Friday, December 27, 2019

Law school counterpunches

Law school counterpunchesLaw school counterpunchesAs more law firms join the Morgan Lewis bandwagon, canceling their summer associate programs (a development Legal OnRamps Paul Lippe likened to Armageddon), its no doubt satisfying to some students to see one law school strike back, albeit with a blow that is more gesture than jab. As Above the Law reports today, Fordham Law School has banned Reed Smith from its campus for five years because of the firms lack of professionalism in belatedly pulling out of the on-campus recruiting process this year (the firm is still hosting a summer program it just decided not to interview at Fordham to staff it).In related news, Lippe offers more ideas on how law schools might better prepare lawyers for the future. While he makes a number of good points, his premise strikes me as unduly narrow, focused as it is on corporate clientsthats OK if you look at law as exclusively a service industry, but I agree with the comments by Ray Campbell (visiting pr ofessor at Penn State) suggesting that the study of law is in factand should bemore Is being a lawyer just about serving paying clients? Not to diminish the importance of providing awesome service to clients, but I think a lawyers duties are a bit more nuanced than that. You can be a great, client oriented lawyer and keep an eye on the bigger game, but you diminish the profession and short sell what law schools need to do if you take too narrow a view of a lawyers role in society.- posted by vera

Sunday, December 22, 2019

The most popular ways candidates clean up their social media

The most popular ways candidates clean up their social mediaThe most popular ways candidates clean up their social mediaWhile prior research has found that 34% of employers say they have reprimanded or fired someone over online content, new datafrom Paychex shows thatjob candidates are taking steps to walk back whats already online.Changing their profile settings to private was found to be the most popular way that they clean up social media accounts.Furthermore, while 60% of job candidates admit to checking out their interviewers social media accounts online before heading in for an interview, 40% say they dont. But in most cases, this hasnt led to anything drastic during the hiring process 79% say that seeing something unfavorable on their interviewers social media hasnt made them reject an interview or job. However, 21% said this has.Paychex surveyed 820 job candidates (ages 18 to 78) and 603 hiring managers (ages 19 to 78) using Amazons Mechanical Turk. The company also reported that the information is based on self-reporting.Heres how people clean uptheir social media presencePeople have done all kinds of things - but most frequently, the obviousI made my profile private 57%I deleted evidence of excessive partying 20%I deleted or fixed posts and comments that had poor spelling or grammar 19%I removed evidence of my political views 16%I deleted posts containing vulgar language 14%I changed or removed an unprofessional username or screen name 13%I deleted information that was inconsistent with my resume 11%I deleted posts that negatively referenced an employer 11%I deleted provocative photos 9%I temporarily suspended my account 8%In separate, but related, news, data from PR agency Edelmanshowed that 40% of people have deleted a social media account over the last year due to privacy concerns.What job candidates dont mind hiring managers seeingCandidates weighed in for Paychexs research, showing that LinkedIn is clearly in the leadLinkedIn 90%Google+ 64%Pinte rest 61%Facebook 59%Instagram 56%Twitter 55%Personal blog 44%Snapchat 39%Tumblr 28%Reddit 0%Interestingly enough, no one wants a hiring managers eyes on their Reddit account.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

