8 Ways To Build Confidence Before an Interview
Interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience for many. You might prepare for weeks, and months leading to it, but fumble in the end due to a lack of confidence. If you are an introvert, you are left at a disadvantage. However, as we know, a good interview is key to getting into your dream company. No matter what your accomplishments are on paper, you have to know how to present them confidently in front of your interviewer. So, if you want to ace your interview, here are some tips that will help you gain the confidence you need.
1) PRACTICE QUESTIONS BEFOREHAND TO GAIN CONFIDENCE
The first step to gaining confidence is to already be prepared for what is about to come. There are the basic, “tell us about yourself, strengths and weakness etc” questions you should be well versed with. Additionally, brush up on all the sections of your resume like experiences, skills etc. Practice in front of the mirror, or with your family members/friends. You can also do mock interviews with industry experts, through programs like the Hireyy ATS package, to practice your skills. Once you know that you have completed your preparation with 100% devotion, you will automatically gain confidence.
2) TALK TO YOURSELF IN THE MIRROR
Once you are done with your preparation, take a deep breath, look into the mirror and say, “I got this.” “I got this, I’m the best, and no one can stop me from getting this job.” Words of affirmation play a powerful role in building confidence. Our brain is wired to create false negatives, and what ifs and a way to beat them is through, positive talk. If you start to question your success and your preparation, stop immediately and say, “I’ve done everything, I’ve got this.”
3) THINK ABOUT THE EVENTS WHERE YOU SUCCEEDED TO INCREASE YOUR CONFIDENCE
You are nervous right now. This interview seems impossible to crack, however, remember the times you were in a similar position and had succeeded. Remember your first college interview, your audition for your favourite play, and your first internship interview. They also seemed impossible to crack didn’t they? But you came out successful in the end. Remember the emotions you felt after you overcame that hurdle and came victorious.
Always keep in mind that every hurdle can be overcome, and you have already passed many before. This is just one other such hill you have to cross. This will instill you with confidence and you will feel more relaxed because you remember similar instances of difficulty and how, in the end, you succeeded.
4) VIZUALISE YOUR INTERVIEW GOING SUCCESSFULLY
Don’t think of all the worst-case scenarios that can happen to you. Think about your interview going successfully. You can answer all the questions correctly and fluently. Thinking of such a scenario will fill you with confidence.
5) YOUR INTERVIEWER IS NOT A MONSTER
Your interviewer is not out there to eat you up and spit you out. They aren’t there to humiliate or judge you. You have to remember that it was your resume that impressed them to call you for an interview in the first place. They want you there and know more about you. Also, don’t forget that they are also humans, and have been in the seat where you are right now. Many hiring recruiters aren’t even specialists of your field, and will mostly evaluate the confidence with which you talk about your work.
6) THINK OF INTERVIEWS AS A NORMAL CONVERSATION TO BOOST CONFIDENCE
Yes, you have to sell yourself, and yes your interview is a big thing, but at the end of the day it’s just a conversation. You are talking to another human about your skills and experience. Think of interviews through this lens and your confidence will skyrocket. I’m not saying take an interview casually and put all your hard work and efforts into your preparation, but in an interview, see it as just a conversation.
7) APPRECIATE ALL YOU ARE ABOUT TO LEARN
It is difficult to not let negative emotions of failure come up in your head, but you have to look at it in another light. Even if you fail, think about how far you have come. You surely are capable, and that’s why you are at this stage. Step into the interview knowing that you are about to learn something new. And thus, in the end, you will not go out empty-handed.
8) GET INTO A GOOD POSTURE, AND JUST TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Getting into an upright position, with your head held up high, shoulders straight, surprisingly fills you with a lot of confidence. Additionally, take long deep breaths. When you are nervous or stressed, the blood travels more to your muscles, reducing the oxygen flow to your brain. This can reduce your cognitive abilities. So to not let that happen, you should just take a step back, and take deep breaths. Breathe in for 4 counts, then briefly hold your breathe, followed by exhalation for another 4 counts. This will help calm you down and relax your nerves.
And that is it! Your interview might be in an hour, or a week, but take a deep breath and remember, YOU GOT THIS. You have prepared for this moment for so long, and no one can stop you now.
Mocks are a great way to practice for interviews, and with the insights of experts, this becomes a fruitful practice. If you want to hone your interview skills with specialists, the Hireyy ATS Package is the product for you. With one on one mock sessions held by industry specialists, Hireyy prepares you for all that can come your way in that interview. Held by experts from big companies like Deloitte, KPMG etc, you can ask all your doubts and become the best version of yourself. With your training, you will get a job in just 18 days. So if that interests you, check out the Hireyy ATS package here.
Penned by- Kritika Pant
