Good-Luck on your search!

 

So…. I was reading this very interesting article earlier on today about a woman who went on a job interview that apparently went “very well”. So the interview started out with – how many siblings do you have (my first thought was - that sounds a little bit unorthodox especially to use to initiate an interview), that question was followed by; what are their current professions, which eventually progressed to the final question, after a series of other peculiar questions “If your siblings were colors what colors would they be and why”. Yes, I know that's an absolute bizarre not to mention impractical question to ask. Anyway, as the interviewer kindly escorted the interviewee out of the building the interviewer commended the interviewee on her intelligent and witty responses to the questions. She then proceeded by assuring her of a call-back and a second interview. Just as the woman was reaching for the door handle to exit the building, the interviewer says “Good-Luck on your search”!

 

What the hell… what does that even mean… Doesn't that completely shut down the hope of even receiving the complimentary “We regret to inform you that we have …… (you know the rest)”. I whole-heartedly can relate to that experience. Although the story doesn't mention what position she applied for, and if in fact those ambiguous questions actually relate to the position – my guess is it DOES NOT!  Let me humor you readers out there with some of the most bizarre questions I have been asked during interviews (this is a combinations of interviews conducted over the phone and face-to-face).  I'll list my “Top Ten” questions; keep in mind that my background lies in the realm of Information Technology AND there's a fine line between technical, behavioral, and just “I have to screen X amount of applicants to report to my superior” questions!

1. Why is it that when you press 2 + 2 into a calculator it equals 4?  

2. If you were in a room with three lamps and in the adjacent room there were three switches that controlled (in other words turned on and off the lamps) these lamps, how would you know what switch belonged to what lamp? Provided you were allowed to enter the adjacent room (room with the switches) once.

3. If you were conducting this interview what questions would you ask yourself?

4. If you were a fruit what fruit would you be and why?

5. This one wasn't even really a question; it was more like the interviewer needed clarification. I heard (not - is it true) that Nigerians use cooking stoves (keep in mind this certain person was referring to those little stoves that students *use* to carry to school from home. To those who took Home Economics or Food & Nutrition in high school like me; remember those little archaic stoves we use to have that could only prepare one dish at a time, lol) AND OOOO while preparing the food everyone else needed to vacate the house because the smoke coming from the stove could choke the residents and cause instant death?

6. Can I look in your purse?

7. Who do you prefer your mum or dad?

8. What smart-phone do you currently use and why?

9. Using a word, what makes you different from your counterparts?

10. *This wasn't to worrisome* These words follow a logical progression: TOOTHSOME, FORECAST, SIXTINE, ATONAL
    Which of these could come next? SUMMER,BOAT  TENDERNESS, TYPICAL

BTW - CAN ANYONE GUESS THE ANSWER TO THE LAST QUESTION? I'LL SHARE THE ANSWER IN MY UPCOMING POST!

Had I known then what I know now I would respond to questions like the ones mentioned above by first suggesting to the interviewer politely, any of the following questions listed below:
 

"How do you think this information will enable me progress in this position? Why do you think it matters if I know this information? How will it help me be more successful on your team? And how do you know you've even got the right answer? …. Etc.

This is meant to serve as a decoy not with hopes that the interviewer will forget he asked the question; but allow you have those extra “crucial” seconds/minutes to quickly come up with a "somewhat meaningful" response to the question. I've learnt that giving yourself room to play out an answer in your head before blurting it out makes one heck of a difference. Those few seconds you use to process your thoughts and analyze your answer, will guarantee you a much better shot of responding to the already obtuse question with a less imprudent answer – which of course is another benchmark on whether you have a shot of getting the job or not. This is because, at the end of the day just like; eating, sleeping, drinking and those other inevitable things we do on a daily basis there's something these interviewers are trying to extract (although I hate to admit it – there is an underlying subtext they are trying to dig out from the gist of your response to the supposed “ridiculous question”). You know what, I should have named this post – “There's no such thing as a “silly question” :)

..."hello again"

Being an international student is so difficult, so so difficult – it amazes me how tedious a simple problem can be once it’s being escalated to the wrong person. Travel visa, student visa, work visa – it’s this daunting cycle that has no destination. Instead, we as foreigners are given no option, cause “God Forbid” we even think of option 2 we can already envision glancing into the abyss of cynicism.

