As many of you may know last year I found myself a “victim” of downsizing. In April of last year I was laid off after 22 years of working for the same company. I was lucky! I had a good severance package and of course unemployment.

As I searched and searched for a job and filled out application after application and sent resume after resume, I began to truly appreciate having a job. I think so many of us take our jobs for granted and think they’ll always be there when in reality employment is very fluid in this day and age. If you’re lucky enough to have a job, cherish it. Also remember that every job has its good points and bad points but it truly is what you make of it. Your employer doesn’t “owe” you anything, you provide a full days work and they pay you for it. Anything above and beyond that is truly a gift. It took me being unemployed to really see that.

I recently had a job interview that I acquired with the help of a recruiter. I’ve never actually worked with a recruiter before but he was quite helpful in providing some information that I really hadn’t ever thought about. He provided me with a list of the 50 worst of the worst (most common) job interview mistakes. As I looked at the list I was amazed at the things on it. I thought some of them were just common sense items that you never do when interviewing for a job but if a list had to be made I guess I thought wrong. I wanted to take this time to share the list with you in case you too may be seeking employment.

So what are they…….they are: 

1. Arriving late (really!)
2. Arriving too early (15 minutes is the “rule”)
3. Lighting up a cigarette, or smelling like a cigarette
4. Bad-mouthing your last boss
5. Lying about your skills/experience knowledge
6. Wearing the wrong (for this workplace) clothes
7. Forgetting the name of the person you’re interviewing with
8. Wearing a ton of perfume or aftershave
9. Wearing sunglasses
10. Wearing a Bluetooth earpiece
11. Failing to research the employer in advance
12. Failing to demonstrate enthusiasm
13. Inquiring about benefits too soon
14. Talking about salary requirements too soon
15. Being unable to explain how your strengths and abilities apply to the job in question
16. Failing to make a strong case for why you are the best person for this job
17. Forgetting to bring a copy of your resume and/or portfolio
18. Failing to remember what you wrote on your resume
19. Asking too many questions
20. Asking no questions at all
21. Being unprepared to answer the standard questions
22. Failing to listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying
23. Talking more than half the time
24. Interrupting your interviewer
25. Neglecting to match the communication style of your interviewer
26. Yawning
27. Slouching
28. Bringing along a friend, or your mother
29. Chewing gum, tobacco, your pen, your hair
30. Laughing, giggling, whistling, humming, lip-smacking
31. Saying “you know,” “like,” “I guess,” and “um”
32. Name-dropping or bragging or sounding like a know-it-all
33. Asking to use the bathroom
34. Being falsely or exaggeratedly modest
35. Shaking hands too weakly, or too firmly
36. Failing to make eye contact (or making continuous eye contact)
37. Taking a seat before your interviewer does
38. Becoming angry or defensive
39. Complaining that you were kept waiting
40. Complaining about anything
41. Speaking rudely to the receptionist
42. Letting your nervousness show
43. Overexplaining why you lost your last job
44. Being too familiar and jokey
45. Sounding desperate
46. Checking the time
47. Oversharing
48. Sounding rehearsed
49. Leaving your cell phone on
50. Failing to ask for the job

Wow! Again, most of these I thought were common sense. I find the second half of the list much more offensive than the first half. If you’re guilty of any of these then you probably need to rethink your interviewing skills. Some of the items you have to use your best judgement especially where to draw the line at too little or too much. And remember, your resume and cover letter are what got you the interview but your personality and enthusiasm are what get you the job. It’s really all up to you!

My advice, don’t give up, have a well written resume that includes your accomplishments, network, and of course….pray.  

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My book has made it into Bermuda Quest’s winter magazine edition of Origins. My book is listed as their winter recommendation for reading. Along with the recommendation the editor, Melanie Magdalena, has also included a review of my book. To see both the recommendation and review check out the winter edition of Origins at http://issuu.com/bermudaquest/docs/origins03/1.

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I received a wonderful review from Lisa Johnson of Seeking with all Yur Heart. Ms. Johnson says,

“The cost of lives is painfully revealed as she provides some last conversations between passengers and their families that are just heartbreaking.  Not only did thousands lose their lives by being on the planes and in the towers and Pentagon, but those that were the first responders who gave their lives while trying to save others.  Those involved in the clean-up effort of all the many tons of debris and how the City of New York government didn’t follow federal regulations regarding the wearing of protective respiratory equipment and as a result many of those workers developed chronic respiratory problems and other medical issues related to the toxic air quality.  The City of New York government initially refused to pay any medical bills for those employees who took part in the clean-up, so the workers had to sue the city for payment and they won.”

See Lisa’s review at Seeking with all Yur Heart. 

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There is no one quite like Grandma. When I sent her a copy of my book she sent me a card with a lovely note telling me how proud she was of me. In her letter she told me that she would be sharing her book with her friends and based upon the email I received today that’s exactly what she did. Grandma’s can be better exposure for their grandchildren than the internet! I’m thankful to God that I have my grandmother and that she loves me, is proud of me and isn’t afraid to tell me, or share my accomplishments with her friends.

