Page 157 - James Caan - Get the Job you Really Want
P. 157

You have arrived with new information, you have moved on in
             your knowledge from the first interview. Fantastic. Of course
             the company could say it is not possible for you to meet anyone.
             But even if they did, I think they would admire you for asking the
             question. I would. It shows tremendous confidence to be able to

             ask that question.
                If the interview process is proceeding well, you may then be
             invited to come along to a social event. ‘Let’s pop down to the

             pub,’ the interviewer says. It happens a lot. And what do most
             people do? They drop their guard. They think they’ve got the job.
             It’s understandable. But you haven’t got the job, because you
             haven’t got an o≠er letter.
                If you do go out with the team, even though you are not

             sitting in an o≤ce, you are still being interviewed. It is simply an
             interview that is being held in a di≠erent location. Because the
             meeting is taking place in a social environment, people think

             it’s easier, but it’s not. The pitch to the candidate is always the
             same: ‘Why don’t you pop over on Thursday? We’re going out for
             a bite with some of the guys from the o≤ce. Do join us – it will
             give you a chance to meet the team.’ That’s exactly how I would
             pitch it, very casually.

                When you turn up on the evening, you will be sitting there
             with five people listening to everything you say, watching you
             very, very intently, though you might be oblivious to their level

             of interest. If I have asked some of my sta≠ to go along, what do
             you think I will have said to them in advance? Am I going to say,
             ‘Oh, we’re going to have a bite to eat with John. It will be a good
             laugh. You should come along.’ Or do you think I’m going to say,


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