In my 'Use The Power Of Leverage to Change Your Career' post last week; I promised you I will talk about “The Law Of Complementary Accomplishment” today. For good reasons; I thought of changing that to something else critically important: “GETTING INTO YOUR INTERVIEWER’S HEAD.” I am sorry about that; but no worries; you will learn insanely, in today’s post and get a ton of value from it. Plus, I am going to be around here for years; so we shall cover that ‘promised topic’ too.
Well, now that we’ve got that out of the way; we are all good! Let’s dive into today’s elite-class:
“Mr. Rick Socken, [not real name] it’s interesting looking at your CV; I can see you’ve worked with other major organizations. But I am just curious; there is not recommendation letter from any of them. Or even indication of one of them as referees! Why?”
This happened a month ago. There was this highly potential candidate who had a great CV in black and white. In his list of the ‘organizations he had worked with before’; he had a list of two to three great ones. He happened to have worked with them and held a high-level position. Funny enough; he did not include any letter of recommendation or anything to support that he ever worked with them (he was not lying; he had worked with them for real). Not even; one of them as a referee!
I was surprised!
“I did Not Think It Was Necessary”
“I didn’t think that was necessarily for the kind of position I have applied for; in this organization!” That was the reply he gave me—which I found fascinating!
Do you notice the career homicide he’s committing here? There is one that is obvious: the error of omission. Anyone can see it; but there are even more subtle mistakes. So, subtle; that only top performers could possibly see. Can you see other hidden; yet more fatal mistakes this candidate is committed?
Digging deeper:
“I will NEVER do that. I am not dumb enough to omit such documents in my CV!” you might say. And you are right; because I know you are smart enough.
But let’s dig deeper; and I will show you other subtle mistakes; that are more DESTRUCTIVE than the obvious ‘ERROR OF OMISSION’.
Here is a fact: Interviewers see; and read more in your CV/Resume; than you can ever think. Based on how you craft it; they get to know you more before they ever meet you for an interview. They start making judgment about what kind of candidate you are: either a ‘great one’; or an average/mediocre candidate. So, by the way you craft your CV/Resume; you can screw your opportunity to work with great organizations (even when you are a great candidate) right off the bat; before you ever get into the interview-room.
Remember how I tell you NOT TO BE STUPID? I mean it; because I know with a little direction; most of you are smart enough; and can do far much better than what you have always done. You can get to the top! So, let’s go a little bit deeper; than the obvious mistake.
Getting Into Your Interviewer’s Head
Today, I want to show you how to ‘Get Into Your Interviewer/Employer’s Head’. Yes, so you see what they see (when they read your CV). I want you to know what they are thinking (BEFORE; AT; and DURING the interview). Then you will be able to KNOW WHAT THEY WANT and DELIVER THAT BEFORE THEY EVER ASK. You will also eliminate what they do not want to deal with beforehand; so you can make their work easier. Once that happens; it becomes easy for them to say “YES” TO YOUR APPLICATION. And the game is over!
(Btw, this applies in business too!)
Think of it like this: It’s like meeting a potential client and being able to address their need. And not just that; but also knowing their objections/reservations before hand; and guiding them into make the right decision of working with you.
Or at personal level: It’s like when you go to see someone for an advice on something that has been troubling you for years. Then before you even say it; they articulate it; and give you a solution for that! Ever had such a thing happening to you? What did you do after that? You connected with that person for life!
So, as we get deeper into your employers/interviewers mind; we will be also covering other fatal mistakes this candidate made.
Here is our Employer’s/Interviewer's Mental World:
- Employers Are Busy: Do Your HOMEWORK
What the smartest of the candidate know is: you need to make it easier for your interviewers to pick you. You need to do ALL THE HOMEWORK; so that they probably just pick you with ease (remember you are not the ONLY candidate). Your interviewer is not there to help you with; or even worse doing the HOMEWORK for you.