Thank you Grandma and thank you Donna.

Pauline

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I received an email from a friend of my parents that read my book and I just had to share it with you. There are so many stories of that sunny day in September 2001. I find it very comforting that we can share our stories with each other without fear of judgement or condemnation. I am grateful to all of you who have taken the time to share with me your own personal experiences. 

Thank you Betty for sharing your story with me. 

Pauline

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I received a wonderful review from Diane Lunsford for Reader Views. Ms. Lunsford says,

“For a first novel, “Ashes Ashes the Twins Fall Down: Twin Towers, 9/11,” I believe Pauline L. Hawkins has done a decent job of delivering her story. There is a certain element of healing comfort when she enlightens the reader toward the five facets of the grieving process and how she has managed to substantially address all; but makes the confession of her own struggles still on certain levels. Perhaps this was part of the intended delivery. I also think she has done the reader justice by striking a genuine level of compassion through her word placement. However, it is difficult to know if this is the one book many will flock to on this particular subject. I believe the tragedy of 9/11 is a subject that is beyond challenging to write about (and capture the raw essence) through one set of circumstances (or opinions) in order to truly encapsulate the entire meaning. It has impacted the lives of every American in one way or another; particularly for those of us (including Ms. Hawkins), who have lived through it in order to share our experiences in its aftermath. I do stand firm on giving Ms. Hawkins props for taking on such a challenge. I think she made a strong appearance in sharing her perceptions and research.”

See Diane’s full review at Reader Views.

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Like so many Americans I have been touched this year by the rising unemployment in this country. After 22 years of working for the same company I found myself a victim of a reduction in force. I hate that term. It’s corporate America’s fancy way of saying laid off.

In March of 2012 I found myself unemployed for the first time in over 20 years. Was I surprised, not necessarily. Was I upset, you bet. It’s scary at 48 years of age to suddenly find yourself single and without a job. 

So what did I do? I did what everyone else does, I applied for my unemployment benefits and started my job search. What I found however, is that most employers want a degree of some kind. Like many my age I don’t have a degree. I have over 30 years of experience in the health insurance industry and am certified in Instructional Design but I don’t have that coveted degree.

I’ve continued to submit my resume for every Instructional Design position I can find, that’s added up to apply for between 100 to 150 different jobs but no real bites. Am I discouraged, very much so. I am certified in Instructional Design and have been doing Instructional Design for over 8 years but again, I don’t have that degree. Why are employers so concerned about someone having a degree instead of being concerned with the fact that someone has actual practical experience in the skills they are seeking.

What else did I do? If you’ve been reading my blog you know that I published my first book. This was a dream of mine. I love to write but apparently the reading world isn’t ready for my books. My first book only sold about 100 copies, at least up to this point. 

At the end of September I started hitting the job looking even heavier then I had been. I have to find a job. I have to be able to pay my bills, put a roof over my head and all those things that we all have to do to be a participating part of society. Since September I’ve at least had one pre-screening interview and another actual face to face interview but still no job. I know that the perfect job is out there but it’s hard to keep your faith when you don’t get so much as a bite.

Pauline

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Today is the first day that my interview with Don McCauley of The Authors Show, is being featured. My interview will be running for the next 48 hours and you can listen by accessing The Authors Show.com, clicking on the nonfiction link . Once on the nonfiction page access today’s play list and click on my interview. Please be sure to let your friends, family and everyone know about my interview. Thank you to all who listen.

Pauline

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Both of my book tours are done and the giveaway winners chosen, so now what? I will continue to promote my debut book but now it’s time to start writing the next book. What will that book be about? I have two books in the works. One of the books is in my area of expertise, Medicare. It will be a book for the average everyday individual helping them meander through all the Medicare red tape. The other book is another memoir on my reconnecting with my high school sweetheart after 28 years and our getting married only to lose him after my suffering a mental breakdown. It will be a much more difficult book for me to write but it is a story that needs to be told.

Which book will be finished first? I’m really not sure. More than likely I’ll finish the book on Medicare first but right now there is no telling. Will each of them be self-published? Probably. I don’t have an agent and I don’t have a publishing company knocking on my door so that leaves me with having to self-publish. 

Was my first book a success? I’d have to say no. I’ve sold less than 100 books but I’m hoping that over time sales will improve. Will either of the other books be a success? Who knows. But that won’t keep me from writing. I love writing, I always have. So I’ll keep plugging away and hopefully I’ll wind up with something eventually that will spark the attention of readers. 

For those of you who are following me I’ll keep you posted as I travel on my journey to become an author. Until then, thank you to everyone that has purchased my debut book and may purchase my debut book in the future. Keep on reading!

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My interview with Don McCauley of The Authors Show will be featured on October 8th and 9th, 2012, starting at 12:00amEST for 48 hours. I had a great time talking with Don and I truly appreciate his time. If you have the opportunity please check out my interview at The Authors Show.com. Also, please let your friends know about my interview. Thanks to all who listen.

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