Taking an interview is a crucial step when you seek new jobs in New Zealand or anywhere in the world. Even though the process seems long, it is an brilliant opportunity to sell your skills. Thus, you need to give your best shot in order to stand out from the crowd.
One key virtue that will take you far in the interview process is your level of confidence. A confident interviewee earns the trust of his/her potential employer.
There are a considerable number of jobs in NZ. However, your chances of getting any of these diminish when you show signs of fear during the interview. Provided you understand your value to the organization, then you will not have a problem with confidence.
Even better, consider the interview process as an exchange of information. Take it that the hiring manager seeks to determine if you are the best candidate for the vacancy. Equally important, you want to find out if the company culture and job opening are in line with your career plans. Evaluate them in the same critical eyes as they are evaluating you.
By being you in the interview, you stand to face fewer frustrations later on at work. An authentic employee from the beginning marks how the employer will view him/her.
Here is a guide on how to maintain confidence and be you throughout the interview.
#1: UNDERSTAND THE JOB DESCRIPTION
Before you enter into an interview room, make sure that you have a clear understanding of the job description. It highlights what your potential employer is looking for. Remember that as they draft the job description, they too are aware they may or may not get everything they are after. However, they are willing to settle for whoever convinces them is the right person for the job.
Therefore, do not fret over it if you meet some requirements that seem overboard. More importantly, the hiring manager barely memorizes the description. So, your only role is to assure them of your competencies.
As you read the job description, identify the required skills. These are the must-have skills which the employer seeks. Besides these, look into the preferred skills. They give you a competitive advantage. List the required skills and preferred skills in order of their importance, identifying where you stand.
There is nothing as powerful as being knowledgeable. The confidence that it brings forth is unmatched. Keep in mind that experience and skills are not confined only to work. Try and establish a connection between your accomplishment in a hobby or volunteer work and the job opening.
#2: KEEP OFF THE “MIGHT FAIL” MENTALITY
You cannot get something that you already decided is not yours.
If you ever doubt your ability to get the job, then you will not get it. Throughout the interview, your mind is set to wonder about how impossible the mission is. Stop asking yourself whether you will succeed in the interview. As you doubt yourself, you become less likely to sell what you have to offer.
You may have had failed interviews in the past. Nonetheless, that’s not a reason to think you are not up to the task. Keep in mind that if you had never failed an interview before, you wouldn’t have learned anything. We must fail at one point before emerging victorious.
#3: DIRECT NERVOUS ENERGY ELSEWHERE
Fear and excitement are equivalent to brother and sister. Those who have ever watched a horror movie in a theatre understand just how well these emotions are linked. For instance, the thrill of watching a movie in a relaxed atmosphere keeps you happy. On the other hand, the regular scary scenes keep your blood pressure running high.
Likewise, taking the interview is sure to come with both feelings. Despite the emotional encounter, you can retain control over your performance in the interview. Imagine a situation where the interview completes successfully and remain excited about the anticipation.
Remain committed to this image of victory and visualize it just a few minutes before walking into the interview. Use it as an actor to convert your nervous energy into performance energy.
#4: BE FRESH
Remaining attentive and fresh throughout the interview is an amazing stress reduction technique. A mistake that most interviewees make is to spend almost the whole night awake trying to visualize how the interview would go. Instead of helping you, the approach ends up messing the entire interview.
On the contrary, take the night off and sleep early. Believe that your preparation over the years is enough to make you excel. Thus, the only thing needed right now is a good night’s sleep for a fresh interview session.
Additionally, keep watch of what you eat prior to the interview. Carefully select your meals. Go for slow-release carbohydrates so that you have sustained energy in the interview.
In conclusion, displaying confidence in the interview is mandatory for a successful hiring process. Do not let the lack of it ruin your chances of effectively selling your skills.
