#noscrewups

When it comes to problem resolution at work - no matter what the problem is your first step should always be the same.

Figure out whose problem it is.

When it comes to an interview, some questions are best left unasked. When you ask, ‘what time do people go home?’ You are signaling to the interviewer that you may be more concerned with getting out on time than getting the job done. That’s a huge red flag. Companies want people who are committed.

The interview is the time to sell yourself to the company. Even your questions should be designed to reinforce the belief that you would be a great hire. If you’re using your interviews as fact finding opportunities, you’re screwing up. Stop it.

It’s important to always be aware of your surroundings and actions. When you’re in public, by definition, whatever you do is being done publicly, and a moment of recklessness caught on film can lead to a lifetime of shame, embarrassment and difficulty getting a job.

The best example of this may be a woman named Lindsey. One weekend she and her friends were in Florida for a vacation. Apparently all was going according to the party plan when some cameras showed up to film the festivities. (Now, I wasn’t there so I can’t say that there was alcohol involved…but…in my experience if someone has to start a story by saying, “See what happened was…” you can bet your last dollar that there was a bottle of Patron somewhere in the vicinity.) The cameras belonged to the company of a man named Joe Francis - his company was famous for visiting different spring break locations and filming girls, well girls going wild more specifically. A partially clothed Lindsey made the cover of one of his videos. Since she was only 14 at the time, you can imagine how It ruined her high school experience. She’s quoted as saying ‘You just don’t think a stupid split-second decision could follow you for the rest of your life.’

While the above example is extreme it frequently happens in less severe situations. The guys trip to Vegas…?It’s a whole different situation when the cell phone camera comes out. Photos from that girls trip to Jamaica can cause more heartburn than a plate of Jerk Chicken. And now, with technology you don’t even have to be the subject of the photo, your party can be crashed by being in the background of someone else’s. Yup, you can be collateral damage in an accidental photo bomb.

Why is this harmful? A recent survey by career builder showed that almost 40% of hiring managers use social networking sites to research job candidates. Of those recruiters, more than 40% decided to not hire someone based on what they found out online. So take a lesson from Lindsey. Because yes, a stupid split-second decision could follow you for the rest of your life. You only live once so don’t screw it up. I guess that would be #YOLO SDSIU? :-)

Quick tips 1. Always be in control of yourself and aware of your surroundings. 2. When it is time to party - leave the cameras home . Experience the moment instead of trying to record it.