A resume is important.  In fact, without a good one, you will never make it into the interview process. In my experience, top quality candidates have similar resumes.  There are usually many applicants that have the required knowledge, skills, ability and experience to lead the organization in any given search. What sets each applicant apart is their interview. This is also true if you are participating in some type of promotional process inside your agency.  You will likely have to participate in an interview. Your interview can be the difference between you moving on in the process and ultimately getting the job you seek or getting cut from the process. Avoid these 18 mistakes in your next job interview. 1. Short Answers If your response to any question is less than 30 seconds, you probably did not provide a thorough enough answer to the question.  Listen carefully to any instructions before the interview that relate to time.  I like to give some guidelines when I am conducting an interview.  I usually say if your answer is 30 seconds long you didn’t talk long enough and if your answer is 10 minutes you probably spoke too long.  The point is not…

I stepped into my first roll call as a 21-year-old rookie on October 15, 1981.  I remember that day like it was yesterday. My path was unsure and I was extremely nervous. I sat down in a seat that had no seat in front of it.  Our “roll call” room also served as the municipal courtroom for the City of Marietta.  Unfortunately for me, I didn’t realize that the seat I sat in was the favorite seat of a tall officer who liked that particular seat because it was the only one without a seat in front of it. Officer Ray Smith towered over me with his hands on his hips and said, “You’re in my seat.”  I mumbled an apology and quickly moved to another seat. As I changed seats, I began to question my job choice.  It wouldn’t be the last time this happened early in my career. Why did I want to be a police officer? I took a $100 a week pay cut to take this job, and I was already questioning my choice.  In the end, I stayed because I wanted to work where I could indeed make a difference. I took a stroll down…

I have never really given much thought about Barbara Bush.  Frankly, I didn’t know much about her before she died.  Of course, I knew a few things about her, but I mainly thought of her as a past First Lady and the mother of President George W. Bush. When she died on April 17th, I watched the news coverage with a lot of interest and realized that she was so much more than what I had previously thought. In fact, Barbara Bush was a remarkable woman who left a lasting legacy on the world. That set an excellent example for the rest of us. I can’t recall such nice things being said about someone by almost everyone, including people who might not ordinarily be a supporter. Universal Praise Let’s take a moment to review a few of those statements. President Bill Clinton said, “Barbara Bush was a remarkable woman. She had grit & grace, brains & beauty. She was fierce & feisty in support of her family & friends, her country & her causes. She showed us what an honest, vibrant, full life looks like. Hillary and I mourn her passing and bless her memory.” President Barack Obama shared his thoughts…