Monday, November 26, 2007
What do the OSU/Michigan game, Super Bowl and World Series have in common?
They are all scheduled events for which contenders will train right up to the coin toss. Teaming with strength coaches and trainers, every waking moment will be dedicated to winning their main events. By the big game, each finalist will know the competition and practice sessions will even include videos of the other's last performance.
Unfortunately job search isn't as user-friendly. It is the one competition in which candidates never have the advantage of a match scheduled in advance nor do they know the identities of their competitors. Job search is the only competitive event in which you'll never see the competition perform and won't even be told the winner, unless you are the winner!
So as you shadow-box your way to a job offer it should become apparent that you need to begin training immediately. There is no better technique to perfect than fielding those dreaded interview questions. We regularly conduct interview boot camps and during practices we see traditionally savvy professionals blossom from tongue-tied deer in the headlights into confident communicators. The process of learning to field questions in a smooth conversational manner requires much practice. It is not an exercise in memorization because canned answers do not impress.
There is no way that you can anticipate each interview question. But you should be aware of the various categories of questions so you can reach into your vault of experience for tales of when you dealt with difficult people, resolved difficult situations or performed in less than perfect circumstances. Learning to field interview questions requires as much training and rehearsal as winning the big game. Candidates will eventually be able to produce smooth responses as they develop quick recall while the question is being asked. You can't fake it till you make it. An interview is no time for thinking only for performing.
Unfortunately job search isn't as user-friendly. It is the one competition in which candidates never have the advantage of a match scheduled in advance nor do they know the identities of their competitors. Job search is the only competitive event in which you'll never see the competition perform and won't even be told the winner, unless you are the winner!
So as you shadow-box your way to a job offer it should become apparent that you need to begin training immediately. There is no better technique to perfect than fielding those dreaded interview questions. We regularly conduct interview boot camps and during practices we see traditionally savvy professionals blossom from tongue-tied deer in the headlights into confident communicators. The process of learning to field questions in a smooth conversational manner requires much practice. It is not an exercise in memorization because canned answers do not impress.
There is no way that you can anticipate each interview question. But you should be aware of the various categories of questions so you can reach into your vault of experience for tales of when you dealt with difficult people, resolved difficult situations or performed in less than perfect circumstances. Learning to field interview questions requires as much training and rehearsal as winning the big game. Candidates will eventually be able to produce smooth responses as they develop quick recall while the question is being asked. You can't fake it till you make it. An interview is no time for thinking only for performing.
