By going through this “Self Inventory” it allowed me to realize what I had to offer and articulate to others what they may be missing if they did not have me on there team.  Yes, it took 20 years for that first wake up call, but today that wake up call is there when ever I want it. 

Okay, that smells like “you know what” and understand I have encountered numerous “non-believers”, yet when I ask them to read my story, they begin to vividly relate their experiences to mine and guess what----they fully understand that it is time for them to take their own personal Self Inventory----Read on and see if you can relate.

You should have just completed your warm up exercise, so now I want you to take the next 15 minutes or so to go through the list we’ve created below---it is broken down into areas which will guide you to better understand the valuable asset you really are. Remember when you finish this exercise you must write this information on to a 3 x 5 card and keep that card with you at all times.

Growing up, my father was a house painter, and I spent every day after school cleaning up job sites for the right to live in his house.  After college he was nice enough to offer me a job working for his company in Sales and as a worker --- I declined.  He was upset but knew I had to move on.  He asked me how he could help me get a start on a career out of the family business --- I said "I have to write a Resume".  He could not help me as he never wrote a resume nor needed to write one.

However, what he did was nothing short of amazing --- He bartered his painting services (me doing the bulk of the work) with a Yale University School of Management Professor who would be responsible for schooling me in the art of Resume Writing and Interviewing (no wonder I became a HeadHunter, a.k.a. “The Shark”).  I will now share with you the tips you need to write a resume which will get you That Interview!

So here is the “News Flash”---and don’t miss it----no matter what level or what career path you may be following---CFO to Store Manager at Target, the majority of positions (key word majority) are typically filled by someone who they know----get the point----meaning those that understand the “art” of networking will be those who are successful in landing an offer or for that matter multiple offers ------ again I don’t care what job you are going after.  One more time since I want this to sink in ---- those that understand the “art” of networking will be those who are successful in landing an offer.

Lets get started----the directions are short and to the point----read each bullet below and start listing any individual(s) that you have come in contact with that corresponds to that bullet.  In order to make things easy and keep to our “one stop shopping” philosophy, click HERE and a spread sheet will appear---copy and paste the red bullet to the worksheet and then develop names of individuals that correspond to that bullet or sub-bullets found under the caption ---then start compiling all relevant information as shown in each column.  Read on and let’s get started:

Now that you have created a comprehensive Network Roadmap, this worksheet will help you organize that information into a useable and productive format---organizing is more than half the battle to relieve stress.

The MOST STUPID TOP 10 generic questions that the novice interviewer will ask or an interviewer who has not taken time to read your resume.  Unfortunately you will encounter this situation so you might as well be prepared.

The Top 10 generic questions that an astute interviewer will ask you, to determine if you are truly a qualified candidate who should move on to a second round (In most instances, there is a second round interview---might as well tell you that now.

Okay we are ready, take a look at the questions below and if you see an HR or an L after the question you will know that question is directed at a Human Resource professional versus the L question which is directed at the Line person—sometimes you will see both ---we are giving you generic questions which can go either way.

Okay now do you remember the small secret I shared with you in The Top Ten Generic Most Stupid Questions lesson:  

The interview needs to be more like a short distance race-- like the 100 yard dash---you need to hold the interviewers interest, and to do that you need the interview to move like a tennis ball moves in a tennis match---back and forth. 

No doubt about it, everyone I meet tells me I am the most “detailed” person they have ever met and for you that is a good thing!!!  Okay, before I share my “Readiness Checklist” with you it is important that you understand the “birth” of this beautiful baby. 

When I initially started coaching candidates for their first round interview, what became apparent was the “nervousness” they all displayed---- I mean all of them ----- no discrimination here---it just is what it is, and you could see it in their body language and especially in their eyes.  

So the question became----How do I replace “nervousness” with “self confidence?” That is the first thing the “Shark” (a.k.a.  The Interviewer) will be looking for.  To come up with an answer I needed to understand if there was “something” or “things” in common that were making my candidates nervous to begin with—seemed to make sense to me anyway.

You lost your job or you’ve decided you want a new position or this is your first full time position----you are asking yourself---WHAT DO I DO TO GET READY FOR MY FIRST ROUND INTERVIEW!!!!  

Whether you are at the executive, middle management, or entry level you all ask this same question---the answer is easy----if you wish to compete in this race, follow this checklist to the tee----listen to what I am telling you --- to the tee --- listen and you will be prepared for just about anything----don’t listen and you will “LOSE” this race--- it is that simple!!!!

First things first---did you review your 3 x 5 card 5 minutes before walking into your interview---your answer better be YES---or you are not ready.  Assuming you are a good listener and you reviewed your 3 x 5, what is the first thing you do once you come face to face with your interviewer?

Think for one minute---I have told you at least a half a dozen times already---and interesting enough many of you still will not come up with the right answer.  On several occasions I have mentioned the one “golden rule” that will drive you to the offer stage---but you know what I have come to find out?---- unless I spell it out for you ----unless I put it right under your nose--you will definitely mess things up and you will not get an offer!!!!!

What a great place to do your homework on the company you will be interviewing with.  We wanted to make it as easy as possible---click on the company name in our "Fortune 500 Directory" area and it will take you directly to their company profile along with a link to their corporate website.  Once on their site, be sure to search for the "News" section reviewing latest to oldest---do your homework---Remember:

Always Ready - The Key To A Successful Interview !