding of how other companies in the industry operate.

Adjust your thoughts and approach to your upcoming job interview and you can reduce stress and enjoy the process more.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Things You Should Never Say in a Job Interview

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 14 Things You Should Never Say in a Job Interview: "That is a clear signal that you may be using the company name to set yourself up for your next job somewhere else."

• 5 Decisions You Will Always Regret: "Some decisions have repercussions that can last a lifetime. Most of these decisions are made daily, and they require focus and perspective to keep them from haunting you."

• How to Accomplish Your Biggest Career Goals This Year: "The first step to making your career goal happen is to clearly define it and know why you want it."

• The Ugly Truth About Working from Home: "be sure you understand the implications. There are trade-offs to all jobs. Knowing the limitations can help you minimize the downsides."
• Exploring Absurd Ideas is Essential to Your Success:"Simply having a sense of humorous curiosity will unlock a continuous burst of stimulating concepts. Let them be outrageous at first, knowing that each is the potential seed of a future-shaping business idea."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 2 Questions You Must Ask in Every Job Interview

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 2 Questions You Must Ask in Every Job Interview: "Think of someone in the organization who really represents the right attitude for this culture. Could you tell me about a time they did something that really exemplifies having the right attitude?"

• 6 Tips for Balancing a Successful Side Hustle: "This feels counterintuitive when you’re insanely booked and everyone needs something from you. But if you don’t step back, think, consider, plan, and evaluate, you won’t move forward."

• Why You Should Exercise Before Work Every Morning: "If you start your day with a physical activity that gets your blood pumping, your brain active, your mind cleared, your metabolism raised, and your endorphins flowing ... you feel far more awake throughout the rest of day."

• 10 Ways to Be More Productive Working at Home: "No matter what else you do, invest in a good computer, a good phone, and the most comfortable and ergonomically correct chair you can find. When you're uncomfortable, it's hard to stay focused and productive."
• The 10 Best Business Books of 2018:"For the entrepreneurs and executives on your gift list, here are 10 great titles to read by the fire."

5 Things To Do When You Don’t Get the Job

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You carefully prepared for the job interview and it went well. You were called back for a second interview and had been excited to make a job change when you get the disappointing news: You were the runner-up for the position. Thank you for your time.

What to do you now? Manage your disappointment, of course, along with continuing to crush it at your current job.

In addition to maintaining your strong performance at work, take the following steps to turn your disappointment into something positive and beneficial for your career.

Be gracious. When you get that call letting you know that you did not get the job be sure to be kind and courteous. Thank the interviewer for taking the time to consider you for the position. You want to continue to make a good impression by demonstrating how you manage disappointment when a situation doesn’t go as hoped. You never know, you just might get a call back for a future opportunity. Or your interviewer might remember you when they’ve moved on to another job.

Seek feedback. While you have the person on the phone, make the most of the opportunity by asking for feedback on your interview and the areas you seem to be lacking in knowledge or experience. This is simply for information gathering. Do not get defensive or attempt to persuade the interviewer that he or she is making a mistake. Your job here is to listen, take notes, and say thank you.

Fill in the gaps. Take that information you just received and put it to use. Sign up for a class or a training session to master the skills you’re lacking or seek out a mentor who can provide some counsel. Develop a plan to improve your skill set and get after it.

Widen your net. Use this experience to widen your network of contacts and deepen your relationships. Perhaps seek to develop a professional relationship with someone at the company you interviewed with. Find a connection through LinkedIn or inquire among your friends. Go to conferences or events where the speakers or attendees will likely be individuals from companies you’ve targeted.  

Be grateful. Flip the switch and turn your disappointment into gratitude. The grass is not always greener and many of us have made career moves we’ve regretted. You might have been spared a difficult situation. Turn your attention to what is good about your current situation and focus on that. There will be other opportunities that come up and for now you can master your current work and develop skills that will help land that next job.

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: 5 Tips for Job Interviews

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In the video below Brian Tracy provides some interviewing tips to get your dream job. Watch the video for some useful tips.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 3 Things Great Leaders Say

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 3 Things Great Leaders Say: "Great leaders put their ego aside because admitting to being human and making mistakes actually increases trust."

