For job seekers, there’s no question interviews are a demanding experience. A job interview seeks to expose your personality, decision-making abilities, and motivation levels, among other attributes. It’s a really weird part of the human-experience, if you think about it. They are typically between 30-60 minutes, in front of a group of complete strangers locking their eyes on you to observe your social skills, appearance, focus, values, behavior, cultural awareness, academic knowledge, and experience.
Sounds stressful? That’s because it is. But, that’s OK! Sure, interviews offer a short window of time for a company to get to know you as a professional, but they can have a formidable impact on your future. If you’ve been invited to interview in-person you’ve already passed the first big hurdle – HR was impressed with your resume, or responses in a phone screening. Just Breathe…
Now let’s build off that positive news. You’re preparing for the big interview day. Don’t let nerves get the best of you. Here are a few simple techniques that will help convert your interview stress into a new job:
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:
- Research: Company websites, blogs, leadership bios, culture pages, press releases, etc. These are packed with great nuggets of knowledge to help you prepare.
- Drive-by: Without looking like a stage five clinger, do a quick drive-by a few days before the interview to ensure you know exactly where to report to.
- Healthy Diet: Maintaining a well-balanced, nutritious diet will help your mental clarity. Avoid eating foods the night before and morning of that you know may upset your stomach.
- Sleep: Get a good night’s rest the night before.
- Exercise: Regular cardiovascular and strength training helps breathing and maintaining great posture during interviews.
DAY OF INTERVIEW:
- Tunes: Crank up Beyonce, Bruno, Sia, ZBB, and more on the drive in.
- Visualize a happy life experience: Walk into the building smiling.
- Deep Breathing: Slow, deep breaths. While sitting in waiting area, let the air fill your lungs, and relax.
- Strengths: Emphasize your abilities and positive attributes that fit the role.
- Tell a Story: Interviewers want to see the real you. Telling an appropriately placed, unique story will help loosen up you, and the room.
- Posture: Keep your spine upright, shoulders back, and begin with your hands folded in front of you, not tucked under the table.
- Smile and Laugh!
Millions of successful speakers will admit they’ve felt nervous and stressed before a big speech. That’s human nature and perfectly normal. The key is understanding how to harness that nervous energy and use it to your advantage to deliver something impactful and memorable. Whether you are giving a keynote address, presenting to executives, or interviewing for a new job, remember you are the expert on the topic, otherwise they would not have requested your presence. In job interviews, that topic is YOU!
Finding a new job is not easy. However, nothing in this world that’s worth having comes easy. Be prepared, confident, hungry, humble, and ready to earn that new job!
“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” – Dr. Seuss