Q: An important measure of how much a company wants to hire you is whether or not they try gauge your interest. If they really want you, they are going to try to figure out how much you want them. If this is asked directly, or even indirectly, it may be a very good sign. For example, an interviewer might ask, "What did you think when you first learned about this position?" This is an indirect way to gauge your enthusiasm. Alternatively, they may ask "What attracted you to this job?" Discussions of salary, initiated by the company, usually do not emerge unless the prospect of hiring you is realistic. If your interviewer brings up the subject of salary, it can be a sign towards the positive. This is particularly true if they are extending a salary offer. Before your interview, spend some thinking about what level of salary you will bargain for. You can review salaries for similar positions at sites like PayScale, Glassdoor, and Monster. One nearly indisputable sign that you are in the running for the job is a request for second interview. Many times this will occur at the end of your interview, and other times they will call and set it up later. In any case, a second interview insures that you have made it to the short list for this job. A second interview means that they have narrowed it down to a few strong candidates who will be interviewed again. You will want to be as prepared as you can for your second interview (do some research on the company, prepare some good questions to ask, and try to anticipate what they might ask you). By the second interview, you should have previously reviewed the company through Internet and social media searches. However, you need to review their previous information and check for any news since the first interview. Often times, interviewers will not ask for references unless they actually intend to contact them. So a request for professional references can be a very good sign! That said, many HR departments have already received resumes with references, so a lack of questions is not a negative signal. Be sure to have a list of references ready when you head to your interview. Type up your reference list and bring it along with another copy of your resume. In most cases, the interviewer will have asked more in-depth questions about your current job, past experiences, and/or education. Your answers should have tied these experiences to the duties and competencies required of you in the new job. It is a particularly good sign if the conversation moved to a problem that the company has and how your experience and skills can be used to solve it. This means that the interviewer can imagine you filling the position. If this come up in the interview, remember to reinforce the idea in your follow-up correspondence. Once again, a truly interested employer will be working to gauge your interest in the position. As such, they may come right out and ask you about any other job prospects you have in the works. This is an excellent sign that they'd love to have you aboard! For example, an interviewer may simply ask, "Have you interviewed for any other positions?" If asked this, it is best to be honest. Depending on your answer, you may come off as someone in high-demand, or someone truly dedicated to this job opportunity, and either one can be good. However, there is no need to talk about rejections or interview processes that did not work out. After you respond, notice whether or not they try to sell you on this job. This is a particularly good sign.
A: Notice if they ask how interested you are. Note whether or not they discuss salary. Notice if they ask for a second interview. Observe if they ask for your references. Assess how well your experience was linked to the job. Note whether they ask about other job prospects.

Q: While you might be tempted to completely overhaul your lifestyle, it is not necessary to make big changes to start living in the moment. Start by incorporating new habits one at a time. Once you feel like you have mastered a habit, add something else. For example, instead of trying to meditate for 20 minutes per day right away, start by trying to meditate for three minutes per day. Then, increase your time as you become more comfortable with meditation. Walk to work with your phone in your pocket. Do not text or talk on the phone unless it is an emergency. Learning to live in the moment can also be a part of your daily routine. You can incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine by deliberately noticing the sensory details of something that you are doing. Focus on the sight, sound, smell, and feel of your daily activities. For example, the next time that you brush your teeth, notice the smell of your toothpaste, the sound of the brush against your teeth, and the way that it feels. It is normal for your mind to wander, but in order to live in the moment, you need to keep your mind focused on the present. When you notice that your mind is wandering, use gentle redirection to focus on the present again. Acknowledge that your mind is wandering without judging yourself for doing so. Don't get upset at yourself if your mind wanders. It is normal for your mind to wander sometimes. Just accept that you took a little mental vacation and return your focus to the present. It may be difficult to remember to be mindful when you are very busy. A mindfulness cue, such as a string tied around your wrist, a pen mark on your hand, or a coin in your shoe can help you to remember to be mindful. When you notice the cue, make sure that you take a moment to stop and notice your surroundings. You can also use something more external like making a cup of tea, looking in the mirror, or removing your shoes after work as your cue. After a while, you may begin to ignore the cue because you are used to it. If this happens, change your cue to something else. You may not be living in the moment because you are too set in your routine. One way that you can become more aware is to change up your routine. You can do something as simple as changing the way that you drive to work, altering the way you introduce yourself, or tweaking a favorite story. Making a small change to one of your routines may be enough to make you more aware of your surroundings. Try taking a different route for your evening walk or add a new ritual to your bedtime routine. Meditation is a great way to train your brain to live in the moment. As you meditate, you practice noticing your thoughts and simply watching as they go by. Learning to meditate takes time, practice, and guidance, so your best bet is to find a meditation class in your area. If no classes are available in your area, you can also buy CDs that will help you learn how to meditate. To get started with meditation, find a quiet spot and get comfortable. You can either sit in a chair or on a cushion on the floor with your legs crossed. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. As you focus on your breathing, try not to get distracted by your thoughts. Just let them happen and pass by. Without opening your eyes, observe the world around you. Pay attention to how you feel as well. What do you hear? What do you smell? How do you feel? physically? emotionally? Set a gentle timer on your phone so that you know when to stop. You may want to start by meditating for 5 minutes and build up from there. Make sure the people you live with know that you will be meditating and ask them not to disturb you.
A:
Start small. Notice sensory details about routine activities. Redirect your mind when it wanders. Choose a mindfulness cue. Change a routine. Learn how to meditate.