Assume the Positive for Career Success: Talk to the AND

That's <a href="http://www.p90xdvdpower.com/"><strong>p90x sale</strong></a> not a typo: I do mean "And" and not "Hand." Though I am a NYC native and could very convincingly write about the value of talking to the hand, for career success, it is far more powerful to talk to the "and". By this, I am referring to a lesson from improvisational theatre, where a cardinal rule is known as "Yes, and…."Â* This rule means that you accept whatever your scene partner says as true (the YES part) and you build on it (the AND part).Â* In career management, this means that, rather than being cynical and jumping to the downside or a negative view of what is happening, find a way to assume there is a positive and think about how you can build on the opportunity. For example, bad interviewers are not out to get you. I hear a lot of job seekers complain about irrelevant, even discriminatory questions. I am not Pollyanna about the world and recognize that discrimination exists. But even in that case you want to get through the interview, meet with other people at the company, <a href="http://www.pradashoes-discount.com/gucci-handbags-dark-brown-g223948450-p-7642.html"><strong>authentic gucci handbags</strong></a> and essentially go around the bad interviewer. For the most part, bad interviewers are not bad people; they have not been trained in good interviewing. So getting negative about bad interview questions is a missed opportunity. Instead, think about how you can add to the question so that your marketing message still comes through. One job seeker reported to me that her first interview question was, "Where are you from?" This was from a top iconic brand like Apple or Pepsi (it was neither of those companies but just as well known). If you just react to this, you might get uncomfortable (does he think I don't belong?) or outright mad (that's a discriminatory question!). If you assume the positive, you interpret the question as the interviewer developing rapport at a personal level or trying a spin around the age-old "Tell me about yourself" interview question. Where you are from <a href="http://www.pradashoes-discount.com/burberry-tonal-jacquard-check-hobo-stone-white-p-6876.html"><strong>burberry</strong></a> doesn't mean just race or ethnicity, but geography, schools, earlier industries and previous experiences. So YES, use this as a springboard to talk about your personal background AND weave in your professional accomplishments and value. If your boss doesn't give you a role on the next big project, don't assume she overlooked you. Maybe there is a better, more suitable opportunity she's holding out for you. So, YES, there could be an opportunity, AND you need to find out what it is.Â* YES, there are great projects to be had, AND you need to ensure your boss knows you want one. It's not about being overly optimistic but remaining open to the possibility that there can be a good outcome AND responding proactively. The volatile job market increases everyone's anxiety. But even at 10% unemployment, that still means 90% are employed. Instead of getting fearful, get curious. Who is getting these jobs? There is a higher than usual level of uncertainty. YES, AND I will cast a wider net, make sure that I stay grounded by taking <a href="http://www.xinzhouba.com/view.php?id=17656"><strong>Chen ZiZhou's Oil Painting Exhibition : Whats Up in Hangzhou ...</strong></a> better care of myself, and be one of the successful 90%. Caroline Ceniza-Levine helps people find fulfilling and financially-rewarding career paths, as the co-founder of SixFigureStart®, career coaching by former Fortune 500 recruiters.Â* She is the co-author of the best-selling "How the Fierce Handle Fear: Secrets to Succeeding in Challenging Times" 2010, Two Harbors Press; and "Six Steps To Job-Search Success" 2011, Flat World Knowledge. Â*Caroline welcomes your comments and questions. Related Posts: Why Trying to Learn Clear Writing in College is Like Trying to Learn Sobriety in a Bar Steve Forbes Interview: Restructuring Expert Harry Wilson