Don't be Costanza.....Interview Inspration from George Costanza

 

My first week in California is almost done, lots of time watching bad TV....but I’ve been catching up on a ton of old Seinfeld reruns....which got me thinking.  They talk a lot about hiring and interviewing on the show...usually it’s George who’s having issues.  I saw a couple of episodes this week that made me think....we can learn something there.  So, here we go:

George is interviewing for a job with the Yankees...Cushman is the hiring manager.

Cushman: Why don't you tell me about some of your previous job experience?

George Costanza: Alrighty. My last job was in publishing. I got fired for having sex in my office with the cleaning woman.

Cushman: Go on.

George Costanza: All right. Before that, I was in real estate. I quit because the boss wouldn't let me use his private bathroom. That was it.

Cushman: Do you talk to everybody like this?

George Costanza: Of course.

Cushman: My niece told me you were different.

George Costanza: I am different, yeah.

So, a few things....don’t sleep with people in the office (obviously) and the whole private bathroom thing is just weird.  What’s interesting to me, is that different can be and in many cases IS good when it comes to interviewing.  You can don’t want to be Costanza different.  When you’re interviewing you want to show off why you are exceptional and what makes you different from the rest of the candidates.  Got it?

Ok, later in the interview George gets to meet Mr. Steinbrenner...

Cushman: I gotta tell you, you are the complete opposite of every applicant we've seen. Mr. Steinbrenner, sir. There's someone here I'd like you to meet. This is Mr. Costanza. He is one of the applicants.

George Steinbrenner: Nice to meet you.

George Costanza: Well, I wish I could say the same, but I must say, with all due respect, I find it very hard to see the logic behind some of the moves you have made with this fine organization. In the past twenty years, you have caused myself, and the city of New York, a good deal of distress as we have watched you take our beloved Yankees and reduced them to a laughing stock, all for the glorification of your massive ego.

George Steinbrenner: Hire this man!

One thing you want to do in interviews is speak your mind.  Tell the truth and then really answer questions as truthfully and honestly as you can.  No doubt.  However, George pretty much attacks Steinbrenner here.  It’s honestly a hysterical exchange if you have the chance to see the show.  Very rarely will someone say “Hire this man” after being assaulted verbally like this.  Answer truthfully, be direct and if you’re the right fit....someone will want to hire you.

More soon, I’m trying to write a ton and as always good luck out there....having a great career isn’t easy