Prepping yourself for an interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. If it makes you feel any better, the majority feels that way. Plenty of people are worried their nerves will get the best of them and ruin their chances of landing the job. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The key to confidence, when you’re in the ‘hot’ seat, is to practice staying calm. Don’t forget that this is your chance to show that you’re the right person for the job. You need to be convinced that you’ve got what it takes, as only then you can convince to the interviewer too.
To make sure you’re not a thumb-twiddling mess, here are a few strategies to try out prior to the interview.
Change your perception
The first important step in overcoming the fear is to put the interview in perspective. An interview is a conversation with another person. The worst thing that can happen is you won’t get the job, which may not have been the right job for you anyway.
Think of this conversation as a two-way process. You are interviewing potential employers as much as they are interviewing you. Prepare some questions for them to show that you are genuinely interested. Are they a good fit for you? Investigate whether this company is a suitable place for you and whether you want to spend a significant part of your life here.
Meditate
You might have heard this many times before. If you haven’t tried it, you might as well start now – before your interview. Make it a quick and simple two-minute exercise before walking into the interview. Clear your mind, rid yourself of those sweaty palms and don’t forget to breathe.
Do your homework
There’s nothing more worrying than flaking on a question. The best way to nip that problem is to do your research ahead of time. Get to know the company and the interviewer, so you have a better idea of what you’re walking into. It surely helps to boost your confidence.
Practice
We can’t stress this enough! The more you practice answering interview questions the more confident you’ll be at the actual interview. It might sound clichéd but following certain tips and tricks really helps – even professional performers do it! Why don’t you ask a friend to go through a practice interview with you.
Eat well
Cut your caffeine intake in half for the day of your interview, while eating foods that are natural beta-blockers like bananas, almonds and oatmeal. These foods can help lower your blood pressure, reduce anxiety and calm your heart rate. Remember that in a healthy body there is a healthy mind.
Lastly while waiting …
Most of us stress ourselves further by re-reading descriptions of jobs while waiting. Instead, take the time to recall a happy incident or visualise a photograph that brings a smile to your face. Respond with a smile of your own and you will appear calm and happy when you arrive for the interview.
Following these tips, you will surely increase your confidence levels and calm your nerves. Remember that when preparing yourself for a job interview, you preparing body and mind.
