12 ways to be ready for anything

12 ways to be ready for anything12 ways to be ready for anything1) Have smartfriendsAll of my friends are smarter than me. Even (especially) the ones who dont have college degrees.Being intelligent isnt really about knowing everything. Its about knowing one person who knows the most about SEO, one person who knows the most about building a house, one person who knows about taxes, and one person who knows the rules of international negotiation.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more2) BeHealthyYesterday I listened to a scary podcast about the state of American health.(Every podcast about American health is scary)While the health of a nation is complicated, health for you is elend. Take a walk every hour. Eat whatever you want, so long as you are cooking it. Be in the physical presence of other people often. Make sure you are pooping once per day.The positive impact you can make while yo u are sick in bed is exactly zero.3) Know how to make a crap ton ofmoneyThis has absolutely nothing to do with your intellectual readiness and everything to do with your emotional readiness.Heres why.Dan Ariely (ofthis TED talkandthis book), wanted to unpack extrinsic motivation. He and his team ran an experiment where they offered three groups of participants three different amounts of money to complete a series of random memory and concentration tasks.The first group welches offered a days salary for good performance. They did pretty well.The second group was offered two weeks salary for good performance. They did fine as well.The third group was offered a jaw-droppingfive months salaryfor good performance. Time to shine, right?Wrong.This group performeddramaticallyworse. The extreme amounts of money triggered the fight-or-flight response in their bodies.A large reason many people with a medium income do not rise above that level is because they lack the confidence to pursue OR re ceive big checks.Do you want to know when the results in Arielys study flipped? When the people in the big bonus groupperceived the task as easy. At that point, they confidently flew through the challenges and walked away with big money.People who earn the most make hard work look and feel easy.4) BeNaiveOne of the great ironies of human nature is thisWe want to know every step of the process before we start. Yet, if we were truly aware of all it takes, there is probably no way we would evermove.Initial ignorance protects you from becoming overwhelmed. Do what you can do today. Start now. Figure out the rest later.5) RememberFlikFlik is an ant from the movie A Bugs Life.While all the other ants were standing in line, doing what was expected of them, and enjoying their comfortable living, Flik knew there must be more.One day, he understood he would neverfullybe ready. So he strapped on a backpack and dove headfirst into the unknown.Hmmm.6) Invent projects foryourselfEric Thomas (afai rlysuccessful speaker) recently admitted that he completely botched his first voiceover job.Although he knew he had a great voice, talking to a microphone in a studio was another monster entirely.So what did he do?He invented scripts and read them into his own microphone.Heres what I learned. If I stay ready, I never have to getready.- EricThomasDid the coffee shop down the street commission you to rebrand them? No. Do it anyway.Did HGTV call you to edit their new show about (get this) a spunky couple who is flipping houses? No. But one day they might.Will anybody ever hold you to a standard worthy of the best work? Probably not. Butthats why you should.7) Have a safetynetAt least, financially.It is a lot easier to take the risks necessary for success when you arent wondering how each decision will affect your ability to pay Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase, Capital One and the IRS. (Trust me. This is not a hypothetical list.)The freedom to act without fear is probably the best thing you can buy.8) Dont have a safetynetAt least, not emotionally.Lets pretend you are working a traditional 95er right now. But you are ambitious. You have goals of your own. You have a side hustle. You wont spend your whole life selling your soul.The temptation, of course, is to take it easy during the key hours of the day in order to conserve your best thinking.This is the exact wrong instinct.Everything is momentum, a virtuous cycle. Do you think you will suddenly rise to excellence after a long day of half-heartedness?No. Greatness at a 95 rolls into greatness from 59 which leads to a good nights sleep and that gives us a better chance.If anything is going to be attached to your name, please dont do it halfway. You deserve better.9) Know what action to take at any giventimeThe peak of discipline is the ability to work for only five minutes on a project which will take several months.Know how to beat The Three Is of InactionIndifference,Indecision,Ignorance.When you know exact ly what to do and can start doing it at the slightest break in the schedule, doors open.10) Master trustbuildingCan I be honest with you? Continuous trust is one of the perks of working a traditional office job as opposed to clients.With a traditional job, you are exposed to your clients every day. You can charm them. You can buy them coffee and breakfast and learn what they want. It is much easier to convince them you dont have any evil plans (even if you do).Freelancing, this process must take place in 1/10th of the time to meet deadlines most of the time. Fail to do so, and be micromanaged.The faster you build trust, the faster you and your boss are happy.