Get That Job! (Part three – Energy)

Here is an excellent example of how important personal energy is during the interview.

The person who got the receptionist job I was talking about in my earlier blog has great energy. At her interview she smiled a lot. She exhibited passion for things she’s done in her life. She was forthcoming and vibrant. Basically, she had a personality and she let it show. The interview is the time to do that. That doesn’t mean to criticize or tell jokes the entire time, however.

Another thing she did that made her stand out was to learn the name of her interviewer, get a business card and send a follow up email. A follow up email keeps an interviewee in an interviewer’s mind, and makes them more memorable. When a candidate takes the time to do that, they show that they really are interested in the job.

When interviewing people, I also need to know that a candidate’s energy is going to work within our company and with our team. Let’s face it, someone that is angry about the hand they’ve been dealt in life is not going to be the best person on the phone with customers. I am not saying you can’t be angry. I am saying, you need to not bring it the interview with you, and ultimately, to any job you get. Imagine putting it in a little container and closing the container. I want to see and feel positive energy, not negative.

As employers, we do realize that the job market is tough right now and that a lot of people need a job. When I ask the question, “Why should we hire you?” the answer we hear sometimes is, “Because I need a job.” Going on about your personal problems is not going to help get you a job. I’m sorry. I truly am. It’s heartbreaking because I would love to hire everyone, and I can’t. I must make the best choices for the company. I need to hire someone that is right for the position and right for our team. I need you to tell me how you are the best qualified candidate for the job.

So to sum it up, it doesn’t matter if you are given 5 minutes or an hour, be prepared, presentable and have a personality. This is your big chance to “WOW!” me.

Good luck!

My favorite ice cream comes from Tichy Eissalon in Vienna, Austria. Their hazelnut ice cream is arguably the best on the planet. Tichy’s offers a wide variety of other yummy flavors, even fiocco (whatever *that* is). I was a regular customer of Tichy’s in the late 70’s and go back whenever I can.

Important ingredients in Tichy’s recipe for success also apply to creating a winning Interactive Voice Response (IVR) solution:

1.    Important Connections

Tichy’s is located next to the Reumannplatz metro station on Vienna’s U1 line. It is also very close to Favoritenstrasse, a popular pedestrian shopping zone. These connections provide Tichy’s its customers.

An on-premise IVR solution should provide multiple connectivity options including analog, digital and VoIP.  Of course a SaaS IVR solution simply requires a browser and Internet access.

2.    Eat In/Take Out

Tichy’s ice cream parlor has both indoor and outdoor eating areas, as well as a takeout counter. This is where they serve their ice cream specialties, including the Eismarillenknoedel (apricot ice cream dumpling). Usually, I fight my way (it’s more of a crowd than a queue) to the takeout counter to order their fantastic ice cream.  Tichy’s appeals to customers with different wants and budgets.

An IVR system should meet the varied needs of customers, whether the customer is a single doctor practice that appreciates the minimal upfront investment of a SaaS, or a hospital using an on-premise IVR solution to cost-effectively send 100’s or even 1000’s of appointment reminders and other notifications each day.

3.    Free Product

Tichy’s is open about six months of the year, from April to early October.  On the day Tichy’s closes for the season, people wait in long lines to receive free ice cream.  Everyone is served until supplies run out.  Talk about customer appreciation!

Don’t just give people a little taste of your IVR solution, provide them with a generous free sample. (Better yet, don’t make them wait in line to get it!)

For decades,Tichy Eissalon has fulfilled their customers’ needs. They prove yet again that satisfied customers lead to a great brand and, ultimately, a successful company.

Here you are, you got your foot in the door. Now how do you get the job?

In my first blog I mentioned it’s about two things, resumes and energy. What I forgot to mention is being prepared.

When I am interviewing, I want someone to make an effort. I want someone prepared.

In today’s digital age, there is absolutely NO REASON why the person interviewing should not know at least something about the company they are interviewing with. Before an interview, it is important that a person make the effort to go online and find the company’s website. You can find the address and maybe drive by so you can clock how long it will take, so you won’t be late for the interview. You can also learn about the company and what they do. That is the best way to prepare thoughtful questions, and thoughtful questions go a long way in the interview process. Also, looking at a company's blog , is taking your research of the company a step further and will definitely win points.

Another way to prepare is to read and reread the job ad, so you know exactly what someone is looking for. If we request you bring something, like a copy of your resume, there really is no excuse for not bringing it.

One more way to be prepared is to be presentable. To me being presentable means that you’ve taken a shower, you’re wearing deodorant and you’ve combed your hair. Your appearance shows how much you care about the job and how careful you are with details. If a person’s resume and cover letter are neat and clean and organized, then their appearance should be, as well.

The last way to be prepared is to have a positive attitude, and energy, and that, dear readers is the topic for my next blog.

I didn’t know that doctors still made house calls. For example, Microsoft offers its employees a program called Mobile Medicine.  According to Microsoft, there is a 35% savings when a doctor makes a house call in lieu of the worker visiting the ER.  Seattle medical company Carena makes house calls for employees of Microsoft as well as Starwood and Costco.

According to BusinessWeek’s Michelle Conlin, President Barack Obama has hailed house calls as one of the private sector's "terrific innovations.”  Below is a partial list of physicians and a dentist who also make house calls:

Arizona
Smile Perfection
 
Maryland
Physicians’ House Calls

North Carolina
Doctors Making Housecalls

Texas
American Physician Housecalls
Capitol House Calls

Many people associate home care with homebound care.  However, American Physician Housecalls suggests that the advantages of home care can appeal to many patients, including those who:

•    Need an outstanding primary care doctor.

•    Don't want to waste time in a waiting room.

•    Need acute care, but want to avoid the ER or urgent care "clinic."

•    Can't get a timely appointment with their doctor.

•    Can't get out of the house, or feel too sick to drive.

•    Want more privacy and personalized attention.

•    Want to avoid exposure to other sick people.

The AAHCP (American Academy of Home Care Physicians) offers a physician referral network to locate home care physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

I just came across Common Craft and their videos explaining complex topics in plain English.  They are great!  Here are some of the technology topics featured on the Common Craft homepage.  I encourage you to check them out!

• Social networking
• Social media
• Social bookmarking
• Cloud computing
• Twitter
• Twitter Search
• RSS
• Wikis

Common Craft was founded by Lee LeFever.  More "In Plain English" videos, such as this one on LinkedIn, can be found on YouTube.

If you have other examples of making the complex understandable, or making learning fun, please share them with us.