How to seem like a human being during interviews
As the title says, how does one fake being a fun and interesting person? All the HR people emphasise how important it is to have a life outside of your career pursuits. Asking for a friend.
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Faking is dumb and most people see through it. Seeming fun doesn't mean you're a professional skydiver or DJ in Ibiza. Just show you're a normal human who is focused on breaking into the industry but also has a life. If you say 'I spend all my free time looking at FT, WSJ and The Economist' that's quite sad. But if you say you have a passion for...football and try to play regularly with friend, watch and follow matches (maybe even bet on them) etc it shows you have at least a tiny interest outside of work
Make friends, travel, pick up hobbies, and have a life outside of obessesing over a career. If you do these things then it should be easy. You just have to be yourself.
"I told him to be himself. That was pretty mean I guess." - Roger Sterling
I would break the ice by telling a few dirty jokes and lighting up a cigarette. You may slump back and put your feet up on the desk. The key to being human is being relaxed and letting it all hang out.
the fact that you have to ask how to appear human in interviews really makes me think you’re some reptilian trying to break into our beloved banking industry
shoo shoo
Zuckerberg's starting an army
Just talk about what you enjoy doing. Just keep it clean.
Umm actually have a life ? ... that would probably help.
Too much effort with no tangible rewards.
Ok let's be frank here because I'm almost sure some of you readers are feeling self-conscious that your lives are boring. MOST people, finance industry or not, do not have uniquely fun or interesting lives.
Your average "interesting" person does the following: 1. Work 2. Netflix shows/watch sport 3. "foodie life" aka generic IG photos of restaurants found on Yelp 4. occasional travel to another country 5. bars/clubs 6. gym/running if you're dedicated
As a person who has a creative physical hobby outside my job, it is FUCKING hard keeping up with it while maintaining the job and friends. Being active in hobbies outside of work requires way more sacrifice than people on this forum make it seem. Always discount what you see on forums/social media because people by nature flex on these mediums.
OP, seeming fun/interesting isn't about looking at your day-to-day. Just pick 2-3 instances in your last couple of years that you did something interesting, have a good story around them, and be prepared to talk about it. The key is to have good sound bytes.
Thanks, will do.
Don't worry about it. The street loves autists. Friend of mine who worked in IB and then transitioned to PE is honestly one of the most awkward, nerdy people I have ever met. He even looks like a complete dork. He's wicked smart though. I honestly don't know what his hobbies are or if he even has any, but no one he works with seems to care. In short, don't worry too much about it.
What kind of friend are you that you don't know anything about him lol.
I mean I don't know if he's super into building model trains or some other obscure thing. He's someone I get drinks with every couple of months, not someone I've known since high school or roomed with in college.
Enthusiasm and competence are what matters - if you can manage to sounds excited about (and good at) your mundane hobby, people will know you can sell that family owned industrials business too.
I'd rather hire a boring person who owns it than the 1,000th candidate who thinks their stupid Icelandic cave diving trip or study abroad fuckfest makes them unique.
I get the premise. It's an interview setting, and you got to remain extremely professional and diplomatic.
I'd just tell you to not speak fast, reflect on 2-3 good times of the past year outside of work, and deliver it in an engaging way.
It's not a test. But it is at the same time, don't so be so tight and uncomfortable that HR thinks you're a creep. Do the bare basic, at the very least...act.
Its all about starting with a really good quote to make them know you are tight with them. I usually start with one of the following:
"We ride together, we die together" "Bros before hoes" (note: this has mixed reactions when the interviewer is a female) "We're family now" (must be said in Dom Toretto accent) "Wrap it before you tap it" (Try following with a fist bump for best results)
Those are my go to openers but feel free to try anything to provides a good piece of advice about partying, girls, or just being best buds.
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