I wish this was available online for you to see…
If you’ve ever been through the job interview process – and that pretty much applies to everyone reading this blog – then you’ll appreciate Cecil Donahue’s acerbic take on interviewers AND interviewees in the February 2008 issue of GQ magazine.
Donahue, who writes GQ‘s monthly “The Office” feature, has previously tackled ticklish subjects like email etiquette, office holiday parties, and speaking, ahem, straightforwardly to one’s boss. If I remember correctly, though, he’s done it anonymously. “Cecil Donahue” is actually a pseudonym for someone who “works at a major American media company.”
Though I haven’t heard about anyone trying to unmask him, a la Fake Steve Jobs or the mastermind behind TheFunded, I must say I’m darned curious about his (or her) true identity. As with those recent unmaskings, it’d probably turn out that Cecil is no one “famous” per se – more likely, in fact, just one of us.
Albeit with good advice and an even better sense of humor.
If you don’t get GQ at home, head to your local library or newsstand, and you’ll find Cecil’s interviewing article starting on page 73. I’m going to spoil it a bit for you, though, by listing his top tips for the folks on either side of the desk here. (You’ll have to check out the article for the full (and very useful) details.
Top 5 tips for interviewees:
1. Your success in the interview depends on your level of preparation.
2. Research the person who will be conducting the interview.
3. Make sure everything on your resume is true.
4. Go in armed with a ton of good questions.
5. If, after an interview or two or three, you should find yourself growing increasingly excited about the opportunity, don’t forget the final step: Ask for the job.
Top 4 tips for interviewers:
1. Talk to the candidate’s references, then ask for even more.
2. Work the candidate.
3. Schedule interviews with colleagues up and down the chain of command.
4. Ask the candidate why he wants this position at this company.
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