We all engage in "small talk" and a little "chit chat" never hurt anyone, right? Wrong.

When you're in an interview setting with a prospective employer or a prospective client, questions like "So, what did you think of the NBA playoff game last night?" are very much an interview question.

Want to know how to be prepared to answer such questions?

First in a series. Each month, we'll present "real world" advice for people just starting their career.

Congratulations! You've graduated and are starting your new career. You've just landed your first "grown- up" job. Now what? Get a makeover.

Student fashion is "out" in the office. Low-rise jeans and hoodies were practically your uniform in college, but a professional image is crucial while you're establishing yourself at work. Get acquainted with your company dress code and buy a few basic pieces to get you started. Then, continue to build your work wardrobe a few pieces at a time, buying the highest quality clothing you can afford.

Source: Susan Morem, author of 101 Tips for Graduates

1. Negative comments regarding your firm's executives or staff.
2. Performance criticism.
3. Bonus or salary matters.
4. Racial or gender slurs.
5. Details relating to product liabilities.
6. Lies about your company's rivals.
7. Office dish.
8. Sloppy writing.
9. Sarcastic humor.
10. Private matters.

Source: Dianna Booher

I'd like to introduce you to my friend Brian Silverthorn and encourage you to visit his website,

www.feedthegoodwolf.com.

Brian is a business growth specialist and a personal development coach with an obsession to help people achieve everything they want in life by making the most of the work they do. Whether you own a business or you're pursuing a career, you owe it to yourself to take a look at his website and subscribe to his newsletter. You won't be disappointed.

You may have heard the dreaded "O" word: overqualified. To be ready for situations where the "O" word is used, begin by understanding what its use really means. . .

In 1946, one child was born every 8 seconds for 18 consecutive years in a row. That's 10,000 babies a day or 4,000,000 a year, for 18 years!

Did you know this boom in the population quickly revealed that there were not enough pediatricians, hospitals, play grounds, and schools? The seemingly endless demand by the growing population created a boom in development of these private and public services.

What are you doing to lead, inspire, and change the world - - again?

I recently had a conversation with a local CEO of a hugely successful organization when the topic of diamonds came up. We were talking about young professionals and I described this next generation of business leaders as "diamonds in the rough".

Finding future stellar professionals, like finding diamonds, is no easy task. It requires targeted mining and concentrated expertise. And, once they are found, care and patience is required to achieve the best end result. A rough diamond can reveal its true brilliance only after an expert diamond cutter has painstakenly and patiently cut and polished it.

I certainly look forward to continuing my work to lead, inspire, and change the world within my sphere of influence. I remain hopeful that we have enough "expert diamond cutters" among our current business leaders and learning professionals to reveal our future in all its true brilliance. :) LLR