Back To Work, Girlie Girls
No doubt sick and tired of grammar, lovely Alice writes in to ask:
Aren’t you going to talk about interviewing?
Gladly!
Of course, there are all the usual “tips” for acing a job interview. Arrive on time, dress to fit the job/workplace, sit up straight, don’t fidget, smile, be ready to ask smart questions, know something about the company and its products/services. You know the drill. Don’t you?*
But here is Working Girl’s secret: Pretend to yourself that you don’t want the job.
Do all the above things, be prepared, be enthusiastic, be charming, but somewhere in your mind hold the thought that you don’t really need this job. That in fact there are lots of other jobs out there. That you–YOU!–have tons of other options in life, better or just as good as this job.
Why? It takes the edge off. It removes that whiff of over-eagerness, of fear, that is such a turn-off. Desperation! No one likes it!
So even if it is not true, even if in fact you feel/suspect/fear/know that this job is absolutely your last hope (oh woe!), conduct a little self-brainwashing session right before the interview and convince yourself that this is not your only chance, that there are other jobs, that you have options, that you are a desirable employee/human being, and that most of all you are in demand.
Remember: The effects of the self-brainwashing only have to last as long as the interview. Then you can go home, collapse, eat an entire bag of potato chips, whine to your cat, do yoga–whatever it is you do to relieve stress.
Try it. It has worked for Working Girl many, many times (she’s had 59 jobs, you know).
Oh, and don’t forget to write (and snail mail) a thank you note the same day of the interview.
*If you don’t remember the job interview basics, here’s a good general article:
http://www.adguide.com/pages/articles/article35.htm
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Hi Karen- Just came upon your website and was pleasantly surprised! It’s now in my favorites so I can visit again! I totally agree with the advice to go into an interview very well prepared and confidant, but with the thought that you don’t really need the job… I did this recently at an interview and it was actually a wonderful experience! The previous two with this company were really hellacious and I hesitated about even coming to the 3rd, but did so anyway,for, if nothing else, a learning experience. I was perfect for the job, they asked all the right questions, I had perfect answers, I was positive and eloquent, charming and witty- it was everything an interview should be. They were very positive and impressed with my background and job skills and experience- it was a love-fest all around! When I left I was on cloud 9 and thought for sure I would have the offer in the morning! But that was not to be. A few days later I received a thank -you- but- we- hired -someone- else letter… ;-(
What went wrong? I was so in the ‘zone’ and it all went so well… I found out later that they promoted someone in another position to the position I interviewed for. They knew all along that was what they were going to do and just went through the ‘motions’ interviewing others. This seems to happen often, which is very disheartening.
BUT! I learned something very valuable: I could NOT have done a better job during the interview. I was well prepared and answered each question thoughtfully and well. I know that I impressed them. I think it really helped me to just pretend that I didn’t ‘need’ the job and go through with it as a learning experience. It just was not in the cards for me. But next time, I will do the same thing, and be the best interview they conduct, and hopefully, I will be the one who gets the offer!