CONTROLLING YOUR JOB INTERVIEW

Job interviews are known to be nerve amplifying, especially when it’s your first or if you are the type of person that gets anxious when on a hot seat. Many often see interviews, as a test of knowledge on a subject, which one can scale or fail. Although, interviews test one’s knowledge, it shouldn’t be approached with a pass-or-fail mindset – confidence cannot be communicated with this mindset.

At job interviews, you are likely to face different types of interviewers – ranging from the cool ones that makes you feel kind of comfortable, through the tough ones that picks on every of your words to know your actual level of knowledge about the subject being discussed.

In this article, we will look at what things causes interview panics and what can be done to help this. We will also look at some of the ways to take a definitive control of your interviews.

Shy and introverted people often feel pressured when questioned, which causes dread in their mind. They fear to speak their mind when questioned, even when they have the right answers. Some loose the confidence to mutter words because of their insecurity and heightened awareness of every incoherency.

The first thing you want to do is make a good first impression. Dress smart and comfortable. Use moderate amount of cologne. Smile. Respond to handshakes firmly – a limp handshake communicates timidity. Importantly, see your interviewer as a colleague, who is honestly asking you for an answer to a challenging question; or as that sibling or friend with whom you can share almost anything. See the interviewing process more as a chat than a doctored communication. Don’t be scared to ask questions.

When you go to an interview without preparing, you are writing yourself off getting the job. While some interviews happen on the spot and leave no room for preparations, many gives you notice aforehand. Go prepared and up to date. Have printed version of your most recent resume or CV with you. Research about your employer and the company you’re applying to before setting out. Read their websites, LinkedIn pages and other useful information. Prepare questions to ask your interviewer, with business-conscious reasons, if you get the chance – you can even use this as your talking points.

You don’t go into an interview room and expect not to be asked so many questions. Go in with you’re A-game. Don’t exaggerate your abilities, don’t undermine yourself either. Be you. Don’t be scared to say you don’t have the answer to certain questions. Rather than mumble incoherent response to a question asked, tell them you don’t have the right answer yet, but you’re willing to learn about it. Interviewers and employers hate liars. Don’t be one.

When answering interview questions, don’t give vague answers. Be specific with your answers. Not all interviewers remember all the answers you gave during the interview; what comes to their mind is what they think of the answer you gave and how you structured it.

Rehearse your talking points many times as possible and be courteous when speaking with your interviewer. Say thank you at the end of the whole thing, even when you don’t get an offer. Approach another interview with high level confidence if you did not get the last job you applied for.