HOW TO BECOME MORE CONFIDENT DURING YOUR JOB INTERVIEW
Job hunts are not easy, and getting an invitation for an interview is the first step to landing a job. But everything can become wrecked if you let your nerves kick in. People tend to be nervous and freak out when they are on the path to success, but confidence can keep you on that path. Being confident in a job interview will enable you to show your skills and unique qualification.
Ten Tips to Help you Become More Confident During Your Job Interview
- Dress Like you Own the Job
It is the first step to being confident. If your appearance is shabby, you will feel belittled and think small. Select an outfit that will help your confidence; research the company's dress code and their preferred outfit for an interview, and dress according. When you are not aware of any dress code, appear to the interview corporately dressed.
- Breathing Technique
Nervousness negatively impacts your cognitive ability. Taking deep, slow breaths during an interview will keep you relaxed and help blood flow to your brain to help you think well. When you appear calm, your interviewers perceive confidence. A good breathing technique involves; taking deep breaths through your nose till your stomach expands and slowly exhaling through your mouth. You can repeat the process three times to achieve calmness.
- Don't Fidget
During an interview, you need to be in control of your movement. Your movements should be calculated, like carefully gesticulating while talking (it shows enthusiasm). Try to avoid the urge to shake constantly, especially while holding a pen or paper. Try not to tap your hands or feet, swirl your hair, or put your hands between your lap; it makes you look less confident. If you are not aware of how you fidget, ask your friends and relatives so you can be conscious of it during an interview.
- Eye Contact
Making eye contact is a sign of confidence; you should practice it before and during an interview. Do not be intense with your eye contact; maintain natural and steady eye contact, not a prolonged one. Occasionally look at the materials you brought for the interview before turning your gaze back at the interviewer. Practice your eye contact while listening, and particularly while talking.
- Body Position
You must maintain an open position during your interview, which means making your body take a lot of space. It makes you look self-confident rather than looking small. You must practice good posture during an interview. Your body language can tell your interviewer that you are not apprehensive and nervous. Begin by sitting with your arms free (on your lap) and not crossing it, which shows a friendly attitude. Maintain a straight back with your chest and chin raised. When standing, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, your back straight with your chin high, and your fist on your wrist.
- Research the Company
Knowledge is power. The more knowledge you have about the company, job position, and the interviewer, the better you feel about the interview. When you feel good about an interview, you tend to radiate confidence. Having background knowledge of the company will also impress the interviewer.
- Connect with the Interviewer
Interviews is not all about impressing, it is also showing that you are likable and you can work with people comfortably. Connecting is a way to show your interviewer that you have fantastic interpersonal skills. It helps maintain a relaxed and controlled environment. Make small light talks, ask questions about the interviewer (related to the job), mention something about the company, or state an observation. The connection helps you see the interview as less of a judgment and more of a mutual conversation. This change in perception helps build your confidence level.
- Listen and Take Your Time to Answer Questions
Nervousness makes a person's mind wander. There is a high tendency that you are thinking of how to impress and what to say, and you miss out on what your interviewer is saying. Try to focus more on listening before thinking. You want to be able to catch a joke on time or hear a question right. When the interviewer finish talking, you can then think carefully of your response. Don't rush your answers, else you might say the wrong thing that you can't take back, and it can lower your confidence level.
- Ask Questions
It will make you engaged, thoughtful and allows you to picture yourself in the job. When you are engaged in the interview, you tend to be less nervous and more confident. Asking questions is a way of telling the interviewer that you know what you are doing, and they should impress you that the company is well-suited for you. You can prepare your question beforehand during your research. Also, cultivate the habit of clarifying unclear questions from the interviewer.
- Stay Positive
Think positively about the interview and have a bright outlook, like smiling during the interview. A positive outlook will help you stay calm and tell your interviewer that you are excited, prepared, and confident.
Confidence is the key to a successful interview, don't let anxiety get the best of you. Remember to practice these tips before you go for the interview, to enable you to execute them properly. You are a step to getting your desired job, complete the race by boosting your confidence.