What the @#$%&!

I once worked for a bulldog.  He was vicious.  He screamed and yelled, and threatened at every turn.  I used to sit our team conference calls dumbfounded by the words that he jettisoned.

Two of my favorite quotes were, “On a scale of 1 to 10 you are a negative 2.  If you don’t like it, get the f*ck out.” AND “If you’re not on board, I will make you redundant.”

The second one was my favorite.  Talk about destroying morale and confidence.

Today, there is no place for yelling in a professional environment.  A professional who yells is out of control and frustrated, and often insecure.  But, even for the most reserved people, a loud scream, when frustrated, can feel pretty good.

Try it.  Find a quiet (preferable non-public space), take a deep breath, and really let it out.

I know…silly, right?

The truth is that many of us keep the frustration inside.  It may sneak out in traffic, when you’re caught in the rain, or when there is just too much to do.

That’s why periodic, “What the @#$%&!” moments, can help ease all of the other moments.  By taking the edge of emotion off, your perception may change.

We see it every day…frustrated candidates not recognizing the little things they can do to improve the interview process.  Too often, candidates believe they were not given the opportunity because an interviewer didn’t like them.  In reality, the candidates didn’t prepare for their interview process the right way.

Without preparation and focus, experience may not be enough to win the interview.  So, make time for “what the @#$%&!” moments.  You may never realize how a simple release of frustration can help you to perform better on your next interview…just make sure you have the moment before the interview.