A few years ago, I sat across a table from three men in their mid-forties and fifties. They sat sternly and without hesitation went into the job description, immediately asking if I thought I could do the job. I came armed with information. I handed out a folder to each person sitting at the conference table, and talked through past accomplishments, career history and schooling. A week later, I received the call that they wanted to offer me the position. It was a prestigious opportunity at State Government to bring Social Media into the way job seekers functioned; teaching classes and developing curriculum for the “2010 Creative Job Search” book.
I was nervous during the interview. My feet tapped under the table and I spoke too quickly. I remember walking away from the room thinking, “I was myself, but they didn’t look amused.” When my hiring manager, Tom gave me a call to let me know they wanted to extend the offer, I was stunned. His words were, “your passion spoke for itself; we need YOU here.” Tom turned out to be one of my greatest mentors and cheerleaders in my time at the State of Minnesota. During my “goodbye party,” Tom gave me a hug, and he said, “I knew from the moment I hired you that you would be great.” Those three men in the room, all have become mentors and my first reaction was suddenly changed as I grew to know them better.
If I had watered down who I was, I wouldn’t have received the job and I would have done myself a great disservice in the meantime. I had interviewed for many positions before the opportunity at the State and for each one, I was told I wasn’t good fit. I almost completely changed the way I do interviews the morning I was to sit down in front of Government, I couldn’t bear someone else telling me to be someone I wasn’t. I almost gave up.
A long time ago, I came to the realization that I knew a secret. For everyone that didn’t understand me, there was someone that DID. The person who I connected with was far more powerful than 100 people who I didn’t resonate with. I started attracting those who held similar beliefs, notions and thoughts just by being myself. This works in job search, sales and even, dating.
Job search and dating, are the same. The trepidations are eerily similar, aren’t they? Those who find love, whether in their jobs or partners, function the same- they are authentic and know themselves first. I think of relationships like a pot-luck. I can’t expect someone else to bring the meat or do all the work if I only provide a simple, bag of chips. By bringing my signature chocolate cake, or potato salad, I remind people of who I am by showing how much I care. Relationships need equal amounts of passion to grow and weather the turbulence. Job interviews, are quintessentially- dates. You’re being engaged in conversation, sized up and ultimately judged on a very short interaction. If you are able to authentically lay WHO you are out on a table, they’ll know right away if you are a great fit.
Whenever I speak in front of a room, I ask the same, three, questions:
Who are you?
What are you passionate about?
How are you living this out loud?
Once you find the answer to those questions, you find part of yourself that isn’t replaceable or easily forgettable. Use these questions to highlight who you REALLY are on your bio, your summary statement and during the interview Grab their attention by your passion and willingness to bring it to your future employer’s table. The success to your job search lies in no one else, but you. #GoJobSeekersGo
Kate-Madonna Hindes
Kate-Madonna Hindes, is an industry leader and national author and speaker on emotional integrity and authenticity in today’s online media. Her columns are regularly published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Women of HR, GirlmeetsGeek, Brazen Careerist and JobDig. She’s also the Director of Recruiting and Marketing for Brigham Group. With 15+ years of combined, published, experience for news media, state government and Fortune 500 businesses, she regularly covers national Social Media Technology events from an HR / Recruiting perspective, including CES 2011. Notably, she sits on the coaching panel for Keith Ferrazzi’s Relationship Academy, alongside Chris Brogan and Tony Hsieh.
A lot of supposed social media or job search prophets will tell you to not be yourself on many occasions. Recently someone on twitter corrected someone for saying Rawk instead of Rock as a verb, as if Rock is some how more legitimate. Expression is everything when you are in an interview, you have a short period of time to let someone know who you are.
You may have had hurried, breathless speech but that speaks to your enthusiasm the job. Your preparation beforehand and knowledge you walked into the interview with speaks to your obvious skills and training.
People are quick to tell you what to do, but that advice is often counter to who you are as a person and you should never neglect that, You are the person you really know how to be.
Great article, Great advice, Great author.