Career Advice - Winning the Career Game Calls For Putting on a Game Face

Q. Yesterday I was interviewed for a job that sounds very good. One question stumped me: "What the boss does not want to work for?" Caught by surprise, I said, "I like the boss who is available to answer questions and give me feedback ."

How do I prepare for next time?

A. Whether you are interviewing for a job, networking and client presentations, you enter a business relationship. And business relationships are different from friendship.

So, when you enter a business or a sports arena, you can put on the uniform and wear his game face. You can follow the rules. For a long time successful players (such as Diana Taurasi and Michael Jordan) know the rules so they can trust their intuition.

But most of us will see networking events and interviews as well, a new ball game. We do not practice every day. All year round - even decades - to go without a job interview. So, when we get to the game, most of us to be self-conscious of what we do.

1 Focus on the game, not your feelings.

before and after the business meeting, you can (and should) share feelings and concerns openly with the coach, consultant or advisor. But when you're face to face at a business meeting, his game face becomes part of your dress-for-success plan.

networking acquaintance asks, "How things are going?" You know you do not want to hear about problems with suppliers, babysitting or crazy boss. Time to share a success story, question-of-factly, without bragging.

2 Create your playbook before enter the arena.

Anticipate questions whenever possible. Talk to others with more recent experience.

the other team has a three-point lead and you have sixty seconds left in the game. They have a ball.

I must admit I was surprised the first time I heard a sportscaster explained, "At this level, the coach is already diagrammed plays for situations like this." No, it makes sense for the sport and business, too.

3 Make a game plan for surprises.

can not plan for every case. Opponent coaches with creative play and the conversation back from the conference with new matters.

is one trick I share with clients: As you have heard every question, ask yourself: "What answer will show you understand the game and I'm ready to play by the rules ?"

So you're wondering, "What kind of boss do you like ?"

Most likely, your prospective employer does not care what leadership style you want. If you work for a large company, chances are you'll have more bosses in one year, each with different personalities, management styles and expectations.

But your company does not care about achievement.

for for-profit company, you might talk about the work, results-oriented boss. Then he talks about the importance of contributing to the bottom line.

non-profit leading the mission, and to fine tune your response.

4 Understand that the game can change in a jiffy.

Of course, you realize that May will not be able to act in the environment presented by this organization. You can retire from the game altogether.

But I encourage clients not to leave too quickly. Just as a basketball game can be reversed in the last twenty seconds, the job can be changed overnight. Literally.

5 Plan for the escape.

Some people live for their play and their work. I know some internet marketers who work sixteen hours a day - good luck. Some players and coaches live for the game, especially during March Madness. They relax by shooting around the court.

, but most of us need a break and getaways. We need to step back to gain perspective. And we all know it needs a place to take off their game face and relax, if just for a bit.