Time to Consider Those Transferable Skills!

Being able to identify and highlight your transferable skillsis crucial in transitioning to another industry, or even to another job. Not every job is the same, and hiring managers may not entirely relate to the tasks you list on your resume. But if you can fit your talents into one of these five main categories, you'll present a resume that is much more to the point:

Human Relations

This category relates to any sort of interpersonal skills you use to deal with people in the workplace. Think listening, sensitivity, cooperation, empathy, or motivation. Chances are that if you worked with people at any point during your last job, you'll bring some of these skills to the table.

Communication

Communication is all about effectively conveying knowledge and ideas to others. It also has a lot to do with how well you receive information from others. Are you a great writer, speaker, or listener? Can you negotiate, persuade others, pick up on nonverbal cues? If so, then you are likely a great communicator.

Research and Planning

This is just what it sounds like – the ability to seek out information and to formulate new ideas for the future. Any time you come up with new proposals, find an alternate solution, solve a problem, define a need, or set a goal, you are engaging in research and planning.

Organization, Management, and Leadership

This one is all about rallying your troops and leading them into battle. A good leader will coordinate plans of action, initiate new tasks, delegate responsibilities, teach, and manage conflict.

Work Survival/Professionalism

This last category includes all of the day-to-day skills that get you through the workday and promote an effective working environment. Skills such as showing up to work on time, meeting goals, paying attention to detail, and organizing fit into this category.

You can also read this in full on The Doostang Blog.

Win at work using Sports Pshycology

Visualization
Description: To practice visualization, athletes use pictures in favor of words to see what success looks like. According to Robert Troutwine, Ph.D., who is a consultant for a number of NFL teams, you should picture doing something over and over again, but make sure the image you have is of you doing it correctly.

Applying it to work: You can help yourself by picturing the flow of a presentation (before you give it) or imagining a meeting with a client. Don't focus so much on the words you'll use; instead, try to think about the big picture. If you find yourself slipping up at a key step, it's probably something you need to work on. If the visualization goes smoothly, do it again and again, so that when it counts, it'll feel like second nature.

Monitoring your self-talk
Description: Athletes talk to themselves as a way to focus and keep their confidence under pressure. Utah Jazz fans have seen Karl Malone talk to himself at the free throw line. What's he saying? He's reminding himself why he's there and why he needs to succeed -- for his wife and his family.

Applying it to work: You can do this too. You don't have to literally talk to yourself -- just listen to the voice in your head. If it sounds negative, back away and focus before you continue. That voice inside you is the best tool you have to tap into your psyche, so you need to listen to it.

Relaxation
Description: Getting proper rest is the key. But it also means taking timeouts during your day to rise above the stress. Athletes use everything from video games and music to quiet time alone. Of course, if you happen to play for Phil Jackson, you'll find yourself attending pregame meditation sessions.

Applying it to work: You might not always have time at work to relax, but at some point during your day, you need to make some time for yourself. Try yoga at the gym or pick up a hobby. If that's too much, take a walk at lunch. Anything you can do to take the pressure off will help you when it counts.

Concentration
Description: Concentration is mostly a matter of controlling your mind and telling it to block out distractions. For athletes, this often means practice above all else. But what to practice? In Al Leiter's case, game situations could take up too much of his attention. Instead, the pitcher tried to concentrate on each pitch, and nothing more.

Applying it to work: Okay, so you don't practice work, but there are ways to get better. If you receive a new software program, play with it until you master it and you'll be a whiz at crunch time. Take a page from the pros and practice the essence of what you do at work. If you're a lawyer and your job is all about relating to a jury, you need to practice and concentrate on your public-speaking skills.

Mental routine
Description: Routines help you get into a zone. Anything that can help you focus will work. Athletes often try deep breathing, rumination or meditation. Anyone who's ever watched Nomar Garciaparra bat knows the importance of a routine. Graciaparra adjusts his batting gloves before every pitch. Yes, it's a little strange, but it also triggers his mind and tells him, "time to hit."

