By Shea Ki

I love a good game (especially at work!) And when I learn something new while playing, that is a double win.
Try this one out right now--you could win a great prize!
First, determine which statement is the LIE and which two statements are the TRUTH. 
Then, BE SURE TO SEE HOW TO WIN A $25.00 AMAZON gift card at the end of the blog. Here's to learning a thing or two about the job search and interview process while possibly scoring some CASH!

YOU VERSUS THE COMPETITION
A) The hiring manager will see my accomplishments and good grades on my resume or job application and be impressed.

B) The average time an employer spends looking at a resume is six seconds.

C) At least 200 other people are usually applying to each entry-level position I am applying to.

A is the LIE.
Often times the hiring manager has  not seen your resume before you go to the interview. Their automatic screening system (a computer analyzer, not usually a real person) scanned your job application or resume. It decided you met the criteria to get past the first level of qualifying for the job.

I've seen too many interview rookies make the mistake of assuming the employer knows about their previous positive moments. Even if they did read over your resume or application themselves, it was likely weeks ago.

IS PRACTICE REALLY NEEDED?
A) I do great at presentations in class that I made the night before, so I can just wing it at the job interview.

B) The average job seeker only spends about one minute or less when reading the job description before applying or sending their resume in for a job.

C) A mock interview will likely decrease my job interview anxiety and improve the first impression I make with the employer.

A is the LIE. 
The job interview is your chance to share your strengths and value. Your resume or job application is just what helped you get in the hot seat. You can't leave it up to that piece of paper or online application do your work for you when it comes to sharing your worth.

You have to be ready to share and talk about your accomplishments in the job interview. Research recognizes that those who go through practice runs before an interview get better results. The less familiar you are with the person mock interviewing you, the better. You will get more useful feedback and know more clearly what areas you need to improve on. 

TO BE MORE ME OR NOT TO BE:
A) Since the hiring manager is only scanning my job application, it is a waste of my time to spend more than a few minutes completing it.

B) The first resumes seen by the employer often start pouring in within 200 seconds of the recruiter or hiring manager posting the job.

C) Employers want to hear about examples that show the results of my work more than stories about my travels, classes, and grades.

Once again, A is the LIE. 
This is one reason so many talented young people are not called in to interview. Those that research the company and align their job application or resume with several of the needs of the employer get called in to interview. Those that send out resumes or job applications that all look the same will not.  
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There is so much competition for entry-level positions and internships. Yes, it helps to know someone at the company to get an interview. But even if you got an interview with the help from a friend, it's not a guarantee. When you show up to meet your possible new boss or a recruiter, you will still have to be ready to confidently talk about your skills and how you will add value.

HALF-BAKED EFFORT=EMPTY WALLET
A) If I have to explain why I am so great then I probably don't want to work for them anyway.

B) Employers will understand I did not work in college so I could keep my grades up.

C) All the good jobs are taken by people with more experience than me.

A, B, & C are ALL lies that we often tell ourselves to avoid feeling rejected.

You are going to get rejected. Many employers will tell you NO, we are NOT going to select you. Sometimes they will tell you why, but often they won't. It will suck and feelings of anger, confusion, or pretending you don't care will try to mess with your head.
And it will happen again. And maybe even again.

​How you handle getting some doors slammed in your face is half the battle to success.

​The decisions you make next and action you take matter. How you decide to recover from the disappointment will either make your bank account and future career happiness grow or shrink. It can be tempting to add in work experience that did not happen, boost up your GPA on your application or resume, or not share mistakes in your history that involved the court. Lying will most often back fire on the job applicant when the employer finds out later (as they usually do). In other words, don't give up or give in to being dishonest with employers.

​Keep the lying for games and out of your job interview.

Your turn: Share two truths and a LIE about you in the comments area on this blog. On this Friday, the first names of everyone who participated in the comments section will be put in a bag. One name will be drawn. That person who replied in the comments with their TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE will be emailed a $25.00 e-gift card to spend on AMAZON's website. That EASY!

Most of all, believe in you.
​I do.

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