• How to Craft a Perfect Thank-You Email After a Job Interview: "the following email template is an ideal way to follow up because it possesses six important traits"

• Why Traveling the World is a Great Investment in Yourself: "Unfamiliar moments help us grow. That’s how we acquire new habits, new tastes in food, and new interests we might take back home and share with those around us. Learning to be curious about and gain knowledge from people will aid you in every aspect of your life."

• More Sleep, Not Less, is the Secret of Success: "there is still a long way to go before it will be generally accepted that effective leaders sleep more rather than less than regular mortals."
• 3 Things to Do to Stop Staying Late at Work: "The more you plan, the more choices you’ll be able to make over the course of your workday that can improve your chances of leaving whenever you want."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: The First Thing to Do in 2018 to Build a Happier Life

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• The First Thing to Do in 2018 to Build a Happier Life: "finally address any remaining fears, blocks or excuses that have been in the way of your changing or leaving a situation that's wrong for you."

• 5 Unexpected Career Resolutions You Should Make in 2018: "if you have more than about three big goals in the mix, you’re likely to dilute your effort and accomplish very little."

• How to Highlight Your Talents in a Job Interview: "you can help others speculate about your own future—and place a bet on your talents—by describing the key qualities of your potential."

• 30 Habits, Qualities, and Secrets That Lead to Success: "Developing the right habits is also important, and these can be as simple as keeping a journal to jot down your thoughts and ideas, visualizing success and having a solid morning routine."
• 3 Signs You Need Change in Your Life: "Once you figure out that the game you’re playing isn’t money or success, but rather how you feel, the sooner you’ll prioritize a deep sense of fulfillment over fear."

5 Tips to Reduce Anxiety Before Your Next Job Interview

The interviewing process often produces a great deal of anxiety, particularly if you’re unemployed and feeling desperate to find work. There are ways to reduce your pre-interview anxiety and to be best prepared to make a good impression on a prospective employer.

Implement the following practices to manage your apprehension and nervousness and to boost your confidence before your next interview.

Get adequate sleep the night before and eat a healthy meal. You can’t be at your best if you’ve had a lousy night’s sleep and you’ll be more likely to experience anxiety if you are tired. In addition, you’ll want to avoid food that makes you feel unwell and give yourself a night off from alcohol. It will inhibit you from getting deep, restful sleep. Choose a light, healthy meal that provides you with energy instead of weighing you down.

Work off some anxiety with a brief exercise regimen. Do yoga, get in a quick run, a bike ride, or a simple workout at the gym, but be sure not to overdo it.  You don’t want to feel fatigued when you attend the interview, nor do you want to show up with an injury sustained from a morning workout. Some brief exercise will get the blood flowing, boost your energy, and decrease your concern over the interview.

Participate in a meditative practice. This will lower your heart rate, and help get you in the right state of mind, calm your nerves, and enable you to focus on the strengths you bring to the position you’ll be interviewing for.

Interview preparation is key. You can significantly reduce the anxiety you have about a job interview by adequately preparing for it. Your preparation should include the following: understanding the company you’re interviewing with and its main competitors, knowing how to describe the ways your strengths and skills make you a highly qualified candidate, and identifying appropriate questions to help you determine whether the job (and company) is a good fit for you and your interests.

Enhance your mood. Finally, on the way to the interview listen to something that lifts your spirits, encourages you to be at your best, and fills you with confidence. This can be music, a podcast, an audio book, or even a favorite TED talk. Find what works for you.

You can reduce your anxiety about and increase your confidence by implementing these five practices the next time you get that call to come in for a job interview.        

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: 3 Simple Steps to Take in a Job Interview

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In the video below from Inc., Carlos Watson, CEO of Ozy shares three simple steps to take in a job interview, starting with interviewing for a job or position you truly care about. Watch the video for more.

Tips for Looking Your Best at Your Next Job Interview

When you have a big job interview coming up sometimes the greatest anxiety comes not from the preparation for the interview questions but is related to what you should wear to the interview.

First impressions are critical and your style sends a message to the interviewer about who you are, your qualifications for the job, and your understanding of the position.

With that in mind, consider the following tips when preparing what to wear to your next job interview.

