Hitting the send button on your resume and cover letter is simple enough. Heading to the interview, however, can be panic-inducing. If you know you get stressed before meeting with hiring managers, you’re likely hurting your chances of getting the job. The good news is that you don’t have to let those jitters sabotage your search. Instead, follow these tips and fight back against them:
Dig into the details by researching the company.
The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel. So before your interview, do some legwork and research the company. Start with their website, but also look to social media and news articles. In addition, do some homework on any industry trends impacting the company, so you’ll be able to offer more insightful answers during your interview.
Prepare for common questions and have specific examples ready.
You can’t predict exactly what a hiring manager is going to ask you. However, many questions are common across employers. Look some of these universal ones up and prepare for them with responses, as well as specific examples to back up your claims. Make sure you’re focusing on those areas most relevant to the job.
Ask a family member or friend to do a mock interview with you.
Another effective way to prepare is by asking a friend or family member to do a mock interview with you ahead of time. Not only will you get a chance to practice your answers, but you’ll also gain someone else’s perspective about your performance. They can point out any weak areas or trouble spots you still need to work on, as well as where you performed well, boosting your confidence.
Minimize same-day stress.
This includes having your interview attire selected and cleaned and pressed. It also means mapping out the route you’re taking and preparing a bag or briefcase with copies of your resume, as well as your questions and a notebook and pen. Doing this all ahead of time will help you to avoid last-minute scrambling.
Have faith in your abilities.
There’s a reason you got the interview: the hiring manager wants to learn more about you because they feel you’d be a good fit. So have confidence in that fact and know ahead of time that they already think you’re reasonably qualified. Now, you need to prove to them what sets you apart from the rest of the candidates.
If you have job interview jitters, taking the steps above can go a long way in overcoming them, all, so you feel good walking into the interview. If you’d like more help with the process or access to better-fit opportunities, call Future Force. We’re one of the leading staffing agencies in Orlando, FL, and work with some of the area’s top employers. We can help you find the right job faster!
