They Hire You Because They Like You - By Linda White

 Published on November 7th, 2011

All other things being equal, how do you get a job in a cutthroat, tight job economy like this one? While indeed you do need to have the skills presented in the position description and be able to fulfill the job needs, one of the most basic truths of human behavior is that the more likeable you are, the more likely it is that you will be hired.

So how do you present yourself as likeable? Well, it’s true that it is not something you can fake. The key, though, is simply to be yourself. There is no point in being nervous. Just walk in as if you are meant to be there. Presenting yourself with confidence and without negativity will get you half the way to hearing, “You’re hired.”

Think about what qualities attract you to people. What are your friends like? Are they easy-going, quick to smile, and can they articulate their thoughts well? These are the same qualities that an employer is looking for in a job candidate. Here are a few tips to help smooth your way:

Dress for success - studies show that 45% of employer decisions are based on appearance.

Present yourself well - this includes being prepared, answering questions fully without rambling, and asking good questions. Have at least five questions prepared in advance that you can ask. Answer questions with confidence.

Demonstrate that you have a sense of humor - not always possible, but be ready with a smile or even a chuckle if the situation presents itself.

Smile, look the interviewer in the eye, show interest in the company and the position. Don’t fidget, don’t play with your hair or look at the floor or the ceiling, and for goodness sake, do not touch your phone.

If you’re nervous, the best thing you can do is to rehearse. Rehearse in front of a mirror if you can’t get a live partner. Rehearse answering and asking questions. Try to keep your answers to one minute or less, and make your answers relevant to the job if at all possible.

Don’t ever speak poorly of a previous colleague or boss. Don’t disparage other’s work. Being negative will only reflect poorly on you.

And remember, this is all only going to work if you have already presented the skills and experience necessary to the be interviewed for the job. In a job market this tight, employers are only going to call in the best and brightest. So you deserve to be there, and you should act as if that is the case. Act confident, though, not arrogant.

If there is something going on that makes it a less-than-stellar interview - distractions, the interviewer doesn’t know what to ask, or anything like that - just roll with it. If at all possible, try to help the interviewer out. Explain the situation a little more fully if they don’t seem familiar with the job functions. But do this subtly, never in a condescending way. If there is a distraction, ask if there is a better place to talk.

You may get points for acting like the interviewer’s pal, but never let your guard down. Do not let yourself be lulled into a situation where you are giving away personal information that you don’t want them to know yet. And don’t relax so much that you forget you are in a professional assessment situation.

My father-in-law is puzzled by this multi-interview job market. He said to me a few years ago, “When I was interviewing, the interview was just a formality to see if you liked each other. If you did, you got the job.” And in many ways, that is still true.