A job interview is stressful for professionals at all levels, but arriving unprepared ratchets up the stress exponentially. By spending time on interview preparation in the days and minutes before the meeting, you'll arrive feeling calm and confident.
Effective interview preparation begins as soon as you have a date scheduled. Here's a simple four-step plan to focus your efforts and use the time leading up to your interview wisely:
1) Right after landing the interview. At this stage, you should be focused on research. Read through the company's website, paying special attention to the biographies of the people you'll be working with or reporting to. Run an Internet search on the company, looking for mentions in the news. Take notes as necessary, but don't get too in-depth. Instead, absorb the information and learn as much as you can. This background knowledge will give context to your answers and questions during the job interview.
2) One to two weeks before the interview. Start analyzing your experience in relation to the company's needs. Figure out what makes you a unique candidate. If you are applying for a non-profit job, for example, an extensive volunteering background can give you a ground-level perspective. Read through lists of popular interview questions and write down your answers. In particular, The Wall Street Journal suggests you spend time on the ever-present and ever-uncomfortable question, "What are your weaknesses?" Come up with anecdotes from your past professional work that demonstrate how you'll be an asset to the company. Read your answers out loud becayse in doing so, you'll feel more comfortable during the interview and your answers will flow more freely.
3) The day before the interview. Reduce stress and surprises on the big day by taking a practice run to the location. Leave at about the same time you will leave on the day of the interview, and make sure to use the same mode of transportation to get a sense of traffic and potential delays. Find parking and walk right to the company's offices. In the process, you'll learn whether or not to leave more time for the trip, find out if any major roads are closed for construction, and correct any errors in your directions. As a result, you can avoid getting lost and flustered before the actual interview.
4) The day of the interview. If you've prepared thoroughly in advance, the day of the meeting should be focused on relaxation. Instead of frantically rehearsing answers and reading about the company, take time to combat your nerves. Do something physical to get your mind off of the job interview and rid your body of nervous energy: go for a run, do yoga or take a walk, for example. If you're extra nervous, work out at a high-intensity level to release stress. Leave plenty of time to get ready so you don't feel rushed and get out of the house early. Once you arrive at the office, sit calmly and take a few "rectangular breaths" to relax: breathe in for four counts, hold for four counts, breathe out for four counts, hold four counts and repeat. This simple exercise is unobtrusive and remarkably calming. As a result, you'll enter the interview room with a clear head and relaxed demeanor.
Think of a job interview like a presentation. The more prepared you are from all angles, the easier it is to improvise and think on your feet during the actual event. As an added bonus, you'll project a professional, collected impression during the interview.
(Photo courtesy of Ambro / freedigitalphotos.net)
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