Interviewing Made Easy: You're Hired!

It’s often said that finding a job is a job itself; whew, such an understatement. But the process can be seamless with directed strategies to calm your nerves so that you stay focused on the goal ahead. Even when you have went on more interviews than you can count, job interviewing never seems to get any easier. With each job interview, you are meeting new people, feeling individuals out and selling your skillset. Sometimes, you’re often left wondering, did I respond to that correctly? Or did I completely answerthe question that was asked? Staying upbeat and personable is the best energy to lead with.   This can be a challenge, especially when you're interviewing for a position that you’re genuinely interested in.

Relax, there’s help on the horizon. As a Talent Advisor and Consultant I've learned a few tricks and I'm here to share my knowledge. Though my Interviewing Strategies are personalized to each individual due to industry specific alignments there are a few basic best practices that are interchangeable within all career levels. Let’s be honest; my advice for a Software Engineer are different than my Service industry professionals. But you’d be surprised how unprepared many individuals are for interviews at all levels. 

So relax, here's some helpful Tips to calm your nerves.

Create a Stellar Resume or TWO!

• Post Resume on multiple sites; Indeed, LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, Monster and other industry specific sites...
• (Update often) REFRESH your resume to the top of the pile.
• Submit.Submit.Submit & APPLY. (In depth resume writing tips coming soon or inbox me to get ahead of the game)

Hot dog, we're getting calls! 📱📱

• The Prescreen & Vetting Process. The first call is imperative that your listening and able to respond so if it's not a good time advice them that you will call them back. This will also give you time to do your research on the position that you applied for and how to answer questions. Afterall, as a Recruiter this call rules out more than 70% of individuals. WOW, that's truth for you!

• Wooohooo!!! Interview scheduled. What's next! Research the position, print the JD (job description) as an reference, research the companies competitors. If the position list specific software experience that you have moderate knowledge on, refresh yourself so that you're conversational while speaking on it when the Manager ask. Please know that most companies will train you according to their specific training guidelines.

• Think about those behavioral based questions. Most companies use the S.T.A.R Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) Basically giving them an example of how you resolved a situation, what did you do and what was the result of it. We will go more in-depth later around these questions. Usually they want to see how you handled a certain issue, customer complaint or convinced a hard to please client or Manager into trusting you.

• Prepare!!!!!!... Do we really need to discuss the obvious!!!! Map the location area, Print extra resumes, JD, arrive early and dress according...We all got that RIGHT? GEESH!!!!!!

Compensation Questions... Show me the money!

• Here's a fact. According to Policy and laws this questions save many of us. An interviewer can not ask you what you're currently making. However, they can ask you what your expected compensation is for your next opportunity. Why do we need full truth in this area? I suggest you ask them up front, what the range is for this position? This is a lengthy questions so we will discuss this in more detail later. NEVER LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE!
• More to come: Salary negotiations, Counter-offers (JUST RUN, nothing will change), Asking your worth, Cover Letters (Who needs them) & the on-boarding process.

Spotlight is on! Interview time...

- Sell your skillset. - Don't over talk or ramble. - Speak to the question that's being asked. - Remember the S.T.A.R Method. - Ask questions about the company and/or role, BE ENGAGED! - Ask what the ideal candidate looks like for this role. This is usually a wower... It also gives you a chance to highlight any other stand out qualities they've failed to mention or want to revisit. - Keep in mind... Reframe from bad talking current or past employers OR citing personal issues.

******Closing...You got this! 🤑💰🤑💸
- Show interest

- Thank them for the opportunity.

- Send a thank you email.

- Connect them on LinkedIn

Leave confident and re-assured.
You're HIRED!!!

These tips and more from your HR Expert and Talent Acquisition Advisor giving you the GREEN 🚦light to be AUDACIOUS in your walk!

- Author LaSha Marie

Each Day Keep Saying HELLO!

