21 Tips for a Successful Job Interview [infographic]

21 Tips for a Successful Job Interview infographic21 Tips for a Successful Job Interview If youre anything like most people, youve sat in a classroom sweating and staring at a test you didnt study for. Its nerve-wracking to try to guess the right answers.But if you dont prepare for a job interview, its more than just your GPA thats on the line. Youre risking your whole career. Thats why you need to take the proper steps to get ready for a job interview by learning what to do before, during, and after.For instance, you know that you shouldnt show up wearing cut-offs and a stained t-shirt- you need to look professional. But have you thought about the fact that looking professional has to do with more than your wardrobe? You can create a professional image by arriving a few minutes early or bringing paper to take notes on. That shows the interviewer youre attentive and ready to learn.Youve heard the advice to speak up and be confident, but what happens when you dont hear an interviewer clearly? Or worse, what if you just dont understand the question? Its okay to ask for clarification, or even to turn down the job on the spot if you realize youre not going to be a good match.When you stick with the interview, its important to thank your interviewer. Theres a whole debate about whether you should thank them right then or send a card or an email later. The correct answer is both- you want to let them know you appreciate their time immediately, and you want to thank them again later to show youre totenstill interested.For more tips about how to land your dream job with the right interview strategy, check out this infographic fromCompany FoldersShare Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

Are your perfectionist ways holding you back

Are your perfectionist ways holding you backAre your perfectionist ways holding you backPerfectionism is the mother of procrastination (Michael Hyatt)Are you a neat freak? Someone who constantly re-arranges things to make them look right? Do you never miss an appointment? Agonise over every detail of a project until you are in a complete tailspin? Spend way too long prepareif for everything you do?Welcome fellow perfectionistAs a child, I was already showing signs of this innate trait.How many five-year-olds do you know of who actually enjoy tidying their toys? I clearly remember the joy, even at that tender age, of having order around me. Dolls of various sizes, their furniture and clothes, books, crayons and so on all had a special place in my bedroom. Returning things to a designated spot felt right even then. Im sure my parents thought this was a complete gift after three untidy sons before me.Seriously, some of us are just born enjoying order and control. For the average adult, however, perfectionism can become a stressful, counterproductive burden too. Does this ring true for you? How can we best manage this occasionally paralyzing human attribute?Know when to quit.Thats right. Quitting isnt always a sign of failure. Often its a sign that youve maturely decided to allocate scarce time and energy resources elsewhere. Smart choice.Make a worry list.Calm your nerves by writing your worst fears down on paper. A month later youll probably be laughing at what are mostly innocuous memories. Lesson? Dont sweat the small stuff.Lose the sense of impending doom.Work, personal issues, bills irritating stuff will always be there. Lighten up and move on with purpose. Rather than fixate on what needs doing just do itDont agonize over every decision you make.Everyday decisions and risks either a) turn out wonderfully and catapult us to the next place in our day (or life), or b) turn out poorly, in which case weve learned a crucial life lesson. Win-winDont let perfecti onism steal your happiness.Dr. Marissa Pei (organizational psychologist, executive coach, author and speaker) explains how the pursuit of excellence in all things actually robs us of our happiness. It creates a cycle of perfectionism, procrastination and so-called analysis paralysis.You dont need external validation.Get out of the loop of craving validation from outside sources. You did the best you could do with the resources you had, right? Then youve done a good enough job and must move on Learn to be satisfied with what youve accomplished.Silence that nagging inner voice.We are our own worst enemies. Be aware of this Negative thoughts lead to, well more negative thoughts.Hey you Lighten up a bitPerceived failures to perform/create/behave in a perfect way are only temporary. ansicht things do not define us or our lives. Get some perspective and move on.An overactive brain is the devils ownPerfectionists minds tend to race constantly, causing overload and exhaustion. Try a daily five-minute meditation. This gives the grey matter a chance to drop into first gear for a while and allows the brain to rest. Something as simple as focussing entirely on slow, deep breathing can work wonders.Gratitude goes a long wayStart each day by writing a quick list of 5 things you are grateful for. It must be specific and not say friends and family. The payoff for the perfectionist will be a chance to see in writing all the great things that you already have in your life. This daily feeling of abundance can put a lot of nitpicking nonsense into focus.Find balanceDone is better than perfect and never completed.Boot out those impossibly high standardsBe kind to yourself. Sometimes our crazy personal benchmarks create unnecessary anxiety over making even the smallest mistake.Give yourself permission to failAn inner sense of security allows you to take risks and succeed in the future. Remind your perfectionist mind constantly What is the absolute worst thing that could happen her e? I guarantee you that its nothing as schwimmbad as you thinkAs Tony Robbins (businessman, author and super coach) says No matter how many mistakes you make, or how slowly you progress, youre still way ahead of everyone else who isnt tryingBeing a perfectionist is definitely both a curse and a blessing. Dont you agree?Sarah Virg is a Confidence Coach, Columnist, former Senior Global Events Manager in the Motivational Incentive Marketing Industry, Mother of three and lifelong Nomad. She is founder of www.sarah-virag.com and the Wings for Life online coaching programs, and Author of Wings for Life Your Pathway To Freedom After Emotional Upheaval.This post was originally published on ThriveGlobal.com.

