Instant Interviews_ 101 Ways to Get the Best Job of Your Life - Jeffrey G. Allen [9]
4. Always go alone. You’ll get no interview if anyone is with you.
5. Be there when business starts (usually 8 A.M.), Monday through Friday (with the exception of Wednesday mornings, for reasons I’ll explain shortly). If you’re looking for anything in a retail store or other business that’s open on weekends, go out then, too—unless of course you’re preparing to start your new job Monday. Weekend interview scouting is so much fun. Smiles, happy people, balloons, bright colors, sales, free food samples. Every store is just waiting for you to arrive.
Introducing Yourself (the Most Important Step)
Take no more than five seconds to scope out the place, and walk over to the person who appears to be in charge.
About half the time, before you connect with the offeror, you’ll speak to a gatekeeper. That would be a receptionist, secretary, assistant, or any other front-liner. Amateur jobseekers make a big deal out of this, but it’s silly-simple.
Just walk up to the gatekeeper confidently, look him in the eye, smile, and say, “I’d like to see the manager.” (Of course, if you see a name posted anywhere, say “Mr.” or “Ms. Whoever.”)
If you’re asked your name, say it proudly.
The reply from the gatekeeper will be something like:
“What’s it about?”
Whew! Someone who speaks English. We’re in now! Fire back with:
“It’s a personal matter.”
Watch his face. Perfect! Coupling the word personal with the word matter makes any gatekeeping grunt worry about his job. Personal means, “It’s your boss’s confidential, private business.” Matter hints that you could be an investigator or a lawyer. Someone who depends on someone else for a living will let that someone else know immediately if there’s a personal matter concerning that someone else. Otherwise, that someone may need Instant Interviews.
If the offeror isn’t around or is busy, just reach into your left front pocket, feel for one business card, smile as you withdraw the card from your pocket, and ask for a call “immediately” (a major word) as you hand the card to the gatekeeper. Be nice and say your “voice mail will be on” (a big phrase) if you’re not “in the office” (an even bigger phrase). Be businesslike, friendly, but own the conversation—you and that spiffy business card.
Take any business cards or brochures that you can stuff in your right front or back pockets. (You don’t want to mix them up with yours!)
You’ll get that return call. Why? It’s called the “fear of the unknown,” and the offeror won’t spell FEAR backward. We’ll cover how to handle the call in Do 40.
But for now, let’s assume you’re about to connect with the offeror. We s-l-i-d-e right into . . .
The Magic Four Hello
The Magic Four Hello has four quick steps:
1. Direct eye contact. (If he’s too ugly, look at the bridge of his nose.)
2. A smile. (Image consultants give smile classes! Practice in front of a mirror.)
3. The words, “Hi, I’m (First name, Last name). It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
4. A firm but gentle handshake. (No dead flounder dangling at the end of your wrist. No live shark either. Practice shaking one hand with the other. Alone. People probably already think you’re crazy.)
Why is it magic? How does it work? Why are we having this conversation? Are we figuring out magic tricks or getting interviews? Just think “Poof!” and behold:
• You look him in the eye, he looks you in the eye.
• You smile, he smiles.
• You greet with your name, he greets with his name.
• You shake his hand, he shakes your hand.
Can it really be so primordial? Are we still having this conversation? Can you see why it’s instant interview