I like a challenge and one of my readers, Jason Monastra from Lambentpath seems to challenge me continually here at Interview Chatter. I appreciate it. It pushes me to take my writing and my thoughts, and recommendations to the next level. Here is Jason’s latest comment that has been churning in me for the last 48 hours:

“I applaud the enthusiasm, but I wonder for how many people this is a possibility. For most, paying their monthly bills and making ends meet is the sum of their existence when it comes to work. How would these people come to know their dream job? I would be interested in a plan that makes exploring such possibilities for people a reality. Let me know what your thoughts are on making this happen.”

So, here is the critical question that I want to respond to tonight: How would people come to know their dream job? Well, in the world I live in it is simple. What did you want to be when you grew up? Or, what is it that you wish you were doing? Whoopi Goldberg said it best in Sister Act 2, “If everyday when you wake up, all you can think about is singing, you’re suppose to be singing girl.” That’s what she says to one of the students. And in the end that student was singing and today, Loren Hill is still singing (I think).

My point is what is it that you wake up thinking about every day? For me, it was full time ministry. I have wanted be in full time ministry since about 1998. Back then, I was in my corporate career. I made excellent money, had a nice, very nice office and absolutely loved doing what I was doing (HR- Training and Development). But, when I wasn’t managing the training department, I was thinking about full time ministry. It wasn’t until 9/11, that my life changed almost right before my eyes. My life has not been the same since 9/11 and through a series of events, beginning with being laid off 6 months after 9/11, my life began to move in a different direction and today I am living my dream. I completed Bible School in May of 2006, and today I run the Bible School I graduated from. I train others who want to be in full time ministry. I get to use my professional vocation in my dream of being in full time ministry. I have been on two mission trips. One to Madagascar, and the other to Ghana, West Africa.

My point is your dream job is something that you will find within you. You know what it is that you desire to do. What makes you feel alive. You know. How do you get there? Well for me, it was about taking a RISK! It was about releasing the money, the office, the hopes of climbing the corporate ladder and refocusing my life, and my passion on where it is that I am today. There have been some speed bumps along the way. But I can tell you that I am a woman who lives in peace every day of my life. I love my students. I love the opportunity to touch lives. I minister to people, I preach, I teach, I travel, I develop leaders, I coach and mentor women, and the list goes on. What is it that you want to do? Don’t let the economy dictate what your future will be. I could have allowed 9/11 to hold me hostage. I was mad when I got laid off. But I realized 6 months later, that I had nothing to do with the decision of me staying in corporate america. That was not where I belonged. Corporate america imparted great skills and abilities. I use all of my training competencies in my role as Director at CCSM (Cromwell Christian School of Ministry). Jason’s question again,

“How would people come to know their dream job?” It is in you. And if you aren’t sure, than begin there. Sit down and write down what it is that you enjoy doing. Hire a career coach. I am always looking for new clients. In order to move from the madness of being laid off, identify what you want to do and then step out of the boat. Take a risk. It is not about your past. You can’t change one thing in your yesterday. However your future is waiting for you to shape it. It is not about the missteps you have made in the past. It is about the current journey. There is a destination for you! If you can see it, you can create it in your life. I know it!

Image Credit: Newscom

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Keep in mind that the competition for any potential job you may be considering will be fierce. There are many people on the hunt for a job. Some things to keep in mind as you consider holiday employment:

1. Don’t assume that you will be hired because of your maturity - Prepare to explain why you are currently in the job market

2. Take some time to determine why you should be hired for the position you are considering.

3. Continue your job search for job you really want

4. Remember that your job search may stretch into 2009 - Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a potentially long job search.

5. Understand that your emotional baggage will hinder you from getting hired. Eject the baggage and commit to working for a new employer no matter what things you have been through in the recent or distant past.

