Why We Work — A Labor Day Message.

What is Labor Day? On Wikipedia, it's a day to honor the contributions we've made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. So let's do that. Every Labor Day, I take time out to review where I am in my career and all the reasons why I work. Why do I do this?

• It gives me perspective. I look back at where I've been and what I've done professionally — what I've accomplished and what failures I've had.
• It makes me appreciate all that I have in my life. All the great people I know and work with — all of my wonderful clients, past and present.
• It shows me the way forward. Based on where I've been and where I am now, I get a better view of where I have to go.

So many people who work tend to dread going to work. In fact, we all do at one time or another in our lives. A lot of pressure, a big project that's behind schedule, a problem child you're managing on your team. It sucks to get up so early, get stuck in traffic traveling to work, too many interruptions when you get there, watching the sun go down at your office, and reversing the process on your way home.

During this Labor Day, please remember a few things about your career:

• You have a job. There are a lot of people out there who don't have one. They're nervous and scared — it's September and the clock's ticking.
• You have a paycheck. You get to pay your bills and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
• You GET to work. So many people complain about how "They HAVE to go to work."

You GET to practice your craft. You GET to interact with qualified peers who help you run the ball over the goal line. You GET to grow in your job, to be better, smarter, and more agile.

This Labor Day, I want you to sit back, spend a few moments, and remember how lucky we all are to have a job.

"Success is not a destination, but the road that you're on. Being successful means that you're working hard and walking your walk every day. You can only live your dream by working hard towards it. That's living your dream." — Marlon Wayans

P.S. If you know someone who is currently unemployed, I want you to call them up and ask how you can help them. Not only will they greatly appreciate it — it will bolster your gratitude and appreciation for your current job. Trust me, it works.

"If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day Weekend." — Doug Larson

Ask Rich Gee: Career Questions From Quora.

Frequently, I am asked questions from people within the website Quora — I try my best to answer most — but candidly, there are too many. Here are some of my best answers to great questions concerning people's careers:

What is more difficult in the long run, working for a company or running your own business?

Both are difficult and rewarding in their own ways:

• Company - you have a boss to keep happy, you have set work hours, you get a regular paycheck, you get a paid location to work at, you get benefits, and you also get jerk bosses, the chance to lose your job instantly, cancelled projects, and frequently depressed coworkers.
• Business - you have a clients to keep happy, you have flexible work hours, your paycheck is based on how hard your work and hustle, you get to work at home, you get to pay for your own benefits, and you also get no jerk bosses (but jerk clients), the chance to lose your clients at the drop of a hat, cancelled projects, and you might be frequently depressed.

All kidding aside (but I was telling the truth) - both have their ups and downs, sometimes you feel in control with both, and sometimes you feel out of control with both.

I've done both - 20 years in corporate - 14 years coaching - and both are hard/easy, rewarding/frustrating, but all in all - it's a great ride.

My suggestion? Start a company.

How long does it take to settle in at a new job?

On average - 3-6 months. Not only do you need to meet, develop and hone relationships with key people, you need to learn the whole business - how it works, what are the levers/movers, what are the clients like, etc.

You also need to see how the company reacts to emergencies, slow-time, reactive decisions from management, and industry shifts.

I hate to say 'settle in', because when I'm settled, I'm bored. You need to constantly challenge yourself - do new things, meet new people, etc.

Where on their resumes might long-term unemployed job candidates address their current career gaps?

Are you not getting traction with your current résumé? (a lot of opportunities/recruiters/hiring managers passing on you?)

If not, don't do anything. If so, and if the gaps are frequent and wide, you might want to fill in those gaps. Some suggestions:

1. You didn't sit on the couch all day and watch Jerry Springer. You probably did something - volunteered, side job, etc. Let them know.
2. Did you try to start a business? Did you do side work (consulting) that you were paid for? Let them know.
3. If you really didn't do anything for a LONG time and your résumé isn't getting traction, you might say you helped out a sick family member at home - most of the time recruiters might ask a small question, but it's happening more and more every day as our population ages. I know this might be a 'white lie' and a fireable offense - but if you are consistently striking out, you have to do something to change the dynamic.

#3 might rankle some readers — but there are a lot of people who are lost right now looking for a replacement job and they've gone YEARS without employment.

What kind of advice would you give to a 40-something starting a new job where she'll be working alongside 20-somethings?

