There are few things scarier than job interviews. Making a strong impression on future employers while letting your personality and professional strengths shine is key to nailing one. And having strong social skills is an essential part of staying confident and composed."Social skills, and not just resumes, are vitally important both for job interviews and professional networking," Karol Ward, a licensed psychotherapist and founder of Claim Your Confidence, tells Upworthy.While finding a new job can be incredibly challenging, feeling secure in your social skills can help you connect with a future employer while conveying your professional strengths and possibly landing you your dream job. @garyvee What do you think are the most important qualities in a good employee? Drop your two cents below ⬇️ 8 social skills that will make you more employableThese expert-approved tips will help your career:#1: You're self-awareBeing able to read the room is a strong trait in a good employee."This is the skill of attuning and adapting to your environment," Doriel Jacov, a licensed psychotherapist, tells Upworthy. "What this generally means is being able to notice when something you might be saying or doing might be causing a negative reaction in others. Once you notice, you can do quickly reorient yourself."How to do it: "This looks like learning to understand others' facial expressions and body language. If someone sighs, they might be getting a little frustrated," explains Jacov. "If someone is looking down and not making eye contact, they might be feeling shame and embarrassment. These are all queues. Once you have a sense of what might be going on in the room, you can pivot in whatever way feels appropriate."#2: You offer a proper greetingYour first impression with a potential employer is key."These interactions show you value them as people and they are important," Dr. Courtney Cantrell, a licensed clinical psychologist in South Florida, tells Upworthy. "Colleagues will be more inclined to help, encourage you, or work with you if they like you."How to do it: "Make eye contact, say warm greetings (hello, good morning, good afternoon, Happy FriYay!), smile," says Cantrell. "And learning the names of everyone you meet and work with regardless of their position."#3: You practice active listeningListening is an important part of not just the job itself, but also managing relationships with coworkers and expectations from your boss."Active listening means fully engaging with what someone is saying, the nuances, the meta-communication, the meaning in the story underneath the words," Lisa Thomson, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Core Psychology, explains to Upworthy. How to do it: "Put away your phone. Make eye contact. When someone finishes speaking, pause for 2-3 seconds before responding, to both signals that you are really taking it in and processing, not just reacting," adds Thomson. "Reflect back to them what you heard in some of their words before responding. This does not mean you are agreeing with everything; it's about making people feel genuinely understood and that you've considered what they have shared before agreeing, critiquing or challenging them." Coworkers actively listening.Photo credit: Canva#4: You lead with humilityEmployers take note of how humble a potential employee is."This trait manifests in not only an ability to receive and incorporate feedback, but also an understanding that, when starting a new job, there is a lot to learn," Dr. Melissa Gluck, founder and clinical director at Gluck Psychology Collective, tells Upworthy.How to do it: "In an interview, this might look like honestly acknowledging the interviewer's relative expertise through questions," says Gluck. "Once a position is secured, thoughtful question-asking remains important. But, I would also encourage the employee to demonstrate that they are listening through their approach to subsequent tasks."#5: You regulate emotions under pressureRemaining composed and managing emotions under pressure is a positive trait in employees."This is your ability to manage your nervous system when stakes are high or when you are navigating high stress periods, whether that's a difficult conversation with your boss, a tense client meeting, or conflict with a colleague," says Thomson. "From a neuroscience perspective, when we're dysregulated (anxious, defensive, shut down), our prefrontal cortex goes offline and we can't access our logical thinking brain. Employers need people who can stay resourceful when things get hard, not people who crumble under pressure or lash out."How to do it: "Become attuned to your body's stress signals. These may include a tight chest, shallow breathing, racing thoughts," says Thomson. "When you notice them, try what Dr. Andrew Huberman often talks about; use a physiological sigh: two quick inhales through your nose, one long exhale through your mouth. When you truly practice this, it can help calm your nervous system in 90 seconds. We get good at what we practice. Practice this daily so it's automatic when pressure hits." - YouTube www.youtube.com #6: You show authentic curiositySpending time investing in relationships with coworkers and your boss can make you a better employee."This means genuinely wanting to understand someone else's perspective, experience, or expertise," explains Thomson. "In workplaces, people who ask thoughtful questions, make eye contact and listen calmly with interest stand out because they're rare. This skill builds relationships faster than any small talk because it makes people feel valued. It's also how you learn what you don't know, which accelerates your growth."How to do it: "Replace 'How are you?' with questions that invite real answers: 'What's been taking up most of your energy lately?' or 'What's one thing going better than expected?'" suggests Thomson. "In meetings, ask 'What am I missing?' or 'What would you do differently?' Listen to the answer without defending or explaining. The important piece of this is genuine curiosity. People can tell when you're performing and pretending to be interested in contrast to what it feels like to talk to someone who actually cares. This builds trust and makes you someone people want to work with."#7: You're reliableEmployers look for trustworthiness in potential employees."Just as we want to rely on friends to show up to the gatherings and dinners we plan, employers want to be able to confidently rely on their employees to accomplish tasks and show up to meetings on time," says Gluck. How to do it: "I advise reminding yourself of how good it feels when your boss shows this same quality," adds Gluck. "And on a more practical level, implementing a daily routine and upholding a calendar with reminders."#8: You can "leave your backpack at the door"According to Thomson, the most underrated skill for potential employees is the ability to "leave your backpack at the door," which means that you consciously transition into your professional role rather than bringing personal challenges and stress into the workplace. How to do it: "This is a state management technique: before you start work, take 60 seconds to acknowledge what's happening in your personal life, intentionally set it aside, and get present to what's needed from you professionally," adds Thomson. "Employers value this because it shows you can stay focused and engaged even when life is messy, and it protects both your work performance and your personal boundaries."

