Jimmy Fallon Would Absolutely Crush a Job Interview
Jimmy Fallon is killing it right now.
On Tuesday, the late-night host went viral with a brand-new rendition of ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ (thanks to a little help from Mariah Carey).
This is how Hulu describes the jingle:
What happens when you mix Mariah Carey with The Roots, a kazoo, a xylophone and some school kids? An addictive version of ‘All I Want for Christmas is You.’
Fallon knew that to ‘go viral,’ his song had to be something no one had ever seen. It’s a technique that works great for musical comedy and can also do wonders for your own job search.
Say what?
Here’s the deal. Hiring managers, just like YouTube watchers, reward someone who stands out. There are so many people hustling for the same job opportunities. What makes you memorable?
Career blog The Undercover Recruiter had a great piece last week on the ‘Top 10 Words to Avoid on Your Linkedin Profile.‘ Let’s expand that to the ten words you shouldn’t use on a job application. They are:
- Creative
- Organizational
- Effective
- Motivated
- Extensive experience
- Track record
- Innovative
- Responsible
- Analytical
- Problem solving
A blimp will get you plenty of attention but probably not the job.
So what’s the middle ground between boring and crazy? Well, look what Fallon did. The comedian used everything at his disposal to craft the song: Mariah Carey, cute kids, The Roots and even a kazoo.
Could anyone else in showbiz copy that? Not a chance. It’s 100% original.
When you’re filling out a job application, what sets you apart? Well, a lot. You have the sum of your life experiences, unique moments that no one else can duplicate. Use your cover letter and resume to tell stories that relate directly to the job in question.
In other words, don’t just say you’re creative, effective, motivated and innovative. Prove that you’re all of those things because of what you already accomplished.
There are thousands of Christmas songs on the Web, but only a select few have what it takes to go viral.
What’s your tune?
And while we’re on the subject, what’s your favorite Christmas song?
Share below!
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© 2012, Danny Rubin
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