(Unless you have abad boss)11) Know CheatCodesthe band, not a series of buttons. Although they earned their name for the ability to hack their way to the top of the charts.After spending several years learning their craft and finding their voice, Cheat Codes got to tour with Demi Lovato (who had a name far more familiar to pop m usic fans).When given the chance to collaborate, Cheat Codes did not try and book time with Demi six months down the road. They did not start researching male/female songs. They immediately sent over a song they had already written and said Demi, this would be great for you.In other words12) Always have ideas in your backpocketI once worked with an entrepreneur who traktament his company for several billion. He used to tell me thisPeople talk about plan A and plan B. They never talk about plans C through Z. The way I look at things, there are at least 26 chances for success for everyprojectOne reason I will never forget this is because it was the first time I heard someone say zed instead of zee, which made my American heart giggle. The second reason is because I so often fail this advice, choosing instead to balk at any work which takes more than a couple of false starts.Its very short-sighted of me. Maybe one day, I will get better.Speaking ofideasYou may enjoy my free ebook?- ?Th e Ultimate Guide to Infinite Ideas?- ?which I am giving away for the price of an email address.Get your copy right here.This article first appeared Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Using a Music Promo for Your Band

Using a Music Promo for Your BandUsing a Music Promo for Your BandA music promo, usually just called a promo, is shorthand for promotional copy. It is what the name suggests A copy of an doppelalbum used for promotional purposes. These are often sent to press and radio in advance of the release of an album to get reviews or radio play, and they are also often sent to promoters and agents when booking shows. In short, a music promo is the main ingredient in a promo package that is then used to drum up press coverage, attract record label attention and mora. Types of Promos Promos take a few different forms.Some are simply complete copies of an album, artwork and all, that are used for promotional purposes. Sometimes a label will scribble out the barcode to try and discourage people from heading out to the record store and selling the promos. Some promos are complete albums with artwork, but with CDs printed with promo use only - not for sale or some other message to prevent disco urage resale. Still, other promos contain a CD only in a plastic wallet without album artwork. In the case of vinyl promos, they can be white labels - generic pressings of the album with a white label and white sleeve. And promos can simply be self-burned CDs. Which Kind of Promo Should You Consider? There are no hard and fast rules as to which kind of promo is best. One technique is to start with the generic promos since theyre the cheapest. You might consider upgrading certain people who have been supportive of the band to complete promos with artwork down the line. Its probably a good idea to have a couple of varieties of promo CDs available. Even better, if your band has a website, its easy to upload promo versions of music files such as MP3s, which visitors can listen to. But remember that its only a promo dont give away every minute of every song for free. The idea is to raise interest which ultimately leads to sales. Know Your Audience One important thing to consider as you put your promo together Whos going to get it?You wont always be able to find just the right recipient at the label or the magazine you, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt try. Youre more likely to get some kind of response if you dont fling your promo out there and cross your fingers. Try to make sure there is a specific person at the receiving end. Also be sure to keep track of what you send where, and when. If you sent a promo to a magazine and havent heard back within two weeks, its not a bad idea to follow up with the contact person via email or phone to make sure your promo was received. Whats the Difference Between a Promo and a Demo? Be careful not to confuse promos with demos. There are certain cases where a demo is used as a promo Simply put, consider a promo to be a finished product orfinal version of a release, while a demo is a rough recording. Demos contain music that may someday end up on an album but may also end up being changed before a final version.

