A method is a systematic approach to completing a job interview. Methods are also called processes or systems.
When you hear the word “method,” you might think of actors like Christian Bale or Heath Ledger who went to extreme lengths to get into character. However, there is a less extreme—but no less effective—method of acting.
Be Prepared
The best way to be prepared for a job interview is to be well-researched. It will help you be able to answer any questions that the interviewer throws at you, and it will show that you are serious about the position.
In his 1908 handbook, Scouting for Boys, Robert Baden-Powell wrote that “Be Prepared” was the motto of the Boy Scouts. He intended that this slogan would be a reminder to the youth to be ready in mind and body for whatever duty was placed upon them.
For example, if a Scout was called to save someone’s life, they should be ready to do so without hesitation. This is why it’s so important for a young person to spend time as a Scout, because it helps them learn to be prepared for anything in their future. This is the underlying philosophy behind the Be Prepared to Be Engaged strategy that we use at our practices.
Know Yourself
Whether you’re starting a new job or looking for one, knowing yourself is the key to success. While this advice may seem obvious, it’s often overlooked. Many people avoid asking themselves the tough questions about their strengths, weaknesses and values because they don’t want to face the truth about themselves.
The benefits of knowing yourself are numerous and include simplifying decision-making. It also allows you to be independent from the opinions and advice of others and develop a strong sense of confidence. It helps you find your true purpose in life and live your most authentic self.
To know yourself means understanding all the traits that make you a unique human being – your strengths and weaknesses, your passions and fears, your likes and dislikes. The process of discovering yourself can be a long and often difficult journey, but it’s an important one. Sant Kabir says “Those who don’t know themselves, live in the dark.” This darkness can be a silent frustration that lives in the heart and mind.
Be Polite
Generally, being polite means showing respect for others in your manners, speech and behavior. If you are a dinner guest, for example, you thank the host even though you think the chicken isn’t cooked to perfection and you never show the grumpy face that tells everyone you don’t like the food.
Polite people also treat all people as equals, regardless of gender, rank or wealth, Parker says. They avoid offensive language, don’t return insults and treat busboys and taxi drivers the same as they do the president of their company or a celebrity.
Polite people understand that it is impolite to gloat over someone else’s misfortune, so they don’t engage in this practice known as Schadenfreude. They are also able to recognize conversations topics that make other people uncomfortable, such as sex, violence, death, medical details and politics, and steer their conversation away from these areas. They also respect the feelings of others, including their right not to be offended.