“Won’t you have a seat? Mr. Andrews will see you in a moment” the Wakefield Doctrine and Job Interviews… | the Wakefield Doctrine “Won’t you have a seat? Mr. Andrews will see you in a moment” the Wakefield Doctrine and Job Interviews… | the Wakefield Doctrine

“Won’t you have a seat? Mr. Andrews will see you in a moment” the Wakefield Doctrine and Job Interviews…

Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)

Today we present the first of a series of Posts that will look at the process of interviewing for a job, through the prism of the Wakefield Doctrine. In each of these Posts, we will set up a  job interview scenario, each in a different business sector and  look at it from the perspective of the Wakefield Doctrine. The underlying question throughout will be,  “what insight does the Wakefield Doctrine provide that will allow us to improve the chances of success in being hired in each of these situations?”

To start us off,  we will consider the strategies available to a person seeking a position in what is often referred to as ‘the corporate world’. Subsequent Posts in this Series, will include  interviewing for positions in the Manufacturing Sector, Service Industries and Small Businesses.

Corporate Environment:

…the Human Resources Offices of a multi-national Investment Banking Corporation,  you are here for a First Interview for a job as (an) Earnings Analyst ( for the M&A Division of Clarke, Scott & Rogers, Investment Banking Ltd ). You have a degree in Business Administration, your GPA was a dead-solid middle of the road and you have spent the 3 years since graduation working at a variety of jobs that included: Taxi Driver (night shift because that would leave you plenty of Business hours to find a job), Busboy ( at a restaurant in the business district where you think you can make some good business contacts) and Deckhand on a Fishing boat (because you always thought that would be fun).
A friend of one of your parents is on the Board of Directors of CS&R Investment Banking and though he has not recommended you personally, did tell your parents to tell you that there was an un-advertised position opening up in the M&A Division.

And so, after submitting your Resume and Application (which included your parent’s Board of Directors Member friend), you have been granted an Initial Interview. This Interview is with the Director of Human Resources and, if you impress him, you will be given an Interview with  the actual Manager of the M&A Division.
(…. oh!  do we need to mention that you are a clark?)

(First Interaction)

The Receptionist  is on the phone when you walk into the outer Office… her desk is spot-less… and she is stunning. On her desk, which is directly opposite the door is: a phone, a computer screen and keyboard and a single framed photograph (of her in what is clearly an exotic foreign locale). Behind and to the left is a single door marked: Private

Do you:

  • Walk directly up to her and begin speaking
  • Stand rooted to the spot and wait to be invited further into the waiting area
  • Ignore her and go for the door that seems to lead to the inner offices

The Question: if you are a clark what is likely to be your first reaction, which is the most effective strategy and which of the three personality types is the receptionist? Please submit your answer (along with the reason for your picking the personality type) in the Comments section at the bottom of this Post

(Second Interaction)

…you have been sitting on the expensive couch in the waiting room for 45 minutes ( 30 minutes later than the scheduled interview). Ten minutes after you arrived and the receptionist pointed to the waiting area, a woman carrying an iPad and  wearing an expensive business suit and designer glasses came into the office. She spoke briefly to the Receptionist and then walked over and sat across from you in the waiting area.  All of 5 minutes pass, at which point the Receptionist announced, “Mr. Andrews will see you now.”
You both got up.
The receptionist smiled and said, “No, I’m sorry!  I was speaking to Ms. Ellison.” At which point,  your former reception-area-companion walked through the doors into the inner offices.

Do you:

  • Pretend that you were only getting up to stretch and, in the hopes of convincing the Receptionist that this was your reason for getting up, you remain standing until she asks if there is something she can do for you?
  • Look annoyed and sit back down and turn the pages of your magazine loudly and much too quickly
  • …get mad and confront the Receptionist
The Question: if you are a clark, which of the above is likely to be your initial reaction and which, (of the three actions above), should be your reaction, in order to increase your chances of being successful in this Interview?
That will be all for today.
‘Part II   The Corporate Interview’ will be appearing later in the week. All who submit  Comments and/or Suggestions will be eligible for a free Wakefield Doctrine Tee Shirt!!

