Acting “in” is the most basic and practiced form of etiquette. It is the way we act when we are in a normal social situation: meeting someone for the first time, going to an event, or just running errands. We smile, make eye contact, say please and thank you, and generally try not to do anything that could be considered rude.
Acting “out” is what we do when we are given permission to act in a way that might normally be considered disrespectful or rude. For example, when I was a camp counselor, the kids would have “crazy days” where they were allowed to do things like wear clothes inside-out or eat dessert for breakfast.
A job interview is a normal social situation: you are meeting someone for the first time and it is best to follow basic etiquette rules and act “in.” After all, you want to come across as prepared, kind, and respectful. However, there are occasions where acting out might be more appropriate than acting in; if you know what those occasions are and how to act appropriately, it can help you stand out from other candidates (in a good way).
There are situations in life where you have to be appropriately “in.” You have to know when it is time to act out and when it is time to act in. In an interview setting, it is always important to be appropriately “in.” But how do you know when it is appropriate to act out?
If you are interviewing for a position that requires you to be animated and outgoing, then being “out” could be an asset. For example, if you are interviewing for a job as a host at the Hard Rock Cafe, then being outgoing and animated is expected. However, if you are interviewing for the position of accountant, then being animated and outgoing would not be expected or appreciated.
For most people, the interview setting makes them feel awkward and uncomfortable. I believe that this feeling of discomfort causes people to act strangely. Some people get quiet and shy while others start talking about their life story or worse yet…start talking about their tattoos! If your job does not require you to be animated and outgoing, then do NOT start acting differently in an interview setting! The best way for someone to get comfortable in an interview is by relaxing and being themselves. This can not happen if they start putting on a show!
You will never get hired if you start
When a job interview is not going well, acting “in” and professional can be an excellent idea. In many of these instances, a job seeker will act professional to cover up any mistakes or errors in the interview. For example, if you do not know the answer to a question, it is important to display confidence and professionalism. If you display confidence in your answer even though you do not know it, the interviewer will typically respond well.
When interviewing for a position that is more traditional and conservative, it is important to act “in”. For example, if you are applying for a position at an investment banking firm or law firm, acting “out” may not be the best idea. These types of firms are looking for employees who they feel are knowledgeable and qualified so it may help if you act professional and mature.
Some companies prefer employees who can take initiative and be creative when approaching problems. In these instances acting “out” can be a great idea. When you are faced with a problem or challenge at work, coming up with creative solutions can really impress your boss and colleagues (as long as it does not violate company policy). For these types of jobs, being able to think outside of the box is vital so acting “out” can be very beneficial.
The best way to know whether or not you really want a job is to go through the interview process. After the initial phone interview, you are typically asked to come in for an in-person interview where you meet with a number of people from within the organization. The in-person interview is your chance to prove to the organization that they should hire you. It also gives you a first-hand look at what it would be like if you were hired.
Most people have been conditioned throughout their lives to act “in” during interviews. This means being polite, agreeable, and on your best behavior. You do not say anything negative about previous jobs or bosses, even if it was completely deserved. During an interview, many of us put on a persona that shows our best side, but may not reflect who we really are.
After going through the interviewing process with multiple organizations, I came to realize how important it is to act “out” during an interview. What does this mean? It means acting like yourself, no matter what your personality is like. If you are usually laid back and casual with friends, then act laid back and casual during an interview (within reason). If you are more serious and professional when interacting with people in general, then act that way
Perhaps you are new to the job hunting process. Or maybe you are a seasoned pro, but have never been in a position where you have to “act”. Either way, you need to learn the rules of the game.
The first thing you need to do is understand what is expected of you. You need to know how your interviewers expect you to act and respond. Here are some tips:
1. Be confident that your interviewer wants you to act “in” rather than “out”.
2. Be prepared for questions about yourself and your background.
3. Know when it is appropriate to answer questions with “yes” or “no”.
4. Know when it is appropriate to ask questions of your interviewer(s).
5. Know when it is appropriate to give examples or stories from your past experience that demonstrate your ability in a particular area (e.g., teamwork, leadership).
6. Know when it is appropriate to give examples or stories from other people’s past experience that demonstrates their ability in a particular area (e.g., teamwork, leadership).
There is an unspoken code of conduct when it comes to job interviews. You know, don’t wear too much cologne, don’t wear workout gear, keep your cell phone off, answer the questions they ask you, and don’t act like an idiot.
That last one seems pretty simple and straightforward, but what if you are interviewing somewhere that you aren’t sure you would want to work? Like a company that has questionable morals or an industry that isn’t aligned with your values? This is when the “don’t act like an idiot” rule can get tricky. Do you put on your most professional face and pretend to be someone else? Or do you “act out” and try to sabotage the interview as a way of saying “I don’t want this job!”
The answer depends on two main things: whether you will know if you got the job or not, and how likely it is that you will get the job.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am currently interviewing for jobs and internships. The interview process is very time consuming, but it is a necessary part of the job search process. It is hard to get a good feel for a company and its culture through interviews, but it is possible to gain some insight about a company’s culture by observing how you are treated during the interview process.
A few months ago, my co-worker sent me an e-mail about an opportunity at his company. He informed me that he had put in a good word for me with his boss, and that if I was interested in learning more about the position I should contact him to set up an informational interview. I sent him an e-mail thanking him for the opportunity and asking when I could meet with him. He responded by saying he would like to set up something soon, so I sent him some times that worked with my schedule. He responded back asking me if there was any way that he could call me earlier than we had planned because he was going on vacation the next day.
I then received this response: “I can’t meet you until 12pm tomorrow. Is there anything else which works better? Here’s the scenario: I have an 11am meeting that
