If there is one thing that job seekers dread, it’s the process of actually interviewing for a job. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just out of school, it is perfectly natural to develop a healthy dread before and even during a job interview – but the good news is – you don’t need to feel this way. By changing how you look at the interview process you can actually start to enjoy it, and what’s even better, you’ll end up getting more out of it.
The first step is to stop psyching yourself out before the interview even happens. Take the time to prepare ahead of time to get rid of your jitters. For example, you can read through common interview questions and learn all that you can about the company you’re applying with and the interviewer. This will help you feel more prepared and you won’t have to worry as much about getting blindsided with questions.
Another great technique you can use is to actually practice going through the interview process. If you’re working with a recruiter, they’ll take the time to coach you and may even tape a few interview scenarios with you so that you will become completely comfortable with the process. You’ll get some invaluable tips from them.
It’s also helpful to learn not to take anything personally. This takes time, but just remember that you are being judged, like it or not. All you can control is how you present yourself. You are not responsible for an interviewer’s opinion and some interviewers may just simply not like you or believe you are a good candidate. That is out of your control. All you can do is your personal best – stop beating yourself up! Stay confident and this will translate during the interview process.
It’s also important to remember that the right job is out there. Don’t get discouraged or desperate – this definitely will be evident during the interview process. Even if it feels as though you’ve been looking for a job forever, you will find the right company. If you do feel discouraged, you may want to seek out a recruiter for help. They can make the job hunting process much easier and as mentioned earlier, they can also provide you with coaching that will help you regain or develop your confidence.
Remember, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t land every single job. Stay confident and keep looking!
Do you have a question on overcoming interview nerves or how to improve your chances of landing the job you really want? Let the experts at ContemporaryStaffing help you today!