To start things off, we know that every right-minded person prioritizes their needs over what they actually want, and it is critical for those who practice the right responsibility, budgeting, and planning. However, even though it is fair to put the "needs" at the top of your list, the "wants" should not be ignored. For in our life, it is also a "need" to satisfy our "wants" every once in a while, as we can also enjoy the fruits of our own labor. You can’t just work, work, work, and work even more, and besides working hard and no play is boring or will eventually get boring. When all you have in life is work and no play, well, there will come a time that you will feel this enormous hole that whispers, telling you that something is off.  And eventually, your soul will crave for plays and you will sabotage the hard work that you yourself had been protecting and carefully preserving for quite a long time now. Also, if you go with your life living inside the world of your works, without taking a break or rewarding yourself, you may and will suffer burnout. Resulting in you quickly losing motivation and will let you feel out of balance. Plus, it is actually scientifically proven that treating oneself helps the brain to release a chemical coined “dopamine”, which makes a person feel ecstatic, good, and happy. And as a result, it will head start a momentum of motivation and drive to do tasks even more creatively and efficiently, as doing these tasks now makes you feel somehow good about yourself. As what other people would always say "always love yourself first", and yeah, in a sense they are right. For we only have oneself in this world and it is a MUST to be there for yourself because no one else will ever be. So go for that spa massage, take that 20 minutes to watch Netflix or any show that you want to watch, sit back and play your favorite game, buy those shoes, buy that dress you have been lusting after, eat junk foods, and just enjoy life while you are young and you can.   Do it for yourself. You’ve earned it! And don’t even think twice! But at the same time, be wise when you reward yourself. While it is important to do such an act of recognizing one's effort or achievement, not all rewards are the right rewards; hence you must go for the right and just treats to further create a positive reinforcement upon your well-being. Because in reality, more often or not, we always forget that we are much more capable than we give ourselves credit for. We are all working hard day by day, week by week, month by month and we have to be responsible for our emotional and spiritual selves as well as our finances. Getting enough rest added by activities of relaxation is among the number of many ways to feedback into your well-being. Because holding in that stress will take a toll on your mental, emotional and physical health in such time, and it is also your job and it is also your responsibility to reward yourself with a job well done. And of course, lastly, it is your job to reward yourself with the respect you deserve. And while most of us focus on appreciating others or getting appreciation from others, we often neglect and remember to appreciate our own selves. So it is right and just to reward ourselves as often as we can, as it will leverage our performance in work, our mood and attitude on dealing with things and build new good habits that will further help us reach the goals we desire to achieve. And I think that is why it is quite important for us to celebrate the job well done that all of us have put in.

One of the few things that Millennials are afraid of is that of the feeling of being left behind, they feel like they had to know what they were supposed to do with their lives, and if they don’t, they’d fall behind and never catch up. And of course, people in their 20’s have high hopes for themselves on fulfilling their dream careers, that they all want to feel like they’re doing better than everybody else around them. They want to be in-pace with everyone at their age, and as they cross the 20-something-year-old threshold, they are most probably be feeling the twenty-something blues; the feeling of being scared, little, and confused. And let me tell you something, it is perfectly FINE! You are young, you are free, and you can pretty much do anything that your mind is set up for. Being in your 20’s is fun, super exciting but also pressuring. So, as a newbie, even if you’re not sure of what you want to do yet, even if you feel underqualified, or don’t think to have the “enough” and “right” experience, and even if you feel little in a big world full of professionals, it’s okay. All you need to do is to have the fit and right mindset to start your journey. 1. It’s fine to not know what to do yet. You don’t know what to do? It’s fine, use it as an advantage. What most people don’t recognize is that it’s fine to not know what to do yet. Most of them assume that not knowing where you’re heading and what to do in life is a huge negative. But to be honest, being absolutely certain about things that you want to actually do is a disadvantage itself. If you do not know what you want to do yet, you have one of the greatest advantages of all – you get to be curious. You get to discover things that other people might not know, as you also get to be a little kid again and explore. 2. Be humble and take what you can get In today’s world, admit it or not most Millennials are entitled. They demand something so great, especially for jobs that they expect and want. And at their very young age with no experience at all, it is quite hard for someone to land a “good job” or your dream job, for that matter, right after graduating college. Be humble and work your hardest, and eventually you’ll find a job that will keep you afloat – and at a young age, that is more than okay. Take what you can get; you never know what lies ahead. You never know what opportunities await, and you certainly don’t know what the future holds. Take a job that will feed you first before finding a job that will feed your heart. 