JOB INTERVIEWS- STRESSFUL? YES!
Ways to Reduce Stress in Your Next Job Interview
We all know that looking for a new job is stressful. When you finally get an interview, while it is exciting, that too can be enormously stressful. If you have ever felt that “feeling” in the pit of your stomach, you are not alone. Scientists tell us that some level of stress is a good thing. It keeps you alert and mentally sharp. But too much can cause us to freeze up and that is not good. So, it is a difficult balancing act, right?
A job interview requires us to confidently and eloquently list our strengths, skills, experiences with strangers in a short but relevant and effective manner, while also paying close attention to questions from interviewers. No stress there! On top of that, it requires us to try to get everything in that you want them to know about you personally and professionally, and to be wary of those inevitable “trick” questions. No easy task. So, what to do?
First, before the interview — prepare, prepare, prepare. Look for standard interview questions, questions related to your industry, and consider your strengths as well as your weaknesses. Think of real world situations you have encountered in past jobs that you can relay effectively to your future employer. Research the company and if possible, the individuals with whom you may have an interview scheduled. Get with a trusted partner and practice possible question/answer scenarios. Many people who may be extroverts have little difficulty interacting with others, while introverts may find it a bit more challenging and may need to practice more.
So now it is interview day. Some things to remember:
· Dress confidently in clothes that allow you to be comfortable so that you can concentrate on the interview.
· Have multiple copies of your resume on hand.
· Make direct eye contact. This is very important. Studies show that those who consistently make direct eye contact are more likely to be hired.
· Shake hands firmly. This sounds like an old cliché, but it’s still true today.
· Body language counts! Strike a “power pose,” meaning that you should stand confidently with open body language, even if you aren’t feeling confident. It can boost your own feelings of self-confidence which can have a positive subliminal effect on your interviewer, and thus impact your chances for success.
· Provide some level of small talk and try to find a common interest/link with your interviewer.
· Remind yourself of your unique experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. You bring valuable skills to the table; otherwise they would not waste their valuable time interviewing you.
When in the interview, always remember that you are also interviewing them, so have some good questions prepared in advance to ask. You want to know if this company is a good fit for you and whether the organization is one that can offer you what you are looking for in your career journey. Most interviewers, at the end of the interview, will ask whether you have questions for them and most would like to see you ask smart questions about their company, so don’t hesitate to do this. This shows them that you have invested the time to research their company and that you are truly engaged. If they don’t ask you, then you should always tell them that you have a few questions for them. It makes you look smarter and on top of your game.
Know that it is okay for you to ask for a moment while you consider their question. First, take a deep breath or a sip of water to calm your mind. Then think about the question again and formulate a response. It is also okay to say you don’t know something, but good to add that it sounds intriguing and you’d like to learn more.
If you are in a multi-person interview, try to make eye contact with all on the interview panel, not just one person. It often is easy to focus in on one person with whom you may feel a comfort level or rapport, but because eye contact is so important, you should try to smile at and engage each person on the interview team at some point during the interview.
Tell yourself from the outset that even if you don’t get this job, it is excellent practice for your interviewing skills and in growing your comfort level. An interview will always help prepare you for the next one, and may help point out areas where you need to improve for the next interview. It may also show areas where you find you need additional training to get to where you want to be. Know that no interview is wasted time; in fact, any interview is valuable for you in terms of learning how to interview, what questions you may be asked, being more prepared, etc. Henry Ford once said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
Remember, some stress is not a bad thing. Channel it to your advantage by taking the steps above to effectively handle your next interview with ease. Good luck!
Shirley Martin, Director of People
Linux Academy, Inc.
“Changing Lives Through High-Quality, Affordable Real-World Learning”