So whose hiring? Start with UPS and Fedex. Also, ToysRus. JC Penney, and Sears. They are hiring for the holiday season. Also, check out your local hospital. Even if you are not trained in the medical field, there are lots of jobs available that require no medical experience. My purpose in writing this post is to encourage you to get out there and see that there are some jobs available. It may not be in your field or your preferred profession, but work is available. Seasonal work will get you through the remainder of this year and into the new year. I have named a few organizations, there are more. Don’t limit your vision, or be too picky in this holiday season. If you need to work, and you can’t afford to stay home right now, then pull yourself together and get out there. It is an employers market. They can afford to be picky, so present yourself well.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Tags: Interview Chatter, Who’s Hiring for the Holidays, Seasonal Work, JC Penney, Fedex, UPS, ToysRus, Sears, Holiday, 2009, Hiring, Jobs, Emotional Baggage, Employers Market, Organizations, Forbes.com

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My post on being Laid Off, Now What attracted some comments. Danny Thompson found himself laid off and today he is working his dream job. Take a look at his comment and see what you think.

Danny Thompson: "…what job have you discounted as a pipe dream?

I was a veteran in the hotel biz when I was “let go.” The money was good, and I had a solid track record, but my heart wasn’t in it. Once I was out, I had a hard time with the realization that I didn’t want to go back. I wanted to be a writer. I did my research and homework and, in less than two months, I was working as a writer for an ad agency…even though I had no experience or formal training for the job. Getting fired sucks, there’s no doubt about it. But don’t let that terrible feeling blind you to the possibilities that exist. And as for taking a pay cut…since I had no experience, the job required me to take a $13K pay cut [well…actually that’s not true, since I was now making exactly $0K per year ;) ]. But I loved the work and was good at it, and within two years I was making 50% more than I had been as a Hotel GM. As scary as it is, your future is a blank canvas. And it’s easier to take that leap of faith when you’ve already hit rock bottom."

I don’t think that Danny’s story is unique in as much as I believe that it can happen for anyone. Take some time as you develop your job search strategy and write down your "pipe dream". I dare you to pursue it in the midst of this crazy economy. I bet if you make a serious effort to step into a new place, you will find that there is a potential opportunity for you to do something different. You are not at the mercy of the economy. The only limitation is your willingness to RISK, to step out there and see if there might be an open door that will allow you to do something you love and at the same time, employ you so that you successfully navigate the madness of our unemployment rates and the economic pressures that we are facing as a nation. If you decide to take me up on my challenge, please come back and share your story!! Have fun!

Tags: Interview Chatter, Danny Thompson, Dream, Pipe Dream, Job Search, Job, Risk, Laid Off, Economy, Economic

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1. Take some time to develop a job search strategy. You may need to begin working somewhere in order to have an income, to cover expenses, bills, etc. But take a day or two, a week or two if you can afford it to develop your job search strategy. Some questions you may want to consider in developing your strategy include:

a. Are you willing to move?

b. Are you willing to change your vocation?

c. Are you willing to take a pay cut?

d. How much do you have in savings?

e. Can you afford to wait to find employment or do you need to begin working immediately?

f. Is unemployment an option for you? Don’t ignore this option. It may help bridge a financial gap.

2. Identify at least 5 different jobs you are willing to consider. If you can identify more, than do so. You can’t have too many options.

3. Network, Network, Network! Don’t shy away from talking to people. Connect or reconnect with people who are still employed. The best way back into the job market is to tap into the hidden job market. The key to unlocking the hidden job market is networking!

4. Update your resume and cover letter. No “padding”! Make sure you include a healthy dose of your accomplishments.  Don’t just list dates, titles, and responsibilities. What did you accomplish? Connect your accomplishments, skills and abilities to the job requirements included in the job descriptions you are considering.

5. Prepare for potential interviews. Especially prepare how you will respond to “why you were laid off?” “Have you ever been terminated?” Practice what you will say. Write it down, practice articulating it and ensure that all anger, bitterness, frustration are dealt with before you sit down with a hiring manager. If they suspect that you are angry, bitter, or frustrated you may not get past the first or second interview.

Your emotional well-being will make or break you during this job search. If you need to vent, do so, prior to sitting down to discuss potential opportunities. Work on your emotional bank account. If you know you are at a deficit, get to work, Your success depends on it.

