Walking into a job interview is just too scary for many of
us. And why not? How you perform during the interview will determine whether or
not you will have the job you’re applying for. And although there are only you
and the interviewer inside the room, it’s hard to stay calm because you know
you’re in the spotlight.
A job interview is where you will make a presentation about
yourself. Your goal is to sell yourself and convince the interviewer that
you’re the best person for the job. Thus, it’s important that you not let your
apprehension get in the way.
Here’s how you can battle your nervousness:
1. Breathe!
Breathing is an essential step in keeping your nerves
steady. It seems like a simple thing to do, but interestingly, many people
forget to breathe well when they are nervous.
By doing deep breaths, you’re allowing the oxygen to move
into your brain, which makes it easier for you to find answers even to the
toughest question you’re given.
2. Be Well Prepared
You have time before the actual interview, so you can’t make
any excuses about not having the chance to rehearse or practice what you’re
going to say in an interview. If you want to be confident on that big day, you
must be well-versed in everything that’s written in the job description, and
also how your skills and experience make you qualified to handle the job.
3. Practice Speaking
Pay attention also to the quality and tone of your speaking
voice. During interviews, you must keep your rhythm relaxed and even. Also, you
should have the right tone and volume of voice. Avoid being monotone and super
excited as well.
4. Stick to Your Message
As you start talking about yourself, or perhaps answering the
interviewer’s questions, keep your message accurate and clear. Avoid mentioning
irrelevant details or information as this will affect the quality of your
message. When the interviewer gives you a question, take a couple of seconds to
think about how you could best answer the question. Start with a small detail
and elaborate on it if needed.
5. Believe You’re Talking to a Human Being
One thing that can make you really nervous during an
interview is intimidation. At times, we are intimidated by the fact that we’re
talking with someone with high stature. But if you come to think of it, a
hiring manager or even the actual CEO of a company is just a human being. He or
she could feel like you. Thus, you’ve got to learn to recognize their gestures
or facial expressions, which could indicate whether they’re enjoying talking to
you or not.
If it’s your first time to look for a job and you’re just
not ready for a formal job interview, taking on a career coaching program is a great way to prepare yourself for this
huge opportunity to land your dream job.
