August 2009 Archives

I had a great informational interview with a smart guy a few weeks ago.  He was already doing a great job of networking and we talked about how he could tweak just a few things to be even more productive.

He wrote me recently and told me he landed a great job at a well-known PR Agency.  He said that he interviewed for one job... it wasn't quite a fit... but he made such an impression that they hired him for another position!

So here's the reality.  There are tons of jobs that never hit Monster or a company's Web site.  Those postings are the "tip of the iceberg."  It's likely that a company will create a position for you, or hire you for a newly created position down the road, if you get out there and meet people!

So step away from the keyboard and meet influential people at your target companies!

Guest Blog By Chris Wallace

Remember tagging along behind your mother or father in the supermarket?  If you saw something you wanted, probably something with LOTS of sugar in it, you would tug at their shirt, stomp your feet, scream and outright beg them to buy it for you.  You didn't win every time, but I bet you batted around .500.

The important lesson is that you would not have gotten the candy unless you asked for it.  While begging is not encouraged as part of the interviewing process, the same principle can apply.  It is not enough to just be "qualified" for a position or have "transferable skills" that match a job description.  Applicants need to find a number of ways to set themselves apart, and a healthy dose of enthusiasm at the end of an interview will help.

If you feel strongly about the position and company, do not be afraid to tell your interviewer.  You can replace polite interview clichés with more forceful language.  For example:

-Replace, "What are the next steps in the process?" with "What else can I do to assure you that I am the right person for this job?"

-Rather than just ask, "What is the target start date for this position?" follow their answer with "I sincerely hope to have a spot in your group on that date."

-Don't just close with, "Thank you for your time today." Tell them, "I am very excited about this position and your company and I am asking you for a chance to prove myself."

Employers want to be wanted.  They are not just looking for people who need a job; they are hoping to find someone who genuinely wants to work for them.  If you truly want the job, tell them and you will make their decision a lot easier.

If you need a little extra motivation, just think of how much candy you can buy with your new salary.

Yesterday, there was a historic moment in the world of golf.  Tiger Woods entered the final round of the PGA Championship as the leader and promptly... lost.  Lost?  Tiger hasn't blown a final round lead in a golf tournament since he was an amateur in 1996.

During his final press conference, Tiger said something worth noting:

"That's the only way you're going to win major championships over the long haul is give yourself as many chances as you possibly can. Nobody in the history of the game has done better than Jack (Nicklaus), finished second 19 times.

"You have to give yourself enough chances to win them and I've done that. And very proud of the changes I've made to get to this point. But unfortunately today I just didn't get it done."

In job interviews, as in sports, we all sometimes finish second.  Sometimes we finish second a lot.  But that is good.  As Tiger noted you want to "give yourself as many chances as you possibly can."

If you keep getting interviews, prepare well, ask great questions, send thoughtful thank you notes, etc. you'll eventually finish first and not second.

So be like Jack Nicklaus, or Tiger Woods, keep giving yourself a chance!