Interview tips: Impressive vs. Authentic

Feb 4, 2008 by Robert A Henru

Interview is always meant for selling ourselves and impressing our interviewer. However, this mindset will easily make us fall into the trap of being in-authentic. Many times we may feel that we’re intimidated in the process, and we just continue on answering YES or agreeing to all what is expected from us.

Here is what I’ve read from the book from Jack Welch titled “Winning” on hiring the right person…

At some point in the interview process… make sure you exaggerate the challenge of the open job; describe it on its worst day –hard, contentious, political, full of uncertainty. As you crank it up, see if the candidate keeps saying “Yes, yes, yes!” If he does, you should worry that he has few other options, if any. You may even be his sole hope of employment.

Jack Welch

What we often miss out is the importance of the authenticity, here is what Jack Welch mentioned about the right person to be hired…

A person cannot make hard decision, hold unpopular positions, or stand tall for what he believes unless he knows who he is and feels comfortable with that.

Jack Welch

Instead of being impressive, try being authentic!

As what Jack described in his book, people who is hiring will be more impressed when we start question them back about the job challenges and the company’s values. Some questions you can use… “How soon do you expect the results to be achieved?” or “Do I have enough people to make this happen?”

Instead of blind optimism, this will show that you are a smart person, who seriously considers the challenges that you will see before taking the job.

The difficulty of a job will bring good candidates to the edge of their seats with curiosity and firm self-confidence, not overenthusiastic acquiescence.

Jack Welch

Do you have any thoughts, or similar experiences? Do share them in the comments!