In the film The Graduate, Benjamin Braddock is advised by a family friend that the one-word key to success is “plastics.” And what does it take to create plastics? Chemistry. And that’s also what it takes to get the job in most cases. Interview chemistry.
According to Wikipedia, plastics are “polymers: long chains of atoms bonded to one another.” A lot like the workplace where different people are in effect bonded together to create something or produce a service of some kind.
That’s not to say that you don’t need some basic skills and/or experience for most jobs. But usually by the time you get to the interview, you’ve been screened for that at least to some extent.
It’s true that the employer will want to make sure you can do the job. And in jobs where there are specific high-level skills like in technology, you will be quizzed at a much deeper level.
But before you can get to any of that, there has to be a feeling that you would be a match for the company. As well as the particular department interviewing you. And that feeling can be summed up in the words “interview chemistry.”
Interview chemistry a two-way street.
Not only is the employer trying to decide if you would be a fit for them, but you have to figure out whether you think the job would be right for you. You can get a lot of cues about the way a place operates and how you might be treated from the interview.
I’ve usually been pretty lucky when it comes to the chemistry thing in interviews. But there’s was that one interview a few years ago I’ll never forget. Here’s the story:
I had heard about a job helping to improve public employment policies and, even though I hadn’t worked in a government agency in many years and wasn’t quite sure that was what I wanted, I decided to apply. I figured it was worth a shot. When I arrived at the office, my instincts went off immediately.
My instincts started “talking” right away
Something about the environment felt cold and not really a place I’d want to be, but still I shook it off and just put myself fully into interview mode. You always have to do that, no matter what else you’re feeling. It’s a little like acting: energy up, smile…the interview must go on!
There was a preliminary interview with someone who worked there already and it just clicked for us. She was delightful and I could see working with her. And she was genuinely enthusiastic about me when her boss walked into the room, telling him what a great interview we’d had so far.
I was feeling pretty good about the job at this point. But when the boss walked in, even before the woman spoke so glowingly about me, he glanced at me briefly and in that instant I could see he wasn’t interested. Seriously — his look showed it all.
Now not all bosses are that transparent…
But as he looked at me you could see his eyes deaden. Could it be that I’m in my 50s? Or maybe I just reminded him of someone he hated. I’ll never know. Anyway … we shook hands, and he sat down across from me. And then he proceeded to give me one of the toughest interviews I’d ever had — more like a grilling!
“Exactly how did you perform that analysis?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. Now this was a complex analysis involving lots of proprietary details. So I assumed he meant I should give him the basic steps. But almost with anger in his eyes, he said “I asked EXACTLY how did you do it. Give me details.”
OK. So you get the point. This wouldn’t work for either of us. I tried for a bit longer, since I always believe in giving things a chance. But we both knew it was over. Mercifully, we admitted it after only 30 minutes.
Like a blind date, first few minutes key.
It’s a time to make the best impression possible — and also to watch for cues. Bosses are looking for people who show appropriate enthusiasm and a positive attitude. If you walk in with your head low and don’t even look the interviewer in the eye, this is a big turn off from the git go.
Hard to get interview chemistry when they can’t even see the real you.
Sure you’re nervous — that’s ok. But make an effort to come in looking like someone who at least believes they deserve the job. A firm (not painful) handshake if the situation permits and a warm smile as you say hello always helps.
I prefer candidates who are natural.
Not that I’m telling you to take off your shoes and put your feet up on the desk (always a bad idea). But I need to see the real person behind the stiff, nervous interviewee so I’ll know if there really is chemistry.
By the way … it’s ok to say you’re a little nervous if that helps you relax. You’ll see right away what kind of person you’re dealing with. If they smile, that’s a good sign. If they are turned off by your honesty, then that might reflect something about the company. And whether you’d be comfortable working there.
Of course interview chemistry is not quite that simple. So no matter what the reaction, take a breath, ramp up your attitude, and keep your best interview energy going. And come well prepared so that you can let the real you shine.
Still … watch for those cues, and be ready to shift your own approach if needed.
[Post updated in 2020]
About the author…
Ronnie Ann, founder of Work Coach Cafe and Work To The Wise, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development and her own adventures as a serial job seeker.