3. Sometimes passion follows hard work Most of the time you would hear people say that you’ll work even harder if your work is also your passion. In some nature, yes, it is true. But there are also cases where passion follows hard work and not the other way around. You see, once a person realizes that they are good at something that they do, they’re becoming more passionate about that certain thing, up until they realize that “hey, I like doing this thing”. Though in reality, to be able to really be good at something is actually quite hard. You’ll go through periods of feeling giving up. Points where you will feel like not working anymore. And that’s okay. Working hard is boring. Plus, it’s also impossible for someone to not get bored for doing something over and over again. But keep in mind that once you get really good at something, you’ll see the impact you’re having, the value you’re creating, and feel that deep sense of accomplishment. And that will then be your passion. 4. Find an Adviser Mentors are good for feedback loops and for leveraging your experience, which can certainly accelerate your growth. And as a newbie, you would probably be needing someone that can help you adapt to the new environment that awaits you. Therefore, finding someone that you can ask for advice is quite essential to further your understanding. Finding a mentor is the closest thing to a “shortcut” to success. 5. Keep learning Try not to remain at one location for too long. Diversify your work history while you’re still young. You got a lot of time to play with your choices. Take classes, or take opportunities that your mentors or your workplace offers you to learn. Also, you don’t really have to dig deep into them. Just a little exposure to a new skill will give you a better perspective on things that you may want to pursue in the future, and may eventually be your own personal brand. For in this ever-changing field, it is vital to have the mindset of always being eager to learn and grow no matter the place in one’s career. 6. Take a risk Being in your 20’s, you actually don’t have anything to be afraid of. Dear, you don’t have anything to lose. Now is the perfect time to take that leap of faith and risk. I say, go for it. If it scares you, then you MUST go for it. You might not get this chance ever again. 7. Screw up You heard it right. Yes, screw up. Make mistakes. Make dumb decisions. Go with your craziest and careless options. Feel the sense of things not working out. Because at your age, to be honest, it’s not going to matter that much, you may want to actually have it this early than later. As you will probably feel more secure, relaxed, and at peace with the idea of failure, and lastly, you’ll get to learn from experience – the best teacher of all. So, go out there and don’t be afraid to mess up. You have your whole life ahead of you – you might even thank yourself later.

Red flags for employers are signs that may be seen in an interviewee or candidate. They could be body language, mannerisms, behavior or the resume. Identifying red flags can help you sort out who will get the job offer and who will be rejected. Showing up late in the interview Being late is not a good sign of a serious candidate unless there are legitimate reasons or such candidates maintained his/her composure, honesty, and professionalism. Showing up after 30 minutes or an hour means he/she is not prepared or not eager enough to get the job. On the other hand, some reasons are acceptable, such as: An interviewee called ahead of time (1 day or an hour before a schedule) that he/she won’t make it or will be late because of emergency reasons. The late interviewee took responsibility for being late. Reasons for tardiness that could range from silly excuses (a donkey jaywalked so there was traffic, or my brush went stuck) can be personal things but if such lateness is a chronic issue then that’s a red flag.  Unexplained employment gaps Employment gaps are the periods where there is no formal employment history between the two corporate experiences. A three months employment is Ok as this is the period when a candidate is looking for a job.  Here are some acceptable employment gaps: Freelancing with proof of work or portfolios - Further, probe the candidate why he/she will want to return to the corporate world Assisted the family members in building a business Assisted a parent or relative who is under assisted living Studied an additional course or skill to enhance a career The company went bankrupt or downsized These are the reasons why you shouldn’t ignore applicants with employment gaps. They may have soft skills (Emotional Intelligence). Their technical skills may or might not be affected by the gap They might study to further their skills. They might take a volunteer job to gain more experience. Employment gaps aren’t bad themselves but if the candidate outrightly lies, then that’s a red flag. Job Hopping When an interviewee shows you a resume with lots of short stints or constantly switching jobs within two years, that could be a red flag. Constantly changing jobs may mean job dissatisfaction, fights with coworkers or superiors, being fired, or some other behavioral problems. Frequent job changes raise a question if they would stay in your company for a long time. Badmouthing former employers/bosses An interviewee might tell about his/her former bosses’ bad temper, habits or micromanagement but legitimate or not, bringing their old grudge can be a sign of past grudge, ethical issues, behavioral issues and emotional intelligence issues on the part of the candidate. You would want people who will help you solve a problem and not a complainer. Further badmouthing means: A lack of emotional maturity Unprofessionalism Negative vibe He/she may also do the same when the resignation time comes.   