Friday, June 25, 2010

Good Advice for Job Seekers

It may be a sign of the times, but every once in a while I run across an article offering a list of what you should or should not do during a job interview. If you are currently looking for a job, you would do well to pay close attention to these articles, most often compiled by journalists from interviews with hiring managers.

Today's is by Sarah Needleman, from the Wall Street Journal. Link here. It looks at eight ways to mess up a job interview. Admittedly, I prefer more positive lists, but this one is excellent for its emphasis on character.

If you show bad character, behave disrespectfully, act indecorously, assert yourself unreasonably, you will surely not be getting the job. Good character involves good habits, good people skills, and a willingness to stifle your high self-esteem and winning personality in favor of being the kind 0f candidate who can work with others, take orders, devote himself to a project, and get along with other people.

It's not really too much to ask, is it?

3 comments:

Robert Pearson said...

The article was good for some laughs, but aren't these the kinds of things you (should) learn as a teen before your first job interview (from your parents, or even high school if your parents aren't up to it)? This is not rocket science! For any adult to commit these kinds of blunders is amazing.

Here's a related anecdote:

At the ripe old age of five I received my first invitation to go to a friend's house for dinner "all by myself." On our way, my mother said something I've never forgotten. "Remember three things: Tell Jimmy's mother how nice she looks. Don't talk during dinner until his parents ask you a question. Offer to help with the dishes."

Three simple things...I've just done basically the same things for the ensuing 45 years. They still work just as well. I was fortunate. Thanks Mom.

Stuart Schneiderman said...

Of course, everyone should have learned these things at home or at school during their formative years.

The great mystery is: how does it happen that they arrive at adulthood and job interviews, and still do not know???

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