Guerrilla Marking for Job Hunters 2.0 - Jay Conrad Levinson [130]
Wait while the assistant verifies it is. Thank the person and hang up the telephone. Making this call telegraphs the assistant 2 key subliminal messages that work in your favor:
1. You value your time.
2. You value their time.
Guerrilla, how many people do you seriously think would risk making that call? Not many. In my experience, candidates never confirm an interview once it’s set up. By calling to confirm you indicate the interview is not the most important thing you’ll do that day. What do you think that does to your leverage it increases it?
In sales school, rookies are taught to never confirm an appointment once it’s set because it gives the other person an opportunity to back out. What they neglect to point out is that by risking rejection, you can actually strengthen your position. The other person assumes, “This guy must really be important.” This enables you to walk into the meeting with confidence. This has never backfired on me.
Moreover, tomorrow the only person the interviewer’s assistant will remember is you. You are likely the only person who has ever called to confirm. That speaks volumes about your self-esteem. To the assistant, your simple gesture is indicative of how professionally you’ll interact with them if hired. Personal assistants, secretaries, and receptionists can have enormous influence on your success. Be rude even once and you’ll torpedo your chances.
■ THE ABSOLUTE LAST THING YOU DO BEFORE BED
It is often the simple questions that trip people up, so before you turn in for the night, review your answers to the following 2 questions:
1. Why do you want this job?
2. Why do you want to leave your present company, or why did they leave you?
Most candidates stumble on those basic questions. Don’t be caught speechless!
■ GAME DAY
What most candidates don’t realize is that the job is already theirs. Guerrilla, the interviewer is seeing you because he (or she) wants to hire you. He has a problem you can solve and he acknowledged as much the second he agreed to an interview. The issue now is to convince him that he’s not making a mistake. Essentially, it’s up to you not to drop the ball.
The first few seconds will set the tone for the interview, so look the interviewer straight in the eye, smile, and say, “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.” If he asks why, go for it. The game’s on and you have the ball. Most employers want “can do,” “will do” employees. Start your meeting off like any other business meeting by laying out why you’re there. Don’t waste time with the idle chitchat about the weather or the “big game” last night. The employer will be grateful.
In order of importance, an employer will consider the following factors at a first interview:
1. Character
2. Relevant accomplishments
3. Drive
4. Initiative
5. Communication skills
Throughout the meeting, the interviewer will be determining whether you have what he needs, not only through your stories but also through your body language. Yes, body language.
■ THE SCIENCE OF BODY LANGUAGE
Sixty-five percent of all communication is nonverbal. There has been a lot of hullabaloo on the science of body language and its value in job interviews. What your gestures “say” about you could make a difference in your interview success. For example, are you lying when you tug at your ear or is your ear just itchy at the wrong time? A trained professional will know the difference. Your interviewer is probably not a trained professional, but many interviewers think they can read body language. I’ve read many of the books on the subject and few agree on what means what, so let me give you a quick primer on the subject. I promise this won’t require a personality makeover.
Interviewing can make people nervous—on both sides of the desk. The interviewer has an hour or less to decide if she ever wants to see you again. Generally speaking, a blind date isn’t this stressful. You want to put your best foot forward and appear to be the kind of person you really are, even when you’re nervous: