My Secret Ingredients to Interviewing

Over the years I've interviewed for a variety of jobs. In the early part of my career I was...well...not even close to qualified for some of them. But that didn't stop me from getting hired.

What was the secret combination of magical spells I put on the hiring managers to give me a shot?

Three Secrets
1. Preparation

This first step may sound obvious, but sadly, I've seen this noticeably absent over and over again. Candidates come to interviews (even at middle and senior management levels) ill-prepared to grill me and my colleagues about the opportunity.

Conversely, I have always wanted to be the most prepared person in the interview process...particularly when I was the candidate. That's right...I wanted to be far more prepared than those interviewing me.

Exhaustive reviews of company websites, Linkedin profiles, google searches of leaders, and detailed questions based on each person who would be interviewing me were mandatory. 

2. Confidence

Being timid is lame. Being soft is lame. Being meek inspires absolutely zero confidence. Sound hokey? I don't care. 

It's true. I'm never going to hire someone to join my company if they are not confident in their initial presentation to me. 

After all, I'm only asking them to talk about them self. If they can not do that, how are they going to thrive in any corporate culture? 

3. Energy

How does one exude confidence? With lots of energy, that's how. Work is more demanding than ever. The ability to keep up with the crazy pace we're all expected to maintain requires lots of energy. If that doesn't show in the interview, how in the world will a hiring leader have any confidence that it will mysteriously show up once you start the job?

How About You
What are your secrets to successful interviews? What would you add to my list? 

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.


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Still I Rise

"I thought I had the promotion all locked up...I can't believe it went to someone else."

"This company...this opening...is perfect for me. How come they won't even give me an interview?"

"There is so much going on in my personal life, I'm not sure I can keep up at work."

"After all of my years here it's going to end like this? What am I supposed to do now?"

"They went with a different vendor...but, how? We are exactly what they need."

"My new boss has changed everything...I used to be valued here...now, not so much."

The End of Days

Can you relate to any of the statements above? If we're honest with ourselves, they might hit a little too close to home. But, for me, that means they are real. 

Real is good.

When the world seems to be crashing down around us, whether it's personally or professionally, we often feel overwhelmed. Desperation, hopelessness, and even despair can creep into our minds. It's as if everything we had worked so hard for was evaporating right before our eyes.

But, what may feel like the end of days, is quite honestly, not even close to the end.

New Days

But, how does one move from a dark place, to a place of momentum, progress, and action?

Let's frame things up first:

- it's not about simple "trust" in your organization

- it's not about just "going with the flow"

- it's actually about making your own decisions!

Put your thoughts on paper:

- get them out of your head
- work on them
- improve them!

Take action each day:

- update your resume

- spend an hour making your LinkedIn profile look the way it should

- reach out to several colleagues in your network each day

- taking action means you are gaining control of your circumstances!

How About You

In the dark times, consider a new mantra..."Still I Rise." When the outlook is so bleak that you hear your self-talk machine spinning out of control...consider a new mantra...

Still I Rise!

You can be unstoppable...if you make the decision to be.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Deciding to Win

Consider your situation right now...personally or professionally. 

Have you achieved your goals? 
Are you hustling with a company that you love? 
Have you found a sense of inner peace...with all of the successes and failures and near-misses and disappointments and noise that are part of "peace?"

Hoping to Win
It's funny how our early dreams of future lives...filled with hope for personal satisfaction and professional success...somehow never seem to get to an end point. It's as if we can...never...quite...get...there...regardless of how hard we (have convinced ourselves that we continue to) try.

There is a tired, but accurate phrase, that says 'hope is not a strategy.' However, it appears to be one of the most common forms of self-evaluation, self-esteem, and overall measure of one's worth.

I vote that we use hope as part of our thinking, but pursue a different path when it comes to actually getting things accomplished.

Deciding to Win
Now consider your situation again, but this time let's use a different lens. One that is not based on workplace hustle, personal bliss, or finding the perfect job. Instead, let's take an inventory of what you have accomplished over the last couple of years.

What bold moves have you made in your career?

How does it feel to be on the other side of major life decisions that caused so much stress, but are now behind you?

What else is different now, but you were in such a hurry to focus on the next thing that you've forgotten how much of a difference you've made?

How About You
As it turns out, winning is not a place, or title, or partner. Winning is what you decide it is. So, will it be the endless pursuit of...pursuing? Or, will winning be something entirely different for you?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Luckiest

I’m the luckiest person alive.

