Always one to enjoy relating the trials and tribulations of the recruiting world to my favorite hackneyed celebrities, my focus this week turns to one of the most delightfully repugnant of all, Scott Stapp. In a job interview (or in any life situation for that matter), one wants to avoid at all costs becoming “Scott-Stapp-esque”. He stands as a prime example of the dangers of over-confidence. If you have ever witnessed a Creed video, you are aware of Scott’s unsavory demeanor. In 9 out of 10 of these visual and auditory atrocities, Stapp is perched atop a rocky cliff, arms spread open. Here, with chest exposed, he braves extreme and often ridiculous weather elements (i.e.: tornados, thunderstorms, swarms of hostile ants) while singing sub-par alternative rock songs. I will admit, I am impressed by the ability of Scott’s glossy, touseled, to-long-for-any-self-respecting-man hairdo to remain unscathed amidst clearly tumultuous circumstances. However, Scott’s intense arrogance is transparent, and highly unattractive. Nobody likes Scott Stapp. Music aside, the reason for such disdain is his excessive pride. In Greek tragedy this pride, hubris, is the downfall of every hero (not to say ole’ Scotty is a hero in any way, shape, or form). The hero becomes overconfident, loses focus on what is important, and inevitably fails. The tricky part is, in an interview you want to come across as confident. Confidence inspires trust and shows maturity and experience. There is a fine line to walk between confidence and cockiness. Avoid bragging in an interview, and instead focus on explaining how your efforts contributed to your previous employer’s success. The difference is subtle, and largely based on your delivery, but it is something that can make or break a deal. Remember, nobody likes Scott Stapp, or wants to hire him. Someday, in an apocalyptic battle between good and evil, Scott’s depraved existence will be exterminated by Chuck Norris. Cause of death: fatal roundhouse kick to the exposed chest.