How professional do you try to be in interviews?

[bizzballer]

I've had a ton of interviews lately....all pretty much entry level positions:

accounts payable
customer service professional (a step up from working as a bank teller or call center employee)
accounting/admin clerk
office assistant
marketing assistant
staffing company positions
b2b sales

etc etc.

And in every interview, I "acted" like I was very smart, articulate, professional etc. In real life I am none of the above....I am smart but I'm easy going, I laugh a lot, I'm extremely funny, witty etc. So I was pretty much not acting like myself in those jobs.

I got accepted to one of those jobs above (100 % commision b2b sales), got rejected from every other job. I think it has to do with my personality...I was posing and just trying to be the model employee. Am I talking crap or what? Should I just be myself (For the most part) in interviews? It would make me much more comfortable, that's for sure.

I'm a likeable guy in real life....but I'm not even sure if I even like my act that i put on to employers.

[C_C]

Be yourself but on your best behaviour. It's always better to show your personality....so you can both decide if you fit. Trust me, you don't want to act too much. I won't stop saying this, an interview is a two way street. You are just as equally trying to determine if its the environment for you.

[Syne]

C_C nailed it. You're only doing yourself a disservice by trying to fake a personality that you think someone else might like. This is especially true if you are unimpressed or put off by the personalities of those interviewing you. If they grate you in the interview, just imagine how it would be like working for them.

Better to wear it on your sleeve a bit, and get in with a company that has a bit of joy in their culture, rather than snake your way into a job, just to have to spend the rest of your career tolerating mechanical, awkward or mean-spirited people.

[Truemana]

Perfect responses so far, nothing to add. +1.

[anon666]

Just don't act like a douche. At the end of the day, that's what it comes down to. People want to work with competent colleagues who are not dooshbags.

[CouponWarriorTURBO]

Don't know how it works for those jobs but when I've been interviewed they use all kinds of HRM calculation methods. Each question is judged based on a score, and I believe personality has nothing to do with the total. They are basically looking to see if your answers hit all of the relevant points.

I would assume the scores are based on relevance to the position.

[Mazman08]

Agree with he response above about being yourself but on your best behaviour.

I'm typically an easy going person and like to make jokes. I always crack some kind of joke if the opportunity arises in an interview. If they don't appreciate a little humour in the workplace I probably don't want to work there. I'm not applying to be a heart surgeon.

Having said that I still remain very professional and respectful. Worked out so far...

[projectmoonlightcafe]

Here's the thing. People have to like who they work with. If you are uptight and try to be perfect they won't like it. First of all, you're not showing you've got EQ. Like the other poster said, I always try to act professional, but also casual. You have to look at ease. Second, answering perfectly in those entry level positions means you're not looking to stick around for long. Who wants to hire someone who projects himself so ambitious and leaves after 3 months?

[Elfer]

I try to be a work-appropriate version of myself, and generally a little more outgoing than I tend to be in my personal life. Depending on the attitude of the interviewers, I might crack a joke or two about the field, but only if it's a layup. Bombing a joke could seriously derail things.

[DarkMasterMX]

C_C and Syne are right.

You don't want to fake a personality or try to act like you're a perfect person. Your interviewer is trying to gauge who you are to see if you will mesh well with other people in the company. Generally, if you're being called for an interview it is because your technical abilities on paper are sufficient for the companies needs and the interview is to determine if you as a person are what the company wants/needs.

Especially in any sort of CSR or assistant position you want to show off your actual personality because if you give the interviewer one thing and the customers/boss a completely different side, you're only asking for trouble.

[boyoflondon]

There is seriously nothing worse than when you see someone who is just faking it. It is really obvious, especially to someone from HR that has interacted with and interviewed many prospects.

Just be yourself and don't try too hard to impress them as you might fail. Of course, be polite and respect the other person interviewing you.

[dealseeker2011]

Just being true to myself is a plus factor already. I am a professional person so I don't need to act like anybody else. Don't overreact this will not help your interview.

[mucat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vn_PSJsl0LQ

[world25]

Act like a professional if you are a professional.
Act like a kid if you are a kid.
Act like a teen if you are a teen.
Act like a geek if you are a geek.

Be yourself and you should be fine.

[noreason]

I've had a ton of interviews lately....all pretty much entry level positions:

accounts payable
customer service professional (a step up from working as a bank teller or call center employee)
accounting/admin clerk
office assistant
marketing assistant
staffing company positions
b2b sales

etc etc.



I gotta ask, where are you trying to get a career in? It's kind of all over the place, each of those areas are probably looking for specific qualities (accounting = accuracy/detail orientated, marketing = creativity I would imagine, etc.) but like others have said, be real to yourself. You want to be able to make small chat and have a friendly conversation with your interviewer. I've had people who seemed like they had no personality and just answered questions like a robot but were 'professional'.

For the entry position, employers usually don't expect you to know much and will train you, what they're looking for is attitude, personality and fit. No one will want to work with someone who is lazy, doesn't want to learn/get better and don't work well with teams. Just be a yourself, friendly, confident and project a good work ethic.

Good Luck.

[Rainne]

You should be yourself + with good manners/behaviour.

People want to see that you can get along with others, but at the same time, offer your own personality into the mix.

[sleepyguy]

Obviously you gotta play the part for the role too! But yes, acting yourself (but on good behaviour) is good. I mean if you are going for a sales manager position... and you are a natural introvert that doesn't speak much but are good at sales... obviously open up a bit and speak out. You get the idea.

[mucat]

Going to interviews are like selling a product. You are trying to sell yourself to the company. Do whatever it takes to sell the product.

If the product is good, you really don't need to fake or lie about the product to selling.
If the product is not as good, well......

[ji2o0k]

Gotta keep it real son...

I bring da streetz to the interviews, keeping it real fo sho!







just kidding...be yourself but on best behaviour and be prepared for the interview! Research the company, latest in the industry/sector you are applying for and also prep for interview questions...