You talk in your book at length about conquering shyness. Can a shy person get their dream job? What’s the best way to overcome their shyness?

One way to overcome shyness is to go out and talk to people about any curiosity you have. We call this a practice survey. Maybe you are curious to find out how they pick out records at a classical radio station. Go into the station and ask about how they decide which records to play. Make it clear that it’s an informational interview about a job you don’t want.

What you’re doing is satisfying a curiosity.

I’ve had people go out and find out how weather predictions were made. We sent them out to airports, etc. Other people wanted to meet the coach of the Chicago Bears. If you go out and want to talk with somebody about your enthusiasm that has nothing to do with your job that kind of interview is great practice to get you over your shyness.

File

You can even take someone along with you who is not as shy as you are to help you out.

The next step, and this is useful when you want to change careers, is to always, always, always talk to the guy or gal who’s doing the work you’re thinking about doing. Don’t talk to their employer.

This is a way to find out what that work is really like when the rubber hits the road before you commit. Ask them what they like best, how they got in to it, what they like least. Ask them whom they recommend you talk to.

You talk about the 20-second and two-minute interview rule. Can you elaborate?

When you’re asking questions you don’t want to be a bore so your answer should last no more than two minutes. But you don’t want to answer “yes” or “no,” so try to take at least 20 seconds so you seem interested.

Think of questions to ask beforehand. You’ll have a lot of questions to ask if you look at the interview as needing information so you can figure out if you want to work there.

And don’t bring up salary until you’re pretty sure they are going to offer you a job, and typically they should bring it up first.

There’s typically a moment during the interview when you think, “hey, I’m nailing this.” How do you know you’re on your way there?

If the employer is asking about your deep past, where you grew up, that’s not a good sign if he or she stays there the entire interview. If the time sequence moves forward, such as, where did you work most recently? Where you see yourself in five years? That’s a good sign they’re interested in you.

Click here to read part one of this interview, on how to tend the "grapevine."

MORE FROM TECHNOLOGY & MONEY

Technology & Money Section Front

It's not too late! Find a seasonal job Cost of 12 days of Christmas rises to $86,609 Scout out hidden fees and save hundreds Expecting a pink slip? What you need to know The Duggars: How they live debt-free Budget tips for the self-employed In shaky times, are gift cards a bad bet? 'Obama cookie' bringing in a lot of dough 10 deep-sea secrets revealed Money 911: What’s your emergency? Technology & Money Section Front   Add Technology & Money headlines to your news reader: