Latest news with #DanFreehling
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
It Works For Bryan Cranston: Job Interview Prep That Flips The Script
'We often shy away from telling detailed stories about our past work because we think that we should ... More instead just mirror the job description,' says one career coach who advises that compelling career stories are key to successful job interviews. Suppose you've been fortunate enough to land a job interview recently. First of all, well done. Second, has your job interview prep included research into what insights celebrities might have to offer? Probably not. But there's actually a surprising amount of wisdom for job seekers to consider in how some actors and other successful performers describe their approach to landing work. This is because "interviews aren't a test, they're an audition,' believes Dan Freehling, executive coach and founder of Contempus Leadership. 'Just like a great audition, you need to practice your lines, then throw them away and be in the moment.' To shed some light on this metaphor, he pointed me to a video clip of Bryan Cranston, best known for his role as career-pivoting Walter White in Breaking Bad, offering audition advice. It includes the line: 'You're not going there to get a job. You're going there to present what you do.' In a similar sense, 'all you can do in an interview is give them a little taste of what you succeeding in this role could look like,' said Spencer Campbell, career coach and founder of the Spencer Campbell Talent Agency. Freehing and Campbell have collaborated to develop a job interview prep strategy that requires shifting from a 'test mindset' to an 'audition mindset.' They say too many job seekers treat interviews as analytical assessments, rather than integrative decisions. 'The prep that really works is embodied, not intellectual,' Freehling said. 'It comes from the world of performance: acting, music, and sports, not your days as a student cramming for an exam." To get a better understanding, I asked them to explain the key elements of their recommended approach to job interview prep, which Freehling said has been a game-changer for several job seekers they have worked with. What you say in a job interview doesn't matter (not really) So much of whether you might get a job is out of your control. When you accept that and let go of what you can't control, you gain power and confidence, Cranston goes on to advise. 'You're not going there to get a job. You're going there to present what you do,' Bryan Cranston ... More says of auditions. We often focus our preparation for job interviews on things like writing out canned answers for a long list of questions that an internet search or ChatGPT tells us might come up. 'Sometimes we approach interviews like it's a game, and we're looking for hacks, or trying to trick our way into a job, because we feel like that's maybe the only option available to us,' Campbell said. 'But when you shift from thinking, 'I'm being graded,' to 'I'm being considered,' everything changes.' Moving from a test to an audition mindset makes additional sense if you realize that, as Campbell put it bluntly, "what you say doesn't matter, not really. The details of precisely what you say,' by 'workshopping this answer or that answer is likely going to do less for you than you might think.' In short, it's not what you say, but how you say it, and there is plenty of research supporting this. Opinions are often formed based on brief interactions and the nonverbal cues and overall presence one portrays during them. One study found that an interviewer may decide on a candidate's worth in as little as 30 seconds. Others come to less extreme conclusions, but on the whole, interviewees have limited time to make a good impression. 'At the end of the day, we're talking about humans making a decision about other humans. So, you need to ask yourself, 'how do I want the interviewers to feel?'' Campbell said. Job interview prep is an exercise in storytelling So what can you control? Developing career stories that 'show rather than tell interviewers what you do,' Campbell advises. The key is to zero in on what differentiates you from other candidates, or as Freehling calls it, 'your secret sauce.' The problem is that 'we often shy away from telling detailed stories about our past work because we think that we should instead just mirror the job description,' he said. 'So what we come up with is generic, jargony, and boring.' If you've been chosen for an interview, you've probably checked off enough boxes from the job description anyway. So an oral rendition of your CV probably won't do you any huge favors in the interview room. To help craft powerful stories that have an impact, Freehling and Campbell recommend following a simple formula. 'Start by setting up the stakes. Then, share what you did that is story-worthy. Finally, what is different in the world as a result?" Campbell explained. If you need some inspiration, consider 'talking to people who know you better than you know yourself, like friends and family, former colleagues, or mentors,' to help you understand what differentiates you, Freehling said. Believing your own story may matter most of all Another piece of performing arts wisdom that Freehling and Campbell like to reference comes from the actress Meryl Streep, who said that 'acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.' In a job interview, there's a natural temptation to say whatever it is you think the interviewer wants to hear — to fake it until you make it. But if you truly think you're a good fit for the role, the stories that best demonstrate this should be there for the telling. Still, many struggle with impostor syndrome and are unable to convey these stories in the way that they deserve, Campbell said. Overcoming imposter syndrome is a long-term project (trust me, I know). But Campbell said it can be helpful to think in terms of identities. Whether you identify as a leader, entrepreneur, great writer, or a person who cuts through red tape, consider which identity connects you to this role. 'If we can find it, that's the core of a really great story for telling in our interview,' Campbell said. Freehling and Campbell also recommend two visualization exercises that can reduce anxiety and cultivate more confidence before an interview. The first one they call 'the samurai,' which is rooted in the concept of 'dying before you go into battle, freeing you up to fight without fear,' Freehling said. He suggests using a generative AI platform like ChatGPT to upload the job posting and output a rejection letter. Reflecting on how this makes you feel before an interview can help you 'show up a little more removed' and less driven by your fears of rejection. 'The golfer' is another exercise, inspired by a real-life professional golfer's preparation routine for a high-stakes tournament. It involves 'closing your eyes and remembering a time when you noticed you were aware of how great you were at what you do,' Campbell said. 'If you can bring to mind some of that feeling you had when you were performing at your highest level, and bring some of that with you into the interview, that's going to rub off in the room,' he added. Ultimately, Freehling and Campbell believe effective job interview prep boils down to being able to share compelling stories that don't just aim to please, but truly represent why you are the right person for the job. 'One thing that I say to clients is that there's exactly one person you have to convince that you're a good fit for the role, and that person is you,' Campbell said.
