I figured if “The Apprentice” reality show with Donald Trump is mandatory viewing for MBA students at Harvard, then I would probably be entertained and learn something as well – so I watch it.
One week’s episode was a real lesson in how to interview for effect, with rapid fire questions and retorts flying back and forth at break neck speed! I was surprised at the overall message I gleaned from watching Trump’s assistants interview four apprentices. One would expect that such a high profile icon of American success would be impressed by “the deal”, intellect, wit, knowledge and expertise, and he is. But, his true mantras, which he really seemed to take ownership of were as follows:
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• The quality of the interview is more important than what you say.
• Energy is not always outwardly shown, so be prepared to explain how it manifests itself for you if that is the case. (This is a life line truism for most introverts.)
• An interviewer needs a reason to put you forward, to select you for the position, to vouch for you – give them one.
• Being a great person is more important than being intelligent or having intellect.
• Make sure the interviewer walks away feeling they know you, that you have shared enough of your accomplishments and something of your values that they can make an educated decision.
• Know what motivates you and be sure to share it – make sure it comes across in the interview, show some passion, commitment and drive.
• Be confident but not intimidating or come off too strong.
• When in a leadership role, give examples of how you have surrounded yourself with people who go out of their way to push through new ideas.
• Always tell the truth.
• Be prepared to give a description of the company being applied to and how it operates, and how you fit into all this.
• Know your weaknesses and how to effectively answer this question – without telling a story! (save your stories for accomplishments)
• Be visionary, look ahead – be prepared to describe what you would do on day 1 in your new position.
• Whether a man or a woman, respond authentically to whether you would hire a woman to work for you and why you are comfortable with that. (I’ll add an experienced worker to that question as well.)
• Crying is not condoned in a business environment! There is little room for emotions at work.
• This one really threw me for a loop – when in business, don’t play games.
• Don’t use sex appeal to get ahead, but all the same, men are the victims of massive sex appeal all the time. Some women certainly can use it and others just can’t!
• Perform professionally and at your very best in front of important people in the company. (I suggest you do this all the time.)
Trump spoke of surrounding yourself with loyal people. Remember those days, when we were loyal and our companies were too? It is sadly so very difficult to find true employer/employee loyalty today and where at one time, time built trust and loyalty, today it seems to be doing the opposite – the more I work for you or with you the less I like you!
Bottom line? Be interesting, be sincere, don’t push too hard but do stand up for yourself and what you believe, and be likeable and loyal. In the words of famed interview coach Brian Bassett of Bassett Communication Clinics, “practice, practice, practice.”
Colleen Clarke,
Career Specialist & Corporate Trainer
www.colleenclarke.com
Author of Networking: How to Build Relationships That Count and
How to Get a Job and Keep It and
The Power of Mentorship: Visibility Networking
Most of the tips in the article have to do with being interviewed for a position and little to do with keeping said job – while the title grabs one’s attention, it sets the wrong tone for the article itself.
I agree fully with this information. Yet, it inspires people also. If your a motivated person you will come out on top; but this only comes after years of determination. Go for the gold!!
yours sincerley
Don
All valid points but the title is misleading. This is about interview skills not about avoiding being fired. Avoiding being fired by a trump-troll is more about meeting targets, getting the deal done, (being a good “closer”), achieving results for the boss, being able to discern the goals of the boss through his dysfunctional communication skills and still being able to deliver according to those goals.
No offense, but the title reads, “How to avoid being fired” yet the story seems to be more about how to interview.
I do agree with some comments above. This is the problem of our world in our days. People do not have credits in logic. They do not need credits in logic to be considered “great” or “team members”. Titles do not match the corresponding content. “Cheap” wins over “smart” in our and management solutions. When there is no “smart” there is no “quality”. When there is no “quality” anymore there is a distinct movement of the whole world to the hell. Just a point of view…
I agree with the statements made that the title of the article is misleading. It is impossible to give advice on such a topic, reason being you cannot stop your boss from uttering those words. Asside from the rest the points mentioned in the article are based on common sense, but I guess as the saying goes: Common sense, is everything but common!
I totally disagree with the “loyal” comment. This is often just another term for “sycophant” . In my previous job a new manager was hired who brought with her some of her own staff. These people were incompetent and divisive and the office immediately had to choose sides. People were afraid to speak their minds, make suggestions or be innovative, so the slow spiral decline began. Many evil dictators have been supported by “loyal” staff but that doesn’t make them effective or trustworthy.
A better term would be “trustworthy” but with the ability to disagree objectively.
In an interview if it is more important how you say things than what you say, then possibly it would be a good idea for all job applicants to take acting lessons. I would hardly hold out the Apprentice and Trump’s questioning of them as an example of a good manager. His questions are very narrow and shallow. He is an example of what not to do with employees.
I agree with Jon’s opinion. The article only relates to the context of an interview but also implies that the tone of the interview preludes to what may happen when one gets the job.
It would have been more helpful for the article to look at how to conduct yourself professionally in the job to avoid hearing those words, “you’re fired!!”
I wish there was an easy answer to remaining employed. Through my many years of experience I do know that it is important that your immediate supervisor likes you. Your hard work, willingness to work overtime, quality of work, energy, etc. in most cases is secondary. You need to discover your boss’s interests, concerns and hobbies. There are a few who have narrow business interests. With Donald Trump it seems that profits are his sole concern. With others it is their climb up the ladder, their social profile, their image, etc. Being friendly with the boss and meeting his/her main concern will prevent you from being fired.
I will admit that it has taken many mistakes for me to learn this and I struggle with this even today