Applying it to work: For you, it could be as simple as that cup of coffee in the morning -- or maybe there's something else that just gets you going. Work that mental routine into your day. If you think better with a pencil behind your ear, make sure there are pencils on hand.

Letting go of mistakes
Description: You can learn from your mistakes, but once you get the lesson, let it go, or you'll dwell on it. According to Ken Ravizza, who has been a consultant for the Angels, pitchers need to learn this lesson the most. After a pitcher makes a bad pitch, he's very likely to do it again if he can't put the mistake behind him.

Applying it to work: Maybe you blew a big assignment. It happens. Own it and forget about it. It's sounds simple, but it can be tough to forgive yourself. Remember that what is in the past is beyond your control. In other words, you can't do anything about it, so stop worrying.

Setting goals
Description: Goals come in three varieties: performance, outcome and doing your best. In other words, you can set personal goals, goals for winning or goals that simply ask you to give 100%. Coach Pat Flannery of the Bucknell men's basketball team set a goal for his players: Have fun in the game. That goal came from the advice of a sports psychologist, and it helped them get to the NCAA tournament.

Applying it to work: Goals help you stay motivated. You should have a goal for everything, from a project due next week to a promotion a year down the road. There's only one catch when it comes to setting a goal: It needs to be attainable.

put your game face on

There's probably more of a connection between sports and work than you think. Many pro athletes make big money after they retire by lecturing corporate types on things like teamwork, discipline and leadership. Yes, sports are still a blast to watch, but we can learn a lot from competition at a high level.

From www.askmen.com

Business Cliches - Au Revoir!

You've just been dismissed from a crucial business meeting in which your supervisor emphasized the importance of being "a good soldier" and "taking one for the team" before the "bottom falls out" and you find yourself in a "mission critical" stage. Got it? How could you? Understanding directives like that would require a decoder ring. Abandon business buzzwords and become a man of action with our helpful hints.

1- "There's no 'I' in team"
Setting: You're packing your bags to make an early exit when suddenly a last-minute deadline rears its ugly head.

What to do: Stay behind and help your coworkers in their tasks. They'll appreciate your dedication and sense of teamwork, and will eventually return the favor.

2- "Be on the ball"
Setting: Your supervisor has just reamed you out for distributing a press release riddled with glaring typos.

What to do: Your own personal sloppiness can reflect upon the entire company, so take the extra time necessary to double- and triple-check your work. If possible, try to do it in two sessions so you can approach it with a fresh set of eyes. You might also want to call in a colleague to help -- they might be able to catch errors you didn't see.

3- "Be proactive"
Setting: It's 3:30 on a Friday afternoon and you've been caught playing solitaire after finishing all of your tasks for the week.

What to do: Rather than twiddling your thumbs, use your time productively. Arrange a brainstorming session with some of your colleagues or take the time to do competitive analysis. Show your assertive attitude and use this bonus stress-free time to help advance your career.

4- "Think outside the box"
Setting: You've been asked to gather for a brainstorming session to come up with a dazzling new way of marketing your company's latest product.

What to do: Avoid traditional brainstorming dead ends by expanding your perspective. Meetings like these are a perfect opportunity to look at old problems from a new angle through techniques like free association, word games and simply listening to others. Come in with a spirit of openness and support the ideas of others in an encouraging, non-critical way.

5- "Be part of the solution, and not the problem"
Setting: You and your colleagues are standing around openly criticizing your company's new advertising campaign.

What to do: Instead of criticizing, offer solutions. Think of how the situation could be improved and come up with alternate strategies. Then, discuss potential new strategies with your colleagues and weigh the pros and the cons of your ideas. Once your plans have been refined, put them down on paper and take them to management. They might not entirely agree with your solution, but they'll certainly appreciate your commitment and desire to help the company grow.

6- "Burn the midnight oil"
Setting: You've been asked to put in some overtime to help push a product through its final stages.

What to do: Be a good sport and pitch in. Companies appreciate employees who are willing to go the extra mile to ensure a quality product. Come in earlier if you prefer morning hours or stay late if you're a night owl. Just beware of companies that demand extra effort without extra benefits. Your availability should be rewarded.

