Prep Like a Chef

Have you ever heard a Chef talk about food? It’s a memorable experience. Surf over to your favorite cooking show or site, and take a few minutes to listen to how food is described. Pay attention to how chefs talk about food, flavors, and aromas. There is passion and energy. There is care for how the food was harvested, and how it ended up on the table. Watch how chefs’ eyes light up and grins widen as they share family stories which conjure fond memories. Think about how chefs emphasize the quality of ingredients and their specific actions - whether it’s a particular temperature for heating or the proper time for rest - to ensure a successful result. They provide a calculated recipe that almost guarantees consistency.?

Job candidates should approach an interview in much the same way chefs prep.

One of the first lessons students learn in culinary school is the meaning of the term, mise en place. Mise en place means “put in place” in French. It means ingredients are prepared, arranged, and organized before the cooking begins. Everything is in its proper space. Job candidates, much like culinary students, must learn quickly how to prepare and organize before participating in interviews.

Preparation makes the interview process run more smoothly. Preparation allows a job candidate to be flexible when an unexpected call comes in. Preparation provides a job candidate with a chance to refine focus on behaviors and actions. Preparation enables confidence.

Chefs are specific with recipes to ensure their actions beget a desired result.

When chefs deviate from a recipe, they invite the potential for new discoveries, as well as the potential for disaster. It’s a calculated risk. When chefs stick with the recipe, they know the likely outcome. There is time for experimentation. Executing a menu during an active daypart is not that time. Chefs understand the need to perform under pressure and they are able to do so because they prepare in advance.

Stand out job candidates, like great chefs, captivate.

There is an appreciation for the ability to communicate effectively in all industries. Savvy job candidates recognize the value of great communication and storytelling. They make sure to emphasize their ability to establish and deliver a message. They understand their audience, and they find topics that resonate. They also use tone, intonation, volume, and non-verbal cues to instill emotion or to convey a message.

Listening is the most overlooked aspect to communication.

Stand out job candidates know the ability to receive information is as important as sharing information. When actively listening, information is being gathered. Job candidates can demonstrate this behavior during an interview by verifying their understanding of the questions asked. Once a question is understood, a focused response can be delivered. With good preparation, navigating the interview can be simplified.??

Consider the following questions as you reflect upon your communication style:

• Am I easy to understand? Am I able to clearly explain ideas and concepts to others?
• Am I persuasive? Am I comfortable speaking up, sharing views, soliciting ideas, and requesting feedback?
• Do I make a credible a credible impression?
• Do I adapt my communication style, content, and means of delivery to suit the audience?
• Do I talk openly and honestly? Do I ensure understanding and address misunderstanding?

Saying you’re a great communicator won’t cut it. It’s why self-reflection is crucial. Demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively starts with a realistic understanding of who you are. Manage your enthusiasm. Speak clearly. Be honest. Support you point of view with evidence. Make eye contact. Cite influencers, innovation, and marketplace intelligence. Know your audience, and share how your behaviors and actions produced certain outcomes.

Great chefs and great job candidates communicate, captivate, and listen. They understand with proper discipline, dedication, commitment, and passion a goal can be realized. They know success begins with preparation, and preparation yields strong performance. The question is, why wouldn’t you prep like a chef?