Using Rapport Building to Get a Job in 1 Hour!- My Actual Story

Many years ago, when I went to an interview for the post of sales manager in one of the Grade A companies, I expected the person interviewing me to be professional and was expecting someone who wears a tie and jacket.

I went for the interview in my best suit, with the most expensive tie and waited patiently in the meeting room. There came an old man, wearing a short sleeve shirt, no tie, and his hair is not even combed properly. He told me he is the boss of the company. I quickly undressed my suit and took out my tie, folded up my sleeves with his permission and mentioned that we will have a better conversation this way.

During the interview, he occasionally stands up, puts his hands in his pocket and walks to the window and speaks to me with his body facing the window.

I stood up, walked to the window, with my hand in my pocket and talked to him with my body facing the window!

Within the next 20 minutes, he was talking about his family and children and I was also talking about my family and children too…

He also talked about some issues on stock market and I also shared my views on the stock market.

Within the next 1 hour, he offered me the job on the spot!

How’s that with the Magic of Rapport!

Use it carefully, use it wisely, you can turn the impossible into possible!

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As a reminder, a common definition of effective is doing the right things at the right time to get the best results. However, in this post, I’d like to expand our thinking around the concept of being effective.

I believe increasing our “effectiveness” is more important than ever in creating and maintaining value to our organizations. It’s a must have and do career strategy.

An Expanded View
Consider effectiveness to not only be getting the right things done at the right time, but additionally identifying and  addressing needs, identifying potential solutions, and getting high-impact results.  In essence, effectiveness is beyond just executing tasks.

If this expanded view of being effective is to be realized, then what’s needed in order for this new version to occur?

Consider the following:
1.    Broader knowledge of the players involved in key situations, their roles, their strengths and weaknesses.
2.    A clear understanding of the core needs of the company.
3.    Identification and laser focus on the core needs of internal and external customers and how your role (and that of your team or department) addresses and impacts those core needs.
4.    How does the specifics of your job description contribute to the above.

Compiling the information to the above will craft a bigger picture from which to work to develop and increase your effectiveness. In fact, you may need to volunteer to tweak your job description.  There are a lot of job descriptions out there that are not “value based” job descriptions (meaning they are more about being busy than get high-impact results).

From this big picture access how you go about your work week, what you do with your time and how the tangible results of the day impact this big picture.  If you’re a manager, do the same with your team.

Then ask yourself this question, “Am I getting things done or am I getting things done that also impact the bigger picture.”   Getting things done that impact the greater picture are high impact results.

The irony of productivity is we can go a full work week, get things done and yet have little to no activity that significantly address the big picture.

Coaching Tip: Plan and work with the big picture in mind. Make sure to track and language your performance with this in mind. This is a beneficial strategy in performance reviews.  You can communicate and show how you’ve demonstrated results with more value.

Career Management Bonus Tip: This is also a great strategy for how to communicate your experience in a job interview.

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Start Where You Can

This success tip impacts your personal productivity, your success as a manager,  and the overall building of a successful career.

I have the great opportunity to meet people from all over the country. In many of my seminars ideas and solutions are presented that each person has the opportunity to take back to their organization for implementation.

At the beginning of each seminar I make the point that for some, it will take courage to try to implement something they’ve learned.

And then…there is the thought, “ Well what about this or that….”  My response?…”For the moment, just focus on what you can influence or control.”

For many of us in challenging work environments, who work in company cultures that are not ideal, it’s easy to get distracted by all that is not working or the many things that are wrong.

In any environment, to build professional success the key is to start where you can and maintain strategic focus. Direct your focus and all of your personal resources on the areas in which you do have influence and/or control.

In fact, check out Webster’s definition of control:
Control – to exercise restraining or directing influence over : regulate – to have power over : rule

I believe there is a lot of time and energy wasted giving attention to situations and circumstances that we may not be able to do anything about for the time being. So the key is  – focus…and maintain your focus on that which you can control and/or influence.

Power Tip: Make your piece of the world great!  Start with what’s happening at your desk. Then if you’re a manager, your team, your department, etc.

Key point: Perhaps what is happening in our piece of the world is good or only adequate, because our critical resources, (time, attention, motivation, energy) bleeds into things that will suck up those valuable resources all to no benefit.

Coaching Tip: Increase your awareness regarding what you give your energy to….any adjustments need to be made?

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Related to performance success, this is essential and I want to recommend a method that is a twist on the more traditional ways of approaching this.

To follow is a link to an assessment tool called – Annual Portfolio Evaluation.  What is unique about this assessment approach is the human part of the equation commonly known as our strengths and weaknesses is now reframed as an ASSEST OR LIABILITY, which is the language used on a company balance sheet and other company resources.

I think that this is the key advantage to using this approach.  You and those you use this with can feel a greater sense of responsibility to what you can contribute, in essence the value you and members of your team bring to an organization.  Framing it this way vs. “strength and weakness,” adds a whole new dimension to working in the context of human resource. In fact many use the word human capital vs. human resource.