And…. What the hell is it with females these days and their negative attitude towards other females. (I’m not digressing, it in fact relates) Like actually being nice to a complete stranger (“someone whom you do not know”) is some kind of sin. I’m sick of the fact that we as females can’t seem to pull each other up after a fall. Talk about negative vibes and unpleasant attitude, like life is some competition between all women. Just the thought makes me want to scream – not to mention voicing it out, it makes me want to slap one silly (okay – not – literally) *maybe*. My inspiration starts from a certain unit, with a certain someone that likes to feel tall even though she’s the shortest in the room.

I know… I’m not even going to bother apologizing for my inane attitude towards the blog-world. Instead, like that bad boyfriend who cheats on his girlfriend without remorse, or that thief who steals a wallet at an airport and returns it saying “you have no cash just credit cards” and dashes, or that friend who abandons her fellow girlfriends because of her new guy-friend, or that guy on the metro that accidentally hits you but doesn’t apologize …. I’m going to MOVE ON … and say I’ve sure as hell missed blogging.

Welcome to the beginning of the end of the year. We as human beings will keep doing our “wrongs” till that clock hits midnight (12:00, 2011) with &hopes& that the baggage from last year has all washed away. Even in our wildest dreams – it hasn’t. Okay ^jokes^ but really where did this year go …. I remember this time last year l was preparing to depart this country and go back home – were things are a lot simpler than the average – in a way J. This year it’s SO MUCH better because I’m departing to see two love birds part the single lifestyle  and unite as “one”. Yes, my lovely sister – whose character complements every trait a big sister should have – CONGRATULATIONS!

Work is unbelievably tedious, and when I’m actually free – all l want to do is SLEEP. Wake up and then SLEEP some more. Yes, extremely ridiculous. Gone are the days when l partied like a rock-star or like it was 1999, had a week for Thanksgiving, slept till noon – then went back to bed and slept till 3pm, lol (seriously), had a week for Spring Break, drove an hour away to my favorite store (God l miss that store). All l want to do these days, is just stay in the comfort of my place and s-l-e-e-p. Just the thought is scary – I’m growing into an old soul!

Oh FYI – Hope you smart readers out there are grasping my meandering technique in updating you on the “happenings” in my life :) 

Okay… like l said a certain phone call about 30 minutes ago, inspired this – got to get back to work :)

Remember this...

 

I actually used this poetry to compose a paper for an Organization Behavior course.
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=43555453

WORD FOR THE WEEK

It's been so long.. so so long...

I almost feel like I shouldn't be typing :) Well that's not going to happen. Just wanted to spread a little light in your week.

Some of us have had major successes in the past; some have experienced breakthroughs and windfalls. In the same vein, a few others may have experienced disappointments, hurts, pains and setbacks. Guess what? We all are here! We have all had a fair share of life.

Today, the successes, failures or disappointments are all in the PAST. A full stop at the end of any sentence indicates that the sentence has ended; it’s not going to be continued. God has put a full stop at the end of yesterday; it’s gone, never to be repeated. You have today right here and tomorrow ahead of you; perhaps within your control. The choices you make TODAY will determine the SUCCESS or FAILURE of your tomorrow. It’s right in your hands!

There is a process to our progress in life. Apostle Paul, in our text says the process of taking hold of the future starts by first forgetting the past. In his case he had successes in his immediate past after accepting Christ, but he reckoned that greater things lie ahead and declares with authority that one thing he does, is to delete the past from his memory; this enables him grab the greater things that lie ahead of him. You have not seen your best days yet. Your best is yet to come. This is the least you will ever achieve in life because greater things are ahead of you.

You may have made the wrong decisions in the past that makes you feel rejected and dejected; life may just have been unfair to you or people might have mistreated you. It’s in the past, leave it there, don’t carry it into your future; it’s not useful there. God has put a full stop to it. Take up your baggage and move on. There is a lot more in store for you ahead. You are more than this.

 

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old, behold I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the dessert” Isaiah 43v18. God has put a full stop on your yesterday. A new sentence; a new page has been opened before you; write on it, you can make history. There are no limits in God. There is no failure in God. Your best is here!


HAVE A BLESSED WEEK AHEAD!!!

