Richard Querin speaks of his recent experiences with people doing job interviews and ask the question,,,
“…aren’t you trying to make a good impression?”
…in the context of how people present themselves at job interviews today.
A few months ago I would of said yes you should try and make a “good” impression, but after a recent experience I’d say the real goal is to make the “right impression.”
A couple of months ago I went for a second interview for a fairly high level IT position. I was dressed as I was for the initial interview with HR, which I knew had went very well. I was wearing a nice sports coat, tie, etc., and as I walked into the interview room occupied by the company President, CFO, HR VP and others, they were all in polo shirts and slacks. It wasn’t a uniform, just casual individual dress.
The President seemed to take great pride in the fact that he was a regular joe who ran things very informally, which by the way was why they needed the senior IT position because they had no structure or policies and it was affecting their systems.
The first question asked of me was would the tie be a daily requirement for me? That set the agenda and from that point on I was defending myself trying to convince them that I wasn’t an anal control freak who required an inordinate amount of structure to feel comfortable.
It was a strange interview and even though I was more then qualified I didn’t get the position. I’m sure it probably went to someone who showed up wearing a polo shirt.
So the times are a changing and so is the interview process. These days it’s as much about the “soft stuff” and fitting in as it is about actual hard skills. You have to convince the employer that not only are you qualified for the position but that you’re “right” for it.
But for the record…I’ll still be wearing a coat and tie at my next interview, and I accept the fact that I may be a dinosaur. :-)
Technorati Tags: good impression, job interview
LOL! That’s funny. I work for B of A and am somewhat of a dinosaur, myself. I would never dream of showing up to an interview without a suit, but I see it happen a lot. People show up in khakis and polo shirts, interview, and get the jobs. I guess that I’ve not progressed.
Now, from the interviewer’s point of view, I don’t care what they wear. I just care that:
a) They know their stuff.
b) They don’t try to BS me. An answer of I don’t know is perfectly acceptable.
c) They are a fit for the job, which is the soft stuff that you mentioned. Actually, I would probably put this at number 2.
I’ll have to work with them every day, so I want someone who is friendly, knowledgeable, and likable.
Hi Paul,
There’s still that first impression. That moment you first meet them before any of the three valid area’s you mentioned are discussed.
It’s part of our nature to form quick first impressions. I think it’s part of our animal survival instincts. However, as rational educated beings we try and not let that first perceived impression influence our logical choices…but it still sometimes cast the deciding vote?
Just the nature of the beast.