Be Yourself!

I've been reading a lot lately about various interview methods - and in my prior life as an HR executive, I tried many of them. All are designed to try and find out the "truth" about a candidate. The company doesn't want to make a mismatch, so they employ group interviews, behavioral interviews, personality assessments,situational interviews, leadership tests ... countless different ways to try and find out if you can do the job and fit into the culture.

Recruiters have to work hard to identify the right candidates because so many job seekers go into interviews with one goal - to impress the interviewer. Because they view the interview as a test, they want to "pass." (Let's face it - no one wants to be rejected.)

But that's the wrong approach to interviewing - it's not a pass or fail test - it's an opportunity for you to determine whether this job and this company are a fit for you. Because, if the fit isn't right but you successfully "fake them out" and get the job, who wins?

The company loses because you're not what they're looking for and you lose for the same reason. You won't be happy there and you won't succeed unless you're able to keep pretending to be someone you're not. What a recipe for disaster!

So try this - go to your next interview ready to just be yourself. Of course, you need to be the cleaned-up, best-suit-and-tie version of yourself, but still yourself. Forget trying to pass a test, or giving the "right" answers. Just answer honestly and from your heart.

If they don't choose you, chances are it wasn't the right fit anyway.