Interviews are processes where candidates showcase not only their competencies but also their personal attitude and demeanor — sometimes challenging yet highly instructive.
After many interview experiences, one thing stands out: people's attitudes in interviews can sometimes be completely unpredictable. The same person may present a completely different demeanor in two different meetings. Seeing this can sometimes put me in a difficult position with the companies I consult for, because these differing attitudes especially push the boundaries of professionalism. But when I consider how deep the psychological dynamics are, I realize the situation is somewhat different.
For interviews to conclude successfully, candidates need to express themselves both comfortably and authentically. Yet often, candidates go through this process with a kind of "masked" identity. Rare are those who ask themselves what kind of person they truly are. Yet if a person turns inward before an interview and clarifies who they are and what they offer, they can read the other party more quickly and the interview becomes much healthier and more productive.
This is where my Characterix Personality Inventory consulting service comes in. By helping individuals understand their inner qualities, I not only enable self-awareness but also help them more easily grasp the other party's expectations during interview processes. This is one of the most important points: for both young people and job-seeking professionals, regardless of position — mid-level manager or senior executive — this inner awareness plays a critical role.
In a recent interview I attended, I saw the candidate online and noticed they could not maintain proper eye contact because the camera was facing elsewhere. I gently mentioned this: "Would that be a problem for you?" I received a very different reaction than expected. The candidate suddenly changed their expression and said they were quite uncomfortable. I wondered why I couldn't accept this at that moment — because professionalism and trust begin with fundamental elements like eye contact. "Because eye contact is important to us."
In meetings, I find it genuinely surprising when candidates are unaware of certain attitudes. Especially someone who will take on the professional responsibility of a position can miss small but important details. For example, incorrect camera placement can be an extremely simple yet quite critical issue for an interview. Such awareness directly affects the sense of trust and sincerity. Reliability is one of the most important values in job interviews — I often observe this clearly in candidates' attitudes and behaviors.
Therefore, when entering interviews, candidates need to present not only their skills but also themselves correctly. The more natural personal attitudes are under stress, the more trustworthy they become. This awareness makes the interview much healthier for both parties.
Finally, regardless of position and status, a person's self-awareness and authentic self-expression is always the most important factor. Even for a senior executive, being able to express themselves comfortably and confidently strengthens both leadership qualities and relationships with people. The interview process is actually an arena where a person demonstrates not only their competencies but also their character.
To make an interview healthier, we should first turn inward and question how well we know ourselves. Only then can we correctly interpret what the other party expects from us.
At this point, some questions come to mind that I would like to ask candidates.
"When entering an interview, do you consider not only your competencies but also your attitude and demeanor?"
"What do you do to feel more comfortable during an interview?"
"How can body language and eye contact be more trustworthy during a professional meeting?"
If you feel stressed, taking a few deep breaths can help.
"Making eye contact is a simple yet effective behavior that increases the sense of trust."
Know yourself, try a relaxation technique before the interview, and above all, try to stay natural.
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