The minutes before a job interview can be a nerve-wracking ordeal. But the choice is yours-either you can allow your blood pressure to shoot up, worrying about the outcome or you can calm down to get into the right frame of mind to face any question posed.
Here are 20 tips to make the most of the crucial minutes before an interview:
1. Calm down
Are you biting your nails endlessly worrying about whether you will make a good impression or not? Take a deep breath and try to keep a clear mind. Getting stressed will only release stress hormones that will inhibit your ability to think clearly!
2. Breathe
When you are stressed, you are gasping for breath! Deep breathing and watching your breath will bring your attention to the now and help you calm down.
3. You would rather be early than late.
Imagine running in late for that crucial interview and apologising profusely. Plan to be at the interview venue at least 15-20 minutes prior to the scheduled time. Keep some buffer time for unavoidable situations like traffic.
4. Keep a friendly face.
Don’t be so caught up thinking about the outcome that you forget to greet the receptionist or people sitting next to you. It won’t hurt if you smile at the staff, security guard. You never know who is reporting back to the boss!
5. Root for your strengths.
Are you a people’s person or is it your knowledge that no one can match? Be sure to keep one or two of your key strengths on your fingertips so that you set the right kind of impression.
6. Stop rehearsing.
Don’t over-prepare. At the end of the day you can only do so much! Trust yourself and go with the flow of the interview. Too much control might leave you disappointed!
7. Work on your body language.
How firm is your handshake, whether you have a direct or furtive gaze, are your shoulders are stooped or not-non-verbal cues communicate a lot about you. Be aware of your body posture.
8. Stop checking your SMS and emails.
You don’t want to read something online that might take you in a different tangent or leave you disturbed. It may trigger a wrong nerve and you may enter the interview room on a cynical note and create a wrong impression. That just spells disaster.
9. Check on company profile.
You don’t want to miss out on a Twitter feed that talks about a game-changing campaign that the company is going to launch; keep a tab on the hot topics trending about the company. It will give the impression that you are well-informed.
10. Review your notes.
You can always pen down certain key information on a few note cards like pointers about yourself, the company, the management etc.
11. Stop going overboard with your research.
Engaging in last minute search for information on big projects is your doorway to WRONG information. Stick to what you know and stop worrying about what you might have missed out!
12. Look in the mirror.
You might have left the house looking like a million dollars, but you could still arrive looking like a vagabond. Don’t forget to re-check yourself in the mirror. Take time to wash your hands and make sure your fingernails are clean and palms are dry.
13. Get your bag in order.
Make sure that your resume can be easily pulled out of your bag. You don’t want to rummage through it and look disorganized.
14. Be observant of your surroundings.
The office space will give you cues as to what is important to the company. Look at what kind of pieces adorn the wall, is it formal or informal, the colour scheme, the awards etc.
15. Think happy thoughts.
You might have heard this a thousand times already, but thinking positive will always add that extra spring in your step and broaden your smile to greet the interview as it unfolds.
16. It’s okay to not know
You don’t need to know all the answers. Don’t spend time worrying about what you don’t know. And if you are asked any question that you don’t know the answer to, just smile and say that you don’t.
17. Be transparent and authentic
Be yourself and don’t try to sell yourself too hard. This will actually be appreciated.
18. Be flexible
Don’t try to smother the interview with the weight of your expectations and how you want the interview to go. Instead go with the flow and be open to any questions that are being asked.
19. Dress smart
You don’t want to step into a formal setting in your flip-flops! Every industry has a different dress code, so follow the norm.
20. Don’t forget to smile
It might sound like a cliché but your smile can immediately put yourself and others around you at ease. So, go ahead and use it often.
Image courtesy: Shutterstock
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