Dealing With Negative and Excuses...

A long time ago I realized that there are two types of people in the world. People who enter the room and it lights up... then there are the folks that leave the room and it lights up. I won’t ask you which kind of person you are, but ask yourself. Sometimes I meet with people who tell me that they’ve had interviews for jobs they were perfectly qualified for, but they didn’t get the job. Often they are the second type of person I mentioned.

My friend and colleague Nancy Wajler tells job seekers that three things influence the hiring decision. First, can you do the job? Second, are you motivated to do the job? Third, will you fit into the job? It’s true if you get the interview they already have an answer for the first point... Your resume shows that you can do the job; and they want to validate that in the interview. So, when you get an interview it really is about showing your motivation and your ability to fit in.

I don’t like working with negative people -- period! I don’t know anyone who says they do. As you interview you want to make a favorable impression. You need to be yourself and be prepared. You need to be as enthusiastic as a puppy dog when the door bell rings. You need to help the interviewer see you as the person who can do the job, work well in the team and help everyone be more successful.

If you’re the kind of person who makes it seem darker when you enter the room, you need to makes some changes or you’ll miss out on the opportunities to prove your worth and value in an interview. What changes? The most powerful change someone can make in this area is to stop making excuses. Take responsibility, apologize, and be quiet. Better yet, don’t be in the position where you’re tempted to make an excuse, identify the risks in your life and mitigate or resolve them... then you have no need to give an excuse.

Napoleon Hill

Another thing folks with a dark cloud around them need to do is stop being negative... pump in the positive. Listen to and Read positive, “self esteem building” materials. Zig Ziglar, Napoleon Hill, W. Clement Stone, Tony Robbins, Denis Waitley, Ken Blanchard, Spencer Johnson, Norman Vincent Peale and Earl Nightingale have all produced marvelous material. Plus there are dozens if not hundreds of newer devotees of building and having a positive mental attitude. At the Harper College’s Career Stimulus Program we will be starting a new regular program for members called Pump Up Your Job Search! in April. The goal of this program is to aid folks in leaving the dark cloud behind and moving into the light.

Phone Interviewing Can be Fun

My clients tell me that I’m nuts when I say that interviewing is a blast. They shake their head when I say that interviewing over the phone is easy. Yet, both of these statements can be true with the right attitude and a little practice. We always say, be yourself and be prepared and that’s the secret to enjoying the interview process. But interviewing over the phone does have its limitations.

When we look at a pie chart that breaks down how we communicate; 55% of human communication is through body language, 38% is vocal or tonal qualities and only 7% is conveyed by the words we use. So when you’re talking on the phone you’re short 55% of the total communication package. Therefore, you need to focus extra attention on your tone of voice and the words you use.

The first tip I offer my clients is to use a quality phone and a land line if possible. If you’re down to 45% of your communication capability, phone static and a poor connection may be a killer. The next tip is to smile, because a smile can be heard over the phone. Yes, I know that sounds silly, but all the experts say it’s true. Plus,  this is a grand way to help convey your enthusiasm for the job; if you’re not smiling you’re not going to come across as very enthusiastic over the phone or in person.

The next tip I offer is to stand up and look into a mirror when you’re talking on the phone. This way you have visual feedback and can make eye contact when your talking. It helps you stay focused on your message and to be clear and concise. If you don’t have a mirror, I advise talking to a picture of a loved one or someone you’d like to be a loved one. Nicole Kidman works for me but maybe George Clooney will work for others. This actually works and my clients who have used this tip report the whole phone interview process as less intimidating. Of course it is sometimes shocking on the other end of the phone when the interviewer gets called Nicole (or George when that isn’t their name); so don’t make that mistake.


All kidding aside, these tips work; however, if you fail to be yourself and be prepared you’re going to fall flat. You cannot fake an interview or be someone you’re not. So be honest in your responses and practice those responses. There is a finite number of questions that are asked in an interview, especially a phone interview. Hire a coach or read any one of a number of different books on interview questions. Write down your responses and then rehearse over and over. Practice at job club meetings and networking coffees.

I help people everyday feel more at ease when interviewing. These tips work and with practice and a little experience you too can feel confident and enthusiastic when interviewing over the phone... Good hunting!

Would you hire yourself?

  I recently gave a talk where I posed the question which is the title of this blog entry. The question leads one to access what is unique about oneself. What are my strengths? What do I do which people would consider me an expert? Above and beyond this is the question; once I get noticed as the special and unique person I  am, how do I get a job offer? 

“There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.”  

  Dr. Norman Vincent Peale makes a point that we should revisit on a regular basis and constantly remind ourselves. I've often said, all things being equal or near equal, the hiring manager will hire the person they like best. Among all the things that makes us most likable is enthusiasm. An enthusiastic person is most likely to make a more favorable impression than a pragmatist or a pessimist.

  There are other benefits to being enthusiastic too. Enthusiasm builds energy in us. When we are more enthusiastic we are more creative. We are quicker to see and seize on opportunities. However when we are filled with fear or feel defeated due to our job search it feels like we have no energy or joy. We're flat as a cold  pancake. This is the worst place to be when seeking a new job.

 
  So if you are feeling down, depressed and/or bored... You need to pump yourself up. One of the questions from that workshop was, "How do you stay positive when you've been over a year looking for a job?"

  The answer is a difficult one and really depends on the person asking the question. For some people who may be clinically depressed they need to see their doctor or a psychotherapist and seek professional assistance. Regardless of the treatment, medication or therapy or both, fixing this needs to be a priority. A successful job search is nearly impossible if you're suffering from depression. 

  If you're not suffering from depression there are other things you can do to pump yourself up. Read a good book, something spiritual or inspiring. Listen to professional speakers on tape or CD; people like Zig Ziggler, Denis Waitley, or Stedman Graham. Listen to positive radio or internet radio broadcasts. For example, Joe Takash of Victory Consulting does an internet broadcast for VoiceAmerica Business <link> or there is Joy Maguire-Dooley's radio show Job Talk on AM 1530 broadcast out of WJJG in Elmhurst, IL. 

  In order to be positive at a difficult time in your life, you have to put positive things into your brain by reading, watching and listening. Be around positive people and run away from negative people with "stinkin' thinking" attitudes. Stay away from the evening news; even NPR which has loads of positive stuff, still has stories that will bring you down when you need to be pumping yourself up.  

  Finally, exercise, a balanced diet and sleep are essential to good physical and mental health. If your body is out of wack you'll not deliver the message you want when meeting with people. If you are sleep deprived it's hard to be enthusiastic. If you're in physical pain you'll be distracted and miss opportunities to shine.