A new morning filled with possibilities should be a gift. Sun shining and birds chirping outside the window; those are all sounds of a day ready to be taken. I was told once, “seize the day and capture undiscovered blessings”. This is how most enthusiastically tackle each new day. Even on those rainy days some people welcome the peacefulness of hearing raindrops and that slight haze over the sky. If you’re like me, I have checklist or daily routines that become habit. Rise, bath, brush teeth, dress, get kids together all to dash out to the car to actually start the long day. Entering work spaces being greeted by welcoming Hello’s and Good Morning’s by co-workers. I have to admit, prior to working from home, I hated the daily good morning rants in the work place mainly because I just wanted to be invisible. I simply couldn’t understand why or how people was that damn peppy.

Those of us with depression or mental illness are faced with a different fate. Just as the change of the wind, we never know how each day will be. It’s almost like being trapped in your own head playing games to conquer each level. Sometimes that achievable moment is finding the energy to leave the bed. (Win for Shay, one foot out of the bed!) People with a mental illness or depression create strategies on these black days by recognizing triggers. We are the best “head” game players in the world. It’s a way to keep connected and somewhat sustaining throughout the day. These bouts can linger for days, weeks and even months in severe cases.

Mental Illness can control your life if the mind, body, spirit and environment are not conducive to positivity. For myself, it was imperative to firstly recognize that I was “in fact” depressed and face the underlining issues of it. This was the hardest because as I met my hurts, pains, regrets and childhood traumas the surface was cluttered. What I learned by comforting every aspect of my life:

~ You are not to blame; forgive yourself and others

~ Pain is to be healed NOT to keep one bound

~ Don’t hide in others. You will become co-dependant by looking for others to make you feel good

~ Over-giving of self. You give others for gratification. (The maybe they’ll love me more syndrome) 

~ Never be afraid to Fail. We are NOT perfect

~ It’s ok to say NO. Don’t overextend yourself so much that you become lost

~ Put you FIRST. Happiness is a self-selection

There are daily habits so that bleak days are farther in-between. This is the work after the “Comforting”. There were times my mind wouldn’t allow me to get out of bed. Days where I was completely happy floating on life then “Boom”, I wake up sun bright but my head recognizes the darkest gray. Your family would even learn your “good” and “bad” days. The question, “what’s wrong” was the most hated inquiry and my responses was always, Nothing and EVERYTHING! I know, enough to drive anyone bananas, right? The earth never had to shake for my mood to change abruptly. I just know that I simply didn’t want to deal with life. I needed a “reset”. I needed to find some way of balancing it all even on dark days. How did this shift start to manifest change for me?

~ I became more cautious of what entered my body

~ I ended friendships/relationships that were toxic. THIS WAS HUGE FOR ME

~ Create a hobby that relaxes you; I wrote till my soul glowed to LIVE

~ Change of environment… move, relocate or create some space for real reflection

~ Recognize what your triggers are. These are usually connections directly linked to you

~ I began to love me; flaws and all. I now owned all of my mistakes to help rebuild me

Depression and mental illness is a very real subject today. The numbers are increasing in suicides and in younger age ranges. It’s no surprise I haven’t mentioned “medication”. I’m an avid advocate for seeking professional help, some aren’t able to cope without prescription. I’m 3 years with no medication but there were times I just knew I needed that “stabilizer” but I then went back to these methods; just like going back to basics. I had to heal me “whole” inorder to fight days a little less and the work continues.

There is true freedom after an unchained mind.

"Tears Unseen, a Shout Unheard"

I had a neighbor and I often played with her daughter. I still recall the warmth and genuine care this women gave me. Her name was Beverly. So one day I decided to share a secret. Not for sure why this particular day, not sure why not a family member but at the age of 8 maybe almost 9, I decided to unsilence myself. I stood there, spilling my "daddies secret". I'll never forget that Beverly almost fainted when asking me questions for clarity. My heart was beating so fast while standing in her kitchen. I remember the motherly embrace she gave me before I walked out her door. She was devastated and I thought....maybe I could finally be free.

