Name: Works Well With Others
Rating: 3.1 (46 reviews)
Author: Ross McCammon

What’s in it for me? Take control of the things that used to scare you.

Most of us have at least a few irrational fears. Maybe speaking in front of strangers terrifies you. Maybe you break out in cold sweats during job interviews. Or maybe just choosing an outfit for the day is a daunting task.

Well, it doesn’t have to be that way.

All those potentially awkward, scary or embarrassing situations are actually pretty easy to handle – if you master a few basic tactics and techniques. These blinks will lay them all out.

In these blinks, you’ll learn

why wearing a bright tie can make you feel more confident;
why you shouldn’t BS your way through a job interview; and
how to give a toast that all the guests will remember.

When talking to a recruiter, learn to put yourself in her shoes.

If you’ve applied for a job lately, you’ll know it’s common practice these days for companies to use an external recruiter to determine who gets an interview with the hiring manager. But sitting down for a meeting with a recruiter doesn’t have to be a stressful situation. With the right mindset, you can ace the meeting and get that call back.

First off, it’s important to understand what a recruiter is looking for in an interview.

Contrary to what most people think, recruiters are more interested in building a relationship with you than in helping an employer fill a vacant position. If they don’t find something for you today, they might still come across the perfect job down the line. So think of the meeting as an informative conversation, an opportunity for the recruiter to learn more about you and your career goals.

A good technique is to put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes. Imagine you are the one who has to find a new employee for a company. You’ll meet a lot of well-educated and motivated people who may not be the right fit for this position, but might be perfect candidates for the next business you start recruiting for.

So, with this in mind, how should you act in front of a recruiter?

First of all: Don’t be late! Tardiness makes a bad first impression that is always difficult to overcome.

Second: Don’t lie! If you really are right for the job, being truthful about yourself will prove it.

And third: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out as much as you can about the position and what the company is looking for. By learning what qualities they’re seeking, you can emphasize those traits in yourself during your interview with the hiring manager.

Finally, after the meeting, send a thank you note to the recruiter. It’s a simple gesture that leaves a good impression.

Making eye contact will help you succeed in meetings and interviews.

Everyone knows the importance of making a good first impression, and nowhere is this more important than in a job interview. Right when you walk into the room, the outcome of the entire interview is at stake. That first impression is made within the first few seconds.

So what’s the secret to making a positive first impression? Eye contact.

Avoiding certain words and phrases adds to the professionalism of your self-presentation.

So now that you’ve aced the interview and landed your dream job, how do you maintain your professionalism? Well, part of being a professional is talking like one. That means ditching some of the phrases and words that you might use outside the office and sticking to what is appropriate in a professional environment.

One quick and easy way to improve your professional vocabulary is to drop the habit of apologizing.

A toast can be a great opportunity, as long as you know how to seize it.

Whether you’re celebrating a business breakthrough or a friend’s wedding, a thoughtful toast can be the perfect gesture. But a successful toast isn’t a ramble or an unending recitation of names and acknowledgements. A successful toast is a powerful moment – a taut, punchy speech that people will remember for a long time. So how do make your next toast a successful one?

Ask yourself, what do you expect when someone gives a toast?

Key ideas in Works Well With Others

What is Works Well With Others about?

Works Well With Others (2015) is a guide for professionals – both new and old – seeking tips and tricks for handling themselves in the modern workplace. From mastering the interview process to fitting in on your first day, these blinks teach you those crucial social rules that no one ever talks about.