The Rubber Meets the Road

New York, NY - I have an interview this afternoon back in a particular industry that I had left a year ago. The kind of industry is not as important as the fact that I left it. The job involves working in a way that is new and exciting to me: to develop staff.

Here lies the conflict: I want this job but I do not care for the industry. How do I get the employer to hire me? How much do I share in the interview? Can I forward my value proposition in an industry that I do not care for?

The phrase “The rubber meets the road” comes to mind: The rubber represents my truth: I have skills and desire for this opportunity . The road represents the reality of the world: The employer has needs and will pay someone to address these needs. Truth meets reality. The interview determines how close the match is.

Thankfully, the interview is a conversation. It is a meeting of equal minds. I represent my interests. The employer represents his. Each of us gets to say: "Here's my need and here's what I offer." Marketing is all.

I've decided to be as truthful as I can be. How much truth is ultimately a personal decision. As a independent contractor, I now welcome an organization paying my benefits as opposed to paying for these on my own. If the employer asks why I’m pursuing this job, I will not prevaricate. I will say that it is nice to belong to an organization and have benefits paid.

Marketing is important. I hope integrity counts too.