KEY TO SUCCESSFUL JOB INTERVIEW
Introduction
Your
heart is beating faster than usual, your hands feel clammy, your mouth is so
dry it feels like you have cotton inside – and your supposed to feel confident.
Are you going to an interview or a torture session? The answer is – “it’s all in
your perspective.”
Ideally you would sit poised thumbing through a magazine, feeling relaxed as
you wait your turn to have a conversation with the interviewer for the company.
Think about it - what do you have to lose here? What’s the worst thing that can
happen? What if you don’t get this job - is the world going to stop turning? I
realize of course, that bills must be paid, but you are taking the wrong
approach if you are going to come across as desperate – “Please, please, hire
me.” Interviewers smell fear.
A change in thinking
The first, and most important step is to change the way that you view
the interview. This is not an appointment with the dentist who may inflict
pain. It is a conversation with another person. What is the worst thing that
can happen as a result of the interview? You won’t get the job, which may not
have been the right job for you anyway.
Secondly, this is a conversation - a two-way process. You will be interviewing
them as much as they are interviewing you. Is there a good fit here – both
ways? What looks good on paper may not be what it appears – for either party.
It will be part of your job during the interview to investigate whether this IS
a good place for you, and whether you
want to invest a significant part of your life here. When you are not checking
them out and what they have to offer you are missing an opportunity that you
may regret later.
Calming techniques
One of the best techniques to handle stress is through breathing. Take
deliberate, shallow breaths. Take air in through the nostrils and exhale
quietly through your mouth. This is a technique that should be practiced as a
relaxation technique before the interview so that your body gets used to
slowing down the breathing process and relaxing.
Relaxation techniques such as yoga, and meditation classes, are recommended for
anyone who has an extreme case of “interview fright.” The interview can cause
panic attacks if the fear is strong enough. Pre-conditioning will do wonders for this type of anxiety.
Preparation before the interview
These are competitive times and you
should steel yourself to expect some rejection. Think about it this way, “Did
you get a marriage proposal after every date?” Well, you probably aren’t going
to get a job offer after every interview.
For every job you apply for there are more than likely three to four equally
qualified candidates in line for the same job. Whether you stand out from “the
crowd” will depend on your preparation and ability to show confidence in yourself
– believing that you are the “best candidate for this job.” How can you
possibly sell anyone anything if you don’t believe in it yourself?
Preparation will make you feel more confident and less anxious. Can you imagine
giving a performance without some practice and preparation? “Winging” the
interview in today’s market is a big mistake.
Fear of Rejection
You
may have had a number of interviews with no offer. You may be feeling defeated,
and it’s beginning to affect your-self esteem.
This would be true of anyone. But it is a mistake to take it personally. There
are so many factors that could be affecting the offer that it is impossible to
say what is happening. There may be internal candidates, relatives promised
jobs, a competitor who is a perfect match for the job, a lack of chemistry
between you and the new boss, a mismatch in salary needs, etc., etc.
Let
it go
Give
yourself credit for getting an interview – only a small percentage of people
get this far in the process. Give yourself credit for going out there and
putting yourself on the line, even though it is painful for you. Give yourself
permission to not get job offers. Believe that an offer will come through when
it is the right offer – the right fit for the company and for you. Take the
control back and reject the feeling of fear.
When you have done everything to prepare for the interview, and you are
satisfied that you can present yourself in the best light possible, the next
step is for you to let it go. You can learn something from each interview.
Learn to enjoy meeting new people and having new experiences. Who knows you may
even grow to like interviewing.
References: Carole Martin
www.interviewfitnesstraining.com
www.interviewcoach.com