5 Signs You Were Meant to be a CEO

5 Signs You Were Meant to be a CEO5 Signs You Were Meant to be a CEOYou are bedrngnis only interested in becoming a CEO one day, you believe you are a CEO today Employers just need to wake up and realize it. But everyone who wants to be a CEO is not CEO material. Here are 5 signs you were meant to be CEO whether you know it or not.First things firstThere is no such thing as, Becoming a successful CEO without doing any work. Many people tried in the past and many learned buying business cards does not make you a CEO. Even if you agree with this list below and think, Hey Thats me the hustle is leise required and very real. You have to put the time in. And when you do, you will have a greater appreciation for your successand career longevity.1. You can execute plans and get resultsWhether it be a lemonade stand, selling cookies for charity, running a fantasy football league, or your first job managing a retail store...the only thing you have ever know is getting results. You know how to create and achieve realistic goals with impressive financial results.2. Motivating people comes easy to youNot everyone has the power to motivate others. Some are great at bossing others around, assigning blame and threatening, but motivating others through fear is a short-lived strategy for success.For some reason, you naturally motivate others in a positive way that keeps people working whether you are present or absent. People are excited to work for you and feel passionate about it. They work hard to make you happy and achieve great results.3. Your curiosity knows no boundsEven though your formal education ended years ago that has not stopped you from learning. You earned certifications, earned a Masters in something, learned a language when you needed toand took a few leadership programs. Why not? Oh...and you traveled, painted, took photography lessons and learned how to sew.True story The previous paragraph references a real-life CEO. Just like the CEO mentioned, you underst and that if you want to do something in your career, then new knowledge must be learned. And you do not mind learning it at all. You will never call yourself a genius. You are just curious and determined.4. You are as confident as you are humbleYou are confident enough to admit No one knows everything. It is a fact, so you keep an open-mind and possess the drive to find the best answers even when the answers are not yours. You are humble enough to admit mistakes and confident people will rise to the occasion, always showing up to do their best work as a result.You are aware that leaders with humility are engaging and give others a sense of identity and purpose.5. You are empathetic and a great communicatorAs a great communicator, you know how to connect and relate to others as human beings, not just a boss. Whether it be an entry-level mailroom clerk or a CFO, you know how to communicate with everyone and clearly communicate without generating confusion. You can manage any departmen t at any time and it does not matter how little you know. You can communicate and relate to others.Why everyone cannot be a CEOIt is said there are three types of CEOThe Small Company CEO who loves the trenches, being hands-on, and establishing identityThe Medium Company CEO who focuses on processes and new priorities for growthThe Large Company CEO who strategizes, develops and maintains corporate cultureAt the end of the day, there are people who are none of the three above. They are neither small team leaders who get their hands dirty nor corporate developers and strategists. Some become CEO simply because they do not like having a boss. Ultimately, as time goes on, those that remain their own boss longer realize it takes more than just wanting to be your own boss to be a CEO.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Straight Talk about Writing Cover Letters

Straight Talk about Writing Cover LettersStraight Talk about Writing Cover LettersStraight Talk about Writing Cover LettersIts easy to find resources that teach you the best practices for writing titelblatt letters. You can find several right here on this blog, more in our Career Corner, and plenty of others on the web. But Im not sure it will be any more helpful than hearing unterstellung somewhat harsh words from Blaine Hilton, a business owner and hiring manager who tells it like it is regarding cover letters. In his Blaine on Business blog, he gives a 9-point reality check that might make you rethink the way youve been writing your letters.Although Blaines post is titled Resume Writing and Submission, it provides at least as much insight into cover letters. In fact, his first two points are1. Have a cover letter.2. If your cover letter is a form letter, forget it.He also gives great tips on how to focus your letter on the business and its needs, rather than on you and yours. Here s one of his big complaints4. Cover letter is focused on the applicant While it is great you are telling me about you, I quite frankly dont care. Im trying to run a business and make a profit. 99.9% of people talk about only themselves if they send a coversheet at all. If you really want to get my attention on a cover sheet, focus on talking about me and my business. Tell me how you are going to help me. Tell me how you are going to solve my problems and make me money.Read that again. He frankly doesnt care to hear about (gasp) ... you. Dont worry, once youre hired, your employer will (probably) come to care about you as a person. Butat thisphase of the hiring process, when theyre comparison shopping among applicants, yourejust one of the productstheyre considering. So your cover letter should be like a product advertisementa clear and memorable message about the benefits you have to offer the buyer. Or, as Hilton puts it7. Answer my concernsHiring someone is going to have the singl e biggest impact on my business. It is my business and thus Im going to have many concerns for you. The applicant that realizes this will tailor their writing to answer the questions I have and make me feel confident that I should choose you.I thought Hiltons candor was a valuable reminder of what youre really trying to do in a cover letter. Its easy to get wrapped up in talking about past jobs, but your real objective is to convince the employer that youll do a great job for them in the future.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Reliable Techniques for Do I Need an Objective on My Resume You Can Use Immediately

