When you are being interviewed for a job, you typically have one primary goal: impress the interviewer enough to get an offer.
Often, we think that we need to be agreeable to succeed, which can lead to a lot of nodding on both sides, even if you don’t necessarily believe in what the interviewer is saying.
This type of well-intended dishonesty may help you get the job, but it can lead to assumptions and misconceptions that grow and fester once you’re in the role.
To be successful in the long term, you should instead express your honest opinions during an interview, presenting yourself as you are, not someone you think the employer wants you to be. In fact, the most engaging interviews – for both sides – have some form of healthy disagreement that demonstrates the interviewee’s ability to be curious and collaborative. Rather than thinking of it as a conflict, approach it as a launching point for healthy discussion, debate and problem-solving. While simply saying “I disagree” will shut down further conversation, a response framed as “This is what I see (from the outside looking into your company) and this is what I’ve experienced (during my years specialising in this space)” invites discussion.
For instance, if the interviewer said the company always uses the waterfall method to develop software, but you believe agile is a better method because it allows changes to be made as the project is evolving, you might want to say: “It’s interesting that you’re using the waterfall method, but I find agile methodology to produce faster, more accurate and efficient.” Your counterpart’s reaction will speak volumes. If he or she said “That will never work here”, then you know what you might be up against if you get the role and want to make a change.
Of course, disagreeing with an interviewer isn’t always easy. There is an imbalance of power and you risk giving the impression that you’ll be difficult to work with. But you can navigate the potential downsides by doing a few things before, during and after the conversation.
Do your homework
It is important to understand ahead of time if the company culture is one where people are receptive to new ideas. Are the organisation and its founders known for inclusion and open-mindedness or do they have a slow-moving legacy mindset? Does the leadership team encourage open communication and innovation? Research the company. If you know someone at the company, ask them open-ended questions such as: “What do you like about this company and what areas could be improved?” Their answers might help you have a better feel for the firm’s inner workings.
Give yourself space to think
During the interview, if the interviewer states something or asks a question that gives you pause, resist the urge to answer immediately. Instead, take a moment to gather your thoughts to help you give a thoughtful reply. To buy yourself that time, you might say something like: “That’s an interesting point of view. Let me think about it for a moment.” This demonstrates that you are able to think critically and problem-solve. Instead of eagerly filling the air with whatever first comes to your mind, you will be able to give a more finely crafted response.
Ask permission to speak candidly
Whenever you need to disagree with someone who has more power than you, it helps to prepare that person. The first time you want to push back on something, ask for permission to provide a different view. Say something such as: “I see this differently. May I share my perspective with you?”
That kind of invitation is effective for two reasons. Firstly, it does not make the interviewer “wrong”. If you said: “I disagree” and stopped, it would probably put your interviewer on the defensive and shut down the conversation. But “I see this differently” opens the door for further discussion.
Secondly, asking the question provokes curiosity on the interviewer. You are not forcing your opinion on them, rather you’re inviting them to consider it.
Trust your instincts
Of course, during the interview, you should follow your gut. If you think disagreeing won’t be received well, you might want to bite your tongue. Afterwards, consider how you feel about the overall experience. Are you excited and confident, defeated or emotionally drained? Those feelings can be a good indicator of what your days will be like at this organisation.
Consider the degree to which you felt comfortable disagreeing. From what you observed, are people at the company open to change? Are dissenting voices welcome? If the interview made you uncomfortable – if you felt dismissed or unheard – trust your instincts. Don’t try to reason yourself into accepting a position in which you will be diminished.
Remember that if expressing different opinions wasn’t welcomed in an interview, it probably won’t be encouraged once you’re part of the company. If you decide you’re not interested in working there, send a follow-up email thanking the interviewer for the opportunity and politely declining to proceed.
An interview is a two-way street. While the interviewers have what you want (a job) you also have what they need (skills and expertise). When you express your true opinions, you ensure that both sides know what they’re getting into.
This article first appeared in Harvard Business Review.
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