Yes, there are at least three of YOU
that should be manifest on the resume and expressed during the interview. We often forget that we as individuals play
many different social roles in our lives. We often forget that a potential
employer does not hire us, but rather the people working for the employer who
read our resume or interview us make the decision to hire. Does this begin to look like a human-to-human
communication opportunity?
Jobs always have knowledge, experience
and salary range requirements. The more
sophisticated companies may even want to look for a cultural fit. If hiring was
a matter of just checking off the requirements and the right words on the
resume, then a computer could do all the hiring. So why do we interview?? Why do we need human-to-human communication??
As a former VP of HR, my experience is
that the finalist for the interview pretty much meets the job
requirements. We may have a favorite,
but we have learned over time that we are usually right 50% of the time! The
interview will let us know if YOU are real, if YOU are what your resume claims,
and IF WE LIKE YOU.
So what does that have to do with
bringing all three (3) of YOU to the resume and interview? Read up on your social neurosciences and you
will find articles that discuss how the brain operates at a subconscious level,
always checking to see if the other person is a threat, to be trusted, self-centric,
likable, someone will care about our success and play nicely with others, and
the list goes on. Your gut nags you
about some people and brings a smile to your face (you have no control over
this) with other people.
And now for the three (3) of YOU
discussion. You have three very basic
social roles to take advantage of the other human brains evaluating your resume
and interviews. First is the Organizational YOU identified by the title of your
previous jobs; for example, “as a Neurology
Technician II at City Hospital, I …” Using the title and organization name can
generate a sense of credibility. It also
confers a sense of individual accomplishment within an organizational setting. You can trust me, City Hospital did!
The second
YOU is the Professional YOU. For example, “I want to keep learning more about
the neurological health issues of children. I want to pursue …” which
demonstrates a self-directed professional development which is very high on the
list of desired traits of an employee. It can also ATTUNE to the experiences of
the other person and their mirror neurons start to say “this is ok as it worked
for me.” You are like the other person,
which is translated in the brain as I Like You.
And the third
YOU is the Personal YOU. Somewhere in
the interview process you need to say “Personally, I find I value my interest
in neurology as an opportunity to not only make a career, but to also help my
patients.” Just why do you want this job
– personally? ALWAYS be genuine in any
personal response because the mirror neurons on the other person are about 80%
effective as “crap detectors.” Once you
fib about anything personal, you are a zero for trust.
ACTION STEP:
Resume: The Organizational
YOU is already in your work history. It is not too difficult to get the Professional
YOU language such as ‘professionally I am seeking …” on page one. The Personal YOU is more difficult and should
only be used if it blends with the job you are seeking. If applying with a
“caring type” organization, then use a Personal YOU statement. If applying to a “for-profit type” firm, skip
it.
Interview: This is
critical language for the interview. Use the Organizational YOU at least
twice early in the interview. Transition to the Professional YOU toward the
middle and end of the interview. Save
the Personal YOU not for last, but at about the 80% complete part of the
interview. Change the pace when you talk personal; slow down and keep eye
contact. Never ever make up stuff about the Personal YOU.
There are
more of YOU that can be displayed during the hiring process once you master
this basic technique! Go for IT!
