What do I do about my natural self-style in a job interview? I need to get professionally spiffed up - Help!?

Question

I had a temp job at an Ins Co. I asked my boss what he thought when he met me.

He said the following:. "I saw an experienced, confident, happy person. I say this because you come in with your head up and you just appear to have self-confidence. You are very easy to talk to and I felt at ease around you right away when I interviewed you for the first time. I liked that you were yourself...you knew your stuff, but you also were 'real' and 'genuine' and not phoney...you told it like it was and I liked that. However, that said, there are some people who would have interviewed you, and said 'no way'".

"The reason I say this is because some people would feel that you're too forward or too 'comfortable' too early with people. You kinda have to figure out the person and what you can say, etc. Does that make sense? Plus if you're interviewing with 'Ms. Prim and Proper', she may think you don't fit in".

I want a career again and need Help. Suggestions? Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi, I'm a recruiter and I think I understand what he was saying. You were confident and smart in the interview, but you acted to casual and to familiar with the interviewer. This comes off sometimes as not being serious or not having enough respect for the interviewer. You obviously can answer questions well and come off as bright and capable. You want to remember to tone down the familiarity. Be respectful and not overly personal with the interviewer. You can be naturally comfortable and confident without saying everything that comes to mind and talking to the interviewer like you were pals. Keep a respectful distance, limit your answer length before you get too wordy, and watch out how you criticize any former employers or jobs from your past. Telling it like it is, doesn't always get you very far in business, it's better to cultivate a way of speaking that gets your point across more subtly and respectfully. Your boss was trying to tell you not to act like a seasoned veteran when you are asking for an entry level job, knowing your place is often the hardest thing for job seekers. You want to sell yourself and your skills, but you are also selling personality and proving that you can be a professional employee and work well under your new boss.

Answer 2

You may be better off just being yourself..keep it natural.
You should ask yourself, 'have I enjoyed working for this person who liked my interview style enough to give me the job?'
Maybe the pattern will be repeated?
It's important that you end up working in an environment that you enjoy and fit into - being yourself in an interview will enable the interviewer to make a judgement about whether you will fit, there's not a lot of point 'fooling' someone into employing you after all..
In essence, you should be yourself, the last proper job inteview I went to, I was very relaxed and making jokes after the first 5 minutes - I got the job and loved working with my boss (who interviewed me). You will naturally evolve a style as you mature and gain experience, use what you have learned to hone your interview skills in a subtle way - don't try and put on a whole new persona...
best of luck with your interviews...

Answer 3

Get a haircut and buy a suit. Simple, isn't it?