| Every now and again, I run into sales applicants who, | | | | you're going against. |
| at one juncture or another, were NFL players. I always | | | | With the top companies, you get one shot. Maybe |
| enjoy the conversations and ask about their | | | | you'll get another in 10 years, but you'll still be in their |
| progression into the National Football League and the | | | | system as a "rejection." It's very unlikely that Goldman |
| difference in competition via every level of football | | | | Sachs is going to call you a year after they reject |
| beginning from high school. | | | | your application and interview. Fail and the opportunity |
| In high school football, the average player can't run the | | | | vanishes - for good. Sounds stressful? Think about |
| 40yard dash too quickly. Therefore, for the very | | | | having to block a 265lbs linebacker for a living. |
| talented players (Division I college bound) the plays | | | | Anything in life that is worthwhile comes with stress. It's |
| seem to move at an exceedingly slow pace, thus | | | | the real world. |
| allowing the best of the best to consistently exploit the | | | | Don't mistake yourself, these companies don't give you |
| competition. | | | | the "What are your strengths," questions. Their |
| About three and a half months ago, this one | | | | questions bite. I've spoken to dozens upon dozens of 8 |
| gentlemen from the Atlanta Falcons described the | | | | figure business characters, and they keep you on your |
| collegiate level as tougher and, following the snap, it | | | | toes. Just like the people with whom I do business, the |
| you're not quicker, somebody is going to get the jump | | | | questions at a Google interview are straightforward |
| on you. Then, when I ask about the "after snap" pace | | | | and the interviewers can smell fear. It's like the NFL. If |
| of a NFL game, this retiree told me something vastly | | | | the opposing defense smells fear, you're in for a long |
| different. | | | | and painful game. |
| He was a the starting fullback during Warrick Dunn's | | | | How do you handle the questions that the "pros" are |
| (famous running back) tenure on the Falcons. Upon | | | | going to ask? The answer is anticipation and practice. |
| being asked, I sensed a smile over the other line and | | | | Here are some tricks that your competition is not doing |
| he informed me that the plays are so quick that if you | | | | and that will give you a competitive edge upon |
| miss a single beat, you can ruin the entire play, even | | | | interviewing in the big leagues. However, the million |
| worse you can allow for the quarterback to get | | | | dollar question is whether or not you'll do the below |
| injured and kill a season. That is why the players | | | | work. |
| practice so methodically and so efficiently. They can | | | | Look At Your Resume and Write Down on a Sheet |
| go through plays with their eyes closed. You should | | | | of Paper Any Question You Would Ask Yourself |
| get to the same point when it comes to interviewing. | | | | Have an Aunt or an Uncle or Cousin Interview You - |
| Now, I don't foresee anybody getting tackled during | | | | Have Several For That Matter |
| their first interview, but the references are on point. If | | | | Ask Around - Network on Linked-in. Find an Older |
| you want to interview in the "Big Leagues" and go | | | | Professional Who Has Interviewed There Before, |
| against your Harvard graduates, your Stanford | | | | They'll Be Happy to Help. Sales and Persuasion 101. |
| graduates, etc., you must be quicker, more agile, | | | | Get to Know Yourself Before Interviewing - Your |
| practice more, prep. more and know who it is that | | | | Answers Will Be More Genuine. |