Blog Post

The Great Uproar and some advice

,

My editorial

this past week had to do with a great uproar on the interviewing piece

that ran Monday. I felt I should apologize a little in not editing as

much as I think now I should have for the article. But I didn't want to

censor the style or thoughts of someone else. I am certainly not the

most knowledgeable person on interviewing, but I've had my share of

them and I think I have learned a few things.

First on the cursing thing. I curse, not all the time and certainly not

uncontrollably, but in the heat of crisis or emotion, I have been known

to drop four letter bombs here and there. But in an interview I think

you should completely avoid it. I have a couple of good reasons here

and it certainly doesn't mean that you have to maintain a G rated mouth

if  you get the job.

One reason is somewhat job specific. If you are interviewing for any

sort of client facing job, internal or external clients, you want to

present a non-offensive and professional image, which would be no

profanity. Even if the client curses, you should avoid it. If I were

interviewing you and you cursed, it would seriously hurt your chances.

Another reason is that even if the person interviewing you cursed, that

doesn't mean they want you to. I have been know to "bait" people in an

interview, just to see what they will do or how they will react. That

might be happening to you.

Second, on the religious aspects. Everyone has the right to their faith

and their beliefs. That means everyone, meaning, don't push yours on

them. I'm an atheist, but I don't bother anyone with my beliefs, or

lack thereof in this case :). I'm not offended by someone saying "God

Bless You", "Praise Allah", etc., but it does bother me and makes me

look at them a little funny. Whenever I receive an email with a

signature referencing God or someone makes a statement it colors my

view of them, especially if I don't know them that well. Religion is a

very personal thing and you should keep it close to you. Not in the

business world. And especially not in an interview.

The exception here is contextual. I had a friend go interview at the

Catholic Hostpital for a position. A reference to God there would not

be inappropriate. In fact it might help, but don't say it if you don't

mean it (more on that later). The point is that religion should be kept

in the appropriate settings.

I think a personality fit is critical to a good hire and so I urge you

to be forthcoming and honest and present yourself in a manner

consistent with how you will behave if you get the job. I had another

friend interview at Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network. I

laughed when he told me because he is one of the most foul mouthed,

shortest tempered people I knew and I couldn't belive he thought he

could fit in. But he needed a job and this was a good career

progression for him. He even got the "pastoral reference" that he

needed despite the fact that his wife usually attended church with

their children without him. He interviewed and was offered the job, but

turned it down because he'd found another job in the meantime. That was

just as well because I firmly believe he would not have lasted more

than a few months there.

The best advice I can give you is to be honest so that you can ensure that both you and the employer make a good decision.

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