If you've been following the upcoming elections in the United States (and in many places there's no escape from it), you'll undoubtedly be familiar with the name of a certain vice-presidental candidate who is causing a lot of ink to flow these past two weeks.
So, you may wonder, what exactly does this have to do with the workplace? Everything.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am not a Republican nor do I ever hope to become one. If that spells bias for you, and it probably should, then feel free to read on if you're in disagreement.
However, her candidacy reminds of exactly why you should never come to a job interview unprepared. Could you imagine applying for a job and repeatedly making false statements regarding previous job-related actions? Could you imagine being interviewed for a job as a software developer and not knowing what ActiveX or .NET is? Could you imagine what would happen if you tried to take credit for a past action or achievement that your references would discredit in a heartbeat?
You'd already start the job with a battered reputation or would quickly earn one once you were found out.
Sometimes we tend to get ourselves in over our heads, and I think Ms. Palin is a perfect example. The workplace is no place for a person who is supposedly at the senior-level in their field to gain on-the-job experience.
In this case, you can argue that no person is truly prepared or experienced at running the world's largest economy, but a grasp of basic tenets of the position would be a start.
In short, when applying for a job or accepting a nomination, be sure to do your homework before your interviews lest you look like an amateur.