I’m coming up on my on year anniversary at the day job. Instead of giving the typical lessons I’ve learned by staying at the same job for more than six months, or what I’ve learned from what I consider to be my first real full time job out of college, or how this job has taught me a myriad of things pertaining to career and business, or how this job has allowed me to grow professionally, I figured it would be more fun to list off the things I have learned from interviewing job candidates.
After all – I’m in career development up to my eye balls all day long and I believe there are some valuable lessons to be learned here for those who are job hunting, for those who want to make your current job work and for those trying to run a business. Hell, there are valuable lessons here just for living!
So without further ado…
20 Lessons Learned from Conducting 200+ Job Interviews
1. There is an over abundance of average people in the world. They have a lot of potential but they don’t act on it.
2. Many people have become their own worst enemies. They stand in their own way. They are their own obstacle.
3. People like to blame outer circumstances for their problems.
4. Many people let their lives be run by money.
5. Very few people actually take the initiative to take matters into their own hands.
6. Some people would rather stay miserable where they are right now than take a risk toward a better future.
7. People have forgotten how to adapt to the world around them.
8. A good percentage of people I interview have the entrepreneurial spirit – they’re just too scared to act on it.
9. People don’t give themselves very much credit. You ask them what they did and they get very shy.
10. Many people have no idea what their marketable skills are.
11. Many people wander around life aimlessly. No purpose or passion in the picture.
12. Many people are dissatisfied with their current work situations but don’t do very much about it.
13. Many people feel trapped or pigeon-holed by their degrees.
14. You can feel someone’s energy after 2 minutes of interviewing them. Maybe less.
15. Very few people express their drive, motivation and passion for something.
16. People overanalyze the shit out of everything.
17. Too many people are playing the compare game.
18. Too many people equate success to a fancy new car.
19. Most people feel stuck. Lost. Confused.
20. Some people are truly exceptional. They stand out, they are confident, they have passion and they know their worth. Unfortunately, it’s not very many of them. Although I have noticed it’s usually the people who work out and really take care of themselves.
I’m sure some of you are probably wondering whether I conduct job interviews or therapy sessions. I assure you it’s job interviews, it’s just that some people seem to confuse recruiters for therapists. That, however, is beside the point. The real point I’m trying to make is this:
Our lives don’t have to suck. If you don’t like something, change it.
We are in control of our situation. Sure, there are some things you can’t control, but you can control how you react to them. Are you going to hit the ground running or fall back and allow yourself to be defeated?
We have to start loving ourselves. There’s a lot to be happy about and there’s a lot you should be proud of yourself for. Accept yourself. Embrace it.
We have to stop blaming outward circumstances for our problems. The Recession happened. We now have to deal with it. Get over it , move on and take some action.
People can feel your energy. I’m not trying to get all woo woo yogic new age here. I’m simply stating that people can feel your vibes. They know when you are coming from a good place. They also know when you are coming from a bad one. There’s a difference between someone who is vibrant and positive and some who is well…not.
Honor your decisions. Regrets are for suckers. Sure, there are things we probably shouldn’t do again, but take it as a lesson learned instead of brooding over it. You did the best you could do at the time.
Find your passion and follow it. Things will start falling into place. Life will become easier. Your world will start making sense. You may not know exactly what you have to do at that very moment, but you’ll have an idea. Pursue it.
Did I mention our lives don’t have to suck?
Seriously. They don’t.
Take a look around your life right now.
Figure out what needs to go so you can start living the life you were meant to live.
Figure out where you can make changes.
Figure out the places where you can be more positive.
Figure out what makes you truly and wholly happy on the inside. (Note: this usually does not involve chasing an outward experience)
Once you start removing the blocks to your happiness you can start living from a better place. Your perspective changes. Creativity, drive and motivation come naturally.
Start living the life you were meant to live today.
