Executive Interviewing: How to Persuade the Right Way

When you’re interviewing for a job at the executive level – especially if you’ve been out of work for a while – you may want to try just about any tactic possible to get the job. Because you’re used to being aggressive to get your way, you may want to try to persuade the interviewer to give you the job. But there are lines that should be drawn when using this tactic. If you want to use persuasion to negotiate your way into a job, there are some great ways to do so that won’t annoy or turn off the interviewer. So before you head into your next executive-level job interview, consider these tips. Express Confidence and Humility When trying to acquire a job, you want to convince the interviewer that you’re the right person. However, in doing so, you want to make sure that you exude confidence in your abilities, not cockiness. You know who you are and what you’ve accomplished in your many years as an executive, which is probably mentioned in your cover letter or executive biography. But when you’re in front of the interviewer, you have a chance to show in person who they’ve read about on paper. The goal in this scenario is to let the interviewer know that you’re comfortable and confident enough to address any situation – and do this without going over the top and speaking like you would if you were negotiating with a client. You know you’re the best person for the job, so confidently express this. However, don’t feel so great about your abilities that you forget that you’re competing with others who may be confident and humble. Arrogance could essentially cost you the job that you so humbly want. Use Storytelling to Your Advantage Another great way to persuade into the job you want is to be a great storyteller. Storytelling is not just a pastime for children, it’s great for adults too. Why do you think so many people are caught up in soap operas and reality TV? They tell riveting, exciting and downright scandalous stories. Of course, you don’t want to talk about sex, lies and betrayal in your job interview, but beefing up your own professional accomplishments is a good place to start. Think about it, it’s hard to have an accomplishment that didn’t require some level of work to get there. At the executive level, you are bound to have had some outright challenging situations occur that you had to overcome. So when you are questioned about your career, don’t hesitate to tell one of your well-crafted stories of trouble and triumph. The interviewer will not only know you are great at problem solving, but also that you are an interesting person as well. When you’re interviewing, charm is also a big plus in persuasion; that is, as long as it doesn’t come across in a fake way. If you truly have a great personality, don’t be afraid to show it. Having an infectious personality can certainly help you get the job. Besides, once you’ve showcased your confidence, humility and great storytelling skills, you’ll already be that much closer to being a shoe-in for the position, why not take that extra step?