Two Ears One Mouth; Use Them That Way.
Well I am going to hold off on providing posts with internet resources for finding jobs. Instead I am going to spout off my wisdom from the front line of job searching for a while longer. Why, you ask? Because I feel like it. I am not ready to give away my own personal trade secrets yet. I will someday, just not now. So if you have read a few of my most recent posts and were looking for some tips on where to go for more info (outside of the library) you will have to wait until some other time. Sorry to keep you hanging. On to my wizzzdommm...
A wise man once told me that when it comes to selling anything including yourself for a new job, you have two ears and one mouth; use them that way. What it meant was that listening was MORE important than talking if you want to sell anything to anyone. Yes, it was important to listen more to a buyer than it is to talk about what you are selling.
What a tough concept. Logic states that when I am selling myself in an interview or when I meet someone who I want to work for, I should explain the benefits to my features. That way someone can "find a fit" for me in their company. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! This is not the way. This is hollow advice from hollow people. The people you are interviewing with won't try and find a fit for you, they want to make this hiring process much less difficult. Do you fit their bill or not?
It is much more important to ask good questions to uncover clues to why someone wants to buy or hire you. The answers to well planned and thought out questions often unveil someones true intention. It is not sneaky but perceptive. You might be the most knowledgeable or possess the best leadership skills or the best project management skills but if the person I am speaking to is looking for a good hands on technical person, I have lost their interest in me.
There is an art to asking good, well thought out questions. We will get into that probably tomorrow. As a preview, good questions have a genesis in uncovering some hidden "key". This key, if found can open the door to any job. Questions are the basis of determining where the keys are.
I had two meetings today. It is a great day when I have two. Most days I barely have one. Every meeting I pride myself in doing as I said above; asking more questions than talking. I was able to uncover some real issues with a new client and a new business proposal with a well seasoned recruiter. Let's see where it leads me.
Two different coffees today. Starbucks half-caf and Jolta Java straight decaf. I like J.J. very much but their decaf stinks. Most places don't have good decaf. If you have been to J.J. it is a great place to go but drink the jittery stuff or eat the food.
Let's Get Started!
A wise man once told me that when it comes to selling anything including yourself for a new job, you have two ears and one mouth; use them that way. What it meant was that listening was MORE important than talking if you want to sell anything to anyone. Yes, it was important to listen more to a buyer than it is to talk about what you are selling.
What a tough concept. Logic states that when I am selling myself in an interview or when I meet someone who I want to work for, I should explain the benefits to my features. That way someone can "find a fit" for me in their company. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! This is not the way. This is hollow advice from hollow people. The people you are interviewing with won't try and find a fit for you, they want to make this hiring process much less difficult. Do you fit their bill or not?
It is much more important to ask good questions to uncover clues to why someone wants to buy or hire you. The answers to well planned and thought out questions often unveil someones true intention. It is not sneaky but perceptive. You might be the most knowledgeable or possess the best leadership skills or the best project management skills but if the person I am speaking to is looking for a good hands on technical person, I have lost their interest in me.
There is an art to asking good, well thought out questions. We will get into that probably tomorrow. As a preview, good questions have a genesis in uncovering some hidden "key". This key, if found can open the door to any job. Questions are the basis of determining where the keys are.
I had two meetings today. It is a great day when I have two. Most days I barely have one. Every meeting I pride myself in doing as I said above; asking more questions than talking. I was able to uncover some real issues with a new client and a new business proposal with a well seasoned recruiter. Let's see where it leads me.
Two different coffees today. Starbucks half-caf and Jolta Java straight decaf. I like J.J. very much but their decaf stinks. Most places don't have good decaf. If you have been to J.J. it is a great place to go but drink the jittery stuff or eat the food.
Let's Get Started!
posted by Jeff at
2:49 PM
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