1 Question Stands Between You and Career Success
No. 3: Be mysterious.
This approach is especially effective if you have gaps on your resume, such as your sudden departure from your last job when it was discovered you had four printers, 125 staplers and six cases of jumbo paper clips in the trunk of your car, or you need to explain the three years you didn't work because no one was desperate enough to hire you.
"I would love to tell you everything about myself," you whisper, "but I am forbidden to do so because of the Official Secrets Act of 1951. I can't say I was working for the CIA during this period, but if you persist in probing into my background, I can say that you are putting our national security at risk and embedded operatives will respond with extreme prejudice. Now, shall we talk salary?"
No. 4: Be honest.
If all else fails, you might have to tell the truth about yourself.
"I am motivated by money and probably won't cause trouble if I am left alone and not required to do anything against my principles, like work."
Sound good? Good! You are now ready to go out and fearlessly interview, unafraid of the big bad question.
Tell me about yourself?
"I am a mysterious Zen poet who loves clogging, competitive dog grooming and money."
Will this get you the job?
I think you have your answer.
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Bob Goldman was an advertising executive at a Fortune 500 company. He offers a virtual shoulder to cry on at bob@bgplanning.com. To find out more about Bob Goldman and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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