Reliable Techniques for Do I Need an Objective on My Resume You Can Use Immediately Choosing Do I Need an Objective on My Resume In this manner, you can make sure you will improve your opportunities. Should you decide to include one, the objective can speak volumes about the sort of worker you are and the sort of job you believe is appropriate for you. Not everybody agrees an objective is a superior use of resume space today. An objective can be a rather effective means to present yourselfyou just will need to make sure youre writing a great one that deserves to take that space. New Ideas Into Do I Need an Objective on My Resume Never Before Revealed Here are nine strategies for updating your resume so that you can receive the job that you want in 2017. So, its utterly imperative that you avoid them at all times. Keep in mind, you can store as many as five resumes on Monster. One of the risks of a resume objective is that you are able to focus too much on what you would l ike in your career, and not enough on how youll add value to the firm. There are lots of self-proclaimed resume experts that are saying that your resume doesnt require an objective. If youve got the sole objective in a sea of resumes, it only might provide help. Simple, a resume objective 2019 is excellent, but always based on your goal. Resume Profile A resume profile is a quick overview of your finest skills and qualifications. SUMMARY There are lots of means by which you can entwurf this heading. This section goes right beneath your name. Gossip, Lies and Do I Need an Objective on My Resume However, it is dependent on several things and tips you should consider before writing one. Well, you merely must take a look further in the report and discover out If youre still wondering, have a look at our tips. Place the stage for the remainder of your resume. Do I Need an Objective on My Resume - Is it a Scam? For a chronological resume, or perhaps all type of resumes, its always advised to compose your contact info and a resume introduction in which you explain your targets, part of your achievements and a succinct description of your profile and potential as a professional. If youre giving your resume to a network contact who might pass it along to others internally and you want to be considered for a number of roles, you can eliminate the objective section. If you want to relocate for work, you most likely already know its most effective to leave your present address off your resume. The info within the goal statement may want to get customized based on your industry too. Do I Need an Objective on My Resume No Longer a Mystery Hunting for jobs objective a resume associate may seem to be a daunting undertaking, but a tiny knowhow can sample associate the procedure. Those who fall in these categories are normally the only individuals who do need an Objective. Some recruiters arent so enthusiastic about this section. If your resume does not in clude the keywords, you might be overlooked. The New Angle On Do I Need an Objective on My Resume Just Released Lets spell out the assorted arguments. Whether you call it an objective statement or private summary, you need to use the peak of your resume to grab the interest of the reader. Do I Need an Objective on My Resume and Do I Need an Objective on My Resume - The Perfect Combination Finally, stating an objective is optional, but it might help convince employers that you understand what you want and understand the business. If youre an individual searching for your very first job, you should concentrate on the traits that objective make you a great employee. Sign objective on a work bank. Employing an online resume builder is a powerful tool to assist you compose a winning resume. If you would like more help along with all the sections which should go on your resume and the way to decide the order, read this guide. Make certain that your resume contains keywords. Here its important to know keywords. The Pain of Do I Need an Objective on My Resume Switching fonts can at times provide a resume a sloppy appearance. The peak of your resume is prime real estate, which means you dont squander it by utilizing vague filler material. Wed be very honored if it is possible to apply some or all these designs in Your design plans. Now, have a look at a number of the best resume objective examples 2019. If its difficult to produce an Objective in the very first place, it typically means the candidate has not done the appropriate self-assessment to receive focused on two to three job targets. Instead were likely to concentrate on your objective. It is critical that youve got a definite objective in mind. In that instance, you would customize each resume to that particular objective. As a result, while your resume objective should incorporate information on the career you want, you also wish to spell out why you are the perfect candidate for the j ob. Whenever you would like to emphasize that youre ambitious, that you understand what you want in a career, or you have the skills for the particular job, you could benefit from a resume objective. If you opt to include an objective statement, make sure youve got a targeted job, you know what skills you wish to mention or youre applying for a specific position. A resume objective might also have where you are, and where you would like to go in your career.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