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Networking For Introverts: Tips for Finding Quality Over Quantity
Effective networking goes well beyond small talk. getty Despite efforts by the likes of Susan Cain, author of the bestseller 'Quiet', to shed light on what it really means to be an introvert, misconceptions remain. In particular, the idea that introverts are shy and socially challenged has been a tough stereotype to shed. The problem for many introverts like myself is that no matter how good we get at understanding our brain's wiring and how to make it work to our advantage, we can still buy into what conventional wisdom says of what we should like doing or can. It doesn't matter how many enjoyable social experiences I have, the idea of doing them still causes some trepidation. But as I seem to realize repeatedly, attending the party isn't the problem; it's what you do there that determines your experience. Similarly, when people think of networking, images of chatty cocktail hours or awkwardly asking strangers for job leads tend to come to mind. 'Many people see networking as synonymous with asking for referrals. If this is your mental model, it makes sense to think that extroverts have a natural advantage,' Dan Freehling, an executive coach and the founder of Contempus Leadership, told me. To help introverts shed any of their own stereotypes about what it means to network well, I asked career coaches for guidance on networking ideas that get to the heart of both what introverts do well and what it actually means to be a good networker. The first step for introverts who feel like they are at an inherent disadvantage is to understand that networking 'is not about socializing, it's about learning from people who actually know what they're talking about so you can zero in on the right opportunities for you,' Freehling said. Sure, excelling at small talk might make for a smoother initial interaction, but effective networking depends on what happens from there. As Devora Zack, author of 'Networking for People Who Hate Networking,' writes, while 'extroverts collect a bigger stack of cards; introverts connect through deeper conversations.' 'My biggest networking tip for introverts is to change your metaphor. Great networking isn't schmoozing, it's detective work,' Freehling said. Getting comfortable with a new definition of networking is important because 'if you believe you're not good at networking, you're also going to put less effort in,' international career coach Simone Anzböck told me. This idea is rooted in psychologist Carol Dweck's research on fixed versus growth mindsets, as well as a 2020 study that applies this theory directly to networking. The main takeaway here is that good networking is not something you're born with. It can be learned, and some effective approaches may even favor the introverted among us. Much like small talk, introverts aren't the best at elevator pitches, either. But we are good listeners who tend to bring a genuine sense of curiosity to meaningful conversations. This is where Freehling's detective metaphor can make the process a whole lot more appealing for introverts, many of whom thrive in that kind of research-oriented work. A career coach once advised me to wear my journalist hat when networking, because it can and should feel like you're on a fact-finding mission. This shift in perspective can not only take advantage of your strengths, but also address a blind spot that many on the job hunt have. 'The real problem most job seekers face is that they don't know nearly enough about the sectors they're targeting and how to best present the value they bring. Networking is how you solve that,' Freehling said. When approaching a new connection, doing so with clarity, curiosity, and purpose can lay the groundwork for a conversation that's both enjoyable and contributes to your career goals. Keep it simple and have a clear ask, Kelsi Kriitmaa, a social impact career coach, advises. 'Don't just say, 'I'd love to connect,' say why,' Kriitmaa said. 'Are you curious about how they transitioned sectors? Want to understand how they landed their role? Looking for insights on your next move? Say that.' If you fancy yourself a considerate introvert, you probably overthink situations like this, worried that you'll be a bother. But according to Kriitmaa, with this approach, 'clarity isn't pushy, it's respectful of people's time and energy, and people are far more likely to respond to something real and specific than a vague message that feels like a copy and paste.' Whether you're an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between, it's common to avoid thinking about networking until you find yourself looking for work. The problem, of course, is that good networking means building strong relationships, and this takes time. Therefore, part of your perspective shift should include adopting a 'give before you get' mindset, Kriitmaa said, which helps you to 'nurture relationships before you 'need' them, so that when the time comes to ask for support, advice, or intros, you've already built trust. It's called relationship equity, and it compounds over time.' Simple actions one could take on LinkedIn include congratulating someone on a new role or sharing an event they might not have seen. 'This isn't about being transactional, it's about being generous, early and often,' Kriitmaa said. 'Think about how you can connect people to one another, or how you can connect useful information to people,' Anzböck added. 'You should be thinking more about the long-term gain of the relationship.'
