How would you describe your interview style?
Curious how everyone approaches the interview process, or even in networking, how one sell's them self to their interviewers about why they are best for the job.
Do you come in very strong and aggressive, and almost be very blunt and cocky with how much you tell your interviewers why you are best for the job? Not in the sense of overselling, but being more direct in why you want that job. The fear with this, though, is could you be too annoying to work with?
Or, are you more calm and controlled in the situation, exercising a more mellow and concise approach? Not relaxed or lazy, but showing that you don't get overly emotional about something i.e. deals fall apart all the time, are you reactive enough to move on or too emotional in trying to salvage the deal?
I've been on the other side of the table for this. I've interviewed people who were good at selling themselves, but only later to find out that they aren't all that great. I don't like to buy into it because there are too many stressful situations where you need to manage your energy and show you are calm and in control. Somebody over the top can end up being too emotional and still not perform well because of how they handled their energy. Overpromise in the interview, under-deliver in the actual performance.
I think in the end this is where fit comes into play, but do you ever mold yourself a certain way to overcome it? Especially if this is a job you've dreamed of and it ticks all the boxes you were looking for.
Awkward and lack of self confidence.
For real? No judgement here if you're speaking the truth because I think I understand that you are finishing up school?
I’m half joking lol. Yeah, I’m finishing up school I have a year left. And even though I have two internships, I haven’t had a lot of interview practice. One internship came after the initial phone call and the other I got after a phone call and then an interview. I guess I got lucky in a way, but also it means I haven’t really been through the grind of a huge amount of interview prep and going through multiple rounds. So I’m just not as “polished” as others seem to be.
I'm a bit more experienced (~8 years), but I approach an interview confident in my skills and treat it more of an opportunity to ask questions about the employer, how they function, what the role entails, etc. Most interviews that I have are at least 50% (sometimes close to 100%) me asking them questions. Positions I'm interviewing for are much less commoditized than other roles though, so making sure my skills fit the role is very important
Do you ever feel like you need to change your demeanor or delivery in an interview just to better match the interviewer?
Of course, I think that's part of good interviewing and having a good emotional intelligence quotient. If you can't read the person's mood that you interview with and adapt to it you're going to have a difficult time.
Honestly I really like this question.
Personally it really depends. I’m usually someone who’s pretty introverted and a bit awkward but I also try and make an effort to make a small joke (making fun of accountants usually works well) and have some small talk. Really helps the interviewer see you not as just another students that he interviews but more like an actual person I think. It also shows that you’re not intimidated by your interviewer.
I got told in one of my first interviews (where I was rejected) that the most important reason why they didn’t move forward was that I didn’t look confident enough, so I really try to project that image. It works very well when Im very knowledgeable about the role and I know what I’m talking about, but it’s obviously a bit tougher when I don’t feel the interviewer and I are a good match or when I don’t really understand what the role is about, lol.
It’s a bit all over the place but I hope that helps
Honestly I really like this question.
Personally it really depends. I’m usually someone who’s pretty introverted and a bit awkward but I also try and make an effort to make a small joke (making fun of accountants usually works well) and have some small talk. Really helps the interviewer see you not as just another students that he interviews but more like an actual person I think. It also shows that you’re not intimidated by your interviewer.
I got told in one of my first interviews (where I was rejected) that the most important reason why they didn’t move forward was that I didn’t look confident enough, so I really try to project that image. It works very well when Im very knowledgeable about the role and I know what I’m talking about, but it’s obviously a bit tougher when I don’t feel the interviewer and I are a good match or when I don’t really understand what the role is about, lol.
It’s a bit all over the place but I hope that helps
Never forget the time I had video zoom interview and the associate wore a suit (nothing trying to judge if hes a formal guy). As soon as he opened his mouth I knew this guy was a hardo and just a really stiff guy. Cracked a little light hearted joke and just silence. Then I knew I wanted to cut the interview short but I asked him a question or two at the end. Sent a thank you letter and opted out of the process. Best decision I ever made lol. Just not the type of shop I want to work in fit wise.
For young people, I think a lot of it has to do with the interviewer. Are they formal or more casual? Do they have a conversational tone / style or is it twenty questions? The key for the candidate, regardless of the interviewer style, is to try to make it conversational (meaning not so abrupt when answering questions). You don't have to be a great story teller but think in terms of themes and how you can connect your answers to a consistent storyline. Also have well thought out questions about the industry, the company, the specific job. Hopefully you'll have networked somewhat prior to get a sense of the interview style and culture of the firm so you can be better mentally prepared.
