Ease your job interview nerves provides comprehensive advice on how to prepare for a job interview to reduce nervousness and increase confidence. Key points of this article include thorough preparation, reflecting on past interviews, researching the company, anticipating questions, and being punctual.
Advice such as "Don't be nervous about a job interview" doesn't always help, but luckily good preparation does! When you are well prepared, you will be more relaxed and confident in the interview situation.
In preparing for the job interview, you have already been in contact with the recruiting company and agreed on a job interview. You can congratulate yourself on having come a long way in the recruitment process and convinced the employer company of your competence. 👏
(Almost) all of us have to attend a job interview at some point. A job interview is bound to make you feel a little nervous, whether it's your first one or you've had dozens. However, it's good to remember that a little nervousness is normal if you are genuinely interested in the job. There is no point in getting too nervous, but sometimes you just can't get over it, no matter how you try! Luckily, there is a solution to relieve nervousness: preparing for the interview in advance.
“The better prepared you are, the less nervous you will be and the more confident and relaxed you will feel when it’s time for the interview.”
If you have accumulated experience from interviews, go through your previous interviews before the job interview and think about how the previous job search went and what you learned from it. For example, did you encounter a question in the interview that you did not know how to answer, or did you feel anxious about forgetting to highlight something important?
Check-list for preparing for an interview
- GET TO KNOW THE COMPANY
Visit the company’s website and read any recent news about the company’s situation. See also what kind of employee structure the company has. It's important to get to know the company so that you know what you are really applying for.
- READ THE JOB ADVERTISEMENT (ONCE AGAIN)
Before the interview, go through the exact details of the position and think about what kind of employee the company is looking for. Check the application for the absolute requirements and the things that benefit the applicant. Think about which of the things mentioned in the advertisement apply to you and what made you apply for the job in question. Also consider what inspires and motivates you in the company in question.
- ANTICIPATE QUESTIONS – BUT DON'T GET SCARED BY SURPRISES
Think about any questions you may be asked and be prepared to answer them. In an interview, an applicant is often asked, for example, what the work applicant's strengths and areas for development are. It’s worth remembering that even if you don't have a direct answer or experience in something (such as budgeting), the most important thing is that you respond – the interviewer may want to see how you react in a difficult situation.
- THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO ASK THE RECRUITER IN ADVANCE
This shows that you are genuinely interested in the company and the job in question. Common topics of interest are team and work culture matters, and you can also surprise the interviewer with your own questions!
- BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO
The portfolio often contains work certificates, degree certificates and work samples. These are being asked for increasingly less, but you should prepare for this by having them with you in the interview. Often, work samples in particular can impress the interviewer.
- ALSO PREPARE EXTERNALLY
Choose clothes that make you feel comfortable during the job interview. Make sure you look neat and tidy. Wrinkled clothes can be the factor that impacts the hiring decision.
- BE ON TIME
Check the location of the interview and see how you can get there safely and in time. In addition, check the name and details of the person you are meeting with. You can find out more about them on LinkedIn, for example.
In the interview itself, be polite, honest, open and good-humoured and emphasise your personality, skills and strengths for the job. Believe and trust in yourself to convince the interviewer with your own confidence. This is how you leave a good impression of yourself, and it will be remembered.
Would you like to read an article about common job interview questions and how to answer them? Read it here!