So you’ve landed the interview. Now, how do you land the job? Hiring managers are likely meeting with multiple candidates for the available role so you need to find a way to stand out.
Above a stellar resume and a firm handshake is the way in which you carry yourself. Your confidence will be your most memorable quality in any industry, so it’s important that you’re able to look, and feel, self-assured in your interviews.
Here are some effective ways to ensure your confidence is in tip-top shape so you can find interview success:
Walk the walk
The way you maintain eye contact, use your hands, and even walk or sit can actually help you feel more powerful, assertive, and ready in professional scenarios. For example, walking or sitting with uplifted shoulders and a straight spine can subconsciously make you feel more dominant, and therefore, more prepared to tackle the next interview question. Consider checking your posture and changing it where necessary so you’ll be able to stroll into your interview room with confidence.
Think positively
Although it may sound like an old cliché, positive thinking can be a powerfully persuasive tool for your own mind. If you let self-doubts creep in before your interview, you may struggle to feel confident in your thought process or experience, and you certainly won’t be able to convey them effectively. If you start noticing this negative thinking begin, fight it off with twice as many positive thoughts. Take a minute or two before your interview to write down your strengths and what makes you a capable prospective employee. Then, rely on this list when you feel yourself beginning to lose confidence in order to build yourself back up.
Attend conferences
A great way to become more confident is learning more about your field and role. This will allow you to feel more comfortable engaging in small talk and speak with a more informed mindset in professional settings. Beyond gaining more experience, you can expand your knowledge base by attending industry conferences and learn from leaders and like-minded professionals. Try finding one nearby that fits your interests so you’ll be able to stay up to date on the latest happenings and enter your interview feeling prepared.
Get a good night’s sleep
The last thing you want when interviewing is to feel exhausted: it can prevent you from preparing well and force you to lose direction and confidence. Let your mood and brainpower recover overnight and awake refreshed and ready to impress. If your stress about the upcoming event keeps you up at night, find the most effective relaxation technique for you. Whether that’s meditation, journaling, or trying out a soothing sounds machine, test out a few methods to ensure you’re prepared and confident the morning of your interview.
It’s crucial to put in the work ahead of time to ensure you enter your interview poised and confident. Your self-assuredness will ring through your answers and allow you to conduct yourself in a more professional way. This will help you make a positive first impression on your interviewer and improve your chances of landing the job.
by Natalie Lemons
Natalie Lemons is the Founder and President of Resilience Group, LLC, and The Resilient Recruiter and Co-Founder of Need a New Gig. She specializes in the area of Executive Search and services a diverse group of national and international companies, focusing on mid to upper-level management searches in a variety of industries. For more articles like this, follow her blog. Resilient Recruiter is an Amazon Associate.
Navigate YOUR Career Path!
Get in on our newsletters, FREE products and content to make your job easier!