OK. You have found a job you actually want to do and have landed an interview. Great job. Now comes the challenging part: showing your potential employer that you are fit for the job. Going into an interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, but if you follow these three tips, you’ll be sure to summon the confidence needed to ace that interview.
Go in fully prepared: Anticipating the questions you expect to be asked and having answers ready is one way to prepare for an interview, but there are other ways to maximize your preparedness before an interview. For instance, speaking to a current or former employee of the company before your interview can help you get a reasonable understanding of what to expect. In addition, it’s wise to do some deep digging about the company itself, whether it be reading articles written about the company, reviewing past employee reviews, or going through the company’s website to understand their outlook on the world and the industry they operate in. When you go in fully prepared, you boost your confidence and less nervous about facing the unknown during your interview.
Talk to your references: Don’t just ask your colleague or former manager for a reference. Ask them for their opinion and feedback about your strengths and weaknesses as a worker. Are you a good leader? Can you communicate well? Are you punctual? When you have found out what your references think about you, make a list of all the qualities you have and write down some examples of your qualities that have benefited your former company. This will give you some positive, experience-based talking points during your interview.
Practice and use affirmations: When you’re about to have an interview, the worst thing you can do is allow negative self-talk to overtake your mind. Instead, focus on affirmations that will help you boost your confidence and remind you of the skills you possess. Write them down, recite them out loud, and learn to say them with conviction. The more you do this, the more you will build up your own confidence. It’s also important to remember that interviewing is a skill. If it doesn’t work out this time, the lessons you learn from the interview can be taken into your next one.
