Tag Archives: job interview

What do you do while you wait to hear if you are hired?

Posted on December 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

Here in the USA we wait in lines.  We get upset when someone cuts in front.  So we wait back until it is our turn.  We don’t want to be greedy.

Tim was competing with 3 others for a promotion at EDS.  He was prepared.  He was a good choice.  He told his boss, “I do want this promotion.  It is the next step I need to take in my career.  But I don’t want you to choose me for the job if the other guys should have it.  I know it is important to them too.  I don’t want you to feel any pressure to give it to me even though I want it.”  Tim did NOT get the promotion.

Tim also waited a full year to get half of the bonus he was promised for putting in a lot of overtime on a project.  During that year he reminded his boss twice of the bonus.  Then Tim waited patiently with a smile.  Tim was a nice guy.  He was getting beaten up because he was afraid that hustling was uncouth.  Tim was politely waiting in line.

Good things come to those who wait.  But only what is left behind by those who hustle.  (Abraham Lincoln)

Let’s compare that to me.  Same area at EDS, different job.  I wanted to move to a special technical team.  There were 4 openings.  I asked my team leader and manager to help me get in.  I reminded them every few days.  I visited the manager who was leading the new group every other day.  I brought a word of cheer or another accomplishment.  He had no doubt how much I wanted the job. He got an email after every contact.  I got the job with 3 years of experience.  The other technicians were 5 to 20 years my senior.  They were well known and earned twice what I did.  I was nobody in comparison.  And I know I beat out a whole bunch of other folks who had way better credentials than me.

I waited, but I hustled while I waited. I made sure my references were checked.  I offered more proof of my accomplishments.  I never let the manager forget I wanted that job.  Towards the end he would see me in his doorway and grin, “Bryan, I haven’t made that decision yet, but I’m going to.  Don’t worry.  I know you want the job.”  But I kept coming for 3 weeks anyway.  I wanted the job more than I wanted to be polite.  I was willing to out work any of the more senior guys he could hire.  This was my only way to prove it.

There were a lot of very surprised people when I got the job.  They were obviously better than me.  But I hustled.  I made it a big deal.  I got the job.  Unfortunately there was nothing left for the others waiting in line.

Something to do today

If you are job hunting or looking for a promotion, hustle.  The job seeker who offers contagious enthusiasm often gets hired over the guy with experience.  For the job that is a quantum leap forward in your career, refuse to wait in line.  Hustle.

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Later:              The 5 pound call girl

Where to fish

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Posted in Attitude, Focus, Perseverance, Promotions, References

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When to negotiate salary at a new job

Posted on October 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

The new college graduate walked into his job interview and sat down.  He put both feet up on the desktop, leaned back, and looked at the interviewer through steepled fingers.  After a five second silence he said, “Well, I’m just what you need.  Before we go any further I want you to know that I need at least a six figure income and a new BMW. I also expect 6 weeks of vacation.”

The silence stretched for 10 seconds, then 20.  After 30 seconds of silence the interviewer said, “I can only offer you $328,000.  What color of BMW do you want?”

The candidate’s eyes unfocused as his feet came down to the floor and he leaned forward.  He croaked, “You’re kidding!”

The interviewer frowned and waited 10 seconds, then he grinned and said, “Of course I’m kidding, but you started it.”

Timing is critical.  Don’t negotiate salary, vacation or perks until they love you and are sure they want to hire you.  You have no leverage for negotiations until you are the final candidate.

The problem is that THEY want to talk about it too early.  So what do you say?  We’ll talk about that tomorrow.

Something to do today

Write down the salary, benefits and perks you want.  Also write down exactly what you have today.

Then do something more important: Write down why you want to leave.  If the list is exactly the same, salary, benefits, and perks, you are in trouble.  There is another problem.

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Tomorrow:     Negotiating a salary at a new job – first interview

Later:              Negotiating a salary at a new job – really negotiating

All I want is more money, vacation and benefits

A crippled ace

An ace who learned

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Posted in Interviews, Raises

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3 interview follow up questions and how to use them

Posted on October 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

Most people have no clue what happened in a job interview. Did you do well?  Did they hate you. Is there a big mistake you keep making? You lose sleep, hope, talk to yourself, and re-live the interview, praying to find a clue.

It is like when you want to see the back of your head.  Or worse, if you want to see the middle of your back. It takes at least two mirrors and a lot of luck, twisting, and patience.

