No BS Career Advice: February 1 2025

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” – Babe Ruth

We were fortunate last weekend to have avoided all the snow, ice, and power outages many of you experienced. My wife is on a silent retreat north and west of New York and forwarded pictures of all the snow. My son in Vermont is experiencing subzero temperatures before windchill. We caught up yesterday, getting a few inches of snow while experiencing unusually cold weather (single digits). My wife has the 4 wheel drive vehicle we own so I am staying in until roads are cleared.

I have been having fun with adapting my coaching practice to different types of services and products. For example, I introduced a new service called “The Interview Intel Snapshot” where we generate a custom Intelligence Brief for your upcoming interview based specifically on your resume and the job description. I also released a new ebook on Amazon, No BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Commands Respect, Opens Doors and Reflects Your Value. The book will be available shortly on JobSearch.Community as part of any Insider program you join as well as for individual purchase.

The skills required to find a job are entirely different from the skills required to do a job. Most people are experts at the latter but struggle with the former. Over my years of coaching, I’ve seen thousands of candidates self-sabotage simply because they didn’t understand the “No BS” rules of the interview game.

Here is the breakdown of the nine most common ways you’re hurting your chances—and how to fix them.

9 Ways You’re Shooting Yourself in the Foot in Interviews

The skills required to find a job are entirely different from the skills required to do a job. Most people are experts at the latter but struggle with the former. Over my years of recruiting and coaching, I’ve seen thousands of candidates self-sabotage simply because they didn’t understand the “No BS” rules of the interview game.

Here is the breakdown of the nine most common ways you’re hurting your chances—and how to fix them.

1. Destroying Your Negotiating Position Early

The salary question often hits during the initial phone screen. If you commit to a number too early, you’ve lost your leverage.

• The Fix: Put it back on them. Ask, “Can you tell me the range budgeted for this position?” * The “Ballpark” Move: If they press, provide a researched range based on market data, then tie it to fit: “Based on my research for this level of responsibility, I’m seeing $X to $Y. I’m sure once we decide this is a fit, we can agree on a fair package.”

2. Giving “Canned” Answers

If you found an answer on a generic “Top 10” list, don’t use it. Interviewers smell a script instantly.

• The Fix: Aim for Authenticity + Strategy. Use the “Best Friend” test: practice your answer as if you were talking to a friend. That’s your authentic core. Now, polish it for a professional setting without losing that sincerity.

3. Fumbling Negative Questions

When asked about a bad boss, a layoff, or a gap in your resume, don’t vent. Use the ABC Tool:

• A – Analyze: Why are they asking? (Usually to check your emotional intelligence).

• B – Brevity: Keep the negative part under 40 seconds.

• C – Circle with Positives: Surround the “bad” news with what you learned or what you are doing now to improve.

4. Being the “Rambling Man”

In our ADHD culture, you have about 60 to 75 seconds before an interviewer tunes out.

• The Fix: Signal the end of your answer. Use a “downward note” in your voice to show you’re finished, or refer back to the question: “…and that is why I believe that project was my most significant success to date.”

5. Being Reactive, Not Proactive

Don’t just wait for them to ask the “right” questions. You must walk in knowing your key selling points.

• The Fix: In your “Tell me about yourself” intro, bridge your history to their needs. Use the phrase: “What’s probably most relevant to this role is my experience with [X].” It makes an interviewer’s ears perk up instantly.

6. Waiting Until the End to Ask Questions

An interview shouldn’t be an interrogation; it should be a conversation. The more the interviewer talks, the more they generally like the candidate.

• The Fix: Ask questions early. If they ask something vague, clarify: “I’d love to answer that—are you more interested in the technical execution or how I managed the team through the transition?” ### 7. Speaking in Generalities “I’m a hard worker” is a meaningless phrase.

• The Fix: Use Quantities and Stories. If you can’t use dollar amounts, use percentages, volume, or anecdotal feedback. Specificity creates memory; generalities are forgotten.

8. Forgetting the “Soft” Proof

Everyone claims to be a “team player.” Don’t tell them; show them through your behavior.

• The Fix: Treat everyone—from the receptionist to the junior staff—with genuine respect. Use the SOAR framework for your stories: Situation, Objectives, Actions, and Results. Focus heavily on the R. What was the actual impact?

9. Failing to Practice “Live”

Thinking the answer is not the same as saying the answer.

• The Fix: Practice out loud. Record yourself on video to catch distracting mannerisms or a lack of energy. You wouldn’t go into a championship game without a scrimmage; don’t go into an interview without a mock run.

Final Thought: The Interviewer is Scared, Too

Hiring managers are often “institutionally scared.” They know a bad hire can cost the company a third of a year’s salary and make them look bad to their own boss. Your job is to provide the “No BS” evidence that makes them feel safe choosing you.

Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2026

I shared a lot of new content last week, including:

Is An Electrician a Good Job for Someone Who Did Not Go to College?  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mds

Employer Branding: Have You Tried Video Job Descriptions?  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-je8

How to Proofread Your Resume  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2OH

What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Don’t Fill That Many Positions  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-otq

When A Company Wants to Give You a Written Test  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2HN

LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post  https://youtu.be/eIanBIanrlk

Informational Interviews: A Short Script for a Networking Email Asking for One  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-md4

No BS Career Advice: January 25 2026  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oIl

NEW! LinkedIn Premium: Free for Students! https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oHU

Misconceptions College Grads Have About Job Hunting https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBR

Self-Promoting Yourself Into a Job https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3X  

LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post  https://youtu.be/eIanBIanrlk

Is It Illegal to Keep Someone Waiting for an Hour? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oIa

Is That Recruiter Legit?  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oID

If Your Resume Doesn’t Include Numbers  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oIM  

How Long Does It Take to Screen Resumes?  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3cA

Stupid Interview Mistakes: Having Disorganized Answers https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5ca

Executive Networking: Attract Opportunities https://youtu.be/AIqGNSq_iQI

Employer Branding: Attracting Talent https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jeU

Should You Tell Your Boss Where You’re Going?  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oIY

What Makes Networking Effective  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-meO

Hack The Case Study Interview  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jIT

Stupid Interview Mistakes: Criticizing The Past https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2wj

Executive Networking: Attract Opportunities https://youtu.be/AIqGNSq_iQI

Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc

The Imposter Syndrome Reality Check  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJ8

Individual Contributor vs. Executive Resume: What Changes and Why  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oIi

How Do Recruiters Find You to Fill a Position? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jKy

Recession-Proofing Your Career: Help to Accomplish Your Company’s Goals and Self-Promote  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jmd

The Trap Everyone Falls Into https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJo

What Should I Do If They Want Me to Write a Proposal for a Client? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJl

Individual Contributor vs. Executive Resume: What Changes and Why  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oIi

Beyond Keywords: How LinkedIn’s AI is Redefining Your Professional Brand https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oIz

Why So Many Interviews? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouh

Your Digital First Impression May Be Getting You Rejected https://youtu.be/HahtjzIMda8

Schedule a free discovery call with me at www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule to discuss my coaching you during your job search and beyond.

Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio in Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to or watch podcasts. Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday I release new episodes.

#BeGreat

Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC

People Hire Me for No BS Job Search Coaching, Career Coaching and Career Advice Globally Because I Make Job Search Easier | I Help Executives Land When Others Can’t