1. Listen more than preach. You are not their 'sensei' right now, you just work with them. Also, be patient.
2. Ask questions. They might know more than you do. And they probably do.
3. Don't talk about your kids, your injuries, your parents, or any other 40+ year-old concern. 20 year-olds don't care.
4. Don't try to 'be cool'. Be yourself. Be interested, but be yourself.
5. Let them make their own mistakes. If they ask you for advice, then you give it to them. Ultimately, they will look to you as their 'sensei' if you do it right.
6. Try to do things that they do. If they invite you out for drinks, go. If they mention a band, listen to them. If they talk about a movie, check it out.
7. Compliment them. We tend to forget to do that with our younger counterparts.
8. Work out, stay in shape, eat healthy, and keep a close eye on your wardrobe style. You don't want to dress like Lou in MadMen. Also keep an eye on your hairstyle.
9. Look at your glasses style. Too many guys and gals wear really old frames they wore in high school. Get with the program and style up.
10. Grow an interest in some of the things they might be interested in - music, movies, books, theater, etc. If you show a sincere interest in their passions, they might ask you about yours.

Extra-Credit: Keep up with TECHNOLOGY. I'm 52 and get so angry at people my age who have problems, disregard or disparage simple technology I use easily. YOU LOOK OLD immediately if you have frequent problems with email, the web, your phone (get a smartphone), etc.

Tough Interview Questions FROM Your Future Boss.

My last post on interview questions focused on those questions you should ask your interviewer.  Everyone prepares for the basic interview questions — here are the ones that come out of left field and cause you to stumble. Or as I say, "The ones that bite you on the butt."

Here they are:

1. How do you handle stress and pressure?

This is a big one - not only do they want to know if you can - but they also want to know some instances when you have encountered stress/pressure and prevailed. Get your stories together and prepare to use them to cover this question.

2. Why do you want this job?

This one cuts to the chase - it will tell the interviewer if you are just playing the field or if you are REALLY serious about the position. Be sincere and show them your enthusiasm for what you do, for the company they work for, and the potential of the two coming together.

3. Why should we hire you?

A blatant frontal assault on your abilities and experience. Keep smiling and take it on as a challenge - relate your background and successes as they align with the position and company. Use a shopping list technique - list off and count on your fingers all the reasons why you are the PERFECT candidate. Your assertiveness and enthusiasm should drive the day.

4. Why are you leaving your current job?

Most of all stay positive with your answer. Don't kill the company, industry, boss . . . anything. In fact, blame yourself — tell them it's time for you to move on to bigger challenges and to begin to stretch your abilities. If you can also build in the attractiveness of the current company your interviewing with — so much the better.

5. Why are you better than anyone else?

This is where you have to throw off the shackles of bad self esteem and BRAG. You need to be assertive in your answers and clearly show why the combination of your experience and talents make you their only correct choice. BE BOLD!

6. What do you do in your spare time?

Get ready for this one. They are really trying to find out who you REALLY are. Are you active/sedentary, do you educate yourself, are you a member of groups, are you a leader, are you enthusiastic, do you fit in with other organizations? Make sure you align with the company culture and structure. If you are interviewing with Eastern Mountain Sports, they don't want to hear you like to curl up with a good book by the fire. They want to hear your last camping trip on a mountain.

7. If we offer you the position, will you take it?

This is a really bad question, but they do ask it. I always tell my clients to answer, "It depends on a number of criteria we agree on."  You don't want to sound too excited about the position, but then again, you don't want to sound to relaxed about it either. Another answer is to ask a question, "Are you offering me the position?" That gets their attention.

8. Where else are you looking and why do we stand out in your set of choices?

Never be specific here. Don't name names or companies — stay general and present the image that you are a hot property on the market. You can use terms like, "I have asked to meet with a number of executives in the industry." or "I have a number of irons in the fire — some are hot and some are smoldering." To the stand out question, give them some props — "You stand out very high in my search — it would be an honor and privilege to work here."

9. Are there any reasons why you wouldn't take this job if it were offered?

Again, never be specific here. They are baiting you — waiting for a response to trip you up, make you look like you are a 'glass-half-full' person, or a major faux-pas. A great answer to this question is: "Honestly, at this point, NO — but as we get deeper into the hiring process, I might have additional questions." Or you can hit them hard again and ask, "Are you offering me the job?" Not only does it serve back the question with a well-placed backhand, they then need to respond.

The BEST Interview Questions To Ask Your Future Boss.

