Bump, Set, Spike - SCORE!
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail is an old adage someone said once. But it is truly appropriate for strategic interviewing and the hiring process. After hiring hundreds of people in the call center industry, I am convinced that less than 5% of the people who come in for an interview are prepared. They want a job and they are hoping that this company or the next company will hire them.
Hoping to get hired doesn’t work. There is too much left to chance. That is not how the NBA or NFL players and coaches walk into their next game. The coach puts together a plan and the goal of these teams is to execute their offensive plan better than the other team executes their plan.
That is how I coach people to approach their next interview. Here is another sporting analogy that should drive the point home for you:
Back in the day, when I was a younger person, we used to play volleyball. How many of you remember the old rules for volleyball? Today, when you play volleyball, check the rules. If they are playing by the new rules, then you score points using rally points. But back in the day, in order to score points in volleyball you had to serve the ball and win the point. If for any reason, you didn’t win the point, it was a side out, and the other team would rotate. That’s how I remember the game. What does volleyball have to do with the hiring process, specifically THE INTERVIEW? Or any other sport for that matter?
Here’s my thoughts: In the game of volleyball, back in the old days, when you served the ball and played for the point, you were on offense. Much like any sport you play today, the only way to score a point is when you are on offense. Football, Basketball, Hockey, Volleyball. Think about it, if the Utah Jazz are running down the court on a fast break and the ball is blocked and recovered by the other team, the team that recovered the ball was originally playing defense. One of their players made an excellent defensive play and blocked the shot, and a teammate recovered the ball. The moment the recovery happens the other team is on offense moving down the court to their basket.
I believe that in every game of life, the team that scores the most points wins. I believe that principle is equally true in the "game of interviewing!" You must score when given the opportunity. Every time the interviewer ask you a question, you have an opportunity to score. What comes out of your mouth is "evaluated and scored." The more they like your answer the more points you will score. The less they like your answer the fewer points you will score. The person who scored the most points, will get the offer!
More to come on this topic, but think on what I am saying and share a comment!
Happy Interviewing!
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12 opinions for Bump, Set, Spike - SCORE!
Tough Questions? Great Answers! » Blog Archive » What is Your Greatest Weakness?
Jan 15, 2007 at 11:24 pm
[…] "What is your greatest weakness?" is one of the toughest questions to answer in an interview. This would be a question that you include in your preparation. You should be waiting for them to ask the question because you have prepared your answer ahead of time. If you prepare your answer it will be a point for your side. Given most people don’t prepare for their interviews, this answer could be one that differentiates you from your competition. […]
Tough Questions? Great Answers! » Blog Archive » So You’ve Been Fired!
Jan 18, 2007 at 12:57 am
[…] This question can help you score big in the interview or it can kill you! When they ask, "have you ever been terminated from a job?" If the answer is "YES", than be honest, tell the truth - "yes, I have been fired." Don’t leave that statement dangling out there. Follow it up with something like "But I have learned so much from my mistake." This is an accountability statement. No blame, no long story. In other words you are going to admit you have been terminated. You do not need to tell all of the gory details and most hiring managers are not going to want to hear about all of the gory details. They are more interested in determining whether you have grown from your experience or are you going to bring mess into their organization. It doesn’t matter who did what or who said what to whom. […]
Tough Questions? Great Answers! » Blog Archive » Season 6 - The Apprentice - Week 1
Jan 20, 2007 at 2:32 pm
[…] First Impressions matter - That is what Martin missed. Everything that comes out of your mouth in the interview will be used for or against you. You will either score big points or you will live to regret what you said. It made a difference for Martin and it will make a difference for you in your interviews. Think before you speak! […]
Tough Questions? Great Answers! » Blog Archive » Season 6 - The Apprentice - Week 3
Jan 25, 2007 at 7:25 pm
[…] Reminder: The team with the most points will always win the game! Simple math. Score points when you are interviewing or you will not win the game of interviewing. It is critical that you figure out what it will take to score big points when you are in the hiring process. […]
Tough Questions? Great Answers! » Blog Archive » S-E-C-R-E-T-S of Success
Feb 3, 2007 at 12:11 pm
[…] Make sure in your preparation you have a specific accomplishment that helps you define success. This is a great "free ball" question. This question gives you the opportunity to "toot your horn." Tell them something wonderful about your life accomplishments. Here is a framework for you to communicate your answer. "Success is ________________________ (you fill in the blank). For example, two years ago (or whatever the time frame is for you)…." […]
Tough Questions? Great Answers! » Blog Archive » Season 6 - The Apprentice - Week 5
Feb 12, 2007 at 2:01 am
[…] 2. Don’t Squander One Opportunity - Every opportunity you have to score points in the interview will either move you closer to your ultimate goal to get the job or not. Aaron’s behavior in the boardroom, both two weeks ago and this week is worth commenting on as a lesson for our learning. Mr. Trump was not impressed with Aaron during the board room. He prompted him for input that would help him make the decision to terminate a candidate. Aaron had nothing to say. He squandered an opportunity to make an impression, to score points. To highlight his strength in assessing people, problem-solving and overall demeanor. Every time you walk into an interview, you MUST demonstrate, discuss, and market yourself. Who are you and what do you bring to the table? If you can’t articulate and/or demonstrate who you are and what you will bring, I assure you, you will not get and offer. Aaron had the best opportunity to become the next Apprentice in my opinion. He was impressive in his wins, but he somehow missed that the interview process is ongoing. Every situation these candidates find themselves in, is an opportunity to differentiate them self from the other candidates. In the end, Aaron’s loss, is a gain for someone else. Who? I have no idea. But there is more to come in this 14 week job interview! […]
Why Do You Want This Job?
Jun 1, 2007 at 8:28 am
[…] believe that preparation is the most critical component for any jobseeker. This question should be a question that you have spent some time thinking about, […]
How Would Your Manager Describe You?
Jun 4, 2007 at 7:11 am
[…] Bump, Set, Spike, SCORE! I believe that in every game of life, the team that scores the most points wins. I believe that principle is equally true in the “game of interviewing!” You must score when given the opportunity. Every time the interviewer ask you a question, you have an opportunity to score. What comes out of your mouth is “evaluated and scored.” The more they like your answer the more points you will score. The less they like your answer the fewer points you will score. The person who scored the most points, will get the offer! […]
Fear And Trembling
Jun 25, 2007 at 11:25 pm
[…] Preparation is the key to minimizing your nerves. You MUST have a plan before you walk in the door. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” You should know what you want to say to the interviewer. If you have no idea, you have no business […]
Do You Know How You Come Across?
Jul 24, 2007 at 11:26 pm
[…] The more prepared you are for an interview, the more at ease you can be walking in the door. If you have an interviewing strategy, an offensive plan, you can walk into an interview with confide… Confident in your ability to communicate your skills and abilities and to compete for the […]
grimaud
Sep 22, 2007 at 1:26 pm
good story
Are You On Offense or Defense?
Oct 11, 2007 at 11:04 pm
[…] Bump, Set, Spike - SCORE! 2. Do You Play to Win? Tags:basketball game chicago bulls critical question fanatical fan interview […]
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