What Makes You Think You're So Great?

This week I was interviewing a client for his resume and he kept assuring me that all he needed was a great resume, that he had no problems once he got in the door and always "wowed" 'em in interviews. He was supremely confident that he could handle any interview question or interview situation with ease and aplomb.

Digging deeper, I learned that he has been in a job search for more than a year. He has had numerous first interviews, a few second interviews, and no job offers. Yet his confidence remains undiminished that he has great interview skills.

Digging even deeper, I quizzed him about his career and his achievements. While he continued to tell me how successful he was, how much in demand, and how valued by his employers, he repeatedly could not give me the specifics - the hard numbers and results of his efforts. Sure, he was articulate. But clearly he's relying far too much on those natural talking abilities, thinking he can charm and finesse his way through what should be substantive business discussions.

It's best to judge your interview skills on results: Are you able to articulate your value proposition clearly and with relevance to the challenges at hand? Is the interview a dialogue and serious discussion? Are you listening carefully to learn about the company, the challenges, the interviewer, or do you spend all of your time talking about yourself? Do you frequently advance to the next step?

If not, it's time to reassess your interview effectiveness. You might need to rethink your image of yourself as a "great communicator" and instead learn to dial down your ego, focus on the company and its challenges, and relate information that is relevant and meaningful. It's not how well you "perform" during an interview; it's how well you match the company's need.