6/28/06 Today With Patty ...

by Patty

I’m sorry I didn’t blog yesterday, but I was swamped. Of course, I’m always swamped, but yesterday was worse than usual.

Today I’m running around meeting with clients. I had lunch with Jonathan Taylor, a Regional Executive of Crescent State Bank, and Cindy Anderson, Managing Partner of CD Anderson, P.A., a full service CPA firm. I was talking with these two about building and managing a staff made up of people with different ages and backgrounds.

I regaled Jonathan and Cindy with stories about my interview process, since I have been interviewing a lot the last couple of weeks. We are going to add five new people to our staff. For those of you out there who would like to interview at MMI, here are my tips about “How To Interview.”

1. One of the qualities MMI looks for in a candidate is the ability to think quickly, so when you are asked a question in an interview, don’t be too slow to respond. On the other hand, when you do respond, don’t open your mouth without thinking. Your answer must make sense.
2. Just because my regular office staff wears shorts and flip flops to work does not mean that you as a candidate should dress less than impeccably. If you do not own a suit, go to a consignment store and buy one in a basic tailored cut and dark color. Get a couple of shirts / blouses, and make sure the one you wear to the interview is ironed. I know wrinkles are trendy, but not in interview situations, okay?
3. Shoes for women should not have four-inch heels. A simple pair of black pumps is fine. Avoid flip-floppy shoes or sandals, please. I do not want to see your toes until I know you really well.
4. Granted, big huge jewelry is in style, but in a job interview, less is more. Oh, and it’s a good idea NOT to play with your jewelry during the interview.
5. When I ask the question, “Why do you want this job?” not one person lately has told me what they can do for my company. Candidates always talk about themselves. They talk about the challenges they want, what they want to learn, what this job will do for them and their career. They express worry about where they will sit, who their clients will be and what work will be required. Think about your employer, all you candidates out there! Get over yourselves!
6. Another side of this self-absorption is the sense of entitlement that many candidates seem to have. For recent graduates of marketing and communications programs, people expect far too much in terms of salary, status and promotion. One of my clients said it well: “Success is a marathon, not a sprint.”
7. If I ask you to rate your interest in a prospective position on a scale from 1 to 10—with 10 indicating “strong interest”—do not expect me to respond with enthusiasm when you say 7, 8 or 9. I want the best! I want a 10! If you are not a 10, why would I want you?

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