Motivational Monday

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Happy Monday and the beginning of a new week. Who will you inspire today?

Happy Birthday

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Hello! Hello! Today is a pretty special day for me - It's my birthday! It's a weekday and running your own business means that you have to make some sacrifices, so I'm still working over here at the home office.. I'm working to bring you some great posts in the future, and working to connect great people with great jobs (of course) Today however, I would like to share a few fun facts and maybe some things that you might not know about me.

Let's bring you a little closer to knowing who I am.. because, wouldn't you want to know a little bit more about the person whom you're entrusting with matching you to your next job? My daughter has asked me a few questions to share with you, so  here they are:

1. Which Birthday was your most memorable and why?

Wow this is a tough one. My 30th was great, my coworkers planned the day at work, decorated my office, gave me a 3' light up alien (inside joke: our lake house is #51 so we call it "area 51" the alien we named Roswell) I even had my own rocking chair at a table at lunch! My 50th was also a memorable one as I celebrated with my husband, daughter and niece in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Such a relaxing time on the beautiful beaches. I am so blessed each year! Bring on another!

2. You and your husband have two family dogs, what are they're names and what breed are they?

Zoie is our rescue dog from TN. She is a mix of Border Terrier and Chihuahua. She's 4 years old, 9lbs. and she's the scruffy black and gray one in my about me picture!

Cody is the white one, he's a mix as well. We were told he's Chihuahua and pomeranian, but the pom could also be Papion - Who knows! He's adorable! He's 3 years old and about 12lbs. he may be the dominant one but Zoie sure can put him in his place!

3. Coffee is a staple in your every household, how do you drink your coffee in the mornings?

I recently within the past year started drinking my coffee black.  I used to drink it with milk and sugar but with the changing to healthy eating, I've switched to black and am happy about it! It also makes it a lot easier when traveling and I don't have to worry about someone mixing it wrong.

4. What is your favorite book and why would you recommend it to someone?

I'm more of a movie buff than a reader but there's always a few good ones:

The Street Lawyer by John Grisham - I love his style and the book is just enough mystery you won't want to put it down!

The Harry Potter Series - Because who doesn't love them? I'm a kid at heart!

Anything written by Nicholas Sparks - He fills his books (and movies) with just enough romance and mystery too keep you reading!

5. Is there a movie you are looking forward to seeing soon?

I actually have 3 I would like to see... The November Man, The Hundred Foot Journey, & And So It Goes. They all look so good I can't decide!

6. Where is your favorite place you have traveled?

We took a cruise to the Carribbean as a family a few years back. I absolutely love St. Thomas - very cool place to visit. It's definitely a tie with Hawaii.

7. Share with us one pro and one con about working from home?

One pro is I get so much more done during the day. Commuting used to take up a good hour each way. One con is not seeing and interacting in person with other people each day. 

8. What are 3 things you can't live without?

My family, My dogs, and food!

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would your next vacation be?

This is a tough one, I have always wanted to travel the U.S. but I've always wanted to go to Australia too!

10. Since it's your birthday, what is your favorite dessert?

Chocolate cake and ice-cream. I'm a real traditional person and I love my chocolate!

Stay tuned for more great posts to come!! Have a great day!

Motivational Monday: Last day of Summer

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Happy Monday! The sun is smiling on us here in New England! I can't believe today is the last day of Summer, can you? Everything may be turning to fall today, pumpkin drinks are out at the local coffee shops, the leaves will begin to change soon - But don't let the fact that summer is over get you down! Fall is in the air and the sun is still shining each day! What's your motivation into the fall season? Keep Smiling!!

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Let's Do This: The Phone Screen

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Congratulations, you've made it to the Phone Screen phase.  Now what?  The phone screen is designed to eliminate candidates from the process based on specific criteria the company has created for the position: skills, phone skills, cultural fit, to name a few.

You may be called without an appointment. 

• Be professional when answering
• If they get your voicemail - Be sure you have a greeting so they know they've reached you
• Call back as soon as you can!

You may receive an email to schedule a time to speak.  

• Respond promptly
• Thank them for reaching out to you
• Let them know your availability - give them more than one day and time.

Each company has their own process and interview style.  Some do it better than others, and some are just as nervous as you are!  So what types of styles am I referring to?

• Behavioral:  Past behaviors - "Tell me about a time when you..."
• Situational:  What would you do  - "Tell me what you would do if..."
• Conversational:  Casual Conversation - Getting to know you through a conversation
• Structured:  Probing Questions - Asking lots of questions of you to see how you answer

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for that first call.

• Put the call on your calendar 
• Pick-up when they call - nothing worse than missing a scheduled call
• Be in a place where you can talk, without distractions
• Research the company to find out:
• What they do - products they make, sell, the industry
• Who works there
• Look up the company on LinkedIn to see who works there
• Some have a "Jobs Page" on LinkedIn to show their culture
• Whose the management team
• Why did you apply?
• Why do you want to work there?
• Prepare your answer - But don't be "canned", be natural, and sincere
• What can you bring to the table to help them succeed?
• Give examples of other accomplishments that match their needs
• Show your commitment, work ethic, integrity, and passion for what you do!
• Practice not using "Fillers".  
• Fillers are using words like "um", "ah", "like", "you know". 

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Relax, Breath, Be yourself!  You CAN DO THIS!