Crazy Good Interviewing: How Acting A Little Crazy Can Get You The Job

Chapter 1

Job Hunting in a Crazy Economy

Could you stand up and sing in a Karaoke bar? In front of complete strangers? Without any practice? With little or no lead time?

If your vocal talent is similar to Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Christina Aguilera, Seal, or Lady Gaga, you would undoubtedly enjoy doing this, even basking in the afterglow of audience applause and whistles from your newfound fans chanting “Encore!”

If your voice is mediocre at best, or if you are sorely out of practice, you know what it feels like to sing your heart out trying to imitate your favorite performer only to be met with laughter, groans, and rude remarks such as: “Next,” “Get out of here,” or “Don't give up your day job!”

Translation: If you don't know what you're doing (even if your intentions are good), you're going to be in trouble. Moreover, if you quit your regular paying job to become a singer, you will starve.

This type of negative reaction can be disheartening at best.

In today's tough economy, I don't know many people who are contemplating quitting a secure, well-paying job to become a singer or turn their other passions or hobbies into an income-generating business. In fact, most people consider themselves lucky if they have a job at all. For many people who are unemployed, though, their full-time job is looking for a job.

Job Market Overview

By definition, persons are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have been actively looking for work for the past four weeks, and are ...