Keep Your Personality Intact During a Job Interview

1. Show Your Sense of Humor:

One of the most effective ways to let your personality shine in an interview is by showing your sense of humor as you’re responding to questions.

Employers appreciate candidates who can lighten the mood and demonstrate that they’re not only capable professionals but also enjoyable to work with. Look for opportunities to inject humor into the conversation, whether it’s through a witty remark or a quick relatable anecdote.

Just be sure you’ve read the room and keep it tasteful and relevant to the discussion at hand. For example, an in-context,  light-hearted comment about the disparity between what’s promised by sales and what’s reality by engineering.

2. Show Energy:

Avoid appearing stiff and still during the interview by moving around a bit.

Sitting perfectly still can convey and contain nervousness and tension, but moving around naturally and showing energy can help you appear more confident and engaged.

Don’t be afraid to gesture with your hands or shift positions slightly throughout the conversation. This subtle movement can help you convey confidence and authenticity.

3. Describe Yourself:

When discussing your skills and attributes, use adjectives to paint a vivid picture of who you are as a professional.

Are you someone who thrives in high-stress situations, remaining calm and composed under pressure? Then make a point to say that you’re calm, unflappable, and steady.

Think of what others say (or have said) about you. Are you known as the go-to person for fresh new ideas when nothing else is working? Say so. Did your enterprise client say that you were the best customer success executive they’ve ever had? Now’s the time to quote them.

Are there certain things you hear yourself saying, or a philosophy you stand by? Share these things in the interview.

To make sure you have plenty of material to work with, create a document with quotes you use or things people have said so you can remember when you’re prepping.

4. Be Conversational:

Approach the interview as a two-way conversation rather than a one-sided interrogation.

Engage with the interviewer and ask questions as they arise. If you need clarification on a question or a point they made, ask for it. If the interviewer said something interesting, mention why and respond.

Incorporating these ideas can help you convey your personality authentically and make a lasting impression. Remember to stay true to yourself and let your unique qualities show.

With a bit of humor, energy, descriptive storytelling, and conversational flair, you’ll show them who you are in addition to what you do.