Do Not Be Immobilized in Your Job Search
September 8, 2011
Several years ago, I was sitting in my office and the most amazing candidate came across my desk. The attorney had a degree in a hard science discipline from a school like CalTech or MIT (I believe it was physics), had gone to a good law school and finished first in his class. Not only that, he was currently working at one of the top law firms in the world and was in a practice area that was not just desirable at the time, it was white hot. His practice area was so in demand at this particular point in time that one law [Read more]
Never Fib or Stretch the Truth on Your Résumé or in Interviews
March 21, 2011
No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar. -Abraham Lincoln
Don’t exaggerate your qualifications on your résumé or in your interviews. The fact of the matter is there is no good reason to do this. I have a secret to tell you, and it is something far too many people fail to understand when they are conducting a job search. It is something that can change how you approach your job search forever. Before I share this with you, however, I want to tell you a quick story. It is a story that has stuck in my mind for a long time, and it relates to why you never need to exaggerate in interviews or on your résumé. Several years ago, I was once interviewing with a New York law firm for a position. I went out to lunch with a group of associates and they told me that the attorney I would be speaking with after lunch “did not like anyone.” They also made some statements about how strange the guy was. When I [Read more]
Instead of Seeking Praise, Seek Criticism
February 25, 2011
Several years ago, I had a girlfriend who would fly off the handle at the slightest criticism. It didn’t matter who was criticizing her. She would call people ugly, smelly, short–whatever attack she could muster in response to what she perceived as criticism. She would also do everything within her power to avoid being criticized. In school, for example, many mornings she would work until 4 a.m. to ensure she got a perfect grade in her class. In her personal life, she made sure to only associate with people she knew would never criticize her. [Read more]
