​How to Be Authentic in an Interview

One of the most common questions I am asked by candidates who are seeking interview coaching is about how they can show their true self in what seems like an unnatural setting -- the job interview.  Oftentimes candidates feel pressured to "put on a show" and manufacture the perfect answers, trying to predict what the interviewer wants to hear.

Related: 6 Signs You've Found the Right Candidate

Not only is this futile, but it also defeats the purpose of an interview -- to show your best, authentic self. An interviewer is less concerned about how "perfect" your answer is, and more interested in understanding three core aspects about you:

1. Will they enjoy working with you?
2. Are you genuinely excited about the opportunity?
3. Do you have the core capabilities to do the job?

The best way to answer these questions for the interviewer is to present your authentic, true self, and here are some techniques to help you just do that.

1. Clearly highlight the aspects of the job that excite you most.

One of the most common mistakes candidates make when answering the question "Tell me about yourself" is they list out their prior roles and accomplishments like a set of transactions. In doing so, you are missing out on an opportunity to talk about why you pursued certain opportunities and what excited you about those roles. For example, a marketer explaining that they enjoyed engaging with customers while building out campaign strategies will be more compelling than simply stating they have worked on 10 marketing campaigns.  

Moreover, talking about aspects of the job you enjoy will naturally bring out your enthusiasm, and generate a smile and positive body language, while also humanizing the conversation.

2. Be precise about your interest in the company and role.

One of the most common interview questions candidates get asked is why they are interested in the opportunity.  And, often, candidates will answer by simply praising the company in a vague manner. For example, "I think your company is doing great things in the industry." An imprecise answer like this lacks thoughtfulness, and can also be construed as ingenuine...

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/316263

===

by Idham Azhari