Everyone knows a bad case of the job interview jitters can have a
profound effect on the outcome of the meeting. Yes, you may have the
skills, the experience, and impeccable references, but if your interview
is strained and uncomfortable, you could be putting yourself at a
disadvantage.
Panic at the Interview Site
It’s happened to the best of us. Pulling into the parking lot and we
feel it coming on, –nervousness. Not just a fleeting thought and a mild
feeling of apprehension; most of us can deal with that. I’m talking
about the kind of anxiety that saps our ability to think clearly, makes
the palms of our hands sweaty, and sort of causes us to look like a
socially awkward, disheveled version of ourselves. No matter how
anxiety-ridden you are, you can nix the nervousness with a few mental
and physical strategies:
Overcoming Interview Anxiety – The Day Before
Anxiety often has more to do with our physical health than we might
think. A celebratory night of drinking or a lack of proper sleep are two
huge mistakes you can make before an interview. Both will throw you off
your game. Save your toasts for after you’ve landed the job and be sure
to get at least a solid 7 hours of sleep the night before. If you’re
having trouble relaxing, take a soothing hot shower, a relaxing bath, or
have a nice cup of Chamomile tea.
Another thing to avoid is food you aren’t used to eating. The night
before an interview is not the time to try Sushi or flaming hot wings
for the very first time.
Choose your outfit. Yes, this may sound trivial, but it’s actually
not. Discovering there’s a stain on the suit you intended to wear on the
day of your interview, or realizing you actually don’t own an iron 30
minutes before you need to leave will only add to your anxiety.
Overcoming Interview Anxiety – The Big Day
Give yourself ample time to wake up. If your interview is scheduled
for 9am, don’t set your alarm for 8. Eat a light breakfast and try to
include some fresh fruit. Bananas are rich in potassium and can actually
help you think more clearly by regulating your electrolyte balance.
Limit caffeine intake to one cup of coffee, if any at all.
Give yourself a pep talk. That’s right! Positive self-talk has been
proven to increase self confidence. If you can’t talk yourself up, call a
positive, encouraging friend and lay it on the line, “Hey, I’m about to
walk into an interview. Tell me I’m wonderful.” You know your friends
will be more than willing to accommodate.
Finally, stand tall (posture is a often a reflection of how you feel about yourself), take a deep breath, and make it happen.
The Perks of Being Part of a Team
If you’re job hunting alone, you may want to consider the benefits of
being part of a team. There’s more to working with a temporary staffing
agency than simply being directed to an open assignment. Staffing
agencies develop long-term relationships with the businesses they serve.
Often, they know who you will be interviewing with, what they are
looking for and what their interview style is. Besides that, the
staffing agency has already paved the way for you. They’ve discussed
your qualifications, your work ethic, your attitude, and other strengths
with the potential employer. Essentially, you’re part of a team with a
staffing agency, so you’re not going into the situation cold.
Are you looking for permanent or temporary employment in Orlando,
Tampa, Bradenton, Clearwater or Fort Lauderdale? HH Staffing Services is
ready to take the pain out of the interview process. We’ll not only
match your qualifications with the ideal employment opportunity for you,
but we’re great at giving pep talks as well! Give us a call today.
You’ll be glad you did.
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