You Want a Friend? Get a Dog! But, Use Your Interviewer's Time Carefully!

In a job interview, both you and the interviewer are there for only one reason... to assess your applicability for the executive position at hand. Use the interviewer's time, and yours, very carefully. Unless you're applying for a position in sales or customer service, don't waste the interviewer's time trying to make friends. Personality is important in almost every career position. But, given the stiff competition that currently exists for executive positions of almost every shape and size, your main objective is to get to the true benefits the company would derive by hiring you.

I'm not suggesting that you act like a robot or be devoid of wit and warmth. But, too many executives mistakenly believe that interviews are personality contests. If you happen to find a real connection between you and the interviewer, that could certainly help break the ice. But, absent that, trying to make the interviewer take a liking to you is a waste of time.

The interviewer is not there to make friends and neither are you. Spending time in an interview trying to "buddy up" is a cheesey trick. It shows bad form and suggests that you may be a weak candidate seeking to cover-up your deficiencies. Moreover, what would happen if you were the best qualified for a particular position but, spent too much time playing Mister Personality, and either didn't demonstrate your experience and abilities or the interviewer didn't like you?

Get to the point (Read "Advancing Your Career May Be As Easy As Telling a Joke in Reverse!"). If you have limited time and can demonstrate only one trait in addition to your qualifications, make it confidence, trust, creativity, or conciseness. After you've convinced the interviewer that you're best qualified to help his / her company accomplish its objectives, then turn on the charm.
Good luck!