7 Open Secrets of Social Media Recruiting - Spark Hire

7 Open Secrets of Social Media Recruiting - Spark HireSocial media seems like an unlikely destination for recruiters but 94% of recruiters use social media to attract top talent. Social Media is no longer the hot invention of the 21st century, its the norm. HR pros today cannot afford to overlook the benefits of social media for recruitment.The future of branding, especially employer branding, has to resonate personally with candidates.But the basics first.What is social media recruiting?Social media recruiting is the means of recruiting possible talent using social media. Through social media, you can advertise your openings and build connections with your prospective talents.But how effective is social media recruiting?Lets go over some stats67% of recruiters believe that competition for top talent is likely to increase.80% of employers believe that using social media helps them to find passive candidates.75% of prospective talent arent actively searching for a job, they were conta cted by recruiters through social media.Over 70% of recruiters have successfully hired through social media.89% of companies plan to recruit through social media.The edge online/social media recruiting has over offline techniques is that you can track the efficiency of the process. In social media recruiting, you can effectively get an idea of the number of prospects clicking your job ad and the rate of conversion.But how do you optimize social media for your hiring needs?Here are a few ways you can go about it.Optimize Your LinkedIn PageAccording to roberwalters.com, LinkedIn is preferred as the most important social media channel for recruiting. 85% of the people in the survey conducted had a LinkedIn profile.If your company is missing from LinkedIn, your organization is losing a big chunk of great talent. Having a great and active LinkedIn page is a prerequisite for attracting top talent. LinkedIn makes even more sense if you are looking to attract more experienced talent in your pool. Passive and active candidates with more experience usually flock to LinkedIn for opportunities.Also, Google uses the text in your company LinkedIn profile to feature your company in its search results. Google only shows the first 154 characters, so you need to make sure the first 154 characters are very clickable.Promoting Your OpeningsWhen you have an opening, the first step is to make sure people know about it. Advertise your opening on all the relevant social media channels to get maximum engagement. Also incorporate the opening in your newsletter. This way you can get maximum interest with the smallest impact to your hiring budget.But doesnt everyone advertise their open positions on LinkedIn and Facebook? According to recent research, only 13% of professional recruiters use social media sites for posting ads about their organizations vacancies.Employee BrandingIf Steven shares a picture on Facebook with a caption Work is fun when coworkers are great. Their middle manager probably considers it employee branding. Sealed and delivered.We have seen countless companies get on board with employee branding without any proper planning. And the problem is simple, thats not employee branding. None of Stevens 2020 Facebook friends have any context of the picture or the message, unless they know Steven outside of Facebook.The viewers of pictures like this usually dont have an idea of where someone works or the services the posters employer provides.You dont have to urge your employees to fully explain all the context behind their post. But a little context goes a long way in creating an exciting employee brand.Beware you dont want every employees post to feel like an advertisement for your employer brand. Your messages should be short and with enough context to leave appropriate candidates excited about working for you.Attracting through InstagramInstagram might seem like an unlikely tool to attract new employees. 6 years ago, getting engagement for free was e asier on Facebook, now that spot seems to have been taken by Instagram. Its unlikely you are going to get sizable engagement through Facebook without the cost of promoting your posts going through the roof.Also, in 2019 Instagram recorded 10 times more engagement than Facebook and 84 times more engagement than Twitter. Additionally, 67% of its users are below the age of 29. Engaging and attracting through Instagram ensures a young, dynamic and future-proof workforce.Using Videos For Audience EngagementThere is no better way to take your relationship with your potential candidates to the next level than to engage them with an exciting video.According to a recent survey, videos are likely to engage 10 times more people than any other medium. Adding a video increases click-through rates 300-400%. Also, Youtube is the new social media kingpin. Youtube has 1.9 billion users worldwide and available in 80 languages which cover 95% of the internet populationYou can make interesting videos a bout what its like to work in your organization or even an employee testimonial video. Make sure that the video is interesting enough to engage your audience of potential talent. Better yet, you can make a behind the scenes video of a different video released in the past. People love behind the scenes footage, so give them what they want.Content is KingSharing content is one of the key ways to not only hire exciting talent but also generate sales leads. The secret to success on social media, and social media recruiting campaigns is they wont work if you dont have quality content to share.Having a great content strategy also shows you are an industry expert. Candidates love to work for industry leaders.Your content can range from blogs to podcasts to infographics to ebooks. Or, better yet, all of the above. It becomes that much easier to convince top talent to join your organization if they already follow your content.Create a feeling of FOMOThe ultimate aim of social media isnt to c reate a feeling of FOMO, or fear of missing out, among your prospective talent. Your employer and employee branding should focus on how great your company is and how exciting it is to work there. It should broadcast your superior company culture and the uplifting work environment. By creating a small amount of FOMO, you encourage candidates to become parte of the action by joining your company.Wrap UpSocial media not only increases the efficiency of your recruitment but also minimizes cost. You should be wary of jumping into social media before you are ready. We have seen countless examples of how companies fail to have an optimized and well thought-out recruitment strategy on social media. Realize which strategy works best for your open positions.Author BioIftekar is a content marketer at Vantage Circle, an employee engagement platform. Vantage Circle helps corporate organizations manage human resources efficiently. Iftekar has worked in various departments in his professional care er ranging from finance to marketing. He is an avid reader and likes to be updated in every business field.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