Important Behavioral Skills That Employers Value

Important Behavioral Skills That Employers ValueImportant Behavioral Skills That Employers ValueWith any and all jobs, there are certain specific skills required to perform the work well. Required skills will vary from position to position, and you can learn what they are by reading job descriptions. But there are other skills that almost all jobs require, and hiring supervisors may notlage think to mention them. What Are Behavioral Skills? Behavioral skills often fall under the general heading of good character, friendliness, maturity, or common sense, and many people assume they come naturally as part of being good or smart- they dont. These are skills that must be learned and practiced. The good news, its entirely possible to develop behauptung behavioral skills at any time. Many of these behavioral skills are social in nature. They concern how well you can get along with other people, including your supervisor, your colleagues, customers, and clients. The Top 4 Communicat ionGood communication actually consists of many different sub-skills, from appropriate patterns of body language and eye contact to the ability to write clear and accurate reports. Accurate listening and the ability to follow instructions are especially important but are often ignored or taken for granted. Many people simply do not pay close attention to what others say or write and do not ask follow-up questions to check their understanding. As a result, individuals act on their own inaccurate assumptions and create inefficiencies and frustrations at work. If you can really listen, your work will be a cut above many of your competitors. Goal-Setting and PlanningAnybody can wish for something to happen, but to accomplish anything (except by accident), you have to make a plan- which surprisingly few people know how to do. Planning requires setting concrete goals, identifying workable action steps, and making a commitment to see the plan through. Even setting the initial goal can be difficult when multiple issues are competing for attention. Effective planning requires arranging problems by importance and, often, delegation. It is impossible to do everything at once, but if you focus on the most important tasks and ask for help, you can accomplish a lot. NumeracyNumeracy is to math what literacy is to written language. Surprisingly, many adults are functionally innumerate, despite knowing how to solve complex math problems. Numeracy means being able to think clearly and intelligently about numbers in real life, not just on a test. A classic example of innumeracy is reacting differently to news stories or advertising depending on whether the same quantity is expressed as a percent, a decimal, or a fraction- and most people do just that, which is why sale signs always use percent. Becoming numerate is an important part of critical thinking. EmpathyBeing an empathetic individual comes naturally to some, but is less natural to others. Behaving with empathy means mo re than feeling bad for someone whos sad, or sharing in someone elses joy. It means being able to step into someone elses world to understand not just what their point of view is, but alsowhythey have that point of view. The boss might be angry because shes feeling undue pressure youre not aware of. A colleague might have a large ego about a project because theyre afraid of losing their job. You never know what other people have going on. Empathy is a behavioral skill that can help you to not only keep your own peace of mind but can also help you to grow in your career because empathetic people tend to put others at ease. Skills List Here is a list of behavioral skills. Required skills will vary based on the job for which youre applying, so also review our list ofskills listed by joband type of skill. A Z AccountabilityAccurate ListeningAnalytical ThinkingAnswering a ComplaintApologizingArranging Problems by ImportanceAssertivenessAsking for HelpAsking PermissionAsking Question sAttention to DetailAvoiding Trouble with OthersBeing a Good SportCommitmentCommunicationConcentrationConceptual ThinkingConversingConvincingCreative ThinkingCreativityCustomer FocusDealing with EmotionsDelegationDiplomacyDecision MakingDirectingEmpathyExpressing AffectionExpressing FeelingEye ContactFlexibilityFollowing Directions Following InstructionGathering InformationGesturesGiving ComplimentsGiving InstructionGoal Setting H - M Helping OthersHonestyImprovisationInitiativeIntegrityInteraction with PeopleInterpersonal Introducing OthersIntroducing YourselfInterviewingJoining In on EventsKeeping out of FightsLeadershipListeningLogical ThinkingManagementMaking DecisionsMonitoringMotivation N - S Negotiation Nonverbal CommunicationNumeracyOrganizational Recognizing FeelingsPatiencePeople SkillsPersistencePersuasionPlanningPoliticsProblem ManagementProblem SolvingRelating to OthersRespectSalesSelf EsteemSelf ImprovementSelf ManagementSensitivitySpeakingStrategic ManagementStrategic PerspectiveStrategic PlanningStress MaintenanceStress Management T - Z TactTeachingTeamworkTime ManagementTension ReductionTrainingTrustVerbal CommunicationWritten Communication How to Use Skills Lists When you apply for a new position, make sure to read the job description carefully. Identify the skills you have that your prospective employer wants, and remember to highlight these in your resume, cover letter, and job interview. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your use of each sought-after skill. Some required behavioral skills, such as taking the initiative, will likely be listed in the job description. Others, such as controlling your own emotions, may not be listed because the hiring supervisor may simply assume applicants will have the skill. In those cases, it could actually be counterproductive to highlight the skill when you apply doing so is the equivalent of boasting that you can dress yourself. It could make you look bad to overstate the basics. Some hirin g supervisors may ask about skills that others just take for granted. Be prepared to give examples of all the relevant skills that you have, even if you doubt the interviewer will ask. You can use the following list not just to get an idea of what employers may be looking for, but also to identify areas where you need to study up. Skills Lists Employment Skills Listed by JobLists of Skills for Resumes

How to know when holiday drinking is hurting your brain

