Get Self-confidence for Job Interviews Now!

Interviewing

Finally! You have an interview, and you couldn’t be happier. But you’re dreading it at the same time because you know you’ll be sweating bullets. Worse, you might freeze up and not know what to say. And what if you say something totally dumb?

Job interviews aren’t easy even for top students with the best grades. But how can you hide your nervousness and show the interviewer how capable you are?

Self-confidence is the key. Any interviewer expects you to be a little nervous; if you aren’t, you’ll give the impression you don’t care about getting the job. The trick is to build enough self-confidence to present yourself well even though you might feel nervous at the same time. Plus, self-confidence removes reasons for feeling nervous.

With five simple tips, you can develop self-confidence that will crack any job interview.

1. Research the Company

Knowledge is a sure-fire way to build confidence, and learning everything you can about the company is your first step.

Start with the company’s website. Study the entire site like it’s a required textbook, and get a clear picture of the company. Who is the founder? What about past and present CEO, other executives, and board members? What are their goal and vision? What products and services do they offer? Where are they located? What about yearly revenue and stock prices, if applicable?

Look up the company on social media, too, and take time to find articles about them. Are they involved in the community, or are they committed to environmental or philanthropic activities? Can you envision what it’s like to work for them? Do they seem like a good fit for you and you for them?

With this research, you won’t walk into an interview blind. You’ll already feel like part of the company, and that will do wonders for your self-confidence and impress your interviewer.

2. Learn More About the Company

Preparation is essential, so don’t stop studying the company’s website and social media accounts.

Find information about their hiring process. Try keywords like “[company] hiring process” or “[company] assessment test.” Many companies start with assessment tests, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find practice tests or quizzes. Some companies even offer entire sections of their websites to help you prepare. Take advantage of them.

You can also find reviews about the company online. What are previous employees saying?

3. Focus on Your Strengths

Instead of concentrating on your fears, worries, or weaknesses, get a confidence boost by focusing on your strengths.

Make lists of all your positive points in various categories like soft skills (personal and interpersonal) and hard skills (technical).

Examine what you think is negative and turn it around to a positive. For example, if you’re introverted and prefer to work alone, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It could mean you’re an independent learner who can solve problems on your own—that’s a good thing!

Knowing your strengths is essential for any job candidate, and that knowledge will make you feel more confident with a hiring manager.

4. Plan for the Interview

Planning is important no matter what you’re doing, so make time to prepare during your job search.

Rehearse responses to interview questions ahead of time, and practice interviewing on the phone and in person. Recruit knowledgeable friends and family for feedback on your eye contact and body language. What message are you sending?

Prepare your interview clothing and accessories well in advance, and pay attention to the company’s dress code.

Estimate the time it will take to get to the interview (whether on campus or not), and allow time for the unexpected like traffic jams or a flat tire.

Anticipate everything that could go wrong and create a Plan B. Your cell phone dies? No problem since you have the company address, directions, and everything you need to know hand-written on your notepad.

5. Remember: Interviews Are for You, Too

Most job candidates want to land the job so much that they only think of impressing the recruiter or hiring manager. But companies need smart employees like you, so they must provide attractive positions.

Realizing that you’re interviewing the company—like they’re interviewing you—is a real plus for your confidence because it gives you some control.

Is the position right for you? Will you be happy working for this organization? Don’t forget to prepare interview questions that are important—you won’t get answers if you don’t ask questions.

We hope these tips help you develop self-confidence for job interviews. It’s all about preparation! Your thoughts and experiences are welcome in the comments below.

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