Relationships over resumes

In the last year, I've been coaching my out-of-work friends, relatives and clients on how to make the best impression during their interviews.

My advice is simple: connect, connect, connect. People hire someone, not just because they have a good skill set, but on the strength of the way they feel the person will fit into the organization and onto the team.

One of my friends is an accountant. He wanted to tell prospective employers that he was a hard worker, had experience in taking companies public, etc. That was evident from his past jobs; laid out on his resume. He had to connect with the CEO who was interviewing for a new CFO. I coached him on how to uncover the CEO's hobbies, interests, values and then match them up with his. After a few hours, he got the concept and landed the job.

You see, the advice to connect is simple but the execution is not. The underlying tenet is that "emotion motivates and information justifies."

By the way, the title of this blog was taken from am interview in the Los Angeles Times with Jason Reitman Oscar-nominated director of "Up in the Air." He said, "I want a shorthand. I believe in relationships over resume. . .Things are going to get tough . . .and you have to question who you want to be standing next to when they do.

Sounds like a concept that applies to almost anything!