 

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clarkscottroger About clarkscottroger
Well, what exactly do you want to know? Whether I am a clark or a scott or roger? If you have to ask, then you need to keep reading the Posts for two reasons: a)to get a clear enough understanding to be able to make the determination of which type I am and 2) to realize that by definition I am all three.* *which is true for you as well, all three...but mostly one

Comments

  1. Clairepeek says:

    Hi Clark!
    Hmm… since I am a clark, it should be easy…beep… not at all. Great post by the way… what? no, I’m not stalling ^_^ Okay back to business.

    The Question: if you are a clark what are you likely to be your first reaction, which is the most effective strategy and which of the three personality types is the receptionist?

    I miss a choice in your three suggestions.

    So here is, as a clark, how I would do it… Ignoring the surrounding, I would likely look at the receptionist… not too directly so that I don’t feel more awkward than I already feel; smile discretely, nod slightly maybe while standing rooted to the spot until she is done talking on the phone, walk up to her and introduce myself, therefore stating the reason of my presence in these offices.

    Be that as it may, your three choices are no doubt formulated this way for a reason, so I would probably chose answer number two:

    Stand rooted to the spot and wait to be invited further into the waiting area

    if you are a clark, which of the above is likely to be your initial reaction and which, (of the three actions above), should be your reaction, in order to increase your chances of being successful in this Interview?

    I find that the receptionist is probably a roger mostly because of the order around her… she is the face of the company, and is obviously in control of her environment. Now, as a clark my initial reaction to her skipping me would be:

    Look annoyed and sit back down and turn the pages of your magazine loudly and much too quickly

    … I would also mumble for myself…

    The reaction I should have is not in your list: I’d look at the receptionist, smile thus showing my understanding of what is going on and calmly sit back down… reading on the book I brought with me. I’d state this way, I may be an outsider but you are not going to control me ^_^.

    SO… DO I PASS FOR THE NEXT STEPS OF THE INTERVIEW CHALLENGE? DO I GET A TEE-SHIRT?

    Hihihi, that was fun! Looking forward to part 2.
    Have a great day.

  2. clarkscottroger clarkscottroger says:

    very good, Claire! we clarks sure do have a secret aggressive side, no? lol

  3. Whadya mean “eligible”?! LOL

    Do clarks really have an “aggressive” side? clark on clark may interpret the above as aggressive but isn’t that a subjective thing?
    In truth, I would say that clarks do have an aggressive side but what I am more curious of is what it takes to generate “aggressive” behavior in a clark.

    • clarkscottroger clarkscottroger says:

      lol I rest my case…

      …and were you going to participate in the Q&A? >lol

  4. Clairepeek says:

    Girlie… I cannot let this pass -lol- for I need to answer your question: yes, clarks have an aggressive side and mine is not so secret ^_^ Then of course, the subjectivity of such a side is quite obvious for there are different types of aggressiveness… this, however, is another story for another post…

    looking forward to your answers to the set-up interview ^_^

  5. Downspring#1 says:

    Yikes! Who’s talkin’ now? LOL Time to give DS#1 shot here….. :D

    I understand exactly what you are saying Claire by “there are different types of aggressiveness”. The thing that nags me is the why’s and how’s of the manifestation of aggressiveness (for clarks). Here, let me wipe the mirror a little and see if I can interpret better what I am trying to get at….when a clark is aggressive is it more likely to be reactive? defensive? Isn’t it safe to say that more often than not, that is what is going on EXCEPT when a clark accesses her/his scottian side. Then you are witness to the spontaneous combustion (manifestation) of clarklike aggression. For a clark, this is both thrilling and frightening at the same time. It also tends to leave a lingering desire to do it again only it suddenly becomes not so easy…..
    Until now:)

  6. Molly Molly M. says:

    I’ve only had a few job interviews… and all of them have been simple and to the point. (Oh, and I’ve always gotten the job, assuming the place I applied had an opening… otherwise I have been called when here was an opening.)