How to know when holiday drinking is hurting your brainHow to know when holiday drinking is hurting your brainFor many, the holidays are indeed the most wonderful time of the year. Families and friends come together and enjoy food, good cheer and, often, alcohol.Commercially speaking, alcohol and the holidays seem to be made for each other. Alcohol can be a quick and easy way to get into the spirit of celebration.And, it feels good. After two glasses of wine, the brain is activated through complex neurobiochemical processes that naturally release dopamine, a neurotransmitter of great importance.When the dopamine molecule locks on to its receptor located on the surface of a neuron, or basic brain cell, a buzz occurs. It is often desirably anticipated before the second glass is empty.There are those, however, who drink right past the buzz into intoxication and, often, into trouble. For them, the brain starts releasing the saatkorn enjoyable dopamine, no different than what happens in the casual drinkers, but it doesnt stop there. A compulsion to binge drink can result.As someone who has studied alcohol use disorder for over 15 years and who has treated thousands of patients who have it, I think its a major, yet often poorly understood, public health problem. Our culture seems to be moving beyond the point of labeling those with opioid addictions as weak, and I hope we can do the same for those with alcohol use disorder, too, which is mora widespread than people may appreciate. Excessive drinking accounted for one in 10 deaths among working-age adults in the United States.Moving beyond judgmentAlthough alcohol can feel as though it is relieving stress, it contributes to 88,000 deaths in the United States each year. That is more than double the number of people killed by heroin and opioid prescription drug overdose, another major public health crisis, in 2014.In addition, more than 66.7 million Americans reported binge drinking in the past month in 2015, according to the recent report on addiction by the surgeon general.The consequences to the individual and the family are staggering, affecting physical and mental health, an increased spread of infectious disease, reduced quality of life, increased motor vehicle crashes and abuse and neglect of children, to mention a few.Scientific study of the brain has helped explain binge drinking even if it may be hard for family and friends to understand. Its defined as drinking five or more drinks for men and four for women on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days.Binge drinking is a medical condition. It happens through no fault of the individual, who is victimized by the comparative malfunction of the pleasure circuits in the brain. This causes the drinker to want more and more alcohol. Brains of binge drinkers have a disease, acknowledged by the American Medical Association since the 1950s, yet binge drinkers are often vilified.Americans typically want to know and are willing to make some lifestyle changes out of fear and common sense when it comes to diseases such as heart disease, obesity and cancer. We as a society are not quite at the same point with substance abuse disorders, but researchers are desperately trying to bring that same willingness for prevention and treatment to substance use disorders.Science understands the cause well enough to explain it and treat it so that lives can be saved and spared the devastating consequences for the millions who suffer with these conditions, their families and communities. This has become an urgent matter of national importance for scientists and medical practitioners.The three stages of addictionThe alcohol addiction process involves a three-stage cycle Binge-Intoxication, Withdrawal-Negative Affect, and Preoccupation-Anticipation.It begins in the neurons, the basic type of brain cell. The brain has an estimated 86 billion of these cells, which communicate through chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.N eurons can organize in clusters and form networks or circuits in order to perform specific functions such as thinking, learning, emotions and memory. The addiction cycle disrupts the normal function of some of these networks in three areas of the brain the basal ganglia, the extended amygdala and the prefrontal cortex.The disruptions do several things that contribute to continued drinking. They enable alcohol or drinking-associated triggers (cues) which lead to seeking alcohol. They also reduce the sensitivity of the brain systems, causing a diminished experience of pleasure or reward, and heighten activation of brain stress systems. Last, they reduce function of brain executive control systems, the parte of the brain that typically helps make decisions and regulate ones actions, emotions and impulses.These networks are critical for human survival. Unfortunately for the binge drinker, they become hijacked, and the bingeing continues even after the harmful effects have begun.Because binge drinkers brains feel intense pleasure from alcohol, there is a powerful motivation to binge drink again and again. What may begin as social binge drinking at parties for recreation can cause progressive neuro-adaptive changes in brain structure and function. The brain is no longer well enough to function normally. Its getting sick. Continued partying can transition into a chronic and uncontrollable daily pattern of alcohol use. These maladaptive neurological changes can persist long after the alcohol use stops.Your brain on alcoholDuring the Binge-Intoxication Stage, a part of the brain called the basal ganglia rewards the drinker with pleasurable effects, releasing dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for the rewarding effects of alcohol and creating the desire for more.With continued bingeing, the habit circuity is repeatedly activated in another part of the basal ganglia called the dorsal striatum. It contributes to the compulsive seeking of more alcohol. This explai ns the intense desire (craving) which is triggered while a binge drinker is driving by a favorite bar and cant resist pulling in, even after a promise to go directly home after work.During the Withdrawal-Negative Affect Stage, there is a break from drinking. Because the reward circuit has a diminished ability to deliver a dopamine reward, there is far less pleasure with natural (safe) experiences such as food and sex compared to alcohol.During abstinence from alcohol, stress neurotransmitters such as corticotropin-releasing factor (FRC) and dynorphin are released. These powerful neurochemicals cause negative emotional states associated with alcohol withdrawal. This drives the drinker back to alcohol in order to gain relief and attempt to reestablish the rewards of intoxication.Regions of the brain are affected differently by alcohol.Surgeon Generals Report on AddictionAfter a period of abstinence