So often, candidates ask “what’s the correct answer for this interview question or that interview question”, or “what type of advice can you give me about what they are looking for” or “how should I act or how I should be”.

Truth be told, just like every company is unique, every interviewer is unique but there are some universal character traits I try to preach to all of my candidates when sending them out on interviews.

One of the most under-rated personality traits during an interview is positive energy.  What is positive energy you may ask?  Well, it’s hard to articulate but you know it when you see it.  For starters, it could mean a smile when you walk into the room, a glimmer in your eye, the tone in one’s voice or just the body language you exhibit when communicating with another individual.

I am told by clients that candidates commonly walk into an interview serious or uptight, intent on being ready for a technical question or hoping to remember what’s on their resume.   In my experience, interviewers prefer candidates focus more on displaying positive energy and create positive conversation.  For example, if you walk into an interviewer’s office, take the opportunity to bring up fun, non-work related topics like, “I see you are a Yankee fan, how do you like your chances this year? Or is that your son, how old is he?  My son is five”, or “how did you like that university?”

Let’s face it, we would all prefer to work with someone who is happy, upbeat and generally sending out positive vibes, a glass half full type of individual.  I think leading off one’s candidacy with the right attitude and right approach can make all the difference in the world, especially during a multi-interview process.