Have you been on more job interviews than you care to think about lately? Do you feel that you are interviewing worse with each meeting? Well, that perception may not just be in your head.
Interviewing gets old after a while, and just like the salesperson who hasn’t gotten a “yes” since he can’t remember when it can be downright deflating.
But remember, the interviewer doesn’t know how many interviews you’ve been on, and quite frankly, isn’t too concerned about the number. All they care about is the interview you are participating in right now. In their office. With them.
Too often, though, they are forced to sit across the desk from someone tired and worn out from knocking on doors. If that “someone” is you, I’m afraid you’re wasting your time if the interviewer suspects this to be the case.
You may be saying to yourself, “But my attitude was great for the first umpteen interviews and that didn’t seem to make any difference at all.”
Okay, maybe you’re right. But remember, your chance for success will not go up as your attitude goes down.
It may seem difficult and even impossible at times, but you are only hurting yourself when that chip on your shoulder is taking up more room in a hiring manager’s office than her desk is. If you’re reading this, you probably relate.
Here are a few ways to be sure your attitude doesn’t get in the way of your success.
1. Sharpen your acting skills. I don’t mean to be fake (they will see right through that). No, instead, look upon each interview as an actor might that is preparing for their next scene. Steady yourself and think about who you want the audience to believe you are. A winning performance may not get you invited to the Oscars, but you will definitely stand a better chance of getting invited to the office party.
2. Beware of developing “commission breath.” While this condition is typically used to describe a salesperson that has been cursed with a dry spell, it is equally descriptive of the attitude any of us can develop when the “no’s” are stacking up, and the “yes’s” have all but disappeared. The job seeker afflicted with this condition will appear desperate and willing to do almost anything to close the “deal.” The problem is, desperation is never attractive, whether you’re selling widgets, looking for a date, or trying to land your dream job.
3. Be confident, not cocky. It’s amazing how often people seem to confuse these two attitudes. To paraphrase Webster, cockiness implies self-confidence to an irritating degree, whereas confidence implies bold self-reliance that creates a state of trust. If you were doing the hiring, which trait would you choose?
4. Lastly, don’t forget to smile. Even if you don’t feel like it at first, like going to the gym, you always feel better about it after a few moments, and it shows.