Have an interview coming up? But not sure if you are confident enough? This article might just be your savior.
You know what they say, confidence is the key. The key to attaining a better self, a better life and even that job that you have always dreamed about. But there is a difference between dreaming it and actually going on to achieve it. It is absolutely okay to feel nervous and be extremely anxious, especially since a lot is at stake when it comes to the interview. But, as long as you know your worth, are assured of your abilities, and have that confidence, there is nothing in the world that can stop you.
If you know yourself to have a hard time during these stressful yet crucial moments and trying to figure out how to be confident in an interview, you have come to the right place.
Let’s quickly dive in to find out the best tips to boost confidence at a job interview.
Meditate:
We know that this comes off as something very spiritual or preachy but when it comes to calming those nerves down, nothing works as magically as some good old meditation. It is absolutely crucial to relax and get yourself together even before delving into the ways to boost confidence at a job interview. Practice some breathing exercises and let that blood flow into your muscles to feel that ultimate zen. This not only helps you to focus but also clears your mind.
Here’s a quick breathing exercise that might help you get started.
- Sit comfortably and distribute your weight out
- Close your eyes and take a slow and deep breath in and expand your body
- Hold your breath for a few seconds
- Focus and pay attention to your breathing patterns
- Exhale slowly with your mouth
- Repeat this several times
Practice:
Although interviews are the kind of conversations you cannot control, you can practice a few things to seem more amicable with the actual environment. Come up with a simple and confident opening line and note down all the things that you might have to talk about – like a little something about yourself, your background, why you are opting for this company and other general questions that one usually expects during an interview. To help you with your lack of confidence in interviews, here are some of most common questions asked.
Have a strong familiarity with these questions and their answers and you can even practice speaking these out in front of the mirror. Before heading out for the interview or picking up that phone, give yourself a small pep talk, especially because at the end of the day, no one can help you as much as you can help yourself.
Also Read How To Introduce Yourself In a Job Interview
Make eye contact:
This might seem something extremely challenging to carry out particularly when you are nervous and highly strung but believe it or not, this is no less than a trick. Making good eye contact with your interviewer is possibly one of the best ways to make them believe that you are confident enough to maintain steady eye contact with them.
If you are looking somewhere else while talking to them, you might come across as someone diffident and disrespectful and this is exactly why confidence is important in an interview. A small feat to ace this is to imagine a spot between the interviewer’s eyes and focus on that. That being said, do not make your eye contact so intense that it almost makes the other person uncomfortable. Practice this with your family and friends and seek their help to achieve that perfect balanced spot.
Look the part:
During interviews, when you are meeting the interviewer for the first time, it is crucial that you work on your first impression. This is probably one of the best ways to boost confidence at a job interview.
The way you present yourself not only gives a good impression but also makes you think positively. The manner in which you have dressed yourself, the handshake, the smile that you greet with, your posture and everything about you should scream confidence. Dress professionally, equip yourself with a firm handshake, make calculated moves without fidgeting, be comfortable and the world is your oyster.
Enjoy:
This might be one of those moments that might change the rest of your life but that does not mean you cannot have fun, right? At the end of the day, it is a bit of conversation with a few people and as long as you are sure about your abilities, have a good understanding of your academic and professional background and know exactly what you want, you have nothing to really worry about. Try to connect with them instead of impressing them and that way, it will feel more easy and not forced. Focus your energy on building a rapport, dedicate the time to effortlessly having a good conversation and smile your way through avoiding the lack of confidence in interviews.
The above steps not only help you during interviews but are also a great practice to be a more confident person overall. Once you understand how a bit of confidence can improve your way of living, there is no turning back. Imagine having everything it takes to secure that dream job and yet failing to secure it just because you lack a bit of confidence. That should never be fair. Our mind is a wonderful thing and if we can gather even an iota of confidence, half the battle is already won.
Not everyone is the same and when it comes to confidence, maybe we do not have that natural flair but guess what? We can always seek some tips to boost confidence at a job interview. So, know yourself in and out and try to find the things that might stop you from reaching your goal. Work on them and most importantly, be kind to yourself. You have got this!