She called my Mother and I sat there watching tears run down her face... after days went by the neighbor called the school to report it. In the 80's, it was a very hush topic and I was given a way "out" while speaking to the school counselor. I just recall just wanting it all to end. I wished I could've taken it back. Through this ordeal, nothing changed at home other then I wasn't allowed to be alone with my step-father that I'd known since the age of 2. I went everywhere my mom went but ofcourse things went back to normal. And though his family knew (his Mom and brothers) from him venting, it then opened up doors for his brother to start preying on me on my visits to their house...My Mother's family never knew and I was discouraged to share my truth again until I was in my 2nd year at Alabama State University and experienced my 1st major breakdown.

I suppressed images of the good times from my childhood, whole life-frames were erased from my memory. It was a way to cope, a way to be something I wasn't; HAPPY!

Then comes JOY! Follow me and help me inspire a nation. 

#EndChildAbuse #SufferNoMore  #SexualAbuseMustEnd #Speakup #NotYourFault #MyStory #TruTestimony #AuthorLaShaMarie

Reveal & Release Your Stains!

I recall walking in the store and purchasing the most beautiful rug; It hung there vibrant and filled with color….to me it was perfect. But as most worldly things over time the color faded and STAINS appeared. Normal wear and tear, right? No matter how many times I tried to scrub the spots hoping to wash away the STAIN it still remained; yet faint but very prevalent in my eyes. To the outsider they may look at the rug and unlike me, they will see a rug filled with brilliance. They didn’t notice that through the years this rug has been ran over, walked on, trotted through and even drenched with different particles of life. But because this rug is so perfect to my heart I refuse to throw it away; sometimes I even tucked it under tables to disguise it’s tethered appearance.

We hold these same principles in our daily lives. As we enter the world we are sheltered, innocent, unflawed and UN-STAINED. Remember that feeling as a young child with bright ideas with a carefree mind; those times felt amazing. But as we grow in an earthly existence we learn that innocence is lost and life evolves and changes in time. Through those changing times we are affected by our STAINS. Rather it’s substance abuse, weight issues, low self-esteem, rape, divorce and many other life occurrences. All these issues leave STAINS upon us and many try to hide them; scrubbing away the pain and guilt by trying to bury all the STAINS under superficial things, objects  items and people.

For a while I didn’t know what to make of my STAINS, so I created a false security of myself. I even buried some of them hoping they wouldn’t fully surface. Just as that rug, once we think we have cleaned one stain, sure enough another one appears; so we become creative in decorating to be less obvious. After all; STAINS are looked at as bad, tarnished, used. Who in the world wants to show that to the world? Each STAIN is your representative on how you view your life. Most likely at first we walk around upset, face frowned, disgusted at something so embarrassing and disgusting. We are so distraught that we push away people we love in fear of them discovering the STAINS.

Then one day, if we are lucky enough not to let the STAINS destroy us totally, we confront them. What gives us the power to finally face all the damages of life?...... Our need to be more than our stains; you start to want the "abundance" of life.  And for me it was my relationship with God!!! Once we seek guidance in him (God/Spirituality) to help us Reveal and Release Our STAINS, is the only way we can truly accept and move on to a more glorified YOU. Now he doesn’t promise to erase these STAINS, those are life lessons; badges of tribulations. And in order to seek betterment in life we have to face some true facts first. Your relationship with God allows you to live with these STAINS at the surface, instead of burying them along with yourself in the process.

Think of your vessel and your relationship with God as a scotch guarded rug. That protectant is your Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. And as long as we are renewing our spirit consistently with him…he protects us even when we are approached with life’s spills; Jobloss (he protects us), Depressions (he protects us), Lusting (he protects us), Alcoholism (he protects us)….Anything that can tarnish our image made of him, he will protect us; as long as we’re seeking him first. But sure enough as the world is filled with SIN we will stray; allowing ourselves to become vulnerable, thus having more STAINS; then we’re back on our knees asking for direction and coverage to get through. God responds; that was your lesson to walk with me as your everlasting protector.

I’m now able to walk brilliantly with all my STAINS. Just as proud and SHINING to the world. I’ve learned that the STAINS didn't define me because there not within the fibers that created me. I certainly couldn’t walk through life inspiring, encouraging, uplifting others without his shelter and faith in me to overcome. He loved me enough to help “Reveal & Release my STAINS” and he can do the same for you. SHINE Through It All!!!!


