Do you fear being asked about the rocky performance you had in your last or current job on the next interview?

Did you have a less-than-favorable relationship with your CEO recently and you are dreading the interviewer asking the “tell me about how well you worked with your boss” question?

Unsure how to handle the skeletons in your closet?

I say take it out of the closet and make it dance….


What?

It’s a term from George Bernard Shaw, where he said:

“If you can’t hide the family skeleton, you might as well make it dance.”

Yep…I say bring it on…

Well, you know they are going to ask.

So be ready for the tough questions you hope they don’t ask.

And not only be prepared…

Confidently and diplomatically address the tough questions.

I say bring it.

Own your baggage… Embrace the skeleton….or family of skeletons, if that is how you roll…

Here’s a newsflash…

Everyone has baggage.

How do I know?

I hear all your stories.

No one comes to me or vents in the LinkedIn Job Seeker Premium Group saying they have a perfect background.

Too many jobs in a short period of time.

Took the wrong job after a long tenure with prior employer.

Long-term unemployment.

Underpaid.

Boss undermines them and the opportunity to create resume-like
achievements is limited.

I can go on and on.

Even people with ‘perfect’ backgrounds on paper, with a new job every 6 years or promoted every 3 years, have product lines they oversaw that failed or high staff turnover or shrinking margins they need to account for on their next interview.

Here is the secret to making the skeleton dance:

With all other things being relatively equal, the person who
diplomatically, vulnerably and proactively addresses their baggage best on an interview wins the offer.

Why?

Companies don’t just want the best performer in perfect conditions. They want the best person who is honest about a business situation, assesses the needed plan and executes in the face of fear and imperfect conditions to fix adverse situations.

They want the person who will get them out of the foxhole alive and then flourish…not just the parade leader when the weather is great.

Be prepared, own your baggage, make the skeleton dance and win offers!