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Bizarre interview behaviors to avoid

Would you ever ask an interviewer for a cigarette? Probably not, but job seekers have done just that — and worse — according to a new survey about bizarre interview behavior.

The survey was done by OfficeTeam, and here are some of the quotes from executives about real-life interview blunders they experienced:

• “A job applicant came in with a cockatoo on his shoulder.”
• “We had one person who walked out of an interview into a glass door — and the glass shattered.”
• “An interviewee put his bubble gum in his hand, forgot about it, and then shook my hand.”

While some simple common sense can keep you out of the Interviewee Hall of Shame, all job-seekers would do well to review some of the tips in this article, based on the OfficeTeam survey. In addition, check out this primer on job interview etiquette.

Most inspiring commencement speech of all time?

I finally found a link to one of the most inspiring commencement speeches of all time, in my opinion. And it’s from the late Fred “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” Rogers, delivered at Dartmouth in 2002.

What impresses me so much is one small story that can’t be repeated enough…

“We are intimately related. May we never even pretend that we are not. Have you heard my favorite story that came from the Seattle Special Olympics? Well, for the 100-yard dash there were nine contestants, all of them so-called physically or mentally disabled. All nine of them assembled at the starting line and at the sound of the gun, they took off. But not long afterward one little boy stumbled and fell and hurt his knee and began to cry. The other eight children heard him crying; they slowed down, turned around and ran back to him. Every one of them ran back to him. One little girl with Down Syndrome bent down and kissed the boy and said, “This’ll make it better.” And the little boy got up and he the rest of the runners linked their arms together and joyfully walked to the finish line. They all finished the race at the same time. And when they did, everyone in that stadium stood up and clapped and whistled and cheered for a long, long, time. People who were there are still telling the story with great delight. And you know why. Because deep down, we know that what matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win too. Even if it means slowing down and changing our course now and then.”

Great stuff. I’ll be looking for other great snippets from graduation speeches that can inspire all of us in our work. In the meantime, read the entire speech by Mr. Rogers.

McJobs are in the news again!

I love the whole kerfuffle over the word “McJob.”

I wrote an article on the whole definition flap last year, when McDonald’s Corp. wanted dictionaries to delete the word, and apparently the drama is continuing. Now the fast food giant is trying to make employees feel prouder of their lot. An interesting article in the paper today updates us all on the whole situation. My favorite: there are posters in McDonald’s restaurants in the UK that tout the employer’s benefits with the slogan, “Not bad for a McJob.”

As I fancy myself as somewhat a connoisseur of words, I love “McJob.” I think the company needs to loosen up.

Other Sunday articles worth calling out…

• Wall Street Exodus: Fear, Panic and Anger
• Toughest Summer Job This Year Is Finding One
• Research Your Way to a Better Job

Job outlook for the grads

College graduations abound this weekend; congrats to the many who are celebrating!

At this time of year I always enjoy looking in the newspaper for wise quotes dispensed by high-profile graduation speakers.  My favorite was from Mr. Rogers many years ago when he shared a touching story about what he learned from the Special Olympics.  (Note to self: Find a link to this!)

Hiring right now may not be as sizzling as this time last year, but there are plenty of good career-starting opportunities out there. For grads still uncertain about what field to enter, consider this great 2008 job outlook piece.

For the grads just entering the wonderful world of work, there are some great resources on Yahoo! HotJobs that can help make a successful transition. More really great advice can be found in these articles:

• 7 Job-Search Mistakes New Grads Make
• Essential Workplace Skills for College Grads
• Good-Paying Jobs Are Ample, But Training Is Critical

Coping with a job loss

“As the economy blasts away at white-collar workers as well as blue-collar ones, the newly jobless are learning an ungainly new language: How to spin their situation to other parents on the Saturday morning sidelines. How to convey nonchalance during Pinteresque pauses in the golf-club locker rooms. How to fend off inquisitive family members at Memorial Day barbecues.”

That’s from a New York Times article yesterday about “the new language of loss” when it comes to the awkwardness of talking about your joblessness.

