Image vs Perception- Nail Your Next Interview

There’s perhaps no better illustration for how difficult it is to make sense of strangers than when two people meet for a job interview. 

One person, the job seeker, is trying to paint herself in the best possible light. The other, the hiring manager, has the very difficult task of figuring out if the stranger across the table (or computer screen) is the right person for the job. 

At one point or another, we have been one of these strangers. We know just how high the stakes are for both sides. 

What makes job interviews incredibly difficult is that there’s a gap that inherently exists between who we think we are (image) and who others think we are (perception). 

People have no direct access to who we are. Instead, they stitch together partial information from various touchpoints (i.e., resume, LinkedIn, internet research, asking trusted colleagues etc.) to create a coherent story about us. 

As we prepare for any job interview, the real task is to close the image-perception gap. But there are two obstacles to overcome as we seek to create that alignment.

First, the very idea of who we are is often unclear even to ourselves. And if we don’t understand who we are, it’s impossible to communicate that idea to others. 

Second, we don’t own the perception of us. We can merely shape and influence it.

Here are three things to keep in mind in order to nail your next job interview:

1. Authenticity,
2. Intentionality
3. Consistency

Authenticity

To shape how others perceive us, it’s important to embark on a journey of self-inquiry. We have to uncover the values and beliefs that color our worldview, and make an account of our strengths and weaknesses. It’s also important to understand our purpose-- our ‘Why’-- and to lead with it. The more we know ourselves, the better our chances of shaping others’ perception of us. 

So as you prepare for a job interview, start by crafting a ‘Why’ statement. Here’s an example:

I am a first-generation college student. I grew up with limited resources and struggled to understand the importance of professional development, branding and leadership. I created my own career coaching business to provide others the personal and professional guidance I never received. 

Authenticity is the best way to develop trust with your interviewer. It means not trying to mold yourself into something you’re not-- just to land a job. The best types of interviewees are ones that are most prepared to speak about themselves and what they can contribute, as opposed to those who paint a facade of something inauthentic. 

Intentionality

To influence people’s perception of us, we also have to be intentional with how we want to be perceived. We must constantly gather feedback to better understand how the world perceives us. We must be mindful that what we say or how we come off can change the direction of an entire interaction-- whether it’s an interview, networking, professional or social setting. We must be intentional with the way we conduct ourselves, how we dress, how we speak because it all plays into how we are perceived. 

In the context of a job interview, being intentional means to determine what stories you’d like to share, and what the interviewer absolutely needs to know about you before you leave. But it also means being present and attentive to every question. You have to make sure to give yourself adequate time to prepare for every job interview. Earning trust starts with being clear and deliberate with how you want to be perceived. 

Consistency 

It’s important to remember that people have no direct access to who we are. They rely on information they gather about us from various touchpoints and experiences. In a pre-internet world, people relied mostly on face-to-face interactions to make up their mind about someone, and it was very clear how important that first impression was. 

In the context of our digital world, no one knows where that first impression will take place. Nowadays, people’s first introduction of us is often online, sifting through the digital trail we all leave behind. It’s not only important for us to be authentic, we must be consistent. Everything we say and do-- in our analog and digital worlds-- is a cumulative expression of who we are. 

Consistency in an interview enhances and validates your image, and ultimately, builds trust. The last thing you want to happen in an interview is to do or say anything that contradicts something on your resume or LinkedIn profile, for example. Any inconsistency is a red flag for interviewers, and a potential reason to not continue with your candidacy. It’s quickest way to turn them away. Before an interview, you should be clear about why you want the role, what you can contribute, as well as what you hope to gain from the opportunity.

Ultimately, job interviews are about likability and trust. The real questions interviewers are trying to answer are: Do I like this person? Can I trust this candidate? Without a direct access to who you are, it’s your job to help them answer those questions by painting a clear picture of who you are and how you can uniquely contribute to the success of the company. If you are authentic, intentional and consistent 

This article was written by: Amir Ismail, CEO of AIC Mindset & Junior Nyemb, Brand Strategist