YodaWith all the Star Wars hype going on Yoda is back in the mainstream.  I am not sure that he ever left.  His famous quote “No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.” has been showing up again.  Unfortunately Yoda had it wrong.  There is winning and there is LEARNING.  Failure is a choice, not an outcome.

We need to look at the job search in the same way.  Each time you do not get a position you have learned.  But do you take time to figure out WHAT you have learned?  One piece of advice that I always give people is to ask one final question at the end of each interview…

I know we have only had about 30 minutes together but do you feel that I am a good match for this position and the company?  And conversely, do you feel that the position and company are a good match for me?

Sure, you may get the old stand by “We have a lot of people we are talking to…” or “There are lots of people involved in the decision…”  But maybe, just maybe you will get someone to be honest with you… “No, I don’t.”  That brings me to the qualifier for asking that question.  Do not ask a question if you can’t handle the answer.

If they say no but do not give you a reason you can politely say “Would you mind telling me why?  Based on what I know about the position I feel that there is a good match.”  You want to be able to have a short rebuttal, if one is appropriate.  If they say “you don’t have as much experience as we would like in…” then you can ask if there is a more suitable position in the company.  The main thing is to stay positive and calm.  Don’t get argumentative.

You want to figure out what you can learn from each experience then adjust.  Always keep in mind that you only need ONE JOB.

Al

The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice.

Brian Herbert