Chances are you’ve seen Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News. Yet, like many of us in job search, he, too, had to face some tremendous obstacles, both financial and in career. At one time he had maxed out his credit cards, and he, like many of us, experienced periods of underemployment. More after the jump.

This video from mediabistro is the first in a series called “My First Big Break“, and I’m so glad I get to share it with you.

Brian Williams: My First Big Break

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Authenticity is key in looking for work. Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, shares about that in this video (click to see embedded video):

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you like the content here, please use them when purchasing.

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1. Marketing lessons for your job search
2. Passion and audacity in the job search
3. Know Yourself. Be Yourself.

We need more laughter. How about 4 babies laughing at the same time?

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I have a confession to make.

I became fascinated with marketing as a result of being in a job search. I saw myself as that product/service/brand, and that it was my job to tell intriguing stories that would inspire people, especially hiring managers, to want to know more.

My journey has taken me to a place where I not only see this in myself, but I’m also looking at every marketing communication now as just that. I’m seeing the stories being told and identifying the targets for those stories.

You may have already made the jump to match what I’m writing here as to how it applies to your job search.  Let me encourage you to watch this video with pen and paper, so you can take notes on what Rory Sutherland has to say.

Click here to watch the embedded video.

Have thoughts or comments to share? How are you applying these marketing lessons to your job search? In what ways have you branded yourself to those you are connecting with?

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If you’re passionate in your job search, it shows. If you have a goal, a targeted opportunity you’re zealously pursuing, it’s obvious. You cannot hide it.

Like this guy, who wants to work for U2.

Click here to watch the embedded video, if you cannot see it.

He’s even got a Facebook page that you can join to help him in his journey.

Hat-tip to Cliff Ravenscraft from GSPN.tv for the link via Google Buzz.

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Getting laid off and losing a job doesn’t have to be the end of the world.  It can be the best time to reinvent yourself. As one person in Lemonade: The Movie said, it’s not a pink slip – it’s a blank page.

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’ve released a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I practiced answering a typical interviewing question.  Were my answers perfect? Probably not.  This experiment had the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the last installment of the series, as Day 30 of 30:

NaPodPoMo Day 30: Series Wrap-up

Feedback

Dawn from Cincinnati sent in a great critique of how I did with the videos, mentioning that the idea was great and shared some suggestions for how I could get better. Chris Meyer from Las Vegas sent in some audio feedback that this series came out at a time that he was interviewing for a job, and the interviewers commented that he was well-prepared. This series helped him be prepared for the interviewing questions.

Lessons Learned

• Seeing the return on my time investment. Producing video content to go out every single day was rather strenuous. If I didn’t see the benefit of me getting practice answering job interview questions, I probably wouldn’t have done it this way.
• Producing in bulk, scheduling to be published later. Many of these videos were recorded and produced in bulk, and then scheduled to be published on the days they went out.  Creating content, whether video or blog posts, in bulk while in a creative frame of mind, was very helpful.  Being able to schedule the blog posts ahead of time was also very helpful.
• Learning to produce and edit video. I feel much more comfortable recording, editing, publishing, tagging, and in general producing video now. The tools I used were
  • Lenovo Easy Capture for the webcam recording, built-in laptop mic
  • Windows Movie Maker to edit, add titles, and publish
  • Free Video Converter utility to convert WMV files to MP4
  • iTunes to add ID3 tags
• Promoting through social networking. Promoting the videos on Facebook and LinkedIn, and occasionally on Twitter, helped drive traffic.
• Would I do this again? I don’t know if I’d commit to producing video every day like this. We’ll see. NaPodPoMo 2010 is a ways off.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 8:27, 16.4 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
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• National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) (danieljohnsonjr.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 29 of 30:

Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:30, 10.6 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)
• Persuade me that you have strong analytical skills. – NaPodPoMo Day 17 (getthatjobonline.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 28 of 30:

Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:52, 9.4 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)
• Persuade me that you have strong analytical skills. – NaPodPoMo Day 17 (getthatjobonline.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 27 of 30:

Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:52, 9.4 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 26 of 30:

Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 6:10, 12 MB)

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• How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• Tell me about your ability to work under pressure – NaPodPoMo Day 09 (getthatjobonline.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 25 of 30:

Describe a time on any job that you held in which you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:55, 11.5 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Today, I’m answering a question constructed from a statement in a good example of a job description for a social media job. This comes from Amber Naslund‘s blog post entited “Hiring for Social Media: Good Moves“.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 24 of 30:

Tell me about your ability to engage online audiences, both reactively and proactively, ultimately empowering others to talk about the brand.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

I also talked about Movember, a movement for Prostate Cancer Awareness that has led me to grow a moustache this month.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 6:26, 12.4 MB)

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• How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Today, I’m answering a question constructed from a statement in a good example of a job description for a social media job. This comes from Amber Naslund‘s blog post entited “Hiring for Social Media: Good Moves“.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 23 of 30:

How have you been able to take larger strategy and insights and translate into ideas and executable plans in the social media space?

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:09, 10 MB)

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• How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Today, I’m answering a question constructed from a statement in a good example of a job description for a social media job. This comes from Amber Naslund‘s blog post entited “Hiring for Social Media: Good Moves“.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 22 of 30:

Tell me about your willingness to experiment and innovate.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:15, 8.3 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interview Questions

For Week 3 of NaPodPoMo, I’m trying out some behavioral interview questions.  These questions are asked to infer future performance based on previous behavior.  Because of that, the answers are going to be very specific for each person who responds.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 21 of 30:

Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 6:11, 12 MB)

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• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
• Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
• How I Got My Job as a Network Technician – Brent Bradley (howigotmyjob.com)
• Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
• 15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? – NaPodPoMo Day 10 (getthatjobonline.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interview Questions

For Week 3 of NaPodPoMo, I’m trying out some behavioral interview questions.  These questions are asked to infer future performance based on previous behavior.  Because of that, the answers are going to be very specific for each person who responds.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 20 of 30:

By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:15, 10.1 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
• Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
• How I Got My Job as an Administrative Assistant – Bill Green (howigotmyjob.com)
• Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
• 15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
• Tell me about your ability to work under pressure – NaPodPoMo Day 09 (getthatjobonline.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interviewing Questions

For Week 3 of NaPodPoMo, I’m trying out some behavioral interview questions.  These questions are asked to infer future performance based on previous behavior.  Because of that, the answers are going to be very specific for each person who responds.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 19 of 30:

Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get an important point across.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:12, 8.0 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
• Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
• How I Got My Job as a Manager of Technology and Talent Acquisition – T. Murray (howigotmyjob.com)
• Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
• 15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)

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Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interview Questions

For Week 3 of NaPodPoMo, I’m trying out some behavioral interview questions.  These questions are asked to infer future performance based on previous behavior.  Because of that, the answers are going to be very specific for each person who responds.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 18 of 30:

Describe for me a time when you had to serve as the leader in order to accomplish a goal.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:08, 7.9 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
• Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
• How I Got My Job as a Network Technician – Brent Bradley (howigotmyjob.com)
• Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
• 15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? – NaPodPoMo Day 10 (getthatjobonline.com)
• What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

Background

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question.  Will my answers be perfect? Probably not.  This experiment has the following objectives:

• Practice answering typical interviewing questions
• Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
• Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interview Questions

For Week 3 of NaPodPoMo, I’m trying out some behavioral interview questions.  These questions are asked to infer future performance based on previous behavior.  Because of that, the answers are going to be very specific for each person who responds.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 17 of 30:

By providing examples, persuade me that you have strong analytical skills.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:15, 8.16 MB)

Related articles by Daniel Johnson Jr and Zemanta

• Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
• How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
• Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
• How I Got My Job as a Chief Technical Officer – John Buehler (howigotmyjob.com)
• Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
• 15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
• Show me how you’ve used your teamwork skills. – NaPodPoMo Day 16 (getthatjobonline.com)

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