Interview is among the most used recruitment methods in companies around the world. Goffman believed that human beings engage in social practices in order to avoid embarrassing themselves or embarrassing others. More so, in interviews the applicants will work hard to create a likeable impression to the potential employers. This paper aims at analyzing the job interview and preparation process according to Erving Goffman, ‘The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life’ which mainly focuses on the applicant point of view.
First, before the interview the applicant should research the company’s profile, future plans and goals. The applicant can get detailed information about the position he or she is applying for and also learn about the details of the interviewer (s). This can be done through talking to current employees and also through thorough research so as to get as much information about the company. This will aid the applicant to present themselves to suit the opportunity that they want to take in a company .Secondly; the applicant should formulate the questions that he or she intends to ask the interviewer(s). The questions should reflect the applicant’s interests on the job help him/her to bond with the interview panel and ask questions about what is discussed during the interview (Goffman and Erving, 43).
Thirdly, the interviewee should practice with a friend before proceeding for the interview. Practicing will help the applicant to answer the questions straight forward and with the shortest time possible. Also, the applicant will discover the areas that need polishing up. Fourthly, the applicant should anticipate the questions that are common with interviews and the ones that are likely to be present in the interview. Questions like ‘tell us about yourself’, ‘where do you see yourself in five years?’ and ‘what is your greatest weakness?’ An applicant who anticipates these questions is unlikely to panic during the interview (Goffman and Erving, 19). Fifthly, on the interview day, the applicant should dress decently and comfortable, keep his or her answers simple and straight forward, be honest, arrive at the interview venue in time and show courtesy to everyone during the interview.
Lastly, after the interview, the interviewee should shake hands with the interviewer and share pleasantries, send a liaison to the interviewer and then follow up with the interviewer at the most appropriate time. Following up will the give the applicant a platform to create an impression that he/she can offer more than what is indicated in his past experience. Following up with the employer will increase the employers confidence in the candidate and thus make the applicant more competitively placed in filing up the position (Goffman and Erving, 33).
Conclusively, it can be accepted that as Goffman believed, a well calculated self-presentation is paramount to the first impression that the audience will have about an individual for a long time. As it has been indicated in the interview process, an applicant should bring out his/her best personality that suit a certain job opportunity so as to impress the interview panel and eventually get the job.
Works Cited
Goffman, Erving. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. , 1959. Print.
