How to be yourself in a job interview (Continued…)

Job interview success

Interviews can often feel like a big audition, but it is important to keep in mind that you are not an actor trying out for a role. Whilst it’s always important to prepare for an interview, you are not required to give the performance of a lifetime. In fact, the opposite is true.

The best interviews happen when you truthfully display your skills, experience, and personality – and the best interviewers are those who are looking to make an honest assessment of these.

Be real. Be genuine. Not only is it empowering, but it will also allow you and your potential employer to establish if you’re a fit.

How to be yourself in a job interview explained

Seuss Recruitments very own remarkable Team Manager Susan Braakman shares with us her expert advice on how to be genuine and authentic to achieve job interview success.

Susan has placed over 200 candidates in the life science industry.

The big, tell me a time when questions

Interviewers will want to know how you act in certain situations, and in order for them to find out, they will describe one or more sets of circumstances and ask you to tell them about a time you were in a certain situation and how you acted or behaved. Do not make up an example. It is essential that any story you tell the interviewer is true. Your actions and reactions reflect you and your behavior. Any story that you make up will not be as close to your nature as the truth. If you are worried that your anecdote may be uninspiring, remember that it is a matter of preparation and considering how to tell your tale.

Do not make up an example. It is essential that any story you tell the interviewer is true. Your actions and reactions reflect you and your behavior. Any story that you make up will not be as close to your nature as the truth. If you are worried that your anecdote may be uninspiring, remember that it is a matter of preparation and considering how to tell your tale.

Personality matters

Ensure that your personality shines through. Interviewers are looking to assess how well you will fit with the team, and they can only do so based on your behavior during the interview.

If you do not stay true to yourself, how you they judge, and how can you really know if you’re also the right candidate?

Transforming yourself into someone else can result in a poor fit between you and your new team – and this will likely end in disappointment for both parties.

Being Honest

Be honest with yourself about who you are, what you are looking for, and what you bring to the table. Being genuine with yourself will make it easier to be authentic with other people, including the interviewers. Knowing – and understanding – your skills and passions will make it easy for you to explain what you bring to the table and why you think you are the best match for this job (and why it is right for you).

It’s your say too

Remember, you are choosing too. While the interviewers’ job is to decide whether or not you are a strong fit for their company, your task is to determine if they are the correct match for you.

In the end, finding the right job is about YOU, your health, and your happiness. Always think about how your personality will mesh with those of the people you will be collaborating with. Ask yourself what makes you happy at work, and make sure that your potential employer is able to provide it.

You spend a majority of your waking hours at work, so make sure that they will have a positive effect on your time at home! A happy you is a successful you – someone who can contribute more and help the company grow. Your interview is the first step towards determining if you can find happiness with the company; use it well.

Susan’s Golden Rule: Be yourself

When heading to your next interview, remember that it is important to be prepared, but it is also important to be genuine. Being authentic will allow you to show your outstanding characteristics and your finest experience in the most attractive light. As Susan’s favorite quote reminds us: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde.

So there you have it, our expert advice on how to just be yourself in your next interview.  We hope this week’s installment will help you prepare and achieve job interview success.

To get expert pharma-recruitment advice from Susan Braakman, Seuss Recruitment’s energetic and supportive Team Manager, call her at +31 (0)20 290 0016 or email talktous@seussrecruitment.com