Butterflies in the stomach, sweaty palms, racing heart – just some of the symptoms that everyone gets with job interviews.
Hiding these interview nerves is tough, but in a competitive job market, the need to ooze confidence and have a ‘game face’ has never been more important.
A nervous interview can potentially put paid to getting the job – and getting to the interview stage is difficult enough.
If you want to land that role, then bring those nerves under control and treat the interview as a performance. Brush up on your answers, have the right body language, look the part and that will go some way to keeping those nerves in check.
Here are some other pointers.
The handshake
This is the first real indication of your confidence and building rapport with your interviewer. Handshakes are an important part of the interview as this your opportunity to make first impression. Make it a firm handshake – not a vice like grip and not weak. Add a smile and definitely make eye contact (see below).
Posture and body actions
Your interviewer will spot this as they approach you, and it doesn’t matter whether you are sitting, walking or standing. Quite simply DON’T SLOUCH. Sit upright and shoulders back to give an air of confidence – maintain this throughout the interview.
Avoid crossing your legs throughout the interview, as this is a potential sign of fidgeting. Also avoid crossing your arms, as this is defensive and doesn’t show confidence. Instead, if you use your hands in conversation naturally, then do the same here but avoid excessive movement as they can be distracting.
Eye contact
This is crucial. Confident candidates do this naturally. Hold the gaze of your interviewer and be interested in what they are saying. Don’t turn it into a staring contest as this comes across as aggressive. Don’t look down at the ground either as this is an obvious sign of nerves. Avoiding eye contact is a total non-starter as it comes across as untrustworthy.
Use your head
How you hold your head is something recruiters look for. Keep head upright and actively use it (like your hands) to show interest by nods that acknowledge the interviewer and give off positive signals.
Stop the habits
Whether it’s chewing your nails, twiddling your hair, tapping your foot or cracking your knuckles – while they might help you, they are 100 per cent tell tale signs of nervousness. They distract your interviewer and paint you in a bad light. Avoid!
Breathing
When we panic, we tend to speak faster and our breathing just loses any sense of rhythm. Learn to control your breathing pattern and keep it smooth and regular during an interview. Longer breaths will ensure more oxygen intake, which helps the brain think straight.
To learn more about how we can save your time and money on your next recruitment campaign, or for a free online demonstration of CLARICO XL®, simply contact our Founder and Managing Consultant, Jamie Town at +44 7584 685 368 or by email at jamie@claricoxl.com
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