Starting in the mid to late 1980s, Derek Redmond was one of Great Britain's top sprinters. One of his greatest accomplishments was helping to guide his team to a shocking victory over the United States at the 1991 World Championships. However, Olympic success eluded him due to injuries that forced him to pull out of the games in 1988.But 1992 was going to be his year. The summer Olympics were being held in Barcelona and, despite all the surgeries and rehab he went through leading up to the events, Redmond was well-positioned to earn a medal for his country.In the quarter-finals of the men's 400m sprint, his chosen event, Redmond actually posted a personal best time and easily won his heat. That meant he got to move on to the semi-finals. If he could post a similar time in that trial, he'd be up for medal contention in the finals. The 1992 Olympics were held in Barcelona. Photo by Douglas Schneiders on Unsplash Redmond's semi-final race got off to a fast start, but with about 250m left to go in the race, tragedy struck. Redmond was spotted on camera slowing up and clutching the back of his right hamstring. It had torn. He was unable to run, and collapsed to the ground in pain. His Olympic dream was over once again.Redmond was a proud competitor, however, and managed to peel himself off the track. He began to hobble and limp toward the finish line, determined not to earn a "Did Not Finish" disqualification. And that's when an Olympic legend was born.Redmond's father, Jim, was caught on live television storming the track. Training and security personnel tried to restrain him, but there was no stopping this dad. He made it to his son and gave Derek a shoulder to lean on as both men stumbled toward the finish. Again, security tried to remove Jim, but he waved them off. - YouTube www.youtube.com With his father's support, Derek Redmond broke down in a powerful display of emotion. The physical pain likely couldn't compare to the agony of watching his Olympic dream go up in smoke again. Still, the two men pressed on, and yet another Olympic official tried to intervene and was yet again waved off by the determined dad.Eventually, the Redmonds were able to cross the finish line together to the roar of a standing ovation from the nearly sixty-five thousand spectators watching.Unfortunately, Derek was still disqualified from the race as he had assistance in finishing. But that official Olympic record does not diminish his accomplishment, which continues to live on as one of the greatest Olympic moments of all time—even being officially recognized by the Olympics as such. - YouTube www.youtube.com The moment was so powerful because it underscored the sacrifices made by both athletes and their parents. They train their whole lives for often just one opportunity to showcase their skills on the world stage. When it goes wrong, the results can be devastating. Win or lose, the parents are right there with them. Olympic fathers like Jim Redmond make immense sacrifices for their children to be able to chase their dreams, often spending a fortune on equipment and training, giving up career opportunities, family vacations, personal hobbies, friendships, and more to carve out enough time. Famously, gymnast Gabby Douglas spent two years living with a host family across the country from her parents so she could be closer to a top trainer. Other Olympic families spend $60-100,000 per year in training and equipment fees for their budding stars.All the sacrifice and hope is on display in just this one short clip. The athletic displays at the Olympics are amazing to behold, but what we really fall in love with are the stories of persistence and perseverance, and there's none better than the story of the Redmonds.Derek Redmond rehabbed relentlessly after his injury but ultimately had to give up running—though he did enjoy a run as a professional basketball player before retiring from athletics altogether. His father, Jim, passed away in 2022, ten years after being honored as a torchbearer for the 2012 Olympics.

