Credibility in the job interview is what we all want. We want to be heard, listened to and understood – but not only that. We want to be seen as a trusted resource, maybe even a trusted advisor, so that a hiring manager can trust in our capabilities. From this place of trust and credibility, you give yourself a greater opportunity to land the job. And, when white collar jobs are disappearing and middle management opportunities are about as popular as MySpace, credibility is the key to accelerating your career.
Credibility describes how others feel about you. It’s a sentiment of trust, and respect, as people experience your ideas, your work ethic, and your vision for the future. All of these elements (your ideas, your work ethic and your vision for the future) are on display in the job interview process. Hopefully on your résumé (and LinkedIn profile) as well. Credibility is what makes your experience believable, valuable and compelling. In other words, credibility inspires action – and the action you want, in the job interview, is (wait for it) the job offer.
Cooking Up Bold Ideas for Job Interview Questions
Imagine this scenario: you’ve been invited to a dinner party by a friend. And your friend says, “I’m bringing in a chef, who’s going to cook for us.” You’re intrigued. “Tell me more,” you say.
“The chef is Gordon Ramsay.”
Whoa! Are you going? That’s amazing!
But before you say, “When’s the party?” your first question is: Is this a credible scenario?
If your friend is from Kent, speaks with an English accent and went to high school with the former Tana Hutcheson (Ramsay’s wife), the story has a lot of credibility.
Because credibility is believe-abilty. Proximity increases probability. These are some of the elements that help you to go from possibility to reality, which is what you want in the job interview.
Notice that you don’t have to push an idea when you have the goods. But there’s something more than just positioning, when you want to be seen as credible. Credibility is easier than you might think.
Imagine a different scenario. Your friend invites you to a dinner party, and says, “‘I’m bringing in a chef, who’s going to cook for us. It’s my brother-in-law, who works as a mechanic at a body shop. He’s never taken a course in cooking, but he’s brilliant with brakes and mufflers. He wants to try a few things – and you’re invited!” How excited are you about the event? It’s believable that this dinner party will happen – but is it… desirable? Is there anything that your friend could say or share that would make you believe that this party is a good idea?
Your friend begins to ramble on, trying to convince you that the party is a good idea. Notice the difference in the two chefs. Which one do you prefer? Credibility is not a push or a struggle – and if you’re working hard to establish it, that means it doesn’t exist. Credibility is revealed, not forced, via a simple, clear and compelling conversation. Einstein said, “If you can’t explain something simply, you don’t really understand it.” Can you believe that?
Building Credibility Around a Desirable and Realistic Outcome
Mutual confidence increases around an outcome that is not only believable, it’s desirable. Credibility is built on a present confidence around a future scenario. Applicable expertise is what’s needed – and turning your skills into believable possibilities is at the heart of every job interview. In the age of AI, where images, videos and even entire personas can be faked, credibility is crucial. What evidence can you share that shows you’ve got Gordon Ramsay, metaphorically speaking, and the potential outcome is something that benefits everybody? That’s a delicious way to approach your career – not with arrogance (which is trying to be someone you’re not) but with crystal-clear confidence. When something exists, you don’t have to embellish.
The challenge, in the job interview, is to remember: you’ve got Gordon Ramsay. That’s what’s cookin’ in your career. You may not be that Next Level Chef, but in your career: you are the expert. You may not know how to make beef wellington (Ramsay’s signature dish), but that’s because your expertise is different. And why would a software company hire you to cook beef wellington?
Every metaphor has edges, it seems. This one points to the value inside your expertise – the kitchen where you are the queen (or king). In the job interview, share your expertise with confidence, support your accomplishments with stories, and don’t overshare. You don’t need to.
The Secret to Credibility and Trust: It’s a Given
Speaking with credibility happens when you aren’t trying to establish credibility. Trust me – and don’t push it. When you treat your credibility like a given in a math problem, you’re on your way to solving the credibility crisis.
Think of a word problem, where X = 5. Since we know that 5 is a given, we don’t need to prove it. We don’t need to establish credibility around what already exists. If you’ve got Gordon Ramsay, you don’t spend a lot of time talking about where he went to culinary school. You talk about what he’s going to make, and you might even start with dessert. The point is: you focus on outcomes. Results. Mouth-watering possibilities. Can you carry this same idea into the job interview? “Yes, Chef!”
Remember that false modesty is still false. Hiding your talents isn’t going to help you. It’s not bragging if you can do it. If you don’t share what you can do with, through and for others, your credibility is hidden. Uncertain. Maybe even missing. Don’t miss the opportunity to discuss your experience and your potential.
In the job interview, the conversation gets more persuasive (and more credible) when you realize the you are the Master Chef in your own Hell’s Kitchen. That’s what’s cooking. Credibility, on the surface, looks like getting others to believe in you. Upon closer examination, credibility really starts when you believe in yourself.