Tags: Laid off, Interview Chatter, Network, Resume, Cover Letter, Prepare, Interview, Padding Resume, Preparation, Job Search, DHL, Unemployment, Job Requirements, Hidden Job Market

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Let me be clear - Padding your resume by my definition is lying. Simple! If you didn’t do it, don’t say you did. if you don’t have the degree, don’t represent it on your resume you do. Use accurate titles for the job you did in the organization you previously worked. Anything that misrepresents what you really did, or what you really accomplished or your educational accomplishments is padding and padding equals lying. And lying means that you can not be trusted. The minute you are caught in a lie, you have lost ALL credibility. If you lose all credibility, you will find it difficult to be trusted with anything else, including a job.

What do you do if you have padded your resume and you are in the midst of a job search - with a pending job offer? Well, you get to decide. Do you live in the world of hoping they don’t find out and lose the job opportunity if they do? Or do you come clean with the hiring manager? I would recommend that you error on the side of coming clean rather than hoping they don’t find out. It is always better if you tell them there is inaccurate information on your resume than for them to find out after you have been extended an offer and now they are forced to pull it back. How can you communicate the inaccuracy? I would recommend that you replace the inaccurate resume with an accurate resume. Present the resume to the hiring manager as an updated resume. Apologize for the inaccurate information and allow them to ask questions. If the information that you provided on the inaccurate resume was what helped them make a hiring decision about you, you may be in trouble. Holding on to the job offer that was extended with misleading information will come back to bite you later. Get it straight and pray!

Tags: Padding your resume, Interview Chatter, Lambenthpath, Jason Monastra, Padding by definition, credibility, job search, inaccurate information, Lying, Skills, Abilities, Education, Resume

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1. Top 5 Reasons to Vote for Me As President - 2008

2. How to Hire the Next Leader of the Free World?

3. Experience VS. Energy and Inspiration

4. Political Chat At Interview Chatter

5. Does Anyone Out There Need a Job?

6. Political Chat At Interview Chatter - PA Primary

7. Political Chat At Interview Chatter - Fair Play

8. Hiring a President - Live Blog

9. Political Chat At Interview Chatter - "I Find It Curious"

10. Political Chat At Interview Chatter - Sarah Palin For Vice President?

11. Political Chat At Interview Chatter - McCain or Obama?

12. Political Chat At Interview Chatter - Which Candidate Should We Hire?

13. Political Chat At Interview Chatter - Is He In or Out of the Race?

14. Political Chat At Interview Chatter - WHO Will You Vote For?

Tags: Interview Chatter, Political Chat At Interview Chatter, Vote, Obama, McCain, Palin, Top 5 Reasons to Vote for Me, President, Presidential Election, Experience, Candidate, Who Will You Vote For?

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Many people choose to pad their resume for many reasons. Here are a few:

1. Job titles are obsolete - For example, janitor versus maintenance coordinator

2. Generic job titles - For example, Analyst

3. Struggling to get a job

4. Fired from last organization

5. Need a degree, don’t have one

6. Believe that companies will not do a thorough review of their resume

These are just a few of the reasons people pad their resume. I would really like to hear from my readers on this topic. Is it ok to pad your resume? Have you ever padded your resume? Did you get caught? Why do you believe it is ok to pad your resume? I would like to hear some real life stories on this topic. Feel free to share!

Tags: Padding Your Resume, Interview Chatter, Fired, Resume, Share your story

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As Gina transitions, we are also transitioning here at b5media. The Business Channel is a thing of the past. b5media has launched our new Business Portal called bizzia.com. Interview Chatter is now apart of bizzia.com. You have to go and see the new portal. It looks great and it will help us continue to grow here at b5media. Share the link with your friends and families.

Bizzia covers themes such as finance, leadership, e-commerce, small business, sales and marketing. Bringing together the latest news coverage on breaking topics and popular business discussions, Bizzia makes it easy to access the specific themes a reader is interested in, as well as discover unique business perspectives around other topics.

“Bizzia.com not only serves as a destination for users to get their fill of business news and advice, but provides a forum for intelligent discussion and reader engagement as well,” said Jeremy Wright, president and chief executive officer of b5media. “It will also continue to enhance the profile of b5media as a growing media company, and will allow b5media to compete with the mainstream media by offering authentic advice from a staff of knowledgeable writers and editors.”