This guy knows he should have included those documents; and taking the time to tell him he should have; is not his interviewer’s “Homework”. Plus, the interviewer has no time to dig deeper to know why! This is adding to MORE WORK on the part of your employer/interviewer; and that means MORE TIME is being spent on you as a candidate. Just know that is not going to happen; because that time is not there. Yes, your interviewer will not take that will responsibility for you!
You know why? It’s because; INTERVIEWER'S/EMPLOYER'S ARE NOT BABY-SITTERS. Your interviewer is not a baby-sitter; and you did not come there to be BABY-SAT. So…? So, the interviewer moves on to the next candidate!
The Take-Away:
Show your interviewer that you are the guy who HITS THE GROUND-RUNNING. That you get the fact that he/she IS BUSY; and you DON’T NEED TO BE BABY-SAT.
- He Did not Just Omit: He Cast a Shadow of Doubt
“Then that would be unfair to think I am lying; simply because someone else has!” you say. Probably it is, but can you stop being delusional? Are you going to live in the imaginary-land of “How The World SHOULD BE”; or would you rather come to the real-world; and respond to “How the world ACTUALLY WORKS”?
You can argue that “it’s unfair”; but no one is doing to listen to you. Unless you are the Mr. World; you would better learn how the world REALLY WORKS; then beat it on its own game!
Smart people top performers know that you can’t control over ‘human tendency’. You have no control over what people think; but you have the power to use the human psychology to position yourself in a way that will alter what they think about you.
They know arguing “That’s unfair” is what makes losers! Smart people say—even in unfair situation… “Wait a second! What if the mistake was on my part? What if I did something that resulted to the ‘unfair game’ What can I change; so that next time it does not happen” And then make the necessary changes –like bring in all their document next time—to make sure it does not happen again!
Am I saying unfair things don’t happen to good people? Absolutely not! Am I saying that the world does not get unfair? No. what I am doing is showing you another way to look at your situation; so you will always have the power and remain in control. And not just that; but improving for better. I am also showing you how to use PSYCHOLOGICAL POSITIONING to gain an upper hand in the interviewing game. WINNERS do that. That’s why they WIN!
Btw, when you are argue… “Thinking that I am lying is being inconsiderate and unfair to me” what are you thinking? Who is being inconsiderate here?
Real talk guys! Did you expect your interviewer to hire a PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR to look into your allegations—of speaking the truth? That’s not going to happen—even if you were applying for the NSI (National Security Intelligence). That time is not there; and you are the one being inconsiderate—and delusional!
The Take-Away:
Avoid anything that would cause RESERVATIONS on the part of your interviewer.
In other words ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS your interviewer might need to ask; before you ever get into the interview-room. Learn his/her psychology; then get into his/her head; and GET YOUR INTERVIEWER NODDING as he/she goes through the CV/Resume even in your absence.
Notice; I am not talking about “Leaving a major document” here (I already know you are smart enough and cannot do that); we have graduated from that. We are into “the psychology of your interviewer”: Getting into their head; and making sure there is nothing to fuel his/her reservations; so he/she can buy into you with ease!
- His Credibility is Crashed: “I Don’t Think He’s That Smart”
The truth is, you are not THAT SMART—your interviewer would still think! You didn’t think those document mattered! And if you can do that (overlook critical details) doing a simple; yet VERY IMPORTANT thing as applying for your dream-job; who knows what else you would term “Not Important”; when she/he hires you? Your credibility plummets.
“Or maybe you worked with them; and there was a bad blood between you and the company you worked with; that’s why you omitted the detail” your interviewer rationalizes. “Ugh…what make us think that you are going to be any better?” He then slams the door right in front of you! And the chance is gone!
Is she/he being cruel? No. Have you lost that opportunity to work with that great company because of the interviewer’s mistakes? Not really. It was your fault.
What's The Take-Away Here?
