INTERVIEW STRESS IS NORMAL!
Did I say that loud enough? Were the cap locks big enough? If you’re human, you’re going to get it. It hits most people, even the most experienced interviewers. There are many things that stress us out in life, and it is not how you completely conquer stress, it’s how you manage it. Beating interview stress is not about being perfect or about being fear-free during the interview. It’s about adjusting and managing your anxiety and using it to fuel your performances. Here are some tips below that may help with the pre-interview stress.
- Pick out your outfit.
- Choose your favorite outfit, professional of course. Make sure you are feeling confident in something you are wearing, it is the confidence on the outside they will see first.
- Do your research.
- Make sure you research the company, values, culture, etc. These are key to making sure the position is a good fit for you. If you feel comfortable knowing about the company and what the position and company could do for you, you will feel more confident about answering questions because they will relate to you and your knowledge of the company.
- Review the job description, making sure you note the skills and qualities they are looking for. This will also help determine which way to go with your answers to interview questions.
- Start your preparation early.
- Wake up giving you enough time to get ready for the day ahead.
- Get a good night sleep
- Get a good meal in. Try not to make your meal too heavy, but also know you NEED to eat so you have fuel for your brain.
- Put your materials together. Bring a copy of your cover letter, resume, recommendations, licenses, certifications, awards and other information that you may need during an interview.
- Give yourself some time to relax. This is a great time to meditate and give yourself a few positive affirmations. Think positive!
- Leave early so you can take your time getting to the interview location. You never want to be late to an interview, but not too early either.
- Interview is a give and take.
- As much as you may feel like the interviewer will be slamming you with questions, have your own list of questions you want answered.
- Ask when a decision will be made – this will help with your stress post interview.
- Make sure to follow–up .
- One of the worst things to do is not follow-up. If the interviewer says to follow up in a week, make sure you set an alarm in your phone to follow up.
- It is also very appropriate to send a thank you note to the interviewer(s). You can send this by email or handwritten note. This is something you should play by ear.
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