Indeed, from the moment when you enter the interview room for an in-person interview or log in to the portal for an online interview, you often start to feel stressed and get into the nervous zone. Moreover, despite possessing all the required learnings & skills for the respective job profile, most of the individuals usually lose confidence due to this nervousness that furthermore negatively impacts their performance in the Interview. Though, you’re alone in this particular situation as many candidates face a similar problem while facing the Interviews (whether it be online or offline).
Now, the question arises – How to overcome this feeling of nervousness and face the Interviews confidently?
Before moving further, you must note that feeling nervous or anxious during the interviews is quite normal (but only to a limited extent). Staying calm & confident in front of the interviewer will help you to give your best in the interview and will also provide you an edge over other candidates.
12 Tips to Face an Interview Confidently:
Here in this article, we’ll let you know about several most-recommended tips that will help you to face the interviews confidently:
1. Don’t be Late on the Interview Day
Now, you must be thinking that how being punctual or showing up a little earlier at the interview place can help you to enhance your confidence level. Firstly, being punctual makes your first impression impactful on the interviewer as it shows your concern and interest in the job opportunity. Moreover, it shows some of your analytical skills such as time management, commitment, etc. to the interviewer. Secondly, arriving early at the interview place helps you to get relaxed and gives you time to revise your thoughts or approaches to regain confidence. Moreover, this aspect of punctuality applies to online interviews as well.
2. Read the Job Description Properly
The next important step before going for an interview is to read the job description more than once so that you can highlight relevant skills specifically during the interview. People apply for jobs without reading the job description and at the time of the interview they are not able to answer properly, hence have to go without a job. Also, you must recall all the work and experience you have from your past jobs that match your current job role, as it will help you to answer easily and confidently.
3. Appropriate Eye Contact & Body Language
You’re required to have proper eye contact with the interviewer and maintain proper body language during the interview to enhance your confidence. You’re recommended to make natural & balanced eye contact with the interviewer to act confidently. Meanwhile, whether it be the handshake with the interviewer or sitting at the chair during the conversation, you must ensure to have appropriate body postures. Moreover, you should use professional and formal language with the interviewer and avoid any unwanted or irrelevant movements during the interview such as tapping your fingers on the table, etc. as it shows a lack of confidence.
4. Dress Professionally
It is one of the most effective yet underrated aspects by candidates during a job interview. Indeed, opting for the right outfit for the interview can enhance your confidence level to a greater extent. Moreover, apart from strengthening self-confidence, your attire makes the first impression of yours on the interviewer, hence you’re required to be a little more concerned about it. Meanwhile, you can perform some research such as company culture, etc., and use various online resources to find the relevant dress code for a particular interview. In general, if you do have not any idea regarding the dress code or you’re not guided by the interviewer about the same, then you’re recommended to go with formal attire (it always works!!).
5. Breathing Techniques
Getting nervous is a very basic human nature! Also, if you are nervous at the time of the interview is good too as stops you from being overconfident. But if you are panicked or having anxiety issues while going for an interview then you must practice slow breathing. When you are stressed your blood flow away from your brain thus hampering your cognitive functions, however, it can be corrected by taking care of your breathing techniques. Before going for an interview, sit quietly in one place and breathe slowly and deeply as far as possible. This helps in improving the airflow in the body and eventually restores mental functions.
6. Research the Company
Most of the candidates commit the same mistake while going for an interview — they prepare well for the interview rounds but forget to research the company’s insights that further leaves them blank when they’re asked about company-related questions. Hence, you’re strongly recommended to do some homework and research about the company such as the company’s goals, services & products, work environment, etc. to look more confident during the interview. Moreover, you can also come up with several questions for the interviewer about the company to grab the attention of the interviewer and to show your interest in the job opportunity.
7. Practice Mock Interviews
This is one of the most recommended ways to gain confidence for the interviews as we all know that — Practice makes a man perfect. You can prefer to practice various online and offline mock interviews to get familiar with the actual interview environment which further will enhance your confidence level. Meanwhile, apart from the technical skills, there are various commonly asked interview questions that you can practice thoroughly before the interview to become more confident and prepared. Furthermore, you’re also recommended to brush up on your resume to become comfortable while discussing the mentioned skills, experience, etc. with the interviewer.
8. Answer Calmly and Slowly
It is important that you answer confidently but blurting out everything in one good is never a good option. Always before giving any answer you must listen to the question properly and then talk without rushing yourself. Also, when people are nervous they tend to talk a lot and say things that are not to be said. Also, if you are nervous the speed of talking increases thus blabbering out a lot of things, therefore, you must stay calm and if you do not know any answer, then take some time to think and answer confidently. Furthermore, the best idea is to take a few seconds after listening to the question and then answer. If in any case you did not under the question or have any confusion, do clarify things, rather than giving wrong answers.
9. Prepare Your Work Examples
While taking interviews employers tends to ask tricky questions regarding everything but especially about your previous work and position. There are many questions from the interviewer’s side that might make you fall into the dilemma that what to answer. Therefore, it is important that you prepare examples from your past work wisely and do memorize your work achievements on tips in order to look interested and not lethargic. Also, you can bring the portfolio of examples and hand it over to the person sitting in front of you to have a clear idea.
10. Ask Questions to the Interviewer
Needless to say, an interviewer not only assesses your skills or knowledge regarding the job profile but also expects to have some engaging conversations with you during the interviews. Hence, you’re not only supposed to answer the interviewer’s questions but also required to come up with several relevant questions (though, professionally) to show your confidence and curiosity towards the job opportunity. Meanwhile, you can opt to ask several worthwhile questions such as regarding company culture, services, etc. Although, you strongly recommended avoiding several irrelevant questions at the earlier stage such as about perks & benefits, leave policies, and many others.
11. Don’t Seem Desperate
Showing desperation during the interview is the worse thing someone can do, being in demand is the right thing. Do not tell the interviewer at the first instance that you are in urgent need of a job, but act casually. As showing the need or desperation might take away the chance of getting hired by your dream company. Sound confident while giving answers and if something is not right say “NO” to it. Do not say yes to each and every condition of the employer abruptly.
12. Think Positively
Last but not least – Think Positively!! Indeed, in the end, it is all about your mindset, and the more positively you will think, the better you will perform in the interview. You’re recommended to not worry too much about the interview and take the opportunity confidently. Also, you’re recommended to keep a smile on your face while entering the interview room as it not only helps you to feel confident and better but also makes a positive impact on the interviewer. Moreover, you can prefer to take some deep breaths before the interview to get more relaxed and calm.
Conclusion:
So, these are several most-recommended tips that you can follow to face your upcoming interviews more confidently. Indeed, being confident during the interviews can surely increase your chances of getting success. Now, what are you waiting for? Do follow the above-mentioned tips and appear in your next interviews confidently!!
Also Read:
- Interview Follow Up: No Response After an Interview? – Here’s What To Do
- Job Interview Tips For Freshers
- Common Interview Questions & Answers For Freshers
- How to Use the STAR Method To Ace Your Job Interview?
