By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Preparing for an interview is not limited to looking at a LinkedIn profile or three and reviewing what’s on your resume. Here, I interview Barrie Barton of StandandDeliverAsheville.com about the final things you should do before walking in for an interview, giving a presentation, or running a meeting.
Hi, I’m Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter and welcome. And for those of you who’ve been following me for a while, you know that generally I’ve stopped doing interviews with any regularity, but I interviewed Barry Barton a couple of weeks ago, Barry, wave to the camera. And she did a great job and she had more material that I thought would be relevant for you, whether you’re looking for a job, doing a presentation, going to a meeting, stuff related to the preparation beforehand.
But we’re not going to talk about researching people. Let’s talk to death. But we’re going to talk about the final countdown, where you’re working, you’re going to do the dance with me, before you actually walk in for the meeting, for the presentation, for the interview, to get yourself ready.
So, Barrie Barton of standanddeliverashville.com. Welcome. Well, thank you very much, Jeff. It’s wonderful to be back.
Glad to have you back. And I thought this was a great topic. Because I think most people have the idea of doing a certain amount of prep beforehand.
But there’s this one period of time right before they’re starting a presentation, a meeting, an interview that I think gets ignored. I know I haven’t really covered it with any regularity. So, what do you think people want to be doing? You know, I think we can all use that little extra boost, that little extra sort of leg up approach.
And it doesn’t take a lot of time. That’s the thing. Caffeine, that works.
It doesn’t take a lot of time. It doesn’t really take a lot of even really knowledge. It’s finding certain things that get you ready, that get you prepared.
Now, there’s some of us are extremely nervous. You know, for example, when I speak, I’ve been up in front of an audience most of my adult life, as a dancer on stage, speaking, and I still get nervous. And so, I need, personally, I need to get connected to my breath, my body, and my voice.
And some folks, they need the opposite. They need to calm down. They need to sit down.
They need to close their eyes. They need to relax their body. And so, it’s more like a volume knob.
Do I need to amp up or do I need to take my high amp and amp it down? So, I’m going to give you a couple suggestions, if that’s okay. Of course it is. That’s why you’re here.
So, maybe we could start with the person who’s feeling nervous. Because I think it’s a common trait that people have, that they’re a little bit nervous going into the interview. They’ve got a lot of stuff running through their head.
And how do they calm down? So, this can be done for interviews, giving a presentation, leading a meeting, going into a networking event, anything where you’re feeling maybe a little bit at odds, a little nervous. So, it can be for really anything. But let’s say you’re getting ready to go for an interview.
You’re 10 minutes from where you’re going. Maybe you’re walking in a city street, on the subway, in your car. You need to figure out the techniques that work for you.
So, I’m going to give you a couple of ideas. Number one, I wholeheartedly believe in getting somehow or another, getting some physicality. So, that can be as simple as, now of course you don’t want to do this in the waiting room in front of the secretary.
You don’t want to do this in the middle of your interview or right before you go on stage. You want to do this in private. But as simple as, some people will do a little jumping just to get the blood flowing, shaking the whole body, shaking the hands, shaking the shoulders, just kind of shaking out the nervousness is a great way.
So, that creates the blood flow. And then you begin to feel enlivened, but it also has a tendency to relax you. Another way is you want, because you’re going to be using your voice, you want to be warming up your vocal cords.
I got to pause you here for a second and back up. You said shaking and getting physical and getting yourself what to some people might seem amped up, is actually going to be calming. It will be.
That’s interesting. It seems counterintuitive that it would happen that way. Well, I think it’s that endorphin gets going, the cortisol level drops down.
And so, the body actually feels calmer. And I think many of us have experienced this after we, for those of us that do regular exercise, you can feel actually kind of a both of, I feel more energy, but I also feel calmer. So, it’s both.
It’s creating both states of being, moving the body. Back to the vocal cords. That’s a really effective one.
