Position Yourself for Success

The Scenario: You applied for a position and have been contacted for an interview, or a recruiter has arranged for you to interview with one of her clients.

The Problem: You are not sure you want the job.

The Discussion: The good news is that no one has offered you the job yet. So let’s analyze the situation from a positive point of view.

They want to meet you. That’s great! It’s an opportunity, and opportunities are what life is all about. You should focus on getting prepared. You have nothing to lose and much to gain. Don’t question or doubt it—Go for it!

Interviews are an opportunity to learn about a company and its culture and environment, and a specific position that may give you more responsibility, present a new challenge and almost certainly improve your financial condition. Making a career move may also help you balance other aspects of your life. The new position may allow you to work closer to home, have more flexible hours, receive better insurance and benefits, have more flex time, or even have on-site daycare for your children. The competition among companies to attract top talent is intense, and the perks they offer are designed to incentivize you.

Occasionally, I have seen job seekers prejudge opportunities or decide something is not right for them before they have the facts on which to base that decision. Don’t make that mistake. It is important to open yourself up to the opportunity and learn about it first.

Your goal in an interview should always be to position yourself for success. You want to be sought after, rather than seeking. So make sure you take the interview process seriously and always bring your “A” game. Remember, first impressions count. Even if they decide not to offer you this particular position, you want them to always remember you and hold you in high regard. You never know what other opportunities may come up that are the right fit for you.

Treat each opportunity as though it is the one you’ve always dreamed of. Always be at your best. Decide later whether it is the right fit for you or not. By being open to opportunities and going in with the right attitude, you will position yourself for success!

Jonathan Broder is the author and founder of Strategic Professional Staffing www.stratpros.com and his blog is at www.stratprose.com