www.lifehack.org: A job search can be a stressful time in a person’s life, and staying positive and motivated can make a world of difference for how a candidate is viewed through the eyes of the interviewer. There’s a wealth of practical information on the web about resume and cover letter tips, acing the interview, and follow-up responses. But how do you avoid getting wrapped up in all the stress and worry of a job hunt and maintain a positive outlook? The more confident you feel, the more it will show.
8 comments:
I have to say that normally I find these kinds of articles about interview tips are kind of silly and repetitive. But this one suggested a lot of things that at first seem silly but actually probably give a lot of help before an interview. I feel like often we forget about our posture, but it does say a lot about who we are. I do believe sitting up straighter will make you feel taller and more stable. I especially liked the idea of doing one extraverted thing before the interview, because it would probably wake up your people skills and be a good warm up for just holding conversation. Even though that's something we do everyday, having a conversation with someone you don't know will help because it is likely that you don't know your interviewer.
I love this article! It can be easy to be so stressed out and intimidated by the prospect of going to an interview that you forget the little things that can really make or break the interview for you. The tips about posture and attire go together in my mind- if you look good, you feel good, and you should be able to stand proudly. The tip about talking out loud when you get up in the morning made me laugh, because it's so true that you sound a little silly when you speak for the first time each day. I usually feel so awkward when practicing for an interview out loud- but awkward or not, it needs to happen and should be taken seriously in order to be an effective method of preparation. On a different note, it's great to hear the story about the author's friend who got a job because she was nice to people in the elevator. Being friendly with the people around the office when you go to an interview should be a given, but I think that some people have a genuinely difficult time making those connections. This is a great example of why it pays to learn how to make small talk and be more outgoing in your everyday life and daily interactions with strangers. I tend to smile at people or say hello when I walk by them; some people look at me like I'm crazy because I don't know them, while others respond well and return the gesture. This is something that's easy to do, and can make a subtle difference in someone's day. Even something as simple as smiling at the other people in the office can get you positive points in an interview setting, so why not do it? None of the tips in this article are terribly difficult to achieve, you just have to put mind over matter and focus on the little things that are so important when you are in an interview setting.
I couldn't agree more with Jacquelyn. Often these articles are less than informative; they state the obvious as though it is a new and exciting breakthrough. But this article makes some interesting points that are very valid to the interview process. The one that sticks with me the most is the advice that right before the interview, it is a good idea to do something extroverted. I hadn't put two and two together before reading this, but now that comment makes perfect sense. I always feel better about my like prospects in general after having a short but happy conversation with a food server or after I've held the door for someone and smiled at them as they walked through it. It makes me feel confident and good about myself, and in this case it makes me feel worthy of the job and ready to tackle that interview. I will definitely be keeping in mind these little gems of advice over the next few months as I begin searching for a summer job.
There are a lot of articles about interview tips that come through the blog. We talk about a lot of them on podcast as well. I agree with the three ladies above me. This article is one of the first articles regarding interview tips that is actually useful that I have seen in a very long time. These are all important things to keep in mind when preparing for an interview. I especially agree with the point about dressing for the feeling you want. I can't even count the number of days that I've woken up stressed or in a bad mood and put on heels or a skirt/dress in order to make myself feel more positive about my life. Dressing well can work wonders on your psyche. I also like the tip about getting your nervous ticks out of the way before walking into the building. I have a horrible habit of cracking my knuckles, and it gets a lot worse when I'm stressed or nervous. It's good to remember to stop doing those nervous habits when you're in the interview room in order to come across as more cool, collected, and confident.
These are real life hacks! Simple, seemingly unrelated things that add up to a better you! In addition to the author's story about his friend getting the job on the elevator, I know that Thomas Edison used to take candidates out to lunch and watched whether they salted their food before tasting it first. If they did, then he didn't hire them because they made a judgment before getting the facts. Now, you obviously can't plan which particular quirks a prospective employer has, but it is interesting to see which qualities about a person can make or break them in an interview situation.
Going into this I was accepting your run of the mill tips on how to be confident in your interview. I was mistaken though, these tips were unlike ones I have heard before and it was actually useful to hear. I tend to be someone who is a little more reserved and not so out spoken especially in one on one interview situations. Personally, I think the tips "Listen to Upbeat Music" and "Do One Extroverted Act Before Your Interview" are the two most useful for me. they are simple things that can help you get out of your shell and be ready to open up in your interview.
Usually, I am not fond of these "LifeHack" articles. However, I was surprised to find out that I subconsciously do a few of these things before interviews. Their version of "Dress for Success" is something I take into account as well as the music aspect as well. Like others before, I had never thought about doing one act of extroversion before the interview, but it makes sense in terms of psyching yourself up before your interview. I also practice smiling in the mirror. It's silly, but it works. People like other people who smile. It's probably proven by science, somewhere.
I think article is a great way to break down some of the more psychological aspects of going into a job interview. aka how not to psyche yourself out. It interesting because these are things i think about when I'm doing a class presentation or about to run a meeting. Making sure I'm calm, confident. and prepared, really the only things you need to have a positive outcome.
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