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The Yin and Yang of Convincing Job Interviews with Thea Kelley

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Welcome back to the fall edition of the podcast. Thank you for joining us as we’ll have about eight episodes to deliver this fall plus a few bonus episodes.

My guest is Thea Kelley who wrote the book, Get That Job! The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview, called “Excellent” in a Forbes article. I love we discuss the importance of preparation, realness, and relaxed for a job interview.

How do you prepare for interviews? What is your mindset?

I would love to hear your thoughts about job interviews in one of three ways:

Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button and leave a message
Send email feedback to [email protected]

Here more about Thea’s background:

She is a certified resume writer, job search and interview coach, and author. For years, she relieves stress from the interview process for clients. Here are some highlights of our discussion:

Being real and authentic comes through if your preparation shows in your answers.
It doesn’t hurt to add a little humor to diffuse nervousness from both sides. A connection to the person you interview with is an important part of being memorable.
Keep in mind the interview wants to picture you working with them daily. Be relatable.
Using relaxation techniques are also a good way to relieve nervousness. Athletes who make millions of dollars use these techniques regularly
We discuss the importance of storytelling and how it adds to the authenticity. No one likes interrogation from either side of the interview.
Hear where Thea shares her three ways be real, relatable, and credible with stories

Do you need coaching or instruction?

I am here for it! Use my contact information above to inquire about individual or group coaching. You can also sign up for my weekly newsletter at the top of my page.

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.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Seasonal Unemployment Rules Working Moms Ought To Know

Summer is here, and it’s a common to see teenagers going around searching for seasonal jobs. Working moms like me are also on the lookout for employment as taking on a short-term job enables me to make ends meet. So while my two little girls enjoy their summer vacation, I’ll be working at our local water park.

During the school year, I earn money as a private tutor to middle school kids. I also teach English as a second language (ESL) at a language center. I have students who I’ve tutored for the past three years as well as working for the ESL center for five years.

Working Moms Must Know About Regular Earning Replacement

My income has been consistent until my finances took a hit as the language center shut down in January. My family lives a frugal lifestyle, but we had to cut back even more. A friend suggested seeing if I qualified for unemployment. It was such a relief when I learned that I could collect my unemployment benefits after all.

I wanted to know if I’m eligible to receive unemployment benefits the months I’m off work. So far, here are the things that I’ve learned:

Working Moms Must Know State Laws

As reported by CNN, federal law gives states the option to offer benefits. The U.S. Department of Labor website shows the criteria for unemployment benefits.

Working Moms Must Know the Eligibility Laws

Employed teachers are not qualified to take unemployment benefits during the summer. In some states, bus drivers, janitors, crossing guards, and cafeteria workers are eligible. Working moms in entertainment such as stagehands and actors may even collect between seasons.

Working Moms Must Know About Independent Contractors – unemployment benefits

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Independent contractors are self-employed. Contractors are not required to provide unemployment benefits or pay unemployment taxes. Benefits, such as paid leave, medical insurance, and retirement plans are the employer’s discretion.

After doing my research, I learned I could pick up seasonal unemployment benefits. I’ve worked in the water park for three weeks now and was offered to stay on as a part-time employee after the summer. Though the pay is a bit lower, it’s still better than having nothing to fall back on during the school season.

The extra income and unemployment benefits keep my family afloat for a few years.

Additional resources:

Unemployment Rules for Seasonal Workers

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

BIO: “Jackie has worked in many different roles over the years to try and make ends meet. When she took to writing as a career some time ago, she decided to write on the topics she knew most about, including family finances, business, and current affairs. She’s a mother of two small children now and in her free time looks after a menagerie of pets and volunteers for a couple of local charities”

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Three Reasons to Create Your Career to Endure Like The Fedora

It’s likely you have a fedora. You wear it well, and it’s impossible not to feel superpowers of cool when you do. I can’t say everyone loves the look on you, but you know someone will. Successful careerists are adaptable and agile like the fedora. There are career lessons to learn from this comparison.

I own nine of them. And will probably buy one or two between now and the end of summer. In fact, my oldest calls me “Uncle Fedora” sometimes. She always compliments me when I wear one, but more importantly, so does my wife.

I wear them casually more now as it used to be for special occasions. When I go to one of my open office spots such as Panera Bread or Starbucks, I often wear one. Not just to look stylish, but to keep the air conditioning from blowing directly on my head. The Starbucks I go to often is cold. I’ll wear my fedora to keep my head warm even in the summer.

According to the History of Hats and other sources, the fedora has been around more than 130 years. It’s not just a fad, but a staple in American fashion culture. It has a prominent place in the wardrobes of Presidents and princes, singers and servants, and yes, mothers and mavens.

It has also endured fashion changes. No matter the trend, it has steadfastly stood out as the go to wear for timely fads. No matter how men or women suits the change in color, fit, or style, a fedora complements it. I am sure someone more fashion savvy than I will want to correct my details in style, but you get the idea.

Read 10 Soft Skills Employers Want from You

The Fedora has endured wars, political climate changes, civil unrest, celebrations, and century changes. You can say it always had a job.

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Paid or unpaid, business or casual, or for play it has a place to stay and stand out.

My goal in writing this blog is to help inspire, or for you to aspire, to have always had a voice. Just as the Fedora has always had a place, you should have a voice. It’s one of the ways for you to survive all of the cultural and environmental changes in work.

So here are my three reasons for your career to be like the fedora:

1) Like the fedora, you’re not for everyone, and everyone is not for you

As you understand your skills and talents, your list of vendors, employers, contracts, or people who energize your career and inspire your aspirations will shrink. That’s still a lot of individuals, and you need to connect with those people.

Listen to Job Interviewing Best Practices

2) Like the fedora, be agile

Future proofing is the best career strategy anyone can devise. Whenever there is an economy change, there is likely a technology drive to cause or to follow. The Fedora fits with any fashion you fancy no matter the period you favor to wear. Your skills matter as they are relevant, but your personality is what will deepen your appeal to what’s important to the business.

Read Create a Handbill if You Want to Stand Out at Networking Events and Job Fairs

3) Like the fedora, add value

The Fedora goes with most outfits and is appropriate for most social occasions.

Although your skills, abilities, and personality aren’t for everybody, like the Fedora, you’ll add value to many.

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Even with one talent you can serve and help many especially if you expand your network.

The Fedora has a broad audience, has experienced many adventures, and find its way to show up at all the right times. In your career, consider being like the Fedora.