An Interview Prep Strategy to Build Your Confidence

Walking into a job interview can be nerve-wracking, especially if you really want the job. Interviews can be nerve-wracking and stressful, especially if you are not well-prepared. However, with the right preparation and mindset, you can build your confidence and increase your chances of acing the interview.

Building up your confidence as you head into an interview can help you:

1. Create a positive first impression: When you enter the interview with confidence, you send a message to the interviewer that you are capable, self-assured, and well-prepared. This can help create a positive first impression, which can set the tone for the rest of the interview.
2. Articulate your thoughts clearly: When you are confident, you are more likely to express your thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely. This can help you communicate effectively during the interview and answer questions with confidence.
3. Demonstrate your abilities: Confidence can be a sign of competence. When you are confident, you demonstrate that you are capable and confident in your abilities. This can help convince the interviewer that you are the right person for the job.
4. Stand out: Employers often look for candidates who are confident and assertive. By demonstrating confidence in the interview, you can help set yourself apart from other candidates and increase your chances of getting the job.

If you are anything like me, you probably get a bit of stage fright, or perhaps have a bit of impostor syndrome which can cause anxiety leading into any situation where you need to feel confident and be able to express your thoughts succinctly. The following prep strategies work for both interview situations as well as other situations where you may be speaking to somoone you never met, and are looking to leave a first impression.

At the end of the day, if you can create a great connection with the person you are interviewing with, it will get you further than other candidates. Or as Maya Angelou says:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

With that in mind, here are some interview prep strategies that you can use to build your confidence and get that connection going.

Research the company and build a solid understanding of what the company does.

Research the company’s mission, values, culture, and products or services. This will help you understand how you can contribute to their goals. Do not just write it down verbatim from their website, use your own language and understanding of the products or services to ensure you have a firm grasp of what they do. This can help you both understand how the role you are applying for impacts the business and what questions you may be able to ask to further showcase your understanding of the value you can bring to the company.

Research potential people you might be interviewing with.

Having some background can help you create an opportunity to potentially create a connection with someone during an interview. Knowing a bit about who is interviewing you can help you feel more confident as well. This requires some research skills in leveraging social media sites like LinkedIn to learn about them, what they post about, comment on, like, etc. Write the research down so you have some icebreakers to lead with — find something in common, or find something interesting you can ask about. Remember, any good interviewer has done their research on you as well.

Prep specific interview questions about the company, role, and team.

Prepare open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Some areas to dive into can be related to the business problems you will be solving for, what the team looks like that you will be working with, or what the company culture is like. This can help you learn more about the company and show the interviewer that you are engaged and interested. Make sure your questions are genuine and reflect your interest in the company and the role. This can help you build a connection with the interviewer and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity. By preparing specific interview questions about the company, role, and team, you can demonstrate your enthusiasm and curiosity about the opportunity, and learn more about the company to determine if it is the right fit for you.

Get Insider Info

Getting insider information about the company you are interviewing for can be extremely valuable in preparing for your interview. One way to do this is to reach out to people who work at the company and ask if they are willing to share some insights and background information with you. Here are some tips on how to go about this:

1. Identify potential contacts: Use LinkedIn or other professional networking platforms to identify people who work at the company you are interviewing for. Look for people who work in the department or role you are applying for, or who have relevant experience in the industry.
2. Craft a polite and professional email: Once you have identified potential contacts, craft a polite and professional email introducing yourself and explaining that you are preparing for an interview with the company. Ask if they would be willing to spend 15 or 30 minutes with you to share some background and insights to help you learn about the company.
3. Be respectful of their time: Keep in mind that the people you are reaching out to are likely busy with their own work and responsibilities. Be respectful of their time and availability, and offer to work around their schedule.
4. Prepare thoughtful questions: If someone agrees to speak with you, prepare thoughtful questions in advance to make the most of your time together. Ask about their experience at the company, what they like about working there, and what advice they would offer to someone starting out in the organization.
5. Follow up with a thank-you note: After speaking with someone, be sure to send a follow-up thank-you note expressing your appreciation for their time and insights. This can help build a positive relationship with the person and leave a good impression.

By reaching out to people at the company and getting insider information, you can gain valuable insights into the company’s culture, values, and work environment, which can help you prepare for your interview and demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Job interviews can be a bit scary, but the good news is that there are strategies you can use to build up your confidence and improve your chances of success. By researching the company and getting to know the people you might be interviewing with, you can get a better sense of what the job is all about and what the company values. Preparing specific questions about the company, the role, and the team can also demonstrate your interest and engagement. And don’t forget, being genuine and creating a connection with the interviewer can help you stand out from other candidates. So take a deep breath, be yourself, and show them what you’ve got!

Below are additional resources to help you on your journey!

• Indeed Interviewing Tips Guide: This Indeed resource provides job seekers with a range of resources to help them prepare for interviews. It offers advice for handling different types of interviews, negotiating salary, and evaluating job offers.
• The Muse: This website offers a wide range of career-related resources, including articles on interview preparation, sample interview questions, and tips on how to ace different types of interviews.
• Glassdoor: In addition to company reviews and job postings, Glassdoor also offers interview tips and sample interview questions based on feedback from people who have interviewed at specific companies.
• LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn’s online learning platform offers a variety of courses and videos on interview preparation, including how to answer common interview questions, how to prepare for behavioral interviews, and how to negotiate a job offer.
• The Balance Careers: This website provides advice and resources for job seekers, including articles on interview preparation, common interview questions, and tips for following up after an interview.

I hope these resources help you prepare for your interview and feel more confident!