The vocal cords, you’re in the car, sing happy birthday, sing a song, anything to get your voice warmed up and moving, and do articulation exercises. So, it could just simply be like saying boo. Wow.
So, again, you’re warming up the articulators of your lips so that you’re not fumbling over your words. That’s another one. Interesting.
Yes. Very interesting. I know there was a sentence I used to train people to say, where you emphasize a different word in the sentence, and it has a completely different meaning.
Now, these days, it’s an awful sentence to say, but I’m going to say it as an illustration. And the sentence, I’m going to say it in a flat way. I did not say he beat his wife.
And if you say, I did not say he beat his wife. Versus, I did not say he beat his wife. I did not say he beat his wife.
You get the idea. Each word creates a different meaning to the sentence and also helps to loosen up your vocal variety and practice a little bit. Right.
I have my clients stand with a partner and they go back and forth, just saying one, two, three, back and forth, just saying the numbers all the way up to 20. But the rule of the game is that you have to say the number with a different emotion. So, you might say it sad, like one.
The next one would be two. Let’s play the game. Back and forth, yes.
One. Two. Three.
Four. Five. Six.
Seven. That’s it. And as you and I obviously experience, we get playful.
We lighten up a little bit. And that’s a good thing, too. Any type of a situation where, whether you’re interviewing, presenting, running a meeting, where your personality comes out, you’re richer as a presenter.
Right. It makes a big difference in how you connect with people. Right.
So, we’ve been talking about nervous people. Is there more for the nervous ones? This could be for nervous or not nervous, but anybody that just really wants to give themselves an advantage. And I do this, again, this is something I love to do in my learning labs, but you can do it, again, in the car to yourself out loud.
You can tell the story, and it’s important that you figure out what this story is going to be on a regular basis, of a time in life that you succeeded. So, I, you know, that time when I got up in front of the class and I gave that results of my research paper, I not only did I get an A plus from the teacher, but I got a lot of pats on the back from my colleagues, and I was offered that job because of that presentation. So, what you’re doing is you’re reminding yourself, you’re sort of, you’re bringing your past self, a past success into the present moment.
And it is incredibly, it’s a really perfect affirmation, and it’s a perfect anchor for saying, did it then? I’m doing it now. Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous.
Is there more for the nervous person? Are those the basic points you coach people into doing to prepare? Yeah, definitely. Those are some really strong ones. And then one, I’m going to give you one more.
And again, this could be nervous or anybody, again, that just really wants to kind of just go for the, go for the gusto, is if you are on your way someplace to an interview in the car, on the subway, wherever you are, listen to a piece of music that gives you pleasure, that really amps you up. Again, you’re giving yourself this sense of, you’re reminding yourself maybe of a time in your life. You are maybe able to sing along with the song, but the song is evoking an up energy for you, mentally, physically, and you know, even memories.
So again, that is going to calm you down and bring pleasure to you. Put aside all your worries, put aside all the, you know, rehearsing in your mind of what you’re going to say. Just get into this joyful, upbeat, positive, affirming mindset.
I think that in itself carries you a long, long way. I agree. And the one reminder, folks, is don’t start singing so loudly, you cause yourself laryngitis.
I’ve done that one before. Before going into a meeting, I was in the car, I was having a great time and I lost my voice. Kind of embarrassing to walk in and I’m kind of croaking my answers.
Not the best way to present. So just have some fun with it, but just be cautious. A little of the great.
So we’ve been focusing on the nervous person. Going into the meeting, the interview, the presentation. How about for the not nervous person? That’s kind of the one who needs to get amped up.
They’re just feeling off. Well, again, I think all of these are for the nervous person and for the person that is already somewhat confident, but just wants that leg up. And for the person that might feel a little subdued because they’re so nervous that some people get so nervous that it taps their energy down.
And I think that all of these are going to awaken the body, wake up the voice, calm the nerves, and give you that extra, you know, it gives you that extra little mileage that maybe the other people in the waiting room getting ready to do that interview haven’t done. And I think really, I think the main point of all of this is that you are creating a state of being. That’s really what it is, is that you’re creating a state of being.
