Dear Experts,
I had an interview yesterday. The first person I met with was great. We really hit it off, laughing and had the same views on everything. But then I was introduced to the person I’d be reporting to. She was completely different. She is also new to the company and I sensed something was wrong. At one point she said, “Wow, sounds like you were having a good time in there. You both were laughing so hard the whole office heard you.” Did I do something wrong? I really want this job. The company is great and I think I could do great things for them, but I’m afraid the manager who I’d be reporting to has a problem with me. What can I do to fix this?
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Q#278 In TY note, I’d mention how gr8 it was 2 feel rapport, just the kind of co U’d like 2 work at. (@juliaerickson)
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4 Comments
I find each person you talk to has a different personality style and needs. You need to adjust to each. In this case you obviously meshed well with the first interviewer, perhaps too well. Remember, you want to connect with each person but you are not there interviewing to be their best friend. You are there to earn a job. Smile, laugh, and connect but keep it in check.
I wasn’t there to hear how loudly or inappropriately you were laughing. If the hiring manager was overly sensitive, it may be a clue on her personality. Do you want to work for this person? If not, run!
I agree with Barry’s assessment on connecting and focusing on the interviewers needs and concerns. Each person will be different and you need to be ready to answer the same question from different perspectives.
There are some many reasons she may have made that comment that it's not even worth speculating. A more effective approach might have been to share what you were laughing about and try to engage her in a similar conversation.
Yet another approach would have been to try to develop a rapport (read: NLP techniques) to figure out where her funny bone is.
Finally, the real issue has nothing to do with humor and laughter. Were you able to convince her that you can deliver the results she expects in the role?
Can you describe the top 3 results in this role she expects from you over the next year?
You'll meet a wide variety of managers through-out the interview process. Can you address each of their different perspectives on the expectations of the job – that's the heart of interviewing. You'll never have great rapport with everyone and the focus should be to steer the interview away from a personality/beauty contest.
Barry Deutsch
Partner
IMPACT Hiring Solutions
http://www.impacthiringsolutions.com
There are some many reasons she may have made that comment that it's not even worth speculating. A more effective approach might have been to share what you were laughing about and try to engage her in a similar conversation.
Yet another approach would have been to try to develop a rapport (read: NLP techniques) to figure out where her funny bone is.
Finally, the real issue has nothing to do with humor and laughter. Were you able to convince her that you can deliver the results she expects in the role?
Can you describe the top 3 results in this role she expects from you over the next year?
You'll meet a wide variety of managers through-out the interview process. Can you address each of their different perspectives on the expectations of the job – that's the heart of interviewing. You'll never have great rapport with everyone and the focus should be to steer the interview away from a personality/beauty contest.
Barry Deutsch
Partner
IMPACT Hiring Solutions
http://www.impacthiringsolutions.com
There are some many reasons she may have made that comment that it's not even worth speculating. A more effective approach might have been to share what you were laughing about and try to engage her in a similar conversation.
Yet another approach would have been to try to develop a rapport (read: NLP techniques) to figure out where her funny bone is.
Finally, the real issue has nothing to do with humor and laughter. Were you able to convince her that you can deliver the results she expects in the role?
Can you describe the top 3 results in this role she expects from you over the next year?
You'll meet a wide variety of managers through-out the interview process. Can you address each of their different perspectives on the expectations of the job – that's the heart of interviewing. You'll never have great rapport with everyone and the focus should be to steer the interview away from a personality/beauty contest.
Barry Deutsch
Partner
IMPACT Hiring Solutions
http://www.impacthiringsolutions.com