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Why It's OK to Practice For Work

September 15, 2009 RSS Feed Print

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GL Hoffman

This has always confounded me.

In sports, teams practice daily for the weekly game. Plays are repeated over and over until the players get them right.

Yet, in business settings we forget that it is legal to practice in advance of the important meeting, performance review or job interview. It’s almost like we think it is somehow uncool to try that much, or to practice what we will say and how we will say it.

Here is all it takes: Find a mirror. Think about what will most likely be asked of you. Practice your answer. Do it over and over, changing words, facial expressions, gestures. Don’t feel silly, either…in fact, the more outlandish your gestures, perhaps, the better.

Try different ways to answer the same question. Use metaphors, stories. Don’t have any? Think a bit harder.

This is especially important for job interviews. I have conducted job interviews where the candidate flubs the most basic of questions. It is tough to watch.

Here is another important tip: Once you are pretty sure of your answers, or you've got your elevator pitch exactly right, find a mentor and practice with them. Find out if it works when you are giving it to a live person. Again, this is legal behavior.

If you know someone out of work, and if they are asking you for your help, first ask them if they have practiced—what are the questions they are expecting, and how will they answer them?

This seems basic, I know. But pass it along.

G.L. Hoffman is a serial entrepreneuer and venture investor/operator/incubator/mentor. Two of his companies have traveled the entire success path from the garage to IPO. Currently, he is chairman of JobDig, and his blog can be found at WhatWouldDadSay.com or at JobDig.com.

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You ask why don't people practice for job interviews? You can look to the very employers themselves.
Employers are sick of people who have been overly coached. The proliferation of job hunting Web sites has made this even worse.
Yet let's take your question to another level. Do you really believe in preparation, practice, and research? If so, would it be okay for a job candidate to listen to the questions at the interview, then come back with a presentation detailing the answers?
In essence, that's what you do for many jobs. An opportunity arises, you study it, get material on it, then present your solutions. This type of approach to work is completely discarded at many job interviews. Why? Because many employers believe more than ever that to find the real candidate, you have to treat the interview like a pop quiz.
Yes, there is this stupid belief that the smartest person is the one who thinks on their feet. A person who takes time to craft a well-thought out solution, however, is not seen as competent for the 21st Century which is all about speed.
Expect interviews to deteriorate, especially as less employers and candidates see them as exchanges to discuss how they'd do the work if hired. Moreover, candidates get burned when they do study a company, only to see the employer never even bothered preparing for the interview.

Greg of CA 3:42PM September 22, 2009

Important points that have also baffled me. The closest that I have come to estimating why people don't prepare, parallels your point about "not being cool". I suspect that some subconsciously believe that if they do not really try or put their heart and soul into wanting something, then they will not be devastated if or when it doesn't happen. The worst part is that it often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy!

Jeanne Male of NJ 6:38AM September 16, 2009

The key as the readers have suggested is make it a part of your prep work. Oh...and another good reason for informational interviews...or even interviewing for the job you do not want.
Good comments Nick, Lewis and OfficeNewb!!

glh of MN 12:58AM September 16, 2009