    So… I am a clark
    1. I would walk up close to the desk, and wait for her call to end before speaking, then state the exact reason I am there.
    2. Politely remind the receptionist why I am there and ask if there is a reason for the delay.

    • clarkscottroger clarkscottroger says:

      Molly and Claire and DS#1

      This ‘Interview Series’ is meant not only for the blog, but for inclusion in the book, (Lise’s thinking) is that we need to ‘mix it up’ in terms of theory and practice and that a ‘real life’ scenario will give the Reader (of the book) an opportunity to apply what we are presenting and, in a sense, practise applying the Doctrine.
      As indicated there will be another episode in this scenario, and other episodes that present a variety of occupations…and environments, so everyone keep your thinking caps* on… the one that may be of special interest (given some of the Saturday Night discussions) may be the interview with the owner of a small restaurant.

      Also will be looking for input from our rogerian and scottian Readers… the job applicant is not always going to be a clark!

  7. RCoyne RCoyne says:

    Before I tend to my other ‘ shirked responsibilities,’ I can respond to this directly. Receiving interviewees is one of my MetLife things ( two birds, one stone- use a security guy, scrap the real receptionist ) I proudly count myself as the world’s oldest and ugliest receptionist.
    Here is a list of the things in those scenarios that should not matter ( and ultimately do not matter )
    – the presumption that the interviewee does not have a valid reason to be there. If you have a scheduled interview with a supposed business professional, arrive 10-15 minutes early, be prepared ( know the name of the person you’re scheduled to see, dress business professional, be able to take notes if needed, turn your goddamned phone off )
    – any detail concerning the receptionist ( how pretty, what’s on her desk, etc. is of no concern whatever. She has a function to see to when you arrive ( to announce your arrival to the interviewer, and follow any further instructions…period. ) If she is less than professional, that is not your concern. Let her take the hit for it.
    – If another person goes in ahead of you, do not presume anything at all. It is not your concern. You are in the right place at the right time. That is really all you need.
    – if you are received in later than your scheduled time, make sure that they know you were on time. You have every right to make that point clear.
    -Be professional, and expect professional treatment .
    I have seen it all. I have seen people in jeans and t-shirts, people dropped at the wrong building by taxi, and have to take a second taxi to be now 40 mins. late. I have seen people park in executive reserved spots because they feel entitled. I have seen dogs brought to interviews, because they couldn’t get a dog-sitter. I have seen children left unattended in a lobby while Mom interviewed. I have seen a woman park in a fire lane, get ticketed by WFD, and demand that Metlife pay the ticket. I have seen people who did not have any contact info at all…” I’m here to see John.” ” I have 112 Johns in this building. Which one do you think you would like?”
    Just be professional.

    • clarkscottroger clarkscottroger says:

      ok, we see the view from ‘behind the desk’ in our Corporate Interview scenario….cool

      …the challenge going forward for us is this: the first version of the book is targeted at the professional therapist ( on a variety of levels, institutions and settings ) and, as such, we are offering the Wakefield Doctrine as ‘one more tool for the Practitioner’s tool box*’ And while much of the book concerns itself with the rationale, the ‘theory’ of the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers, it must be relevant and, as we all know, it must be fun.
      So with this job thing, we let the Reader, who probably has not met any of us (lol), try seeing the 3 types and (their characteristic view of the world).
      A long way of saying, when we write the scenario with a roger in the role of the Interviewee, it will be good having the above input. The same applies to the scottian Interviewee.

