Almost every job interview starts with the same question: “Tell me about yourself.” This is simply a conversation starter, an invitation to tell the interviewer who you are and why they should want to know more. Before you answer, I think it is worth focusing on three things: your energy, your relevant experience and your impact. Show that you are engaged, curious and genuinely excited to be there. Share the parts of your experience that are relevant to the role, rather than reciting your entire CV. And talk about what you have done and, importantly, the difference you have made. Give a few examples that make the interviewer want to hear more.
Remember, it is not about showing everything you have ever done; it is about giving them enough to understand who you are, what you bring and why they should want to continue the conversation. Be genuine, show your enthusiasm, share what matters, and then let the conversation flow naturally.
Calm down
According to the Harvard Business Review, there are certain things you could do to cool yourself down if you get worked up:
1. Breathe
2. Focus on your body
3. Say a mantra
4. Acknowledge and label your feelings
5. Take a break
Happy New Year (2024)
I would like us all to have a peaceful, healthy, and successful 2024. I think it will be the year where we rediscover our common humanity, hope and optimism.
Things to leave behind:
1. The sense of entitlement
2. Resentment
3. Self-doubt
4. Regrets
5. The fear of failure or shame
6. Prejudices
Things to hold on to:
1. All opportunities to help
2. A sense of wonderment
3. All feelings of gratitude
4. Humility and optimism
5. Courage and commitment
6. Generosity
An oldie but goodie
Throwback Thursday with seven tips for increasing productivity:
1. Create a morning routine
2. Make a personal framework
3. Focus and prioritise, don’t multitask
4. Stop mindless browsing
5. Save time by automating decisions
6. Learn to say "no"
7. Accept perfection doesn't exist
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Tips on Tuesday
To improve your writing, read more.
To improve your thinking, write more.
To improve your storytelling, present more.
To improve your understanding, teach more.
To improve your energy, rest more.
To improve your focus, appreciate more.
To improve your network, give more.
More tips
Image c/o Susan David
I think a good mentor will:
1. Push you harder than you expected
2. Guide you with better questions
3. Expect continuous improvement
4. Dare you to dream big
5. Challenge assumptions
6. Be a lifelong student
7. Appreciate self-taught mentees
8. Teach you how to think, not what to think
The commitments
After spending a little time in London and reconnecting with some of my old Irish friends. We discussed the books which were made into really good films and “The Commitments” came up. The books author, Roddy Doyle has ten tips to get you writing:
1. Be kind to yourself when you start. Fill pages as quickly as possible. See every filled page as a small achievement.
2. Don’t worry about the quality of what you write until after you’ve filled lots of pages.
3. Don’t be too worried about being worried. It’s part of the job. That’s you wondering if what you’re writing is good enough.
4. Give whatever you’re writing a title, as quickly as possible. You can change it later if you don’t like it.
5. Don’t try to plan everything before you start writing. Writing is a bit like making a friend. You gradually get to know him or her.
6. Make writing an important part of your daily – or weekly – routine. Being too busy isn’t an excuse. Write about being too busy!
7. Trust your own language, your own collection of words. You have thousands of words that you can use.
8. Chances are the words that come into your head will do fine, eg “horse”, “ran”, “said”.
9. Change your mind. Good ideas are often killed by better ones.
10. If you want to, show what you’re writing to other people. But remember: your opinion is much more important than theirs.