If the day of your interview has dawned and you are feeling extremely nervous, don’t worry – you certainly won’t be the only one; most people do get anxious before an interview, especially if the job is something they really want. However, just because you are nervous doesn’t mean that you can allow your interview to slip through your fingers; no matter how you are feeling, you will need to be on top form when you are talking to your potential new employer.
Luckily, there are some ways to ensure that your interview goes as smoothly as possible, and once you know what they are, it is really down to proper preparation and practice. Read on to find out what you can do to make your interview as successful as you can.
Practice nonverbal communication
In any given situation, job interviews included, it’s sometimes less about what you say and more about how you say it. Your body language gives out a lot of information whether you want it to or not, so it’s wise to practice to make sure it is telling the story you want it to.
Some of the most important elements of this include:
- Good eye contact
- A firm handshake
- Standing straight and still (that is, no fidgeting)
These and other nonverbal communications will offer a great first impression, and that is the basis of a much more successful interview than if you make a poor first impression and have to build up from there.
Dress appropriately
Whatever job you are going for, dressing well for the interview is a must. Even if the working environment is a casual one or one in which uniforms are worn, you should still dress smartly, ideally in a suit (this goes for both men and women). If you really don’t want to do this, then a pair of smart trousers and a formal top will also work.
Make sure that your clothes are cleaned and ironed and that your shoes (again, these should be smart and you shouldn’t wear trainers or other day-to-day type shoes) are polished. It is all about showing the employer that you respect them and their business and that you want to make a good impression. Showing up to an interview looking scruffy and unkempt or in everyday clothes shows a lack of preparation which won’t go down well. It’s best to invest in some new clothes and some natural skin and haircare products like those from https://ethique.com.au/ and really make an effort.
Answer questions
An interview is a series of questions aimed at you from the employer to ascertain whether or not they feel you are suitable for the job they are hiring for. Some of these questions will be easy, and some will be much harder. It’s a good idea to practice what you are going to say in advance. Although you won’t know what questions are going to be asked exactly, you can hazard a good guess at some of them and get yourself prepared.
The best thing to do is to prepare your answers in advance to these more difficult questions, but also to remember to listen to what is being said; you don’t want to go off on a tangent answering the question you think is being asked if something else is being asked altogether.
