As an HR professional I see it day in and day out. Educated, qualified people, myself included, who get passed over for positions because of simple, yet avoidable mistakes. With the job market crashing and burning around us, it is really an employer’s market and even the smallest mistake can cost you the job of your dreams. Here’s a list of obvious mistakes that many job seekers are still making and how to avoid them.
Just Like Me You wouldn’t believe how many people of color come into my office, see my face, and feel it’s okay to drop their interview persona in favor of a ‘round the way’ mentality. I can’t even count on one hand how many applicants have sat across from me and thought my brown skin was an invitation to say ‘nigga’ after every other word. They thought our ‘bond’ made it okay to show up late, have inappropriate conversations and entitled them to a ‘hook up.’ The fact that I was going to be the one looking over their paperwork and/or interviewing them didn’t seem to matter simple because in their mind I was ‘just like them.’ Not all of these people were uneducated hood folk, some of them were clean cut, otherwise well spoken, qualified, multiple degree holding candidates….that didn’t get the job, and in some cases didn’t even make it through the door.
Regardless of perceived similarities it is important to remember to be professional at all times during the interview process and even after. Although the interviewer, receptionist, employee, etc are ‘just like you,’ these people are not your friends. They are your supervisors, coworkers and most definitely your competition. Be cordial, be respectful and engage in small talk, but don’t ever get it twisted and above all maintain your professionalism.
Mentorless Child Contrary to popular belief, degrees and skills picked up at various jobs aren’t the only ways to land that plum job you’re looking for. It’s often very difficult to make it in any field without the support and guidance of someone who is or has been where you are trying to go. Having a mentor in your life is a priceless asset. Not only can they teach you for free what you would have to pay to learn in a classroom, but because they’ve guided you, taught you all you know and are seasoned professionals in the game with serious connections, they are the best job board and business reference you will ever find. Don’t have a mentor? No problem, it’s never too late to seek one out. Just make sure your mentor is a seasoned and respected professional in your chosen field that will truly take the time to help nurture your talents and lead you towards your goals and dreams.
Cover Smother For the most part during the day I’m busy…very busy. When there are openings for positions at my company there can be hundreds of applicants for just one job. With all the other things on my plate, the last thing I want to do is read long, drawn out cover letters that usually end without telling me why you should get an interview. I don’t want to read a novel and I don’t care about the hundreds of jobs you had that have nothing to do with what I’m hiring for. Cover letters are like first impressions, and more often than not, your cover letter has one minute to make a good one on the HR professional or hiring manager who is reading it before ending up in the trash. Your cover letter should be no more than 2-3 concise paragraphs that highlight work experience pertaining to the exact position. It should be catchy and use language familiar to the organization as it shows that you have done some research. Try not to smother the reader with too much info, get straight to the point and you’re guaranteed to go straight to the top of the pile.
Thank You, Thank You, You’re Far Too Kind It should be an obvious do, but for many it is an obvious oversight that ends up being a fatal mistake. The two little words known as ‘thank you,’ can get you far in this world, yet so many overlook its importance. Remembering to send a potential employer a handwritten thank you note can set you apart from others in the running. Why handwritten you ask? Well, because I guarantee you that the employer has hundreds of emails waiting for them in their inbox and an email from an address or name that they probably don’t remember is sure to end up in the trash folder. Also, because most organizations have serious spam filters on their mailboxes it’s very likely that your e-card won’t even get opened.
Before sending, make sure your thank you card looks professional and doesn’t have too many bright or distracting colors. Be sure to clearly state the reason for the card, thank them for considering you for the position, let them know you look forward to hearing from him/her in the near future, and of course, proofread, proofread, proofread! Finally, make sure the employer receives your card a day or two after the interview so you’re sure to stay fresh in their minds.
By putting your best foot forward and avoiding these simple, yet still common job hunting mistakes, you will be well on your way to landing that dream job and taking the world by storm!
BET AWARDS 2011 Belonged to Chris Brown With His Mind Blowing Performances, Collaborations, and Wins for Best Male Artist, Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice, Best Collaboration, and Video of the Year Awards
Encore telecasts of the BET AWARDS 2011 are set for:
Tuesday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m.* Thursday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m.* Monday, July 4 at 8:00 p.m.*
CEE LO GREEN CHANNELS HIS INNER PATTI LABELLE IN FULL COSTUME DURING HER TRIBUTE PERFORMANCE FOR THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
JUSTIN BIEBER FLIRTS WITH NICKI MINAJ ON STAGE
ALICIA KEYS PERFORMS NEW SONG "TYPEWRITER" AND SHARES STAGE WITH BRUNO MARS AND RICK ROSS
STEVE HARVEY INSPIRES THE AUDIENCE AS THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT
The hilarious Kevin Hart kept the crowd laughing out loud as a Hollywood House Husband during the BET AWARDS '11 opening act with Bobby Brown, Jermaine Dupri, Anthony Anderson, Nelly, and Nick Cannon. Chris Brown's powerful performance medley of "She Ain't You," "Look at Me Now," and "Paper Scissor Rock" illustrated just why he was named the 2011 Best Male R&B Artist, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award winner when he took to the stage in two performances collaborating with Busta Rhymes and Big Sean. Later, a precocious Justin Bieber propositioned Nicki Minaj on stage when he said, "I'm all grown up now. I turn 18 next year so...what's up?"