This also can be used in developing a Personal Development Plan or integrating the information into any development program currently being used in any organization.

Conversely, there is something called a “liability.”  A liability is explained in Websters a follows:
3 : one that acts as a disadvantage : drawback.

This is a useful way of helping somone see that what would otherwise be considered a weakness is actually a cost.  The message is stronger – that behavior or lack of skill is costing you and the company.  There is a cost. As somone who runs my own firm, I am keenly aware of what weaknesses I have and how they tangibly translate into costing me money. Each employee needs to constructively feel that on some level.

This message and experience is much stronger than, “you’ve got a weakness.”

I recommend you download the free assessment sheet above and give it a whirl.  Got any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me at joann@joanncorley.com

To your success! JoAnn

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It’s a fact – EVERYBODY…every entity, potential employers, work comp lawyers are checking, researching, dare I say spying on you!

It is also a fact that ANYTHING on line about you is fair game.

If you google the phrase “facebook firing,” you’d be amazed at the amount of links that show up.

I want to bring two stories of late to your attention.  First a woman whose disability compensation was canceled and a Georgia teacher showing pictures of an overseas trip where she was innocently tasting and drinking wine….and yes ….she was fired for that!

1. Disability Piece

2. Georgia Teacher

Coaching Tip: Assess the pictures on your site.  Is there ANYTHING that could be misinterpreted regarding your employment.  Get feedback from others or a career advisor.

If you’d like a independent eye, I’d be happy to look at your site – just contact me here: joann@joanncorley.com

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There are 11 career management tips included in the blog post I read to support ones desire for career advancement and professional success. I’ve chosen my favorites. The link to the complete list is at the end of this post.

Strategies for Effective Career Building (these are my favorites from the original list with my modifications)

1. Nothing replaces smart hard work  – what is smart hard work?…work that gets results (it’s more than just being busy).

Joe’s version: In an industry where smoke and mirrors are used in abundance, take heed: Nothing can disguise the absence of hard work. And don’t confuse effort with results. (actually this should be another, separate tip). I don’t care how early you arrive or how late you stay—it’s about ROI.

2. We all have a personal tool kit - develop a personal portfolio that reflects some level of expertise with the willingness to continue to grow. More than ever, we’ve got to set ourselves apart.

Joe’s version: know yours and how to use it. As my mother told me on numerous occasions, I have special talents. Specifically, I’m a good consensus builder. You may be a killer salesman. Or extremely detailed. Whatever your “special talents” are, hone them and let them help define your personal brand.

3. It’s about teamwork, but know who is and isn’t on your team, meaning have “organizational savvy.” (This tip is about thinking about the word “team” in a different way.)

Joe’s version: I too hate office politics. And avoid them at all costs. Ignoring their existence is not only careless, but possibly counterproductive. Even if you don’t engage in them, someone else might on your behalf. Know who has the boss’s ear, who the players are, and who could take or leave ya. Whatever the political landscape in your company, it’s your reality and one you’ll have to navigate whether you like it or not.

4. Life is not always a box of chocolates—so decide how much you can take before you bail.  I say know where to draw the line and actively begin to develop and exit strategy.

Joe’s version: The perfect job doesn’t exist. I would imagine that even the taste-tester at Krispy Kreme has complaints about his gig (though I can’t imagine what they might be). Too often we hit tough times and jump ship for a lateral move or get frustrated and stop giving 110 percent. A career is like a relationship, so make sure you’re putting as much effort into trying to fix the problems as you put into feeling bad about them.

5. Individuality is to be respected—as long as you’re still part of the team. I say there is a “me” in team, as Michael Jordan use to say. There has got to be a quality me….to make the me in the word team stronger. A weak me contributes to a weak team.

Joe’s version: Sometimes, there is an “I” in team. It just has to be the right kind of “I”—distinctive yet collaborative, unexpected but on strategy. Don’t be afraid to stand out, but do make sure you don’t alienate your teammates in the process.

6. Sometimes you have to shout to be heard. Perhaps another way of framing shouting is being constructively vocal.

Joe’s version:  You’ve heard the phrase “Squeaky wheel gets the grease”? Well, take note: Occasionally, persistent voices are listened to. Don’t be afraid to speak up when you’re passionate about something.

7. Always be that ray of light in your boss’s/co-worker’s day.  Does your boss feel you are a help or a burden….that you are psychologically and emotionally reliable?

Joe’s version: This one’s simple. Surprise. Delight. Be the kind if individual you’d like to spend 200-plus days each year with. And to be clear—that’s much different from kissing ass.

Summary: This list is just plain old expert career advice and can serve as an excellent career management checklist…pass it on to people you really care about!

Coaching Tip: If you’re a manager, you can use this list to coach your team members in desired attitudes and behaviors.  It self empowering and helps them become contributors rather than just employees.

Source: Joe Hodas, senior vice president of brand communications at Vladimir Jones, a privately held, full-service advertising agency in Colorado. Link to full article…to see the complete list of 11.

Need any additional career guidance?…you can submit your dilemma here and get advice for free: Get Free Advice

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