from alcohol, which may last only hours, the drinker enters the Preoccupation-Anticip ation Stage. This involves the prefrontal cortex, where executive decisions are made about whether or not to override the strong urges to drink. This part of the brain functions with a Go system and Stop system.When the Go circuits stimulate the habit-response system of the dorsal striatum, the drinker becomes impulsive with a craving and seeks a drink, perhaps even subconsciously. The Stop system can inhibit the activity of the Go system and is important especially preventing relapse after being triggered by stressful life events.Brain imaging studies show that binge drinking can disrupt the function in both the Go and Stop circuits. This interferes with proper decision making and behavioral inhibition. The drinker is both impulsive and compulsive.An illness that can be treatedThere is good news, as scientific evidence shows that this disorder can be treated.The FDA has approved three medications for treatment that should be offered whenever appropriate. There is well-supported sci entific evidence that behavioral therapies can be effective treatment. This includes recovery support services, such as Alcoholic Anonymous.Most importantly, it is important to know that alcohol use disorder is a brain disorder causing a chronic illness. It is no different from diabetes, asthma or hypertension. When comprehensive continuing care is provided, the recovery results improve, and the binge drinker has the hope of remaining sober as long as lifelong treatment and maintenance of sobriety become a dedicated lifestyle choice.Jamie Smolen, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of FloridaThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Resum Can Be Fun for Everyone

Resum Can Be Fun for Everyone Resum Options For example, if somebody is searching for job in teaching, then, the main focus of the resume writer is going to be the profile of a teacher. If you would like to learn mora on how best to compose an objective statement for a resume, visit our site for more info on all facets of career resources. While all resumes should offer information on your work and education experience, in addition to your abilities and accomplishments, there are various ways to present this info. However much or what type of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. With your resume before them, employers can visualize how you are going to operate within the framework of their corporation, and the way in which your abilities and abilities will be used in the upcoming evolution of the business. First you have to finish a questionnaire this is utilised to acquire insight in your personality, strengths an d skills etc.. Be certain to highlight people skills and that you understand how to close a deal. An adequate lifestyle should be created for illiterate or semi-literate. Click our sample to learn to compose the ideal transportation resume. Lastly, lets cover using an electronic resume. In the end, you would like to attempt to strike a balance between including experience thats both timely and relevant. A complete example is going to be the organization for a restaurant. Rumors, Lies and Resum Job seekers deserve to discover decent content quickly. Resumes could be organized in various ways. Certain extracurricular activities are clearly beneficial for particular jobs. Possessing a strong resume will enable you find quite a few great jobs. Even when youre asking for work that looks unrelated to these extracurricular activities, just about any job demands these important abilities. You have to produce an excellent resume if you would like to acquire an outstanding job. I f youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Write specific resume for each job. Unprofessional e-mail addresses are only one way of sending hiring managers the incorrect message. What you exclude is at least as crucial as what you include. Be certain that you convey this info in your resume. All the info that they have gathered will then be employed to make an outstanding resume, cover letter or even a thank you note you may benefit from. Perhaps while looking for examples you noticed poor samples all around the internet. In just about all scenarios, your free resume template needs to be chronological. Much like writing advertisements though, writing resumes isnt uncomplicated. To find some formatting tips for your resume, take a look at our samples.When you have written and organized your information according to the kind of resume youve chosen, make sure to format it according to typical professional standards. Have a peek at these examples to select which format is ideal for you. Print out your resume to make sure that the margins and the format generally look good Just take a peek at your resume format. Most companies prefer the excellent traditional way. In any organization or company, each position, however big or little, is equally important and on occasion the effectiveness of small players in the business, dictates whether the company will be a hit or a miss, success or failure. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with several of the exact same skills. 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the considerable cost saving in contrast to traditional hiring methods. To begin with, lets deal with the simple fact that its merely a huge block of text that nobody will read. In many instances, your resume is the very first document a hiring manager will examine when reviewing your program, and therefore is a real first impression. It is crucial to comba t corruption whatsoever levels. Giving examples on several varieties of corruption in our country in any respect levels, he even gave various statistics on the bribery and other varieties of corruption. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that will allow you to get your fantasy job. When youve completed the resume, you should get started getting ready for the chance of an interview. Whether youre a chef, server, or host, you can take advantage of this sample to compose your own. Utilize your waitress resume to highlight your strong suits, whatever you can do in reservierung to demonstrate your strengths will help you land work. New Step by Step Roadmap for Resum Possessing a crystal clear career objective reference in the resume will greatly enhance the end result of receiving an interview. The duration of your resume is critical. You only receive a very brief quantity of time to generate an impression and a well written resume summary can make a big difference. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage.

