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How to Showcase Your Personality at a Job Interview
Reading Time: 7 minutes
When it comes to job interviews, showcasing your personality can be just as important as your skills and experience. Employers want to know not just what you can do, but who you are and how you will fit in with the company culture. In this article, we’ll explore how to showcase your personality at a job interview.
Table of Contents
Importance of Personality
Showcasing your personality at an interview is important for several reasons. First and foremost, an interview is not only about assessing your qualifications and skills, but also about evaluating whether you are a good fit for the company culture and team dynamics. Your personality can give the interviewer a sense of who you are as a person, how you might interact with colleagues and clients, and whether you share the values and goals of the company.
Additionally, showing your personality can help you stand out from other candidates who may have similar qualifications and experiences. By demonstrating your unique traits, interests, and passions, you can create a more memorable impression and increase your chances of being remembered positively by the interviewer.
Moreover, showcasing your personality can help you build rapport and establish a connection with the interviewer. People tend to hire candidates they like and feel comfortable with, and a friendly and engaging personality can go a long way in building trust and likeability.
However, it is important to strike a balance between showing your personality and maintaining a professional demeanor. You should avoid being too informal or unprofessional, and instead aim to showcase your personality in a way that is authentic, relevant, and appropriate for the job and company culture.
Tips to Let Your Personality Shine
Research the Company Culture
Before attending a job interview, it is important to research the company culture. This will give you an idea of what personality traits are valued by the company and what kind of environment you will be working in. You can visit the company’s website, social media pages, and read reviews from current or former employees. This information will help you tailor your responses during the interview to match the company’s culture.
Dress Appropriately
First impressions matter, and what you wear to an interview can convey a lot about your personality. Dress appropriately for the job you are interviewing for and make sure your attire is professional and clean. Make sure your outfit is comfortable, so you can focus on showcasing your personality instead of worrying about your clothes.
Come Prepared and Relaxed
Prepare yourself beforehand by practicing common interview questions with a friend or colleague, and consider relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. Coming to the interview relaxed and prepared will help you feel at ease and let your personality shine.
Be Friendly and Engaging
Demonstrate confidence right away by greeting each person you meet with a friendly handshake and warm smile. Make eye contact, give a firm handshake, and a smile when you meet the interviewer. Show your approachable and positive disposition to make the interviewer enjoy working with you.
Be Confident and Authentic
During the interview, be confident and authentic. Being genuine and honest about your personality will allow the interviewer to get to know you better. This will also help you stand out from other candidates who may be putting on a facade. However, avoid oversharing personal information that may not be relevant to the job.
Watch Your Body Language
Good posture is essential to appear confident. Stand or sit up straight, avoid nervous habits like tapping your foot or biting your nails, and don’t cross your arms, as this makes you look unapproachable. It’s an excellent way to demonstrate your confidence and approachability.
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Gain confidence and learn the skills required to articulate your values and strengths with my Interview Workshop:
- Successful Interview techniques & strategy session.
- 1 X mock interview.
- Feedback, reflection, and recommendation session.
Share Examples and Stories
Give specific examples from your past experiences when answering questions. This not only supports your answers with examples but also shows the interviewer how your personality has helped you achieve success in the past.
Highlight Your Accomplishments
During the interview, highlight your accomplishments and how they demonstrate your personality traits. For example, if you are a team player, describe a project you worked on where you collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. Use specific examples to showcase your skills and personality traits.
Show Enthusiasm and Passion
Employers want to hire candidates who are passionate about the job and the company. Show enthusiasm for the job and the opportunity to work for the company. Express your passion for the work and demonstrate how it aligns with your values and personality.
Keep it Positive
Stay focused on what excites you about the job at hand, and don’t dwell on negative experiences. Discuss the positive experiences you had and how you can help the company. By remaining honest and composed during the meeting, you’ll highlight your strengths and ability to work well as part of a team.
Follow Up
After the interview, send a follow-up email thanking the interviewer for their time. This is an opportunity to showcase your personality again by expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and reiterating your enthusiasm for the job.
Ask Questions
At the end of the interview, the interviewer will usually ask if you have any questions. This is an opportunity to showcase your personality by asking thoughtful and engaging questions. Ask about the company culture, the team dynamic, and what a typical day in the job would look like. This shows your interest in the job and your willingness to learn.
Virtual Interviews
There are several ways to showcase your personality during a virtual interview:
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Be yourself: The most important thing is to be authentic and true to yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not, as this will only come across as insincere.
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Use body language: Even though you are on a video call, you can still use body language to convey your personality. Smile, make eye contact, and use hand gestures to emphasize your points.
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Show enthusiasm: Demonstrate your passion and interest for the job and the company. Speak with energy and enthusiasm, and show your excitement about the opportunity.
- Be professional: While it’s important to showcase your personality, remember to maintain a level of professionalism throughout the interview. Dress appropriately, use proper grammar, and avoid using slang or inappropriate language.
Final Thoughts
Showcasing your personality during a job interview can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing the job. Research the company culture, dress appropriately, be confident and authentic, showcase your communication skills, highlight your accomplishments, show enthusiasm and passion, ask thoughtful questions, and follow up after the interview. Remember to be yourself and avoid overcompensating. With these tips, you can showcase your unique personality and demonstrate how you can contribute to the company’s success. Good luck with your job search!
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Are you interested in improving your interviewing skills?
I have spent the last 10 years supporting companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies to find and the best talent around the world.
During this time, I have:
Scanned and reviewed more than 26000 CVs.
Conducted over 7000 interviews.
Secured new jobs and promotions in 20 countries across 3 continents.
For the past 4 years I have been developing best practices and solutions to give job seekers more confidence in interviews. I run 1:1 virtual interview workshops which show you how to articulate your values and strengths. Just like in sport, perfect practice makes perfect interviewing. Learn how to take on any interview with confidence with My Interview Workshop:
- Successful Interview techniques & strategy session.
- 1 X mock interview.
- Feedback, recommendations, and reflections session.
Are you interested in working with me?
Best of luck,
Dave Crumby
Your Career Optimiser | Certified Leadership and Management Consultant
Winner of Most Supportive Career Branding Service 2022
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