Sunday, October 7, 2012

Watch the Debate – Now that is a job interview!

“You can succeed with anything you put your heart into”. ― Dylan Keenan

Last Wednesday evening, 50-60 million Americans were glued to the TV watching the first Presidential debate. This is not intended and is not political in any way – and I know some will still pound me for it.
What we witnessed is a job interview – the job of President of the United States – and the stakes could not be higher. Each candidate hunkered down to prepare, practice their pitch, rehearsed anticipate questions and in effect find their mojo and sell it. They drilled and drilled; they got their pitch laser sharp and focused. They were ready – they were primed and pumped. They practiced what I have counseled hundreds in the past:

You have one shot to make the best, most direct and impactful pitch – don’t hold back – go at it with gusto and confidence.

Postscript: It appears that the viewing public felt decidedly that Former Governor Romney won this one.  Again, no politics here – but I would have to agree. And I feel Romney had the interview process, or at least some derivative of the same, in mind during his presentation:
  •  He was engaging – both the President and Romney were
  • They both were personable – and confident – and showed it. That was huge
  • Romney had his pitch primed – the reason we should hire him – and he laid it out in his five actions early on in the debate (interview)
  • He was ready to defend his perceived weaknesses directly – and confident to defend himself
  • He closed – asked for the job – with confidence and impact, and direct unwavering eye contact, never looking down, never showing expression that he did not control
Again – I am not casting judgment on the President at all. I am just comparing the debate performance to an interview, job search process or pursuit of a new career. You either nail this, or you do not, and another candidate wins. Plain and simple.

Take a lesson here: Want to be President (or the best you can ever be)?  Prep, prepare, focus and drill, drill, drill.

Before any one ventures into looking for or exploring new career options, looking for a job or beginning to interview, they need to prepare before they launch, and sadly some just do not do that. They jump  in, without a clear message and direction, and wallow in the “fog” of uncertainty. They rarely succeed. They can’t sell their message, because they haven’t developed and crafted the message.
The right approach – prepare first:
  •  Know the type of job – or career you want
  • Understand what is important to sell about yourself – yes, you are selling
  • Craft an articulate, laser focused statement of who you are and what you have and can do – that can be presented with impact in 30 seconds tops.
  • Know your competition – know what they deliver and plan to win
  • Be confident – if not, build your confidence before you engage
 It is important to understand that to win you must achieve a simpler set of goals that take you to the winning podium. You focus on the immediate goal in front of you, and not the larger goal. In my world, coach my clients to focus first on:
  •  Getting direction – knowing the career, job or business right for them
 And when you achieve this, the next goal …
  •  Getting the interview – not the job –  and then prep and prepare for it

And when you achieve this …
  •  Get the job – land in a new career – launch your own enterprise. Win!

Are you ready to be President?

Yes I mean it, ready? You can be the President – the President of your own life and your success – the President of your universe. It takes commitment, preparation, dedication, focus and clarity of intent and purpose.  It is following the steps – not jumping the steps and missing some. No one can hold you back, unless you allow them to do.

Win! And thank you for reading this. - Dan

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