Showing poor body language  Body language is a non-verbal communication that can reveal the true emotions and feelings. It comprises gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, gaze and posture. What a candidate is telling could be incongruent to what his/her body language. An applicant can detail all the sales figures that (I raised the two consecutive months sales to 5%) but his/her eyes looking downward.  You may have conducted a panel interview and upon asking two of the interviewees (Mr.A & Miss B), with the question, “Why are you confident?”,  Mr. A answers with his voice trembling and hands shaking. Miss. B responds with crossed arms. Such poor body language can raise questions about their confidence or manners.   Some negative body languages and meanings:   Category Body Language Meaning Posture Crossing arms Plain bored defensive and closed off   Slouching Low-self confidence, bored and lack of interest   Invading personal space No respect for social boundaries   Checking a phone, watch or clock Lack of interest and bored   Nervous fidgeting and voice trembling Anxiety and lack of confidence       Movements Tapping fingers Bored or distressed   Touching hair, twirling a ring Nervous lacks self-confidence   Close talking Invasion of personal space Facial expressions Staring Can be intimidating, lack of manners   Maintaining eye contact but suddenly shifts gaze and blink rapidly Might mean hiding something or being in stress   Looking downwards Lack of confidence or hiding a truth Voice Tone Trembling Anxiety and lacks confidence   Some positive body language and meanings:   Category Body Language Meaning Posture and Head expressions Sitting straight Confidence, readiness   Leaning Interest    Nodding Attentiveness Movements Offers a firm handshake Shows confidence and readiness for the interview   Using hand gestures Shows confidence Facial Expressions Maintaining eye contact in a triangular fashion (eyes, nose, mouth). Appropriate eye contact instead of the intimidating stare Voice Speaking slowly Maintains composure and confidence   The bottom line   So there you have it. The five red flags for you to watch out if you are a hiring manager or an interviewer. Such red flags or signs can help you sort out if an interviewee would fit your company culture and team. They’ll also aid to streamline your hiring process.  

Just like public speaking, interviews can cause anxiety. A few minutes before you face the hiring supervisor, you may experience palm’s sweating, heart racing, and knees weakening. Your experience is akin to lining up before a vaccine injection or a scheduled dental checkup. He/she would use the question to probe your career history, know your skills, identify your strengths and weaknesses. Most HR personnel are trained in psychology or human behavioral sciences. By observing your mannerisms and using a couple of probing questions, they’ll know if you’re telling the truth and they’ll assess your confidence level. Saying inappropriate things to an interviewer may or might sabotage your chances of getting hired. Remember that companies hire people to solve a problem and such problem solvers only come from positive people, not from pessimistic. Knowing not to say these 7 things in an interview can help you stand out among applicants, decrease anxiety moments and finally get that sweet offer letter. 1. How much is the salary? Asking first about the salary in your first interview is a big No. These are the reasons why asking the salary first is a bad idea. You’re lowering your chances of negotiating the offer. You’re leaving the impression that money is your only motivator. Hiring personnel must know you first and what can you bring to solve a company problem.  Tips: Do this instead: Let the manager bring the salary topic as they will surely ask you about your salary expectations.  Negotiate a salary by knowing first about the challenges and responsibilities of the job, considering the perks and benefits, and being careful after saying no if you really need a job.  Research your industry and the salary range. Use this salary calculator and salary research. 2. I’m sorry, I’m late No matter what are the reasons, unless you’re in an emergency, saying that you have been late because of a traffic jam or your pet spilled your coffee, won’t make a cut. Always give a time allowance to accommodate traffic, walking scenes and delays.  3. I hate my boss - Mr/Miss A and B Badmouthing your ex-company and your boss communicates to the hiring manager that you have some ethical issues on your side or you’re a whiner instead of a problem solver. You might have some legitimate reasons such as your boss’s incompetence or his/her loose cannon temper but saying about your superiors in a bad light can ruin your chances of getting that job. Here are the reasons not to blast your ex-boss: Your may or might-to-be soon-employer could ask about your character references and they might contact the former boss that you are at odds with. The internet has made the world smaller. You may come across as a complainer who has more talk but has fewer actions. Gossips are everywhere. He/She may even be an acquaintance of your ex-boss. Tip: Forgive and move on. You may have valid reasons but you can say about them in private or say your frustration story to your close friend or relatives. 4. I hate my XYZ company  When you feel hating your job and your boss, usually it’s a person or your superior that you're dealing with - and that has nothing to do with the entire company. Speaking ill about your former employer may or might bring these undesirable outcomes. You may end up hurting or offending your innocent former colleagues. You may meet your former colleagues and that they can join your current company as well.  