I strive for a conversational tone and try to crack a joke or two if I can. If the interviewer seems open to being told a joke, that is. If they feel stern and all business, then I'll match their tone. I don't feel the need to actively sell myself; by going to the interview itself and giving them my resume, I'm already doing the selling. I'll try to highlight certain skills or deals that would make me stand out, but I never want to come across as trying too hard. It's more important that I appear confident in what I can bring to the table than it is to seem like I can fit a certain mold. If the company and I are a good fit, then it'll be obvious. If not, we can all move on and not waste time.
So, I am more in the senior category I guess (15+ years in industry), so the way I would interview now (or did last time I did all this), is similar to approach in selling consulting services (which I have done in prior jobs). Meaning, I treat the interview as a very two-way conversation... as in
Me: What do you need/want for this role?
Them: We want blah blah blah..
Me: Hmm, I can do xzy, have experience abc, etc.
Them: How you would solve/do/approach xzy?
Me: Well, I would consider this option or that option, which makes more sense to you?
etc. etc. at least for the "skills" and "job function" part of the interview. The key is to see if you are really the right person, and you to explain yourself honestly, no real hard sell but clearly you are tactical about what you are giving them in way of stories from your background. Clearly, this strategy may be more limited if you are brand new, but you can still apply the same concept from using college courses/intern exp. as your base of knowledge. As you get more experience and being interviewed based on prior roles or deals, this gets much easier as a framework.
Other item I do (and still use this in general networking contexts all the time), is when given the opening or broad "tell me about your self" type question (that you always get some form of).... I have a fairly planned/rehearsed career (sorta life) story that explains my background and how I got where I am, I would then adjust the details (i.e. what to focus upon) based on who is interviewing or what job/role, but always conclude the story on why it makes sense that I am willing to consider the role at hand, and why I think I may be a good fit for it.
Clearly you will do better at sticking the landing the more you know about the firm/role, so in early interviews (especially with HR types), you really want ask a lot of questions about the role, the team/dept, the key people, prior deals, and most importantly... what they want/are looking for. Then if you get to subsequent rounds, you can better frame the parts of your story that matches. This is more of a "sell" but it implies only emphasizing what is true about you that fits with what they are looking for.
The "hint" in all of this is that you tailor as much of your content in answers based on what THEY are looking for, not what you are necessarily most proud of or makes you think your best (like if they don't seem to give a shit about excel modeling, don't force it out about all the training you have, as an example). Asking really good questions (and doing so early in the process) is key.
My own experience on the interviewer side is that too many people speak about themselves without tailoring/adjusting the story and content to really fit what we are looking for. Before making any "sales pitch" for yourself, make sure you know what they are looking for. Will save you a lot of time and they will respect you for it.
I come into every interview with a chip on my shoulder looking to prove something, but also relaxed and conversational. There was one interview I had where HR said that it was very conversational and he was impressed with my knowledge and answers and that he could tell that I hadn't practiced at all since it sounded so second nature and conversational.
I try to sell myself and my stories and experiences more so than my education since I have an abysmal GPA, and like many people have said if you can land the interview it's all about convincing them you're the right person for the role. If my resume that has no GPA on it got past the resume screening progress and I'm invited in for more tests (quant) or interviews I'm immediately researching as much as possible about the company, preparing for technical questions, etc, but I leave the behavioral questions and "Why this firm" "Why a career in trading" as questions I answer on the spot with no practice otherwise it just seems rehearsed and unnatural. For S&T and Prop though that's kind of the attitude you have to come in with - confident in yourself but humble enough to recognize you can improve on things every day.
My two cents is I don't think you should have a very formulaic style. It comes off as trying too hard, because it is. Some employers might like that, but I wouldn't want to work for them.
Instead, just read the room. If you go into an interview with a recited style you will probably appear tone deaf and create a barrier between yourself and the interviewer. Instead of listening, you will be focused on acting out the part and wondering if you should smile more, or laugh less, or whatever.
Develop your social skills first and foremost and style grows out of that. Practice talking to people about your work experience. Style comes naturally with time. It's a process of self-discovery, not something you can force in one direction or another. It sounds corny, but you should try to be as authentic as possible in an interview to determine if there is a real possibility for rapport between you and your interviewer.
Omnis quasi quia voluptas est beatae eum. Eveniet quos eaque totam sed. Cupiditate consequatur nam inventore eos architecto. Itaque vel ipsum ipsum labore hic aut eos. Reprehenderit cupiditate nihil voluptatem.
Eos et unde ut ratione non numquam. Sit fuga voluptas velit quod et. Facere fuga tempore beatae atque officia in sed.
Amet itaque molestiae necessitatibus quibusdam aliquam incidunt minima modi. Et distinctio nihil corrupti ut minima consequatur.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...