How Do You Like Me So Far?

How do you like me so far? This is a question that some job seekers ask during the course of their interview. DON’T ask this question. This is not the way to get feedback from a hiring manager or recruiter. First, you don’t need to ask them if they like you. There is nothing gained by asking that question at any time during the interview. What matters is are you skilled to do the job they are attempting to fill. Are you a good fit for their organization? Are you the best candidate for the job? Whether the hiring manager “likes” you is not relevant for qualifying you as a viable candidate.

Let me be clear, I am not saying that the hiring manager doesn’t have to like you – they do. People tend to do business with people they like. Your ability to articulate your skills and abilities will go far in helping a hiring manager determine if they like you. Your ability to establish rapport will also help you. Being likable will also help. But you don’t need to ask the question – “How do you like me?”

If you have had success asking this question, I would love to hear from you. I can’t see anything useful to you if you ask this question. What if the hiring manager says “no” I don’t like you? Now what? How do your recover from that response. And conversely, what if they say “yes”? Does it guarantee you a job? Absolutely not!

Rather than worry about whether they like you, go into your interview with a strategy to discuss why your the best candidate for the job. Your ability to understand the needs of the organization, the qualifications they have described in the job description and your ability to connect your experience to what they are looking for will move you closer to a job offer. As you discuss who you are, your experience, skills and abilities, connect with the hiring manager. Look for ways to engage in a discussion rather than a question and answer session. If you can turn your interview into a discussion of the organizational issues and challenges, the job opening and your ability to come in and help solve the organizational problems, they will like you, and you will know it and you’ll never have to ask the question.

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