Comments on: What do your job interviews sound like?

By: Chris Walker

Chris Walker — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:42:14 +0000

My agency’s web blocker won’t let me see the video, but hey, incomplete info doesn’t deter many commentators these days.

Nick has two articles that speak to this issue: ‘Age Discrimination or Age Anxiety’ and ‘Too Old to Rack & Roll’. Substitute anything else that causes anxiety in the interview for ‘age’, and you’ll get the picture.

I recently had a client in my job search skills seminar who had been out of work for 18 months. The first few days of class she was slumped in her seat, looking inches shorter than she really is. She was a defeated person. I don’t think she actually learned many things she didn’t already know in the class, but she was re-energized. She finised the course in November and started her new job with a porperty management firm Feb. 1. We have a large sign in the classroom that says ‘Attitude Is Everything’.

By: GL Hoffman

GL Hoffman — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:47:46 +0000

Well said and well timed. I am wondering if it is inter=connected? The job seeker is really, down-deep, wishy washy about the job itself. I WANT TO FIND MY PASSION. And that, quite obviously, shows through.
One other thing might help would be to realize there are all kinds of life situations where one has to generate some internal motivation to get oneself UP.
Or, it could just be a lack of awareness of how to show this internal motivation in actions and talk.
Good discussion. This could be a class. Required.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:00:55 +0000

Years ago a manager asked me, “Cindy, do you realise that within 10 seconds of opening your mouth, you send people to sleep?”

Wow – THAT hurt!

But I had a habit of speaking hesitantly and it gave the impression I was waiting for the other person to confirm or argue what I was saying. I was a recruiter – so it didn’t instill a lot of confidence when I was discussing candidates with my clients. I made changes. People took more notice when I spoke. This in turn gave me more confidence to speak with conviction.

So while it hurt, it was probably the most useful feedback I’ve ever been given. The other is “it’s not always about you”… but that’s another story!

By: Geekette

Geekette — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:57:25 +0000

Reposting b/c my earlier comment disappeared:

What an aural & visual pleasure! Thanks for posting this – must steal & share with other infography fans.

By: JB King

JB King — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:58:02 +0000

This reminds me of a few key points to conversations that I’m noticing more and more:

Enthusiasm and confidence are part of that style. Do you really want the job? Are you sure that you aren’t going to be sloppy or just OK at the job? Seriously? Really? Your would be boss shouldn’t have to question if you are motivated and want the job. This is what I’d equate to conviction.

Another aspect is the use of humor. Can you make a joke and stand behind it? If you make a mistake, can you admit that or will you dig yourself a massive hole instead of merely confessing, “I’m sorry, that was an attempt at a joke,” which may open an interesting door.

When I was in grade school, there were 2 main points to a speech: Knowledge and delivery. Do you know what you are talking and how well can you deliver that? I remember a speech by a classmate about a friend he called “appetite” that was about weight gain, delivered in a very funny style that went over well.

By: Nic

Nic — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:31:29 +0000

I agree Nick but here is the double-edged sword, “You are judged by your presence and your conviction.” That is true, and ideally means the most presence and conviction wins out however since most employees especially HR are anything but loaded with both to have IT means you are likely to intimidate them.