Silent Service (U.S. Navy Submarine Duty)

Silent Service (U.S. Navy Submarine Duty)Silent Service (U.S. Navy Submarine Duty)There are three types of submarines in the United States Navy arsenal, however all require a nuclear power plant and highly educated and qualified personnel to operate these2.4 billion dollar weapon systems. The three types of submarines are fast attack submarines (SSN), ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), and cruise guided missile submarines (SSGN). The fast attack are typically smaller and faster than the other subs and have more of a tactical mission of ship and submarine attacks, intelligence gathering, even launching cruise missiles. However, the newly converted SSGN (cruise missile submarines) are updated former ballistic missile submarines and have the most advanced technology capable of launching cruise missiles, mini-submarines, and special operations personnel. The following story is about the life onboard a ballistic missile submarine whose main mission is the strategic defense of ur nation as it is loaded with nuclear ballistic missiles that can be launched from below the surface from anywhere in the worlds oceans. Life Onboard A SSBN Meet Machinists Mate 3rd Class Trevor Kopp and his 154 teammates who all are stationed in Kings Bay, Georgia, one of the Navys submarine bases. These teammates call a 560 foot-long steel boat with no windows, no fantail, and in the event of a casualty no easy escape - home. These teammates are submariners. Every submariner is familiar with the dangers involved with living and travelling the worlds seas underwater can bring. But they go to sea anyway, cruising below the oceans stealth and concealment. Most people, many Sailors included, think theyre crazy. But like any family, when nobody else understands them, they understand each other. To be a submariner you have to be different, said Murtha. It takes a unique mindset to handle being isolated from people, the sun, and fresh air as long as we are. Most people just cant handle the thought of being underwater, but submariners never really think about it. We try to tell people that being submerged at 400 feet is just like sitting on yur couch in the living room, but I guess they just cant get past having that much water above their heads. Everyone Can Save The Boat - Damage Control Murthas words go a long way in understanding why the submarine warfare qualification process, the one and only passage into the Dolphin-wearing brotherhood, has always been mandatory. Earning your Dolphins is what signifies to the rest of the crew that you can and will be trusted with our lives, said Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SS) Joseph Brugeman. I know everyone aboard personally, and that level of familiarity allows me to trust them in a casualty situation. I couldnt imagine trusting my life and the life of the boat with anyone I didnt know personally. If youre on my boat and youre wearing Dolphins, then I trust you, period. I dont care if youre a yeoman, cook, missile t echnician or mechanic I know youve got my back. It doesnt get any more intimate than that. When a new Sailor reports aboard any submarine and gets his boats submarine warfare qualification card, hell find blocks for pneumatics, hydraulics, sonar and even the weapons systems. What he wont find any signatures for is the very thing that wearing Dolphins is all about trust. But once youre wearing them, trust is the one thing that rank and rating knowledge cant compare to. Wearing Dolphins means much more than knowing how to draw all of the boats hydraulic, steam, electronic and air systems, said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class (SS) Jeff Smith, the Blue Crews night baker. It means more than being able to explain how a drop of seawater outside the boat makes it into your cup in the galley. No, wearing Dolphins means that the crew trusts you to know how to save the boat regardless of the casualty, and regardless of your rating or rank. Earning that trust makes you much more than a profess ional Sailor, it makes you a member of the submarine family. On my boat, said CDR Robert Palisin, Maines Blue Crew commanding officer, everyone is expected to know how to save the boat. We dont discriminate based on what your rating or even your rank is. My cooks should and do know how to fight a fire in the engine room, just like my nuclear-trained mechanics are expected to know how to isolate a power supply if smoke comes from the sonar shack. Everyone on a submarine is the damage control fete everyone. Palisin was careful to explainthat damage controlis much more than just knowing what to do if something bad happens. Its being confident enough in your knowledge of the boats systems to speak up if someone else on the crew is about to make a mistake that affects ships safety. In the submarine force, we put an emphasis on being right more than what a Sailors rank might be, because everyone aboard a submarine is expected to be a backup to his shipmate, said Palisin. Even I, as the c aptain of this boat, would expect the mostjunior Sailorto jump up and down screaming his head off if I made a mistake that endangered the ship. Our lives depend on knowing that we can count on each other to watch our backs, to make sure the safety of the ship is placed well ahead of rank or rate. Palisin, like all boat captains, makes sure his crew knows how to fight any casualty by constantly running casualty drills throughout the boats deployment. After all, practice makes perfect, and when you have only yourselves to count on, being perfect is the only standard good enough to keep you alive. We practice responding to casualties so much that we do it instinctively, said MM2(SS) Jim Crowson. Our training has to be instinctive. Otherwise, we might get scared first instead of responding if the real thing ever goes down. At 400 feet, theres no time to be scared. Im not trying to sound machoits just the reality of how to survive when all you may have are seconds before the boat sinks b elow crush depth. Despite going to sea on a boat with no windows, no fantail, no helipad or even a hatch to allow in some tension-breaking fresh salt air, submariners are still Sailors at heart. These brothersall volunteer for submarine duty, and their commitment is no different than the Sailors onaircraft carriers, cruisers or even tugboats. They love their country, uphold theNavys Core Valuesof honor, courage, and commitment and want to make it back safely from every deployment. As the silent service, though, theyd just rather you didnt talk about it.