Job interviews can be a source of unwanted stress, but you can ease the anxiety by preparing well for them. One of the best ways to prepare: Examine the science behind successful job interviews. Scientific studies have revealed the following 3 proven ways to succeed in an interview:
1. Be Likable
Most or all of the candidates your interviewer will talk to possess the basic qualifications necessary to do the job that’s up for grabs. Some might be more qualified than others, but it’s usually irrelevant who the most qualified applicant is.
This is because hiring managers don’t usually hire the person who’s best qualified for the job; they typically hire the person they like the best. They understand that they’ll be working with the person they hire — all day, every day, day in and day out. While it’s important for them to hire someone who can do the job well, it’s even more important for them to find someone who will become a compatible member of the company’s team. They want to hire someone who will fit seamlessly into the company’s culture. They also don’t want to hire anyone who even hints at being an arrogant jerk.
The main takeaway: Make an effort to be perceived as likable. Try to come across as someone who would be pleasant to work with on a daily basis.
2. Make Eye Contact With Your Interviewer
Your interviewer is likely to perceive you as being smarter if you make direct eye contact, according to researchers at Brandeis University. However, do not stare. Definitely do not look down and to the right, as that can be an indication that you’re either lying or trying to hide something.
3. Avoid “Humblebragging” When You Answer Interview Questions
It’s beneficial to formulate answers to the most commonly asked questions before your interview; you can find a list of those in CoursesOnline.co.UK’s interview guide. However, you should be aware that many so-called experts have given interviewers bad advice when it comes to answering one frequently asked interview question: “What’s your greatest weakness?”
In the past, standard interviewing advice was to reframe this question and use it as a way to show off a positive aspect of your personality rather than an actual weakness. For example, you might answer with “My perfectionism can get me in trouble when I get too hung up on making each detail of my project exceptional”.
There’s a relatively new buzzword for this type of answer: “humblebragging” — and researchers at Harvard Business School in the United States are now advising job applicants not to do this. Their advice stems from a series of seven different studies they conducted on the topic of self-presentation. They discovered that people perceive others as being insincere when they attempt to combine bragging with humility or complaints.
Instead, career experts at BusinessInsider.com are advising job applicants to highlight actual weaknesses that either have little to do with the job at hand or showcase the applicant’s self awareness.
Heeding the results of this research can help you to avoid mistakes and present a more polished appearance when you interview for jobs in the future. Best wishes with applying these scientifically proven interviewing strategies as you prepare for your next job interview.