4 Warning Signs Youre Working for the Wrong Company

4 Warning Signs Youre Working for the Wrong Company4 Warning Signs Youre Working for the Wrong CompanyIf your hearts notlage in it, why should you be?If you are teetering on the proverbial fence about whether or not your current position is the right fit for you, here are four warning signs insinuating that it may be time to take the next step in your career search.You Lack of Passion/InterestA loss of passion or interest in your work could be the number one red flag indicating that it may be time to pursue an alternate career route.Do you feel differently about your career than how you felt the day you started? Is your workload getting monotonous? If youre finding ways to kill time, maybe your current role isnt a good fit for you anymore.Your Talents are not Being Utilized to their Full PotentialAre you a brilliant interior designer stuck pushing papers? Do you never have a chance to flaunt the programing skills you studied in college? Or do you just simply feel stuck in your curren t role with no hope for development? Take the hint its time to move on.There are very few things more frustrating than the feeling of being underutilized in the workplace, especially for ambitious individuals. Why work for a company that doesnt value your input? Insider tip you dont have to. If your boss doesnt see you as a vital asset, find one who does.You Dont Fit in With the CultureAs the saying goes you can plek your friends, but you cant pick your family. But what about your work family? Work environment is critical to your professional success. Chances are, youll never be happy with a company that doesnt share the same professional ideals and principles as yourself.Are you the poster child or antithesis of the brand youre representing? Do you work with like-minded individuals? Do you detest or anticipate coworker interactions? Not all social problems have solutions. If the issue of work is with the company itself rather than the tasks allotted, perhaps its time to throw in th e towel.You Get More Stressed Than its WorthDoes your career cause you an overwhelming amount of anxiety? Is it like pulling teeth just responding company emails? Is it getting harder hitting the snooze button in the morning? Call it quits.Stress should never be compensation for success. If your workplace is the leading source of unwarranted misery, it may be time to sever ties, in the right way of course. We have enough stress in our lives as is, and the workplace doesnt have to be one of them.***Job seeking is like dating finding a convenient one is easy.. Findingthe one, well, thats not always so simple.Dont let doubt rechnerwolke your ambition. You have a better chance of finding what you want if you remove yourself from what you dont want. If your ideal career is not your current position, have the courage to start all over again.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Career Books to Read

