Getting a job when there's a lack of openings
was a big worry for more than 1,000 university students in
Singapore polled by Swiss bank UBS.
The bank held its survey during last month's UBS Nobel
Perspectives Live! forum, which brought together four Nobel
Laureates in economic sciences.
The laureates, including Dr Michael Spence of NYU Stern
and Dr Robert Merton of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
and Harvard University, were upbeat about Singapore's future.
Dr Spence, for instance, said that Singapore is "better
positioned than any others to take advantage of a multipolar
world". And Dr Merton noted that Singapore's size allows it to
adapt to change.
Still, some 72 per cent of the university students
polled said they feared not finding a job after graduating.
But when they land an interview, some flunk because
they appear rehearsed.
ake a cue from improv, or improvisational theatre, an
art in which almost all the performance is unscripted and dialogue
is spontaneous. Actors work with their scene partners to bring the
best out of each other.
This is the biggest rule of improv. If you try to
control the scene, you'll make everyone tense and disrupt the flow.
It's natural to feel the same need to control an interview but that
produces the same negative outcomes.
Go into the interview with an open mind, step into
their world, listen and let the scene unfold. Your audience -
interviewers - will reward you with their respect, admiration and,
hopefully, a job.
The focus is not about you - it's about building the
scene. In improv, this rule is called "step into their world". It's
meant to get you to focus on other people and the setting rather
than making you the centre of attention.
In an interview, you're also in a new scene that's
larger than yourself. Even if it feels like you're the centre of
attention, remember you're there to show how you fit into the whole
picture. What role can you play? How can you contribute to a part
of the scene?
It may seem like a good idea to have some clever
one-liners ready for your moment on stage.
But a prefabricated set of lines is the kiss of death
for an improv scene. Instead, a performer must truly listen to his
partners, understand what they're trying to convey, and respond
appropriately.
In your interview, pay attention to the questions being
asked. Do not cut the person off or answer without fully grasping
his question. Listen actively with your facial expression turned
on. Not only will this help you, it also shows that you're fully
engaged.
Another improv rule is saying: "Yes, andâŚ". That is,
give examples and keep the momentum going after answering a
question. Make your "yes" visible in your body language, attitude
and words.
All things being equal, the candidate who demonstrates
that he or she is passionate about a role will usually be
hired.
Set yourself apart by saying what you admire about the
company and why you want to work there. But don't be phony: Ask
yourself why you are applying, beyond the salary and benefits. Be
sure about your reasons and your answers will reflect that
conviction.
It is "Why should we hire you over others?".
Avoid overselling yourself in relation to the rest. You
don't know what they bring to the table and saying that you are
superior only makes you come off looking arrogant.
Rather emphasise not just your skills but how you want
to use them to meet the goals of the organisation.
Tell a personal story - rather than repeat bullet
points from your resume, tell a story that demonstrates how your
education, evolution and journey intersects with the job.
Others may have similar skills, but your story belongs
only to you.
TNP