| This article explores ways to surpass the inestimable | | | | expect a recruiter to extend you a favor you wouldn't |
| prospect of a job interview and by the same token | | | | reciprocate if you were in their shoes. |
| vastly increase your chances of landing your dream | | | | ESTEEM |
| job. | | | | You must have a high esteem of yourself; in other |
| Tips I'm offering here are ones I've devised, | | | | words, your self-esteem has to command your |
| experienced and used fruitfully in my own (ongoing) | | | | posture and discourse before and after the interview. |
| career so far. Most of the material in this article comes | | | | Ever wonder why politicians are famed for outsized |
| from personal practice and observations in the job | | | | ego? |
| market, the field of psychology, and the political sphere. | | | | Esteem comes with respect. You need to respect the |
| Strange mix, isn't it? | | | | interviewer because he or she must have had enough |
| Not so strange if you realize that most of us living in | | | | reverence to call you for an interview. You must be at |
| modern megalopolises have to satisfy basic | | | | all times courteous, quiet, confident and articulate. |
| physiological needs (e.g.: eating), make daily choices | | | | Respecting yourself and the interviewer will enhance |
| that will impact the rest of our lives and participate, | | | | your reputation. By esteem, or respect, I mean |
| willingly or involuntarily, in the affairs of the community in | | | | punctuality at the interview, civility in the discourse and |
| which we live. | | | | avoiding any bad joke or derogatory, offensive |
| Stated differently, we need to work, make personal | | | | comment. Avoid the usual 'hot button issues' of religion |
| decisions and elect government officials. | | | | and politics; try to evade them or stay vague but polite |
| Without a doubt, I've learned over the years that, due | | | | when the interviewer brings those questions. |
| to the very nature of their job, politicians are both the | | | | Sometimes, avoiding the question is the best answer. |
| best job applicants and interviewers. | | | | Remember: first impression is always correct. |
| Makes sense? Not yet. Ok, let me elaborate a tad. | | | | ABILITY |
| Elected officials are customarily "interviewed" by their | | | | Your ability is your skillset, your core competencies. |
| constituents (via the media) in public settings. Put in | | | | What makes you a unique candidate. You must be |
| context, that's an incredible amount of pressure for | | | | good (at least on paper), that's why the recruiter |
| someone to answer queries before an entire populace. | | | | wanted to interview you in the first place. The very |
| A good illustration is the large number of debates that | | | | thought of you being competent must boost your |
| US presidential hopefuls have to "endure" at the party | | | | self-confidence. Now make sure your "theoretical" |
| level and on national stage. | | | | know-how ascribed in the resume matches your |
| Think, for instance, about your local senatorial election | | | | actual wit in your professional field. |
| or US Congress confirmation hearings for Cabinet | | | | You'll get interviewed for sure by your future boss |
| appointees. Or that time when you had to field | | | | before a hiring decision is made. Tell yourself your |
| questions in front of your team or family members. | | | | potential boss knows as much as, if not more than, |
| Regular citizens, in contrast, often go to one-on-one | | | | you in your field so if you don't sound too convincing |
| interviews in private settings. Even senior roles may | | | | during the interview, you'll never land that dream job at |
| require a group interview (board of directors) but not a | | | | that company. |
| larger jury. | | | | A notorious political case of professional competence |
| Politicians thus have become adept at interviews and | | | | was highlighted amidst Hurricane Katrina's recovery |
| maintain a high level of quality in their discourse. | | | | program under the headship of former FEMA director |
| Consequently, they must have the support of a | | | | Michael Brown. |
| competent entourage, and this explains their qualitative | | | | DIRECTNESS |
| exigencies when it comes to hiring staff. | | | | Directness refers to your integrity. You must be |
| I call "R-E-A-D-Y" the 5-step interview process and, | | | | absolutely honest in all your dealings, especially on your |
| although I cannot guarantee that it is always effective, I | | | | resume and in your answers. Recruiting managers are |
| can at least attest to its usefulness in reducing | | | | very shrewd and experienced nowadays, and some |
| pre-interview stress in my own career. | | | | will ask you the same questions in different terms to |
| Roll the drums. Here we go with the big 5. | | | | seek response consistency. |
| Reputation | | | | If you care enough about your reputation and respect |
| Esteem | | | | the interviewer, then you must be truthful. This is |
| Ability | | | | especially important because sooner or later the |
| Directness | | | | company will unearth the fallacy and terminate your |
| Yearning | | | | employment. |
| REPUTATION | | | | Remember the political analogy: would you, as a voter, |
| Your reputation defines you; it's your brand. People will | | | | elect or reelect a public figure who was found guilty of |
| judge you based on your reputation first and foremost. | | | | gross lie? |
| Prejudices and clichés, at the societal level, are | | | | YEARNING |
| mostly ingrained in reputation, rumor, or hearsay. I | | | | Yearning relates to preparation, the degree of |
| recently wrote about companies' reputational risk but I | | | | commitment you're willing to exert in your job search |
| must admit the same applies to individuals. First, you | | | | and prior to the interview. Do you really want to work |
| need to take good care of your "brand name" in | | | | for that particular company? If you give an affirmative |
| professional and social networks. | | | | nod to this question, then you must prepare yourself. |
| Ever wonder if you'd vote for a politician with a bad | | | | Do your homework and do it well. |
| reputation? | | | | You need to know the firm you're prospecting at a |
| More importantly in this internet-driven world, you must | | | | high level of intimacy, its inner workings. Its nuts and |
| heed what I call your "digital deportment", that is, how | | | | bolts. This is especially easy if that firm is publicly listed |
| you behave online, especially on social websites and | | | | or/and has a website. Read, read more, and read all |
| forums. Digital data can always be retrieved even if | | | | about them. |
| previously deleted so watch those derogatory | | | | You may also use social and professional websites |
| comments (the "big killer" is critiquing your current or | | | | (e.g.: LinkedIn) or ask acquaintances to increase your |
| former company or boss) or offensive pictures you | | | | wit about the firm and even the interviewer. Having this |
| post online. Don't be fired for Facebook! | | | | invaluable knowledge will aid your understanding of the |
| Again, the question you need to ask: would you elect | | | | firm's mission and objectives, corporate culture and |
| an ill-reputed politician? How many politicians are out | | | | main strategic moves of the moment. |
| there who ended their career after a reputational | | | | Think about the extensive debate preparation |
| issue? Or, more intimately, would you advise a kin to | | | | politicians usually go through. |
| marry someone disreputable? Obviously not. So don't | | | | Now tell me: are you R-E-A-D-Y? |