No second interview? Do you talk too much?
Songs are only three minutes long for a reason.
If songs were much longer we wouldn’t remember them or we’d lose interest. The format has been tried, tampered with and proven for decades. Can we learn a networking principle from that?
The biggest sin in networking is boring your audience. How many times have you been asked a simple question, like, “What do you do?” where you launch into a complete history of your employment life?
Folks stop listening after about three sentences. More than that and whatever you say is lost. Prepare for any encounter with just exactly the answer to the question you are asked and if you do a good job, your listener will ask you questions; which means you are interacting.
Find that hard to do? Try repeating the question in your answer. “I work xxx” or “What do I do?…”
Second Sin:Talking AT people is a horrible way to create a bond. Come prepared with questions and keep eye contact if you want people to remember you. When you hear yourself TELLING people information instead of SHARING experiences, you are talking AT them. Don’t do that.
Not sure how to cut down your spiel? Give your answers to a twelve year old. If they can tell you what you meant or ask a relevant question, you are on track. If not, try again.
Learn to answer your questions with relevant stories that include outcomes and you will be remembered. Need more help? Bring a favorite pen to your interviews. Every time you prepare to speak, look at it as a reminder, three sentences and begin with a phrase from the question. It works. Not every time, but if you do it correctly once, it makes it easier to do it correctly the next time.
Happy Networking.
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career advice, Interview, networking, Uncategorized
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career advice, executive jobs, Rita Ashley, talk too much
Themocracy
Really, talking “too much” is a potential job seeker’s worst enemy. They might become more comfortable, talking about things that don’t matter, such as their personal life. Some people believe that if you become more personal with a potential employer that you will get an “in”, which is so not true. Someone that wants to hire you is most interested in your capabilities and if you are a good candidate for the job based on your resume.
[...] One sad fellow called me because he had been on five interviews with five different companies and never made it to the second round. After talking to him for just a few minutes, I knew why. He couldn’t stop talking. [...]