ADVENTURES IN HIRING REDUX

Last week, I was interviewing a young woman, a recent college graduate, for a position in my business coaching practice. She was great! She came to the meeting prepared, dressed for business, and had done her homework. It was so refreshing that I caught myself smiling.  I was smiling because this sharp young woman was somewhat of a rarity. 

Unfortunately, most of the interviews I have done over the years have not been nearly as enjoyable.  As a Master Business Coach, I sometimes interview applicants on my clients’ behalf. And sometimes interviewing job applicants can be an extraordinary experience.

 I always thought maybe the people I had interviewed had just beamed in from another dimension to meet with me. Still, the more I hear stories from other businesspeople and HR professionals, the more I think it’s a problem that needs to be addressed in school systems, including at the college and graduate levels. 

The comedian Ron White says, “You can’t fix stupid!” I think that is probably true, based on some of my experiences, but I’m beginning to wonder if many applicants don’t know any better. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, something new happens. A few memorable examples include,

• An applicant came to the interview, dressed in a black trench coat and sunglasses. He did not take them off during the entire interview. In fact, to start the meeting, he came in, sat down, stared at me, spoke little, said thanks, and left.
• An applicant interviewed well, but when asked about the contact number he gave me, he got very quiet. Home, I asked? No. Office? No. Parents’ home? No. Cell phone? No. Girlfriends? No…on and on. Finally, he told me it was a payphone… in a hallway… in a ward… where he may or may not answer…
• I’ve had people show up high (and not high on life) …but HIGH!
• I’ve had people show up drunk.
• I’ve had people show up and during the entirety of the(short) interview, check their e-mail.
• I’ve had an interviewee read and send texts during the entire interview. 
• I’ve had people come in for an interview and ask, “So what do you do around here?”
• Just the other day, I saw an applicant at a restaurant come in and ask for an application and an interview. He was dressed in flip-flops, baggy pants, an old concert T-shirt, sunglasses, and a blue bandana. Think he got the job?
• The one that gets my hair on end the most is the person who is looking for a job with no resume, no experience, no current job, sometimes just out of school, and wants a minimum of $100,000 a year to honor me with their presence.

Are you kidding? I must admit that I get frustrated whenever this kind of thing happens. And these are just a small sample of my experience. I’m sure some of you out there have stories that make mine look tame. And if you do, please share them with me. I would love to hear about your adventures. 

Again, you can’t always fix stupid, but we can do a better job of teaching people the basic rules of interviewing. Here are a few that I think are important.

1. 1. Dress for Success! Whether you’re interviewing for a job in fast food or as a banker, dress like you have some pride in yourself. Being “casually hip” just doesn’t cut it for many employers.  Ditch the flip flops and baggy pants! At least, dress in business casual and don’t take any chances until you know what the dress code is!

• Come Prepared!  Do a little research. Know something about the company. Know something about the job you’re applying for.  With all the online tools available today, you can find out everything necessary about a person, a job, and a company. You have no excuses for not being prepared other than laziness. 

• Shut off your cell phone! Do not, I repeat, do not check your email or send texts while in an interview!

• Be curious!  Be sure to ask some questions. Thoughtful questions are preferred, but ask about pay, job requirements, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.

• Be a Great Listener! Ask me the questions and then shut up and listen. In fact, be an active listener! Show me you can pay attention and that you’re even the least bit interested in me, my job, and the time I’m giving you from my day.

• Sell Me!  If you’re applying with me, you had better have a clear idea of why I should hire you and how you could make a difference for me and my business.  Telling me you will listen and work harder than anyone else goes a long way with me than flashing your diploma.

• Close Me!  Don’t be afraid to try at least to close the deal with me. Ask me to hire you! The worst I can do is say no. But believe me, I would appreciate it if you sold me and closed me!

• Check Back! Many employers, no matter how much they liked an applicant, will not call the applicant back after the first interview until the applicant shows enough interest to follow up on their own. Once the employer sees interest on BOTH sides, they will move forward. It’s not a game; it’s a matter of hiring someone who really wants the opportunity.

My blood pressure goes up to unhealthy levels anytime I hear someone say that they can’t find a job. What a load. There are lots of jobs from starter level to executive level, but today, more than ever, you need to work at going to work. Remember that you will be representing the person or company that hires you, so you really need to ask yourself, would I hire me looking or acting like I do? 

The simplest form of selling is selling yourself, and some people don’t even try. When you learn the universal secret to success is that you must earn every opportunity you will ever have in life, life becomes so much easier.  So, when you let everyone else play the knucklehead, your opportunities multiply exponentially.