With Bizzia.com, b5media is proud to offer a new way to explore high quality business content from one website - while still maintaining a connection with the individual blogs for readers who want to dig deeper and learn more. In this way, frequent blog readers can digest content easily while business enthusiasts who are less familiar with blogs have a way of giving them a try.

I am not going any where! I will continue to write Interview Chatter. I will continue to respond to your questions and comments. If you need a coach, look no further, I am happy to assist you in your job search! Please feel free to drop me an email and I will do what I can to help you get that next job opportunity you are looking for. Enjoy your day, your weekend!

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That’s the situation I’m in right now.  After my job interview the other day I had made up my mind that this was not the place for me at this point in my career.  Why?  Well, I’d be taking about a 10 grand per year cut in pay to go to work for an organization that really needs some TLC.  (That’s code for I’d need to put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears.)  Don’t get me wrong, the opportunity sounds sexy and I’m just the kind of person they need - I’d totally nail it.  It’s just that I’m not willing to invest that much of me for less money.

So, they’ve invited me back to meet with the physician leadership, and a bunch of other people.  I agonized over this for a few days but in the end, I accepted the interview.  Here’s why.

1. I called the HR recruiter prior to accepting to tell her that, after the interviews I’m pretty sure that I’m not willing to accept the position for less money but they still want me to come back.  
2. I’ve worked in management long enough to know that if a physician leader really wants to hire a particular candidate, money won’t stop them.
3. I need the experience.  This is only the second organization that I’ve interviewed with for a leadership position and quite frankly, I need the practice.  
4. Even though this is probably not the right job for me, it may open doors to ones that are.
5. This one is pretty darn selfish but after hearing how these physician leaders were described (micro-managers, yelling in meetings, etc…), I’m just dying to meet them to see if they’re really that bad. 

So, what do you think?  Am I doing the wrong thing by going to this interview even though I’m pretty sure I’m not taking the job, if offered?

Today will be my last post here at Interview Chatter.  It’s been an awesome 4 months and I have certainly learned a lot while writing here.  After today, you can still find me at my personal blogs la Matriarch and My Skinny Garden or at Prevention.com.

I’m wishing you all long, happy careers in your dream jobs.  Farewell, friends.

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Halloween has never been a Christian holiday and it has no place in the life of a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. In fact, it is an abomination in God and we should take our stand firmly against it. We consider ourselves, America a Christian nation. As we look at this history we find that its roots go deep into heathenism, paganism, Satanisn, and the occult; and its modern day expression is no better.

Halloween (It’s History and Origin)

Three hundred years before Jesus was born a civilization of people called the Celtic lived throughout the British Isles, Scandinavia and Western Europe. They were a common group, much like many segments of society of priests and pagans called the Druids.

The Druids were Satanists who worshiped and served the demonic god of death - Samhain (pronounced Saman). These satanic priests literally controlled people’s lives through the mechanism of fear, and much death, disease and destruction came upon the Celtics as a result of the Druids and their practices.

Each year on October 31, the Druids celebrated the eve of the Celtic New Year in honor of their pagan god, Samhain. The “Festival of Samhain,” more accurately called “The Festival of Death,” was officially known, and is still recognized today by all Satanists, occultists and devil worshippers and the eve of the New Year for witchcraft.

The late Anton Lavey, author of “The Satanic Bible” and the once high priest of the Church of Satan, said there are three important days of Satanists:

1. Their birthday
2. April 30
3. The most important day - HALLOWEEN

Lavey says it is on this night that satanic, occult and witchcraft powers are at their highest potency level, and any witch or occultist who has been having difficulty with a spell or curse can usually achieve success on October 31, because Satan and his powers are at their best that night.

October 31, Halloween, is the eve of the New Year for witchcraft. The World Book Encyclopedia says it is the beginning of all that is “cold, dark and dead!” When you send your little children out to go trick-or-treating you’re actually telling them to celebrate all that is cold, dark, and dead!

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Whether you choose to celebrate this “holiday” or not, I encourage all of you to be safe. What out for the children who are out and about! I don’t celebrate this holiday, and my children have never been out trick or treating. That is what we decision made many years ago for my family. Enjoy your evening tonight. Be safe! Tomorrow is November 1st! Yippee!

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