7- "It's crunch time"
Setting: It's mere days before your next product launch and numerous nagging details still need to be hammered down.

What to do: Do your best to contribute by completing all of your tasks. If your tasks are finished, help your colleagues with their assignments as well. At times like these, it's crucial that everyone pitches in regardless of position or rank. It's also crucial that you try to remain stress free as deadlines get closer and closer. Try to relax by practicing simple breathing exercises, address problems one at a time, and if possible, maintain a regular exercise regime outside of work.

8- "Mission critical"
Setting: Your supervisor calls you in to remind you of the importance of one of your tasks.

What to do: Duly note his concern and discuss guidelines and expectations. Once you're certain you have the resources you need, work on prioritizing your schedule to give the task the proper attention it deserves.

9- "Top level"
Setting: Your company has gotten into a jam because you've failed to look at the big picture.

What to do: Over time, it's only natural to get bogged down in day-to-day operations. However, no company has ever achieved mass success without keeping an eye on the market and its mission statement. Help your company make a splash by taking a little time every day to distance yourself from nitty-gritty details so you can focus on your end goal.

10- "Stop sticking to the sidelines"
Setting: Your younger, more assertive colleagues are snatching up bonus assignments while you sit idly by.

What to do: Get in the game! Becoming active is the only way to ensure you won't be left in the dust when the next round of promotions are handed out. By entering the fray, you may risk failure, but by sitting on your hands, you guarantee you'll be fired.

11- "Put your game face on"
Setting: Your supervisor admonishes you for your lackadaisical approach after catching you daydreaming.

What to do: Become more focused during your working hours. Make sure your body and mind are both on company time by ensuring you're actively engaged in the work you've been assigned. Above all else, don't let boredom and a lack of initiative affect your work.

and...action!

Clichés are as much a part of office culture as water coolers and supply closets. They're bandied about in meetings and memos, and casually slipped into all forms of conversation. They're also exceptionally empty. Like it or not, talk is cheap and clichés are the most worthless form of currency available. Help advance your career today by saying au revoir to clichés and adopting a life of action instead.

From www.askmen.com

Career Resolutions

1. Brush up on skills. Take a class or go to a seminar. "It is essential to set learning goals on a regular basis. As the saying goes, 'If you're not green and growing, you're ripe and rotting.'"
2. Learn more about new technology. "Technology is here to stay. If you're a novice, shame on you" Holland says. "Communication is essential for business success. Take stock of where you're the weakest and change that."
3. Update that résumé. "Others may disagree with me, but the time it takes to do a résumé well should support doing it only when you truly are planning to find new opportunities outside of -- or within -- your company." (In this day and age, change is often unplanned. We still feel it's a good idea to be prepared.)
4. Learn a foreign language. This is particularly important if your work puts you in contact on a regular basis with people who speak another language, Holland says. "Spanish in particular is a good choice these days, as there are many areas of the United States where Spanish-speaking populations are dominant."
5. Clean out old files, e-mails and your Rolodex and automate. "Cleaning up old files is a great way to revisit priorities and gain perspective on what's really important. Not only will it give you a fresh start to the year ahead, but if you pay careful attention to what you keep and what you toss it may help you manage your workload more effectively in the future." When it comes to technology, Holland warns not to succumb to ads touting the newest techno-trend, instead know yourself and choose tools that match your personality.
6. Network with five people a month. Holland suggests you commit to expanding your knowledge base and understanding of your company or industry in broader ways. Once you've identified what you have to learn in those areas, determine the people who will help you realize those goals and meet with them accordingly.
7. Read best-selling business books. "It's important to be well-versed on business trends, even if it's nothing more than to find your way to a healthy debate with others," Holland says.
8. Find more time for self/family each week. "More and more effective leaders that I know are looking for a 'blend' of family and work life versus a balance of the two. Look for ways to integrate both aspects of your life. Let family join you on a business trip, leave the office early on an afternoon to attend your child's sporting event, or share family reading time by catching up on that New York Times best seller on business while sitting next to your children or spouse."
9. Put more money in a 401(k) or savings. "Saving for retirement is critically important. Simply commit to yourself to take that next pay increase and put in your 401(k) before you ever have the chance to miss it." Making this part of your career goals will give you peace of mind that you're building toward a more comfortable retirement.
10. Exercise, eat healthy and find your best way to invigorate. "Find ways to exercise with your family, and pay attention to what you're eating. Take time to reflect on what activities invigorate you and commit more time to doing them."