Legendary songstress and diva extraordinaire Patti LaBelle was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and her tribute was a performance unlike anything ever seen before. Beginning with a special introduction from another musical icon, Gladys Knight, Cee Lo Green took to the stage in a throwback Patti LaBelle costume performing "Somebody Loves You Baby," while Marsha Ambrosius jazzed up the room with her spot on rendition of "If Only You Knew," before the great Shirley Caesar took the crowd—and Patti LaBelle—to tears singing "You Are My Friend." But it was Patti herself that brought the house down performing two of her greatest hits, "Love, Need and Want You" and "Lady Marmalade." Steve Harvey uplifted the audience in his acceptance speech for his Humanitarian Award.
The cast of the Five Heartbeats movie surprised the audience with a reunited performance with R&B crooners After 7 with the famous hit, "Nights Like This," for the 20-year anniversary of the film. The beautiful Kerry Washington graced the stage for BET's Shine A Light moment to honor individuals who make the world a better place for young people.
Celebrating the 10-year Anniversary of her first album, Songs In A Minor, Alicia Keys graced the BET AWARDS '11 stage for a medley of her hits with Bruno Mars and Rick Ross as well as for the world premiere her latest song, "Typewriter."
Additional highlights of the 14 performances include: Trey Songz sexy, shirt-ripping rendition of "Making Love Faces" and "Unusual," and was later joined by Kelly Rowland to perform her smash hit, "Motivation," Donnie McClurkin, Deitrick Haddon and Mary Mary uplifted the audience with their rendition of the gospel hit, "Thank You Lord," in tribute to the late Walter Hawkins; Mary J. Blige, Anita Baker, DJ Khaled, and Jadakiss kicked off the show with a monumental mix of hits "All Night Long," "Joy," "Happy," Dreams," "Real Love," "Rapture," and "Over Til It's Over"; Jill Scott performed a soulful rendition of "Rolling Hills" with actor and DJ Idris Elba; DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Drake and Lil' Wayne amped the crowd performing "I'm the One"; and Beyonce closed the show singing "Best Thing I Never Had" and "End of Time" via live telecast from Britain's Glastonbury Festival.
This year's In Memoriam tribute celebrated the lives of Cali Swag District member M-Bone, Clarence Clemons, Teena Marie, Gil Scott Heron and Nate Dogg with performances and appearances by Doug E. Fresh and Cali Swag District, Queen Latifah, Ledisi, Scott Mayo, Snoop Dogg and Warren G.
In continuing the good that BET's S.O.S.: Saving Ourselves initiative has made over the years, the BET AWARDS '11 contained a special moment to show support for the victims of the tornadoes in the Southeast through a special message from Rev. Al Sharpton.
In addition to all of these spectacular moments, the full list of BET AWARDS '11 winners are:
Best Female R&B Artist: Rihanna Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown Best Group: Diddy-Dirty Money Best Gospel Artist: Mary Mary Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kanye West Best New Artist: Wiz Khalifa Best Collaboration: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes "Look At Me Now" Video of the Year: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes "Look At Me Now" Video Director of the Year: Chris Robinson Best Actress: Taraji P. Henson Best Actor: Idris Elba Young Stars Award: Jaden Smith and Willow Smith Best Movie: For Colored Girls Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams Subway Sportsman of the Year: Michael Vick Centric Award: Marsha Ambrosius "Far Away" Best International Act: 2Face Idibia (Nigeria) and D'Banj (Nigeria) Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes - "Look at me Now" Humanitarian Award: Steve Harvey Lifetime Achievement Award: Patti LaBelle
The NAACP is under attack again for choosing to incorporate controversial members of hip-hop into their awards program. The artists mentioned are Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj. These artists are at the top of their hip-hop games, one being a veteran and the other a rookie. And while they were nominated for Image Awards, they were not recipients. But, the NAACP still came under attack for including them. Some pastors are even saying that they should not have included hip-hop in the program at all.
If you remember correctly, they had also come under fire for including R. Kelly after it was learned that he allegedly had sex with under age girls. But, including him didn’t demonize all of R&B. Just as including Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Diddy shouldn’t scar the entire hip hop industry. To be honest, as a fan of hip-hop, there are some real scum of hip hop that could and/or should have been the cause of NAACP’s criticism, but these nominees are not those artists. In fact, Jay-Z has shown a real maturity in his music. Nicki Minaj has shown herself to be a real artist in hip-hop with the creativity she brings to her performance.
That doesn’t let them off the hook for some of the things they say and promote, but these are not the bottom of the barrel artists that give hip-hop a bad name. The hip hop genre is multi-faceted as any other genre of music. It has its bad artists and good artists, but no one is trying to get rid of the other genres because of that dichotomy. The NAACP, in my humble opinion, is just trying to be fair and pull from hip-hop those who are not the most celebrated, but are truly good at what they do–just as all of the other nominees chosen for all the other categories.
Check out Dr. Boyce Watkins diatribe on this topic here.
As an HR professional I see it day in and day out. Educated, qualified people, myself included, who get passed over for positions because of simple, yet avoidable mistakes. With the job market crashing and burning around us, it is really an employer’s market and even the smallest mistake can cost you the job of your dreams. Here’s a list of obvious mistakes that many job seekers are still making and how to avoid them.