Career Books to ReadCareer Books to ReadThe start of a new year is the perfect time to review where you are at in your career and where you want to be. If youre looking for guidance on how to achieve the next level of your career, reading one of these highly-rated books is a great start. Whether youre looking to be more productive or if youre trying to find more balance, one of these new books will help you reach your career goals for 2016. The Productivity Project Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and EnergyBy Chris Bailey If one of your New Years resolutions is to be more productive, The Productivity Project was written for you. The author, Chris Bailey, spent one year conducting his own productivity experiments and shares his observations and findings in this 304-page book. Bailey shares over 25 insights he learned from his year-long study how to be more productive. Stretch How to Future-Proof Yourself for Tomorrows Workplace by Karie Willyerd and Barbara Mistic kNew technology is making many jobs obsolete, and the main concern of most people is how to stay competitive in an ever-changing job market. Stretch offers advice backed by global research on how to stay relevant in the workforce. From how to make career decisions that will secure your competitiveness in the future to how to stay driven during the twists and turns of your career, authors Karie Willyerd and Barbara Mistick cover everything you need to know to thrive now and in the future. Hiring Greatness How to Recruit Your Dream Team and Crush the Competition By David E. Perry, Mark J. Haluska If youre looking to build an amazing leadership team at your company, Hiring Greatness is the guide for you. Written by David E. Perry and Mark J. Haluska, professional executive recruiters, the book focuses on hiring the right executive. Perry and Haluska discuss strategies on how to attract brilliant talent, as well as retaining them. Deep Work Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted Worl d By Cal NewportIn the first chapter of Deep Work, Cal Newport predicts the schrift of people who will be successful in our new economy. He states, In this new economy, three will have a particular advantage those who can work well and creatively with intelligent machines, those who are the best at what they do, and those with access to capital. How can we become one of the people in these groups? The answer is deep work. Newport defines deep work as,professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to the limit. In todays distracted society, performing deep work is hard to do Newport offers ways to recondition your brain and increase your concentration to allow you to remove all distractions and perform deep work. Wellth How I Learned to Build a Life, Not a Resume by Jason Wachob Written by Jason Wachob, the founder of mindbodygreen, Wellth guides readers to find their paths to health and success. Wachob uses his ow n personal anecdotes to advise his audience on ways they can be successful in all aspects of life. This is a great read if youre trying to find more work-life balance in the new year.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Stop worrying about your first impression