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So glad I discovered this site today! It already has been very helpful, as I am at a “lull” in my job search (I resigned my last position, on good terms, 9 months ago).
My question is: I had two very good interviews – fantastic, even – with a local hospital. I had interviewed with the hiring manager last year, but the position was changed due to a reorg. (it went under a different hiring manager, who decided not to bring me in for another interview). The position was posted in March due to a promotion, and was back under the person I had originally interviewed with. I decided to reach out to her directly, and received back a very positive note, saying she had been meaning to contact me about the opening!! It doesn’t get much better than that, right? Well, that’s what I thought. I felt so confident that, finally, I’d get this great job I really wanted. And clearly, she wanted me, at least as a candidate. I felt all I had to do was do my homework, research, come up with great questions, write excellent thank-you notes, and I have the job. I did all that, and more. I was confident, excited, had good rapport with everyone I met, including the hiring manager, in both my first interview and final interview. That final interview was over a month ago – and I saw yesterday that the position is no longer posted on the hospital’s website.
Does this mean it’s been filled? I followed up about two weeks ago with the gentleman in HR with whom I interviewed/set up interviews, and did not receive a response from him, or anyone else. I am, of course, continuing to search, but am very disappointed that I have heard nothing from them. And, honestly, surprised, given that the hiring manager wanted me! I am scratching my head, trying to figure out what went wrong. The only thing I can think of, was that one of the “key stakeholders” I interviewed with did not feel as positively chemistry-wise as the hiring manager. HR did say it would be a collaborative decision-making process. Is it possible, in your honest opinion, that they may still be deciding, despite it no longer being posted?
Thank you for any insights you can provide!
Hi Carol,
Don’t give up hope, yet. You seem to have done everything right (which is, as you know, no guarantee of a job offer), and you are VERY smart to continue your job search.
They may simply have taken the posting down because they are no longer interested in collecting NEW applicants. They have identified their finalists for the job, and no longer need more applications. Or, it could be another reorg has happened, or even that the job has been cancelled. Hard to tell.
Since it has been two weeks since your last contact with HR, I would reach out again – by telephone – to see what you can discover. If your previous attempt at contact was via email, it is possible that your message was dumped into a spam folder or some other technical glitch buried it. Phone calls are less easily lost (although still possible). Politely check in. Give him the job title, job requisition number, and the dates you last interviewed, and ask him what the current status is for the job. If the job is still open, ask him about the status of your candidacy and the next steps in the process.
Be prepared for him to share no real information other than that the job has been filled, or not.
IF the job has been filled and you really liked the organization and the job, send the hiring manager a thank you for the opportunity to meet with her and the rest of the organization and an expression of disappointment at not landing this job. Add (IF TRUE!) that you would like to be considered for any other opportunities that may arise in the future.
Don’t give up hope yet.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
I lost my job four years ago when my company went out of business. The company closed it’s doors after 31 years in business, mainly due to a.) the economy and b.) bad business decisions on the part of the owner and upper management.
Initially I was frantically looking for a job but the longer I was unemployed, the more I realized how much I enjoyed being a stay at home mom. Fast forward 4 years and I need to find a job now. I have an interview this week and I know the question will come up “why have you been out of the job market for so long”
Any advice? Thank you
Hi Lisa,
Simply state that you were laid off when your former employer went out of business (not fired!). And, you discovered that being a stay-at-home mom was good for your family. Now, your children are in school (or out of school or whatever is appropriate), and it is time for you to re-enter the workforce.
No bad messages here. You were able to take time for your family, needed to take time for your family, and you now are able to return to work. Then, ask a question of the employer or interviewer, to move the discussion along to the next topic.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
I have my first major interview next week. I am very nervous and it is in a different state where I live on. (I am afraid we won’t connect since we are from different environments) I don’t want to mess it up. It is an engineering job and I don’t have a great GPA but I did meet the qualifications. That is why I would like to surprise them with other skills I have. I have had an internship before and I think that might help me. I am not sure what to answer if they ask me about my GPA. I did work and go to school and it was pretty tough for me. Do you have any advise? Thank you.