Is Your Attitude Killing Interviews?

“I don’t understand why my expertise doesn’t speak for itself!” exclaimed Mike. He beetled his brows and frowned, “I get asked incredibly stupid interview questions when it’s plain to see I’m qualified right here” as he slapped the paper resume in front of him. Mike sat back and said: “I’m just being overlooked for younger guys that will do the work for less”. His expression radiated anger, frustration, and defeat.

Mike, like so many professionals looking for a new opportunity, is stepping on his own toes. He had attitude killing interviews! I sighed in sympathy and explained: “Mike, your work doesn’t speak for itself. You do!”

Getting in Your Own Way

Looking for a job is a full-time job. It takes time, patience, attention to detail and a lot of fishing to catch the right lead. There are plenty of tools to get your feet in the door to the interview. However, a stellar LinkedIn Profile and the most impactful resume will not cover up your body language. Mike was sending clear signals to his interviewers that he was frustrated by the interview process and feeling hopeless.

Because our body language is over 90% of the message we send to other people, our attitude is critical! Interviewers may appreciate your expertise but be completely turned off by signals that you may not even be aware of. If you are repeatedly getting the interview, but not the job, it’s time to consider your non-verbal cues.

Invest Wisely in Your Emotions

The fact is: being angry, frustrated, depressed or any other negative emotion doesn’t help us in making the right decisions about our future. Negative emotions and convictions twist our perception of reality. Mike’s story isn’t uncommon. He gets interviews because he’s qualified and experienced, but he doesn’t understand why he never lands a job offer. To make matters worse, he’s acting defensively when asked standard interview questions.

Instead of seeing the root cause of the issue, Mike blames the younger workforce as competition. When I met him, he was considering giving up and taking a couple part-time jobs. After a few conversations, he finally understood that his non-verbal signals were killing interviews. He also realized that his anger and pride was leading him to be reactionary. A month and an attitude adjustment later, Mike landed a general manager position at a great company.

If You Don’t Believe in You, Who Will?

Mary came to me depressed and de-valued. She was convinced she just had to take whatever offer she could get. Mary didn’t have any concept of her own value and what little confidence she had was eroded during her protracted job search. She didn’t believe that she could get the job she deserved, so she barely even put forth an effort! Interview questions were answered vaguely and without energy or engagement. No wonder she wasn’t getting the call back for a second interview!

Mary’s case isn’t uncommon either. It’s easy to allow ourselves to feel down when we aren’t experiencing the response we expected. Mary had no idea that her tone of voice was discouraging. Most recruiters or HR professionals wouldn’t even follow up with her! She was being dismissed out of hand early in the process. If you don’t believe in you, it’s not likely that you will muster up the energy to pull together your accomplishments or respond to interviewers in a positive fashion. You must clearly communicate your value as a professional. It is also important to have your professional impact stories ready and to be excited about every conversation!

Be Intentional About Your Attitude

As John Maxwell says, “Like any discipline, your attitude will not take care of itself. That’s why it needs to be attended to daily.” We tend to expect some external force to make us happy, content or satisfied. In reality: happiness is a decision, not a condition.

1. Be Real. First, sit down and have a heart to heart chat with yourself. Stick to the facts. Leave your assumptions at the door. Dropping negative assumptions about yourself is harder than it sounds! We are great at taking one negative circumstance and branding ourselves for life. Be real about your situation and your current state of mind. If it helps, talk to a friend you can trust to be honest with you.
2. Own Your Impact. Own your professional value and your accomplishments. You have more impact than you think! Consider what unique skills you have. What are you the go-to person for? What special projects have you done? Did you excel at your job? I don’t care if you walk dogs for a living. If you are a great dog walker – that has an impact! Write a list of Impact Stories that highlight your accomplishments at each job.
3. Communicate Your Value. As Rick Gillis says, “Your job doesn’t speak for itself. You do!” You must clearly and factually communicate your value through your impact stories. When the interviewer asks you, “Tell me about a time ….” – have an impact story ready. This is easier when you own your impact and have written examples on your resume.
4. Clear Mind, Positive Outlook. Our state of mind colors every perception and every interaction we have. If you are a Negative Nelly; you won’t have great opportunities because you are too busy slamming the door every time one shows up! Clear your mind, set your intention and allow yourself to be positive. Self-confidence will naturally follow.
5. Don’t Forget to Smile! Whether you are on a phone interview or in person: you absolutely must smile! Plastering a manic grin on your face might be disturbing, so use wisely. Relax your face with a pleasant expression. Engage your interviewer, lean into the conversation, demonstrate that you are happy and excited to be there.

Set an Attitude for Killer Interviews

Instead of attitude killing interviews – have killer interviews! Up to the first 15 minutes of any in-person connection is ruled by body language. We may not be consciously aware of it, but we assess others constantly based on their non-verbal cues and tone of voice. If you are realistic and not assumptive, intentional about your attitude, own your value and emote positive emotions – you will make the best impression in your interview. Tend to your attitude daily and get the job you deserve!

Erin Urban LSSBB, CPDC – is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, a certified professional development coach and culture change leader with over 8 years of mentoring and coaching successful professional transformations. With an extensive background in leading individual, cultural and organizational change initiatives: her mission is to lift others up to defy their limits and exceed their goals.

Seen on besomebody.com & Forbes.com

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