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A University of British Columbia study finds that narcissistic applicants are more successful in job interviews than equally qualified candidates who act more modestly.
The findings suggest that applicants from cultures that place greater emphasis on humility, including some Asian cultures, may have a harder time landing a job in North America.
"A job interview is one of the few social situations where narcissistic behaviours such as boasting actually create a positive impression," says UBC Psychology Prof. Del Paulhus, the lead author of the study. "Normally, people are put off by such behaviour, especially over repeated exposure."
There are limits though... don't go into job interviews asking stuff like Please make sure I speak with an engineer. I don't want to waste my time with an HR person. I'm here to take over your job because you can't seem to do it.
Etc.
I suppose a narcissist would know how far to push it without going overboard.
It certainly makes sense. To be successful in an interview you need to be able to BS and portray yourself as the best employee in the history of man and that your current company would be devasted if when they hire you and you quit them.
Basically interviews are set up to select for good BSers, narcissists, extreme extroverts and punish shy introverts who are often very good at what they do.
That is a significant reason why many companies make dissapointing hires. They select for BS rather than work skills [though for certain functions like sales those are primary work skills].
It certainly makes sense. To be successful in an interview you need to be able to BS and portray yourself as the best employee in the history of man and that your current company would be devasted if when they hire you and you quit them.
Basically interviews are set up to select for good BSers, narcissists, extreme extroverts and punish shy introverts who are often very good at what they do.
That is a significant reason why many companies make dissapointing hires. They select for BS rather than work skills [though for certain functions like sales those are primary work skills].
"Narcissist" is a poor word for the concept being described. One needs to be able to sell an employer on his/her technical ability, likability, and value they bring to the team. This requires a genuine confidence in one's own abilities, but no one likes a braggart or someone who is extremely selfish. If you are too caught up in your own self-importance, that's viewed negatively.
It certainly makes sense. To be successful in an interview you need to be able to BS and portray yourself as the best employee in the history of man and that your current company would be devasted if when they hire you and you quit them.
Basically interviews are set up to select for good BSers, narcissists, extreme extroverts and punish shy introverts who are often very good at what they do.
That is a significant reason why many companies make dissapointing hires. They select for BS rather than work skills [though for certain functions like sales those are primary work skills].
I agree with you. I'm an introvert, yet I always turn out exceptional work. I've been unemployed since February and have gone on numerous interviews with no offer as of yet. All the BS artists that I know have been able to obtain employment right away. I guess I need a class in how to become a successful BS portrayer before my next interview!
This has to be one of the most misleading articles I have ever seen. From the article:
Quote:
Videotapes of the interviews were later scored by a team of raters. Narcissists tended to talk about themselves, make eye contact, joke around and ask the interviewers more questions. As a result, the study found that people rated narcissists as more attractive candidates for the position.
What they are talking about is confident, outgoing people, not narcissists. No where in this article is any narcissistic behavior even described.
I'm guessing this was written by someone from one of the more subdued cultures, viewing confidence as narcissism.
I'm going to disagree and here's why. Are there some people out there that lie to get employment? Sure. However, the biggest point of winning the in-person interview is your PERSONAL skills. I have friends that have high level degrees and can't land a job for jack, and quite frankly their personal skills are horrendous. If you are an introvert I would start there. People want to relate to each other, find common ground, have similar tastes and experiences. They don't want to be talking to a robot. Really, would anyone want to spend 40+ hours a week every week with a robot? No, absolutely not.
Furthermore, what makes you think you are the only one capable of performing top-notch work? Everyone that comes into interview is just as capable, as outlined in their skills/experience on their resume.
The introverts that sit around thinking high and mighty as if they are gods gift to the world are the ones that are narcissists.
What the article is talking about is people with an exagerated sense of their own worth ie narcissistic, arrogant, megalomaniacal etc.
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