Your hiring manager will also think that you will bad-mouth their company if ever you get hired. The internet made the world smaller. No one likes a complainer. Tip: Forgive & move-on. Think about when you have been given a chance when you have less experience or skills or have been jobless. 5. Is it possible to date a co-worker? Some people get their boyfriends, girlfriends, and spouses through their job but a workplace is not a venue for romantic encounters. Office romance can be a bad idea as most companies are wary of flying kisses between Mr Right and Miss Right. Here’s a survey: The state of office romance. Here are the reasons: Heartbreaks can affect your performance. Gossips are everywhere. It’s not going to be fun working with your ex who might be dating somebody in your team. Working with your ex or former love flame daily is very uncomfortable and awkward. Tip: There are situations that office romance results in success and there’s even a couple that works together. If you can’t resist the urge, take the risk but make sure that your romantic urge is discrete or better if you have options finding your soulmate, you can choose other locations such as interest groups, social media, dating sites and networks, or even at church.  6. How do you promote or soon promote your employees? Asking this question can sound entitled and arrogant similar to asking about the salary first before the HR asks your salary expectations. Instead of asking about promotion ask “I’m interested in staying in your company, what is the typical career path for someone in this role?”. 7. No, I have no questions “No, I have no questions”, can mean you lack of interest. The Hiring manager question - “Do you have questions?” tries to test your knowledge and interest in the company.  Hiring Managers ask this company knowledge question right after the resume/skills/experiences probing questions.  Tip: Ask these questions: What is a typical daily routine? Is this an urgent hiring? When can I expect to hear from you? Would you like a list of references? The bottom line These 7 things not to say in an interview can mean a difference between getting a second interview/job offer or waiting for an empty promise of a second call - “we will inform you and we will call you’’. There are more than these 7 lists but these 7 are the most frequently said during the first or second interviews.   

Hiring traps are pitfalls or mistakes that can sabotage your recruitment process, lose the best talents and hire the wrong people. Hiring the wrong team member can end up wasting your time and your company resources. Hiring based on what you feel or persona Often some hiring managers and human resource personnel hire based on their liking and personality. They tend to find candidates that could mirror their mannerisms or behavioral nuances. Hiring based only on your gut feeling on that day might be inviting because you built rapport but take note that human personality is extremely complex. What works for you may not work on others and vice versa. If you hire those that mirror your persona, you might end up hiring a team of your clones.   Actionable tip: Hire based on a pre-screening process that measures IQ and EQ and industry-standard HR processes.  Focusing more on technical qualifications but not on Emotional Intelligence Emotional Intelligence (EI) skill is also valued as one of the predictors of success. Not everyone has a similar EI and not everyone has strong EI skills. Some can easily go angry when reprimanded while others have self-control and self-awareness. In an interview setting, a candidate with a good EI combo can actively listen, empathize, use appropriate body language and show up early. These are the examples of good EI Empathize with team members Compose oneself even under pressure and highly emotional situations Make informed and careful decisions Resolve conflicts Actionable tips: Watch out for signs of body language that can tell a bad from a good one. These body language signs are not meant to be exhaustive but these are some of the most common signs seen on candidates. Bad Clenching fist Constantly looking at their mobile phones Crossing arms Fidgeting Lack of eye contact Limp handshake Not smiling Rushing speech Slouching Steady eye contact like ogling Trembling voice Good Firm handshake Maintaining eye contact but looking in different facial parts Sitting straight Nodding  Shaking hands Leaning slightly Not treating candidates fairly There are many internet articles telling to treat your candidates well because they are also customers.  It turns out to be true when one of your applicants started badmouthing your company in social media after they had a bad interview experience. Applicants are customers too and one day they will be your customers showing up in your store or branch. While not every one of your applicants will enter your “welcome club” as some will surely be rejected, treating candidates with respect brings benefits. Treating them fairly brings these benefits: Positive work environment impression  Good image brand More opportunitt knowing what to do because your trainer went to his/her vacation can be demotivating during your first day. A well-prepared onboarding process saves time, money and helps new hires get motivated. How to do it: Use the onboarding checklist - Here is the template. Communicate closely by inviting the new employee for lunch or dinner. Conduct a job orientation. Provide employee handbook. Get feedback from the new hire to make sure if there’s room for improvement. Have an experienced or senior employee work beside the new hire. The bottom line  Avoiding hiring traps can save time and money, improve your company image, retain and hire the best talents. Hiring mistakes can be best prevented by having a proper plan and consistently following the best hiring practices. So there we have the four hiring traps. Do you have some more to add?