I had forgotten to say thank you a month or so ago to Conner for inviting me to this group. So, thank you Conner.
Since then I have had some ups and downs but then again, who doesn't. These are trying times and we are all being tried on our patience, and faith (in our selves, others, and God.) in our job hunt. We all learn as we go how to maintain ourselves. The main thing is not to give up as I see some of us doing. That accomplishes nothing and destroys even more of ourselves.
Although it can be easy to do, we mustn't ever. It is not easy and I will not even pretend or try to deceive anyone into thinking this "job hunt" temporary careering is easy nor encouraging. That is why we all are here on this site. To learn from, to encourage, and lift each other up as we, what? JOB HUNT.
I do suggest to many of us who are the naturally critical colleagues to please stop and think about what those words we may want to someone say to some who is venting ( it comes in many forms of expression, whining, expressing a sense of failure or nothingness, worthlessness, hopelessness, complete negativity in words, all caps, etc...). Let the person vent, please. We have absolutely no clue as to what is exactly going on in their life and mind. How else will they be able to move on to the next. It is good that we let out and let go of those emotions/feelings as we job hunt. But, we should never allow our fellow colleagues to loose their dignity by staying down. No, that is unhealthy and obviously we are all on this community thing for more than just job hunting, right. However, that is where the criticalness needs to and has to come in. They need to be pulled out of that pit that are falling in. They are scared. Fear is a very powerful thing. We all have seen on this site those who have lost hope because they have lost their homes and/or everything they own due to unemployment. Okay, this is where they are in serious need of pep words, prayers (we all need this, come on folks, get it real) and directing them to a church to speak with a vicar, not quiz each other about why we still "possess a cell phone so you are not bad off" (cell phones are now also provided for the government too so people can find those job or maybe even a friend is footing the bill. And how do we even know they are not at a public library or even at someone's home using their internet?) Do not expropriate what's left of the persons joy; help them to hold what's left of it. So please watch your words and use them respectfully and wisely not just to flippantly with anything flying off the tongue in mouth that has not been tamed by its owner with such down-casting words. As I have learned, "Use your words righteously so that they will not come back and curse you too."

Now, where I am really getting at: We need to practice with pre-interviewing with each other here online as we give tips and suggestions. Buddy up. Come up with scenarios. Make it a game to remembered in the actual real life interview. After all, this is real life not a game. This is so terribly important. That way, when (with emphasis) one of us gets employed at the place we want, everyone of us can share in that joy and be encouraged and blessed by it.

I believe whole heartedly in "The Boomerang Effect" what good or bad you do comes back to you. So, we help each other with new or refined techniques for interviewing, one of us lands that job, we share the thrill and joy of it, and learn a technique together that helped one of us land a career. And life goes on.

Who knows it may work for us too. It's not all just about a polished appearance. I have literally witnessed recently, a woman, who interviewed in a wrinkled casual collared half sleeve shirt and wrinkled pants that stop right below the knees and wearing flip flops, land a darn good job at a law firm I interviewed for. I was astonished. The only thing that I had seen on her neat and polished was her hair and make up. Obviously, she had a great positive attitude about herself that must have permeated through all 6 of the attorneys that interviewed her, maybe she knew someone there, and she had to have outstanding skills. Had to. Because I personally, would never have hired her just on my first impression of her. Who's to say that was her first interview? But, my point is - she got the job. Stroke of luck? Possible. But, still do not, at all, suggest / advise going to an interview in casual clothes even if they perhaps, should say it is okay because we never know who will be there with the interviewer with the interviewer, if anyone at all.

Unless, we are divinely god-gifted in our skills and we know, boldly, beyond a shadow of a doubt exactly how good we are with those skills. It's not a good move. But as far as the interviews go, "Always keep it within its boundaries of the professional scope. NEVER have any hint of personalism." Personalism should have absolutely NO place in an interview. Be aware that our personal lives are personal (otherwise, we would all live at our jobs and our jobs would live at our homes. Make sense? Now, that is also what we need to practice with each other.

Never call the interviewer by their first name, leave that marked impression on them by call them Mr./Mrs. ?. Believe me, even if we are not hired for that particular employment position, that Mr./Mrs. Thing will definitely stick with them in their minds. It is a seed of professionalism. Posting, Just my thoughts for today. Good Luck to all.