You're nervous, but be prepared — they are going to ask you a lot of questions. Your answers are going to play a major part in their impression of you.  Most interviewees don't realize the questions they ask also play a major part in honing that impression. So you need to plan, make time, and ask them.

This is important — it's not always their answers — it's the impression you make asking the questions. It shows you are confident and in-control. That's who they are looking for.

Let's cut to the chase - here they are:

1. Can you explain the culture here at (the company) and provide examples how (the company) upholds it?

It's not only the information provided, watch how they answer it. You're asking them to sell you their company and if they fidget of prevaricate - watch out. Watch their eyes and see if they stumble — they are not going to be prepared for this question.

2. Is this a new position or replacement? Why? Is it changing?

This will tell you if the company is growing or if there were problems in the department. If it's a replacement — was it them or the previous person who had the position? You need to understand the dynamics of the situation you will be stepping into.

3. Where do you see (the company) in 1, 3, 5 years & how can I help (the company) get there?

You'll have some ideas where the company should be moving, but it's important to see where THEY want it to go. If they stumble here — watch out.

4. Walk me through a typical day - who will I work/interact with - go/travel?

This sounds pedestrian — but it is important. It lifts the veil on how your boss expects you to work. And it gives you a window how the culture is — all meetings? Travel? Presentations? Phone calls? Or real work?

I've kept the last three as your BEST questions to ask — don't forget these:

5. What are the most important things I need to deliver in the next 30, 60, and 90 days?

Not a lot of people ask this question. It shows you are interested and enthusiastic — two areas you want to display to the interviewer. It also gives you a picture if they are reasonable or high about their expectations.

6. What keeps you here at (the company)?

No one ever asks this question and it will close the deal for you. It's a GREAT question to ask. First, interviewers are unprepared for this question so they usually answer honestly. Second, you really want to hear the answer. Finally, the interviewer is impressed with this question. Many of my clients have told me this question clinched the job for them. Use it.

7. When will you be making your final decision?

A lot of interviewees forget to ask this question. They thank the person and walk out. This question ensures you remain in control of the timing — you know when they are going to make a decision. If they say "I don't know" — that's a HUGE problem. They might drag this on for weeks/months. It also allows you to schedule follow up calls with the interviewer: "So if I don't here from you Friday, can I touch base with you Monday or Tuesday to get an update?"

Top Five Regrets of the Unemployed.

This post is not only for the unemployed — it's for those great people who still have jobs and businesses. I run into the same five regrets every day with out-of-work people I meet and the workshops I host. If you find yourself speaking these words, take my advice:

1. I should have seen this coming.

You can't have eyes in the back of your head all the time. I always suggest to my clients to have better peripherals around the office — keep your eyes open to the bigger forces whipping around the organization. Subtle layoffs? Projects cut? Boss leaving for a better job elsewhere? 

Don't focus on the past — sometimes things come out of nowhere and hit you square in the face. Deal with it and move on.

2. I should have worked harder.

Yes, you should have. But most of the time, your layoff wasn't due to your light workload. It may have many reasons — too old, too young, big salary, small salary, major project cut, minor project shelved — it can be ANYTHING.

The secret HR/Financial math is never revealed to you — stop focusing on the past and ensure any position you get will be met with unbridled enthusiasm and energy.

3. I shouldn't have ticked off that person.

Business is full of positive and negative communication. Sometimes you acknowledge and compliment people — sometimes you piss people off. It comes with the territory. Stop worrying about what you said to what wrong person. Odds are, they probably deserved it.

And in the light of day, it probably didn't make a bit of difference about your layoff.

4. I should have gotten my resume together.

Yes, you should have. This is my one pet peeve of every executive — they always wait until they're on the street to begin updating their resume. It's too late.

Today — get your resume, update it and send it to a qualified resume writer (contact me if you need a good one). Then get it on the street — not to a lot of people, just key people who might have a bigger, better, and more fun opportunity for you.

5. I should have networked with more people outside of work.

Yes, you should have. Don't cocoon at work — get out on a regular basis (at least once a week) to meet with fellow colleagues, peers in the industry, or friends to expand your knowledge of the marketplace.

Don't sit at your desk every day — that leads to a quick professional death every time.

POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BELOW

P.S. Did this article hit a nerve? If so, let's talk. I've worked with many clients who have the same questions — and we developed a successful plan to tackle their insecurities. I schedule infrequent complimentary sessions - catch one today.