WARNING ON CAR AIR CONDITIONING

No wonder more folks are dying from cancer than ever before. We wonder where this stuff comes from but here is an example that explains a lot of the cancer causing incidents. Many people are in their cars first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, 7 days a week. As I read this, it makes me feel guilty and ill. Please pass this on to as many people as possible. Guess it’s not too late to make some changes.


Please do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car.


Open the windows after you enter your car and turn ON the AC after a couple of minutes.


Here's why:

According to a research, the dashboard, sofa and air freshener emit Benzene, a cancer-causing toxin (carcinogen - take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car). In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer.

Can also cause miscarriage. .

Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level. People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin. Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.

So friends, please open the windows and doors of your car and give time for the deadly interior air to clear out before you enter.


Thought:
'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.'

IS IT REALLY SO HARD

So my friends and l today at lunch were discussing how difficult life can be at times. Honestly, the way l see it, THIS LIFE IS LONG – all that talk about how short life is, is compete CRAP. Anyway, this friend of mine, Julia initiated the conversation by telling us that it took her a little over forty-five minutes to fall asleep last night. This was because she was extremely lost in thoughts about her life. Thoughts about school, life upon graduation, her thesis, family and friends, employment and the likes. I concluded from her conversation that she really didn’t have any worry. All her thoughts to me seemed so generic; especially for seth friends whom have wonderful choices. Choices to either continue with their academia or take a job offer, to me that seems like a graduation gift on its own. However, we human beings have a penchant need to create problems for ourselves. I wonder why we create troubles for ourselves by WORRYING. Someone once told me anger is the most useless emotion; then what is worry? Is it the second most useless emotion? Maybe that’s just the way life is supposed to be, maybe not? Maybe we have nothing better to think about, maybe not? Maybe we feel the need to look for ways to solve problems that are not there in order to keep our minds busy, maybe not? I could maybe all day, cause I’m not sure myself. However, one thing I’m sure of is prayer instead of worry.

Waking up today, the first thing l read sent by my sister was a very inspirational message that l thought it would be best to share:

 

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you. And, remember.... If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now. Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!

Now, you have a nice day.
God

So, I’ve decided to do exactly what the message says. Maybe… No… Definitely whenever you feel the need to worry, why not follow this message.

BTW – What are you planning to give up for lent (a period of 40 weekday’s liturgical season from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday)? As l construct my list because February 17th is fast approaching, l have come up with a single item – MEAT! While my wonderful sister is thinking of giving up – FACEBOOK! LOL.. What are you thinking of giving up? 

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly."

— Siddhārtha Gautama

LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE

That was written on a friend’s mug that caught my eye. I’ve seen it written on a couple of items like shirts, caps, pens, books, bracelets and the likes. I like the concept behind it – Live, Laugh, Love. Anywho seth friends are especially excited about their new apartments. It’s amazing how the littlest things make us happy. Take for instance the list below; those are a few things that made me laugh today.

1.      My sister (Of course)

2.      Twilight (I’m a huge fanatic when it comes to Twilight/Edward/Vampires)

3.      Terry G – free madness

4.      My professors email (the guy is beyond frustrated)

5.       Some random lady at a liquor store (Imagine and l didn’t make it to church – l feel sorry for myself)

6.      The snow

7.      My Dad

8.      Cha--mpa--gne

My list could go on forever! My point is that some of the most irrelevant things makes you laugh – makes your day actually.

Happy February Everyone! Wow….. it’s been a while. I’m going to save you all the stress to have to read my ever redundant apologies on not updating my blog. Abeg accept ohhh. I’ve decided to try something new, in reference to my blog of course. I’m going to create a post at least every week consecutively for three months. Yes, three months l need to pace myself! I’ll start of this post by welcoming you all to this wonderful New Year. I’m seeing so many changes in our society – of course we need to weigh in the good and bad. However, I’m progressing by accepting all that comes my way. I’ve set my target to three months because after those months are over I’ll be experiencing something NEW!! Don’t worry I’ll share definitely (smiles).

Ok… so I’m going to get back to my life. Sorry this is such a short post but I’ll be sure to update you shortly. Have a wonderful week. Remember smile and be grateful for all you have. If that doesn’t work listen to free madness by Terry G. If that doesn’t work – sleep!

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."
Albert Einstein