Job interviews can be one of the most nerve-racking and intimidating processes we can go through. We can suffer high levels of anxiety leading up to an important interview and the whole process can leave us feeling powerless and exhausted afterward. There are steps that we can take, however, that can help reduce these feelings of pre-interview anxiety and have us feeling in-control and powerful in the lead up to and the interview itself and the tips below show you how.
Preparation & Research
Preparing yourself mentally before an interview is key to enable you to arrive on the day feeling confident and in control. Before any big interview, you want to go through your relevant work experience, qualifications, past successes and anything that is going to make you stand out from the crowd. Making sure you are carefully matching your skills and experience with the job specification you are applying for, means you are making yourself relevant, and ultimately hirable. So having all of this pre-planned before the big day will give you that boost of confidence on the day that you are prepared and ready to go.
We all know how important in-depth research of a company is before we have an interview. There is no bigger fail in an interview than blinking back with an empty expression when asked what we know about the firm we are wanting to work for. So make sure you have done your research and can confidently express why you admire the company and therefore why you feel you are the best match for their business.
It also pays to research any recent successes the company has enjoyed so you can congratulate the person that’s interviewing you. You can even use golden information like this as small talk fodder for the walkout, after the interview, to really seal the deal and show that you really know your stuff.
Presentation
When we look good, we feel good and that is never more true than when we have a job interview. If we look the part then we also feel the part, so a smart and professional appearance is a must. Wearing a sharp suit, giving yourself a close shave, shining up your shoes and wearing a powerfully masculine cologne like, Laef by Bolvaint, will have you strutting confidently into that reception area and have you feeling like you’re the best person for the job.
Body Language
In the interview itself, it pays to understand the simple body language that we give off and the impression that our body gestures give to interviewers. A firm handshake to start the interview shows that you are assertive and confident. Sitting upright and neatly in your chair and nodding attentively with an engaged and interested, smiley demeanor will show you as professional, astute, earnest and that you are grateful for the opportunity to be there. Using your hands and arms to describe who you are and your past experiences will show that you are passionate and driven, but be careful not to overdo this.
All of the above will have you feeling positive, powerful and in control in any interview you may face. This winning combination will mean you are prepared, professional and in a powerful position to bag that dream job.
Confidence
Confidence is key in the corporate world, especially during a job interview. You can be the least qualified applicant in a room and still get hired if you are confident enough with your answers. Know how to navigate around the questions that you do not have the answers to and take advantage of those that you know the answers to. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires technical knowledge that you still do not have, you can answer with short sentences using the limited knowledge that you have and then indicating your eagerness to learn.
Many applicants after an interview will probably ask how to answer what makes you unique? These applicants were those that were taken off guard by this question and thus were not able to answer properly. Be prepared to answer this by showcasing your strengths like interpersonal skills, experience, and a wide breadth of knowledge.
Featured Image by Adam Radosavljevic from Pixabay
