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An excellent resume, an impressive cover letter and experience that meets every key selection criteria will help you schedule the all-important interview, but having all the skills and experience to ace the actual job won’t help you if you can’t demonstrate how, and why, you are the perfect candidate in the interview.
Extroverts are generally more comfortable with new people, such as those interviewing them, and they can exude confidence in extolling their virtues, talking themselves up, and demonstrating , not only how their work history is a fit for the position, but how their personality will fit within the company culture as well.
This is where introverts and more reserved types – or those with the necessary skills but lack of confidence – can be at a disadvantage.
According to Carl Jung, the introverted personality type not only means that introverts find energy from turning inward (as opposed to extroverts who feel energised through social interaction), they are often commonly characterised by being quiet, reserved – particularly around unfamiliar people or large groups – self-reflective, self-critical, and tend to keep their emotions private. These are traits that can help them excel in their work, but none of which are helpful traits for job interviews.
Extroverts are generally more comfortable with new people, such as those interviewing them, and they can exude confidence in extolling their virtues, talking themselves up, and demonstrating , not only how their work history is a fit for the position, but how their personality will fit within the company culture as well.
This is where introverts and more reserved types – or those with the necessary skills but lack of confidence – can be at a disadvantage.
According to Carl Jung, the introverted personality type not only means that introverts find energy from turning inward (as opposed to extroverts who feel energised through social interaction), they are often commonly characterised by being quiet, reserved – particularly around unfamiliar people or large groups – self-reflective, self-critical, and tend to keep their emotions private. These are traits that can help them excel in their work, but none of which are helpful traits for job interviews.
Just as extroverts commonly make better sales people, there are plentiful career paths that are more suited to introverts, yet the process of interviewing – actively demonstrating your abilities and enthusiasm to strangers – favours the extroverted personality type.
There are, however, several techniques introverts can use to channel their extroverted counterparts to help themselves secure the job they desire.
There are, however, several techniques introverts can use to channel their extroverted counterparts to help themselves secure the job they desire.
If you feel like:
Your stomach is full of butterflies and you’re not entirely sure yet whether you have all the skills needed for the position, but entering the interview a bundle of nerves and self-doubt – and the deflated and closed off body language that usually goes with it – won’t help you convince interviewers to stop looking, cancel their other interviews and hire you on the spot. If you can’t convince yourself that you deserve the position, you certainly won’t be able to convince them.
The Power Stance
You need to ooze confidence (but not to the level of arrogance) going into your interview, and if you’re not feeling it, how you position your body can help change your mindset.
In the few minutes before you enter the building, put your shoulders back, straighten your posture, hold your head up high and smile. By settling your body into the posture of a person who feels confident, this simple technique can trick your brain and make you feel more confident as a result. It's legit.
In her fascinating TEDTalk on body language (below), social psychologist Amy Cuddy discussed how research showed that certain body language and postures actually create physiological changes within the body and brain, and, just as the way we feel impacts on the way we hold ourselves and act, the way we act can have a big – and very real – impact on how we feel.
In the few minutes before you enter the building, put your shoulders back, straighten your posture, hold your head up high and smile. By settling your body into the posture of a person who feels confident, this simple technique can trick your brain and make you feel more confident as a result. It's legit.
In her fascinating TEDTalk on body language (below), social psychologist Amy Cuddy discussed how research showed that certain body language and postures actually create physiological changes within the body and brain, and, just as the way we feel impacts on the way we hold ourselves and act, the way we act can have a big – and very real – impact on how we feel.
To truly ooze confidence, passion, and power going into your interview, find a private place (a bathroom stall could be a good choice) right before your interview and adopt a power stance. Raise those hands in the air in victory for two minutes, or perhaps adopt the wonder woman, hands on hips like a boss power pose. You'll feel better and more confident for it.
Remember: They Need a New Employee and Want it to be You
Understand that your interviewers are on your side. There is a need not being filled in the business at the moment and they need someone – they need you – to fill it. If you’re not sure if your examples from your work experience are good enough it can be tempting to answer briefly, to shut up before you make a fool of yourself, to withdraw into yourself somewhat and reflect and criticise how well – or badly – you feel the interview is going.
You want the job but don’t feel you’re being asked questions that will help you get your skills and expertise across? Well speak up. They want to know why you’re the right candidate, so help your interviewer do that by finding ways to help them. It’s hard, but channel your extroverted competition and don’t hold back waiting for the right question that they may not ask. Find opportunities within what’s being asked. This is your shot. Use it.
You want the job but don’t feel you’re being asked questions that will help you get your skills and expertise across? Well speak up. They want to know why you’re the right candidate, so help your interviewer do that by finding ways to help them. It’s hard, but channel your extroverted competition and don’t hold back waiting for the right question that they may not ask. Find opportunities within what’s being asked. This is your shot. Use it.
Interviews are a Two-Way Street
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially if you really want the position. A way to counteract the nerves is to remind yourself that though they may formally be interviewing you to determine if you are a fit for the company, you are also interviewing them to determine if the company and role are a good fit for you.
Take the pressure off yourself and how you answer their questions, and feel out the company as to whether it’s as good a fit for you as you hoped it was. Remember you want to be happy there.
Take the pressure off yourself and how you answer their questions, and feel out the company as to whether it’s as good a fit for you as you hoped it was. Remember you want to be happy there.
Prepare Questions in Advance – and Write Them Down
Hiring managers want you to ask questions because it demonstrates interest in the company and position, and shows them you're serious about working there. By writing down your questions beforehand rather than asking them off the top of your head, not only do you look organised, but it means you won’t forget something important that you want to know, and by asking you can showcase a skill or aspect of your experience that they should really know about.
Relax. They Already Like You
Out of all the applications they received, the hiring manager chose you for an interview. They already see something in you that is a potential fit for the position and the company. By asking you to come in for an interview they are asking you to confirm what they already believe: that you are a good fit.
By changing your mindset from nervous to believing that they think you have what it takes that can take the edge off your interview-induced anxiety and help you perform at your best.
By changing your mindset from nervous to believing that they think you have what it takes that can take the edge off your interview-induced anxiety and help you perform at your best.
Have you used any of these techniques in a job interview? How did they work for you?
Share your own tips in the comments!
Share your own tips in the comments!
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