1. Believe in and trust yourself.
You must #believe in yourself and trust in your abilities. If you feel like you do not measure up or are worried about bombing, that will come across in the #interview. Remember: you are interviewing because the employer appreciates the skills and experience you bring to the table, and they want to learn more about you. Be proud of who you are and your #accomplishments.
2. Think positively.
By keeping a #positivemindset, you are setting yourself up for a positive interview experience. Give yourself a pep-talk, stating out loud the reasons you deserve the #job. (“I have all the #skills they are seeking and the achievements to back it up.”). Then envision yourself having a #successful interview. Picture walking tall into the interview room, smiling and graciously greeting the interviewer, and confidently answering each question.
3. Practice breathing and #mindfulness exercises.
Acknowledge your nerves and anxiety instead of suppressing them. Gently steer them away by centering your thoughts and engaging in deep, slow breathing. Doing so will slow your heart rate and help you feel more relaxed and clear-headed. Breathing is something you can control, and the beauty is that you can do it anywhere, anytime – even during an interview.
4. Be well-prepared.
The saying ‘knowledge equals power’ is relevant to many things including interview preparation. The more you prepare, the more #confident you will be when interview day arrives. Research the company and people who will be interviewing you; understand how your skills and experience align to the job; pinpoint relevant work achievements; practice answering questions.
5. Practice positive body language.
The moment you set foot in the door you want to exude #professionalism and #confidence, and your body language plays a part in that. Walk tall, sit up straight, place clasped hands in your lap or on the table, make steady eye contact, lean in when the interviewer is talking – these are all things you can do to project confidence. Ask a friend to practice answering questions with you. Ask them: Do I look calm and composed, or nervous and unsure?
6. Speak slowly and thoughtfully.
Be present and take each question as it comes instead of worrying about questions you may be asked later. Try focusing on one main topic per question. This will help you to avoid rambling. Briefly pause before answering the question to collect your thoughts.
7. Dress for #success.
First impressions are critical and a big part of that means dressing professionally. While dress codes vary among industries and companies, your best bet is to ‘dress smart’ in professional or business attire. You will look and feel confident, and it will make a good impression. Whatever you choose to wear, it should be comfortable, clean, and wrinkle-free. Avoid strong smelling perfumes or colognes. #interviewtips#jobsearch#careers#employment