Because…

- I have an amazing family

- I have an incredible job working with very special people

- I have the ability to provide for those that I love

- I have many old friends that continue to “be there"

- I have so many new friends that I can’t wait to meet in real life

- I have survived despite many mistakes

- I have the ability to make a difference

- I have the privilege to speak to large groups of people about things that matter

- I can actually see the results of my work

- I have the courage to try new things

- I am no longer afraid

- I receive a huge amount of support

I’m the luckiest person alive because…

…I have you.

I bet you’re the luckiest person alive too.

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Cutting Teeth

"I never intended for that to happen."
"Oh my gosh, that's my mistake. I didn't realize it would play out that way."
"I'm sorry, I just didn't see that coming."

Honest mistakes. They happen to all of us. I hate to admit it when I mess up, but part of being an effective leader is owning up to your mistakes (or your organization's mistakes even if they weren't your fault.) Plus, it is essential that you make sure the appropriate processes are put in place to avoid the chance that a similar mistake will happen in the future.

Is that a guarantee? No. Do good leaders push hard to do their best? You're damn right they do.

Experience Does Not Equal Effective
I've worked with many leaders over the years, and some had years of experience with impressive job titles and they often stumbled so routinely I wondered how in the world they ever landed such a good gig. Others have been new to their leadership roles but had such insight that I did everything I could to raise the organization's awareness about their skill set.

Most of the time it is the group with the fancy titles that makes the most important decisions. Sadly, those same folks have often risen through the ranks because they have excelled as a SME (Silo Matter Expert.)

Their ability to see beyond their direct span of control is nonexistent. They've spent so much time in their own world that they haven't taken the time to learn what it means to be an organizational leader. Rather, they are simply a really good middle manager.

Start Chewing
What eventually happens to those leaders that are going to rise above their SME status and actually lead the company comes when they focus on areas outside their little organizational chart.

I'm not suggesting they interfere with other leaders operations. I would submit that the most effective leaders have taken the time to learn about all of the operations of the enterprise so they can effectively contribute organizationally.

How About You
Do you have leaders in your organization that despite their job title are clearly still cutting their teeth on the role of organization-wide leader? How are you helping them? It can be tricky. But if they are going to succeed instead of reinforcing their own limited world view with an endless series of self-talk (typically done out loud in meetings) then it's time to step in.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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I'm Hiring Two Talent Acquisition Leaders to Join My Team!

Have you ever wanted to work at a company that has one of those trendy super cool cultures that you read about? You know the ones...they have lots of stories about the great team environment and the energy that you can feel when you walk through the front door.

Do you think those organizations actually exist; or, are they simply a fantasy that Silicon Valley tries to promote but rarely turns out to be true?

Well, I joined one of those companies and I didn't have to move to California to do it. 

Kinetix Rocks

If you're wondering what Kinetix is all about let me summarize for you...we offer a triple-threat of human resources services to our clients:
- Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)

- Staffing and Recruiting

- Human Resources Consulting

Here's the Kinetix difference: we do it better, faster, and have a hell of a lot more fun than anyone else in the industry. There, I said it.

Kinetix Needs Progressive Leaders

Good things are happening here (think growing-faster-than-you-can-imagine) and that's why I need to add two leaders who will report directly to me. 

You need to be an experienced talent acquisition professional who can effectively lead a team of high performers. Your team will consist of 8 - 10 of our rock star recruiting pros. 

You need to understand that social, digital, and all things 2015 are how we operate. So please do not fax me your resume because I don't even know where our fax machines are here.

Are You Ready?

If you think you have the leadership chops, a contemporary view of how the talent game is played, and you want to live in the amazing city of  Atlanta, then you should reach out to Colleen Fitzgerald via email; through twitter, or if you have to you can call her direct at 770-390-8380. If you'd like the 411 on this cool gig check out the posting here.

Oh, and you probably won't need a chair. You'll be so busy leading your team as a real hands-on leader that you won't have much desk time.

I'm Hiring! - Employee Relations Consultant

Do you wish you had a human resources job in an organization that was constantly trying new things?

Do you wish social media was integrated in to how your HR team did their work?

Do you have employee relations experience?

Are you tired of your lame job?

If you answered yes to these questions you need to apply for the vacant Employee Relations Consultant position at All Children's Hospital. This role will report to our Director of Employment and Employee Relations, Joe Conrod. Joe is a great leader, so you'll be thanking me for the chance to work with him.

Our Hospital is growing, we're part of Johns Hopkins Medicine, we live and work in beautiful Tampa Bay, Florida, and we provide some of the most rewarding work experiences possible.

So what are you waiting for...our HR Team rocks...do you?

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