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Interviews
can be a horrible experience. You stay up all night preparing, putting together
the perfect ‘hire me’ outfit together, panic about oversleeping, being late or
getting lost, only to arrive and pull a total mind blank. You’re lost for words
and before you know it that position you've worked so hard for has grown legs
and ran for the door.
However, a certain degree of nerves is a good
thing, as it can keep you focused and passionate but the most important tip is
turning these nerves into positives and use them to your advantage.
Following
these tips should put you at ease, allow you to speak with confidence and
clinch that job you've always wanted.
Tip one: It’s all in the outfit
When putting
together your perfect ‘hire me’ outfit make sure it’s appropriate for the day
ahead. The night before practice walking, standing in your shoes and sitting
down in your outfit. There’s not a worse feeling than the morning of the
interview finding an alternative for your extremely tight skirt! Feeling
comfortable and presentable is a great start to any interview.
Tip two: Leave plenty of time
If you think
you know the way, 99 per cent of the time you don’t! You’ll panic, think it
looks different from before and arrive in a flustered state. Leave an added 30
minutes onto your journey for time to find parking or get through the morning
traffic. If you arrive early you can always take another look at your notes
before you go in.
Tip three: Be bright
When you
first meet your interviewer, work through the initial ‘OMG’ moments by making
eye contact, smiling and commenting on the surroundings or weather. It’s all
about ‘faking’ that confidence and making them believe it.
Tip four: Give a firm handshake
A good grip
can send a great first impression to the interviewer signalling that you’re
interested and positive about the situation ahead. Try and channel your nerves
into your handshake and it’ll no doubt work in your favour!
Tip five:
Always ask for a refreshment
Now, this may
sound strange but if you are offered either a glass of water or tea or coffee,
always accept. Throughout your interview you might need a few seconds to pull
together a perfect answer, taking a sip of water can allow you to this and calm
your thoughts. Also, your mouth might dry up and this is a great way to
alleviate this problem!
Tip six:
RELAX!
Before the
interview begins, it’s important to remember the most obvious tip but one that
is often forgotten. Loosen up! Most of the hard work is over. You’re not late,
you’ve made your initial introductions and no one knows more about you than
YOU! Everybody gets nervous and it’s perfectly OK.
Tip seven:
It’s OK to pause
In an
interview situation, pausing to think or gather your scattered thoughts can
seem as if an hour has passed since you last spoke. Do not worry about this.
Pausing is good, it can give a sense of confidence and it’s definitely not the
end of the world.
Tip eight:
Engage with the interviewer
Towards the
end of the interview, you can mentally start reviewing how it went, often
causing you to loose concentration. Don’t get caught up on the past, focus on
the present. Listen intensely, respond intelligently, nod along and continue to
make eye contact.
Tip nine: Ask
great questions
If you’re
asked ‘do you have any questions?’ always reply, yes. Questioning the
interviewer is a golden rule and makes the interviewer think you’re keen about
the role and that you’ve done your research. This also takes the pressure off
of you for a few moments while you calm yourself and see whether this is the
perfect place for you. Ask intelligent and well-researched questions that will
set you apart from other candidates.
Tip ten: Make
them remember you
When the
interview comes to an end and you’ve asked your amazing questions don’t sit
back and relax just yet! When you’re walked out, make eye contact, commenting
on how the interview went or the office environment. When you shake hands end
on something that is going to make you memorable.
For more of
#AskNancy, tweet me @NCampopiano
