Job 1: Get Them to Like You

In job search there are two things that are essential when you are in the interview. Everything you do up to that point needs to support those two aspects. First and most importantly in the interview process you really need the interviewer to like you. Ask yourself, why do people hire people? To solve problems and or to get things done are the most common answers. Then ask yourself why do they hire one person over another?

It’s not whether your qualifications are better than the other candidates; those things are screened out prior to the interview. One person may have some talents that another doesn’t have, but then the other may also have unique talents that the former doesn’t. So all things being equal, when you get to the interview it’s no longer about your capability; it’s most likely about you and how you’ll fit. In other words, how well do they like you. I’ve never hired someone because I liked them least among the candidates.

I’m not saying that the hiring process is a popularity contest, but in some ways -- important ways, you need to think in those terms when you are in a job search. Some of my clients come to me discouraged because they haven’t landed a job and have had numerous interviews. When we peel back the interviews, they says things like: “But I’m perfect for the job!” or “I gave the perfect answer...” It seems that while they are spending a fair amount of energy on giving the response that is just right, they may be missing the opportunity to make a favorable impression.

From the first handshake, you are there to present yourself as a professional. As someone who can solve their problems, do the work they need done. You need to fit into their organization, their team and be seen as someone who could work one-on-one with them. They are not looking for someone who will cause trouble or problems. One of my favorite managers use to say, “most technical problems are preceded by people problems.” It’s true. Communication problems lead to product defects; it’s probably the number one cause, but that’s a subject for another blog. So the more they like you, the less problems you are likely to present when you are working together.

Being liked is only the first step in the interview; the hiring manager is looking to validate your experiences that you cited in your resume. How you go about giving that validation is the next step in the process. We’ll talk more about this in a later posting. But for now, just remember that you can greatly improve your chances in an interview by remembering to be a friendly, confident professional. 

Happy Saints Patrick & Joseph's Days

I grew up in Chicago's South-side and this time of year was a special. Yes, spring was normally around the corner, not like this year. It was special for two reasons. The feast of St. Patrick, March 17th and the feast of St. Joseph, March  19th.

Of course the Irish celebrate St. Patrick's Day with gusto and invite everyone to wear the green and revel in the spirit. Now St. Joseph's day is normally celebrated with a "St. Joseph's Table" which is a meal that can compete with the likes of Thanksgiving day. Whether you are Irish, Italian, Polish or any other nationality that lays claim to these Saints... the opportunity to celebrate is something that should not be missed.

For my brothers and sisters in job search, we are normally so stressed we forget to or refuse to enjoy the things life has to offer us. Job search is hard work, without many rewards until you receive a job offer, so we need to look for opportunities to celebrate.

St. Joseph Tables are normally a gathering of people who all bring some food and share.  Its a wonderful tradition of good food, wonderful desserts and of course good wine. For St. Patrick's the fare is beer, whiskey and not so great food.  While some drink green beer on this day, an abomination, the idea is to toast and cheer for the Irish.

And since on St. Patrick's Day we are all wee bit Irish I offer you all this blessing:
May your troubles be less,
your blessings be more,
and nothing but happiness come through your door!

Hope is a Choice and Faith is the Answer.

I remember a friend was once in the situation where he’d lost his job and time was running out. He had to move out of his house. At the time he had a pregnant wife and three little kids. Their house was all packed up into their car and a U-Haul truck. They had nowhere to live.

Now my friend is a man of much deeper faith that I, and he was confident that everything would turn out okay. In fact, he had a phone interview that morning which was the third and deciding interview with a prospective employer. He made the phone call to an Episcopal Church in Elkhart, IN, from a phone booth looking out at the truck and car.

The interview went well and they offered him the job and told him how much it paid. They asked when he could start and if there was anything they could do to assist him in the transition. He said that he could start tomorrow and could they tell him if they knew of anywhere he might stay for the night. He said he was all packed and would be in Elkhart in about 4 to 5 hours.

They agreed to meet at the church and they would work something out when he arrived. While he was on the road, two parish members called the church and told the Rector that they needed to leave town that an emergency had occurred; that they needed to leave right away for six to eight weeks. Could someone watch their house for that time? The Rector said that the new Youth Pastor was arriving in town in a few hours and needs a place to stay for awhile...

When my friend arrived in Elkhart, he was met by this couple who were packed and ready to head out of town. They greeted the new Youth Pastor, met his family and gave them keys to the house and directions to get there. They thanked each other and praised God's for his grace & blessings. My friend, his pregnant wife and three kids drove to a storage complex where they were met by 10 parishioners who help them unpack the U-Haul. They then drove to their temporary home, overlooking the river. They got settled and were taken to a welcome party at the home of another parishioner who would become their very best friends.

They eventually found a house to buy which was a real fixer-upper. That wasn’t the end of their troubles and trials, nor was it the end of their blessings and joys. So what’s the point? Chose to be hopeful; have faith and trust because when all seems hopeless something good will happen. It may not stay but then something else good will happen.