Think As Inc

AVOIDING JOB SEARCH BOBBLES

February 22, 2010 on 1:18 am | In career coaching | 2 Comments

The ball pops out of the shortstop’s glove, even though it went straight at him.  “Oh, he bobbled it,” the sportscaster calls.  It’s not a career-ender, but it may get the runner on, and maybe that runner will score.  In the end, the bobble may be costly.  Job search bobbles are small and may fall under the radar.  But, they can be costly, so try to avoid them:

PRESENTATION COUNTS.  A true story:  Mickey Mouse dress socks peek from under a candidate’s slacks as he sits down TO GET HIS OFFER.  The candidate doesn’t get the offer, as the employer interprets his choice of socks as a lapse in professional judgment. 

TIMING IS EVERYTHING.  Get to your interview fifteen minutes early.  There may be forms to fill out.  There may be security hurdles to clear in the lobby reception.  There may be a slow elevator.  All three are true for just one employer for whom I recruited. 

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY.  Your word processing program only catches words that are misspelled.  It won’t catch words that are out-of-context.  If a salesperson does “meat” clients, perhaps she should be a butcher.  Even the most vulgar trader probably doesn’t work in “pubic” finance.  There may be a “Colombia” University in Bogota, but not in New York. 

In short, be conservative.  Dress in proper business attire.  Give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview.  Proofread all of your correspondence.  Bobbles are only funny on the highlight reel.