Think about this: you are going to spend time crafting your resume; why not take time to make sure it’s the best your interviewer has ever seen? Think like the top notch before you do it: That is; this CV/Resume could be worth thousands of money if you win the interview; and much more in the future. Why not spend a little more time and nail it perfectly? Why not ensure that there is no opportunity to SABOTAGE YOUR COMPETENCY; and SPOIL YOUR CREDIBILITY as a candidate?
Take-Away:
See the possible mistakes that could maim your CREDIBILITY; and make you come across as INCOMPETENT in front of your interviewer; and ward them off in your CV/Resume; before it ever gets to his/her desk.
The Elite See More Than The Average!
“But, Prince, you are reading too much into a simple mistake!” you would say! My response: Didn’t I tell you that I am getting you into your employer's/ interviewer head? Btw; do you know who says…“You are reading too much into this simple mistake?” The average!
While everyone is reading what is on paper; the elite get a little bit deeper; and they see; plus unearth other cost of that very “simple mistake”. They see other high-cost of what the majority call “simple”; and neglect!
They see: Cost in terms of TIME; Cost in terms of OPPORTUNITY COST; cost in terms of CREDIBILITY and REPUTATION; and cost in terms of MONEY.
If applying for that job means anything to you; why not do it; so that you do not miss that opportunity—OPPORTUNITY COST; come back to apply again because you made simple mistake—TIME COST; and come across as less competency for overlooking something simple yet important—CREDIBILITY COST.
Not only do the best of the best get a little bit deeper when it comes to mistake they make (yes they are human beings and make mistakes); but even in the simple things we ALL learn; they go a few layers below the surface--after everyone has stopped!
You have heard that “Smart people understand simple truths deeply.” That’s what separates them from the crowd. That is what sets them apart. And it is what will make you different from everyone in your career and business!
It Was About Using Psychology To Raise Your Interviewing Game
Did you notice we were not talking about 'a guy who left critical documents' in his dream-job application? You are smart enough; and you should have noticed that!
Here Are The Three Career-Changing Techs We Learnt:
- Using PSYCHOLOGY To Interview Like a Pro
In this we covered:
1.Subtle tech that you can use to GET INTO YOUR INTERVIEWERS HEAD
2.How to GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT; so they can GIVE US WHAT WE WANT
3.Positioning yourself for a WIN WIN GAME--The interviewers WIN and you WIN too. (Notice there is no manipulation--just being SMART so that both parties WIN!
- Dealing With Your DEFEATING PSYCHOLOGY
1. DEFEATING PSYCHOLOGY of the AVERAGE; and how it takes them into a rat-hole.
(And for years; they never know what hit them—and why they keep losing; and screwing it)
2.Why you should AVOID it like a palsy; and step up your game
- The WINNING PSYCHOLOGY of TOP-PERFORMERS
1. Having a WINNING PSYCHOLOGY is important to SUCCEED in every aspect of life--not just career.
2. You can EMPLOY IT ANYWHERE--including business--and with ANYONE to GET WHAT YOU WANT
3. ELITE PERFORMERS use it to get UNSTUCK and push themselves to IMPROVE--instead of playing pity-party
NB: Do you see how mastering your own psychology can help you go from BETA to BETTER in any aspect of life?
What’s The One Thing?
What is the ONE THING you’ve learnt; that you can apply in your career to take it from BETA to BETTER?
Where and how are you going to apply it to Amp your career game?
Leave a comment; and let me know (be as specific as possible)
I read all your comments!
If those insights have helped you; share this post to someone (only those who are serious and ready to change the course of their career) who can benefit from it; or direct them to this site; so that together we can rise to elite-levels of competency and performance!
Talk Soon—On THURSDAY
Prince.
P.S: Back in my early 50s (when I was young) I committed a TREASON. I did something that was horrible and terrible! I shall tell you what--probably next week. (And if you are reading this; and you are an FBI, don't start the investigation yet)
0 comments:
Post a Comment