Interviews?

I've done it again - and gone two weeks without writing anything. My apologies.

Just recently I've had a couple of interviews for various things and it's got me thinking of all the different types of interviews I've been to. Inside, outside, formal, informal, with strangers, with people you know, one on one, panel, closed setting, open setting, at home, in work place, casual conversation, interrogation, via internet link, via phone, face to face, off the cuff, planned precisely, confirming, vague. Now, i'm not saying i've been to 21 interviews but rather that the combination of situations i've been in, in interviews, compiles this list - quite extensive really.

Despite this, there are some common things between all of them which are good to remember. Now any interview is going to leave you feeling nervous or tense to some degree - for me this is minimal most of the time just because of my personality, that's the kind of easy going gal I am - never afraid to just be myself. So that's the first two points.

1. Feeling a bit tense or nervous is normal (it comes with the territory) and not something to be afraid of

2. Be yourself - they are interested in you not some fake persona, so be the you that you will be

Interviews differ depending on what's being applied for, the type of position, and so while sometimes a formal approach is required, other times it simply would not fit and so casual is best - but this is something for you to work out - within this, the way you address yourself should always be polite.

3. Be polite and well mannered, avoid using any questionable language (even in jokes - at least until you know the people better)

Body language says a lot about somebody - it is the words that we don't speak that finishes the story. So generally, it's best to hold yourself well - not just lope in and slouch down but taking strides and being confident in the responses you're going to give. One of the best ways to do this is to be aware of your appearance and make sure you've done your research.

4. Wear clean, well kept (ie, without holes or stains) clothes - doesn't matter the position, even for a grease monkey this is a good way to start.

5. Know what you're applying for - know your theory if you're applying for a trade, etc. - and know the business you're applying for (this is often 'common' knowledge but don't be afraid to actually read up on it properly if you need to)

There generally comes a point at the end of the interview where they ask you if you have any questions - it's generally best to actually have a question, and preferably not about the wage. If you realy don't have any questions - be honest 'the questions i did have about... you have already answered during the process of this interview'. Show that you're not just going yeah, sounds great - but are thinking about and taking in what they are saying and talking about.

6. Have a response ready for question time.

As a christian, something else I always to before an Interview is pray (and during, and after...) - asking that God would help to guide both my responses and also the interviewers decisions to the best outcome, whether that be for or against me - and that no matter the outcome that He would help me to continue to follow Him first.

There was one more thing - oh yeah, it kind of comes under the polite point, keep eye contact, speak clearly, and most of all - have fun. It's not a dreary time but a possible new beginning, approach it as such and don't be afraid to smile and laugh if it calls for it.

If you would like to ask me about any of my previous interviews, go ahead!

God Bless

A Holy Lasting Light (Shine, Part 3)

The next installment in our look through the Bible at light.

So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

 .... And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him. (Exodus 34:28-30, 33-35)

Kind of scary thought really isn't it? Our God is so holy and so full of glory that simply by being in his physical presence leaves us shining - beaming light.

God is exactly what we need.

We don't want to believe it and we don't always know it - mainly because we don't know what we need - but an example is in the Old Testament where God went before the Israelites as a cloud in the day, and as fire at night so that they would have light. God appeared always with great light - fire and lightning on the mountain.

It is important to remember that God is light - and all of our light comes from Him. But is also important to know just why it is that He is light. He is light for there is no darkness in Him.

Take Courage and fear our God - not in a timid way because you're afraid - but in an overwhelmed way because you know who He is and what He's done.

I apologise if this is a bit topsy turvy - the logic flow isn't quite right - anyway, if you have any queries feel free to ask away!

Coming Up: Shine, Part 4

God Bless

The Joy of Work

It appears I am late in posting, yet again. I apologise, I had not realized it had been so long already.

I don't know about you but I find work quite a strange thing to think about. It is something which is met with such a variety of mixed emotions. It is something I look forward to while also dreading. Something I enjoy while also something I find quite despiriting. Something I wish would last longer and something I cannot wait for it to finish. Work is a strange thing.

This left me to ask the question of just why this is, and I found myself thinking a number of things. How much of our enjoyment of work is due to the work itself and how much is from the motivation behind it (ie. a pay packet)? And how much of our dread is because of the stress involved with our workplace rather than the work itself? When I'm finding work particuarly hard or long I start to think of it not in how long is left but rather, okay, today is paying for my rent, tomorrow is paying for my fuel, etc. Changing my motivation to something more tangible than money in my bank.

Money itself brings no pleasure as many people sometimes think it does, but having a large bank account doesn't make you any more happy than having a small bank account - it is the other things in life which surround you - and how you use what you have. But I'm getting a little off track.

In the bible we are told that we are made in the image of God... wow!... and that we were created to work. So work should be something which we do - and enjoy. However we are also told that we should take time off from work to spend quality time with God. So, we're NOT meant to work all the time. This is something which some others do as well, they forget about everything else and only work - that's not what we were created to do. We were created to be in relationship - with God and others, just as God is also in relationship - with himself (trinity) and us.

That time off from work is one of the most important times - as long as we use it correctly. Using that time not to just mope around home and hibernate (don't get me wrong, spending time to yourself is important too, but not all the time) but get out and spending that time with others - even if we do feel tired and worn out, we'll feel better for it in the long run. And making sure you spend that quality time with God, for He is our real life force, not anything which we do ourselves.

So, work is a joy for me. And it should be a joy for others as well, no matter what you are doing - but any work is made so much more joyful if you are doing it not only for yourselves and your employers but also for God, the one who made us in His image and gave us the role to work.

Any Questions??? Just comment!

God Bless