The Fine Line Between Confidence and Arrogance

When applying for jobs, it’s important to show what you’re capable of. However, you don’t want to sound arrogant. It can be a fine line, so here are some tips to help:

• Remember to be friendly, and to smile. This might sound obvious, but it isn’t just an exam. Your interviewer will also be looking for an open and easy-going person who will fit in with the existing team.
• Ask questions about the company. This will show that you’re genuinely interested in the role whilst also giving you a break by taking the focus off you for a second.
• Speak naturally and refer to real-life situations and circumstances. You don’t want to sound like you have memorised you CV and are repeating it word for word.
• Be positive and upbeat. If the interviewer asks difficult questions don’t respond defensively. It will look like your confidence isn’t natural and you’ve been keeping your guard up.
• Never, ever lie. If you don’t know something it’s better to be honest about it than to pretend you have more experience than you do. Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one who doesn’t actually understand what they’re talking about.