Even the most experienced professionals can experience some interview jitters. After all, you are probably excited about the prospect of landing the role and, at the same time, worried you won’t make the best impression. That would make anyone nervous.
While having some anxiety about your upcoming interview is normal, you want to make sure your nerves don’t impact your performance. By taking the right steps, you can be more comfortable and confident when you meet with the hiring manager, increasing the odds you’ll excel during the interview.
If you want to make sure you aren’t nervous about your next interview, here are some tips that can help.
Spend Time Preparing
Often, interview nerves stem from the fear you won’t be able to answer a question well during the interview. Luckily, you can decrease the odds you’ll draw a blank by spending some time preparing before the big day.
Ahead of your interview, take a few moments to review the job ad. Read the entire announcement and make a note of the must-haves that are on the list. Since you will likely face questions regarding those points, you’ll know what answers to practice in advance.
Additionally, do some research into the company. Learn about its products or services. Review the company’s mission and values statements. Peruse its social media accounts to find out about recent achievement and innovations while also getting glimpses into the company’s culture.
All of this allows you to anticipate what you may encounter during your interview, giving you the details you need to know to prepare beforehand and feel confident about what you’ll bring to the table.
Gather Your Things
If you want to keep your nerves at bay, make sure the morning of your interview will run smoothly. The night before the big day, gather everything you’ll need when you wake up. Select your outfit and set it out. Plan out your breakfast and pack your bag. Review your route to the interview location. Double-check your interview time and any other arrival instructions.
The goal is to streamline your morning, so handle everything you can the night before. That way, once you wake up, you won’t have to run around gathering your things or making decisions, allowing you to effectively be on autopilot.
Stay Positive
A positive attitude can go a long way when you need to calm your nerves. Remember, the hiring manager isn’t trying to trick you. In fact, they want you to succeed, so keep that in mind when you meet them.
Additionally, before you walk into the meeting, take a moment and remind yourself of your strengths. If the hiring manager wasn’t intrigued by your resume, they wouldn’t have brought you in, so consider what you bring to the table and use that to keep you in the right frame of mind.
Ultimately, being a bit nervous is normal. But, by following the tips above, you can keep it under control. If you’d like to learn more about how to reduce your interview anxiety, the staff at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our recruitment specialists today and see how our interview expertise can benefit you or browse our open jobs online.