Stop worrying about your first impressionStop worrying about your first impressionYou never get a second chance to make a first impression.Ive always struggled with this truism.I know, people are judgmental - it takes only seven seconds to form an opinion about someone you just met. We all tend to judge books by their covers. First impressions are hard to change according to research. But thats just one side of the story (more on this later).Studies show that we make snap judgments about other people. 80% of first impressions are based on two subconscious questions Can I trust this rolle? Is this person capable?Both you and the other party are simultaneously assessing each other.However, theres something wrong with this self-help advice - it encourages us to seek others approval rather than self-acceptance. Also, its an invitation to play it safe - if you make a mistake, you are screwed up for life. Thats intrinsically bad.Lets challenge this truism together.Stop trying to be like dYou dont worry about being liked. You have to be yourself. - Vince VaughnThe problem with modern self-help is that it oversimplifies life. By offering shortcuts, we forget to follow our own path.Charles Chu wrote a brilliant post on bad self-help.Two things caught my attention about what he coined the myth of perfect perfectibility. Bad self-help tells you that its your fault when you fail miserably. Also, it creates fairy tales with random scientific evidence.The magical thinkers want you to follow their advice blindly.Self-help truisms create false expectation - we expect life to be perfect and stop appreciating who we are. As Chu explains We are more likely to sacrifice the present (which is imperfect, impermanent) for an ideal future that is unlikely to come.You dont need to create an impression.You shouldnt expect people to like you either. Looking for external approval is why most people censor their best-selves. That our society rewards predictability over originality doesn t mean you have to follow the same pattern.Dont live your life trying to please everyone. Youd most probably disappoint everyone including yourselfBilly Joel wrote Dont go changing to try and please me. You never let me down before. Dont go trying some new fashion. Dont change the color of your hair.Whats the point of acing a job bewerbungsgesprch at the expense of leaving your soul at home? Do you want to work for a company that expects you to betray your values? Do you want someone to fall in love with you because he/she believes you are someone you are leid?Some people believe that creating a first impression is an art. That you can follow 5-steps and will succeed - all you need is to display high self-confidence, they tell you.Self-esteem is a dangerous trap - by trying to please others, you end up deceiving yourself too. It invites you to seek for external appreciation rather than being authentic. It encourages you to measure yourself by your appearance instead of being hones t.You just need to be you.The above is not advice, but an invitation.Authenticity is the best thing you can bring to the world. Whether its a job interview, a date, or meeting someone on the street. Dont try to create a perfect image by becoming someone you are not.Your second impressionResults Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results I know several thousand things that wont work. - Thomas EdisonLife is anything but certain - theres no proven formula to how you should live yours. Life requires experimenting and doing things for the first time every day. You will fail, you will make mistakes, and feel sorry about it.The good news is that you can recover. Tomorrow is your second opportunity you can always try things again.Educators described Thomas Edison as addled. He spent a few months in a formal classroom before being taken out of school and educated by his mother.It took him many attempts to create a practical light bulb. Edison didnt care about the impression - thats why he k ept trying and trying.Treating every first opportunity as a life-or-death situation will do you no good - the first impression trap limits your potential. By trying to be right, you will censor your creativity and spontaneity - liberate your personal touch.You can let your first impression define you. Or you can choose to define yourself by the longer-lasting impact of your craft.Oprah Winfrey was fired early on in her career because she was unfit for television news. Walt Disney lost his job for not being creative enough. Jerry Seinfeld was fired from his first job after giving a wertmiger zuwachs the producers felt was uninspiring.A first, second impression can improve a not-so-good first impression. Life gives us second chances its up to you keep trying. Those who overcame initial failure was because they followed the authenticity route. Rather than trying to please others they kept bringing their best-self every day.Whats the point of pretending to be someone you are not? What s the purpose of hiding your true self just to land a new job?Most of the frustrations in the workplace are rooted in the lies told during the interview process. Both candidates and employers are so worried about making a good impression that they end up showing fake versions.If you fake it, people will soon realize it.When the truth hits the fan, everyone feels deceived. Either they need to continue faking or become honest about not being as perfect as they pretended to be during the interview process.Coaching teams, I have to deal with a lot of unbroken promises - kickstarting any relationship with honesty saves a lot of headaches down the road. I personally reject candidates that are too perfect - I prefer vulnerability and candor over people acting like robots.Im also very candid when interviewing someone to take on a tough challenge. I want to avoid future frustrations but also, to make sure Im hiring the right person to take on a grave situation.You dont need to fake it unti l you make it. Continue making what you are good at until others notice it. Thats the most important impression you should care about.- - - The world is suffering from a narcissistic epidemia. We dont need more fake people.Unless you are committed to pretending to be someone you are not forever - letting go of being authentic is a steep price just to conquer someone elses appreciation.If something goes wrong on your first date, you can always course correct. Apologize, ask for another chance, try with other people, but never give up. Making mistakes is how we learn and improve our act.Trying to look perfect to be accepted by others will only add more strain to your life. Bring your authentic self to every first encounter.If something goes wrong, you always have a first chance to make a second impression.Call to actionDownload my free ebook Stretch Your Mind, a compilation of exercises to grow beyond your comfort zone, one stretch at a time.Thisarticlefirst appeared on Medium.