Trick the hiring manager into liking you with 7 psychological tips

In 2013 a group of Stanford researchers set out to analyze over 1,000+ speed dates to see what makes couples ‘click’ in just four minutes. 

The researchers found out that while attributes matter, so do words. How and when the words were delivered within the four-minute speed dates analyzed made all the difference to how daters felt toward each other in assessing their compatibility.

And if words matter, then how you use them in an interview should help you play some psychological – Jedi mind – tricks that will make a hiring manager like you! 

Tip #1: Confidence matters

Being on time and dressing nice won’t hurt you in an interview, but the surefire way to create separation amongst other candidates is to let your confidence shine through. From the moment you enter the interview room, you have multiple opportunities to put your confidence on display. 

Just the way you carry yourself the first few moments of an interview can help you land your job. Here are a few pointers to demonstrate your confidence:

• Smile. A large, genuine smile demonstrates confidence and people skills from the jump. 
• Don’t walk too fast. Approach the interviewer’s desk/table with a calm, confident stride that is not too fast but not too slow. 
• Keep Your Shoulders Back & Chin Slightly Higher. Magicians will tell you that stage presence and how they carry themselves is vital in their performance. Knowing this, one trick they use is keeping their shoulders back, chest slightly out, and chin just a smidge higher than normal. This will boost your body language!
• Keep Eye Contact. Maintaining eye contact is a classic attribute of self-confidence. Use it!

Tip #2: Match their body language

Don’t play “Simon Says” with the interviewer, but be sure to match their body language when you interview to gain the upper hand. It is estimated that 80% of communication is body language and tone. 

Be sure you sit up tall in your seat, smile, and keep your hands relaxed. Feel free to talk with your hands at times, but don’t overdo it. Nod when they nod, and be sure to read their body language. Reading body language is a crucial way to relate to anyone, so match it! 

Tip #3: Listen intently

Similar to #2 above, listening intently is vital during an interview. A hiring manager wants to see you acknowledge their questions with a subtle nod, and using their name goes a long way too. 

Looking around and fidgeting are a big no when your interviewing and indicate you might be nervous, preoccupied, or not paying attention. Knowing this, keep in mind you can effectively listen by paraphrasing their questions, smiling, nodding, and staying focused. 

Remember, you have two ears and one mouth for a reason! Listening is part of communicating effectively! 

Tip #4: Compliment them

A genuine compliment with enthusiasm can go a long way! Whether you compliment the hiring manager, the company, or both – when you do it the right way, you can build trust. 

Whether you compliment or the office building or something personal they wear, there are small moments to flatter the hiring manager that will help you out. If they have specific jewelry or accessories, this is a simple way to complement what they wear. 

Not only does flattery release oxytocin – the feel-good chemical within you – it will also release within the hiring manager! 

Tip #5: Create common ground

One of the best psychological tricks you can use is creating common ground. Sometimes called extending the ladder in sales, a simple and forth with someone of three or more exchanges will create common ground. 

You can talk about college, sports, mutual acquaintances, family – you name it – but strive to find common ground with the interviewer early in the interview. Don’t pepper them with questions, but if they say something along the lines of, “I noticed you went to X University,” you can follow that up with “I did! class of 2009, did you ever have the chance to visit?” 

From there, you can use that common ground to build a relationship that will help with your job prospects! 

Tip #6: Dress appropriately

Colors and what you wear matter. Just like you wouldn’t show up in all white to a funeral (unless you’re Derek Zoolander), you don’t want to show up wearing the wrong outfit and colors. 

In most cases, a business suit (male or female) is a must, but what colors can you match it with? One interview a teacher did who we interviewed for this article said the school was navy and silver. The teacher wore a navy suit with a silver tie in the interview, something the principal immediately picked up on and acknowledged! 

Do some research to figure out what colors you should wear to impress the hiring manager, and keep in mind what you look good in! 

Tip #7: Spin the question

Sometimes you will get asked a tricky question. There are a few things a hiring manager is looking for in just about every job interview. The sole purpose of interview questions is to answer whether you fit the company culture, what makes you stand out, and perform the job duties. 

Knowing this, use it to your advantage and spin the question by restating it and adding to it. For example, you can say things like: 

• “I know you are big on company culture; that is something I have ample experience with [Insert example of experience]”
• “As the hiring manager, your job is to see how well I perform my job duties, and I can assure you that when I was with X company, one of the projects we spearheaded…”