Few video game genres are as intense and nerve-wracking as fighting games.
A Fighting game is based on competitive matches between a player’s character and a character played by a different player or the game’s AI. Although traditionally a one-on-one between two gamers, some games, like Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros., can be played by multiple players.
Besides being fun and exciting to play, did you know you can apply your fighting game skills to job interviews?
No, you didn’t misread that. You can actually use what you learned from playing fighting games during your job interview.
How is that possible? Well, read on and find out. Here are some ways playing fighting games can give you an edge during your job interview.
Learn the Match-up.
To maximize your chances of winning against an opponent, you should learn the match-up between their character and yours. A match-up pertains to how many times a character can win in a ten-match set against another character, presuming they’re played by equally skilled players. As they say: “knowing is half the battle.”
This includes knowing your character’s strengths and weaknesses first. Then you should know the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent and utilize this information to your advantage.
Of course, you can’t plan for everything, but having this knowledge prevents you from getting blindsided by your opponent.
Learning the match-up in fighting games can also apply to when you want to ace your job interview.
Just like you would read frame data and watch character tutorials before an actual match, assess yourself and learn more about the company and position you’re applying to before your job interview. This helps you know what to say to impress your interviewer and avoid mistakes.
Practice With a Friend.
Knowing what to do by yourself is one thing, but applying your strategy in a real scenario is another. The only way to improve in a fighting game is to play against actual opponents. It allows you to see the areas you’re good at and the ones you need to improve.
And who better else to play with than your friends? Not only is there no pressure to win against them (unless you’re very competitive), but they can also offer advice on how to get better at the game.
Similarly, a commonly-cited way to become good at job interviews is by practicing with a friend in a mock interview. It helps build your confidence and get familiar with answering questions to look out for.
Be Wary of Your Interviewer’s “Mixups.”
During your interview, your interviewer will try to find holes in your resume and answers to assess whether you’re the person they’re looking for. They’ll ask questions like “What are your weaknesses?” and “How would you describe yourself?” to do so.
This situation is like when your opponent pressures you with deceptive mixups to break your defense. In fighting game terms, a mixup is a series of attacks meant to confuse your opponent into letting their guard down so you can spring a combo on them.
When this happens, remain calm and answer your interviewer’s questions as best you can. Remember the answers you came up with while practicing with your friend – and be careful with your wording.
Take the term “perfectionist,” for example. For you, it may seem like a plus since it means you won’t stop doing a task until it’s perfect in your eyes. But for your employer, it may mean that you over-fixate on your work. Instead, try saying you have an eye for detail.
Don’t Be Afraid to Respond in Kind (Appropriately, Of Course).
Remember, your interviewer isn’t the only person who can apply pressure during the interview. You can also ask questions regarding the position you’ve applied for, the salary and benefits, and whether the company has a high turnover rate.
Asking these questions shows that you’re committed to knowing as much about the company as possible. It also allows you to see if what the company offers is appropriate for the position you’re applying for.
And people say playing fighting games isn’t good for your brain…
You Lose… Continue?
Part of playing and learning to be better at fighting games is losing. It’s even more challenging to accept this in this type of game since there’s no one else to blame. Not that it’ll stop people from making excuses, mind you.
Sometimes, no matter how well you did your interview, sometimes you still won’t get the job. Maybe your interviewer just didn’t vibe with you. Or perhaps there was a more suitable candidate. And that’s not your fault.
Instead of losing heart or getting frustrated, you should treat this setback as a lesson and learn as much from it as possible. So that when you try again next time, you’ll know what to do and what not to do.
Round 1, Fight!
Learning how to pass your job interview can seem a daunting prospect. However, there are many ways you can prepare yourself for it. And one such unconventional way you can prepare for your job interview is… playing fighting games?
From learning the match-up to responding to your interviewer’s pressure and responding with your own, you’ll find plenty of use for your fighting game skills in a job interview.
So if you feel ready to take on the challenge of applying for an online job, Remote Staff is here to help. Our jobs list has various positions available for you to choose from, so you’ll never run out of options.
Ready, Fight!
