By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
“Every at-bat brings me closer to the next home run.” – Babe Ruth
This past weekend we were lucky enough to avoid all the snow, ice, and power outages that many of you experienced. My wife is in a quiet retreat in upstate and western New York and has forwarded all the photos of the snow. My son in Vermont is experiencing sub-zero temperatures before the wind chill. We caught up yesterday with several inches of snow while experiencing unseasonably cold weather (single digits). My wife has a four wheel drive vehicle that we own so I will stay in it until the roads are cleared.
I have always enjoyed adapting my coaching practice to different types of services and products. For example, I launched a new service called The Interview Intel Snapshot where we can Generate customized intelligence profiles for upcoming interviews Based on your resume and job description. I’ve also released a new e-book on Amazon, No-BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Earns Respect, Opens Doors, and Reflects Your Value. The book will soon be available on JobSearch.Community as part of any Insider program you join and as an individual purchase.
The skills required to find a job are completely different from the skills required to complete the job. Most people are experts in the latter, but confused about the former. In my years of coaching, I’ve seen thousands of candidates self-sabotage simply because they didn’t understand the “no bullshit” rule of the interview game.
Here’s a detailed look at the nine most common ways your opportunities are compromised, and how to fix them.
9 ways to shoot yourself in the foot during an interview
The skills required to find a job are completely different from the skills required to complete the job. Most people are experts in the latter, but confused about the former. In my years of recruiting and coaching, I’ve seen thousands of candidates self-sabotage simply because they didn’t understand the “no bullshit” rules of the interview game.
Here’s a detailed look at the nine most common ways your opportunities are compromised, and how to fix them.
1. Undermining your negotiating position early
Salary questions often come up during the initial phone interview. If you commit to a number too early, you lose leverage.
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repair: Put it back on them. ask, “Can you tell me the budget range for this position?” * Operation “Baseball Park”: If they press, provide a research scope based on market data and then tie it to fit: “Based on my research on this level of liability, I see $X to $Y. I’m confident that once we determine this is appropriate, we can agree on a fair package.”
2. Give “canned” answers
If you find your answer in a generic “top 10” list, don’t use it. The interviewer immediately smelled the script.
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repair: The goal is Authenticity + Strategy. Use the Best Friend Test: Practice your answers as if you were talking to a friend. This is your true core. Now, polish it into a professional setup without sacrificing sincerity.
3. Explore negative questions
Don’t vent when asked about bad bosses, layoffs, or gaps in your resume. use ABC tools:
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A – Analysis: Why do they ask? (usually to check your emotional intelligence).
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B – Simplicity: Keep the negative part to 40 seconds or less.
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C – Positive Circle: Use what you learned or what you’re doing now to improve, around “bad” news.
4. Be an “aimless person”
In our ADHD culture, you have about 60 to 75 seconds before the interviewer exits.
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repair: Signal the end of your answer. Use a “down note” in your voice to indicate you’re done, or to return to the question: “…That’s why I believe this project is my most significant success to date.”
5. Reactive, not proactive
Don’t just wait for them to ask the “right” questions. You have to know your key selling points.
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repair: In your “tell me about yourself” introduction, connect your history to their needs. Use this sentence: “Probably the most relevant thing to this role is my experience [X]”. This immediately made the interviewer’s ears perk up.
6. Wait until the end to ask questions
An interview should not be an interrogation; This should be a conversation. The more an interviewer talks, the more they usually like the candidate.
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repair: Ask questions early. If they ask vague questions, clarify: “I’d love to answer this question – are you more interested in the technical execution, or the way I manage the team during the transition?” ### 7. Generally saying “I am a hard worker” is a meaningless phrase.
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repair: use Quantity and stories. If you can’t use dollar amounts, use percentages, quantities, or anecdotal feedback. Specificity creates memory; universality is forgotten.
8. Forget “soft” proofs
Everyone claims to be a “team player.” Don’t tell them; show them through your actions.
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repair: Treat everyone with genuine respect – from the receptionist to the junior staff member. use soar Frame your story: SCondition, oxygenTarget, oneaction, and rightresult. focus on right. What is the practical impact?
9. Failure to conduct “live” exercises
think the answer is different explain Answer.
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repair: Practice out loud. Record yourself on video to capture distracting behavior or lack of energy. You don’t get to the championship game without a scrimmage. Don’t go into an interview without a mock run.
Final thoughts: Interviewers are scared too
Hiring managers are often “fearful of the system.” They know that a bad hire can cost the company a third of their annual salary and make them look bad in the eyes of their own bosses. Your job is to provide “no nonsense” evidence so they feel comfortable choosing you.
Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2026
I shared a lot of new content last week, including:
Is electrician a good job for someone who didn’t go to college?
Employer Branding: Have you tried video job descriptions?
How to proofread your resume
Recruiters know something you don’t: They won’t fill that many positions
When a company wants to give you a written test
LinkedIn’s #opentowork post
Informational Interviews: A Short Script for Web Email Requests
No BS Career Advice: January 25, 2026
New! LinkedIn Premium: Free for students!
College graduates’ misunderstandings about job hunting
Self-promote yourself into the job
LinkedIn’s #opentowork post
Is it illegal to make someone wait for an hour?
Is that recruiter legitimate?
If your resume does not contain numbers
How long does it take to screen resumes?
Stupid Interview Mistake: Messy Answers
Executive Network: Attracting Opportunities
Employer Brand: Attracting Talent
Should you tell your boss where you’re going?
What makes networking effective
Cracking Case Study Interviews
Silly Interview Mistakes: Criticizing the Past
Executive Network: Attracting Opportunities
Mastering Executive Branding: A C Suite Professional’s Guide
Imposter Syndrome Reality Check
Individual Contributor vs. Executive Bios: What’s Changing and Why
How do recruiters find you to fill job openings?
A recession-proof career: Help achieve company goals and improve yourself
The trap that everyone falls into
What should I do if they want me to write a proposal for a client?
Individual Contributor vs. Executive Bios: What’s Changing and Why
Beyond keywords: How LinkedIn’s AI can redefine your professional brand
Why do so many interviews?
Your digital first impression may get you rejected
Schedule a free discovery call with me: www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule Discuss my guidance for you during your job search and beyond.
Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen or watch podcasts. I’ll be posting new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
#BeGreat
Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC
People around the world hire me to provide no-nonsense job coaching, career guidance, and career advice because I make the job search easier | I help executives log in when others can’t