Ever wonder why you fall dead asleep or get a rush of self-confidence right after you have an orgasm? It's because of endorphins, oxytocin and other substances that are released into your bloodstream upon "liftoff."
There are a host of sexual chemicals that affect your mind and body during and after sex. Check 'em out.
ProlactinWhat it does: Prolactin relieves sexual arousal after orgasm and takes your mind off sex. It rises sharply immediately after orgasm in almost everyone. It's one of the few moments of the day when we men aren't preoccupied with sex.
How it makes you feel: Prolactin disengages you from sex after an orgasm, allowing you to think of other things besides the naked woman right in front of you. If after sex your mind is flooded with activities and chores you need to accomplish that day, that is prolactin at work. Just imagine how much more progress we could all make in our lives if they pumped this stuff into the water supply.
OxytocinWhat it does: Secreted by the pituitary gland, oxytocin stimulates the prostate, causes muscle contractions and sensitizes nerves. Research has shown that increased oxytocin produces more intense orgasms.
How it makes you feel: Oxytocin is known as the "cuddling hormone" because it causes you to feel a connection and bond with your lover. It's also found in women's breast milk, helping to create a bond between baby and mother.
If you enjoy cuddling with your girl after sex, chances are you know the effects of oxytocin well.
Endorphins What they do: Endorphins are a group of neurotransmitters formed within the body that bind to opiate receptor sites in your brain to naturally relieve pain. The bio-chemicals acetylcholine and dopamine are known as endorphins, and have a similar chemical structure to morphine. They are also known to lower stress and boost confidence.
How they make you feel: Endorphins produce feelings of euphoria and pleasure, and they have a calming effect. They fill you with a sense of well-being and relaxation. They may also make you feel dizzy and drowsy, and you might even drift off to sleep. Doctors have suggested that over-stimulation of the opiate receptors, as with heroin use, causes a depressed sex drive.
So next time your woman hassles you over passing out post-sex, you know it's the endorphins at work. In fact, you can even argue that the faster you fall asleep, the better the sex was.
Of note, endorphins are released by your brain during sex, sporting activities, skydiving, fights, grievous injuries, and almost any other exhilarating activity you partake in.
Adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) What it does: Adrenaline activates the sympathetic nervous system, which increases your heart rate and dilates arteries to increase blood flow to your muscles during sex. It also causes a refractory period in which another orgasm is impossible for up to 20 minutes after sex. During intercourse, increased amounts of adrenaline are released from the adrenal glands. This chemical amplifies the circulatory system with each heart contraction.
How it makes you feel: Adrenaline makes you feel exhilarated and makes your heart feel like it's pounding out of your chest.
PhenylethylamineWhat it does: Phenylethylamine triggers the release of dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain. This chemical is released during sex and peaks at orgasm. Curiously, it is also one of the chemicals found in chocolate.
How it makes you feel: You are overwhelmed with feelings of bliss, attraction and excitement.
TestosteroneWhat it does: Testosterone fuels sexual drive and aggression. It is essential to your libido and sexual arousal. Men (and women) with a testosterone deficiency often have trouble getting aroused and have a lower interest in sex.
How it makes you feel: In short, you feel turned on and sexually virile. And if you've noticed a rush of confidence after sex, that could be increased testosterone at work.
SerotoninWhat it does: Serotonin regulates your moods. Having an orgasm releases an extra shot of serotonin to your brain, which acts as an anti-depressant.
How it makes you feel: You feel cheerful, hopeful, emotionally balanced, and content. Most clinical anti-depression medications pump up serotonin levels in your brain.
it's the natural highSome people go to great lengths to get drugs, but why bother when these active chemicals are just waiting to be released in your body? Having an orgasm is like getting high. By releasing a myriad of substances into your bloodstream, you are altering your brain and body functions.
Orgasms involve a complex interaction between three systems of the body: the vascular system, the nervous system, and the endocrine system. They are so complicated that it's a miracle that they happen at all. So enjoy them and remember to have as many as possible.

