“I’ve trained myself to illuminate the things in my personality that are likable and to hide and protect the things that are less likable.” – Will Smith
Likability is often overlooked by jobseekers. However, when it comes to making critical choices in social situations, likability can be a deciding factor. In one study, the Gallup Organization discovered that the only factor that consistently predicts the outcome of presidential elections is a candidate’s likability.
What makes someone likable?
Your likability is largely determined by how pleasant you are to be around. People who are likable have a genuine interest in other people. According to Dale Carnegie, people can find more friends in two months, by developing a genuine interest in those around them, than in two years of trying to make others interested in them. Likability doesn’t mean you go along with the crowd though. Instead, it actually increases when you demonstrate that you are willing to take a stand for something you believe in.
Likability Determines Who Gets The Job
There is no place where the concept of likability is more relevant than in the job search, particularly in the interviewing process. During an interview, you are essentially trying to persuade the interviewer to hire you for a position. Research done by Chad Higgens of the University of Washington and Timothy Judge of the University of Florida suggests that although interviewers think they are choosing a candidate based on qualifications and experience, their decision ultimately comes down to one important factor: Did they like the candidate as a person?READ MORE