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Yes Yes Yes!!! You got the call back and the big job interview is marked on your calendar. So you have one week to prepare. What are you going to do with all that time?

Research. When you walk into an interview, you’re showing your prospective boss what you know. And while some of it might be second nature, there are other things that you’re going to need to brush up on. Here, we have nine things that you should research before you turn up for the interview

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If you’ve ever worked a day in your life, and particularly been in a position to manage or oversee other people, you’d know there are a whole lot of people who talk a good game when it comes to their career ambitions, but can never back it up. These are the folks who just know they want to be an entrepreneur but have no clue what business they want to start, or who think they could do a better job running the company than everybody else but can’t even name two things they would do to improve revenue. Essentially, they’re just BSing.

Climbing the corporate latter and achieving your career goals is no easy feat for a number of reasons but it’s quite easy to weed out the people who really want to make it and who just think they want to. In case you’re not sure where you fall, check out these signs you’re not really serious about what you do.

I’m the epitome of it: Writing Coordinator for a program with over 1,500 students, freelance blogger/journalist, spoken-word artist, graphic designer and non-profit extraordinaire. I am paid for everything I put my mind to and I am sure to give each one my undivided attention.

I break dawn, under an editor’s pressure, typing away at my keyboard and downing homemade coffee.  I transfer my meticulousness to the precision of sidebars and links when crafting a website. You can find me divvying my thoughts and ideas into separate journals—each serving a purpose—fearful I might lose them or their momentum. I don’t believe in Jill-of-all-trades, master of none. It’s possible to master one trade and delve into several others quite decently.

Remember:

Your potency is what makes you profitable.

Your will is what drives the inquiry.

They will ask to put you on display.

They will smile at your triumphs.

But first you must be amazing at what you do.

Here are a few tips on the mastering of the side hustle:

1)   Every trade doesn’t start off profitable. A lot of folks jump into a craft and are too quickly frustrated about not making enough money from their pursuit. I’m not saying that there’s no such thing as overnight success, I just beckon you to realize that it’s a rarity. Writers, write for online/print publications that don’t necessarily pay, but offer great exposure. Artists take your paintings to the local coffee shop or library and offer to display them for free. Some caffeine-obsessed savant will surely question whose masterpieces adorn the wall.  Just like the hounds at the perfume counters or the new restaurant across the street, your passersby might need a slight sample before committing to a sale.

2)   Be prepared. This might be the cliché rule, but I can’t say this enough. Too often I’m confronted by women who claim to be a freelance something-or-another with nothing to show for it.

“Oh you’re an event planner? I’ve got this really great idea for my upcoming wedding and I’d love to bounce it off of someone, do you have a card? No?”

After this, she’ll scramble to pull a piece of paper from some forlorn notebook and scribble her number unto it. Sigh. Preparation is key when you’re looking to solidify your hustle. The give-me-your-hand, with the Hot stare, and the let-me-write-this-on-your-hand might work with the fellas, but it won’t work in most cases. Cop business cards and take them wherever you go, stick a few of those postcards emblazoned with some of your work into your purse, and be prepared to perform when asked.

As a spoken word artist I frequently run into other poets who need my help joining a showcase, but aren’t prepared to spit a few stanzas. How can I vouch for something I haven’t heard or seen?

3)   Being half-assed will get you nowhere. If you’re truly invested in something, you won’t mind putting effort and aesthetic into it. Too often I come across half done websites or webs/BlogSpot dot coms, bathroom shoots for bios, & banter with typos.

Buy your own dot com, have a professional shoot (support other side hustles—photographers), create an about, have someone who’s a great scribe write your bio, and call on a graphic designer to give you a tailored and proficient look. The scariest thing is going to the home website of a “graphic designer” that is all out of whack. In what world?

4)   Learn all of the facets. You don’t want to be that girl. THAT GIRL. The one surrounded by a bunch of photographers who are trading notes on different equipment and the joshing is halted when the conversation turns to you. Don’t be the my-daddy-bought-me-this-Nikon-so-I-take-pictures girl. Know the lenses, the optics, which brand is better and all the scenarios each could handle. I’m not saying you have to know every knob and handle, but be able to contribute to conversation of YOUR craft.

