Best Job Interview Advice: Impress the Interviewer While Being Yourself

When preparing for a job interview, an interviewee will encounter an abundance of valuable advice from various sources such as communication and employment guides. However, a dilemma arises when an interviewee receives two pieces of advice that are both convincing yet contradicting. For example, some interview and communication guides suggest that the interviewee mimic the interviewer's behavior in order to be most receptive; whereas, other employment guides advise the interviewee to express his or her true self to establish a sincere impression. Since both of these viewpoints appear valid, which does an interviewee choose to do? In analyzing both tactics, it is wise for an interviewee to select the fool proof tactic of reciprocating that lies in the midst of imitating an interviewer and being original.

The first advice to consider is imitating the interviewer's behavior to make him or her more receptive to the interviewee. By definition, to imitate is to copy another's behavior, voice, or manner. Many people associate the term "imitate" with that of a comedian or impersonator such as on the hit sitcom Saturday Night Live when Tina Fay imitated Sarah Palin. However, some interview guides encourage the face-to-face "imitation" of an interviewer. Specific advice for interviewees include mimicking the interviewers' sitting styles such as crossing of the legs; their use of hand gestures; their style of speech whether it be formal or informal; their rate of speech; their disposition such as showing a sense of humor if the interviewers are humorous or displaying solemnness if the interviewer is serious; and even repeating the interviewers' choice of words or phrases when responding to them. Those in favor of imitating an interviewer point out the advantages of demonstrating to the interviewer that he or she can relate to and fit in with the company's culture that the interviewer may be modeling; as well as creating a favorable impression of the interviewee in the mind of the interviewer. Other employment guides argue that imitating the interviewer has the disadvantages of acting as a chameleon that blends in with every environment and therefore lacks authenticity and substance, which borders on an identity crisis. In other words, opponents view imitating as insincere and unrealistic since it camouflages the interviewee's true self that will eventually be revealed.

In contrast, the advice for an interviewee to be original is highly stressed in the Employment Guide's Jobseeker Survival Guide. This point of view is summed up with the quote, "Therefore a fundamental rule is: be yourself," by the notable writer William Zinsser. Being true to oneself during an interview does not require putting on airs to please the interviewer. It has the advantages of exposing sincerity and consistency. Nevertheless, critics argue that a personality that is too original may conflict with the interviewer's style, creating a barrier and discord.

Taking into account both the advantages and disadvantages of imitating an interviewer versus displaying one's true self leads interviewees to choose a middle ground: reciprocating to the style of the interviewer. By definition, to reciprocate is to give or feel something mutually or in return. It borrows concepts from both tactics of imitating and being original in that the interviewee tailors to the verbal and nonverbal style of the interviewer while at the same time staying true to her or himself. For instance, assertiveness guides explain how to effectively direct assertive messages to different personality types. Author of the book Developing Positive Assertiveness, Sam R. Lloyd, outlines four personality types: supporting/caring (relationship-oriented), directing/guiding (results-oriented), analytical (factual), and expressive (animated). Lloyd recommends that individuals relate to each of these personality types in the following manners: responding to the supporting/caring personality type in a soothing or nurturing manner; to the directing/guiding personality type in a direct or earnest manner; to the analytical personality type in a practical manner; and the expressive personality type in a spontaneous or lively manner. It is important to note that these reciprocation tactics should be subtle and not overdone. The central idea is to harmonize with the interviewer in a natural style rather than to duplicate the interviewer's every move. In turn, interviewees maintain control over their behavior.

Sources

"How to Interject Yourself Into the Interview." The Employment Guide's Job Seeker Survival

Guide.

Lloyd, Sam R. (2001, Oct. 19). Developing Positive Assertiveness, Third Edition: Practical

Techniques for Personal Success (Fifty-Minute Series). Crisp Learning.