After I got laid off two years ago, I avoided a former colleague on public transit because I knew he was going to ask me if I’d found a job. I went to the gym during times I knew I wouldn’t run into acquaintances.

With U.S. companies shedding nearly a quarter of a million jobs in the first quarter, many people are enduring similar uneasy encounters.  The NYT article has some helpful hints for coping.

Here are a few more worthwhile articles:

• Five ways to make unemployment work for you
• Bullet-proof yourself against a layoff
• Managing unemployment stress

Getting drunk at a work event

Drinking on your employer’s dime is usually a good time, but 3 in 10 workers recently admitted they have become drunk at a work-sponsored event. The data is from the latest weekly poll on Yahoo! HotJobs.

That’s some risky drinking. Alcohol can be a sneaky truth serum; before you know it you’re saying (or slurring) what you really think of your coworkers’ habits or your boss’ new hairstyle. And what follows can be way more uncomfortable than the morning-after hangover.

With office picnics and summer parties around the corner, brush up on these etiquette tips that can help you have a good time and enhance your good standing at work. Unless, of course, you want your event to resemble an episode from “The Office”!

Coming to a workplace near you: love contracts?

ABC News reports that “love contracts” are becoming more common in the workplace as a way to shield the employer from responsibility in the event of a breakup.

 Tory Johnson, who writes the “Be Gutsy at Work” column for Yahoo! HotJobs and is the workplace contributor to ABC’s “Good Morning America,” compared the contract to a prenup.

“In this particular case, you’re saying to the employer, ‘We’ll prevent you from being held responsible for employment issues in the event of a failed personal relationship.’ The employer should not have that burden,” she said.

Workplace romances are increasingly common. In recent HotJobs polls, 55% of site visitors were aware of current romances between coworkers, and 38% said they met their significant other at work.

But not all cubicle couplings blossom into happily-ever-after.  Some are downright messy.  Consider the risks of workplace romances, and proceed with caution!

‘Idol’ is most-discussed at work

Big surprise: “American Idol” is the most talked about television show in the workplace. The popular TV show has held the honor for three years now, according to a Spherion Workplace Shapshot survey.

 ”Dancing with the Stars” holds the second spot, followed by “Lost,” “CSI,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” My favorite, “The Office,” is at No. 6. For the full list, see the Spherion press release.

I wouldn’t be surprised if “Idol” watchers talk more about Paula Abdul’s wackiness than any of the show’s contestants. It’s like she’s still got one foot in that cartoon world from her video “Opposites Attract.”

Aside from the singing, the show can teach viewers some interesting lessons about personal branding and self-presentation that can help a job search. Check out this helpful article on how to interview like an “Idol.”

And I’ll just say right now: If Kristi Yamaguchi doesn’t win “Dancing with the Stars,” my coworkers are going to hear about it!

Want the job? Get a grip.

A new study suggests that job candidates who have a firm handshake are more likely to get hired.

The finding isn’t that surprising, as career experts often cite the handshake as an important element in a “first impression.” But it’s interesting to see the phenomenon studied scientifically, using 98 students (men and women) in mock interviews. For more, read this article.

Hiring decisions are often made within the first 10 minutes of an interview, no matter how long the interview lasts. And that decision will definitely take into account your appearance, your manner, and your handshake.

And while we’re on the subject of nonverbal cues and what they say about you, I recommend an excellent article written by my friend and neighbor, Pay Mayfield.

But what about the flip side? I’ve been on job interviews in which the interviewer greeted me with a limp, “dead fish” handshake. It definitely made me wonder about whether I would want to work with or for that person.

Or even worse, the other person closes his/her hand too quickly on yours, squeezing your knuckles. In that case, I always stifle the urge to ask, “Can we try that again?” Maybe asking for a handshake re-do would create a worse impression?

Happy Nurses Week!

National Nurses Week is May 6-12.

Today’s nurses aren’t much like what you see on “General Hospital.”  They don’t all wear white, and many specialize in management, cancer therapy, technology, or forensic issues, to name a few.

Nurses are the “glue that holds the health care system together,” according to an expert quoted in this article. The field is still growing, offering a lot of staying power.  It’s also a great field for career-switchers who want to ditch a desk job.