Let’s start this off quite simply. When going into an interview, how do you perceive yourself?
Confident? Careless? Calm? Dishonest? Cocky?
As you can see, those adjectives listed each provide a variety of different meanings. Some positive, some negative. Having confidence is a state of being sure in oneself and your abilities.
On the other hand, to be cocky is to be conceited or arrogant. Some may describe being cocky as pushing the limits of being confident. Therefore, finding a way to be confident instead of cocky may not be as easy as it may seem to some job hunters.
Even if you do not feel as if you are confident or cocky going into an interview, you will without a doubt learn something new or receive a different perspective on the topic.
When going through the interview process, it is important to appear confident. The interviewer is there to hear about your successes and your areas of growth. They are there to learn about you and hear about your lessons learned from previous experiences. However, when speaking about these topics, there is a fine line between being confident, but not cocky.
Let’s consider it this way. Assume that you are the interviewer and you sit down for an interview with Joe. Joe begins to explain how he knows what he is capable of doing and does not see any room for improvement on his end. He makes it clear that he has been through this process many times before and that he is responsible for having the top sales at his old company, with no help.
What are your thoughts on Joe?
Obviously, it is one way to internally feel this way about yourself, but by portraying it in this presumptuous way just might make you lose this opportunity. Employers typically do not like to hire lone wolves, being a team player and collaborative is much more attractive.
Here are a 7 tips that will make this fine line a bit clearer:
Recognize that everyone you meet will deliver something to learn from, even when you least expect it.
Take a second to think about what you will say next. This is not a race, take your time and express yourself in a clear and thought out way.
Use facts to describe your successes. Using feelings will do nothing but hurt you in this situation.
Ask questions. Show your enthusiasm for this role.
Recognize your accomplishments in a respectful manner knowing that there is always room for improvement.
Admit your weaknesses. If you are able to do this now, the employer will feel more confident in that possibly being shown later on.
Enjoy yourself. Smile when it is appropriate. Laugh when it is appropriate. Show these actions out of genuineness.
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