Job interviews can rattle even the most confident candidates, but if you’re looking for engineering contract work in Chicago — or a direct hire opportunity — you have to shine. If you’re a nervous wreck, you can’t put your best self forward, so you need to get it together.
Unless you have superpowers, you probably won’t be able to completely overcome your anxiety, but there’s plenty of things you can do to control it. Here’s five tips to help you appear calm and collected during your interview, allowing you to make an outstanding impression.
Do Your Homework
When you’re well-prepared for a job interview, you’re able to walk into the room with confidence. Prior to the big day, research the company and practice responses to common interview questions, so you’re ready to handle anything that come your way. It’s a lot easier to keep your cool when you know you’ve done everything possible to prime yourself for the hot seat.
Give Yourself a Pep Talk
Take a few minutes to build yourself up before walking into the office for the interview. Push everything else out of your mind and focus on the outstanding performance you’re about to give. Reflect on all the steps you took to prepare for this interview and everything you have to offer the company. Filling your mind with positivity will put you in a confident state.
Dress to Impress
When you look great, you feel great. Choose your interview attire several days before the meeting, so you have time to make sure your clothing is clean and fits properly. This is crucial, because you’ll feel self-conscious if your shirt is too tight or your suit jacked is wrinkled.
You’ll also feel awkward if you get to the interview and realize you’re seriously over-or-underdressed. Avoid this by choose attire that’s one step above the company’s standard dress code. For example, if employees wear business casual, you should arrive in a suit.
Send the Right Nonverbal Cues
Well-rehearsed interview responses sound great, but they can easily be canceled out by nonverbal signals that relay an entirely different message. Exude confidence by giving a firm handshake, maintaining eye contact with the interviewer and sitting up straight. No matter how you feel on the inside, you’ll look like a poised professional if you present yourself properly.
Don’t Strive for Perfection
There’s no such thing as a perfect showing at a job interview. Accept the fact that you will make mistakes, and don’t beat yourself up for it. When the inevitable happens, find your footing and move on. Interviewers will only view a mistake as a big deal if you make it one, so gloss right over it.
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