I have been reading a lot of Godin, and i came to a comple of interesting realiziations. First and formost, I enjoy him greatly. However, Asi listened to Free Prize and Purple Cow, i found Seth preaching what I already know. Not all by ANY stretch, but most. I at first thought this was kinda weird. As I listened to Purple Cow, I couldn't shake this feeling that I was missing something, or just not seeing what he was saying and then it hit me light lighting. This book is not for me. This book is to be placed in the hands of a boss to have them listen to a known expert in the field back me up and realize I am not pulling marketing ideas out of my ass. Brilliant!
It is with seth in mind however, I prepped for the interview. My process is pretty simple. I make copies of the resume i sent and stick then in my folio, I find out who is interviewing me, I read everything I can about the job and people. I try to guess the questions that will be asked so I have a frame of reference, but often settled for prepping 3 questions and/or suggestions for improvement, including one REAL oddball question I KNOW will not be asked. Then suit up and show up at least 10 minute early and leisurely read whatever paraphernalia might be on the tables. Most of all I relax so I can be myself, confident that the background research I have done.
This ritual of sorts led me to a conversation with a friend about interviews. They have a laid back view about interviews, the preparation for it, and the follow through. It boggled my mind. For me, an interview is a sales events. You the salesperson pitch yourself as a product to potential consumers, aka your employers to be. It's often a pithed battle with tough completion gunning for the same. Unless you research the target audience (your interviewers), prep follow up questions of your own, know your product (self) and what parts to emphasis, you are in trouble. More to the point though, I feel like its not a matter of bringing you "A Game" its a matter of being memorable. Saying something that sticks in their brains so when the dust settles its you that resonates in their minds.
Here is an example: I interviewed this morning in a college admissions dept, and was asked how would I go about expanding. My answer was to think Inside the Box. I got more then a few strange looks, but as I went on to explain that the box is the range of existing influences. Outside the box are individuals with no ties to the college, even tangential ones. If we target persons outside "the Box", its a crap shoot and a waste of resources. If instead we focus inwardly, strengthening ties to the college, tapping alumni, families, or even persons who have visited SMC for other functions, we already have an in. Lets reconnect with a '81 grad who might have a nephew who's 17.
The rest is window dressing, but the statement of "I think we should think 'Inside the Box'" hopefully will stick in their heads.
Interesting side note:
I discarded an idea that occurred to me. I thought "I should bring a batch of fresh back cookies to the interview" and after chuckling thought why don't I? Isn't that a wow factor? Is it unprofessional, or unconventional? I would think it depends on the job you are going for, but does it really? In this world of video resumes, isn't there something to be said for the unconventional and memorable arrival of cookies? I think I might ask Mr Godin.