Interview Question

When I go for interviews - I try and be confident.

But others in my organisation try and suceed with the humble approach.

I think the interviewers often confuse confidence with arrogance and give jobs to the humble.

What do ye think?

Part of my problem is that I have worked in various industries while many in my organisation never worked in other organisations. I think - they don't like this.

Set up some mock interviews with any friends who have ever been employers and see what they say. It may be something totally different that is putting people off.

Are these internal interviews you're talking about?

"interviewers often confuse confidence with arrogance and give jobs to the humble"

Interviewers are concerned (or should be) with getting the right person with the right skills for the job. They will have a list of criteria they are looking for and if you read the job spec carefully you should be able to work them out yourself. Teamwork, creativity, problem solving etc., etc.,

They will be looking for specific examples from your present/previous employment or college experience (if you are just out of college) demonstrating that you have these skills.

Do your prep work before the interview and never mind about subjective notions of being 'humble'.

During my IT career I did a lot of interviewing covering all grades from Trainee Programmer to Project Manager. I would recommend the confident approach every time. It's possible to convey a confident attitude without being arrogant, boastful etc. It's very simple. If you don't appear to be confident about yourself, why should the new employer think otherwise?

The old rules still apply, maintaining eye-contact, speaking clearly, neat appearance, listening to questions before replying in a concise and informative manner, demonstrating that you know what you want from the job on offer and your career aspirations. If you don't think you have understood a question, ask that it be repeated or clarified. If you don't know the answer to a question, don't attempt to produce a BS answer -it'll be spotted! An indication that you've taken the time to learn something about the prospective employer's industry/company will impress. Finally, don't worry if you are nervous while you are settling down. It's perfectly normal and it's allowed-for.

Agree with Pat. A friend of mine is Chief Executive for a large company in London. His pet hate is people who state that they are willing to work late every night etc. He feels they should be capable of doing the job during the working day unless something out of the ordinary arises!

tiger said:

Are these internal interviews you're talking about?

Click to expand...

Yes.

It is a public sector type organisation - so I looked for the results.

Coments were that I could do with a transfer to another department within the organisation.

What is annoying is that they seem to ignore experience I have gained working in other jobs.

Thanks everyone for the solid advice.

Cork,

I do interview resonably regularly and also spend some time preparing applicants for interview (though I have no formal qualification in this regard) - so here are my thoughts.

Firstly your 'line management' obviously believe you have potential if they are prepared to interview you in the first place.

Secondly, I'm making the assumption (but I could be wrong), that you haven't been successful this time around.

Thirdly - they are suggesting a move to another Department - I'd ask why? What experience will that give you, that you don't have today - that is necessary for the job you went for?

I'd always advise anyone going for interview (and not getting the job) to ask the interview panel (or the leader thereof) the following....

a) how did I do?
b) what were your summary thoughts following my interview?
c) what would I have do or improve on to increase my chances of getting the job if it were advertised again in the near future?

If you get honest answers to those questions you'll have a fair idea as to what the interview panel are looking for.

Best of Luck.


BM

I have a slightly off topic interview question. My co-worker and I have been discussing accepting the offer of tea/coffee/water when you go for an interview/meeting. I think it makes you look relaxed, or just thirsty if you ask for water. He says that 1- you'll drink it fast without realizing it looking nervous and 2- it makes it look like you 'owe' them something, this one applies more for when you're pitching to a new company for business.
Any thoughts?

As an interviewer I have had more than one incidence of candidates choking on their first sip of water! One case in particular was a full on 'coughing up a lung' fit... obviously it doesn't influence my evaluations if the candidate can't drink water efficiently (unless I was interviewing for a Liquid Taster position!) but it does effect the performance of the candidate for the next few mins.

In the same scenario I would never accept tea / coffee / water unless I wanted it. It's unlikely that members of an interview board will be drinking during the proceedings so it won't be a case of the candidate being the only non-drinker.

I always have a glass of water handy - regardless of what side of the table I'm on - stress invariably causes my mouth to dry up.

The offer of water/tea whatever is intended to put a candidate at ease and also allow for the normal 'dry-mouth' stress reaction. Nothing else will be read in to it.

Thanks very much, sounds like i'm winning the argument then