I have been working with a company recently that is looking for a key middle manager.  To say that the response to the ads was tremendous would be an understatement.  They’ve received hundreds of resumes from people in all walks of life — attorneys, executives, secretaries, longshoremen, and everything in between.

While the response has been good (in terms of numbers,) the ability of the potential candidates to sell themselves has been — well I don’t think it would be too strong to say it has been pathetic.  As I’ve listened in, I have to wonder how many of these people got their last job.  They’re horrible interviewees.

Let me just say this.  If you have to interview for a job, find someone who is knowledgeable in interviewing job applicants and video tape yourself being interviewed.  Then, after watching the video, ask yourself, “Would I hire this person?”  If not, make some adjustments.  Have the interviewer make suggestions on area in which you could improve.  Then get to it.  Perfect your ability to interview, and it will pay big dividends.

The bottom line is this:  We’re talking about what could potentially be hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.  Why would you go into that opportunity cold — without any preparation?  That’s crazy.  You need to be practiced and polished.  You need to be able to convince the interviewer that out of 100 (or potentially many more) candidates, you are the one with the right stuff.  You need to convince that interviewer that you are the only logical choice for the job.

As the old saying goes, if you can do that, nothing else matters.  If you can’t do that, nothing else matters.  (All of which is true at least until the day you start your new job.)