5)   Empower your brand. Just because your craft may be a SIDE hustle doesn’t mean that its pride is a lessened one. Place yourself everywhere: Stickers, logos, t-shirts etc. Give your entrepreneurship a persona of its own; allow it to create an Instagram, a FB page, and more. I follow a chef on Instagram who posts pictures of her food and receives personal catering requests via DM and her inbox everyday. There are several part-time musicians that sport logos that embody their persona and craft.

Organize often.

Read any and everything on your expertise.

Tell everyone—no one is too small. Tell the world.

Sacrifice sleep, priority, and procrastination.

Answer all questions.

Remember, the customer is always right.

Paypal is your friend, they have debit cards now.

To all the side hustlers: Jewelry makers, event planners, photographers, writers, bloggers, producers, femcees, singers, interns, interior decorators, dancers, artists, poets, designers, etc…

Whether your career is the clothes on your back and your side livelihood is your dream or it’s the reverse; take dignity in it.

Today’s 5-9 could be tomorrow’s white house and picket fence.

Tomorrow’s after work hour could be the next stepping-stone to yesterday’s career.

For the accountants turned femcees.

For the freelance writers turned editors.

For the dreams that bloom, defer, and deflower everyday.

Werk.

Any tips for fellow side hustlers? What’s your motivation?

“RivaFlowz” is a teacher and professional writer living in New York City. You can follow her on Twitter: @rivaflowz.

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According to Marketwatch, 31 percent of employers are expected to hire exec-level positions over the next six months, compared to last October’s 23 percent. If you want to be competitive for these upcoming positions or have another opportunity on your radar, AOL Jobs knows exactly what you should do.

To be the boss in 2012, it’s important to know that you don’t have to stay committed to the same job for decades like your parents and grandparents probably did. These days, flexibility and versatility are important. The Bureau of Labor Statistics observes that the average person between the ages of 18-44 has held about 11 jobs. Contracting and work-from-home jobs are more available. This allows some workers to work several jobs at once as what some call a “patchwork professional.” Freelancing and remote location jobs allow you the ability to have a stable income and the opportunity to expand your career set. Learn from each job you hold and watch your professional accomplishments add up.

If you’re going to be the boss, you can never stop learning. Of course education is important, but aside from the traditional undergraduate and graduate degree, strive to think strategically, and fill in any gaps with training sessions and workshops.

Although big businesses may be hiring, during a recession, small businesses and self-employment will lead job creation. Business start-ups will be the leaders in job opportunities during a recession as big businesses are simply trying to cut cost. Specific industries you should look to are information technology, health care and social services, which offer high growth, salary expectations as well as availability.  Not to mention that laid off workers will begin use their skill set to become freelance workers. Now may be a good time to step out on your own and launch your own business. If you’re not quite there yet, then join a business networking group like SCORE, which is a good way to find a support group for your ideas and ambitions.

More women are filling the job market as well as more women-owned companies. Not only do these businesses create 23 million jobs and almost $3 trillion, they also provide great work environments. Studies show that when women are the leaders, companies are more successful. In addition a woman-owned business is more likely to understand and assist with the multiple needs of a woman attempting to balance work and family.

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If your spiritually motivated and charismatic to get people back on track in their personal and professional lives, pursuing a career as a life coach may be the perfect job for you. A life coach helps people with life’s lessons, if their juggling a successful career, family life or an education. This lack thereof has the ability to take a toll on a person, but with your counseling advice it can lure them in a more positive direction.

Check it out:

1. Figure out what area you want to specialize in

Your area of expertise in financial matters, for example, isn’t the only career option for life coaches. You can revitalize people’s lives by giving them career advice about selecting the right school or making a huge career move. You can also explore careers as a spiritual coach, relationship guru, anger management advisor or leadership counselor. Choosing a specialization is paramount in you practicing to be a life coach first. Imagine how much of an impact your words can have on someone’s life patterns. Lots!

