I know you know what you are talking about but does anyone else? We often say things to sound prolific, savvy, or with it, but do you know how it sounds to the person sitting on the other side of the desk? It would be nice to walk around with a tape recorder all the time and hit “playback” to listen to the pearls of wisdom that trickle from your lips especially when you are in an interview. Trying to impress is one thing, but sounding like a moron is another. Here are a few examples of what my 12^th grade English teacher would define as an “oxymoron.” If you are not sure what that means then maybe you should stop reading this and hit the dictionary. Or as my mother would say, “Look it up!”

Here are five unexpected side effects when you open your mouth in an interview:

• “I’m really a strategic thinker but numbers is not my thing” Okay I’m not sure which part of being “strategic” equates to not being good with numbers, but basically you are signaling to a hiring manager that you like to “think” about things and come up with the ideas, but if you have to be held accountable for the results, say like making money, well, hey pick on someone else. Being a strategic thinker means being able to think about ALL facets of the equation, including how your ideas can or will make money for the company. Anyone can be chock full of ideas, but to be able to execute and deliver results-that takes someone who is truly “strategic”.

• “I’m a great leader but I don’t like to fire people or give my staff feedback” Yes we all like to think we can lead a cause, a mission, a staff but heaven forbid we actually have to interact with any of these people! Being a leader doesn’t mean you get to delegate the tough stuff to say your HR Manager or your assistant. Being a leader means making tough decisions and being able to take fair and compassionate action when it involves giving someone on your staff feedback or worse, if you have to let someone go for any reason. Yes, it’s nice to have the corner office, designated parking spot or annual bonus but when it comes to being a true leader, you have to take the good with the bad and be able to handle the pressure with grace and dignity.

• “I’m a creative, I really like to focus on my art” That line may have worked for Picasso but you don’t live in a flat in Paris and unless you work by yourself, you don’t have the luxury to hole it up in a wall somewhere and come out to play when you feel like it. Being creative doesn’t mean you are allowed to play the role of a sulking artist. You will need to develop not only your creative talents but your interpersonal ones as well. If you are not a champion for your own work, what makes you think anyone will be your champion? Come out and play and show the world how wonderful you really are!

• “I’m great managing budgets but I hate the details”  Well, hey no one said your job was going to be easy. But I would not want you balancing my checkbook no matter how great you were with a calculator if you did not have some level of being detail-oriented and precise. Having attention deficit when it’s your job to manage other people’s money is not a skill set you want to highlight especially if you are being asked to manage projects, costs, deliverables and timelines. Having great attention to detail means you are not only good with numbers but you can catch stuff before it hits the ground.

• “I’m very detail oriented but hate reviewing my own work” Unless you have two sets of eyes and are the type who can do a cross word puzzle in ink, I suggest you take a few minutes to edit yourself before someone like your boss gives you feedback you might not like. It goes without saying that if you fancy yourself a detailed person than making sure your work is accurate is a given. Winging something because you think you are that good might work some of the time but if you are a detailed type, you’d spend a few minutes making sure you are truly as good as you believe you are.

So the next time you think you are characterizing yourself accurately to a recruiter or hiring manager, make sure to stop and think again. Be mindful of how your comments can be construed when speaking to someone who does not know you as well as you think you know yourself.

Looking for a job?  Find us at www.greenlightjobs.com

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/lisakayeglj

Follow greenlightjobs on Twitter http://twitter.com/greenlightjobs

And, on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/2/abb/50

Labor Day may be just around the corner and summer interns may be packing their bags to head back to school, but your summer job search has just begun! Even though you may feel like you need a break from all of the chaos that is your personal and work life, there is nothing like taking advantage of the job search marketplace when others are heading to Disneyland!

Wearing shorts and thongs this summer may be on your mind, but think how you might get a jump-start on the competition this fall by planning some strategic summer job search fun.

Here are five things you can do this summer to not waste your time and be ready the fall hiring season!

1-Summer Lunch: Your job search is like a summer picnic, be outside and enjoy the time with friends. Meeting, greeting and yes treating friends, colleagues and potential job leads over the summer when things can be a bit slower is a nice way to show your appreciation and when a job opportunity does appear, you can always reference the, “Hey great to see you last week, I just heard your company has an opening …”. Makes the ask seem natural and not forced and may be the best lunch you ever spent!

2-Wardrobe Review: You might like to wait for spring or fall to do your wardrobe purge, but summer might be a good time to spend both on clearing out your closet and shopping for some new “school” clothes. Finding deals, clearance sales and having something new to wear is a nice way to start your job search and find a reason to buy those new pair of shoes. Getting rid of anything in your closet you have not worn for more than a year is also another way to get yourself ready and clear at the unwanted in your life to make room for the new

3-Resume Redo: You might find it easier to redo your closet but finding time to review your resume might not be a bad way to spend your summer. Hiring a resource to help you with your resume, finding time to go through your list of accomplishments and updating any new skills or learning or awards you may have earned since your last interview is a good way to stay focused on the moment and get clear on what you want for the future.