6 Pointers To Handle Emotion

Emotions are a complicated thing. They can help you land the job of your dreams or prevent you from reaching your full potential. But what's the difference between being too emotional and simply displaying your passion for the business? It all depends on how you view emotions and the value you place on them.

Here are six tips to help you keep your emotions in the "safe zone" between passionate and passive:

Tip 1: Take a step back.
There are bound to be times when you are going to get angry at work. Rather than running to your boss fuming, take a step back to identify the issues that made you angry and develop proposed solutions. Present them to your supervisor or manager with calm reserve and enthusiasm for their potential positive outcomes. Presenting the situation on a rational level with the problem and solution clearly defined will encourage your manager to see you as a professional and to view the situation clearly. This can be tough for many people – especially those who aren't accustomed to holding back their emotional energy. But it's important that you wait until the smoke clears to see the total picture. If you don't, you run the risk of being viewed as someone who flies off the handle or is out of control.

Tip 2: Read signals carefully.
If you are one of those people with boundless energy and enthusiasm for most tasks, channel that energy and use it to your advantage. . . but do so carefully. There's nothing like eagerness to energize a project. Just be sure that your passion isn't over the top. In a recent issue of Harvard Business Review, Colleen Barrett, president and COO of Southwest Airlines, says, "I rely on calmer people around me to give me those raised eyebrows that say, ?lower the passion a little bit.'" You don't have to be the president of a company to read signals that say you're over the top. All you need to do is carefully observe the body language of the people around you. It can be a good indicator that you are getting too emotional.

Tip 3: Provide supporting facts.
When you're working on a project that you are really passionate about, back it up with facts and figures. Not only does providing objective data and solid rationale make good business sense, once you see the checks and balances in black and white you'll see if your emotional investment in the project is worth the energy you are expending on it.

Tip 4: Never let them see you sweat (or cry).
The ability to work as part of a team – or head one up – are critical skills that you'll need to succeed. In a professional environment, the team's success will largely depend on the give-and-take that will occur among members as the team works toward its goals. Team meetings can become emotionally charged as members share their opinions and beliefs. As a team leader, the ability to manage your own and others' emotions are crucial skills. One of the best ways to manage other peoples' emotions is to listen to them and show empathy for how they are feeling. People want to be listened to and heard, especially in the workplace where they have a lot of time invested. To manage your own emotions, concentrate on remaining calm and know that members will look to you as their emotional guide. If your emotional fires flare, so will theirs. When all else fails, suggest taking a break. A brief walk to the water cooler will give everyone a chance to calm down. While you are away from the group, identify what is upsetting your or others' emotional balance and come up with a strategy or two to work through it.

Tip 5: Find a confidant to share your triumphs and frustrations.
Sometimes just talking to someone who understands office dynamics can do wonders for your emotional outlook. "Venting," when done with someone who doesn't have the same emotional ties to your company or department that you do, is a healthy behavior because it hurts no one and allows you to release pent up feelings. Choose your confidants wisely and think twice before you let off steam with a fellow coworker who may betray your confidence.

Tip 6: Have balance in your life.
Another way to have emotional balance at work is to have balance in your life outside of work. If your personal life is full and happy, it's going to show at the office. Your tolerance for emotionally charged situations will be much higher and you are more likely to respond appropriately.

Stay Calm At Work

How can we maintain our professionalism and handle emotions like a man? Here are some tips.

1- Take a walk to cool down
During a meeting, when someone insults your management style or criticizes the department you lead, don't react in anger. Remove yourself from the situation as soon as you feel yourself getting hot under the collar. Fake a page or another call to extricate yourself from a non-productive telephone call so you can step outside to calm yourself. Giving yourself time to cool down will help you regain control of your emotions.

