Keeping It Real: The Importance of Humanity
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
—Leo Buscaglia
“H” for Humanity is the last step in the REAPRICH formula. The whole process, up to this point, has been about making connections. Humanity is about connecting on a more personal level. Think of it as the cherry on top of a layer cake of connection.
When following the first seven steps it’s possible that you may finish your interview early. I often finish my own in thirty or thirty-five minutes, and the hiring manager, although he’d allotted an hour for the interview, finds he has no more questions for me. It’s fun when he’s not really sure what just happened but knows he is very excited about hiring you. You’ve done that manager a service. It’s exhilarating for a manager to have all of his questions answered when he didn’t even have to ask them—just as exhilarating as it is for you to have aced the interview.
However, this early finish can occasionally leave an awkward space in what had been scheduled as a longer interview. Fill that time by focusing on something human about the person. A picture on the wall is always a great topic for conversation. If you see he received an award for something or has boating or karate pictures, ask him about these interests. (Of course, you need to be sure that you’re actually in the office of the person who’s conducting the interview. This can be done by looking for something with his or her name on it.) If you can’t find any personal clues about your interviewer, either online or in your surroundings, you can always say, “Tell me about you and some of your interests or hobbies.” This is another way to create connection and get him to speak about himself. Getting to know him and creating a deeper connection can only help your chances. Don’t get silly, lose focus, or be unprofessional. Don’t spend this time talking mainly about yourself. Make it mostly about him. If he dismisses you from the interview early, that’s fine too. In that case, don’t try to stay and talk longer. The manager may be grateful for the extra time he now has to move on to other work.
He may also already be sold on you! Watch his cues. His facial expressions and body language will tell you if he feels the need to fill the hour talking with you, or is comfortable ending the meeting. Once the manager is sold on you, and is making a move to end the conversation, you should never keep asking for the sale. Offer your thanks, a hearty handshake, and make your exit. You’re done! And well done, you.
Insider Secret #8:
Interviewers are people too!
Helping others is another aspect of humanity, and something we need more of in the world. So it’s a good practice, once you have finished your interview, to go do something nice for someone else and take the focus off of yourself. This prevents you from indulging in fearful thoughts about the outcome of the interview. That tendency is natural—all the focus on self, self, self, which is so necessary while working the REAPRICH formula, has a darker flipside, one that can lead us to dwell on the negative, obsessing about the interview, and giving ourselves a case of the woulda-coulda-shouldas.
Instead, go help an old lady across the street or volunteer at a soup kitchen after your interview. Give away some time at the local Boys & Girls Club or usher a church service. Get out there and find a way to make a difference. Also begin to think of ways you can help your new boss and the company once hired.
We talked in chapter 2 about writing thank-you notes. Now is the time. Do this later the same day, and get them in the mail no later than two days after your interview, particularly if you did not get a clear statement from the hiring manager about next steps. Unless your handwriting is completely illegible, handwrite them; you want to show that you cared enough to make an effort. (One caveat: if you’re a horrible—or even average—speller, compose the text on a computer and spell-check it, then hand-copy it once it’s perfect.) Include one detail that’s specific to what that person did for you (“Thank you for accommodating my schedule in setting up an appointment with Mr. Carson …”) For those making the hiring decisions, include one reason why you’re excited about working for the company. Try to make it a detail that came up in the course of your interview; that way the hiring manager knows he or she had your full attention and that you’ll know how to follow-up on conversations with clients or suppliers.
All of these practices will help make you feel grateful. Gratitude is the attitude if you want to have great energy that will translate into every aspect of your life, both personal and professional.
Humanity Worksheet: