When you have a job interview coming up, it’s important to research the company, prepare answers to questions you might be asked and be ready for competency-based questions. However, it can be such a shame to prepare all your answers and bullet points only to be tipped up on the day by your nerves.
It’s completely understandable to feel anxious before a job interview, but it’s important not to let those feelings hinder you. Want to know the secret to boosting your confidence before your next interview? RECRUITERS has you covered.
One of the best ways to boost your confidence is to be prepared for the interview itself. Use our interview guide to go through a whole host of common interview questions with tips on how to answer them.
If you can, get a friend or family member to run through some of these questions with you so that you can practise answering them on the spot in front of another person. They will also be able to spot any nervous ticks you might have such as fidgeting or speaking too fast. Being prepared will naturally make you feel more confident going into the interview.
Of course, you can’t literally bring in an entourage into a job interview, but metaphorically speaking, this one will help those who struggle with giving themselves complements. Who in your life is your biggest supporters? What would they say to you right before going into your interview? Most likely, they’d say things like “You’ve got this,” and “You’re a star,” and “You’ll do amazingly”.
Take a few minutes before your interview to think of these people being by your side, saying these mantras right before it’s time to go in. Having your biggest fans by your side – even if it’s just in your head – will keep you calm and boost your self-confidence.
Your breathing is likely to become shallow if you’re anxious, so consciously slowing this down will lower your heart rate and reduce your anxiety. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for two seconds and exhale for four seconds. Repeat this for a minute or two concentrating on only that, which will also help quieten your mind.
The best time to do this is while you’re waiting to be called in. Many people read over the job description, trying to get in some last-minute prep, but this is more likely to stress you out and it may even muddle your mind. Take it that you’ve done all the prep work you can before you walk into the building and concentrate on steadying your breathing and recalling those supportive phrases from your best people.
Probably a trick for the bathroom rather than the reception, but power poses can be a good way to boost your confidence and self-esteem right before a job interview. The idea of power posing comes from a TED talk from Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy gave in 2012, which said that power posing can alter testosterone and cortisone levels in the brain, instilling more confidence.
While the jury is out on the scientific merit of power posing, the placebo effect alone may be enough to give you that extra injection of confidence you need and I’m a big believer in doing what works for you. A simple power pose to try is the superhero pose: stand tall, with your hands on your hips, and your chin tilted up proudly for two minutes.
Again, we’re not saying holding a good luck charm will land you your dream job, but again, it’s about what works for you. Whether it’s a good luck charm, some sort of totem, a meaningful gift or just a personal item from a time you felt particularly confident, having this item on your person when going into a job interview can help reduce anxiety and boost your confidence.
While it can be waved off as mere superstition, studies have shown that those with personal lucky charms in their possession were much more confident going into a performance, which in turn, led to a better performance.
Interviews are daunting but they don’t have to be, and we’re here to help. For more interview advice and question examples check out our RECRUITERS interview guide. Want to find your dream job and ace that interview? Upload your CV here and let us help you find your next career move. CV not quite ready yet? Check out our free CV templates to get you started.
You got this sign photo by Prateek Katyal on Unsplash
