Just because you’re right for the job, doesn’t mean you will get it. And sometimes, it has nothing to do with you at all! For some unknown reason, the hiring manager didn’t like you. Unfortunate as this may be, it is the reality. It happens often. Check out this article. It puts it all into perspective http://buswk.co/p3uC2q

When you are being interviewed here are a couple of questions you can ask to help leave an impression of someone who is thoughtful and interested. They by no means guarantee you the job, or even that they will like you, but it does set you apart from someone who is simply answering questions.

1. Ask whomever is interviewing you what they see as the biggest challenge facing the company/the department.
2. Ask what they believe the person needs to be successful in the position.

The only recourse you have is to put yourself out there, razzle-dazzle ‘em a little and then wait. We often know when we’ve hit it out of the park, or we just didn’t connect. Then again… maybe not so much. Whatever the outcome, think about it a little, then let it go and move on.

Good luck. If you have a hiring story, we’d love to read about it. ♦ Ruth

“You’re not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.” ~ Oscar Pistorius

Oscar’s disability forced him to fight for acceptance, recognition, and respect in the athletic arena and in his own mind. Now he’s going to the Olympics.

When you read his story, you will see that he had his bad days when he just couldn’t make himself do what he had to do to compete. Haven’t we all felt that at some point in our lives? But how many of us had to overcome such incredible odds?

Having bad days when you just don’t think you’re good enough, strong enough, or even smart enough is part of the human condition. I will not be a Pollyanna (or Sappy Sadie, the Jewish equivalent) about this. Those who have seemingly insurmountable disabilities have it much harder than the rest of us. At their core, they believe in themselves, but sometimes it’s hard to go on. That’s when they need to have someone in their lives who believes in them.

Diana Nyad keeps trying to swim to Cuba despite the dangers, Lance Armstrong won the race 7 times despite cancer, and Oscar is going for a medal on his artificial legs. All of them have people in their lives who believe they can do it. For Oscar it’s his coach, Ampie Louw.

These athletes and coaches are our teachers. Not only do they show us what is possible, they confirm the fact that we all need someone to help us. Someone who believes we can do it, but it has to start with believing in ourselves. Without that, we don’t have a shot. Even those who have had to do it alone have had someone along the way – even fleetingly – who said yes you can.

First, you have to have the guts to be in the “race” at all, and then you need that person who tells the truth and helps you see that you CAN be in the race. For athletes, winning is it – no one competes to lose. For the rest of us, their example is what we need to embrace.

If you’re in the race, be there for someone who needs the push to be in it too. Then count that as one of your successes. ♦ Ruth

You may have seen this; it has been making the rounds this week on the internet:

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. …. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; And maybe it was my fault. He was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim.”

A very sad take on who we are as a society. However, there are bright spots here and there. In some businesses, there are those who still believe. http://buswk.co/qrJcf1 Here’s a CEO employing the tried and true common sense of Peter Drucker. I know it’s only one in many thousands, but at least it shows that common sense may not be dead. Thriving? No – but he’s up and taking nourishment!

Let’s not glue the back of our hands to our foreheads with the “woe is me” mantra. It really does sully the memory of Common Sense – he deserves to live and we are the ones responsible for seeing to it that he rises from the ashes.

What do you think? Is Common Sense dead and gone? ♦ Ruth

(BTW, there are situations where 2 of the stepbrothers are good boys. For example, “I know my rights” – a good thing to have when falsely accused of something (which happens more frequently than you think). “I Want it Now” – is the right thing when the QB says I play to win and I want it now. However, “Someone Else is to Blame”, and “I’m a victim” are definitely the evil twins.)