Published: June 14, 2023
Taking the Nerves Out of the Interview
We’ve all been there. Sitting in the lobby, patiently waiting for our name to be called, and nervously wondering how this interview is going to go. Did you prepare enough? Will they like you? What if there’s a question you can’t answer?! Here at CareerSource Capital Region, we don’t want you walking into your interview with all those concerns. We want to help you feel as prepared as possible. Even for the most experienced job seeker, job interviews can be nerve-wrecking. Selling yourself to potential employers is not something that comes easy for many of us. CareerSource Capital Region wants to help you have the most positive interview experience possible, so here are a few tips to help you prep for your interview.
Do your homework. Many employers lead with questions like, “Why do you want to work here?” and “What drew you to this company?” These questions are usually softballs meant to make sure you actually know what the company does and what they value. Before meeting with an employer, make sure you give their website a thorough search, read their value statement and “About Us” page, even look into their social media. This will not only help you easily answer those questions but it will also show that you’re actually interested in who they are.
Dress for success. While it may seem obvious, professionalism is key when you walk into an interview. If you get this job, you will be representing this company. Therefore, show them you’ll be able to don that professional demeanor and hold yourself in that manner. I’m not saying that you need to wear a three-piece suit or fancy dress (unless it’s that type of company). However, it is important that you look like you’ve put thought into your appearance. Even for remote and virtual interviews, putting on a professional outfit will not only change how your potential employer sees you, but will make you feel more professional and confident as well.
Review your resume. By this point, your potential employer has looked over your resume and clearly likes what they see. Now, it’s your job to expand on that. In the days before your interview, sit down and review your resume. Reflect on the skills each previous experience has brought to the table and how they will help you succeed within the position you’re interviewing for. Be prepared to answer questions on the projects that you were involved in, how you handled conflict within your previous positions, and how each experience will help you moving forward. You can even go as far as to prepare a few stories/examples about each previous experience. This way, it is less likely to be caught off guard by any questions you may be asked.
Practice, practice, practice. To many of us, talking about ourselves in this capacity is awkward. That’s why you should get in as much practice as you can. Find a friend, a family member, or even a colleague that you feel comfortable talking to and ask them to step into the role of interviewer. Even practicing the most basic of interview questions and getting feedback will help you feel more comfortable with talking in this manner. Not only can the other person give you feedback on your answers, but can help you with your nerves as well. The more practice you get in, the more comfortable you will be on the big day.
Ultimately, interviews can be tricky, so it’s important to give yourself all the preparation and advantages that you possibly can. Here at CareerSource, we want to see you succeed and we want to help ensure that you are on your dream career path. For more interview prep and practice, make sure to check out our monthly calendar at https://www.careersourcecapitalregion.com/calendar/month/ for webinars on interviews, resume assistance, and much more. Register today for any webinar of your choosing and we look forward to helping you succeed.