38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid
And that reads, even if you make a mistake in your interview, even if you maybe don’t have the perfect answer, that there’s a presence about you, that you’re not holding in or fidgety, that you’ve kind of got some control going in of your body and your voice. And I also, and I just shared this with a candidate, I’m helping a candidate for county commissioner in my area, and he’s got a full-time job. And he’s going from here to there.
And I said, I want you to figure out three things that you’re going to do every single time, the same song, same three exercises to get yourself prepared. Because what happens is that when you create your preparation ritual, your sequence of preparation, that the body, the mind, the whole, your whole self says, okay, I know this. This is what is getting me ready to go do this.
And by creating your own ritual, you’re not having to think about well, what should I do next? You’re not having to make a choice. You say, okay, I did my shaking. I did my, my vocal.
I took a deep breath and I listened to that rock and song on the, on my, you know, iPod or whatever. iPod, you’re dating yourself. Sorry.
I know I am. I am from, you know, from I’ll just simply say for myself, I remember seeing Tony Robbins, what seems like a hundred years ago. And folks, if you’ve ever seen Tony do a presentation on YouTube or Netflix, wherever, you’ll see that this is a man with an incredible amount of energy.
And he’s on stage all the time. And I remember him doing an exercise with all of us. There’s like several thousand of us in a ballroom at a hotel in Manhattan.
And I remember coming out of that with a gesture where if I was going into a situation, I’m just going to pull back ever so slightly and I’ll elevate my hands a little bit. So you can see, I would go, yes. And that will jack up my energy a lot.
So in this way, if I was feeling off, I would just start pumping my fist and that would energize me. Folks, you’re going to have your own version of this. Barry’s got some great stuff, particularly for your voice, where you’re going to be speaking and you want to make sure you’re on.
It does make a difference. That’s the good point, Jeff. What you just said is you have to find yours.
You have to find what works for you. How are you? Why? What do you need? Figure that out. Do it on a regular basis.
That’s the winner. You betcha. Is there anything I haven’t asked you so far that I should in order to give my audience what they need for prepping the last few minutes? Um, goodness.
Well, I could make a suggestion on a book if that is . . . Fabulous. So I do a lot of preparation things. I’ve always done the physical and the vocal.
But in reading this book, and it’s also, there’s a short podcast by Daniel Pink that also has this, and the book is called Psyched Up, How the Science of Mental Preparation Can Help You Succeed. It is by Daniel McGinn. Fabulous.
What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member
Folks, I’ll have a link in the show notes to it. So if you want to click through on Amazon, you’ll be able to order the book there. Fabulous.
Barry, how can people reach you if they’re interested in you coaching them in some way for speaking or anything else that you’re involved with? Right. I’m at standanddeliverashville.com. You can find me at my website. Is there an email address where they could message you as well? That is trickbarry, B-A-R-R-I-E, at standanddeliverashville.com. Fabulous.
And folks, you know, I come out with a lot of content. I hope to be able to help you with more. I’m Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter.
If you’re interested in my coaching you about your job search or staffing, connect with me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com forward slash i n forward slash TheBigGameHunter. Mention that you saw the interview with Barry. I love knowing that people see this stuff.
It’s helpful to them. And once we’re connected, then drop me a message through LinkedIn. We’ll schedule a time to speak and see if it makes sense.
Hope you have a great day and take care.
How to Answer The Bizarre Scenario Interview Question
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers
easier. Those things can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes.
The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)
You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site, JobSearch.Community Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching.
Also, subscribe to JobSearchTV.com on YouTube and No BS Job Search Advice Radio, the #1 podcast for job search with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts.
38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid
Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter
Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiqueswww.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques
What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member
We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to www.TheBigGameHunter.us and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to www.TheBigGameHunter.us makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.
