BY: Caitlin Gallagher
Job interviews are typically always a little, if not a lot, nerve-wrecking. There’s so much to prove in such a short amount of time, and with the stakes so high, there is plenty of room to let our nerves get the best of us. Fear not‒there are some tips and tricks that will help ease the stress and gather your nerves in a positive way.
With any interview, you should always be prepared. Researching the company and gaining insight as to what their missions are really bode well with the person conducting the interview. They want to hire someone who is excited and genuinely wants to work for that company. Another way to prepare is to look up some popular interview questions and understand what they mean.
With that being said, you do not want to over-prepare. Scripting your answers not only makes you come across as robotic, but also not personable. Rehearsing your lines beforehand does not guarantee that will be what comes out of your mouth, either. From my experience, thinking too hard about what you were going to say takes away precious moments that you could use to give real answers, not what you think they want to hear. Interviewers want to catch you off guard to see how you bounce back.
If you are like me, you get extremely nervous, pessimistic and doubtful. However, if you go into an interview with the mentality that you will not get the job, interviewers can see it written all over your face. Show confidence and determination. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anybody else?
With confidence and certainty comes eye contact and speaking loudly and clearly. Yes, most interviewers are intimidating and you might not be comfortable making eye contact with most people, but this is key. Showing that you are direct with people you talk to shows a lot to an interviewer. Speaking so that they can hear you and understand you shows that you are educated and capable.
“Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” This stands so true. Even if it is for an entry-level job, dress like you are interviewing for the CEO position. If you look sloppy, there is a good chance people will think your work is sloppy, too. Classic looks always work best. For us women, we should stick to slacks or skirts with a blouse and maybe a jacket. For the fellows, dress pants, button-down collared shirts and sport coats. Going in with crazy colors or chunky jewelry is distracting and some might think it’s a reflection on you. Simple is best.
Most importantly, remember that interviewers are people too. They are just like us and want to have real, honest and meaningful conversations with those they interview. You could have all the experience and credentials in the world, but in the end, you hide an outgoing personality behind robotic and uninteresting answers, the chances of you getting hired are slim.
Some of us are getting ready to venture out into the professional world, and some of us have already been there. Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help you ace the interview and land the job.