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. 

Opinions and Career Growth Don't Mix

Keep Your Opinions to Yourself... If you want a promotion or job offer.

We live in America, arguably the best place in the world to live. And the Occupy Wall Street movement is one example of why. We have constitutional rights. Regardless of which side of a question you are on, Americans have the right to voice their opinion. Yet, if you are going for a promotion or looking for a new job, your opinion could lose you an opportunity.

While we all have the right of free speech, hiring managers tend to make hiring decisions on more than just skills. There are three things that hiring managers are looking for from the candidates they consider.

1. Can you do the job?
2. What motivates you to do the job?
3. Will you fit into the culture around the job?

These are all very legitimate aspects to the hiring manager. Notice that only one has to do with your capability to do the job. Voicing your opinion about anything from politics or the greatest sporting contest ever can put you right out of consideration for the promotion or job.

In Chicago we have a great rivalry between the Sox and the Cubs. One place I’m aware of asks the question at the end of their interviews: “Sox or Cubs?” For them it’s not a serious question, but the best answer I ever heard was: “I really don’t follow football.” In fact she was joking and got the job, but more importantly she avoiding annoying anyone.

That’s the problem with sharing your opinions; you never know who will be annoyed. A prospective co-worker or future boss could have a problem working with someone who “thinks that way.” Especially in this time of polar opposition in our society, it’s best to save your opinions for when you are at home.