Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid Using DISC

The DISC personality system is often used in predictive hiring processes to see how well a job candidate fits the job characteristics. Likewise, knowing yourself and your DISC profile can help you apply to the best fitting position. But what about preparing for an interview? Let’s look at each DISC style, mistakes to avoid, and questions to ask during an interview:

Dominant style job interview

One of the biggest strengths of a “D” style is their decision-making ability. They are determined and have seemingly natural leadership aptitude. Sometimes, this comes across as being too direct and intense. During an interview, this might be perceived as overly confident and a turn-off. They will need to work on being more empathetic and interested in people, not just the goals of the job. It’s also important to show their coachable side. Otherwise, it may seem like they will challenge authority, another red flag when hiring.
Suggested questions to ask the interviewer:

• What types of personalities thrive in your culture?
• What current company challenges will I be able to help with?
• How will I know if I’m having a positive impact on those challenges?

Influential style job interview

The “I” style is always optimistic and enthusiastic, which makes for an energized interview. They are persuasive and often entertaining. In an interview, which can make one nervous, this can play out as someone who is rambling on, losing focus and looking for attention. They would be too talkative, but not focused on the actual conversation. They will need to work on controlling their nervous emotions, talk less, and listen more.
Suggested questions to ask the interviewer:
• What are the most important skills to have to succeed with this job?
• What tasks are going to define success for this position?
• How much interaction with customers will I have?

Steady style job interview

For those who are an “S” style, patience and listening are some of their strengths. It’s easy to have friendly communication with them since they focus on conversations well. However, given that an interview brings its own pressure, they might come across as indecisive. They may seem wishy-washy and cause the interviewer to question their leadership ability. This style of candidate needs to work on being assertive under pressure and be aware of hesitations when answering questions.
Suggested questions to ask the interviewer:
• Do you expect the main responsibilities for this role to change in the next six months to one year?
• What personality traits would help someone perform well in this job?
• How has the company changed since you first started?

Compliant style job interview

The “C” style has exceptional organizational skills. Their decisions are driven by plenty of research and detailed information. During an interview, their need for details will come in the form of asking too many questions about small details that aren’t relevant in an interview. The strong logical side can appear as lacking emotion and put a damper on the interview. As pressure mounts in an interview, this style can become withdrawn. They have to pay close attention to how much they speak versus how much the interviewer speaks. Otherwise, the candidate may seem unable to see the bigger picture and passed over for the job.
Suggested questions to ask the interviewer:
• What is your favorite part about working here?
• What excites you the most about coming to work each day?
• How will I know if I’m succeeding from month-to-month?

Another part of interview preparation is reviewing the four DISC style descriptions and see if you can recognize the style of your interviewer. Understanding DISC may help you know how to align your wording with the interviewer’s communication preferences, what drives them, and what they dislike.

Check also: 3 Keys to a Successful Interview with Behavioral Awareness