2- Ask for clarification before reacting
Stall for time by asking questions. Is your boss asking what time you arrived because he's challenging your integrity or is he trying to start a conversation about the traffic jam on the off-ramp? If need be, repeat what the other person just said. This ensures you understand the comment and gives your colleague or client the opportunity to clarify any miscommunication.

3- Apply the 10-second rule
Ensure you're not overreacting. If you feel your temper flaring on the phone or in a meeting, count to 10 to keep you from losing your cool. Analyze the facts before going on a rant or becoming defensive.

4- Talk to someone who can calm you down
Always have someone to confide in, inside and outside of the office, about your frustrations. Go for a beer together on a regular basis to vent. You cannot keep all your feelings inside, or your health will suffer. Acknowledge and express your emotions appropriately with a close friend, and be prepared to listen whenever he's ready to explode, and both of your careers will benefit.

5- Work out to work off your anger
Don't blow your professional image by letting others see you freak out, pound the desk or scream. Go to the gym instead. Working out will help you release those pent-up emotions.

6- Recognize what ticks you off
Be alert to the types of situations that knock you off-center. If you don't like questions interrupting your presentation, plan how you'll handle any hecklers. Planning a positive way to react will help you defuse your anger before it throws you off. If you know you have a short fuse or you're a perfectionist, learn how to deal with it so it doesn't hurt your professional image.

7- Understand your colleagues
Read your colleagues' signals. What initially seems to be a snide comment might be a feeble attempt at humor. By getting to know your coworkers' characters and personalities, you won't be blind-sided when they do or say something that irritates you.

8- Anticipate other people's reactions
When you're proposing a radical new work process or time schedule, you can be fairly certain your employees' first thoughts won't be about the cost savings and increased productivity. Focus on the personal benefits they will experience and you'll keep your own frustration in check. If your boss is constantly critical, anticipate his reactions to problems and proposals, and have persuasive arguments ready to get him on your side.

9- Prepare yourself to stay calm
Anticipate any objections or questions you might face when you're making a presentation, especially ones that might put you in a bad light. Create a backup plan if there's a technical glitch in case your PowerPoint presentation freezes on you. Before going into your Performance Review meeting, have some accomplishments ready to offset any negative feedback, so you don't respond in anger.

10- Wait before writing a strongly worded e-mail
Never disrespect others, even if you're right. It's easy to let contempt, fury or resentment cloud our judgment. Hold that strongly worded business e-mail or letter until the next day and reread it. Ask someone else to proofread any correspondence you think might be surly, condescending or rude.

11- Let go of your anger at the end of each day
Get into the habit of letting go of your anger as you leave work every day. Otherwise it could fester and make you more likely to blow your cool. Focus on doing something you enjoy once you leave the office, whether it's hanging out with friends or watching the game on TV, and leave the stress and emotion behind.

12- Apologize for any emotional outbursts
Despite your best intentions, if you end up erupting in a meeting, criticize a colleague's work or make ill-timed comments that you regret, how can you backpedal without losing face? Apologize immediately to the targeted person and to everyone around who may have heard. You don't need to offer a long-winded explanation of the pressures you were under, the background on the misunderstanding or the reasons you thought you were right. Saying "I reacted badly and I am sorry" will demonstrate your professionalism, integrity and leadership skills.

Strong leaders with strong characters will have strong feelings. That doesn't mean you should allow your emotions to control you, cloud your judgment and cause career missteps.

Recognizing the signs that you're getting angry will help you get over it quickly, without anyone noticing. Replacing your negative emotions with self-confidence and maintaining a healthy balance in your life will help you deal with difficult moments. No matter what, don't snap. It takes years to build up a reputation, and only seconds to destroy it.

From www.askmen.com

"We would like you to come in for an interview" are the wonderful words every job hunter longs to hear. All that stands in the way of your new job is acing the interview and handling the questions like a pro. Long, babbling answers or monosyllabic replies aren't effective.

