Halloween is coming. Time to delve into our deepest fears and most chilling nightmares. With that in mind, let’s look at the scariest thing of all: a job interview.
But don’t let an upcoming meeting with a potential employer send you hiding under the bed. Too much anxiety to hurt your chances to get hired. Rather, take the necessary steps to boost your confidence and score that perfect job. Here are a few tips to shore up your self-assurance before your next interview:
Seven Tips To Improve Your Interview Confidence
Prepare Answers to Common Questions
Worried about being stumped by an easy question? Get rid of that anxiety by preparing some answers in advance. This will give you a good base for your interview and boost your confidence headed into the discussion.
Practice Your Interview Skills
Sit down with family and friends and do a little interview role play. Have them ask you common interview questions and practice your answers. Let them give you feedback.
This process gets you ready the same way an actor or musician might prepare for a live performance. By running through the basics, your answers will become second nature.
Research the Company and the Industry
Direct that nervous energy to something useful. Jump into research. Learn as much as you can about the company and the industry. Get details on the firm’s products, its structure, its history, its leadership, and its culture.
This will lead to a more informed conversation when you get to the interview. Meanwhile, by upgrading your level of knowledge, you’ll simultaneously boost your confidence. The deep research will make you feel ready.
Craft Questions You Want to Ask
Every interview will include a few moments for you to ask questions. This gives you an added opportunity to distinguish yourself. Avoid getting flustered by preparing some queries in advance. For help knowing what to ask, check out our blog on what to ask in an interview!
Learn About Your Interviewers
You can also find out about your specific interviewers. Casually ask your contact in HR who is expected at the interview. Then, do a little light research. You can check out their bio on the company website, scan their LinkedIn page, or even hunt down their other social media posts.
Don’t overdo it, of course. There’s no need for stalking. But a little intel could help calm your nerves and target your interview answers.
Show Up Early
You don’t want to feel panicked or face a rush. Track how long it will take you to get to the interview and arrive with plenty of time.
Caution: you don’t actually want to show up too early. You can interrupt people’s schedules by appearing for an interview with way too much time to spare. However, you can leave plenty of schedule padding without causing trouble for anyone else.
For an in-person interview, you can take a walk around the block or stop by a local coffee shop to wait for the appropriate time. For a virtual interview, get everything set up and then spend a few extra minutes preparing.
Take a Deep Breath
As you wait for your interview to start, take a moment to collect your thoughts. Close your eyes and take a break. Find your Zen. By getting your nerves under control, you can present your best self and land the perfect job.
Need Interview or Job Search Support? Hiregy Is Here To Help!
Ready to feel supremely confident before your next interview? That happens when you know you’re right for the job. A top staffing agency, like Hiregy, can put you in the perfect situation for your skills and background.
Contact Hiregy today to get your career on the right track.
