Gary Vaynerchuk on Job Interviews: Embrace Not Getting the Job

In a recent LinkedIn post, Gary Vaynerchuk discusses a counterintuitive approach to job interviews, suggesting candidates adopt a mindset of not expecting to get the job. This strategy, he argues, can paradoxically lead to better interview performance and potentially more successful hiring outcomes.

Vaynerchuk introduces his concept with a direct observation:

I think more people should try going into a job interview with the mindset that you’re not going to get the job.

The entrepreneur and investor posits that this psychological shift can alleviate the immense pressure often associated with interviews. By reducing the perceived stakes, candidates may feel more liberated to be their authentic selves, rather than adopting a persona they believe interviewers want to see.

The Power of Reduced Expectations

According to Vaynerchuk, the fear of rejection can significantly hinder a candidate’s ability to showcase their true capabilities. When the pressure to impress is lessened, the natural personality and genuine skills of the candidate are more likely to surface.

He elaborates on this point, stating:

This is a little reverse psychology here. You’re not gonna get the job, thus you’re not scared to lose the job, thus you’re more your normal self.

Vaynerchuk highlights that this can be particularly beneficial for interviewers trying to gauge a candidate’s fit beyond rehearsed answers. A more relaxed candidate may reveal more about their problem-solving abilities, communication style, and overall cultural alignment.

Observing Authenticity in Hiring

In his post, Vaynerchuk shares his own experience as a hiring manager, indicating that he has frequently hired individuals who performed poorly in the interview setting itself. The key differentiator, he suggests, was the potential he saw beneath the nervous exterior.

As Gary Vaynerchuk notes:

I’ve hired a lot of people who have been terrible at their interview, because I could see they were just overly nervous but I feel they can do their job.

This perspective suggests that traditional interview performance might not always be the most reliable indicator of future job success. Vaynerchuk’s advice encourages a re-evaluation of how candidates approach interviews and how employers interpret candidate behavior under pressure. By letting go of the intense desire for the job, candidates may, ironically, position themselves more favorably to secure it.