Confidence is perhaps one of the most important qualities you can have, particularly if you are searching for a new career or want to ensure a successful job interview. Confidence shows that you believe not only in yourself but in your skills and abilities, which then helps demonstrate your value to your employer.
But, when interviewing for a new job, no matter if it’s an entry-level position or a promotion, you want to ensure that the confidence you give off doesn’t come across as rude or arrogant – something which puts employers off and might give them the wrong impression of you. Many different factors come to ensure that you make a good first impression during a job interview, which can all help you to feel more confident. Let’s take a look at how you can feel more confident during a job interview.
Look To Connect With The Interviewer
An easy way to appear and feel confident during an interview is to look for something which connects you with the interviewer and gives them a long-lasting impression. Many people go into job interviews looking to impress the interviewer, but this can make many people feel anxious and that then affects confidence.
Confidence is all about feeling at ease and, if you can find a topic or discussion which you can connect with your interviewer on, such as out-of-work interests, pets or children, then you can ease any nerves or tension initially with a brief informal chat about the topic. In job interviews, it helps to connect with people, rather than focusing on your performance.
This being said, it’s also important to make an effort with every person you come in contact with when going for your interview, whether it’s a receptionist who lets you into the building, a member of staff who offers you a drink when welcoming you and also the interviewer. Remember, you’ll be entering an already established team, so it’s important to treat everyone well – you may well be working with them soon and people talk! Be polite, smile and again try to make small talk or chat with them briefly – this gives a good lasting impression.
Consider Your Body Language
When we’re anxious, nervous or worried, this is reflected in our body language and posture. If you’re feeling these emotions before your job interview, whether it’s when waiting to be called into the room or during the interview itself, then you might not notice, but your body will probably be reacting in a very similar way. Fidgeting, slouched posture and nervous habits all affect your confidence levels and can be easily picked up by your interviewer – sit up straight, give a good firm handshake and avoid any nervous habits. One tip to remember is to ask yourself “How would I sit if I was really interested in something” – you’ll find that you instantly straighten your posture and appear more confident and relaxed.
Preparation Is Key
Perhaps one of the easiest and most effective ways to exude confidence in a job interview is to be prepared. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail as the saying goes.
- Research the role that you are applying for – are there any highlights you might want to mention to your interviewer, or perhaps there are areas of the role that you have questions about?
- Take a look at the company – do they have social media channels that give you an insight into the business? What are the company culture guidelines, if there are any? A lot of interviews are centred around company values, so make sure you are familiar with these before heading into the interview. Have they recently won any awards or shared any big news which you can drop into the conversation – interviewers love this as it shows you’re keen and interested.
- Review your CV – make yourself familiar with the STAR interview method, as interviewers tend to read CVs and put together certain hypothetical situations or questions based on the qualities you’ve highlighted in your CV – they want to make sure that your approach to handling situations or challenges is in line with the way they would approach them.
As well as the actual interview, it pays to make yourself familiar with the location of the interview itself. Don’t just assume that it will be at the listed business premises – many businesses now use shared workspaces, or even offer remote interviews as they are working from home.
If you know you have to travel to the interview, be sure to check your travel plans and make sure you get there with plenty of time. Parking can be a last-minute and unplanned nightmare, so if you’re heading into a city centre, be sure to find a car park in Leeds, Manchester or London which is within good walking distance to your interview location.
Hopefully, these tips will help you feel more confident during your interview, but remember – be yourself and smile Good luck!