The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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How to Bring More Assurance and Presence to Job Interviews

How to Bring More Assurance and Presence to Job Interviews

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This week, my guest is Lorraine K. Lee, the former editor of LinkedIn News and Prezi. She is now a Trainer, Professor, Speaker, and author of “Unforgettable Presence.” 

Highlights:

Lorraine emphasizes the importance of having both confidence and presence during job interviews. She explains that presence doesn’t only relate to executive levels but is crucial for everyone in their career. 

Presence video with intentional tech setup, energy, and aesthetics, collectively termed as the “T method.”

Lorraine highlights how non-verbal cues, such as body language and hand gestures, influence perceptions during video interviews.

Lorraine discusses the significance of video presence, particularly in virtual interviews, where technical aspects such as lighting, sound, and framing play a crucial role.

Eliminating backlighting, ensuring eye contact, and using gestures naturally to appear more personable.

We delve into overcoming challenges faced by new graduates during interviews. Lorraine points out that being intentional about one’s presence on platforms like LinkedIn and during virtual meetings contributes to building a professional reputation over time.

Lorraine shares insights on handling interviews with AI avatars, emphasizing the importance of a positive setup and practicing with real people to get feedback.

Lorraine advises job seekers to focus on storytelling and to convey their passion for the role to create a stronger connection with the interviewer.

In another segment, my article from last week, “No! Really Breathes Life Into Your Career And Reclaim Time!”

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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No! Really Breathes Life Into Your Career And Reclaim Time

No! Really Breathes Life Into Your Career And Reclaim Time

Saying “Yes” to every single suggestion in finding a career or handling conflict could drive you to failure. No one loves a people-pleaser, brown-noser, a suck-up, and just so darn dishonest. Being agreeable to everything does not add cash to your account, nor does it aggregate favors from everyone who has done right by you.

I understand that times seem stressful, and this is especially true if you’ve been unemployed for a long time. However, you don’t want to say yes to an unwanted opportunity if it makes your stomach turn or gives you a queasy feeling. For example, if your mom used to make you eat oatmeal and prune juice for breakfast. 

Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit, but I’m sure there’s a way to sneak the food out without Mom looking. Or, not. 

But, I digress. 

The time you spend in a job you hate is the time you could have been looking for the right one. 

Don’t pass go!

You do not need inspiration from “Yes” every day, any day, any minute, every hour, or from everybody.

“Yes” will not bring you eternal happiness, or bring you internal pleasure in its entirety. It will not bring you philanthropic opportunities, and it will not bring press when you engage in charity. Not letting the right hand know what the left is doing is a blessing, and it’s between you, your conscience, and God.

“Yes” doesn’t promise you happiness. “NO” could bring you fulfillment. 

When saying NO makes sense 

The one big mistake most job seekers make in their job search is applying and hoping to interview without researching the company. They expect you to create a PDF out of a Word document, but you only use WordPerfect. 

Yes. WordPerfect. It’s still around. It’s like faxing. But, if you’re being tested on converting a Word document, is this the time to learn? This is when NO makes sense. 

Failing works best when you’re ready. 

Taking a job, you will fail at doing it, should be “NO!” Say it politely, tactfully, and respectfully, “No.”

If someone consistently gives poor advice, tell them “no” and explain why, so they can have a chance to change course. Maybe they will stop giving everyone else unwelcome advice. If that’s too much, then simply say “No.”

Lawd knows you will have to tell your spousal and parental units “no” if the advice is redundant. They do not realize the mouse on the treadmill is tired. Unless you love misery, do not say “NO” hastily or prematurely. Administering the “drive-by” look will not be enough. You have to say “no.”

“No” has to be a part of your job search lifestyle.  Without it, soundness of mind is impossibly unobtainable. You’re not looking for the perfect job. But you can take each job as a step in the right direction. 

“NO” is the tool you may need.

“Yes” will not revolutionize television, nor will the revolution be televised (shout to Gil Scott Herron). YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook revolutionized everything. Social media has already bought “Yes!” to its needs, made it a slave, and become canonical. Check your email monthly, and you can make it your slave, too.

“Yes” is so good, it will make you slap your mama. Only “No” will make you think twice. Bad advice, bad opportunities, and offers too good to be true, life in the world of “Yes!” Sound judgment, preparedness, and discretion create a filter for stuff too good to be true.

“No” is a second consideration, part of the job search game, use it to launch a successful revolution. It’s one you’ll do repeatedly. Just don’t spend all of your NOs frivolously. 

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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7 Lies About Being Fired You Must Reject Today

7 Lies About Being Fired You Must Reject Today

Interestingly, people who promote disparaging narratives often portray separated employees as villains or “bad employees.”

I go through Twitter or LinkedIn and type the words “layoff poor performers” into the search box, and as sure as snowstorms in Buffalo, I cheer on a company to lay off those who “don’t put in the work.”

For example:

Managers give competitive ratings to employees and are told (in many companies) only can be considered high performers. Some managers make layoff decisions unnecessarily complicated, and the bottom line is good employees can be “poor” performers.

When you’re laid off under the guise of poor performance, this could stain your work record if you let it. Any separation from a company categorized as “poor” is subjective and is not a death sentence these days.

As explained in the video below, you should not allow companies to dictate your career’s narrative under any circumstances.

Hint: It’s not the end. Not even close.

I should mention most companies don’t offer a performance rating when a potential employer of an ex-employee calls for a reference. You should ask and agree nothing should be said about performance.

The video content is based on my article on Payscale and Fairygodboss. 

 

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.