The Two Core Purposes of Interviews: Showcasing Your Fit and Building Likeability

Job interviews are high-stakes opportunities. They are more than just conversations to discuss your qualifications—they're a chance to show that you are the right fit for the job and to build a personal connection with the interviewers. Many people focus entirely on proving that their skills align with the role’s requirements, but they often overlook another critical aspect: getting the interview team to like you.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the two main purposes of any interview: first, to demonstrate that your experience and background align with the job’s needs, and second, to build likeability with the interviewers. Mastering both of these purposes will increase your chances of standing out and, ultimately, landing the job.

Purpose One: Demonstrating That Your Experience and Background Align with the Job

The most obvious purpose of an interview is to show that your experience and qualifications fit the job requirements. Companies are looking for someone who can fill a need, and your role in the interview is to prove that you're the right person for the job.

Connecting Your Experience to the Job

Many candidates make the mistake of assuming that their resume will do most of the talking. However, it’s crucial to make the connections between your experience and the job requirements as explicitly as possible. Even if something seems obvious to you, it may not be clear to the hiring manager, who could be interviewing dozens of candidates. From questions like “Tell me about yourself” to “Why do you think you’re a good fit for this role?”, every answer should highlight how your skills and background match what the employer is looking for.

For example, let’s say you’re interviewing for a marketing role that emphasizes data-driven strategies. When asked a general question about your previous experience, rather than providing a broad overview of your career, focus on instances where you’ve worked with data to drive marketing decisions. You might say something like:

“I’ve spent the last five years in digital marketing, where I’ve been able to use data analytics to craft strategies that consistently improved engagement and conversions. For instance, at my last job, I led a project that increased website traffic by 30% through data-driven content marketing campaigns. I see that [Company] is also focused on leveraging data to optimize marketing efforts, which is what excites me about this role.”

In this response, you’re not just recounting your work history, but you're making a direct connection between your experience and the job’s requirements. This approach ensures that the hiring manager understands how your past work is relevant to what they need.

Downplaying Irrelevant Experience

While it’s important to connect your experience to the job at hand, it’s equally crucial to downplay or omit aspects of your background that don’t align with the role. For instance, if you're applying for a technical role, mentioning leadership positions in a fraternity or sorority is not going to carry much weight unless it directly relates to the job’s responsibilities.

This doesn’t mean you should hide parts of your background, but you should be strategic in what you highlight. If you held a leadership role in an organization that had nothing to do with the skills needed for the job, it’s better to focus on other parts of your experience. In contrast, if you gained relevant skills, like managing budgets or leading teams, frame that experience in a way that makes it relevant.

Example:

“In college, I was part of a fraternity, where I led multiple fundraising events. I was responsible for managing budgets and coordinating efforts with different teams, which helped me develop strong organizational and leadership skills. These are abilities I’ve continued to hone in my professional career, and I believe they would allow me to contribute to [Company].”

This response tactfully acknowledges the experience while pivoting to skills that matter in a business context.

Tailoring Your Responses to Specific Questions

Another key element in showcasing your fit is tailoring your answers to the questions you’re asked. A lot of interview questions are designed to assess whether your experience fits the role, so be sure to prepare responses that are specific and relevant to the job description.

For example, if asked, “Why do you think you’re a good fit for this role?” don’t give a generic response. Instead, refer directly to the job description and explain how your background fits their needs. You might say:

“I noticed that this role requires experience in managing cross-functional teams and a strong ability to execute complex projects under tight deadlines. In my previous role at [Company], I led a team of 10 on a product launch that involved collaboration across marketing, sales, and product development. Despite several roadblocks, we delivered the project ahead of schedule and exceeded the initial revenue targets. I believe these experiences have prepared me well for the challenges of this role.”

Tailoring your responses not only highlights your experience but also shows that you’ve taken the time to understand the job requirements and think critically about how your skills align with the company’s needs.

Purpose Two: Building Likeability with the Interviewers

The second, often overlooked, purpose of an interview is to build rapport and likeability with the hiring team. Believe it or not, this is often the deciding factor between two equally qualified candidates. Employers are not just looking for someone who can do the job—they want someone they’ll enjoy working with every day. In fact, hiring managers often ask themselves, “Is this someone I can see myself working alongside or having dinner with?”

Likeability isn’t about being overly charming or charismatic; it’s about creating a sense of connection and showing that you can fit into the company culture.

Smile and Greet People

First impressions matter, and one of the easiest ways to make a good one is by simply smiling and saying hello to people you encounter during the interview process. Whether you're walking through the office or waiting in the lobby, a friendly greeting can go a long way. It shows that you're approachable and that you value interpersonal relationships, which are essential in most workplaces.

When you greet the interviewer, maintain eye contact and offer a firm handshake (or the virtual equivalent, if you’re interviewing remotely). This creates an immediate sense of warmth and professionalism.

Know About the Company and Your Interviewers

Doing your homework on the company and your interviewers is not just a matter of demonstrating preparedness—it’s a way to build rapport. Knowing the company’s values, recent projects, and any challenges they’re facing allows you to engage in more meaningful conversations. You can connect your experience to their current goals and challenges, which will make you more memorable to the interviewers.

Additionally, if you know a little about your interviewers ahead of time, you can personalize your answers and build connections. For example, if you find out that one of your interviewers started in a similar role to the one you’re applying for, you can mention how that resonates with your own career path.

Example:

“I saw that you started in the marketing department before transitioning to your current role. I’m really excited about the possibility of following a similar path at [Company], as I’m passionate about both the creative and analytical sides of marketing.”

This shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the people and the company, which makes you more likeable and memorable.

Tell Compelling Stories

Stories are powerful tools in interviews. They not only help illustrate your experience but also make you more relatable and memorable. When answering behavioral questions (e.g., “Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge”), frame your responses as concise, compelling stories with a beginning, middle, and end. Make sure your story is relevant, highlights your skills, and shows your problem-solving abilities.

The best stories also include a personal touch. If you can, weave in a bit of your personality—your enthusiasm, sense of humor, or passion for your work. This makes you more relatable and engaging to the interviewers.

Keep Your Answers Concise

While it's essential to provide detailed answers, rambling or providing too much information can make you appear unorganized or nervous. One of the keys to likeability is delivering answers that are clear and succinct. Aim to keep your responses between 1-2 minutes per question. This shows that you can communicate effectively, a critical skill in almost every job.

If an interviewer wants more details, they’ll ask follow-up questions. Concise answers demonstrate that you respect their time and are confident in your ability to deliver key information without overwhelming them with unnecessary details.

Display Genuine Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is contagious, and one of the most effective ways to get an interviewer to like you is to show genuine excitement about the role and the company. People are naturally drawn to those who are passionate about their work, so don’t be afraid to express why you're excited about the opportunity.

Just be careful not to overdo it—be genuine. If you're truly passionate about the job, your enthusiasm will come through naturally.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of the interview means understanding its two core purposes: showcasing that your experience aligns with the job requirements and building likeability with the interviewers. While demonstrating your qualifications is critical, it’s equally important to create a personal connection. Employers want to hire people who are both competent and enjoyable to work with.

By tailoring your responses to highlight relevant experience, downplaying irrelevant aspects of your background, and focusing on building rapport through genuine interactions, you can position yourself as the standout candidate. Remember, interviews are as much about who you are as they are about what you can do. By focusing on both purposes, you’ll increase your chances of landing the job and making a lasting impression.