You're preparing for a job interview. How do you showcase your value without coming off as arrogant?

Prepararse es fundamental. Investiga a fondo la empresa e industria. El momento que atraviesa, sus desafíos, te dará ideas sobre preguntas a hacer y la información que valorarán de ti. Esto no solo muestra tu interés, sino también tu capacidad para pensar estratégicamente y entender el contexto en el que la empresa opera. La preparación te dará una ventaja competitiva importante. Por último, el seguimiento puede ser un determinante crítico. Envía un correo agradeciendo dentro de las 24 horas posteriores a la entrevista. En él, reafirma tu interés, menciona algún punto destacado de la conversación y agradece por su tiempo. Este gesto sencillo puede influir positivamente en la decisión final y demostrar tu profesionalismo y cortesía.

Approaching a job interview, it’s crucial to balance confidence with humility. Start by focusing on the value you've brought to past roles, using specific examples and data to quantify your impact. Frame your achievements as collaborative efforts, highlighting teamwork and the skills you contributed. Show genuine curiosity about the company and its challenges, expressing how your experience aligns with their needs. By emphasizing how you can solve their problems rather than just touting your successes, you’ll project confidence without crossing into arrogance.

This is a common question from my clients. They say, "I don't like to brag about myself or my accomplishments." However, as I tell them, if you achieved something using your skills, this is just a fact, not a brag. Interviews require that you demonstrate that your skills can lead to value for your potential employer. Anyone can say they are a "problem-solver" but to describe a situation where you have used problem-solving skills to achieve something significant for a company (i.e. you made them money, decreased their expenses, made the process more efficient), is "music" to the employer's ears. An interview is not the time to be shy about your skills and achievements. Don't exaggerate, but don't be shy about stating your achievements!

Humility is built into your character. You cannot fake humility nor can you come across as arrogant if you are not. Your energy does not lie. If you are coming across as humble, it is because you are. In the same way, if you are coming across as arrogant, it is because you are, and that is ok. We all have lessons to learn. Who you are in your character will shine through, naturally. Building our character is part of the lesson the Universe teaches us while we are on the job market. When things are not happening on our timetable, it means there are lessons to learn and we need to grow in our character while we walk the path to our success.

It's a fine balance as you are trying to demonstrate YOUR experience and stability for the role..... When preparing, think of situations that show the impact of your actions. Try to make them measurable- $xxcost/ time savings, %xx backlog reduction, $xxx contract renewal, increased team productivity etc. Acknowledge the contributions of others as collaboration is important, but use first-person pronouns when they are warranted. Be mindful that saying I repeatedly could come across as being self-centred. However, the language you use to describe these scenarios and your ability to connect with the interviewers will suggest you are simply good at your job rather than arrogant.