Don't Be Over-Confident

This newsletter is about the flipside of a subject that gets a lot of attention when the subject of recruitment interviews is raised. i.e. how to overcome nerves, lack of confidence, presentation skills and so on. The flip-side is being over-confident.

It is our observation that a good many position opportunities are lost by candidates coming across as over-confident, even arrogant in their assumption that they are the best person for the role and that the application/interview process is somehow a mere formality.

This over-confidence comes across in many ways. Starting with lack of preparation – "I can wing it" – and continuing on to making assumptions about the role, the interviewer(s) and the company.
The trouble with over-confidence is that the impression taken from it can vary enormously. For example, not taking the trouble to do your homework on a company can be interpreted by the interviewer in a number of ways. 


For example:
• Lazy. This candidate is just plain lazy because he/she hasn’t shown the courtesy of learning anything about the company.
• Stupidity. For overlooking the need to research.
• Arrogance. "I am so good that they will employ me regardless of the state of my ignorance".

Over-confidence can also extend into your perceived attitude about the role – being over-confident may lead you down the route of appearing uninterested or diffident about the role. It can send all the wrong signals to the interviewer. 

Employers are always on the look-out for people who are really keen to take on a role. Being keen, even anxious gives an edge to an interview that conveys this attitude. Whereas being over-confident or too relaxed robs you of this edge and can give the impression that you are not really interested.
 
Signs of over-confidence that are apparent to an interviewer include:
• Not asking any questions about the role.
• An aggressive or shambolic posture.
• Dressing inappropriately for the role sought.
• A demeanour that is too casual for the role sought
• Talking over the interviewer, not listening
• Self importance/overselling
• Not bothering to prepare a cover letter or getting by on an inadequate resume.

The reverse of the above points is the answer to the problem of over-confidence. You should always seek to:
• At the appropriate time politely ask questions about the role and the company.
• Sit upright with a posture that displays alert keenness.
• Dress to the standard of the interviewer.
• Never talk over the interviewer.
• Be humble rather than proud and don’t over sell yourself.
• Always send a cover letter that addresses the criteria of the role and make sure your resume is an up-to-date one. 

Note: If there is a consultants name in the advertisement for the role, then make sure you use it in addressing the cover letter. Small courtesies can yield good results.

Expatriate futures

Up until 10 years ago, the popular image of an expatriate role, was one of a high salary and a package of tax free or low taxed benefits, such as: accommodation, company car, driver, schooling for children, maids etc. A thrifty "expat", could do quite well on a good package, with few outlays and the consequent ability to save most of their salary component and at the same time enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle.

However the number of such lucrative posts, particularly in the Asian region, has declined somewhat. This decline has been a result of: 

• The ongoing effect of the GFC and companies tightening expenditure and reducing     benefits.
• Increasing use of locals in lieu of expats.
• Worries over pay discrepancies between expats and local, as local standards rise.
• Improving economic conditions in many Asian countries mean that cities once considered hardship postings are no longer seen as such.

Today if you are looking for an expat posting in Asia with seriously good benefits, you need to look at roles that are located in areas which are relatively undeveloped economically and in countries classified as emerging economies. Such roles would be seen as genuine hardship postings and accordingly would receive benefits to ease the difficulties encountered. Such roles are not at all common and certainly are few compared to the past, although well rewarded expat roles do still exist in the Middle East.

Whilst many of the lucrative expat roles in Asia have disappeared there are still plenty of good career growing roles to be had in Asia. Benefits and/or perks should not be the primary reason to seek a role in the growing economies of Asia, compared to the career benefit of international exposure and learning. 

A stint in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai or similar city can add a degree of lustre to your resume and is especially beneficial if you want to carve a career in any of the major multinational companies. Once you have become an expat, a wide world of opportunities can arise, including not just Asia, but South America and Africa, in addition to Europe and North America.

A drawback of an expat career is that once you are on the expat merry-go-round it can be hard to get off, especially if you are an Australian, as returning to Australia will often mean coming back to a diminished role in a somewhat static environment.

All things considered a stint overseas as an expat can do a good deal for you in advancing your career and when applying for such a role, the career development opportunities should be your first focus. With any "fringe benefits" seen as secondary items and certainly should not be the primary arbiters of your decision making process. We have seen circumstances where greed has diminished candidate’s opportunities and shrouded their true interests.

Any expat role must be viewed within the context of your plans for your career and private/family life.