There is a subtle equilibrium you can, and definitely should, harness if you are preparing for a job interview. The idea is to project confidence whilst concurrently reining it in. Like a controlled blast of dynamite, you have your purpose but you don’t want to go overboard, causing unnecessary collateral damage to your career prospects. There has to be a proverbial line in the sand that you do not cross between your confidence and your potential arrogance. There are subtle differences and it can sometimes be difficult to tell what constitutes arrogance especially when playing it by ear in a job interview.
The essence of a job interview is to sell oneself to whoever is sat in front of you. You need to lay bare your talents whilst also making it crystal clear that you still have a lot to learn. If you think of the relationship between employer and employee then you essentially need to figure out what you both offer one another. They advertised the job. This means it’s more than likely you have the required capabilities to serve a function to the organisation. Make them apparent.
But you’re not the finished article. No one is. So do your research and get to grips with whatever the company you’re applying to work for actually does. Fundamentally its cash in the bank but if you go into considerable depth about what you think you can learn from the experience, how the company can develop your personal and professional attributes, then your potential boss is likely to be impressed with your hunger to evolve.
It also demonstrates that you are there for the long haul, fully committed to being a part of the furniture and, willing to work as part of a team. The essence of what I’m saying is this: If you convince the interviewer that what you’re applying for is more of an opportunity rather than a monthly pay cheque, it signals that you are someone who can be trusted to be flexible and enthusiastic, going forward.
Employers want a self-starter that’s capable and even a speck humble. Don’t go in shouting the odds about how you are the best person for the company, talking about how it’s their lucky day now that you’ve walked in. A willingness to fit the organisation mould and adapt to whatever task is set, is key.
Simultaneously though, don’t leave it to the person interviewing you to do all the talking, you can look timid or worse: unconcerned. Remember you chose to come to the interview. You picked out a suit. You travelled the distance. You gave up your time. So why did you do all of that? I imagine it wasn’t to sit and stare blankly, shifting your feet when asked about your goals and ambitions. Seize the opportunity that quite frankly, you made for yourself. It would be such waste otherwise.
