Sorry that I have been slow on getting this post out, but I have been very busy finishing up my first eBook. As I promised when I started this blog. I am going to do everything that I possibly can to help you. So, I asked a number of readers what their biggest concern was when looking for a new job, and almost all of the answers that I got had to do with preparing for the job interview.
This prompted me to write an eBook titled “Interview Aftermath.”
If you have ever felt the sting of not getting a job that you were perfect for, even though you thought that you interviewed well; you should read “Interview Aftermath.” If you are looking for a new job or consulting contract and you want some guidance on preparing for the interview; you should download and read my book.
In this text, I will tell you like it is and explain how the process really works. I will explain what hiring managers are really looking for. I will tell you how candidates are selected and what you can do to improve your chances of success.
During an Interview you are evaluated on:
Your ability to do the job = 40%
How the manager feels about you = 60%
Interview Questions
Interviewing can be a stressful process, as you prepare for the interview questions and technical evaluation. I will help you with this important part of the process and I even include a worksheet. The worksheet is designed to help you collect the information you need ahead of time. With a solid understanding of the company, job and hiring manager you will have all the data you need to nail the interview.
The 60% that actually gets you hired
In addition to interview questions that you should have ready, the core content of this book is focused on the other skills that you need to have sharp and be able to demonstrate. You only have a very short amount of time to impress upon the interviewer that you are the right candidate, and the competition from other qualified candidates is strong. I want you to tilt the odds in your favor.
I have helped hundreds of people get hired over the years and I know what it takes to present yourself well and to build and maintain good professional credibility.
“Interview Aftermath” is my thank you to you for reading this blog and allowing me to help.
I have gotten a lot of responses to the last two posts, and I sincerely appreciate everyone’s interest and feedback. Almost all of the feedback that I have gotten has been very positive, but I wanted to comment on something that was said by more than one person.
“Does trying to make people like me, if I really don’t like them make it a lie?”
I can certainly understand this question and concern, I do not advocate anything less than being genuine and honest. I hold integrity as a very high personal virtue. How then do I reconcile this seemingly incongruent actively of striving to be likable in the company of people who may not be my first choice for personal friendships?
I find it congruent and true to treat other people as if I like them because in actuality I do like them. I like the vast majority of people, or at least some aspects of them. There are very few people that I have met that I have found to be completely disagreeable. For me, it is a matter of understanding people from their perspective and in the correct context. I have found that there are admirable and likable qualities in all people.
The trick is in finding the things that you do like about a person and that can make all the difference, even if they are small things or personal interests from outside of the office. For some, you will like more things than others and there is nothing wrong with that.
All relationships fall on a spectrum of how much you “like” someone. This could be evaluated on a scale, 1 for a mortal enemy and 10 for your closest loved ones. Most relationships would fall somewhere in the middle. You could be happy that to have coffee or lunch with some people, but you would never consider taking a vacation with them.
It is the same way in the workplace, you don’t have to be best friends with everyone in the office but being likable and finding something that you can like or respect in everyone else will help you to create and maintain a positive and productive work environment where you can get along and share ideas.
The person you think that you cannot get along with as a co-worker, might be a very likable and agreeable person as a next door neighbor.
I believe that at heart, everyone wants to do a good job, get along and be well respected. People do the best that they can in the manner that they know how. Try to put yourself in the other person’s position and see the situation from their perspective. Pretend that you are that other person and that you are in the exact same circumstances with the same information, education and background that they have. Chances are that you would probably make many of the same decisions.
I know that you think that you would act differently or make different decisions, but would you really?
If you were taught that a certain management style was the way to be a successful manager, then why would you do it differently? If you had come from a military background where authority was not to be questioned or disobeyed, would you expect it from those that reported to you?
Model yourself after the world’s diplomats who must be respected and likable while striving to see the world from another’s point of view to find agreement, and maybe we can do the same over the cubicle walls.
Thanks for all of the great feedback so far! I am very glad that people are reading this and I love getting so many questions. Please let me know what’s on your mind.
I knew that I would get this post out of the way early because it is a topic that I talk about all of the time.
Other people can make you hate your Job
Dealing with difficult people can make even the best job a nightmare. Human interaction can actually be the hardest part of some jobs. Challenges can run from inconsiderate co-workers who don’t make the next pot of coffee to bullies, saboteurs, credit stealers and manipulative bosses, the list goes on forever.
The fact that you need to get along well with other people at work to be successful seems like such a common sense topic. We all want to get along, do our best, and succeed. We also want people to think rationally, be respectful, considerate and helpful. So, let’s be realistic and face the fact that some people and situations can very be difficult to deal with.
There have been tons of articles and posts on this topic, so I don’t want to cover old ground, but the fact of the matter is that most people don’t actually know how to deal with these types of situations.
I will tell you here and now the best plan for dealing with all of these problems can come down to a single strategy.
Ready? …
… Make people like you!
People tend to not act like jerks to people that they like.
No kidding, you say?? Maybe I don’t want to be friends with the office bully! I am not suggesting that you should, but if they likeyou, your life will be infinitely more enjoyable.
The great thing is that there is a time tested and proven way to make people like you.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
I want you to get a copy of “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. It will be without a doubt one of the most important books that you ever read. The last time I checked it was $11.78 in paperback from Amazon.
In high school I was an awkward teenager that didn’t really fit in, I found all the answers that worked for me in a book written in 1936 and of all the personal development materials that I have studied since, I have not yet found a more relevant or useful book.
I believe that every single person should be required to read Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. I have personally bought this book and handed it out to dozens of people. I re-read it at least once a year to remind myself of the principles.
This is Not Manipulation
I have gotten varying responses from people when I recommend this book or hand it to them. Most people are turned off by the title, thinking that it is a book about manipulation or salesmanship. This book could easily have been titled “How to deal with difficult people” or “How to actually BE a good person”
Do not dismiss this as an instruction book on how to be a fake person. I do not believe in insincerity and this book does not promote it. The simple truth is that to be more successful, the best place to start is by becoming a better person. This book is about what everyone was supposed to learn in grade school. You have nothing to lose but the time to read it.
It can change your Life
I would say that this one book has so shaped my life and my personality that it is the foundation of my career, of how I approach life and even the intent and content of this blog. From reflection on this one book I have established in myself the core belief that if I always put other people first, be sincere and help everyone that I can whether I get paid for it or not, then everything will work out for me.
I am not pushing this book because I want you to buy it from me. In fact, I am intentionally not putting up an affiliate link or selling the book directly.
What is it all about?
The book is broken into four parts addressing
Part 1: Fundamental Techniques in Handling People
More Appropriate Title: (How to deal with difficult and rude people effectively)
Part 2: Ways to Make People Like You
More Appropriate Title: (Ways to be a better person)
Part 3: How to Win People to Your Way of Thinking
More Appropriate Title: (How to communicate more effectively)
Part 4: Be a Leader
More Appropriate Title: (How to grow and succeed in Life)
I do not want to do a full review of the book that has been done well on other sites. Here is the best review that I found.
In order to be a Consulting Super Star you must be committed to continuing education and “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie is the most important textbook that you will ever own.
Please let me know what you think. If you read this book and think that it is a waste of your time I will be shocked.
What do you Think?
Have you read it? What is the most effective idea or most important principle to you?
