Stop Telling -Start Asking

I am thankful for all the people who have hired or even considered hiring me. By hiring or even considering me, they tell me that I have the skills to assist them. They say that I have a positive reputation.

And just as companies hire people because of likability more than because of skills, people hire me for the same reason: Will we get along? Do they like me?

I don't blame people for hiring the person they feel they'll work best with. It's a personal decision.

They don't ever tell me why they didn't hire me. I'm left wondering what their impression of me was. Remember--Whether it's a job interview or you hiring someone else--first impressions matter.

Some people think they already know what a company needs; they often start telling the employer what to do. They don't know it, but they crossed a red line.

Instead of telling, we all should do more asking.

I'm currently interviewing work people for a home renovation project.

Evey contractor I've interviewed has asked questions. They've all asked when I can show them the property, too. None have offered a solution--and I love that!(Yes, I'm thankful!)

I appreciate how they want to gather facts and information before offering a solution.

You should act the same way.

Start by conducting research. Google the company. Look at the company homepage and read recent press releases. Peruse reviews on Glassdoor.com and use LinkedIn to see who works there. You could even ask an AI to gather data and create a summary with both red flags and positives.

Next, use the research data to build a list of questions to ask the interviewers.

They expect you to ask questions. They want to see your curiosity, which implies passion.

Ask about the company, the industry, even about the competition, and of course about the role. Don't be afraid to ask questions about interviewers.

They'll be thankful you you asked all those questions, because they want passionate, capable people that are interested in both learning and doing.

If you simply do this---that is, ask good questions---you differentiate yourself from the majority of job seekers who barely do research and ask mundane, simple questions.

And when you differentiate yourself from the bulk of other job seekers, you elevate yourself to the top 2% of job seekers! You set yourself up for future success.

 Just as I'm more likely to hire the electrician who asks me good questions, employers will be more likely to hire you because of your good questions.

Aren't you glad (thankful?) you now know this?

If you aren't doing this, contact me.

 It's time you get started.