Learn what you can about the company. Take a look at the company’s web site and you might see photos of its employees, providing you with some clues about the typical style of dress. Or you might note upcoming special days, such as “blue jean Friday”, cluing you in to the fact that jeans are not considered every day attire. You can also find information about the company and its employees on social media and LinkedIn and these sources can provide valuable information and hints about the dress code at the company.

It’s better to overdress then underdress. Other than wearing a tuxedo or elegant dress to the interview you can’t really go wrong with being slightly overdressed. Wearing a sport coat with a tie for men is appropriate in many circumstances, while for women, a nice blouse with dress slacks or a skirt can be a sharp look. Avoid jeans and shirts with logos or messaging on them. These might send an inadvertent  message to your interviewer. 

Focus on the basics. Wearing a clean white shirt or top, along with a smart pair of pant and slacks is a good place to build on. Bring a suit jacket or sweater in case the temperature in the building is cold and avoid too many accessories, which can cause you to fidget and play with them during the interview. You can’t go wrong if you focus on classic items of clothing in basic colors such as navy blue, gray, black, or brown.

Wear what you’re most comfortable in. Finally, wear something you love to wear, keeping in mind the points above. When you feel comfortable you’ll be more likely to feel and project confidence to your interviewer and, instead of worrying about an ill-fitting or uncomfortable suit, you’ll be focused on clearly conveying your strengths in the interview.

Take a few minutes to research the company you’re interviewing with, focus on wearing classic styles in basic colors, ensure you wear something you love, and you’ll give yourself an opportunity to stand out in your interview.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: How to Handle Stress During a Job Interview

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• How to Handle Stress During a Job Interview: "Remind yourself that stress in an interview is not only normal — it’s necessary. Prepare yourself for stress while you train yourself to do a great job."

• How to Sidestep the "Nos" and Be Persistent in Your Career: "You will have people around you who can’t see how big your life is going to be. You have to sidestep them."

• 5 Skills You Need But Rarely See in Job Postings: "on the next resume or cover letter you write, make sure you pair those technical talents of yours with examples of ways you’ve deployed them collaboratively."

• Why Introverts Are Actually A Lot Better at Sales: "Inbound or email marketing, however, demands an ability to research a customer, see the world from the customer's perspective, and adapt to the customer's situation and specific response--all skills that come easier to introverts."
• 5 Ways to Put Mindfulness to Work in Your Life: "Simple things like noticing the sensations in your body or your breath as you brush your teeth, drink water, wash dishes or drive home from work… anything you do every day on a regular basis will work."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 8 Tips to Help You Manage Stress

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 8 Tips to Help You Manage Stress: "You can’t fight it if you don’t know what it is. If a certain situation or person at work pushes your buttons, own that feeling."

• Making the Most of Strategic Relationships: "Great products are rarely invented by solo practitioners. Great companies cannot be produced by a recluse. Our increasingly interdependent world makes relationship-building more critical than ever."

• 5 Interview Lines That Make Job Interviewers Cringe: "You should have questions! Asking questions is how you determine if this job, this manager and this employer are right for you."

• 4 Ways You Know It's Time to Make the Leap and Start Your Own Business: "There is no one who can tell you, ultimately, what’s right for your life and your business but you. Trust your gut."
• How to Be Productive During the Summer: "Work hard, rest well. The hard work will keep you from being distracted by the temptations of summer, while the days off will help you enjoy those temptations."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 4 Email Habits to Avoid for Improved Productivity at Work

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 4 Email Habits to Avoid for Improved Productivity at Work: "Instead of being carried away by email interruptions, map out a time in your daily schedule to check email."

• Top 3 Job Interview Fears and How to Beat Them: "You might be ready with a comment, for example, about a specific innovative program that the company has initiated, or with a compliment based on what you've heard employees enjoy about the corporate culture."

• Why Being Alert is Essential to Being Successful: "No matter how knowledgeable or experienced we believe we are on a subject, there is always something more to learn."

• How to Boost Workplace Morale at Your Business: "Employees who are appreciated will work harder and stay longer at your business. Bring in pizza or bagels one day. Surprise employees with spontaneous company parties and food."
• What to Wear for Your First Job Interview: "Given the wealth of information available about companies online ... there’s no excuse for showing up to an interview in something that clashes with a company’s existing office culture."