There are 3 types of candidates,
1. Those who naturally do well in interviews.
2. Those who do not and no matter how much coaching they receive and work they put into it they just can’t seem to polish their skills enough to leave interviewers wowed.
3. Those who currently under-perform but can improve with the proper amount of receptivity to feedback and preparation.
Most fall into the third category. If you are in the third category feel comfort in knowing you’re not alone and remember, there is no such thing as being overly prepared. Roll playing with someone by phone and in person is indispensable, however there are also several other steps you can take to improve your interview performance and lessen your nerves.
Start by recognizing that some level of nerves is normal if you are taking this potentially life changing event seriously because it depends on your level of interview experience, self-confidence, how aligned you are with the job description and employer expectations, what’s going on in your life at the moment. The variables are endless here.
Depending on how much interview experience the interviewers has, she could be could be as nervous as you are. This happens often with smaller companies that direct hire without a recruiter on staff or with a new hiring manager. You actually may be on an even playing field when it comes to nerves with the hiring guy.
Interview nerves come from at least some level of lack of confidence and/or low self-esteem combined with self-pressure to perform and emotional discomfort from someone we have minimal to no rapport with being “in control” of our situation. Here are some things you can do to be more confident and enhance your performance at game time:
1. Research the company: Learn as much about it and the job you are applying for as you can. Devour the company website, spend time there and take notes. Showing you “did your homework” says a lot about you in the interview namely that you want the job badly enough to be interested and prepared, but it also shows your initiative and mental energy.
2. Ask the HR representative or receptionist what the dress code is if you don’t know. Ensure you go dressed appropriately. An office setting requires a suit or at the very least business casual clothing. Regardless if it is an executive position or unskilled labor, you must be detailed in your appearance and appropriate. Women should always dress conservatively unless they are applying for jobs where they would be expected to wear revealing clothing to work. The bonus here is that when you look your best you are more confident.
3. Arrive as early for the interview as you calculate: You’ll need to relax and feel confident to walk in the door with good self command and composure. The drive there is always stressful enough; arriving last minute will just increase your adrenaline and make you more nervous. Sit in your car or in the lobby and give yourself a chance to calm down and prepare yourself.
4. Remember that an interview is a two way street: You should also be interviewing the employer to see if you really want to work there as much as you think you do. It has to be mutually beneficial or one or both parties will not be happy and it won’t work out. Go prepared with questions about the company and the position. In addition to showing the interviewer your interest you will get the answers you need to know if you really want the job, if you would just be settling or if it’s not for you at all.
5. When we are tense we tend to raise our shoulders and fidget with anything in reach. Make a conscious effort to relax your shoulders by taking a few slow deep breaths, lowering them a notch with each exhalation until they are in their normal position. Maintain good erect posture and resist the urge to act like you’re all strung out on caffeine or whatever.
6. If answers aren’t generating themselves as fast as you would like, it’s OK to ask for a moment to formulate the response to a question. Just say, “I have several examples, I would like a moment to give you the one that best exemplifies my skills and abilities”. No interviewer will have a problem with that.
7. Refrain from speaking about personal things unless they relate directly to the job. Remember it is an employment interview not a date (though there are similarities), stay on topic. People who tend to discuss their social life and outside of work interests usually do so to fill in those awkward moments of silence or when they don’t know what to say and it is apparent to the interviewer. If you face an awkward moment of silence just smile, ask a question you have prepared or comment on your vast wealth of knowledge of the company that you gained from your research. It will be much more impressive than whatever beans you were about to spill.
8. Most importantly, remember that an interview is really a sales presentation of you. The employer needs to “buy” your skills and talent to hire you. Your objective is to present yourself in the best possible light to show the employer why you are the best possible candidate. You must prove that if you are not selected the loss will be theirs. Sometimes, thinking of you in the 3rd person as a product is helpful.
When it comes down to evaluating your performance, your advanced preparation will give you a clear advantage over the arrogant know it all who doesn’t need to prepare and the self-sabotaging candidate who doesn’t want the job as much as she/ he thinks she/ he does. Unless you were born with crazy mad communication and presentation skills you’ll need to practice and refine yours if you want to walk out of the interview leaving them running to the nearest computer to draft your offer letter.
We at HCC wish you all the best in your interviews.
