Second, when someone applies for a job, he naturally wants to impress. Therefore, he will paint the few recurring behaviors he is aware of in as rosy a hue as possible. In the job interview, he labels himself “assertive,” not “aggressive.” He describes himself as “ambitious” rather than “pushy.” More often than not, these are not deliberate misrepresentations. They are his genuine attempts to describe himself to you positively. But whatever his true motivations, his instinct to try to impress you makes your job — the talent scout — that much more difficult.
