Here’s a quick wrapup of what I learned at Bernie’s Communications Bootcamp:
- Style
Be aware of yours, and consciously reflect theirs when you are trying to impress. Be believable & compelling. Most employers are looking for animated & expressive candidates (even though “amiable drivers” are probably better long-term employees).
- Ask Questions
Be interested (and interesting!) Before a networking event, prepare some open-ended questions that are conversational. Be conscious of “line of thought” when you’re engaging with a potential employer.
- Story
Have a few stories ready that will convey the fact that you’re a genius in a way that’s not too obvious. Describe an incident, have a point, and make sure it’s relevant.
Bernie’s bootcamps really underlined the hidden job market, the fact that it’s “who you know” and “how you present yourself” that is going to get you noticed (and employed). Companies assume you have the technical skills required, but that’s the same as every other candidate. What sets you apart is going to be how you present yourself. Bernie cited this Harvard Business Review article which talks about being able to predict winners of a business plan competition based on their presence & charisma… NOT on the contents of their business plan. Spooky.
Great that lots of SoT2010 students made it to these 2 sessions, huge thanks to Bernie for sharing coaching tips usually reserved for high-flying CEOs! Those of you who weren’t able to make it, I’d highly recommend checking out Bernie’s blog, and watch out for future Summer of Tech bootcamps on the subject of CVs, communication and job interview practice… trust us, this is the stuff that will get you noticed & hopefully employed!!
0 Comments