There are four key components to successfully answering interview questions:

Advance preparation

Giving short, concise, specific answers that never exceed 60 seconds

Demonstrating ability to perform the job

Exhibiting the ideal worker personality traits

Whenever possible, give a specific example of how you've operated in the past. Employers want assurance you’ll be able to do the job. Keep in mind that the ideal worker is productive, gets results, and has a success-oriented, “can-do” attitude. Plus, he or she is eager to learn, flexible and adaptable. Match these characteristics with some key answers and you are surely going to be a standout among the competition.

Practice answers in advance. To get you started, here are the key questions you’ll likely be asked with appropriate answers.

Tell me about yourself.

Forget your life story. Open the interview by using what I call your "60-Second Sell" -- a customized, memorized statement that summarizes and links together your five top selling points, skills, experience and strengths into a one-minute verbal business card.

Other potential inquiries that this answer is perfect for include:

What are your strengths?

What makes you think you are qualified for this job?

What makes you think you will succeed in this position?

Why do you want this job? Why should I hire you?

Why did you leave your last job, or want to leave your current job?

Wanting more challenge or growth opportunities, relocation, layoffs, reorganization or downsizing are all acceptable reasons to depart. An effective answer might be, "The company went through a downsizing, that’s why I'm available." Or, "My current employer is small and I've gone as far as I can with their organization. I'm looking for a challenge that will really use my abilities and strengths, allowing me to continue to grow and make a larger contribution."

What is your greatest weakness?

A little humor, such as "Don't ask me to repair the copier... ha-ha-ha," is definitely OK. Point out something that will have no negative impact on the hiring decision, and stress a needed skill. For example, if the position requires excellent computer skills using Office software, you might offer this response: "I have excellent computer user skills. I know Excel and Word inside and out, but I am pretty weak at actual programming and would need more training if you need customized programming..." The employer isn't asking for the candidate to program but this answer reinforces a major selling point -- computer usage skills.

I'm a little worried about your lack of...

If the employer is unaware of your experience, then it's easy to give an answer using a specific example demonstrating that skill. If they are concerned about a skill you do lack, but are eager to learn, try "I have excellent customer services skills, but you are right, I have not been a salesperson. I do know the key to success is the ability to build good client relationships, persistence, efficient time management and good follow-up skills, all of which I have. I have read numerous books on selling, and I intend to take seminars at my own expense to learn everything I can. I am a hard worker who lets rejection roll off my back. My goals include landing a sales job and then becoming one of the top sales people in my company. I've set a three year date to achieve this goal and I am determined to succeed."

You have a lot of experience. Why would you want this job?

Desperately needing any job isn't going to score points with the interviewer. The employer worries you won't stay, are burnt-out, looking for an easy paycheck, or worse, you’ll go after the boss’s job once you come on board. The best strategy is to not oversell your abilities. Stress why this job fits for you now, that you seek a job with less travel, or that you wish to utilize a specific skill such as training or design. Be careful not to say you want an easy, no-stress job, causing the employer seek a more eager worker.

If you decide to vouch for someone, you have to follow a few rules.

1- Don't oversell
Hedge yourself; you never know when people will disappoint you. Even the few people you will vouch for might one day slip. Overselling some guy only sets you up for a steeper fall from grace.

2- Keep expectations low
Don't guarantee the moon. No matter how great the person you vouch for is, all you need to let the other person know is that the person you're vouching for can get the job done, nothing more. If there is an upside, you look even better. You'll get the rep of being both prudent and intelligent. No harm there, is there Shirley Temple?

3- Use gentle persuasion
Supply the person you are vouching for with what I call gentle persuasion, i.e. "you better not make me look bad, or I'll clip your sorry arse" kind of persuasion. In case they decide now would be a good time to let you down, let them know that there will be consequences.

No matter what you do, be smart enough to realize who your audience is when you vouch. The kind of person you are vouching to (the person who will hold you responsible) will affect your threshold of "vouching."

If the person on the other side is the local garbage man, you might have a little more leeway to vouch for every bum in your neighborhood. If you need to vouch to Silvio Berlusconi, well let's just say your standards are going be a little higher.

And when in doubt, don't vouch at all.

Watch your backs and keep your noses clean

From www.askmen.com