Fear and pressure are two words most often associated with an interview. When you want that job and you’re attracted to the benefits that come with the job, you could feel pressured in the days leading to the interview. But then, you should know that fear and pressure would only make you seem incapable for the job, and pour out all your flaws.
If you really need that job, you shouldn’t let fear and pressure into your life.
So how can you handle it?
1. BE PREPARED
The best way to handle fear and pressure for an interview is to actually prepare for it. Do your homework and research about the company and the questions you are likely to be asked in the interview, practise speech and composure and learn all you can about interviews and the job position you applied for.
When you are prepared for the interview, you’d feel confident about yourself.
2. VISUALIZE SUCCESS
If you think you won’t get the job, you’re right — you definitely wouldn’t. If you see yourself getting that job — you’re one step away from getting the job.
Visualise what you want and how you want the interview to go. This will help you knock out fear and pressure.
3. DON’T BE DESPERATE
Desperation would never lead you anywhere, and the moment you become desperate you sell yourself short and you make yourself vulnerable. So, no matter how much you value a job, never be desperate for it.
4. THINK AND SAY POSITIVE THINGS TO YOURSELF
Think positively and also say positive things to yourself. Tell yourself positive things about the job when you wake up in the morning and before you sleep at night, and you wouldn’t only feel confident, you’d also believe in yourself.
5. PRACTICE CONFIDENCE BOOSTING TECHNIQUES
Practice techniques that would help you not only be confident for the interview, but would make you look confident as well. Power posture, smiling, breathing and pacing your words are some of those techniques you should practice.
6. ARRIVE EARLY
Never arrive late for an interview; you’d only become tense and nervy, and you also pass a message of being incompetent. Be a professional and arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the interview.
Don’t let fear and pressure take away your shine from the interview.
Jake