"Irish goodbye" is a term for when someone slips out of an event without telling anyone, avoiding the awkwardness of announcing their departure. (Though the Irish didn't necessarily invent the phenomenon.) But what do we call it when someone decides to turn tail and leave a situation immediately, without any explanation at all? These days, there doesn't seem to be a name for a sudden, unexpected exit. Back in the 1800s, however, there was one, courtesy of the third president, Thomas Jefferson.The phrase: "My name is Haines."This may sound a bit strange, but it all stems from an unusual interaction Jefferson had while in office with a member of the opposition party. According to Monticello.org, The Weekly Picayune originally published the story in New Orleans on February 17, 1840.The story behind "My name is Haines"In 1805, during his second term as president, Jefferson was riding near Monticello, his Virginia residence, when he struck up a conversation with another man on the road. Amusingly, the man had no idea who he was speaking to, and as a rank-and-file member of the Federalist Party, which opposed Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party, he had plenty of harsh words for the president. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.via Martin Falbisoner/Wikimedia Commons The Weekly Picayune wrote:"Haines took particular pains to abuse Mr. Jefferson; called him all kinds of hard names, ran down every measure of his administration, poked the non-intercourse and embargo acts at him as most outrageous and ruinous, ridiculed his gun-boat system as preposterous and nonsensical, opposed his purchase of Louisiana as a wild scheme — in short, took up every leading feature of the politics of the day, and descanted upon them and their originator with the greatest bitterness."Jefferson simply listened, neither in the mood to argue nor to reveal his identity. When the two arrived at Jefferson's home, the president invited the man inside for refreshments. At one point, the visitor asked the president for his name. Here is how it was reported in The Weekly Picayune:"Jefferson," said the President, blandly."The [devil]! What, Thomas Jefferson?""Yes sir, Thomas Jefferson.""President Thomas Jefferson?" continued the astonished Federalist."The same," rejoined Mr. Jefferson."Well, my name is Haines!" and putting spurs to his horse, he was out of hearing instantly. The Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.via Joe Ravi/Wikimedia CommonsWhy did Haines ride off so quickly?There are many reasons Haines may have decided to bail on the president so abruptly. He was likely embarrassed after bad-mouthing the president to his face and may not have wanted to risk any reprisal for his harsh words. And as someone who harbored deep ill will toward the president, he probably had no interest in entertaining his company. Regardless, "My name is Haines" became a popular phrase after appearing in The Weekly Picayune , and it was used whenever someone wanted to leave a situation suddenly and without explanation.The phrase would be used until around the Civil War, but by the beginning of the 20th century, it, too, had said goodbye. It faded away rather than vanishing in an instant, as Mr. Haines famously did.

Michael Daube, founder of the nonprofit CITTA, wanted to bring a school for girls to one of the most rural and conservative parts of India. In the region known as Rajasthan, the literacy rate for women was among the lowest in the country. There were few to no opportunities for girls to learn, and, for many, the only path in life was marriage.There was just one problem with the plan: the rural desert community called Jaisalmer had almost no infrastructure to support a building that would meet the potential students' needs, and the nearest city was 40km away. Further complicating things, it would be challenging to build a low-tech outside venue for kids to learn in because of sweltering desert temperatures that routinely reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.Luckily, architect Diana Kellogg was up to the challenge."I was so struck by Jaisalmer, the beauty of the place and how difficult it is to build in the climate," she told Stir World. "There was something very captivating about Jaisalmer and I also learned more about the situation of women and girls in that area. I was affirmed by the fact that education is better not just for individuals, but for the society as a whole. It changes the whole dynamic in societies."She worked closely with the community to design the school, The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School, in a way that would empower women, give girls a safe place to learn, and stand up to the desert heat. See on Instagram What's incredible is that the school building is able to stay relatively cool with no air conditioning even in the 120 degree heat using both ancient and local techniques:Locally sourced sandstone gives the building its golden color and helps keep heat out of the interiorsLining the inner walls with a material called lime plaster reduces humidityA courtyard, which is customary in India, provides shade at many times throughout the day and can also be covered by a canopyA jali wall—a grid-like structure—allows air to accelerate into the courtyard creating a breezeHigh ceilings with window vents encourage hot air to escapeThe elliptical shape of the building encourages air flow and allows high desert winds to flow around the structureThese techniques miraculously allow the indoor spaces to remain about 20-30 degrees cooler than the outside temperature. - YouTube youtu.be The school building is also completely solar and wind powered, while a water harvesting system helps recycle the school's graywater and harvest fresh rainwater.Not only does the sustainable building look and feel like an extension of its desert surroundings, it uses building techniques, materials, and technology that the girls in the region are familiar with. It's all designed to help them feel safe and unencumbered in their learning.There are plans to expand the school in the near future, adding more buildings that will support a women's cooperative, a marketplace, a library, museum, and an exhibition space that will serve the extremely remote and rural community. - YouTube youtu.be Kellogg and CITTA hope that the school can become a blueprint for more just like it around the world.School is something many kids and families take for granted as a part of their communities, but there are plenty of areas like Jaisalmer where lack of infrastructure, poverty, and gender inequality keep kids from educational opportunities. In 2015, Global Citizen estimated about 60 million kids worldwide do not have access to a formal education. The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School is a wonder of modern architecture, but it also proves that it is possible through creative engineering to bring safe educational spaces to kids no matter where they live.The building also won several architecture awards, including a prestigious recognition in the 2023 AIA Architecture Awards. It all helps get the word out."The comments that have come in are heart-warming. The girls find the space to be free and comfortable," Kellogg told Stir World. In a 2023 interview with CNN, she added that she's already seen a difference in the local girls who have attended school in the building she designed."[I've seen] the change in the girls, from being quite shy to being these bright lights that are devouring whatever kind of information you put in front of them."

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Mike Eruzione, captain of the 1980 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey team, has a message for Olympic athletes who feel compelled to badmouth their country at the games: Shut up and compete. Freestyle skier Hunter Hess told reporters in Italy, "It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right...