Interview Chatter

Are You On Offense or Defense?

by Darlene McDaniel on October 11th, 2007

I remember the night John Stockton from the Utah Jazz stepped back behind the 3-point line and hit the game winning shot that sent “The Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals!” I was so happy, I jumped up and down like a fanatical fan might do who has watched and waited for their team to WIN an incredible game. We didn’t win the ring that year, but I will never forget that shot. I don’t think I spoke coherently for hours after that game. “My team” won the game and we finally had bragging rights as the Western Conference Champions. Our prize - a chance to go to the go to the NBA Finals! Wow!

You might be wondering why in the world I am taking you through my walk down memory lane. What in the world does basketball or any other sport have to do with your success in the hiring process.

Well I am wondering how you play the hiring game. Do you have an offensive plan, or do you spend the majority of your time on defense during the interview?

It is a critical question you have to ask yourself. Why? Because just like John Stockton and Utah Jazz won their game, if you want a job offer, you have to win on the playing field used to hire employees - the interview.

Think about it for just a moment. When you walk into an interview, from the moment, you drive into the parking lot you are being evaluated. And you can either score points (offense) or you get no points (defense). When John Stockton hit that 3-point shot, he was on offense. I submit to you that just like John, you must have an offensive strategy to knock down some 3-point shots to position yourself to win in the interview. You must have an offensive strategy every time you walk into an interview. If you score enough points during the interview, you will WIN and you will get a job offer. If you don’t, you won’t.

Remember my response to John Stockton’s 3-point shot? I was elated because my team won. I submit to you that we as human beings want to win… and when we do, my goodness, it feels good. Most people have a similar response when they land the job they always wanted. The bottom line is you expect your team WIN when they go out on the field! Period. Have the same expectation for yourself when you walk into an interview!

How Do You Score Points in an Interview?

1. Develop an Offensive Strategy
2. Be On Time For The Interview
3. Execute Your Strategy
4. Communicate your Strengths
5. Minimize your Weaknesses
6. Be Knowledgeable
7. Communicate your skills and abilities by tying them into what they need to fill their opening
8. Be THE Solution to their problem
9. Be Candid
10. Be Prepared

Check back in a couple of days. I will be talking about how to develop an offensive strategy for now here is more information that will help you get started.

More Information:

1. Bump, Set, Spike - SCORE!
2. Do You Play to Win?

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POSTED IN: Preparation & Planning, The Interview