Job Interview Tips: 5 Ways to Feel Confident

Job Interview Tips: 5 Ways to Feel Confident

With so much going on in the world right now, a lot of us will find ourselves needing a refresh on our job-hunting skills after the Covid19 lockdown. As good as we may be at our previous jobs, having to convince a group of people to hire you will always be a nerve-racking experience. Here are some valuable job interview tips to help you feel more confident in your next job interview. 

Do Your Research: Learn Everything You Can About the Company You are Applying For

There's nothing more unattractive at a job interview than a lack of knowledge about the actual company you are applying for. You can't insist on your eagerness to work for any job if you're not 100% sure who you are applying to. Fortunately for you, in most cases, the resources you'll need to learn what you need to learn, will be easily available on the Internet. 

What to Research Before a Job Interview:

  • What the Company is - Look at the 'about us' page of your company's website. Check the products or services the business is providing. Get a good idea of what the company provides, what it stands for, and what its goals are. 
  • Who the Hierarchy of Authority is - You'll want to get a good idea of the actual individuals you'll be working for. From the owner's down to the managers. You will feel a lot more confident knowing who you are talking to or who you may potentially be working for. 
  • ﻿Who are the Company's Target Market - ﻿During the job interview, you will be asked what value you'll provide for the company or business you are applying for. Every establishment has a target market that they are always focused on to earn from. If you are aware of their target market, you can give precise answers to what value you can add to their team. Discuss how your presence in the company will help them with their main goal, to earn from their target market. 

Dress Your BEST

When we say 'dress your best', it's not about dressing to impress whoever's hiring you. Nowadays, you are not judged by how you are dressed unless it seems as if you have not made an effort to appear professional. You need to dress your best to feel the most comfortable and the most confident going into your interview. 

You know the feeling you have when you are wearing an outfit that you feel good in. An outfit that fits perfectly, compliments your skin tone, and you feel 100% comfortable in, will help you feel confident. For your job interview, pick an outfit that you know will make you feel good. The more confident you are walking into an interview, the better you'll be at answering questions and building rapport with the people interviewing you. 

This two-piece pantsuit is perfect for a job interview OOTD. It's comfortable and a confidence-booster. 


Do a Little Practice: Prepare Answering Questions

Anticipate the type of questions you will be asked at the job interview, and practice what you want to say. This way of preparing will guarantee that you are able to answer every question with the best of your ability. 

How to practice answering interview questions:

  1. List down all the questions - Try to think about all the possible questions you should be expecting to get asked at the job interview. Whether it's about your experience, your skills, why you are perfect for the job position, or what you plan to bring to the table if you get hired, you need to have a list of questions to practice with. 
  2. Write down the key points you want to make - Before going into a job interview, you should already have a good idea of what they are looking for in a candidate. To do well at a job interview, you'd want the interviewer to see that you are the right person for the job. One way to guarantee that this happens is by writing down the key points you want them to know when you are undergoing the interview. The goal is to leave a good first impression that will be memorable. 
  3. Don't MEMORIZE - What you need to avoid is memorizing your answer word by word, rather than being spontaneous and natural with how you are speaking. If you try too hard to memorize your answers, you won't be thinking about what you want to say, but rather, focusing on saying everything the right way. Because of this, the moment you make a mistake, you will lose the momentum and come across as if you don't know what you are talking about. 

    Relax and Take Your Time Talking

    A common mistake a lot of interviewees make at job interviews, is letting their nerves get the best of them and rushing through everything they are saying. You want the interviewers to know that you are confident in what you are saying. Rushing through your words and acting too nervous does not reflect confidence. 

    If you want to be more confident in your job interview, you first need to relax. Take long, deep breathes, smile, engage in conversation, and above all else, take your time talking. By doing so, you'll be able to stay calm, and therefore, avoid making mistakes during the interview.

    Make Eye Contact and Stay Focused

    Don't let your mind wander when you are at an interview. It's easy to overthink as you sit around waiting for your job interview. But the second you are called in for the interviewing process, you need to stay focused.

    There's nothing more off-putting than someone who either asks to have a question repeated or someone who seems to not understand the question. You'll be remembered for all the wrong reasons if you fail to make eye contact and stay focused. Make the effort to really listen to what the interviewer has to say. Be confident in the way you are making eye contact. Let them know that you know how to be attentive and detail-oriented when needed. 


    Final Thoughts

    Don't overthink everything. When you are trying to make the best impression at a job interview, it's easy to fall into the hole of self-doubt and nerves. This can get the best of you in all the wrong ways. To be more confident going into a job interview, you should make it a point that you are confident in your skills, achievements, and what you know you will bring to the table if hired for the job. Be positive and relaxed, and you will exude confidence that will get noticed.