Whoops - Did I just say that?
I have just interviewed 5 people in 5 days for a senior role! As part of a panel of 3 of course, not alone. Exhausting, fascinating and inspiring, are the top 3 words I would use to describe this past week. One thing in particular stood out to me, and here is an example of what not to do in an interview.
We all know that first impressions are everything and that there are a few seconds to make a good one, in an interview it can be really tough, the person is there under the spot light being 'grilled' by 3 people around a table. They are possibly nervous, and being asked questions that are forcing them to think on the fly.
BUT, there is a #1 rule that I believe everyone should remember.
Be 100% yourself! Be authentic, truthful and remember never to show a lack of integrity in your examples.
Lack of integrity, honesty and authenticity shows through, sometimes it takes half an interview but it seeps through cracks in what you are saying, body language, tone and other signals to the potential employers that you are not quite who you say you are.
Example: This person was interviewing so well for this role, they were just on fire, and we were all impressed, they had skills, background and connections, they were confident and did a great job. I was really liking how things were going, but then they gave an example of when some safety corners were cut by someone else and they had noticed it, and instead of doing something about it they said " I just walked away hoping that the client didn't see it"
It bugged me, and when we came together looking at what strengths and concerns were for each person we were strongly considering, this person was up in the top 2 for many reasons, but because of this integrity issue and maybe one other thing we decided to offer the job to the other contender.
I just couldn't get past that comment, it cast doubt on everything else this person said. I know that sounds harsh and it could be just one of those slips like a 'Whoops can't believe I said that' moment, but I guess we will never know, because in those critical moments during an interview there is no room for error on those factors.
There are things that can be trained, and up-skilled, but the deal breakers for me are integrity, authenticity and getting a sense you are who you say you are before I even do the background checks.
One of my favorite quotes:
Be yourself, everyone else is taken
Here is to being the best version of you that you can be
Jen
Project work l Business Mentor l Coach of Small Businesses
6 年I like the way you think
Loan Servicing Team Leader
6 年They say to always trust your gut instinct. Well done
Account and Property Manager
6 年The phrase "she'll be right" popped into my mind when I read the interviewee's answer ... it goes two ways. I had an interview and when I shook the hand of the HR Manager I got a very weak and feeble handshake in return as with the other member of the interview panel. At the end I asked: "what a typical day was like" and "what were their expectations of the post holder" and they clearly hadn't expected any questions. The final "when can you start?" (I had covered this in detail on the application form) drew a surprised response and at that point I realised they hadn't actually read the detail so I left with a poor impression of the organisation (and more questions about the workflow in HR). The point is that interviewers are as much a part of the interview process as the potential candidate and first impressions count both ways: running late, a limp handshake, an unprepared room, inability to answer candidate questions etc. all give pointers on how the organisation is perceived and whether it gives a feel good or ?????? factor! I didn't get an offer but I did get an experience!!!