2. Seek the advice of other life coaches

The process of knowing how to profess worldly advice on matters concerning the public, is something that you won’t instinctively know on a first-term basis. The level of training requires asking the advice of other life coaches who are successfully trained, which will develop you as a professional. The step-by-step approach to guiding people on this path to salvation is channeling their energy and thought-processes. Attend or speak on the behalf of life coaching seminars or panel discussions to learn more about it.

3. Listen to your clients

You have the power, wisdom and intellectual ability to assist in people’s affairs, and how they can repair their broken or limited situations. One of the most important solutions in working with a client, is ensuring that they are well taken care of - professionally and personally. There is a badge of honor that comes with being a life coach, so its up to you to care about the people you coach.

4. Get in a networking mode

Get in a habit of producing like a networking genius so you can develop your talent. This is also an avenue to success and breaking into the industy of life coaching. Of course, this pursuit is likely to generate into a thriving business venture, which you will find conducive to people’s lives.

5. Enroll in life coaching courses online and obtain a certified license

Upon completion of a training program, you must become certified as a life coach. Take online courses or go to an accredited college. As there is a procedure for every obstacle you do, this is essential in having a conclusive document that speaks to your area of discipline.

6. Find employment

You can find common ground as an expert by finding employment in your field. If you feel that switching gears from a relationship advisor to a financial counselor will give you satisfaction, then execute those steps. However, you must be accredited and have experience in order for businesses to hire you. If you’re an aspiring  life coach, follow the above and advice and be on your way!

Veteran news anchor Carole Simpson opens up about the  sexism and racism she’s experienced in the workplace in her new book “News Lady.”  Full of inspirational moments and candor, the book offers a realistic view of Simpson’s unique career.  Simpson started her media career in the mid-1960s and in 1974, she went on to become the first African American woman to anchor a newscast on a major network.

Her education and skills earned her many praises and career advancements. She even moderated a presidential debate in 1992–becoming the first woman and the first minority to do that. However, her career has not been without trouble. One colleague called her a Slore and told her that the only reason she had her job was because of affirmative action. Over the years, Simpson says she was subjected to inappropriate touches and comments as well. One co-worker let her know that she looked so good he wanted to four-letter-word her.

Somehow, through all of that, she maintained a thriving career in media for 25 years. No major publishing house wanted to touch the book, according to Simpson, so she went through a self-publishing firm called AuthorHouse. Simpson currently teaches broadcast journalism, public affairs reporting and political communication at Emerson College in Boston.

Have you ever had to endure sexism or racism at work? How did you handle it? Have you ever quit a job because of harassment?

Have you ever found yourself shuffling through the contents of your Louis Vuitton canvas bucket bag for your keys, your cell phone or an abandoned stick of gum while cursing yourself for having so much unneeded junk? Give your shoulder a break by narrowing down the essentials that all professional women should carry on a daily basis:

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Here at TAP, we’re all about discovering your true calling in life and aligning your career aspirations with your passions. Nevertheless, it’s good to be aware of marketplace trends when it comes to job prospects and job stability. Money and PayScale.com recently rated the top 100 careers, based on their pay rates and growth outlook. Here’s the list of the top ten:

10. Biomedical Engineer

Job Growth (10 year forecast): 72%

Sector: Scientific Research

Biomedical engineers are involved in some serious business. They “design and develop medical devices, treatments, and procedures, from artificial hearts to drug-delivery systems.” As medical technology advances, so does the work of these engineers.

Education required: An undergraduate mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering degree,  and biology experience or education.

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In today’s world of high unemployment, keeping a job in a layoff heavy environment can be just as mentally/emotionally taxing as being given the ax. Add to that a general loathing for the job anyway and you have a recipe for disaster.  Hold tight sister!  Here are a few ways to hang on to your job as long as necessary and maintain your sanity.

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(Entrepreneur) – Think about the most successful people you know. What’s one thing they have in common? Probably this: They’ve built a network of contacts that provides support, information and business referrals. They have mastered the art and science of networking, and business flows to them almost as a matter of course.

It took those successful networkers years of hard work to build their networks. But many people don’t understand networking basics.

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