Dancing with the Stars -- and Getting Hired

Looking for a job is a full time job in itself. Reading books on job hunting, fine tuning your resume for different jobs can keep you busy along with networking. Remember that you can learn a lot from the most unusual places--watching Dancing with the Stars being one of them.

Here are some lessons to be learned:

• It is not always the most talented person that gets hired. Donnie Osmond while good was not the acknowledged leader on the show. Mya had strutted her stuff all season with higher scores. If you are the "expert" it doesn't guarantee you that you will be hired. There are other factors at work. Donnie won!
  
• Like-ability is a huge factor in being selected. Mya had the raw talent and the expertise, but Donnie showed he wanted to win, was excited about the possibility of winning and never gave up. He was persistent. Like-ability also won over talent when Kelly was selected over the more talented swimsuit model. Smile during your interview and show that you have a personality. Only engineers and scientists get hired "just for their expertise."
  
• At one point in the show series Donnie admitted that he was not having fun anymore on the show. Instead of quitting and just getting by, he dug down deep within himself and willed what I call "false enthusiasm" to get through the tough spots before rebounding later in the series. Some days you just have to pick yourself up and be self-motivated.
  
• Mya and her partner had a discussion before the finale on the show about what routine to do. She wanted to "go for it" going all out and doing something that had never been done before. Her partner convinced her to play it safe and do a Broadway Tune. Her dancing was good, but the judges and the public where disappointed in the fact that her dancing was good, but nothing special. They expected more. Donnie on the other had a great routine--going all out. Even Kelly who came in at 3rd place did not hold back and did a routine that was more difficult than her talent level. But she went for it! Lesson: Don't hold back, go for it, don't leave anything on the floor.