By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
Robert Herjavec discusses how to excel on Shark Tank, which I took and turned into getting a job.
Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec recently made a video in which he talks about how to stand out on the show. Now, I think there are some lessons here for job seekers. Let me get these out.
sorry. They are useful. I’m going to take what Robert said and translate it into something suitable for job seekers.
So, he talks about the first 30 seconds first. You know, the actors on the show, the Sharks, they’re out there working 12 hours a day, listening to pitch after pitch. They are boring.
They are tired. They are hungry. You know, they don’t want to be there.
They would rather go back to their business. But they are committed to making this show a good one and doing it well. So, they come out and perform.
Sounds like many hiring managers you’ve talked to. They are bored, tired, and hungry. Some of them interview multiple people every day.
So does their staff. They are distracted because they have other things to do. You have to hook them within the first 30 seconds.
Now, there are several ways to do this. Robert told how they walked into the tank. So, for you, this is how you deal with the hiring manager or the interviewer.
How do you approach them? Nowadays, in many cases, the first call and first contact is through the phone. So, this is how you respond to your call? Now, you might get a call on your cell phone. You look at it and go, who the hell is that? You pick up the same. . . It’s like this is a Viagra salesman on the phone.
You see, this is an HR person, a recruiting manager, who screens managers for the department. you need to. . . When you’re looking for a job, you need to be prepared and aware every time you answer the phone that this may be the person you’re going to market to. So, the first moment you answer the phone, you say, Hi, this is Jeff Altman.
How can I help you? Your speaking style and aggression let people know that you are awake and not asleep. Next, when they introduce themselves, this can be in person. Let me use the phone now.
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If they introduce themselves to you over the phone, you immediately lead them to say, Hey, thank you so much for calling. Now, I remember the job description, but I’d like to hear your thoughts on the role. Can you tell me what you think of the job and how I can help? So this makes them talk to you about the job at the beginning of the interview.
So, psychologically, you can turn off the switch and be ready to talk about what you do that matters to them, rather than just talking about what you do. There is a difference between the two. Talk about the things you do that are important to them, rather than the things you do.
Now, if it’s in person, remember, you walk in and shake someone’s hand. You have a certain presence and command, especially if you are a manager or above and are interviewing for a position. Now, these lessons hold true no matter where you are in your organization, but they are especially important for managers or higher.
Why? Because you are the visible representative of the person who is evaluating you, the VP, director, senior vice president, whoever is more senior than you, you represent them. If you act like a slug, you won’t make people think they can do it. . . You speak poorly of your future boss. Let’s put it bluntly.
And you behave badly about yourself. You are a terrible representative to them and to you. So, close now.
If you think the power of ideas can bring about change, trust me, the world is a big place. This is a big country. Many people will be as capable as you and perform better.
So, don’t take this matter lightly. Dress well and present well. Now, Robert talks about, you know, there are people walking in tanks and they don’t know their numbers, but they help them.
Some people walked in and didn’t know their number and beat the crap out of them. That’s the difference in how someone presents. Now, I want to clarify something.
Some people interpreted what I said as talking about professionalism. I think honest, open, effective, strong, prepared, leader. I don’t care what level you are in the organization.
This doesn’t mean you have to be ruthless. You can be a good person, be a good person, and companies will like you and hire you. Now, I’d also like to say that there’s another thing at play.
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That’s the idea of human engagement, how you talk to them as an honest person, someone who is engaged, forthright and confident. Now, a classic question, tell me about yourself. So, I’ve said, you know, thank you for calling or thank you for meeting with me tonight.
You know, I remember the job description, but I want to hear your take. Can you tell me what you think of the job and how I can help? So, this is the first thing you need to do. So if you’re meeting them in person for the first time and you’re sitting in a chair asking this question, then when they come over and tell me about yourself or any question they ask in equivalent language, here’s what I want you to follow up with.
This is the standard answer to this question. But you need to do some homework. This is how I want you to continue.
So, I’m sure many people have said similar things to you before. But what sets me apart is. . . And then you talk about being a game-changer for them. What makes you stand out from the other 25 people they’ve already talked to about this job? I don’t care if you’re a recent graduate, a senior preparing for your first job, or an executive looking for another position.
This is the difference maker. That’s what really gets their attention. Find out what your key differentiators are.
You can say again, it’s going to be somewhat personal. You know, a lot of people have said that to you before. But what sets me apart is that I actually deliver on what I talk about.
I was a guy who came into an organization that had problems. And what I did was. . . You talked about how you took a disengaged organization and reconnected them. How did you do it? Well, often organizations with engagement issues hire engaged employees, but in the process become irritated by management decisions they don’t agree with.
So, I got there. . . Do you understand what I’m going to say? You think of a changemaker and then be prepared to talk about the follow-up questions that naturally arise from that. So, it takes 30 seconds to grab their attention. The first question, tell me about the character you see and how I can help, is a very compelling question.
Next up is another compelling topic where you talk about what makes you different from the average person who walks in the door and have a prepared speech that really outlines what makes you different and how having you around will benefit them. For example, if they don’t like how you turned a disengaged team into a productive organization because of how you get support, hey, that’s not for you, right? I’m Jeff Altman, big game hunter. I hope you find this helpful.
Now, I would also say for those who are looking for a job, one thing people don’t learn is how to market themselves. We are in the school system. Were you taught how to find a job? Where do you learn these things other than through trial and error? Well, my website, JobSearchCoachingHQ.com, is where you can actually do that.
I have provided you with a wealth of information. Additionally, you can ask me questions through the website and I will answer them and help you get your message across. I will help you write your resume.
Let me criticize that I offer a discount for this service. I will help you with the interview.
I’m going to suggest you ways to handle different things, all as part of a website package. If you want detailed work from me, then, in order to help people, I heavily discount my coaching services. Again, JobSearch.Community is the site.
Have a nice day. careful.
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire big game hunter Jeff Altman to provide no-BS career advice around the world because he’s done so much in people’s careers
Easier. These may relate to job search, recruiting more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition and advice on problem solving Workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,100 episodes.
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You’ll find important information to help you with your job search on my new website, JobSearch.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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