The last 3 or 4 days have been rather crazy around here as I prepped for two job interviews this week. I looked at several interviewing books (as well as doing a lot of research about the specific positions and catching up on developments in the fields) and found Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed to be head and shoulders above the others.
What I liked best about Sweaty Palms was that he doesn’t spend time coming up with “right answers” to questions but instead helps you figure out how to come up with the real right answers for yourself. He tears to pieces some phoniness that one finds encouraged in other books.
It helped me with several questions I’ve previously had trouble answering and helped me create real follow-up questions of my own (vs. follow-up questions which try to make you look smart).
And in general, it made me much more confident about the process. The possibility of rejection has always made me hate interviewing. This time, I was able to see the bigger picture in which not being hired for a job could actually be a good thing. After all, if after an interview they decided that I wasn’t the right fit, then I shouldn’t be there. Of course, if someone was just a better fit than I was, then that’s good for them if not me.
Being employed probably helped as well, so the whole thing doesn’t seem like as much of a crisis.
If you’re unemployed, job-hunting, or even just get nervous talking with people, I’d recommend the book. It’s applicable for more than just job interviews.
(I noted on Amazon review from 2001 said the book needed updatin. It was updated afterwards in 2005, so now it’s pretty up-to-date. However if you’re checking at your local library or buying used, you may want to check publication date. A lot is timeless, but the newer edition has some important and relevant updates on the ‘79 version.)
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8 responses so far ↓
1 Amanda // Nov 19, 2008 at 10:19 am
Good luck on your interviews!
(And since I read your posts from my reader, I wanted to say I just noticed and liked the whimsical drawing in your header.
)
2 Michael // Nov 19, 2008 at 10:37 am
Did you compare it to 60 Seconds and You’re Hired! by Robin Ryan? That book helped me very much.
3 Frugal Vet Tech // Nov 19, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Good luck! I just had an interview yesterday (without reading the aforementioned book) and am waiting to hear back.
4 Frugalchick // Nov 19, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Good luck on the interviews!
5 Dad // Nov 19, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I’m glad you found something to help. Interviewing can be a very trying experience especially if your own self-image is damaged or weak and I believe that is true of more of us than are willing to admit it.
Best of luck in getting the job that fits you.
6 Writer's Coin // Nov 19, 2008 at 9:09 pm
It’s such a stressful time: good luck! My best piece of advice is to just go in prepared and know what you want and what you can offer to that specific position.
Good luck!
7 Kevin // Nov 19, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Good luck for the interviews and hope you get a good job.
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