"He doesn't need your open hand for his shelter; he just needs
the open mind that's receptive of his works"


www.shinethroughitall.com
New Book: “The Secret that Gave Me Wings”

Email: lashamariespeaks@gmail.com

By: LaSha Marie

"An Average American"

 I really wish I understood all the laws, locally, state, government or otherwise. Politics intrigue me but I could learn more. Different parties and their standings, the parties impartialness to world issues on poverty, education, hunger, immigration and international wars. We all want to gain knowledge on stocks and bonds, hedge funds and selling as the NSE looks profitable. 

I guess I'm too average of an American because i can't seem to think or wrap my head around complex processes meant not to help us average folks but instead keep us just below a drowning status... I'm sorry I can't get a blinking heart over misappropriation of information. 

I am American. An Average American.

I can't wrap my head around the CIA, FBI, NSA, DEA, how can I understand the intelligence when intelligence aren't meant to uplift our people. When our sons are being killed or lost in jail systems. Our education quality are based on class levels.. I'm sorry I'm the average American.

I can't think about tapped phones and emails being compromised... When my son is being profiled just for the color of his skin. Can we focus on how sex trafficking exist here in the USA and how a nickel bag of trees give more time to rapist. 

Let's focus that kids walk through war zones just to get to school... That the middle class still struggles with day to day living rather then investing... Family systems are hurting and teenage pregnancies are a result of increased promiscuity. That suicide is on the rise across all social systems and people are hurting and crying for help with screams not being heard. Kids are being abused and molested with a battling of a recovery. Our street are riddled with drugs, alcohol and brand labels that add no value....

I'm sorry I'm just an average American so maybe I can't be intelligent about all these intelligence systems... Cause we have yet to tackle the basic human rights for our people. 

Copyright 2015 ©

By: LaSha Anderson, Founder SHINEgirls Atlanta

Also find us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shinegirlsatl

2014 Vision and Updated Bio...

At a very young age LaSha was driven towards a caring nature. Taking apart of community events was greatly influenced within her family setting. From volunteering at nursing homes, area hospitals and Detroit’s chapter of the NAACP she developed an awareness of helping others. Her drive and creative vision kept her involved in High School and even receiving medical certifications at an early age. LaSha’s upbringing in Detroit, Michigan was diverse with challenges which led her to the love of writing. 

Afterwards, she would enroll at an HBCU in 1994, Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. She admits that her time attending a Black college not only shaped her focus towards a Business Management career; it also gave her a sense of pride in being a woman of color. LaSha’s tenure at ASU led her to leading community activism projects along with fostering a passion for speaking.  She would then take the knowledge or sisterhood, self awareness and the history of those before us back to the inner city of Detroit. 

Not soon after returning to Michigan, LaSha found success within the Human Resources profession. Today, LaSha’s dedication and vision has grown much stronger than her HR and Talent Acquisition strategies through (Act-1, Randstatd, Medical Staffing Network) and is now apart of an RPO group which outsource to many fortune 500 companies such as; Bank of America, Coca Cola, ADP, IBM along with a host of others. Her professional career has allowed her to develop skills that she has been able to bring back to the community. 

As a transplant to Atlanta, Georgia as of 2005 her true calling is even more defined. With 8+ years within the staffing agency industry, she would birth her first company. In 2007, she opened, The Reliant Group Inc. a Metro Atlanta based medical recruitment agency. As CEO, she would use her HR methodologies and Sales knowledge to provide excellent consultant services.

As a Detroit native she understands the need to provide empowerment to underprivileged youth with a faith based approach to "Shining Through It All"(c) . Being the product of several tragedies in her life, she often encourages motivation and inspiration on subjects such as; sexual and domestic abuse, rape, depression, suicide, self worth, marital happiness along with many other labels that she has become a VICTOR despite all odds.

Today her focus is to create visions thought impossible within young minds, abused women and those overcoming tremendous odds. As an avid journalist she brings a clear picture to a wide range of readers. Her upcoming projects are; publishing her first daily affirmation book ("My Little Book of SHINE"), along with her life inspired biography ("Shine Through It All"); Including establishing a non-profit organization (SHINEgirls Atlanta) that assists inner-city youth and women with overcoming abuse, self-esteem issues and a host of other topics. She’s enthusiastic about sharing her struggles and triumphs while encouraging others that they too can have the brightest futures with endless possibilities. Nonetheless, her determination not to be a product of her environment and to succeed is her founding faith.

