Job interview excitement
We have all seen, heard about, or been through the following:
He said: “I detailed her car, I bought her flowers, I mowed her mom’s lawn, and I went to Twilight with her for god’s sake! How can she not realize I am crazy about her?”
She said: “He’s really cute. He’s nice, but he never told me he cared about me. He never told me he loved me.”
She ended up going out with another guy who didn’t say or do any of the above and treated her like crap. The difference, he did say those three magic words: “I love you, baby.” (ok, four words)
Did you know the same thing happens during job interviews every day?
Candidate Johnny said:
- “I like this industry.”
- “What you guys are doing in this space is fascinating.”
- “I see a long-term career here.”
- “The culture you have built here is amazing. I would love the opportunity to work with you.”
Hiring manager
“I thought he was a great candidate, but I didn’t get the impression that he really wanted to join the company. It sounded like he just wanted a job. On the other hand, Johnny was gushing about how excited he was about working here at Acme Publishing.”
Hiring managers are from Venus, and candidates are from Mars.
You feel excited and think you’re showing interview excitement, but you’re saying everything except that you’re excited. You are not committing with those three words every girl wants to hear: “I love you.” But in this case, the hot girl is the hiring manager, and the three magic words are “I’m really excited about this opportunity.” (OK, six words, why do you think I am in HR?) What you are saying and what the hiring manager hears are different.
What you said and what she heard:
You said you loved her hair and her taste in music, but you didn’t say you loved her.
Hiring managers need to hear, see, and taste your interview excitement. You need to light up like the day after your first date with Mr. Right, where everyone can see you are happy, excited, and nervous simultaneously. You need to light up like you just hit a bases-loaded, the bottom-of-the-ninth, game-winning home run. I need to hear these words with a smile on your face and your eyes wide open. The following is exactly what I need to hear; it is my gift to you. Go ahead and use it:
“I am really excited about this opportunity. You’re doing everything right and have assembled a great team. I would really like the opportunity to contribute to what you have created here. I could get really excited about this place!”
The above is interview excitement.
Don’t dance with your words
This is not the time to dance around those three special words. This is not the time to say everything up to those three special words and then back off. You need to lay all of your cards on the table. Trust me, while you are with your friends trying to explain how you are Mr. Perfect, your hiring manager is cheating on you with a douchebag candidate. Mr. Douche has a (dare I say it). . . a shorter resume than you and is not going to be shy about telling her what she needs to hear.
This economy is akin to that of a single woman at a gold mining camp deep in the Alaskan wilderness. When there is only one woman, the guys have to go for broke. Playing hard to get and waiting for her to chase you doesn’t work. This isn’t the time for mind games. Flowers, dinner, and chocolates aren’t going to be enough. She needs to HEAR that you are excited to be with her and having a good time.
The economy
With one job and many applicants, you just became a gold miner deep in the Alaskan bush. You need to convey excitement during the interview.
A few ways you communicate you are NOT interested in the position:
- Come to the interview dressed in your everyday, casual attire. (Would you show up with that outfit to a first date?)
- You did not take the time to visit the website and learn about the company. (Would you have looked at her Facebook and LinkedIn pages if you were interested in her?)
- Have zero questions for the interviewer.
- Do not know who our competitors are or any recent developments.
- Show up late. (Do little children wake up at 11:00 am on Christmas morning or 6:00 AM?
- Avoid using the words “excited,” “exciting,” and “excitement” during your interview. If you do, be specific.
Being qualified isn’t enough. Just being able to do the job isn’t enough. You need to convey interview excitement; you need to say those 6 words and you need to say it more than once.
Like a Boss!
See you at the after party,
HRNasty
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Joseph Sunga
August 22, 2012Great stuff. Excitement and exuding positive vibes can change the whole tone of an interview and a lot of people don’t take advantage of that. It’s one of the many things you can control during an interview.
HRNasty
August 23, 2012Dude, thank you so much for stopping by and the support! Yes, this one is free! You are absolutely correct! You don’t have to do anything, you don’t have to study anything. You control this piece of it and it makes such a HUGE difference. Great to see you here.
Lou
August 21, 2012HRNasty it’s like you read my mind- not only did I just get back from vacationing
in Alaska, but last week I had an interview where it was clear that interview excitement
played a substantial role in hiring. Now if I could’ve just gotten this right in between
the two occurrences, you could be my life coach! Great points all around.
HRNasty
August 23, 2012Lou, Thanks for the the comment and the support. Alaska? Where about? I love Alaska and try to make it up there at least once a year to go fly fishing. Anytime you need a coach, just stop by or email. I would be flattered. Yes, you are right on! The smile, this little gesture plays a huge yet subtle role.