How Do I Video Interview... Unemployed Candidates

How Do I Video Interview... Unemployed CandidatesEvery candidate comes with their own set of unique bewerbungsinterviewing challenges. Thats why were tackling how to video interview different types of job seekers with this how to series. Today, well be talking about how to connect with unemployed candidates in the video interview.Too many companies automatically discount candidates who are currently without a job. But perhaps these unemployed candidates are exactly the kind of motivated job seekers you need in your organizationUnemployment Doesnt Mean UnemployableWith the tough economy, unemployment is a huge problem right now. At 7.9 percent, the U.S. has the lowest unemployment rate in years. But 7.9 percent unemployment is still very, very high.And not all of these job seekers have been out of work for only a short amount of time. In fact, numbers from the Labor Department show nearly 4.8 million Americans have been out of work for a staggering 27 weeks or more. This is a big port ion of job seekers to leave on the table just because theyre not currently employed.Many companies, however, are ignoring this huge segment of the talent pool. A recent study for the annual Academy of Management conference showed just one month after being let go, job seekers were facing an uphill battle to get hired. The study proved employers rated identical resumes more positively if candidates were still at a current position. Its hard enough for unemployed candidates without companies discriminating against them because of their jobless status.These workers are not only a big segment of the talent pool, but also theyre a highly motivated segment. While passive candidates are great, unemployed candidates are more likely to be excited and ready to jump in and hit the ground running. There will be no decision process about whether they should leave their current comfy cubicle for your greener pastures unemployed candidates will be ready to work as soon as you make an offer.How to Connect in the Video InterviewThe video interview is the moment to put your doubts about a candidates unemployment to rest. Dont feel strange about asking what might feel like awkward questions. If its something you feel you need to know to move forward with the job seeker, then you should utilize the video interview to ask.So here are a few simple interview questions which can help put your fears at easeWhy were you let go? If your job seeker is wading into the unemployment pool thanks to downsizing or firing, its important you get the full story before making a job offer. Perhaps the economy caused the job seekers company to let go of talented workers. Or perhaps the job seeker was fired for some offense or mistake. Find out what the reason was straight from the source before making assumptions.What have you been doing? Bouncing back after being let go is tough, whether you were downsized or fired. But youre looking for job seekers who stopped wallowing and started getting proacti ve. Asking about what the candidate has been doing during their unemployment is a good way to gauge motivation and drive.For instance, maybe theyve been volunteering their skills and building up their network. Or maybe theyve been working on a contract or freelance basis. Dont make the mistake of thinking just because these job seekers dont work a traditional 9-to-5 job means they havent been working at all.What have you learned? The best job seekers will be the ones who have learned valuable lessons from their experience. They might have learned the importance of networking or even went out and got additional credentials and education.Asking what theyve learned from their unemployment is a good way to find out if the job seeker is the kind of employee who will look at big problems as learning opportunities and challenges to be solved.Unemployed candidates certainly arent unemployable, and they might be just the talent you need for your organization. So use the video interview as a window to ask smart interview questions and find out if these candidates are the right talent for your organization.What interview questions do you ask unemployed job seekers? Share in the comments