By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
EP 3108 You think you’re ready, but you keep losing to weaker candidates. Typical interview advice is to set yourself up for failure. We lift back the curtain on the recruitment process to reveal the real psychological triggers and critical mistakes that cause interviewers to psychologically reject you in the first five minutes. Stop guessing what they want. Listen now to get the no-nonsense script to dominate any interview and get the offer every time.
Use this 15-minute strategy to land a job (even before posting)
Okay, let’s get started. If you want to stand out and really stand out in your next interview, no matter your age, this is for you. We’ll make you their first choice with a simple, no-nonsense guide.
You know, that’s the thing, isn’t it? This is what keeps many seasoned professionals up at night. There’s a nagging fear that your years of hard work might be viewed negatively. But what if we could completely flip this script? What if this experience is actually your most powerful weapon? Prosperity is here.
This sentence illustrates exactly the core idea we are unraveling. The game is not about counting the years on your resume. It’s about one thing and one thing only, proving that you are the direct solution to their problem.
Right there, that’s the mindset that changes everything. So our first stop was probably the most important one. It’s all about changing your perspective.
You have to shift your focus from past accomplishments to your passion for the future. See, winning an interview starts long before you answer the first question. It starts here, in your mind, with how you construct your own value.
I mean, think about it, right? Companies are made up of people. People are attracted by enthusiasm. They were kind of seduced by it.
They’re not just looking for someone who can do the job. They’re looking for people who are really passionate about doing this. Your enthusiasm is an extremely powerful and persuasive force.
Well, if passion is the secret, how do you actually showcase it in an interview? Well, that brings us to our second point. You have to show that passion, not your qualifications. Let’s break down how to turn this feeling into real, concrete action.
It really comes down to these three things. First, you must fill yourself with peak energy, not waning energy. Second, let your excitement for the actual role and its challenges show through.
Third, your questions should be about what happens next, about the future. This shows that you are invested in their future, not just your own past. I like this sentence.
It just crystallizes the whole idea, doesn’t it? It’s a simple but profound shift for your posture and energy. You’re not looking for the final chapter. You’re looking for your next big challenge.
This is the vibe you want to project. Now, a super critical tactical shift in how you talk about your value. Simply feeling passionate is not enough.
You have to speak powerful words. This section focuses on results, not timing. Honestly, this may be the most important change you make.
Just look at the power of this contrast. It’s day and night. I have 25 years of experience.
Well, so what? This is abstract. This is passive. But last quarter my revenue increased by 20%.
This is a concrete result. It’s very active. This is what hiring managers really care about.
What can you do for them. This number tells a story. It talks about impact, effectiveness and value.
Recruiters know something you don’t: They won’t fill that many positions
Think of it this way. Your years of experience are kind of like a backstory. But the numbers themselves are the title.
You always, always start with a title. You know the other big thing hiring managers worry about? Whether the candidate is stuck in the past. This is why our fourth point is so important.
Your digital first impression may get you rejected
You have to show your adaptability. Your job is to proactively prove that you are built for the future and not just stuck in the past. This is huge.
Don’t just claim to be adaptable. You have to prove it. Every answer you give is a perfect opportunity to embed a short story to demonstrate your flexibility.
Think of your interview as a collection of many case studies, you the hero who thrives in change. Here are some very powerful examples. Do you have to master some new, tricky software? Let’s talk.
Have you successfully reported to a manager who is younger than you without any friction? Share that story. These examples directly combat any unstated biases about age and prove that you are a huge asset in any modern workplace. So let’s bring all of this into a clear, crisp focus.
After you’ve changed your way of thinking and perfected your language, what is your ultimate mission when you walk into that room? What is your single-minded goal? That’s it. This is your new identity. You are not a candidate with X years of experience.
You are the solution. Everything you say, every story you tell, every question you ask, should be designed to reinforce this single idea. You are the answer to their problems.
That’s the question I want to leave you with, because it reframes the entire process. It has nothing to do with them judging you. It’s about you showing how you can be the solution they’ve been looking for.
Go at it with that mindset and trust me, you’ve already won half the battle.
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense career advice around the world because he makes so many things in people’s careers easier. These things may involve job search, recruiting more effectively, managing and leading better, caregiver transition, and advice on solving workplace problems.
He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,100 episodes.
Why do so many interviews?
You’ll find important information to help you with your job search on my new website, Job Hunting.Community In addition to video courses, books, and guides, I answer members’ questions about their job search every day. Leave your job search questions and I will respond every day. Becoming an Insider+ member gives you everything you get as an Insider+ member, plus you can connect with me via Zoom call to get your questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we offer individual and group coaching.
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