4-Reference List: Spending quality time reaching out to those who may have helped you along the way, provided guidance and support when you needed it or were a mentor to you in some way, might be well worth your time to reconnect if you have not stayed in touch for awhile. Reaching out to your network of trusted advisors, BEFORE you actually need their help is a nice way to stay real and be genuine about your commitment and ask permission to use them as a reference in the future.

5-Have fun: Just because you feel you may need to look for work or are bored with your current situation, make the process of finding a new opportunity fun. Find ways to take the pressure off of you needing or wanting a new job. Know that you can and will land your next opportunity when you least expect it.

It’s always good to have a plan, but take the fading summer sun as a sign that it’s never too late to get ready for what you want and find time to have fun as well.

Looking for a job?  Find us at www.greenlightjobs.com

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/lisakayeglj

Follow greenlightjobs on Twitter http://twitter.com/greenlightjobs

And, on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/2/abb/50

I know you know what you are talking about but does anyone else? We often say things to sound prolific, savvy, or with it, but do you know how it sounds to the person sitting on the other side of the desk? It would be nice to walk around with a tape recorder all the time and hit “playback” to listen to the pearls of wisdom that trickle from your lips especially when you are in an interview. Trying to impress is one thing, but sounding like a moron is another. Here are a few examples of what my 12^th grade English teacher would define as an “oxymoron.” If you are not sure what that means then maybe you should stop reading this and hit the dictionary. Or as my mother would say, “Look it up!”

Here are five unexpected side effects when you open your mouth in an interview:

• “I’m really a strategic thinker but numbers is not my thing” Okay I’m not sure which part of being “strategic” equates to not being good with numbers, but basically you are signaling to a hiring manager that you like to “think” about things and come up with the ideas, but if you have to be held accountable for the results, say like making money, well, hey pick on someone else. Being a strategic thinker means being able to think about ALL facets of the equation, including how your ideas can or will make money for the company. Anyone can be chock full of ideas, but to be able to execute and deliver results-that takes someone who is truly “strategic”.

• “I’m a great leader but I don’t like to fire people or give my staff feedback” Yes we all like to think we can lead a cause, a mission, a staff but heaven forbid we actually have to interact with any of these people! Being a leader doesn’t mean you get to delegate the tough stuff to say your HR Manager or your assistant. Being a leader means making tough decisions and being able to take fair and compassionate action when it involves giving someone on your staff feedback or worse, if you have to let someone go for any reason. Yes, it’s nice to have the corner office, designated parking spot or annual bonus but when it comes to being a true leader, you have to take the good with the bad and be able to handle the pressure with grace and dignity.

• “I’m a creative, I really like to focus on my art” That line may have worked for Picasso but you don’t live in a flat in Paris and unless you work by yourself, you don’t have the luxury to hole it up in a wall somewhere and come out to play when you feel like it. Being creative doesn’t mean you are allowed to play the role of a sulking artist. You will need to develop not only your creative talents but your interpersonal ones as well. If you are not a champion for your own work, what makes you think anyone will be your champion? Come out and play and show the world how wonderful you really are!

• “I’m great managing budgets but I hate the details”  Well, hey no one said your job was going to be easy. But I would not want you balancing my checkbook no matter how great you were with a calculator if you did not have some level of being detail-oriented and precise. Having attention deficit when it’s your job to manage other people’s money is not a skill set you want to highlight especially if you are being asked to manage projects, costs, deliverables and timelines. Having great attention to detail means you are not only good with numbers but you can catch stuff before it hits the ground.

• “I’m very detail oriented but hate reviewing my own work” Unless you have two sets of eyes and are the type who can do a cross word puzzle in ink, I suggest you take a few minutes to edit yourself before someone like your boss gives you feedback you might not like. It goes without saying that if you fancy yourself a detailed person than making sure your work is accurate is a given. Winging something because you think you are that good might work some of the time but if you are a detailed type, you’d spend a few minutes making sure you are truly as good as you believe you are.

So the next time you think you are characterizing yourself accurately to a recruiter or hiring manager, make sure to stop and think again. Be mindful of how your comments can be construed when speaking to someone who does not know you as well as you think you know yourself.

Looking for a job?  Find us at www.greenlightjobs.com

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/lisakayeglj

Follow greenlightjobs on Twitter http://twitter.com/greenlightjobs

And, on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/2/abb/50

It’s never easy to ask for help. You want to believe you can do it on your own. Asking for help sometimes implies weakness or defeat. When you ask for help you don’t want to feel like you need the help-like there is something lacking in your ability to help yourself. It’s no different when you ask for help with your job search. It doesn’t matter if you are a big shot in your profession or are looking for any entry-level position. Asking for help takes courage, strength, dignity and a whole lot of common sense. D you know when is the right time to ask for help? Do you know if it’s appropriate to ask for help from anyone or just those you feel comfortable with?

Asking for help may not come easy for you but knowing how and when to express the need is not only crucial but beneficial when you want it the most. Asking for help is not a crime and should not be perceived that way. When you finally reach out and ask for help it signals that you are open and willing to accept a hand in whatever form it shows up. Next time you find yourself in a position to ask for help here are some things you might consider:

1-Make sure you feel comfortable with the concept of asking for help BEFORE you reach out to your friends and professional network. Doing something that feels unnatural or uncomfortable will sound like begging and not a request for assistance.

