It is essential for you to have confidence in a job interview. It shows that you are assured and have the skills, strengths, and capabilities to succeed in a role. However, too much confidence can be off-putting for employers as it can suggest arrogance and a poor attitude. You can supplement confidence with traits like humility, modesty and gratitude to avoid this effect. Striking this balance can be difficult so here are some tips to consider when doing a job interview.
How to avoid being overconfident?
Here are some things to avoid so that you do not come across as arrogant during a job interview:
Know-it-all Attitude
While it is important to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience for the position during the interview, refrain from embodying a ‘know-it-all’ attitude. This means acting like you are superior to the interviewer, not listening to what they have to say, or behaving as you know everything there is to know about the field, position, or industry. As a graduate, whether you are interviewing for a graduate program or a graduate position, learning is an essential part of the position you are applying for. You should make it clear that while you are equipped for the role, you are willing to learn and listen to what the employer and the company can teach you.
Talking over the interviewer
While an interview is your opportunity to communicate why you are the ideal candidate, this does not mean talking over the interviewer or talking excessively about yourself. You should listen to what the interviewer has to say carefully as this will demonstrate your attentiveness, professionalism, and respectfulness. However, talking over the interviewer will make you appear arrogant or disrespectful.
Assuming you have the role
An interview is essentially a conversation between the interviewer and the interviewee. Acting as if you have successfully obtained the position, if the interviewer has not suggested as much, or demanding to know whether you got the job at the end of the interview, can make you appear entitled. The interviewer needs time to reflect on your application and interview and consider the other applicants. Do not force them to make a decision before they are ready.
Boasting
Relay your qualifications, experience, and skills to the interviewer. However, instead of boasting about your accomplishments, provide clear examples that demonstrate how you can successfully fill the vacant position and be of benefit to the company. This does not mean that you should undersell yourself or skirt along your achievements. It means that you should aim to provide a more rounded response to the interviewer’s questions.
Hogging Credit
When talking about past experiences and accomplishments, you should share credit with your colleagues. For example, if you worked collaboratively on a project that generated a lot of revenue for your previous employer, do not suggest to the interviewer that you were solely responsible for this achievement. This will show that you are not a team player and interested more in your own success than that of the company.
Complain about previous employers
Even if your previous work experience was less than ideal, refrain from bad-mouthing or complaining about your previous employer, especially if this is unsolicited. The interviewer will be left with the impression that you will bring negativity and conflict to the workplace if they hire you. This kind of behaviour also portrays arrogance as it suggests that you are incapable of accepting or learning from your mistakes.
How to convey confidence?
Here are some strategies for appearing confident without coming across as arrogant:
Research
Go into the interview having conducted research on the position, company, and interviewer. This will provide you with an understanding of the company culture and values. You will then be able to tailor your answers so that they fit within the ideals and expectations of the company. This will also prevent you from making any generalisations or remarks that may portray you as arrogant.
Give clear answers
Answer the interviewer’s questions with direct and clear responses. This will demonstrate that you are assured about your capabilities and are confident that you have the relevant skills to succeed in the role. Vague or indirect answers may make it seem like you are uncertain about your own skills and strengths or that you are attempting to hide something.
Body Language
Body language is a key signifier of confidence. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer during the interview. Do not look around the room or stare into the distance. Also ensure that your posture is straight. This will make you appear taller and more confident in yourself. While the interviewer is talking, nod and smile. This is called ‘active listening’ and shows the interviewer that you are engaged and interested in what they have to say. Your clothing should also be professional and something that you are comfortable in. For example, make sure that your shoes are the right size. This will allow you to walk into and out of the interview steadily.
Be Authentic
It is important for you to be yourself in an interview. This means not pretending to be someone you are not or trying to mould yourself into the perfect candidate for the interviewer. You should also not shy away from admitting your weaknesses or any mistakes you may have made. Doubling down on such factors will make you come across as arrogant while accepting your faults will demonstrate that you have the ability to grow and learn.
Collaborative skills
Another way to showcase your confidence is to provide examples of teamwork or situations where you were required to work collaboratively with others. The ability to work alongside colleagues is a sign of confidence and an extroverted personality. This will be particularly important to express if the position you are interviewing for requires substantial collaboration.
Ask Questions
End the interview by asking questions. This will allow you to convey your confidence as it will show the interviewer that you have passion for the role and the company. Read more about what kind of questions to ask at the end of an interview here.
Express Gratitude
Expressing gratitude will prevent you from sounding arrogant as it will demonstrate your sincere thankfulness to the interviewer for the opportunity to interview for the position. You may also choose to express gratitude towards other people in your life when talking about your education or experience. This shows that you are appreciative of the opportunities that you have been given. It also demonstrates a respectful and humbling attitude.