Avoiding Interview Arrogance

We've all heard that it's important to project confidence when you interview. Some candidates, however, sabotage themselves by coming off as a little too confident. That's hardly surprising, because the application and interview process creates myriad pressures to act anything but humble. Employers hold out for the "ideal" candidate, demand recent experience that precisely mirrors their current opening, and proclaim that they seek "individuals with an extraordinary record of academic or professional achievement….who have demonstrated remarkable talent."

Successful interviewing, therefore, calls for a delicate dance between self-promotion and self-effacement. Here's our story, which outlines a few situations where it's especially wise to err on the side of humility.