2-Know what kind of help to ask for and from whom is important piece in figuring out how reasonable your request for assistance is and who might be in a position to offer you support.

3-Never solely rely on a friendship or family status to help you get a job or a connection for help with a job. Lead with your skills and talents.

4-Offer to take someone to dinner or lunch to help you “pick their brain” and have them pick up the tab instead.

5-Ask for help not just for yourself but also for a friend, spouse, child, and niece.

6-Put someone in an awkward position by asking for unsolicited feedback on how well you interview, or your character, or if they are able to find you a job.

7-Reconnecting with someone you have not spoken to just for the sole purpose of asking for help with a job search or negotiate a job offer.

8-Stalking someone on social media or LinkedIn for the sole purpose of connecting with them to help you find a job without context or a good reason.

9-Asking for references from someone you have not heard from in awhile just because you may need them in the future whether you have a new job offer or not.

10-Connecting with someone you don’t know on LinkedIn to ask for help connecting to a job or company because you work there even though you don’t know that person.

Asking for job assistance is not a bad thing or at least it shouldn’t be. Knowing how to leverage your network of friends and contacts is an art form that takes time and practice. There is a social skill you need to know how to ask for help in a way that does not offend. Some people have it others do not. Finding what works for you and making sure you are both courteous, respectful and kind is part of the etiquette required when asking anyone for help no matter what the situation.

Looking for a job?  Find us at www.greenlightjobs.com

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/lisakayeglj

Follow greenlightjobs on Twitter http://twitter.com/greenlightjobs

And, on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/2/abb/50

You may pride yourself on such admirable qualities as, honesty, directness, integrity and the willingness to be open and transparent in your dealings with others that would make any prospective employer stand up and take notice. But when the view you have of yourself differs from how others perceive you, the disconnect can often have dire consequences. Being self-aware is an important attribute no matter what the situation but it’s never more important when you put yourself out there for a new job, a promotion or career opportunity.

You may have a charming and disarming demeanor with the ability to light up the room with a wink and a smile. Those traits may get you far on the social scene but knowing how and when to turn on the charm in a professional setting is equally as important. You may have a new boss, recently changed jobs or are in the process of accepting a job offer when you decide that it’s best to “tell all” in an attempt to either bond, connect or be “transparent.” Knowing your audience is the first rule in understanding when to offer too much information. You might think sharing your intimate thoughts, desires, likes and dislikes is a way to become close to someone, a way to relate, to connect on a deeper level. But when your “transparency leaves someone dazed and confused and in some cases offended by your lack of judgment and respect, you might scratch your head and wonder, “How did I misread that one?”

It might be hard sometimes to know what is appropriate when you think you are being affable and open particularly in a new professional relationship. By not understanding the boundaries, you can be perceived as inappropriate and lacking in judgment and or common sense. Knowing that every step you make leading up to and accepting a job offer is carefully scrutinized even before they start the reference checking process.

So when you think you are being transparent, check a few things before you move full speed ahead and pull the curtain back to reveal all.

1. Don’t jump the hierarchy chain of command when you are not getting your answers met, ask what the appropriate steps are for resolving any disputes before deciding to take matters into your own hands.
2. Avoid sending smiley faces, funny gifs and emoticons to show how you really “feel” trust me, they will get it without the elaborate icons.
3. Try not to mix business with pleasure when you are having a relaxed conversation about the weekend and decide to discuss an increase in pay, title, benefits that suddenly turns your cocktail party into a hostage negotiation.
4. Don’t make the mistake of assuming your new, soon-to-be boss is your best friend and in an effort to be “open” discuss things that are best left for your mother or your therapist.
5. Knowing when “no” means “no” in any point of a professional relationship and understanding when it’s appropriate to push back and when it is not.
6. Divulging more about your personal health, social or economic status to a prospective employer is not appropriate even if you have the promotion or job offer in hand.
7. Cutting people out who are your allies and have been part of the decision making process because you somehow feel it makes better sense to be “transparent” on your own without any help or adult supervision.
8. Not understanding the appropriateness of knowing when to keep your mouth shut and knowing when to push forward in an attempt to be heard or get what you want.
9. Understanding that just because you feel “comfortable” in your dealings with someone does not mean you can step over the line and ask for something that is unreasonable or where you have already been told, “no.”
10. Having enough common sense to know when to manage expectations, apologize when you overstep the boundary and offer up more than is needed or wanted and to know when enough is really enough.

Most people only have one shot at getting it right when it comes to a work situation. Some people are lucky and get a second chance. Being smart enough not to blow up an opportunity when you have a lot riding on it and to know when to read the signs will get you far in life. Just because you pride yourself on being “transparent” does not mean that it’s clear how and when to move forward. You have to develop better vision than being transparent if you want to be truly clear on how to move forward in your career.

Looking for a job?  Find us at www.greenlightjobs.com

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/lisakayeglj

Follow greenlightjobs on Twitter http://twitter.com/greenlightjobs

And, on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/2/abb/50