Confidence in the Job Interview

look em straight in the eye and SMILE, SMILE, SMILE

Confidence in the Job Interview

If you get nothing from this post, remember this when you interview:  SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!  

Smile =  Confidence in the job interview

First impressions mean everything in a job interview. Despite what you think, it is VERY easy to make a good impression. Too many candidates feel they will be hired based on their resumes and qualifications. They do not think about how they present themselves. I want to discuss avoiding sending yellow flags on this critical first impression. 

The  first impression you THINK you are portraying

Some people are graced with good looks and a dazzling smile. You are probably showing confidence in the job interview without trying.  If you are one of these people, consider yourself lucky.  Some of us may be carrying a few extra pounds, feel a little short, or have thinning hair. There is little we can do about the physical. We can all take steps to improve our image. There is a distinction between your physical appearance and the image you present.  Most people want to work with people who are comfortable with themselves and considerate of others. I want to work with folks who are dedicated to the work. 

Ask yourself about prior coworkers that you enjoyed working with and those that you didn’t.  I bet you remember considerate colleagues. Colleagues who took the initiative, helped you learn, and were generally “positive people.” Physical looks probably didn’t even come up. If you were to ask ten people what they look for in their coworkers, they aren’t going to mention looks. 

Don’t focus on your shortcomings

If you think you have any shortcomings, forget about them.  Fake it.  Confidence in the job interview can be faked.  You would be amazed how many people bring up their shortcomings in an interview. Ninety-nine percent of the time, these shortcomings have NOTHING TO DO WITH THE JOB.  Don’t bring up your shortcomings, and don’t make excuses for them.  Don’t bring attention to your thinning hair, your height, or any other insecurity you may have.  Stand tall, speak clearly, smile, and look people in the eye. This is how to show confidence in the job interview.   These are all easy to do and WILL make a HUGE difference in the impression you leave. 

Put another way, if you are hunched over, fidgeting, and grimacing, it will be noticed. Looking everywhere in the interview room except at the hiring manager will have the same result. Want folks to notice you are a few pounds overweight? Just explain that you are having a hard time with your diet. 

• You can appear too short for the NBA (Spud Webb 5 foot 7, dunking over Manute Bol 7 foot 7)
• You can be too big to be a running back in the NFL (William Perry Chicago Bears)
• You can appear NOT smart enough from a first impression. Think Stephen Hawkins.

Made offers to candidates in every protected class

I am a hard ass, and I have hired people in every protected class. I have offered positions to minorities where English was a second language, people over 40, and over 50. Positions have been offered to individuals with disabilities and individuals of different religions and sexual orientations. Please refrain from bringing up your insecurity or drawing attention to it.  I am not saying any of the above are “weaknesses.” I use these examples because people in protected classes look at themselves this way.  Sometimes, people perceive “being different” as a “weakness.” I fall into 2 of the categories mentioned above and probably appear to fall into three. I will not mention any self-perceived weakness in any conversation, whether it is an interview or a personal conversation.    

In every case, the candidates hired were competent in their fields.  During the interview, they conducted themselves professionally. This translates to confidence in the job interview.  I am sure that these candidates were very aware of their differences. These characteristics didn’t hinder them. They didn’t overcompensate for the difference, and they didn’t undercompensate for it. Differences were a “non-issue”.

What “Cool” is

A prior company I worked with had a saying on its business cards: “Looking for scary smart individuals who are also really cool.”  Some thought this was prejudiced.  It would only appeal to people from a younger demographic.  I beg to differ. I know PLENTY of people over 40, 50, and 60 who fit this mantra. We hired them at this company. I know people in every protected class who fit this mantra. Being cool is about being comfortable with yourself. Folks who complain, make excuses, or whine about their situation are just “not cool.” Yes, we hired many people over 40 and 50 who fit this mold. Confidence is sexy.  

After talking with 1000s of candidates, in my opinion, if you are positive and confident about your “perceived” appearance, and communicate confidently, people will listen.   People who hold these qualities are often quick to smile.  When they speak, they smile.  Of course, you have to know what you are talking about, but if you don’t know the answer, don’t wing it, and don’t lie about it.  Be honest.  Hopefully, people will listen to what you say and how you say it, rather than what you look like, but I am trying to improve the odds and discuss the “unsaid.”  

See you at the after party,
HRNasty

nasty: an unreal maneuver of incredible technique, something that is ridiculously good, tricky, and manipulative but with a result that can’t help but be admired, a phrase used to describe someone good at something. “He has a nasty forkball”.

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