You can be unemployed, lost on your luck, older than other “typical candidates”, eccentric, etc, etc, and still have enough self-confidence to (through it all) present yourself well, and find the job of your dreams, or the promotion or opportunity you desire and deserve. Look at what Susan Boyle did this week!
I can’t get enough of watching Susan Boyle’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent. The story of where she came from, her not-so-typical “idol” persona, and the surprise of just how talented she was was a story for the ages.
Here are some takeaways from the video that I find to be worth noting.
1. As a candidate, if you know you have the talent, you can afford to show a little more personality (as Ms. Boyle did when she met the judges). Standing out from the crowd with a unique personality (while also possessing the talent they are looking for) can give you the edge over other candidates.
2. As an HR department, or as a panel conducting interviews, it’s important to not put too much credence in how the person dresses or looks, and more on the content they deliver in the interview itself. Making false assumptions about someone based on the first few seconds of an interview can blind you to what a person really possesses (in this case Ms. Boyle’s amazing vocal abilities.)
3. You can see that even with a negative start (either an awkward introduction or inaccurate initial perspective) you can blow away your interviewers with a stunning performance or interview. You can turn those interviewers into respectful people (like the three judges) who were professional enough to correct their initial perceptions with honest and solid feedback.
