Ace Your Next Interview with the Right Handshake

I came across an interesting study recently that links successful interviewing with a firm handshake. Believe it or not the people with the best handshakes, men and women, are more "hireable".

What makes for a firm handshake? According to the researchers, good handshakes involve:
-a firm, complete grip
-eye contact
-vigorous up and down movement.

If you're not sure the quality of your handshake, test it out. Shake a few hands and see if the person gets a more or less favorable impression of you. Find out how to improve your handshake and you may just improve your chances of landing your next job. Read the full handshake article.

"Don't waste your time living someone else's life"

With graduation day upon us, I thought recent college graduates (and in fact all of us) would benefit from some inspiring words of advice from Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder. His commencement address at Stanford University is captured in this brief video that you won't want to miss.

If you don't know his history, Steve Jobs is one of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs of our time. He's also a college drop-out - a choice he credits with his success today. He doesn't advocate dropping out as a method but rather strongly advocates following your heart. He also points out how quickly time passes and that we don't live forever. His poignant words of advice ring true no matter what your age, "Don't waste your time living someone else's life."

I want to thank my client Kevin for sharing this insightful video with me so I can share it with all of you. Here's to you living your best life everyday!

Would you be better off as a Free Agent?

Just this week, executive recruiting site www.ERE.net reported a rise in free agency . In other words, more employees are opting out of full-time jobs to be independent contract workers. The reasons for the rise included a desire for more control over their time as well as the greater stability offered by several employers rather than just one. With the ups and downs of today's economy, many don't want to put all of their "employment eggs" in one basket.

I also found it interesting that free agents aren't just taking work from anybody. They are boning up on annual reports, earnings information and news reports about their clients and essentially doing "background checks" before agreeing to do any work. I've always coached my clients to stay abreast of what's going on with their employers in this way.

If you've been thinking about being on your own, perhaps now is the time. Being a free agent is freeing and allows you to work on projects you want to be doing. It also allows for greater flexiblity and the chance to work when you want to and not when you don't. If you've been considering free agency, check out my article on the subject. You can also go to websites like FreelancersUnion.org, Guru.com and Elance.com or read, "Get a Freelance Life" by Margit Feury Ragland.

The savviest workers have figured out that they are their own best boss. Perhaps it's time you did too!

If others are living their dreams, why not you?

In the quest for the ideal career, many people find it inspiring to read about others who've achieved this seemingly impossible dream.

My question is always, "If others are living their dreams, why not you?" Rather than getting angry or frustrated or jealous because someone has an interesting job, the perfect schedule, plenty of vacation time, great compensation; why not instead see it as a signal that this is a possibility for you too?

In a new book called, "How'd you score that gig?" Alexandra Levit interviewed more than 100 people in their dream jobs to see what got them there. She found persistence was a very important trait.

I would add "belief in their dreams" as another key trait of people I've coached who've made it to their ideal careers. No matter what naysayers or even their own inner critic told them, it was their own belief in the dream that kept them persistently focused on achieving it.

I count myself as one of those people in their ideal career. And still "Believe in your dreams" is the message that I put on my mobile phone so that everytime I turn it on, that's what I see.

We all need to be reminded that dreams do come true, if for others why not you?

Negotiating is always a good idea - even in bad economic times

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal online published a great article on how to negotiate salary even in tough economic times. (A link to the full article is at the bottom of this post.)

It's a subject I've been tackling with my clients and thought I'd share a recent example.

Just last week a client asked me if he should expect a drop in pay because he's changing careers in a bad economy. My response - don't ever expect a drop in pay. Rather understand what the going market rate is for the job you're applying for and how your skills and experience can help you stand out.

I told him about Salary.com - a great resource to understand the salary range for the job your are looking for in your geographic area. Next we assessed his situation and whether his skills and experience put him at the top, middle or bottom of that range. For my client, many of his skills were transferable to the new job from his prior career. He wouldn't need to start over though he may be more towards the middle of the range than the top.

Going into the interviews armed with this knowledge boosted my client's confidence. He knew his worth and that allowed him to act accordingly in the interviews. I'll let you know whether he gets the job and at what pay!

Click here for the full Wall Street Journal article and feel free to email me at maggie@maggiemistal.com for help with negotiating pay that matches your worth!

What if you could change careers?

Change of season can be a great time for change in your career. Make your career a priority this fall by tuning into my careers segments on Martha Stewart Living Radio. I’ll answer your questions and share news, tips and advice to help you make a great living! This week I'll share how to think on your feet and be more assertive at work to get what you want!

Tune in LIVE every Thursday at TWO NEW TIMES on SIRIUS 112:
• 10:30am EST/ 7:30am PST
• 3pm EST/ 12pm PST
And if you’re looking to change your image at work, check out my recent feature article on Worksnw.com titled, "Losing the Assistant Rep"!

“Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.” ~Pauline R. Kezer

What if getting a degree isn't the answer?

Getting a degree can get in the way of figuring out your ideal career.

BEFORE you go back to school, TALK to people in the career you want and MAKE SURE the degree is necessary. This way, you'll save yourself money and precious time.

Case in point, I have a degree in Accounting and my CPA. Did I need those to become a career coach? No. In fact, pursuing accounting took me down a conflicting path from the pyschology, personal development and coaching that I love. I wish I had a career coach back then!

If you're going to school because you want a break from working, think again. You might be better off spending your money on a trip around the globe. I had a client who took 10 months off from Corporate America to travel. Now, he's fluent in Spanish and is a sought after resource for international projects. And the clincher - he doesn't have school loans to pay off!

Are you ready?

I came across a great quote by Johnny Carson, "Talent alone won't make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: 'ARE YOU READY?'"

Are you ready for...
SUCCESS
FAILURE
ADVENTURE
JOY
RISK
PASSION

Following the path towards your "what if" is all of these things. Not following your path is only one thing: TRAGIC.

Having it all

"What if" has a great ring to it. I love to ask people "what if" they could have careers that made them money AND made them happy. Most people light up when I ask them that question and rattle off idea after idea. Sadly others just look at me and shrug, because they think that it's called work for a reason.

"What if" I told you there was a way for all of us to get out of the ruts we're in at work.

"What if" I told you that you can figure out your calling and get paid to do it.

"What if" you wrote to me write now with your "what if" career dream?

"What if…” – that’s my mantra

What if…you looked forward to going to work?
What if… you made more money in less time and had work/life balance?
What if… your work was fulfilling and meaningful to you and to others?
What if…the only thing holding you back from your dreams was you?

WELCOME to my career community weblog for sharing, supporting and inspiring one and all to find the spark, take risks, set boundaries and achieve career goals. I look forward to hearing your "What if" stories and making this the year where "What if" comes true!