The interview is a very important part of finally landing the job of your dreams. While your resume and experience can get you in the door, it is often the interview that seals the deal. It is crucial you make a good first impression and conduct yourself in a manner that is professional and appropriate.
A big part of the whole interview experience is about being confident. If you lack confidence, however, it can show in how you speak and how you present yourself. Potential employers want to see you are confident in your abilities and are up to the task of being a valued member of their team.
Even if you aren’t perfectly confident in everything you do and say, you can still make it appear as if you are. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips to appear more confident in a job interview.
Dress the Part
First, you need to look your best for the interview. Ensure you are well-groomed and are dressed professionally. For many jobs, a suit is generally a safe bet, while business casual may be more appropriate at others. Looking put together and ready to go can also help greatly when making a first impression.
If you need some tips about how to dress well for this (and other occasions), checking out an online resource like The Trending Man is a good idea. If you are dressed sharp and looking great, this will also give you a little boost to your confidence, not to mention show the hiring managers that you take this opportunity seriously.
Make Eye Contact
Next, it is important to be able to maintain eye contact during the interview. Being able to look someone in the eye when talking with them projects confidence. While this can be uncomfortable at times, it is very important to practice ahead of time so you can become more comfortable doing so.
Of course, don’t stare at them intensely throughout the interview, but be sure you are not averting your eyes or purposely avoiding looking at them. Try to keep eye contact fairly natural, and imagine you are chatting with a friend. If it feels too intense or prolonged, don’t hesitate to look at your notes, or refer to your resume.
Know Your Stuff and Be Prepared
Preparation is key when it comes to job interviews. They will ask you a series of questions, and it helps to think about potential responses ahead of time. Think about your experience and education, and how you can best answer common questions to show why you would make a great employee at their company.
If you need to stop and pause for a long time after each question, it can often illustrate to the interviewer that you have not prepared well. You don’t need to have a perfect instant response ready, but it shouldn’t take you long if you have already practiced these questions beforehand. On the other hand, avoid talking too quickly and too much. Know when you’ve answered the question, and try not to repeat yourself.
In addition to preparing for common questions and topics of conversation, you should also familiarize yourself with the company, as well as the role you are applying for. If you are armed with this knowledge, it can really impress those interviewing you and show them you did your homework.
Connect With the Interviewers
An interview often feels like it is all about impressing the interviewers. While this may be true to a certain extent, you also want to connect with the interviewers. You want to come across as personable, friendly, and respectful. Do not interrupt and show interest in them as individuals as well.
Asking the interviewers questions can also be a good way to show interest in them and the company, and build a bit of rapport. The reason connecting with an interviewer is so important is that it can often make you a more memorable candidate, and the person may begin to imagine what working with you would be like.
Use Breathing and Relaxation Techniques To Reduce Anxiety
No matter how much you prepare and how confident you feel ahead of time, sitting down at the table can often be a whole other feeling. If you feel yourself starting to get anxious during the interview, try to calm yourself down and reduce the anxiety.
There are several breathing techniques that can be used to calm yourself down in a pinch. These range from long exhales, to yoga breathing, to abdomen breathing. Also, if you have other subtle relaxation techniques that have worked for you in the past, don’t hesitate to pull them out in order to keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed.
Put Your Best Self Forward
Being confident in a job interview is one of the most important things to think about. All of these tips can help you appear as confident as possible (even when you don’t feel that way!) to help you land the job of your dreams.