Will Smith’s character in The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner, opened the door to opportunity by being able to solve a Rubik’s Cube in less than a cab ride. In the inspired by a true story tale, he went from homeless to millionaire with quick wit, hard work and dedication.
It might have never happened if he hadn’t gotten his foot in the door, literally in the case of the cab. Anyone could have gotten in but Gardner did and used the toy to demonstrate his problem solving skills and catch the manager’s attention.
There are a lot of products on the market that may seem like child’s play but are actually excellent brain builders. Not that you’d plunk down any of these products on an interviewer’s desk and perform but by keeping problem solving skills sharp you’ll be ready for anything they throw out at you and should life present the cab ride of opportunity you’ll be prepared.
Add these toys into your brain building workout to impress potential employers:
Jig Saw Puzzles – From 50 to 5000 pieces, puzzles make us look at the little details that fit together to form the bigger picture. What boss doesn’t want someone with those skills on their team? Challenge yourself and put the puzzle together without referring to the picture after purchase.
Wooden/Metal Puzzles – Getting the ring off the coil or making the blocks balance in an impossible formation requires the ability to look beyond the logical and attain the improbable.
Magic tricks – Ok one or two of these might impress a potential employer if you pull it out in an interview but don’t go overboard you don’t want to give the impression you’re desperate for attention. Don’t just buy gimmicks or gadgets, work on tricks that involve sleight of hand, misdirection or simply stump spectators. Seeing past what is initially perceived can help any company prosper.
Activity Books – Sudoku, crossword puzzles, logic problems, word searches, mazes and other similar books are a convenient way to stretch your synapses. Put an activity pad and pen by the potty or keep a pocket copy in your purse. It will build your problem solving skills and boost your vocabulary. You can Hug a tree and do paperless puzzles online instead.
For more information on scientific careers, visit ScienceCareersite.com
By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Nexxt. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.
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