A friend’s eye is a good mirror.  (Celtic proverb)

Find a couple of job interview mirrors.  Like to ones you use to see the middle of your back. You need a friend who won’t just parrot back what you say.  Someone who listens and will feel comfortable telling you what they really think is critical. They need to walk you through three questions.  Not just ask them, but make you stay on track.  They need to pull you back to reality and away from your emotional state. Have them explore these three questions:

  1. Walk me through the interview like a movie.  What exactly happened without any emotional coloring?
  2. In the interview, what were their hiring priorities?  What did they explore and worry about the most?
  3. In your gut, how do you really feel about it?

You can go through those questions yourself and it will help.  But, there is something about having to answer to someone else that often clarifies the situation.  That’s one reason that a recruiter earns his keep.  He becomes a sounding board after an interview for both the candidate and the client.

Something to do today

Find that mirror.  Who will be honest with you?  Who will YOU be honest with?

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Later:        Eating the seed corn

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The pause that destroys a job interview

Posted on June 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

Silence is golden when you can’t think of a good answer.  (Muhammed Ali)

An interviewer said, “Tell me what your biggest weakness is.” The candidate gave one example.  There was a pause. The interviewer looked puzzled. Uncomfortable, the candidate gave another weakness.  The surprised interviewer sat for 10 seconds after that admission trying to gather his thoughts.  The candidate gave another weakness.  In all, the candidate gave six weaknesses.  The interview was over a few minutes later.  The candidate was not hired.

When you finish answering a question and the interviewer looks at you without saying anything, what do you do?  Do you start talking again?  No.  Stop. Don’t.  You need to learn to outwait your interviewer.  If he wants more, let him ask. If he raises an eyebrow as if to say, “Is that all?”, then you should look puzzled or confident and wait for him to talk.

Most interviewers do not consciously use silence as a weapon.  They will be happier if you let the silence stretch.  They are gathering their thoughts.  Don’t interrupt them.  Let them have the time they need to feel comfortable.

Interviewers who purposely use silence will be impressed if you have the guts to let a silent break stretch to 30 seconds while looking them in the eye, occasionally glancing down to their hands.  To them it is a sign of self worth and assurance.

A big turn-off for many managers is someone who just can’t stop talking.  Make use of the old saying, “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Something To Do Today

Practice talking and then being quiet.  Watch how the person you are addressing gets nervous. Just for today, don’t let them off the hook.  Be the strong silent type today.

Coming up:

What are your weaknesses?

What do we have to pay you?

Why are you leaving your job?

Will you do anything we ask?

Where else are you interviewing?

Should you tell them where else?

Why don’t they give you an answer, Yes or No?

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Feel The Fear, And Do It Anyway

Posted on February 9, 2011 | Leave a comment

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.  Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. (Shaw)

The job interview was at 2:00 pm.  The candidate, Bill, called at 1:45 pm.  He was in their parking lot.  Showtime.  That great candidate was going to shine.

At 3:15 pm the VP of HR called to apologize.  Bill just came in for the interview.  This well qualified candidate sat in the lobby for 1 ½ hours. The receptionist didn’t do her job right. It wasn’t Bill’s fault, but he could have done something about it.  He could have asked the receptionist to double check that the right person knew he was there.  He could have asked to speak to the administrative assistant of the person he was there to see.  It wasn’t Bill’s fault, but he wasn’t powerless.

People don’t want to be rude to you.  People you work for don’t want to waste your time.  The receptionist doesn’t want to stand in the way of your goals and ambitions.  It is not human nature to wish the worst on strangers.  Most often they are in your way through ignorance, incompetence or fear. 

The best solution is to swallow your own fear of making waves.  Sure, you are afraid.  They probably are too.  It is time to step up to the person in your way and work with them to clear the roadblocks.  Your boss or coworker, the receptionist or police officer all want to help.  Give them a chance.  Patiently work with them to get what you need.

I am always asked, “Why didn’t I get the job?”  I answer with what I’ve been told, and that is helpful.  A great question to follow up with is, “Can the person who rejected me, help me in my next job application?”  You may get a great boost from calling the person who rejected you and asking for specific help.  You can ask them if they see a way to improve your resume or interview.  Enlist them to help you with your NEXT interview.

It’s scary to ask for more help from a receptionist who just told you to wait.  It’s hard to call back someone who told you they do not want to hire you and ask for help.  If you feel the fear, work your way through it, and do it anyway then you’ll get what you want and need a lot more quickly. 

 Read the book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. It can help you take control of your situation.  It gives you tools to stop letting the world get in your way and step on your dreams. The cheapest place to get it is still your library.

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Posted in Attitude, Interviews, Perseverance

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