Why Should I Hire You?

(I’m awesome, obviously.)

I missed a couple of updates… I could pretend it didn’t happen, but that’s really not like me. I’m big on accountability. Truth be told there was an entry written while flying home last Wednesday but when I landed, I realized that it was almost identical to the previous entry I’d made and I couldn’t bring myself to post it (although I have now!) – I was also working on very little sleep having coming off that trip to Denver. I have zero excuse for not having updated on Friday except that I’ve been stressing myself out over an audit that I had this morning and an interview that I have tomorrow.

I wrestle with how much to talk about work in here, because history has shown that it’s not a good idea for bloggers to get too detailed about their jobs. (See Dooce.) My problem is that 80% of my time is spent working, thinking about work, or travelling to work while thinking about work. I’ve pretty much decided that while I can talk about my experiences at work I can’t write about my work specifically, or my coworkers in any detail. Sounds enthralling, doesn’t it?

So, yes, I have an interview tomorrow. I also have a blood test first thing in the morning. I’m sure this sounds like hell to most people, lucky for me I don’t mind blood tests, or interviews. I’m not a huge fan of preparing for interviews, however. It stopped being fun when interviewing, even for an internal position, became akin to applying for college.

Tips for Real Life Interviewing

1. Wear a suit, but wear a comfortable suit. If it’s ill fitting, or you’re tugging at your shirt, or you’re teetering in heels that you’re not used to wearing you’re going to look like a kid playing dress up. (Even if you’re applying to be a cage cleaner at the zoo – do not wear shorts or jeans to an interview.)

2. Prepare questions. Google them if you have to, but have at least five questions specific to the position or role you’re applying to fill.

3. Speaking of Google – look up the company you’re applying to work for. If you know something about the company that will help. You can ask more specific questions this way and it will show them that you’re serious.

4. A 100-day plan is important, very much so if you’re an internal candidate. It shows that you’re aware of the job responsibilities and you have a plan in place to hit milestones.

5. While you’re at it make a brag book. It doesn’t have to be a two inch binder of work samples, but bring three solid examples of projects that apply to the position you’re applying for. (It helps if they were successful projects, “learning” experiences from “test” programs can only work in a current position. )

6. Don’t be afraid to laugh. I mean, don’t start making dead baby jokes, but feel free to smile and have fun. There’s no reason an interview has to be painful, and no one wants to work with an awkward, wet blanket.

Now wish me luck, I’m going to need it.