How to Stay Calm and Confident During a Job Interview
Posted on Thursday, November 30th, 2017
You’ve written a killer resume, crafted a successful cover letter, and applied to a great job. Your hard work has paid off, and the employer has called you to set up a job interview.
The job interview is your first real opportunity to meet with HR or hiring managers at the organization you want to work for. It’s the first time you get to really talk with them and share your achievements, and their first chance to assess your experience and personality for the job. A lot is riding on an interview—so it’s really easy to get nervous about them.
But being nervous during an interview isn’t necessarily a good thing. Being nervous can mean having shaky hands, stumbling over your words, or being unable to think clearly. It can make your interview much more difficult. Luckily, there are tons of ways of dealing with nervousness, so you can walk into the interview room calm, composed, and confident. Here are some ways to combat interview nervousness.
Do Your Research
Of course, the first step to building interview confidence is to make sure that you are well prepared. Being prepared means you know as much as you can about the organization and the role you’re interviewing for. It means you’re familiar with the work they do and therefore the work you’d be expected to do in the role.
This is why preparing for your interview is so important. You can take the time to craft answers to common interview questions, and find the ways of tying your experience into the requirements of the posting. It takes the guesswork out of your interview process, and means that you get to walk in much calmer and more confident than you would otherwise be.
Get There Early
There’s nothing that can make you panic before a job interview like running late. From giving yourself plenty of time to park, to finding the building and checking in, to having a few moments in the waiting room to catch your breath and chill out, getting there early is an important part of staying relaxed.
Aim to check in 10 to 15 minutes before your interview. This will ensure you’re there on time, but it isn’t so early that your interviewer feels pressured to cut their work short and join you early, therefore starting the interview on a bad note. Take this extra time to calm down: review or notes, check your appearance, or do some deep breathing.
Take Your Time with Answers
When you’re nervous, it is very easy to rush through your answers. Doing so may mean you miss points or forget what you want to say. It can also make it harder for your interviewer to follow along with your train of thought.
Instead of speaking quickly, take a deep breath after the interview has asked their question. It’s okay to pause for a moment and collect your thoughts before giving an answer. This way, you avoid stumbling over your words, and you’re more likely to remember what you prepared during your practice time. Slow down and remember to breath.
Remember That It’s a Two-Way Interview
It’s not hard to feel intimidated during an interview—you’re trying to get a job, and the person interviewing you may end up being your superior. But an important thing to remember is that an interview is a two-way street—just as the interviewer is trying to gauge if you’re a good fit for the role, you’re trying to gauge if the organization is a good fit for you.
This is why it’s so important to prepare questions for your interviewer. By asking intelligent questions, you’ll get the information you need to identify if the organization is a place where you can succeed. You’ll gain insight into the expectations of the role, and what difference you could make while there. It looks awesome to interviewers when you have good questions to ask—and you’ll feel far more in control.
By managing your nervousness during job interviews, you stand to make an awesome impression as a confident, composed candidate.
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