Not All Jobs Are For You

The beginning of a job interview started on the wrong foot. 

Many people when going for an Interview have an attitude that they must please the potential employer. To do that, they cloak their own personality and may even over-embellish their achievements to get the job. They become a type of chameleon to appease and impress the interviewer.

So they get the job then what? We, in essence live at work for at least 8 hours a day and being a chameleon is hard to achieve on a daily basis, a true personality will slowly emerge. So does the absence of the embellished talents claimed. Usually positions obtained in this manner do not last very long.

When you consider applying for a new job, start off with the right attitude and self-worth.

After all you have been educated and you have an employment history. It would be worth your time to sit down and do a Benjamin Franklin Test right now.

Get a sheet of paper. Divide the paper into 2 columns. In the first column, title it “Attributes”, in the second column title it as “Weaknesses”. Be honest with yourself. Fill each column with your assessment of yourself. Then ask a friend or your spouse to complete the same form about you. Now compare the two. Generally the second assessment by the second party has more information about your attributes then you did. We quite often overlook things about ourselves, as we take them for granted.

Now compare what the new opportunity requirements are with your Resume and your BF Test.

If you have at least 50% of the requirements for the new job, then apply for it by all means if the position is of interest to you and it will further your career and future. You can learn the other 50% on the new job when you get it.

Dark blue is considered to represent authority and professionalism, so if possible wear your blue suit or outfit to the interview. Try to be your normal self. Smile when appropriate, especially when you are coming in for the interview and when leaving at the minimum. Remember to thank the Interviewer for their consideration and time.

During the Interview for this new position, listen closely to the Interviewer, sitting only part way to the back of your chair. This signifies interest to the Interviewer, but you really want to listen closely to them as you want to get the feeling of the Company you are proposing to work for. Listen to the tone of their voice when they are describing the position you are there to fill. Watch their body language. Would you like this person if you met them socially or want to be a customer of the Company?

Don’t “hem and haw” when answering questions. Either you know what is being discussed or you don’t. Reply in a positive tone with some authority. If you do not have any idea about what the Interviewer is going on about and you have to give a reply, be up front and advise you don’t know. If you don’t know enough of the answers then this job is not for you.

Be deliberate when speaking without slurring your words and/or using slang or profanity.

Remember, you are a professional so be a professional. Project your voice and moderate its tonal value to keep the listener engaged. This is particularly necessary for some women who have very high pitched voices or men who speak in a monotone. A lower tone to your voice is more appealing and easier to listen to.

After the interview, make notes of your overall impression of the interview. Is this job really what you were expecting or looking for? Will it further your career or would it be more beneficial for you to find a more suitable opportunity?  Answering these questions before you are offered the position with assist you in making an informed decision as to whether or not you should accept this job if it is offered.