We all have to go through this for a new job and that’s the interview. This word, a simple word, is enough to kill many people to get the job they want. Sure, it’s just another chat session with new people in a new place, but even if you know this, you just can’t pull off that interview. You stutter, you tremble while you speak, you fret and worse still, you spout vulgarities when you say something wrong or pass an incorrect comment in front of your interviewers, yes, and one of them is your future boss.
I know there are many books out there to teach you and guide you wonderfully assist in an interview, but there is no better way than to use a scene from the movie. The pursuit of happiness where Chris Gardner attends an interview at Dean Witter in a not-so-ideal condition as a case study. We will take a close look at each stage of the interview.
- Have confidence. Chris was feeling nervous, not just because of the interview itself, but he was thinking about how to explain his poor dressing to the interviewers. When his name was called out for the interview, it was evident that he was still very nervous (his body language, the hand signs, those eyes), feeling scared like all of us every time we go to an interview. However, he mustered his courage with an ‘all or nothing’ attitude and at the same time gave him confidence, as you can see from the way he approached Dean Witter, that body posture, those wide strides. You get the idea what I’m talking about here. Confidence is the key to taking the first step to winning this battle. Don’t overthink, just go in and do your best with everything you have.
- Look at the company. When Chris walks into Dean Witter, he stops by the main office, where he shows him his busy and hectic day at the company. He looks around, observing each individual (what they were doing) and the entire dynamic setting as he continues on his way to meet his interviewers. In the last part of his interview, he used his observation to his advantage by saying that he can demonstrate qualities such as diligence, seriousness, and team play. The 3 attributes were exactly what he saw in his eyes that it took to be a Dean Witter runner. Watch the company come in or wait to be called in for an interview. Know your motto, your products, awards and more. There are times when you may find something you didn’t find on your websites or ads. They will be of some use to you in some way.
- Professional etiquette. Chris extend your hand to give your interviewers a firm handshake. Now this is a very professional etiquette as you would see it in a business meeting. By doing so, you tell your interviewers that you respect them and also “reassure” them that someone is behaving like a business person. Imagine looking at a sloppy unprofessional person and a clean professional person, who will make you feel good? Who will you hire?
- Speak loud and clear. Now, throughout his interview, Chris spoke confidently, loud, clear, and to the point. At the same time, talk with hands waving from time to time and those hand gestures. Like the people you see giving seminars and talks, these are the confident people who are addressing hundreds or thousands of audiences when they deliver their speech. In an interview, speak like them and you will win more the hearts of your interviewers.
- Don’t try to lie about the obvious. It was very obvious that something was wrong before Chris came to the interview. Instead of thinking about lying, he told interviewers the truth about his arrest for parking tickets, ran out of the police station, and painted the apartment. Now if you have something obviously flawed or wrong, don’t try to lie or hide. Better to admit it, be honest than lie about it. Nobody likes liars and braggarts because these people will not fully trust the company if they are hired. A person who recognizes and is honest shows that he is someone who recognizes his mistakes and a trustworthy employee. Would you like someone to lie to you in front of your face often? I bet not.
- Be sincere with work and humble. The interviewer, Mr. Frohm, says that Chris is smart. Instead of answering “Yes, of course I am,” he responded with “I’d like to think so.” The interviewer also asked Chris if he wanted to learn this business and if he had started learning on his own and Chris responded with a firm “Yes” with a sincere “I really want to learn to be a broker.” “Look him in the eye. Respond to your interviewers sincerely that you want the job, that you want to work for the company and not give a look of” whatever-if-I-have-the-job-well-if-I-don’t-try- other-jobs. “Show them that you are hungry and eager to learn, and join them on board the company. Be humble because by not doing so, the interviewers will think you are some kind of know-it-all and no one likes a know-it-all. Smart alec neither learns nor listens.
- Sell yourself when you feel the odds are against you. Chris’ academic performance was not what the interviewers expected, even though he came first in his class and in the Navy radar class. It was a very small class in which being the first in them was not an achievement. Back then, they were odds for Chris, but he turned the tables by stating his principles, his good points, about finding answers he didn’t know how to answer, and easily admitting his ignorance to a question. All this in a safe way. Now if something is not going your way, maybe your flawed academic performance, your past experience that doesn’t match your expectations or whatever, you can still sell yourself on your own style, your principles or attributes that will show up as someone very interested in working, learning and growing with the company. Tell them how their social skills can greatly help them in exchange for their job. Is that fair enough?
- Smile and humor. Remember to smile. If possible, use a little light humor to show kindness to yourself and your ability to get along with people, your colleagues, and bosses. “He must have had some really nice pants.” LOL!
There you have it, 8 powerful skills you can definitely learn from Chris Gardner in the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness. The skills are real, not just saying “Oh, it’s just a movie.” These skills that can be applied to your job interview effectively. It is quite easy to acquire these 8 powerful skills – just watch the video clip so many times until you are familiar with the “exercise” and when Will Smith’s voice starts ringing in your head, you know that you have acquired the skills you need, powerful skills, excel in a job interview.
Full version at http://www.meandajob.com/8-powerful-interview-skills-you-can-learn-from-chris-gardner/