I made a huge mistake - I tried to get the job

I made a huge mistake - I tried to get the job

It was a few years ago now.

I’d been put on a short list of coaches to work with a leadership team and they wanted an interview.

This was a first time for me.

Usually its client referral or a (LinkedIn) connection.

Something about the process - 2 person interview - going to their office. It completely threw me.

I ended up TRYING to get the job.

Selling myself

Giving ‘intelligent’ answers

Showing the highlight reel - 🤦‍♂️

All a huge mistakes.

See they wanted to hire someone to fix their problem.

And if they knew what was required to fix their problem, they wouldn’t HAVE a problem in the first place.

- I needed to learn what their problem(s) was.

- What they had tried.

- What they believed was the cause of the problem(s) and what was preventing them from solving it.

- What the consequences of not solving it were now and in the future.

- What systems and processes they were using in the organisation that were ACTUALLY causing the problem.

Then from that position my only job is to diagnose their problem and tell them the treatment I would suggest.

Would this guarantee my getting the job? No

But they would have a very clear idea of my knowledge, skill and way of working as well as more clarity on their problem.

I would have a very clear idea of how they think, how they operate and whether I wanted to work with them.

Ultimately nobody hires anyone for fun. They do it because they have a problem that they want solving.

Lesson learned… again.

An interview is your opportunity to explore, understand and diagnose their problem and then present your proposed solution.

Chances are you’ll be the only person who takes that approach too. And you’ll find it easier to dodge getting into the wrong job too.

Have you ever found yourself with the wrong hire or in the wrong job because you were SOLD something?