By Arnie Sherr
“Hey, don’t you remember me? We met about 5-years ago; in fact, we had dinner together at The Palm. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
How embarrassing; I cannot bear to tell her that not only do I not remember her or that diner, I cannot even recall her name. Is she putting me on?
Sounds like an episode of “Two and a Half Men”; but remember, TV emulates life. Why does she remember me and I cannot recall any of it. Is there something wonderful about me or am I just that unforgettable? I do not think that much of me as to believe I so wonderful or, for that matter, unforgettable.
So why then do some remember what others cannot?
Many times, it may have little or nothing to do with he or she remembered. It may have been a time in her life when this happenstance meant something special; perhaps after a hurtful breakup from a significant another. Maybe, she had never eaten that The Palm and always fantasized at doing so. Who really knows? What I do know is that I cannot remember a thing about that night.
Whatever the reason, she was impacted in a way or ways that caused that experience to be engrained in her memory. It may have been me or something totally unrelated to me.
As a writer of resumes, I try to write documents that influence their readers in ways that cause an indelible impression; one that stays vivid even after interviewing several others.
What is amazing about this noble objective is that seldom do I know if what I have written actually worked. Did the circumstance I describe happen or was it perhaps that my customer(s) were last or near last to interview. I guess I will never know. Nevertheless, I continue to try.
What is it that makes one public speaker more impacting than another? Hey, there are several 6th grade teachers. Why is it some excel and others do not? Their lesson plans are identical; their schools the same, their class IQs equal; what then makes the difference?
If not the content, what then makes the difference?
When our political decision makers assess how students are doing in school, they foster a direct coloration between results and those whose task it is to promote them. It generally falls as the responsibility of teachers to teach in ways that elevate student progress. Most teachers emanate from similar collegiate accomplishments; they teach varying grades but do so with the best interests of their students in mind. So why then do some classes do better and others fall short?
I can certainly understand that teachers after preaching the same subject repeatedly may become somewhat complacent. In addition, such complacency may result in lessening enthusiasm. Then there are teachers who remain engaged irrespective of the content of their teachings. After all, teachers are humans too.
Why is it Wayne Dyer, PhD captivates his audiences over-and-over. He does not appear to me as particularly flamboyant. However, he does sound engaged, actually believing that which he professes. His enthusiasm rings true with every word, every statement and every message. Even non-believers become interested if only to criticize it later. He owns that quality to leave a lasting impression.
While attending High School, in the year 19??, I had a biology teacher that, at least for me, was so engaging that I never had to study for his exams and I aced them all. Every word and every thought engrained in my mind. Given that, I had no interest in biology before or since; it is amazing that I aced his class based solely on his ability to induce my memory sensors like no other teacher before or after. It is the same phenomenon I experience when listening the Dr Dyer, and a few others. For the most part, such impressionable speakers are rare. I suspect that is true for most of us.
My friends, the interview is no different. Unless you are the lone candidate in an emergency hiring situation, the chances you will get a job on the spot is remote, to say the least. Someone or a few will have to remember your interview and what is worse, they will have to remember it after interviewing any number of others after you.
This is why I preach role-playing repeatedly. Planning your interview script and following it as if a part in a three times daily performance, play. After all, one might equate the offer of employment as your trophy.
In today’s volatile and highly competitive jobs environment you must be at the top of your game.
My message is clear…
“If you have never properly acted before, get an acting coach; if you have never properly interviewed, get an interview coach. In both cases, your future depends upon it.”
Recent Comments