      I was speaking to DS#1 earlier today and we were trying to decide which of the three types a certain muscian was and we both had a different opinion. The thing that struck me that really is the beauty part about the Doctrine was that we are not ‘determining’ an individual’s personality, we are trying to infer their reality, see the world as they see it.
      So while DS#1 and I argued about whether the person was a scott or a roger, they went on about their life without change. lol (no, that last part does not have to make sense to anyone but a clark).

      * most in the field of counseling and behavioral intervention maintain a variety of views and contexts through and in which to view the client, the goal being simply to find the approach that works!

  8. Downspring#1 says:

    I promise to come back later and comment on the most recent of comments. I am having one bizzee-ee day!
    What I want to say now is thank you again to everyone who participated in the recent Dead Balloon Writing Contest. The DVD of Tin Man arrived moments ago – addressed to one “DS#1” I am very excited to watch it:)
    Uh, oh…..the postman now has a heads up on one of my aliases. LOL

    btw, RCoyne! Requested e-mail sent to you as requested. Stay tuned folks. Stay tuned.

  9. 1. I enjoy the music videos put up on this site. Adds a bit of flavor.
    2. I have never worked for anyone but myself. My resume would KILL me before I ever got an interview( “HMMM, he has always worked for himself, he will be difficult and the first issue, he will quit or tell us to shove it”)
    True.

    So, I can’t answer the interview question as I don’t ever anticipate an interview. You never can get ahead in this world without working for yourself or being an entrepreneur or making your own decisions. I don’t like to be managed, much less MICRO-MANAGED. I do the managing. So, wait, I DID work for a start-up Internet Provider, Internet America, but I was hired on the spot for evening work. I did it to learn more about IP, IT, etc. However, they had me in Customer Care because of my background. I sorta enjoyed it, but didn’t learn enough about what I wanted to know. I waited, but no cigar. So, when some changes were made, I immediately assessed the situation knowing I “don’t like the ending”.

    I HAVE done plenty of hiring, so I could answer those questions. Let them know what they do, how much it pays (quickly) and what is expected of them. On the other hand, as an inventor (I’m working on a patent), I much prefer to make my own decisions, and my feelings for Attorneys I will keep to myself. My feelings for the USPTO, the patent office, I will share – THEY SUCK. It’s a money grab game, an orchestrated dance between them and Attorneys to drain you, when you have overcome ALL objections, the patent should be issued. However, if you are NOT a large corporation, just an individual, they will make you jump thru ALL the hoops, several processes, and you end up spending money that is unnecessary. It’s a scam. The Shark Tank, at least, gets right to the point. ( I have applied to be on the show, formally).

    So, I’m no help here. However, it’s best to state to your HR person, what YOU want, and if they don’t like what they hear, good. You don’t waste YOUR time. Pay is important and Time, personal time, is important. Plus, what are you going to be doing? Answering phones all day is a quick trip to a dirt nap. And, a road to nowhere land. Work for a start-up, take a chance, or remember the sage saying “It’s WHO YOU KNOW” that helps tremendously. Work with someone you know. Get in on the start-up ground floor and hope it takes off. Otherwise, good luck.

    Now, bring me my cup of coffee and, oh, you will be working late the next two evenings. And, we’ve cut hours to 39 hrs per week, so no benefits. You’ve been here how long? Oh, sorry to hear that. And, gosh, you were only 6 months from getting your retirement/pension. Oh well, that’s biz!

    As a friend once told me, and a favorite saying of mine from him, “I want a job where I don’t have to work.”
    Genius.

    I’m sure I’ve missed out on a chance to chime in (ding*) on many interesting things, but been playing house-havoc with the old money pit. Always something to repair. I heard the Maytag man died, and that has me as Mr. Handyman, plus, the idea of a 240 sq ft NYC apartment just broils my stones. Nothing is worth that. I have plenty of room inside and out and can’t imagine even two people living in less than 2600 sq ft, less than that, shotguns required.

    Did you hear about the man from Nantucket?

    Steve the Rogerian Candidate, and by the way, in your next interview, show some cleavage. That always helps. Ah, chauvinism is alive and well.!