She hopes that her story will encourage others that followed her path. LaSha feels that these adversities along with having a dynamic family foundation are ultimately the blocks that developed her success today. To add to these accomplishments she also gives back to the community by lending her creative talents through the healing works of art and design. Her spiritual and faith based approach is the center of all of her productions.. LaSha is a grounded professional, aspiring novelist, respected columnist, resume writer & interview coach, and within her workshop settings; MOTIVATOR. LaSha is Wife of 9 years, Mother of two, Sister, Creative Writer, Public Speaker, and Entrepreneur. 

Her motto is: "He doesn't need your open hand for his shelter; he just needs the open mind that's receptive of his works"

My focus is to give back; simply give back to the community, to lend my creative gifts. Though I inspire and motivate, give life coaching, hold job placement seminars and organize creative arts classes for kids during the holiday season; my goal and wish has always been to give my First Annual 2014 ShineGirls Christmas Drive. Centered to provide underprivileged girls from ages 7-18 a little extra cheer during the holiday season.

Recent or upcoming event(s):
* Holiday art projects for kids and pre-teens
*Career and resume building skills
*Life coaching
*Writings on life subjects providing daily affirmations
*Public speaking on a varity of subjects that are christian based

More information regarding my bio, writings and contributions to the society both professionally and socially can be found at http://touchedhumor.blogspot.com

Inquires can also be sent to shinethroughitall@gmail.com.

"He doesn't need your open hand for his shelter; he just needs the open mind that's receptive of his works"

"Cleansing For The Soul"

It's easy to think, "what your not" or think negative by saying... "what you'll never be" or even look down on your present. We all know someone like that or this could be you at some point and time in your life. You ever find yourself overly criticizing the things you do? We're so used to believing we're not enough. So conditioned by life to think we're supposed to be more. But what is more? Sure we have goals, dreams with a destination in mind. It's when we look and trust in ourselves, our path, our faith is when we understand that we are where we should be at this moment. Even in despair we have to face that obstacle in order to grow, learn and find strength to conquer all. It doesn't mean that God wants to keep you there. Hes' simply saying: Master the NOW, acknowledge your falls but find JOY in the present.....so we can move forward and fly higher with a defined destination in mind. He didn't make us perfect but he promised that he'll lead us if we follow.

There was a time i thought life damned me. I even questioned why life was so hard. But with growth  and knowing God, i had to accept that it was only me at fault. Isn't it so easy to blame everyone else but "yourself". We should all learn to trust... where you are...; so you can find that burst of fire driven mentality for the next path he's designed JUST FOR YOU.

You can't dwell in the "Why Not's", "Have Not's", and all the "Aint Got's". If you rejoice in where you are (even at the bottom)... you will never find the GLORY in the destination he's ordained to take you. Free your mind:..... If you don't like it....CHANGE IT! If you find life repeating in negativity.....CHANGE YOU!!
It's your "MIND" that takes us where we should be. It's our "Hearts" that will keep our butts right where we are. TRUST, GROW THEN SHINE.

Let me explain the HEART Led life. I believe the devil tricks the heart as it's the most vulnerable. We often think that if someone loves us; life will be better. If i find a husband; my life will flourish.....or If i give my love deep enough someone will give me back. In actuality, If you can't love you, give you, accept the you that's here and now.... You can't possibly find it in anyone else and someone surely won't see it in you. Value thyself as it will surely gleam to the world. Yes, we can find all the JOYS in life if we are leading with a "PURE" mind and spirit which will dictate what a healthy Heart deserves.

It's a work still in progress, MY BOOK and dedication to all my sexual abuse/rape survivors: "Through a Battlefield and Into My SHINE".

"He doesn't need your open hand for his shelter; he just needs the open mind that's receptive of his works"

  Copy written title and story by LaSha Overstreet-Anderson 2014.