Feeling anxious before your (first) interview is entirely normal. The pressure of wanting to land that job is so powerful that it can overwhelm you and leave you feeling 100% confused. The tricky part is that when interviewing with a company, the interviewers will expect you to give precise and thoughtful answers to their questions.
But how do you nail the toughest interview questions when your mind is racing and your stomach is turning? Here are a few tricks you can try and come out as one of the strongest candidates:
Come prepared
We’ve mentioned the importance of proper preparation a thousand times. The reason is that doing your research can help you answer the trickiest questions correctly. Before stepping your foot into the interview room, research the company, and learn about their products. See who their competitors are and also research the people who will be interviewing you. Visit their Linkedin profile and check what their roles are within the company.
It’s often said, “Knowledge is power.” The saying is true to the core. The more you know, the more confidence you’ll have when answering the toughest and the most unpredictable questions.
Rehearse at home
After research, rehearsal is another vital component of nailing the interview. It’s a proven method for testing out your skills and learning from the experience in a safe environment.
One way of rehearsing is doing is yourself. Find or create a list of questions you believe will be asked in the interview. Then, answer each question on that list out loud. It’s especially important to practice out loud as it can be useful in getting used to verbalizing your answers and becoming more confident while speaking.
You can practice in front of a mirror, or you can take a video of yourself. If you have a video camera or a smartphone, record your answers and play them back. Analyze your body language as it can be crucial in how you present yourself. Maintain eye contact, use the right gestures, and keep a professional posture.
Or, you can always invite a friend to practice the interview with you. Give them a list of questions to ask you and have them interview you and provide constructive feedback.
Arrive early and relax
The last thing you want to stress about on the day of the interview is getting stuck in traffic. Leave home early so that you arrive on time. While waiting for the meeting to begin, practice some relaxing techniques. You can call a supportive friend or a family member to give you a few words of encouragement.
Or, you can try the S.T.O.P. technique. Stop what you’re doing and take a few deep breaths. Observe your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Proceed to incorporate what you observed in your actions.
Another method for calming your nerves is thinking about the worst scenario. Often, we like to skip on imagining the worst things that can happen in an interview. However, by thinking ahead, you’ll be more than ready to handle the worst scenarios.
Create an interview cheat sheet
An interview cheat sheet is not the same thing as cheating on your test in high school. It’s a resourceful checklist to ensure you remain focused before, during, and after the interview. You shouldn’t memorize every single thing that’s written on the cheat sheet. Instead, it should serve as a reminder of critical facts.
Here’s what you can include in your cheat sheet:
- A list of the skills you possess that fit the job requirements.
- A few questions you want to ask the interviewer.
- At least five success stories that will help you answer behavioral interview questions.
- Facts about the company, industry, and competition.
Take your time and think about it
If you get asked a hard question to which you don’t know the answer, take your time to think about it. Let the interviewer know that you’ve heard the question by saying, “That’s a good question. Let me think about it.”
Instead of jumping right in with an answer, take some time to formulate your thoughts and think of a well thought out answer. Don’t hesitate to take some notes to help you stay on track.
Use the adrenaline rush to your advantage
Nervousness and adrenaline go hand in hand. But the trick is to use that rush of adrenaline to your benefit. A case of nerves can give a boost of energy that you need to excel in tough situations. Reframe your nervous energy into excited energy and use it to perform incredibly at your interview. You’ll seem more enthusiastic to your interviewer and will answer the questions with a dose of excitement and interest. It’ll surely give off a positive impression.
Tell yourself, “This is exciting. I’m taking a major step, and what I’m doing is extraordinary. I’m smart, I’m qualified, and I’m a perfect fit for the job.”
Redirect the answer to an area you are familiar with
Let’s imagine that you get asked about your experience in a field you’re not familiar with. For example, the interviewer asks you, “What’s your experience with community management?” If you don’t have it, try redirecting the answer to something you’re experienced in.
You can say: “I have vast experience in community management from blog writing during my internship and from content marketing from my former job position. I think that these two skills are highly valuable for the position of community manager at your company.”
Remind yourself that it’s just a conversation
Don’t look at it as a fight for life or death. The world is not going to end if you get confused and give a rushed answer. Instead, look at your interview as a conversation between adults. You’re discussing your skills, your education, and your experiences. They’re trying to figure out whether you’ll be a cultural fit for the company, and at the same time, you’re deciding whether you want to work at that company. Keep in mind that you’re trying to land a good job as much as they’re hoping to find a good employee.
Finally, don’t put too much pressure on yourself
After your interview is done, don’t start worrying whether you’ll get the job. Remember that even if you don’t get chosen, there are thousands of other opportunities out there. Going to interviews, even to those that don’t go that well, is a fantastic exercise for you to practice your skills. With each interview, you’re learning how to present yourself, sell your skills, and leave a positive impression.
Keep up the excellent work and never stop being an ambitious individual.
